Creating family unity without sacrificing your own identity

Helpful Ways to Encourage Fitness

October 13, 2015 By Shan 1 Comment

I’m running again!

It’s a good thing, because I can’t fit into any of my clothes. I can’t stand going shopping for new clothes if I have to go up a couple of sizes. Boo! I don’t care how cute the outfit is, if I have bigger hips or thighs or whatever…it doesn’t look good on me.

Weight gain doesn’t usually make for the best of running circumstances. It’s harder to run pulling that extra weight along. But, I have some helpful strategies I’m using I thought I would share.

Run when it’s cooler. You might be thinking duh! Well, it makes a huge difference. It was in the 60’s this morning and it felt heavenly! The hotter it is, the more difficult the run…at least for me.
MUSIC! I’m going to share a few of my Pandora stations I’ve been listening to lately that carry me through: Alternative Endurance Training Radio, Dance Cardio Radio & Summer Hits 2015 Road Trip Radio.
Young Living’s NingXia Nitro! This dietary supplement has become a staple in my home. Nitro contains naturally occurring caffeine and Bioenergy’s D-Ribose to support athletic performance and endurance. Bioenergy Ribose supports physical performance, recovery and increases overall energy reserves. (These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. Young Living products are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent any disease.) Speaking for myself, I know it has helped me with my running among other things, but for this post we are talking about running/exercising.
Young Living’s Fitness Oil. The INFUSED Fitness™ Inspired by Oola essential oil blend has been specially formulated to uplift, energize, and give you the inspiration to set and achieve your strength and fitness goals. I added a roller ball to this oil bottle. This way I can roll it on quickly before I leave the house to go to the gym or run outside. I’ve seen a difference when I use this oil.
Have a mantra. Today’s mantra was “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Sometimes it might be “I think I can” repeated several times. It’s good to have a mantra to recite when you feel like stopping. When I recite my mantra in my mind over and over while running, it helps me pull through times when I want to quit.

It’s difficult mentally when I remember how I used to be able to run many miles without stopping. Running is easier when you realize mind over body matters quite a bit. I was happy when I was able to run a certain path without stopping today. It’s good to celebrate small milestones along the way. I’m telling myself, if I could do it once, I can do it again. Good self talk and praise is very important to keep you going, not just today, but for many days of future physical fitness.

Over the summer, I had the opportunity to go to Young Living’s yearly convention. Something presented to me in that convention has changed my thinking about daily exercise. A doctor, Olivier Wenker, asked:

Yes, I was at the end of my chair wanting to know the answer:

Ta da! Isn’t that awesome?! So on the days I’m not running much, when the majority of my exercise is walking, I don’t feel bad. I’m doing something very good for myself. Hubby always says, “some exercise is ALWAYS BETTER than no exercise.” So even if I’m not losing weight or inches, I am REDUCING Alzheimers, progression to diabetes, cancers, hip fractures, anxiety & depression (big one for me,) arthritis pain, and premature death.

Otherwise, I love the following graphic I found on pinterest:

P.S.: You can read all my posts about running by clicking on the category to the left sidebar (towards the top) called “Running Brings Joy.” 😉

P.S.S.: You can purchase Young Living products through me by going to www.youngliving.org/fbj44 or click here to be directed there.

Walking & Running Bring Joy,

Old People Music

October 6, 2015 By Shan 1 Comment

My Sister, Mom, Brother and I

This last weekend was heavenly. Many of my family members, including both sets of parents came to visit us this weekend. I can’t begin to explain the joy it brought me to have everyone here. I would find myself smiling as laughter wafted through the house.

The main reason which brought family in town was Alice…the one act play derived from Alice in Wonderland. My youngest daughter has embraced my thespian side. She was cast as the Dormouse in this school play.

However, Saturday happened to be my Mom’s Birthday! We used this opportunity to hold a party of sorts for both her and my Son who turned 17 last week. It was casual. We had BBQ, cake and watched both the Texas Rangers & Alabama (my Mom went to Alabama for 2 years) games.

Funny story

My Daughter had to leave the party early Saturday to prepare for the play. She didn’t see the gifts I bought for her Grandmother. Here’s a conversation I had with my Daughter on the way home from school yesterday:

Me: “I received a text from Grandmother today. She said she is loving her new Taylor Swift CD.”

Her: “You gave her a Taylor Swift CD?”

Me: “Yes, 1989.”

Her: “Why?”

Me: “She likes Taylor Swift. I found out since she has been visiting she didn’t have a copy, so I thought it would be the perfect gift! Why do you sound surprised?”

Her: “Because, I thought she liked old people music.”

We then had a discussion about how my mom likes all kinds of music. It was a good teaching opportunity for me to explain how music isn’t generational. Personally, I really love it when an album can be listened and enjoyed by several generations. I believe Taylor Swift’s 1989 does just that. I believe the only other CD I have gifted as much as 1989 would be Mindy Gledhill’s Winter Moon & Anchor albums.

Despite the couple of bad words in Taylor’s 1989, it is a remarkable album with up tempo and slow songs for every kind of mood. Plus, every time I hear about the amount of money she gives to someone in need, I don’t mind spending the money on her album. She earned every penny with her excellent lyrics. I’m happy to support an artist who appears to be a genuine person in spite of her fame. Keep up the good work Taylor! Our family is enjoying your music.

wrapped gifts for my mom familybringsjoy.com

Mirror, Mirror on the wall, I am my Mother after all.

Oh blog, how I’ve missed you.

Music Brings Joy,

Filed Under: Home Brings Joy, Music Brings Joy, MY Family Brings Joy, Photography Brings Joy, Values Bring Joy

I’ts My Birthday & I’ll Cry If I Want To

September 2, 2015 By Shan 2 Comments

I’ve been on this earth now for 45 years. It’s surreal. I’m kind of having a hard time with that today.

It’s not really because I’m closer to 50 than 40. It’s not the age thing. It’s the lack of celebrating thing. I like Birthdays. I like to make birthdays special for the people around me, because it’s not supposed to be just an ordinary day. It’s the day you came into this world.

When I was a kid, my parents held birthday parties for me. I got a special cake, invited my friends, opened gifts. As I got older, we would always at least have a family party of some kind, even if it was going out to eat at a restaurant.

As an adult, my birthdays, a lot of times, are just like any other normal day…especially if they are on a week day like today. This morning my Son remembered and said Happy Birthday first thing when he saw me. That was pretty special, as he didn’t really say Happy Mother’s Day on Mother’s Day. I’ll cut him some slack since he just had broken his arm and wasn’t feeling well. My youngest Daughter did her normal, I’m not a morning person yelling at me this morning before school. She was actually a little stinker. Right as she got out of the car for school she says, “Oh and happy birthday,” with a snarky tone to her voice. Lovely.

No balloons or banners for Shannon. Nope. Hubby was on call last night and not home.

For some reason there is tradition that we don’t open gifts until dinner time. Well, I might have to break tradition today and go ahead and open the gift my mom sent, alone. Me. Party of one.

I guess I’ve learned I haven’t made good enough friends here to invite me to go have lunch for my birthday. That stings. I could have asked someone, but things have been a little crazy in our life. I will have to explain about that later.

So I sit at the computer soaking up every one of the birthday wishes I have received on Facebook. Thank goodness for Facebook on Birthdays. It’s really the only way people would know my birthday.

A few years ago one of my friends surprised me with a huge banner in the front of our yard that her kids & she made. That was super awesome! (Thanks again for that K!)

1919365_1248819140266_2035236_n One year I thought to myself, “I’m going to throw myself a birthday party.” And I did. I was turning 36. We were about to move from Tyler, TX to OK. It was kind of a goodbye/birthday party. I decided to make it an 80’s themed party. It was a total blast! One of the best birthday parties I’ve ever thrown. This morning on my walk around the neighborhood I decided when I turn 50, in 5 years I’m going to throw myself another birthday party. It’s going to be big and hopefully make up for all the lonely & uncelebrated birthdays in between my 36th birthday party and my 50th birthday party.

I’m going to tell you a secret…I’ve always hoped someone would throw me a surprise party. To me, the surprise party is the ultimate in knowing you have friends and they care about you. I’ve given up hope that is going to happen.

I ran into one friend while I was out walking this morning and a different friend called me. Neither one of them wished me a happy birthday. Guess they haven’t been on Facebook.

It feels like I’m not special enough to celebrate.

This whole post feels awful. I’m just being a sulking, selfish, crabby pants. But this is how I feel. And this is my blog…and I can whine if I want to. Guess I’m hoping it will make me feel better to get it out, but as I read back over it, I feel like someone will judge me and think bad of me. I don’t think too many people read my blog anymore so it won’t matter.

Connecting with people is important. Celebrating people is important. Why do birthdays have to be this way for adults? I’ve heard people say most of my life, “birthdays aren’t fun anymore when you’re an adult.” I’ve also heard, “Birthdays are for children.” But why is that? Why can’t we celebrate we’ve lived as long as we have? Why wish any adult a Happy Birthday, then, if it’s supposed to suck?

And one more thing. Have your kids make an effort for your spouses birthday. I remember my Dad taking us to the store and having us pick out a gift and card for my Mom for her birthday. It truly isn’t the actual gift that matters, it’s the thought behind it…seriously, I’m not trying to be cliche. The act of DOING something for someone you care about. It’s a way to show you care about that person and think they are special.

Filed Under: Other Emotions

Audio Books Rock

August 28, 2015 By Shan Leave a Comment

I have a confession to make.

I’m an audio book junkie.

Yep, that’s all.

I’m still alive.

Filed Under: Reading Brings Joy

Teaching Your Children How to be Financially Successful

June 11, 2015 By Shan 1 Comment

I came across a very intriguing post recently. So much so that I feel it important to share on my blog today. The post is titled Will Your Child be Rich or Poor? 15 Poverty Habits Parents Teach Their Children. The title alone definitely peaked my interest. I immediately wanted to find out if I am teaching my children poverty habits. I opened to find the following:

Screenshot from RichHabits.net

Don’t you find this fascinating? Already I have learned some very helpful information as a parent. Tom Corley, the author and professional of Rich Habits who wrote this post continues with the following helpful advice for parents:

Screenshot from RichHabits.net

I think I’ve found a new blog to follow daily. Thank you Tom for sharing your study with us so we can know what habits to teach our children to be financially successful. Go read the rest of this post by clicking here. It’s definitely worth your time to read.

Blogs Bring Joy,

Filed Under: Blogs Bring Joy, Values Bring Joy