Motivation Monday: a humble lesson

I think we have all been victim to announcing our goals (with the best intentions, of course), acknowledging our progress, engaging our friends and family in our self-journey, and falling just short. Studies show that keeping your intentions private increases the chance of achieving your goals. It's almost as if you go public with your resolutions, you have a sense of completeness. Your brain has a "social reality" even if a solution was not achieved. So, the lesson here? Be quiet! Create your objectives in silence, relish in your progress and clap for yourself.

Check out this awesome Ted Talk related to this very subject, approaching this concept from a scientific standpoint. And best of luck! You can do it. =)

Welcome 2016!

Each new year, I'm excited to create a list of resolutions and goals. But not this year - and I'm almost relieved. This is the first year that I can remember that I approached the new year in an almost zen-state. Not with high expectations. Just with an understanding that each day I'll try my best to be positive, happy, productive, and a good person. And, I'll do what I want. But these aforementioned "mantras" are not attached to a goal. They are just a part of me. And it feels amazing to not surrender to the idea that this year will be my year. I'm not consumed with what I'll accomplish in 2016. Rather, I'm focused on the day-to-day. And it's so freeing! If I have an itch to read all day, I do. If I want to spend countless hours, cleaning - well, heck that's my plan. If I have an urge to work out, I run. And this is the ultimate goal for me - mindfulness. It took me a long time to finally live in the present, soak in the good with the bad. It's not perfect. Often it's messy. But it's genuine, real and a heck of a lot more satisfying then living my life by a list. Granted, I still make a list - for work, chores, etc. But I feel like it doesn't define me as it once did. And the weird (albeit beautiful, amazing) thing is that my relationships have improved, my outlook is rosier and my - what I consider mundane tasks - are more enjoyable. It's such a release. I have no idea how I turned the page, and frankly, I don't care. I just like this new perspective.  And with that, Happy New Year!

Here's some photos as of late - December to the new year. Check 'em out!