Grateful for puppies.

This morning I am grateful for my wiener dogs. Specifically Zoe. She is going through some medical issues but she is full of love and can always make me feel better.

My shining moment of glory.

The other day I was visiting self-compassion.org and clicked on the link that said "contact us" - I wanted to just let them know (the proverbial big talking head of the website)  that I was really enjoying the book and information that I was getting and the relief I was feeling. Usually when one clicks on one of those links you don't expect much in return.

While I was at lunch yesterday I received a nice email from Kristin Neff (the Professor and author) saying "Thanks for taking the time to e-mail, I appreciate it!"

Really, isn't that all we really need sometimes? Someone to acknowledge that we are appreciated?

This leads me to the next thing...

My Chiropractor.

What does a chiropractor have to do with anything???

Well, I've been seeing Dr. Nelson for a long time. My life has changed a lot from the first time he saw me... I was an overweight, lonely, uninspired soul, but over the years I have made changes for the better (lost weight, quit drinking to excess, gone to school, taken my fitness goals to new levels...). I went to see him yesterday and we talked a bit about what was going on with my life (I got dumped by a non-boyfriend just after Christmas and it sort of set me into a tailspin). He is also my team leader/coach for a Fundraising Stairclimb we have in a few months and we talked about training and fundraising too. He's a no nonsense sort of guy.

My mother had an appointment with him right after mine.

When I talked to my mother later in the day she told me that he had told her that I was one of his favorites and he was so impressed with how I had changed my life over the years... he also said that I was killing it on the stairs.

Who doesn't like to hear good things about themselves?

It makes you feel good.

That is why I'm so big on expressing gratitude lately and being compassionate to others and myself. It's an ongoing process.. it's hard, but it's fulfilling in ways I could have never imagined.

I have turned into a hippie

Over the past month I have done a lot of soul searching and contemplative work... since I am a blogger, I thought I would share some of my links and thoughts here...

I was told the other day that I will never have an ulcer because I never keep anything in... that's true.

I am really keen on the work of Kristin Neff, Phd right now. Her work focuses on Self-Compassion. I am practicing what she preaches and it makes me feel good.. Here's a link to a TED talk she did..

I am just a normal woman - looking to better myself.

Stay tuned for other links to books and things that I find helpful in my journey to a more complete self.