My Life in a Snap Shot

Happiness is when you are mindful and thankful for all that you have, and I am. I am genuinely happy.

Life has been good to me ever since I was determined to put in the effort to make it so. But it required work. It took time to change my perspective, my attitude, my response to challenges, and my overall health. It took goal setting and goal achieving with strong leaders and positive mentors. It took the decision making of sticking to the few that would push me forward and limiting the immediate rewards for the delayed gratification.

So this is my life in a snap shot. It consists of love, proper nutrition, regular exercise, positive quotes, sunshine, moonlight, giggles, and a passion to live right and to live well.

Cheers to Wednesday Mindfulness!

Happy Monday!

The sun is shining brightly today! What a perfect way to start the new week after an amazing heartfelt weekend spent with family and friends. Let us not forget how thankful we are for all that we have! Keep up the high spirits and use that positive energy as momentum to make the world a better place.

Much love from ThatGirl who desperately needs to invest in new Chapstick haha...

Oh by the way, I'm back to eating clean and drinking a ton of water again. This should help to rehydrate my lips!! :p

Have a blessed day, everyone!

Never Give Up

If you ever feel down, uninspired, unmotivated, and just plain stuck in your ways, do yourself a favor and watch this video.  It will put you to tears every time because the story is real.  Don't ask any questions, just press PLAY and it will speak for itself...

"Never underestimate what you can accomplish when you believe in yourself.  Never Give Up."

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I am not thankful today, no, not today.  I am not thankful for this year either.  I am thankful for this second chance at life which has led up to all that I have today and all that I have become.  If it were not for 2010 and those moments of realization, those decisions to act, those feelings of bravery and necessity and care for those who love me most, I would not be here.  And I thank God.  I thank God every single day that I had the strength to turn my life around.  I thank God for believing in me, for supporting me, and for never letting go of my hand or heart.  I thank God for blessing me with the new friends and the new family I have made in the last few years.  I even thank God for all the challenges he set before me making me stronger, smarter, more mindful, more enlightened and much more valuable to this universe.  This energy, this Light, it all comes from Him.  And if it were not so, then I would not be the person that I am today, aspiring to inspire, learning to learn more, being the best version of myself I can possibly be with the intent of bettering myself every single day so that I may serve you.  So no, I am not just thankful today.  I am simply thankful.

May you have a happy, healthy, love-filled Thanksgiving celebration and may you stay true and humble for all the days to follow.  Bless your hearts. ♥

-ThatGirl

I think I think I know.

SAY, "FROMAGE!"

We may be a small family but we have BIG LOVE.

In light of our early Thanksgiving celebration, I am thankful for you, Mammy and Daddy.

All I want is to make you proud.

♥ Con

Early Thanksgiving Dinner

Since everyone in the family has plans to celebrate with others this year, we decided to have our Thanksgiving dinner a weekend early.

I am so thankful for my grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.  Blood is thicker than water and we have proven time and time again what it is to unconditionally love one another.

I love you.

There were so many dishes tonight but this one was my fave.
Mom's roasted veggies - colorful, nutritious and delicious.

Squash soup. Cranberry juice. Turkey. Greenbean casserole. Brussel sprouts. Roasted peppers.

Green salad with cherry tomatoes, tangerine and berries. Sweet potato casserole. Stuffing. Eggroll.

Here is a close up of my colorful plate.  Thank goodness for homecooking!

International Survivors of Suicide Day: 11/17

Tomorrow is International Survivors of Suicide Day in which we celebrate the lives of all those who have survived suicide.  It may be a heavy subject to discuss, one which people don't feel comfortable enough to open up to, but it is necessary.  It is 

necessary because every 40 seconds someone dies of suicide, and every 41 seconds someone is left to make sense of it.  In the states, suicide ranks as the 11th most common cause of death; 14th internationally.  This is NOT okay and if we can help each other then LET'S.  If you or someone you know needs an ear, a hand, a shoulder or a warm hug PLEASE do not be afraid to reach out.  If no one else, then I will be here for you.  I will love you.  And I do.  I already do.  ♥

Hold on, Live on, Laugh on, Love on.

Wednesday Mindfulness

I am human.  I feel pain, I get stressed out of my mind, and I cry.  Yes, because I am human.
And it is during this lunch hour that I stand here gathering my thoughts,
hoping to re-energize and to refill with pure love...

You see, it when we lose sight of things and our high spirits begin to diminish and the pain starts to take over our heart and mind that we must remember to open our eyes just a little bigger.  Because things may seem dark and full of shadows, but in order for those shadows to exist there must be light.  And there is.  All you have to do is change your perspective.  Turn yourself around and you will find yourself overwhelmed by the purest of all light.  Turn yourself around and consciously breathe in the love.  

You must believe it -- that everything is going to be alright.

Burpees

That felt much worse than it looked haha.  Trust me.  My legs gave out after the first 5 burpees from the intense leg workout I did just a couple days ago, I didn't eat properly this morning, and this was right after a kettlebell workout!!  No excuses though, I still pushed myself and I thank Grant for pushing me, too. 

"The world is watching!"  Way to hold me accountable!

Side note:  This was a rushed workout because I now have to get ready for my girl's wedding.  Shout-out to Jean and Dante!!  Congratulations to you both.  Woot woot!!  

THIRSTY THURSDAY

Hahahaha I can't stop laughing. 

It's hilarious and sad and true all at the same time.  I say this because this used to be me years ago.

Now, I realize how crucial water is and I never missed it more than those 2 days of severe dehydration I had to go through pre-competition.  Oh Em Gee.  

Drink more water.  I know you know it's good for you but stop thinking about it and just do it. 

Wednesday Mindfulness

Take the time today to reflect upon your day, your week, and even your month.  Has it been all that you had hoped for?  Were there obstacles that you weren't quite prepared for that threw you off your path?  Have you overcome them or are they still holding you down?  Moving forward, what are you going to do the same and what are you going to do different?  It's not too late to make this a really good day, a really good week or a really good month.  So think about it: what can you do now to make things better?  Now stop thinking and go do it.

It's important to reflect because no one can do it for you.  If you want to make the most out of your life then you have to be willing and able to grow, and the only way to grow is to take all the good, the bad and the ugly and learn from them.  Pick and choose those people, those habits, those foods, and those priorities that actually get you somewhere in life.

Thanksgiving is coming soon so are you ready to give thanks?  I can only hope that you are thankful on a daily basis, and if not then start now.  Focus on the things that you have as opposed to the things you do not have.  Focus on all the amazing people that you've met throughout your life and those who are still in your life.  Focus on all the positive characteristics that define you as a beautiful being, be it your strength, your love, your smile, your voice, your hugs, your passion, and/or your skills of all kinds.  Train your mind and heart to focus on greatness because you deserve it.  

You deserve to be happy, to feel worthy, to be loved unconditionally.  And you are.  You just don't know it yet.  But first and foremost, you must reflect.  Reflect and forgive, reflect and learn, reflect and rejoice, reflect and live on.

Seems like all I could see was the struggle
Haunted by ghosts that lived in my past
Bound up in shackles of all my failures
Wondering how long is this gonna last
Then You look at this prisoner and say to me
"Son stop fighting a fight, it's already been won."

I am redeemed, You set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain
Now I'm not who I used to be
I am redeemed, I am redeemed

Monday Motivation

Be Yourself

Be Different
Be Afraid But Be Brave

The Little Things

I want to dedicate this post to a few people who don't realize how much of an impact their small acts had on me but who definitely deserve a shout-out.  These acts may have been quite simple, but they were extremely thoughtful.  So to you, my friends, I thank you. =))


Nathaneal:  We have only met a couple times but you have always been so kind.  Thank you for your support throughout my fitness journey and for constantly cheering me on!  Your father gave me these veggies on your behalf and it was extremely thoughtful of you.

Maia and Marie:  Thank you for your wonderful card!!  What a surprise it was to find it in my bag as I unpacked after my competition.  (Marie, you tricky, tricky girl, you! Haha)  You two are absolutely amazing and the Distinguished 3 we are, be it ever official or not!  You both inspire me daily and I am so grateful to have you in my life.  Maia, I miss you dearly but know that I am watching from afar as you grow and prosper with your business.  Marie, you continue to grow bright as you physically melt and it is the craziest, most beautiful of all balances to witness your transformation. 

Jack: You are one of a small handful of people here at work who understand what it takes to go day by day eating the foods we eat and at the times we eat. There is a reason why we stick to our goals and keep from being affected or influenced by those around us. It is not easy and I most definitely appreciate you for your support as we continue to tackle our set goals to better ourselves. Improve, improve, improve! That is our mission and we are both well on our way. I support and commend you for your good work in staying true to your healthy lifestyle.

Julie, aka Mama Bear:  I value you so much.  As my friend and "cool mom" at work, I thank you for holding me accountable just as much as I hold you to your health goals.  Ever since I joined the Direct Connect family in January, you have been so kind and patient with me.  It takes a Cancer to truly understand the emotional roller coasters we experience on a daily basis, let alone all the fasting, goal setting, mind games and women "problems" we have to deal with.  We July babies have to stick together and we surely do!  Keep smiling and munching on those spicy radishes.  You look absolutely stunning and it is jaw dropping to be in the presence of your transformation.  Keep inspiring us all!