PSJ Healthstyle Habits ~May 3, 2015

"We are what we repeatedly do. 

Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." 

~Aristotle

Today's Blog is about how the choices we make 

create our habits of excellence.

My new Mickey Mouse Apple Watch face reminds me that 

I only have so many hours in the day 

to accomplish what is truly meaningful to me. 

Tamra has chosen to make her bed everyday. 

This reminds us that even small and simple habits 

add to the overall excellence in our lives.

Kellen and Kaliyah remind us that getting outdoors

 with people we love and enjoying the beautiful world

 brings us happiness.

And Caroline's homemade teriyaki veggie burger 

with avocado and grilled onions reminds us 

of the delicious and healthy choices we can make

 with a little planning and effort on our part.

Hello one and all! 

I'm back after an almost month-long hiatus from Blogging. 

Though I continued with my life on a "must-do" sort of track, 

I saw my Healthstyle good Habits start slowly slipping backwards.

This is not good, nor what I want. 

I need the connection with my family through blogging

because writing helps me define my goals

 and your comments and sharing through social media

 and other communication motivates me to keep going.

Here's a couple of quotes that have helped me 

to get back on the "Excellence" track.

"Now is the time to set your life’s goals. Now is the time to set your standards firmly and then hold to them throughout your life...

Develop discipline of self so that, more and more, you do not have to decide and re-decide what you will do when you are confronted with the same temptation time and time again. You only need to decide some things once!

How great a blessing it is to be free of agonizing over and over again regarding a temptation. To do such is time-consuming and very risky.

Likewise, the positive things you will want to accomplish need only be decided upon once and then all other decisions related to these goals can easily be made. The sooner you decide to do what is right, the better it will be for you!" ~President Spencer W. Kimball

Here's part of a little chart I came up with

 to keep track of the things I already Do and Don't Do

 and also lists of the things I need to commit to do

 "once-and-for-all." 

Those last are the things I "sometimes" do,

 but just haven't made the final, 

"don't-have-to-keep-deciding" decision. 

This will be an ongoing thought-provoking exercise

 to honestly assess where I am right now

 and where I want to be.  

Are you depressed and or immobilized?

1. Take a Hike: It’s well established that exercise lifts the spirits. Scientists tell us that 20 minutes of brisk walking or other aerobic activity actually alters brain chemistry, releasing special chemicals called endorphins into our system that give us a lift. Remember that one definition of depression is "immobilization." It only makes sense that one way to cure it is to "get moving."
2. Ask Yourself This: "What would I be doing right now if I were not feeling depressed?" Picture this activity in your mind, then do it. Suppose your answer was, "I’d probably be with people." Then go somewhere where others are. You may argue, "But when I’m depressed, I don’t feel like doing anything!" True enough. But this inactivity becomes a dangerous cycle. Force yourself to do something, anything.
3. Watch What You Put In Your Mouth: When we’re sad, it’s hard to resist medicating ourselves with food, alcohol or other drugs. Unfortunately, the high (whether from cake or alcohol) is temporary and leaves us feeling lower than when we started. Remember that "it’s not really what you eat, it’s what’s eating you." Don’t medicate, communicate.

Here's to a positive week of creating 

Habits of Excellence 

as we find joy in this journey called LIFE!

If you want a good song to listen to

 as you commute or start your day, 

download Aaron Tippins' song 

"You've Got To Stand for Something."

You can get it for $.99 on iTunes.

Love you all.

.