The more technology we have at our fingertips, the more we seem to pack into our lives. We talk on the phone while we walk, and we answer email while we talk on the phone. We schedule appointments while we wait in line, and when we finally get to be with our families, our smart phones get OUR attention.

WOW, just writing it all made me stress out!

There is no need for me to reference an academic study or quote an M.D. to say that “enjoying the simple things in life brings happiness”.  You already know that!

 A few simple things:

• Take a morning walk on the beach (no headphones) and enjoy the sounds, the sun kissing your skin and the smiles you will receive.
• Not a morning person? Then go have a date with yourself and a sunset...breathe it ALL in...in silence
• Spend the day with friends and/or family BUT with no plans, just go with whatever happens BUT you are NOT ALLOWED to look at your smart phone. Just you and other humans – can you handle that?
• Go to the park and feed the ducks, walk barefoot on the grass, or look at the clouds in the sky.

You get the picture, slow down and enjoy life, find a moment of joy and happiness – stop technology for a bit. No need to spend money, all the things listed above are free!

Who cares if this sounds mushy, silly or whatever! It works – so more power to you. You’ll be a new happier person. I URGE you to STOP for a moment and enjoy the simplicity of life – for YOUR wellbeing and those who you love.

 Cheers!

 PS – I’ll get back to the sarcasm soon – don’t worry :)

Now that a few weeks have passed, I can finally confess to something I did. To some, it “might” be perceived as forbidden…

I did something fun, pleasurable, seductive and when it was ALL done - very relaxing - BUT I must admit it felt somewhat forbidden – it was in the middle of day, on a week day. Of course, that is what made it much more exciting – not to mention it was my “first time” right at noon. Hmm, seductive, pleasurable, forbidden, first time at noon….what could this activity be?

No, no, no – not a “quickie” (but it was fun to take your mind there right?) ;-)

In the middle of a work week, during my lunch time a few weeks back I had a “Deluxe Spa Pedicure” – OMG! Hold on – it’s a better story than it sounds – give it a minute. A friend had to cancel lunch and I was in much need of pampering due to the crazed mood swings I am living in right now (peri-menopause fury). So, off I went to make my feet happy, along with the rest of me.

 It was the best $ ever spent, every penny was worth it. The reflexology, the bubbly warm water, the soft and delicious aromas of the lotions took me to another place... (insert sigh here)  The best part was that everyone spoke Vietnamese to each other, I did not understand ONE word and I LOVED it.  No forced small talk with the woman who worked on me, just a polite smile now and then to each other – I don’t need a new BFF and neither does she.  I was in my own magical world of pleasure in the middle of a work day – it felt like “hooky” but NOT.  PLUS, on the way out I got a tip on a good Vietnamese restaurant – how cool is that?

It was one of the best lunch breaks I’d had in a really long time! I was extremely productive the rest of day.

I had a secret and told NO ONE, it was MINE.  I did finally share it when I got home and showed off my perfect toes to my husband, who smiled at me as I did my happy dance.

The pleasure of it all stayed with me for days.  It was that simple escape from the everyday that gave me the enjoyment that I really needed.  I recommend you do something that makes YOU happy (whether you have peri-menopausal symptoms or not).

Come on now – what can you do for YOU? A silent meditative walk on the beach?  Reading a book on a comfy couch with your favorite tea? Calling up a friend you have not talked with in a while, as you enjoy a perfect glass a wine?  OR have wild crazy sex with your better half?  (Made you smile huh?!) Good, now go on, do something for YOU! You won’t regret it ;-)
Cheers!

We seem to give those who call on our cells priority, interrupting those who made the effort to be there is person.  It is so rare when a cell call interruption is truly something important. I do not understand why we HAVE to be so available ALL the time – we can let the call go into voicemail you know….

Photo thanks to Roberrific's photostream on Flickr

An average contract (because darn them, they make us sign one) averages $2,300 - $2,900 for two years – stop for a minute and do the math. As much as I like everyone, I’d rather go on vacation with my husband for that kind of money!

I have a prepaid phone where I spend pennies a day – it’s cheap and I use it for basic necessities. I use it for - emergencies, to call when I am running late, when I need help (I’m lost, can’t find someone, etc) or to call home and say I am leaving my late evening networking event. I don’t chat on it and I don’t give out the number very easily.  I usually tell people I don’t have a cell phone – now THAT is funny.  Try telling that to someone and watch the look on their face! LOL

I will admit that because I am addicted to technology, I do have an iPod Touch – BUT -  I LOVE smart phones and the many wonderful conveniences they provide us – texting, twittering, ebooks, podcasts, apps, videos, etc.  I’ve yet to break down and get one, for now I just longingly sigh when I see one.  If you have one, I’m sure I am jealous of you, happy for you, nonetheless, jealous.  How I wish the cell phone company prices would come down…

Please consider NOT answering THAT next phone call when you are enjoying time with someone who is ACTUALLY there....it's gotta be good for our wellbeing...don't you think?

Cheers!

One of my most memorable and  FUN celebrations was when I worked at Proflowers.com and a co-worker, who also had an April birthday and was a believer in the Birthday Season  (must be an Aries thing) decided to put together a birthday PARADE for me at the office – yes a PARADE for ME.  We worked at Proflowers during the dot.com era, so the environment was filled with creativity and fun – therefore, a lot of people participated --  walked/danced by my desk singing, making noise and taking advantage of the opportunity to not work a little ;-) ... and it was just perfect! 

April has usually been a great month for change in my life, I have changed jobs, homes, thought  up new fun ideas - (I met my NOW husband  in April) -  it generally is a good time in my life.  Maybe it’s all the positive vibe I’ve got going during this SEASON.  This year, I am a bit more low key than usual with the birthday fuss but I am grateful and I am truly happy for the life I have and the people in it!

To end this post, I will tell you that I turned 45 today (cannot believe it WOW!). One of my neighbors told me that she ran her 1st half marathon when she turned 45 and I felt great admiration for her.  Dare I say here that I want that to be a goal this year? I think so, since I have a WHOLE year to do it.  I want to do the Disney Half Marathon (how bad can running be at the happiest place on earth?) but I will not be ready in Sept…or will I? Gulp! For sure I can run the Disney 5K this year!

Think about YOUR birthday  season, it really is a lot of fun! 

 Cheers!

I was so EXCITED after reading an article written by Tess Marshall;  it’s in Forbes Woman, called Born to Run.  A runner friend posted it on Facebook – thank you Kristy, you are inspiring.

I loved Tess' phrase "Like life, running takes courage--everyday kind of courage"   I immediately shared the article on Facebook and Twitter.  It reminded me of the time I ran a 5K. Yep, I ran a 5K once – HA! 

More than a year ago I ran/walked the Susan Komen 5K race in Newport Beach.  Kristy had recommended this amazing site and this article - “Couch Potato to 5K” (don’t you just love the title?? LOL) - one day at the beach, I started the simple program.  The next day I had things hurting that I did not know existed!  But I loaded up my Latin tunes and I was ready!

Another thing I REALLY liked, was how when I ran, it was “all about me”-  which you know I love – MY thoughts, MY health, MY space outdoors, MY strength.

Also, what an amazing stress reliever - we were in the midst of buying our 1st home; packing, signing checks with lots of zeros, reviewing 1 inch paperwork that seemed to be in a foreign language, etc.  

 Running was a parallel world where I could

find freedom and peace.

That’s it - I’ve just sold myself on running again! Kristy, thanks! Many thanks!

Ok, so who has a treadmill collecting dust? Either use it or let me have it – I’m serious, I’ll go pick it up! REALLY!

Click here for songs I bought via Amazon to put on my Shuffle.

Cheers!

Well, we have arrived, we are in Argentina on vacation visiting relatives for the holidays. YES!  I continue to laugh at me and life – here are some examples that I hope you enjoy.

As we were waiting for our luggage to arrive at the airport I observed... several sensual women walking in the customary self assured manner that I'd forgotten is so typical here; the hip movement in skin tight clothes matching their perky swinging ponytails, chests out proudly as they balance on needle thin 4 inch heels, no eye contact and God forbid a smile - they walk out of customs as if nothing.  In contrast, me, after my 16 hour flight in my sensible flats and comfortable big clothes, am smiling at everyone because I live in California and that is what we do.  As I stand and wait for my husband to return from exchanging money, I have that look that I says “meant" to wear ALL black in the middle of the Buenos Aires Summer, I wanted to have that mysterious air when I landed...yep. Thank God my hair was cooperating and it looked great! LOL

I don't think that the incident affected me too much because I directed my attention to ME again (big surprise).  I discovered the 12noon siesta gave fantastic results to my Wellbeing by making those pesky "fine facial expressions" (aka: wrinkles) go away, imagine that.

I learned that drinking too much malbec wine made the waiter feel at liberty to tell me "here is your light dessert". This, after we had had just inhaled a side a beef at an Argentine parrillada (like a churrasqueria).  The waiter winked and brought me a decadent "dulce de leche (similar to caramel) crepe with melted brown sugar on top".  I guess the loud drunk laughter must have made him think we had all become friends. No, it won't stop me from doing it again.

I realized watching TV, that the Madagascar movie and Elmo (in Spanish) are pretty funny – wow!

One of the best parts of the trip so far, is that our nieces and nephews think we are "geniuses" and it's because they never see us, LOL. And since today is raining, we’ll be cheap entertainment for our nephews. Given that my ego is easy, “grandiose worship from little ones under 11” will do just fine. For fun, today,  I will be teaching them how to say "It's all about me" in English – can’t wait!

Time for a nap - Cheers!

 Remember that saying "If mom is happy everyone is happy"? I agree with this whole heartedly. To me, that could be translated into "if I am happy, others around me will be happy", put that way, I now sound selfish right? I am sometimes told "it’s not all about you"- that's the little comment that reminds me I just said too much.

This is dedicated to all of us who deep down inside think it is really "all about us!"

When we get on an airplane, the demo always tell us to put the oxygen mask on "first" and then help others – this is my thinking exactly. If I am "well", then I am a better a person and can now help or… just get out of the way and be happy.

Shouldn’t you:

· Smile "first" and be rewarded with a smile back?

· Be healthy and fit "first" so you can be an example?

· Politely push the woman in your way at the 8am shoe sale, so you can get "first" dibs?

I think it’s all a matter of priorities!

Why is it that if we actually say this we get a frown? Just because I want to be "first" does not mean I want evil things for others. I am just NOT into "suffering and sacrifice" unless it’s absolutely necessary! I will lend a helping hand, help a friend and work hard - except I would add air conditioning, a cool drink and a few breaks in between! Most would want it too - except that I ask for it, bring it or do it. We’ll all be more productive, much nicer and enjoy life a bit more –I don’t think that is selfish!

In my late thirties I decided that my priority was whenever possible, "comfort above all else" and I’ve kept somewhat true to it. Now that I am over forty and looking to be "well" it’s even more important and as long as I don’t bother anyone …it’s all about me! It seems I can’t tell the world…but I sort of just did.

 What do you think - is it all about you?

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