Saturday,January 31

Good Morning Sunshine!! What are you thankful for today?? I'm thankful for the #Body that carries me around!! There are so many people who have ailments that cause their bodies to be incapacitated, to hurt and maybe even not work properly. This vessel that carries us around is only one we will get, so we Have to treat it with Best Possible Care that we can!! We need to hold in high regard the things our bodies allow us to do. And be thankful that we can do those things!! There are many who are unable to use their vessels in same capacity as you, so treat your body well in honor of those people. Eat right, move and rest properly.  May your day be filled with ways to take care of yourself, pamper yourself and encourage someone else to pamper themselves!! Happy Saturday!!

Ideas Friday, January 30

Good Morning Campers!!  What are you #thankful for today?? I'm thankful for #ideas!! Ever thought I want this _____or wouldn't it be great if we could do_____?? I have tons of ideas on how to make my life easier and funner...The best part about having those Ideas, is being able to brainstorm with like minded people and next thing you know, you've started a new business venture!!  Or you found a person who can make that idea a reality.  So if you have an Idea for something that would be great, start talking to people, you never know who will help you make it a reality and you never know what will come out of it. May your day be filled with people who are like minded that you can brainstorm ideas with and may you encourage others to do the same when they have Ideas. Happy Friday!!  

Thankful Thursday, January 29

Good Afternoon Campers from Camp Sunnyside!! It's Thankful Thursday!! What are you thankful for today?? I'm thankful for Power of Touch!! When you see a doctor and they try to diagnose you, they touch you where it hurts to see if they can feel what's going on. When we meet someone new or greeted somewhere or make a business deal, we shake hands. When we first start dating some one, we hold hands. As parents, we hold our children's hands.  When we get a massage, the therapist, feels where the knot in the muscle is and massage that area to release the tightness in the muscle.A reflexologolist can do reflexology on your feet and can tell where you may be having a problem in the body just by touching your feet.  As a hairstylist cuts your hair, we feel the hair for the texture to determine if we need to cut it a certain way, we feel the hair for the condition of the hair to determine what kinds of products to use on your hair and we feel the hair to make sure that its even. These are just a few examples of the Power of Touch.  Can you imagine if we didn't have nerve endings in our fingers? Can you imagine if we went through life without shaking someone's hand, or the doctor touching you where it hurts?  What about technology? We wouldn't be able to type or use our phones if we couldn't touch. We take for granted that everyone gets some touch every day. The reality is, there are lots of people who don't want to be touched and there are people who don't have anyone to touch. What if you are having a bad day and you are at your desk at work and someone comes up to and touches your shoulder and asks are you OK?? Imagine what message that sends to the brain. It shows this person cares!! So the next time, you reach out to shake someone's hand or a doctor exams you be thankful for their power of touch.  May your day be filled with Powerful Touches by your loved ones and by your business connections!! Happy Thankful Thursday!!

Differences Wednesday, January 28

Good Morning Sunshine!! What are you thankful for today?? I'm thankful that we are All Different!! No two people are the same, not even identical twins. It makes the world a beautiful place and things get done. I'm one of those people who can see the beauty in everything. We may have different hair, eyes, skin, teeth, height and weight, and yet we all bleed the same color.  Most of the time, we want the same things. For example, parents want their kids to be successful.  We all want to be loved, nurtured and feel needed. We all have the same basic human needs.  So when you see someone having a bad day or they treated you poorly, just remember, they want to be loved too. They may have a child or loved one at home that's sick and they are stressed.  We all have baggage too.  What makes us different is what we pack in our baggage and carry with us. Some people's baggage is fuller than others and some have multiple bags!  Is there something in your baggage that needs to be left behind?? The next time you run into someone in a bad mood, instead of reacting to that, think about how full their baggage must be and just accept them for who they are, you might just impact their life. May your day be filled with the Insight to Appreciate the Beauty around you, Appreciate the Differences we have and Appreciate how we can be the Same!! Happy Wednesday!! 

Prayers Tuesday, January 27

Good Morning Sunshine!!  What are you thankful for today??  I'm thankful for Prayer today!! And I'm thankful for my Brother!! Unbeknownst to me, my Brother put out a S.O.S prayer request on Facebook last night for myself and my mother.  I am overwhelmed by the response!! Truly humbled, touched and honored by people's willingness to pray for us, even if we are strangers.

  Our mom had been going through some stomach problems for many months and we couldn't get her to see the doctor. Then I started having pain episodes in my low abdomen which caused me to double over and barely walk for a couple of days. I went to 6 different doctors including the emergency room (where I got a CT scan) and a specialist (who said it was just muscle spasms). Nobody would do an ultrasound. Finally, I asked my chiropractor to order me one and he did. I needed to see my ob/gyn asap, who I had already seen and she wasn't helpful. Thank God for my clients who are more like friends!! One client is friends with her doctor, she asked if I needed her to Call In a favor,  I said Yes Please!!  This doctor was on call over Christmas and was able to give me a phone consultation. She said she would have her office call me to set up an ultrasound and appointment. I saw her a few weeks later and she determined that I require surgery. I have a baseball size dermoid cyst that is growing quickly and twisting my ovary.  She may have to remove the ovary and my appendix, as it is inflamed as well.  

Meanwhile, we continued to encourage our mom to see her doctors. Finally, she did make an appointment and they drained two liters of fluid off of her stomach.  2 liters!!  Wow, well that's why she was having trouble!! They also had her get a CT scan and ultrasound. Now, she has been sent to a specialist. That appointment is tomorrow.  There will be more tests before we can know for sure what is going on.  We are trying to stay positive.

  With all this said, maybe I had to go through what I went through to encourage my mom to go get help too.  We never know when we share our story, how it can influence another person in a positive way.  Since going through all of this and talking about my frustration to my clients, I've had several of them say that my story reminds them to get their regular check up that they have been putting off. So if you're reading this and looking for a sign that you need to see a doctor or get another opinion, this is it!  Go Do It!! By the time I have surgery the cyst may be even bigger. So if I hadn't prayed through all of this, I don't know if I would have been led to seek out so many different opinions.

  This experience has definitely changed my life. A workaholic that wasn't interested in having children is who I used to be. Now, I'm no longer working such long hours and I'm looking forward to being a Mom someday. Sometimes, God has to bring us to our knees in order to change our lives.  May your day be filled with people who will Pray for you, doctors who Listen to you and the ability to Listen when you are nudged to seek another opinion. Happy Tuesday!! 

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Healing Monday, January 26

Good Morning Campers!! What are you thankful for today?? I'm thankful for the Healing process that I have gone through!!  I wouldn't be writing this if I hadn't took the necessary steps to heal my past wounds!! Is there something that you need to heal from that is stopping you from advancing in life??  Maybe it's from a parent or spouse that hurt you emotionally or even physically.  Or maybe it's from an old boss who said something negative to you and you have carried it with you into your new job and you're afraid to try for that promotion.  Whatever the hurt is,  you have to bring it to light and heal from it.  For me, the healing process that I used was counseling, praying, meditating and journaling. You have to find whatever works for you.  It may be as simple as questioning the other person why they did or said what they did. Oh and then you need to forgive. We can't have Healing without Forgiveness!! Who do you need to forgive, to let go of your past and start creating a better future??  May you day be filled with whatever works for you for your Healing process and that you find in your heart to forgive. Then when you see the person behind you struggling with something, encourage them to Heal and Move Forward to a better future!!   Happy Monday!! 

Autism Sunday, January 25

Good Morning From Camp Sunnyside!!  What are you thankful for today??  I'm thankful for All the people I know on the #Autism Spectrum!!  A person with Autism holds a special place in my heart!! Every One of them is different.  They may have anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, attention deficit, be hyperactive, non verbal and have social anxiety. And yet when we figure out how to communicate and show them we care and understand them, they Light Up!! That makes it All worth the patience it requires for us to understand.

If you don't know how to comprehend Autism, the Best way I know how to describe is as if an alien has dropped into your house and you have to figure out how to communicate with them. Especially if they can't tell you.  Each person is different, can do different things and have different needs. And the research that keeps coming out is that Autism rates will continue to rise in our world. Does anyone else see the Bigger Picture here?? We as a society believe we should all fit into the same category..... Well, we don't!!  Perhaps, maybe the lesson that anyone with Autism is trying to teach us is to Slow Down and Be Patient!!  "We can't make them fit into our World, so maybe it's time we Change our World to make a Fit for Them" I, for one, am planning and developing several different types of businesses that does just that... Changing our world to fit them. We are so used to hustling and bustling around that we take for granted the simple things in life.  And someone with Autism needs the simpler things more than ever. May you have a little more patience and show some tender loving care to someone who has Autism or any special needs.  And you see how that might brighten their day and in return will brighten yours!!  Happy Sunday!! 

Community Saturday,January 24

Good Morning Campers!!  What are you thankful for today??  I'm thankful for my #Community!!  We all belong to many Communities.  It could your family, school, work, church, city, gym,  social media, networking and neighborhoods. All of these things create Community.  By definition, community is a group of people with shared characteristics.  Let's say We all share the Human characteristics, so just by reading this, you belong to a Community.  One great thing about Community is when you're going through a rough time or need some help, people Show Up!! Ever have a loved one pass or have surgery or have a baby?? People will bring you food!! How awesome is that!!? That's why we're here on Earth together, to help each other out!! I'm thankful that I have several Communities that I can turn to in a time of need.

Communities are built as place to come as you are and they accept you.  It's human nature to want to be a part of a Community. If you are reading this and don't believe you belong somewhere, that's not true. You just have to find your community. You may have to step out of your comfort zone and be there for someone else who needs it before you can feel part of it. That's how life works sometimes.  The thing we want the most, we may have to create it ourselves.  If you're feeling isolated and alone, you can conquer it by stepping forward and jumping into a community somewhere. And then repeat again and again.  Be open, you will be surprised at how a Community forms around you. Then you can reach back and encourage someone else to step out, step forward and jump into a Community. 

May your Day be filled with people who make you feel like you belong and that you're a part of the Greater Good Community. By reading this, you took the first step, you are a part of my Community!! Happy Saturday!!  

Friends Friday, January 23

Good Morning Campers!!  What are you thankful for today?? I'm thankful for all the Friends I have made over my lifetime!! I may not talk to or connect with or see some of these friends. And yet I know I can call one of them and we will pick up where we left off last time.  Do you have people like that?  Maybe you grew up with them or worked with them or knew them from the gym or church.  Typically, Good people will always be good people!! Hold onto that those friendships and try not to let them fade. I've had some friends since elementary school, cosmetology college and salons that I've worked with for over 17 years ago.  Can you recall your friendships from back then?  Maybe this is the time to reach out to them and reconnect. When thinking about this,  who first comes to your mind??  Maybe it's time for you to reach out and say Hello, how are you? It could just make their day and it could definitely make your day!!  You never know, they may have been thinking about you. May your Day full of Friends that are Diamonds and may you connect with them this weekend!!  Happy Friday!!  

Thankful Thursday, January 22

Good Morning Campers from Camp Sunnyside!!  Its #ThankfulThursday!! What are you Thankful for today??  I'm thankful for All of your responses to this blog!!  I am truly honored, blessed and humbled to have so many of you send me a message saying how what I wrote is what you needed to hear!! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!  My goal is to get our conversations changing to what's good in our lives instead of what's wrong.

My goal is to Inspire you in a way that you'll turn around and Inspire others. Paying It Forward.  We All need Inspiration, Positive, Motivated Mentors in our lives and I pray that this creates those relationships. Think about how cool it will be when we open our social media one day and instead of seeing the Drama, Negative and Destitute, we see Uplifting, Inspiring and Motivating posts!!  No offense to anyone, if we put as much effort into fixing our problems with our relationships instead of telling the world how bad it is,  our lives may be different!!

My goal is to impact your day by speaking a blessing onto you and hope that in return you'll speak a blessing onto someone else.  With that said, May your Day be filled with people who Lift your Spirits, Make you Laugh, give you a Hug and Inspire you to be a better person!!  Happy Thankful Thursday!!

Hugs Wednesday January 21

Good Morning Campers!! What are you thankful for today??  Today is National Hug Day,  so I'm thankful for Hugs!!  Studies have shown that a hug can lift depression, make someone smile and can give a person a better outlook on life!! So who are you going to hug today?? May your Day be filled with lots of ((Hugs))!!  Happy Wednesday!!   

Discernment Tuesday, January 20

Good Morning Campers!!  What are you thankful for today??  I'm thankful for Discernment. Some call it intuition, a gut instinct, inner voice, hunch or voice from God.  While in a situation or conversation with someone and we can just tell the other person isn't safe or being truthful. That's what I find interesting. They can try to  "sell" me on who they are by what they say, and when I process it, the truth is always revealed. 

Over the years, I've been asked to partner in business with many different kinds of people.  I always listen to what they're saying and to what they're not saying.  Sometimes, they're so busy trying to cover up their wrong doings, they will dangle a carrot in front of you.  Like dangling a carrot in front of a horse to keep walking forward. People will always reveal to you who they are, you just have learn to use discernment when communicating with them. This works in business, dating and daily relationships. Learn to trust your discernment so you can make the correct decision. I listened to mine and it has saved me lots of heartaches.  When dealing with these business opportunities, I looked beyond their sales pitch to lies they were covering up.  I'm thankful I didn't get into business with them.  I would be under a Grand Jury investigation right now if I had.  May you hear that Discernment, listen to it and act accordingly!!  Happy Tuesday!!

Dream Monday January 19

Good Morning Sunshine!!  What are you thankful for today?? In honor of Martin Luther King Jr,  I'm thankful for my Dreams!! He had a Dream for everyone to be equal.  I have a Dream that we reach back and empower the next person.  My Dream is that when you hear about someone else's story, you ask How can I help you??  What can I do for you?? That may mean we actually have to get our hands dirty. Or maybe they just need someone to lean on, show them that we care, or maybe they may need prayer.  Whatever it looks like, we, as a collective society, reach out to someone else and say I'm here for you.  You never know when you're going to be in the same situation.  The quote below is also what I Dream for you.  For you, the one reading this, to realize no matter how hard life has been,  you have to keep going forward.  Going forward can be as simple as removing yourself as far away as possible  from your past.  It's called the Past for a reason and we don't live there anymore. Change how we talk about it.  Going forward I'm going to.....(fill in the blank with your dream) Does it change what's happened? Nothing will, however it will change how you look at it. What's your Dream for You?? What's your Dream for your Family, Loved Ones??  Take a moment today to encourage them by sharing your Dream for them, it may change their life. May your day be filled with opportunities to share the positive Dreams for your family and loved ones!! May someone speak their Dream for you into your life!! Happy Monday!! 

      

Inspiration Sunday, January 18

Good Morning from Camp Sunnyside!!  What are you thankful for today??  I'm thankful for All the Inspiration at our fingertips!!  Ever look at Instagram and search Inspiration?  There are millions of Inspirational pictures for Fitness goal, quotes for Business goals and quotes for everyday Life. While recovering from knee surgery, I would look at these posts to stay motivated to heal and get back to the gym. It worked for me.  Also during this time,  I found a great blog for business inspiration.  It says to always go for your dreams or you'll be making someone else's dreams come true...what a true statement!!  While doing all of this I realized, as a society, we don't really have many actual inspirational people. Tony Robbins is an exception.  Who else inspires you??  I read. I search. And devour information on inspiring people for me, whether it's fitness, business or every day life.  And do you know what I've learned?? They have gone through some rough times too!! No one is Exempt from the rough patches of life.  There are people who look like they never had a bad day in their lives...Wrong!!  We All have bad stuff to go through.  Another thing I learned reading about them, they didn't allow those rough patches make them into a victim and throw a pity party every day.  They got up, got out of their comfort zone and stepped forward!!  Then they reached back to inspire others!! That Is the true meaning of life... Go through tough times, then reach back to inspire others when it's their turn.  I say, Don't be me, Learn from me, then go and Become better than me, then reach back and Inspire someone to be better than you!!  May your day be filled with people who Inspire you and an opportunity to Inspire someone else!!  Happy Inspiration Sunday!!   

Be Fearless Saturday, January 17

Good Morning Campers!! What are you thankful for today?? I'm thankful that I practice being Fearless!! And yes I said practice!  That's what it takes.  Nobody is naturally fearless, it's an acquired skill.  We all have fears. At some point, we allow those fears to stop us. It takes courage to step out of our comfort zone and try something we're scared of. And that's OK, it's normal and natural.  It's when we allow the fear to completely Stop us from something is when it's a problem. "Do Not Be Afraid" is in the Bible 365 times as a daily reminder!! We've all had a fear of something. Whether it's fear of failure or success. Fear to love or fear of getting hurt. And even fear of the unknown and unfamiliar.  It's OK,  be scared and Do It Anyway!! Step Out and practice Being Fearless!! And then reach back and Encourage someone else to do the same!! May your Day be filled with situations for you to Be Fearless!! Happy Saturday!!

Forgiveness Friday January 16

Good Morning Campers!! What are you #thankful for today?? I'm thankful for Forgiveness!! I'm thankful for All the people I've been angry with in my life, I have truly Forgiven them. I'm thankful for them helping me see I needed to Forgive!! When we don't forgive, we become bitter. When we become bitter,  we habor resentment. And when we hold on to resentment,  it turns into hate. Then we no longer have a small anger issue, we have a hate problem. Is there someone who you need to forgive?? I had a long list of people that I was angry with, I was bitter and was moving into resentment when I decided to stop.  I made a list of all these people and I prayed for forgiveness about each situation. And I prayed that I forgave myself.  My anger disappeared!! Maybe there is someone who you need to forgive before it's too late. May your day be filled with Forgiveness!! Happy Forgiveness Friday!!

Thankful Thursday January15

Good Morning Sunshine!! It's #ThankfulThursday!! What are you thankful for today?? I'm thankful for all the Breakdowns that I have been through as I know that on the other side of the breakdown is a Breakthrough!! Whenever I have gone through a rough patch, I know that the Blessing is around the corner!! Ever feel like life has handed you a raw deal?? We All have been there!! Ever feel like you're going through a really "dark time" in your life?? Well, guess what, it is Only Temporary!! That's the good news! Our dark times are only brief. Now that can mean we go through rough times for days, months and even years, just understand that its temporary and not permanent.  Brighter days are just ahead!! Think about it as a Warrior Dash Obstacle course....We have to go through the muck, the mud, jump over hurdles, get discouraged, run around in circles before we can cross the finish line. And at the end of the finish line is the medal. In this case, our Medal of Honor, is the breakthrough in our life. Maybe its the realization that we needed to take care of ourselves better or its that we have been holding back our love from our loved ones and we need to let those walls down. Whatever dark period of time that we go through, there is a reason. And that reason is to teach us the lesson of life that we need to learn at that very moment. So don't give up, your Breakthrough is coming!! May your day be Brighter by knowing the Blessing is just around the corner!! Happy Thankful Thursday!!

Good Morning Campers!!  What are you thankful for today??  I'm thankful for people who actually care to Listen to understand and not just to respond!  Ever been misunderstood?  Ever felt like what you said fell on deaf ears?  What if no one really listened... Your spouse, your children, your bosses,  your doctors....Think how that would reek havoc in our world. Think of all the arguments and misdiagnosed problems that would happen!! In my own experience, I had a doctor actually Listen to me yesterday and I finally got some answers!!  Whew!  That's the best feeling!  Knowing that the person you're talking to is trying to understand where you're coming from instead of their own "to do list" going through their head.  And in order to have a friend, spouse, child or co-worker truly Listen to you, first you must Listen to understand them!!  May your day be filled with opportunities to really Listen to what people are saying so you can understand them better.  And may you be Listened to so you are understandable. Happy Wednesday!!  

"I Am" Tuesday, January 13

Good Morning Sunshine!! What are you thankful for today??  I'm thankful for learning that these words "I Am" are the most powerful words we use. How many times have you used those words to describe yourself to someone else?? When someone asks you How are you, you say I am____ (fill in the blank). Typically,  we use the word fine.  I'm fine.  I'm good.  On really good days we might say I'm great.   How about when we  talk to ourselves?? That inner voice, What do we say?? We will say horrible things to ourselves that we would never say out loud to someone else.  So why do we use them in our inner most thoughts?  Sometimes, it is because someone told us once a lie and we believed as being true about ourselves.  Think back to being a kid and someone (a bully perhaps) said you were ugly or fat or unlovable or nobody liked you or your ears stick out or you smell funny or you'll never be good enough......Whatever negative things kids say to hurt another kid. And you believed them. So this whole time, we've gone through life thinking I am not good enough. I am unlovable. I am ugly. And so what happens,  over time,  as we continue to listen to the nonsense, it conditions us to believe it for ourselves.  Well I Am here to tell you,  You are Completely Wrong about Yourself!!  You are Good Enough!!  You are Lovable!!  You are Beautiful!! Now,  going forward,  stop with the nonsense talk... And change your words to I Am Great!!  I Am Lovable!!  I Am Beautiful!!  I Am Fit!!  I Am Happy!!  This works for all of your goals.  Let's say you want to own a company but as of now,  you work as an assistant.  You start telling yourself I Am CEO,  I guarantee you that one day you will be!!  Let's say you want to run a 5k.  Say to yourself, I Am a runner who runs in 5ks. Watch and see if your body starts to follow. Or let's say that you've been in bad mood funk for a while and all you think is I am unhappy and depressed. Start saying to yourself  I Am Happy!!  I Am Joyful!! Your whole life will start to change.  We get stuck saying the negative things silently to ourselves and telling others something else. Well stop that.  We have to start saying the positive things to ourselves and watch and see the positive results happen!! We have to speak to ourselves as if the positive thing has already happened.  May your inner voice change to I Am positive and watch how your life starts to change. Happy Tuesday!!

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Mentor Monday, January 12

Good Morning Campers!!  What are you thankful for today??  I'm thankful for my Mentors!!  Do you have a mentor??  There was a time when I had several, they were also my bosses. And then as I cut ties with that company, I didn't know anyone. As of today, I can think of the many Mentors that I have in my life. A Mentor is a wise and trusted teacher and counselor.  A few years ago, I realized that I didn't have people who I would call a mentor, I had peers and friends.  Which is still a great thing to have, however, I wanted someone who I could lean on, run ideas past and someone who would give me constructive feedback. I didn't want who was going to tell me what I wanted to hear, I wanted wise and trusted advice!! So how did I find mentors?  I stepped out of my comfort zone and went to networking events.  I met people. I shared my wise and trusted advice. I shared ideas with complete strangers. Which for me was extremely hard to do at the time. It's called practice.  You won't get any better unless you continue to practice. Next thing, I started setting up coffee meetings so I can pick their brains even more on my projects and ideas and they can pick mine.  If you had asked me what a mentor looked like before this last year, I would have described an old professor type person.  Well guess what, a couple of my mentors are younger than me!! They are truly Wise beyond their years. There goes my preconceived notion out the window! What I've learned through all I've done is Most People have Potential to be a Mentor. Most people want to share their experiences. Most people, who share your common interests, are willing to help any way they can as long as you reciprocate. The great thing about finding a Mentor, you have to reach out and Become a Mentor to someone else  first. Then you've shared a common bond and you know you can lean on each other when one of you need it the most.  May your Day be filled with someone who you can be an example for,  someone who you can Mentor and someone who is able to Mentor to you.  Happy Mentor Monday!!  

Family Sunday, January 11

Good Morning Campers!!  What are you thankful for today?? I'm thankful for Family!!  Family can be the ones you are related to and it can the loved ones you that choose to be called Family.  My Family has grown over the years.  Growing up, it was just me and my two older brothers.  Then I got into the cosmetology industry, family became my co-workers as I hadn't had sisters before. Now, my Family consists of my work family, previous job family, clients who are friends family, church family, Bible study family, Entrepreneur family, gym family, friends' family, step family and my biological family. It's funny how when people ask me, what's your family like, I always explain the different types of family I have. I feel Family can be the people you spend most of your time with. If we surrounded ourselves with people who love us encourage us and truly want us to succeed in life, we all would be a little happier! If we chose to love and encourage and truly want others to succeed, we will attract those people! However, on the flip side, if we are negative, jealous and envious of others, we will be surrounded by those types of people.  Who you are being is who you are surrounded by. You pick which type you want. May you be positive, loving and supportive so today you can spend time with those who are loving, positive and supportive of you!! Happy Sunday!!  

Saturday, January 10

Good Morning Campers from Camp Sunnyside!!  What are you thankful for today??  I'm thankful that I've had these last several  years to cultivate myself into who I am today.  I'm thankful that I've had time to define my goals and reinvent who I am. I'm thankful for the time I've put in with different trainers over the years.  Trainers at the gym, trainers at home who taught me about being mindful while working out and trainers who taught me yoga and how to take a moment to breath. They became a part of my life on a weekly basis.  The time that I've spent with each one of the these people has propelled me to who I am today.  They taught me to be patient with myself. I always want results now.  They taught me to take time for myself.  Typically, I hit the ground running every day and in Go Go Go mode. They taught me to love this vessel that carries me around. It is the only one I get. I'm thankful that each one of these people started out as just a trainer and became my friend and then moved to being my family.  Now, at least once a year, I travel to Colorado to see a couple of my trainers who I dearly love and miss them.  Today, I'm thankful for the Trainers that I have had over the last few years. With out them,  I wouldn't be where I am today.  May your day be filled with Someone who has transformed you by teaching you how to take a breath break, love yourself and be mindful of the world around you!! Happy Saturday!!

Change: Friday, January 9

Good Morning Campers!! What are you thankful for today??  I'm thankful for Change.  Not just physical change,  also financial change, environmental change and spiritual change. Most Change requires us to give up something in order to receive something else. Sometimes this can require exercise. Not just exercise for your body, we also need to exercise our minds for spiritual growth and exercise our discipline in spending when it comes to our finances.  If we wanted our life to change but were unwilling to do anything about it, then we shouldn't have the right to complain about it. That may sound a little harsh, I don't mean it to be completely rude, just a little sting.  Think about this, if all we did was complain how we are unhealthy with no money in a bad living situation where no one cares about us...the world would be an extremely negative place to be.  And sometimes it is. However, if we just realize that in order to change our situation, in all aspects of life, we have to stop thinking negatively and start thinking positively!! Now how do we do that, you may be asking yourself....Its simple. You just stop!! Stop yourself every time you put yourself down for being unhealthy as you reach for that 3rd helping of dessert. Go for a walk instead. Stop yourself every time you find yourself in the shopping mall when your debt is bigger than your paycheck. Start paying that off first!! Stop yourself every time you say I hate my job. Start looking for another place of employment. Stop yourself every time you say that nobody cares about you. Get out there and start caring about other people first, then they will care about you.  We have to redirect our thoughts. Some of us have been so used to the mindset of "poor me" that it hasn't even occurred to us to just think the opposite.  Life is tough! Life is unfair! We are have All been through stuff!! How we deal with that stuff is what determines our all over well being. We can continue to think negatively or we can Make a Change!! And start thinking how to change it just by thinking positively. May your day be filled with moments of Change!! May you realize that you can Change your whole well being by just changing the way that you think.  Happy Friday!!

Thankful Thursday January 8

Good Morning Sunshine!!  It's #ThankfulThursday!! What are you #thankful for today??   I'm thankful for Rest and Recovery.  For many many years, I burned the candles at both ends. Running from school to job to socializing with friends.  As I've gotten older, I've slowed down substantially. However, over my Christmas "staycation" I rested. Slept. Watched movies. Read. Had no agenda. And guess what...  It was awesome!!  My days of working 6 days a week are over. My days of being a workaholic... Done!  I've done it for too long. The more I do the less I get accomplished. My goal this year is to take more time to Rest and Recover.  Not just from my Work Outs but also my from Business. When we overwork our brains, our muscles and our spirits, we overwhelm our systems and get bogged down!  College athletes are on a strict 'don't over do it' schedule,  but we are not.  Unions are in place so we don't overwork our employees but as owners we don't follow those rules. Even Mother Teresa needed time to rest so she could go out to take care of others but we don't. So here's to making Rest and Recover part of my Life!! I'm thankful for the time I have rested and recovered already!!   May you find time in your schedule to Rest, Recover and Restore so you can be better and accomplish more.  And then when you see someone else burned out, reach out and encourage them to Rest and Recover. Happy Thankful Thursday!! 

PS I know the picture is Christmasy but I thought the message was great and oh so cute!! ;)

Networking Wednesday January, 7

Good Morning Campers!! What are you thankful for today?? I'm thankful for Networking. Networking is defined as a supportive system of sharing information among people having a common interest.  Have you heard of 1 Million Cups? Here's a link to it 1 Million Cups   It is a great platform for Entrepreneurs to present their business concepts to other entrepreneurs and receive feedback.  Perhaps an investor is there to offer an opportunity or another business person who has a similar idea and can collaborate. All of this happens in cities across the world on Wednesday mornings during which time, free coffee is being offered. It is a wonderful way to network for the greater good of business.
 Networking for the Greater Good. We can All benefit from that!! For an example, yesterday, I had two clients in my space and as one had been explaining her recent family trauma, the other one speaks up and says she been through the same experience with her family years ago and now things are so much better. She gave a gift to her. She gave her the Gift of Hope, just by networking. Ever go through something and you tell a friend and they say that they know the person that can help you?? Then that friend shares with you contact information of someone who can help. That is why we are put here on this planet together. To help one another. To extend a hand to someone who needs help or encouragement or to someone who needs advice on a project. That's what networking is really about. And then it always comes back to you. If you have empowered someone else by your encouragement or advice or help, you will receive back the same when you need it. Think about how different the world would look if we looked at each other as everyone had a piece of knowledge that we needed to propel us into the next step. Each one of us has a story. And each of us can learn from each other's story. So next time you're in the position of having an opportunity to empower someone else, Go For It!! When you Empower Others, you also Empower Yourself!! It all starts with networking for the greater good. May your day be filled with awesome people to network with who will provide you with wonderful advice, help or encouragement so that you can reach back and extend your hand to the person behind you next time. Happy Networking Wednesday!!

Tuesday, January 6

Good Morning Campers from Camp Sunnyside!! What are you Thankful for today??  I'm thankful for my Faith. Now before you stop reading this, please know this isn't about trying to convert anyone or tell you why my way is the only right way.  I am just sharing what works for me and what my experience has been. 

Growing up, I'm thankful that I had a foundation of going to church, learning how to serve while serving others. There isn't room for our own ego. With that fundamental foundation, I learned that at age 19, everything has a reason.  That there is a bigger plan working behind the scenes, that we may find out one day. Growing up in church also ingrained  the word "spiritual" in my soul. I choose to call myself "spiritual" or "spirit filled" instead of religious. To me, religious people are the ones who judge other people.  I am the least judgmental person you'll ever meet. Because we've all gone through some stuff. "Religious people" say that they are right all the time. Well guess what, I'm not! In fact, I'm wrong most of the time and I'm OK with admitting my wrong. Most importantly, I learned to pray when I was attending this church. When I was little, I talked to God like he was my imaginary friend. And as i mentioned before in a earlier blog, Thankful Thursday, Jan 1  I drank a lot during my teenage years. So I prayed, while driving, that I would make it home safely.  After the DUI, I woke up and said OK God, I'm done. This is your life, not mine anymore. Do whatever you want to do with it....Now did I still screw up?? Of course I did!! I am human and far from perfect as nobody is perfect. We all screw up in some form. Then I was  extremely depressed while in an abusive relationship, I prayed for the boyfriend. I prayed for him to change and for him to get help for many years. I had even started writing it down in a journal. Then one day it occurred to me to pray for myself. When I prayed for myself and since I wrote it down, I was able to go back to see how the prayer was answered. Sometimes it was answered in an unexpected way.  Long story short...I am free, free from harm, free from hurt, free from pain, free from depression, free from hate.

 Now this is just an example of my faith. It is what has worked for me. You have to do what works for you. You may have to hit rock bottom, like i did, to figure it out. And that's OK. We've all been there at some point. You will get back up, even stronger. So today, I am thankful for my personal faith because it is personal just to me. It doesn't look like anyone else's. And if I hadn't grown in my faith, I wouldn't be writing this.  I used to be extremely closed off to people. The walls were built so high, no one could get in, not even the ones closest to me. I would never had been able tell you about my experiences. So, What are you thankful for today? May your day be filled with reflection on what your own personal faith looks like to you. And may you not judge anyone else for their faith. Happy Tuesday!!

Music Monday January 5

Good Morning Campers!! What are you Thankful for today?  I'm thankful for Music! Music is Powerful. Think about how much we listen to music. Working out, in the car, school, church, home, work, with ear buds in or for everyone to hear.  Sometimes the song is exactly what we needed to hear to lift our spirits or match our mood. Music is powerful. Ever hear a song and it takes you back to a certain time of your life? For me, its Boys II men Motownphilly for Senior year drill team.  I can go right back there and almost remember the dance moves that we did.  Is there any song like that for you?  Maybe it's the song from your prom that you danced with your crush. Or it's the song from your wedding. It can even be the song that was played at your loved one's funeral. Music stays in your memory and brings you back to that time where you once were.  Think about how powerful that is!! Music fills up quiet space in the background for most people. In my career, music has always played in the background. I'm so used to it, that sometimes I don't even hear the music until my favorite song is on and through all the other noise, I can hear it clearly.  Music is powerful. Music can drown out all the other stuff that is swirling around in our heads and create a calm, peaceful atmosphere for us. I hope that this post has caused you to remember some great memories from the songs from your life. May your day be filled with music that feeds your soul, allows fun memories to come back and transcends you to a great time in your life. Happy Music Monday!! 

Soulful Sunday Jan 4

Good Morning Sunshine!! It is Soulful Sunday!! What are you Thankful for today?  I'm thankful for all the ways that I have found to Fuel My Soul. What fuels your soul?? For me, it's going to museums, playing with pets, good coffee, traveling, live music, laughing, going to church, sharing ideas with other entrepreneurs and sharing fitness tips with other like minded people.  This past year I tried to fuel my soul on a regular basis and sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't. And when it didn't, I felt the stress pile on. As we run from one thing to another every day, we forget to fuel up ourselves. We fuel up our cars, change the oil and put air in the tires on a regular basis.  Some cars even have lights to tell us to do so. However,  we don't have a warning light that we need to have an oil change (or in our case a scenery change)!! Ask yourself what is your warning?  Stress, frustration, crankiness can be warning signs saying that your soul needs some fuel!!  Get to it quickly before you fall apart!!  As a society, we are progressing to doing more, more more.  Well, take a moment to listen to what your soul needs, fuel it up before it's too late and you break down on the side of the road. And then when you see someone else who may need to fuel their soul, encourage them to do so. You may have saved them from a major malfunction!!  May your day be filled with ways to Fuel your Soul and be thankful that you did before a malfunction happens!! Happy Soulful Sunday!!   

Sense of Humor, Saturday Jan 3

Good Morning Campers!! What are you thankful for today??  I'm Thankful for my Sense of Humor, Other People's Sense of Humor and even God's Sense of Humor!!  Have you ever had a bad day and then somebody made you laugh? And not the ha ha kind of laugh. I mean the full belly, shoulder shaking, tears streaming down your face kind of laughter....That is truly the best kind!  Studies have shown that laughter can really feed our souls, heal our bodies and even change the chemistry in our brains. It can lower our blood pressure, lower the stress chemicals in our body and relieves depression. Think about that!! How much are you laughing on a daily basis?? Sometimes, we get so caught up in the every day to day routines that we don't take a moment to laugh, giggle, chuckle and my favorite, laugh so hard, you snort!!  And why don't we?? Well I'm sure the answer is different for everyone. However, I can testify that laughing is the Best Medicine!!  Laughing feeds your soul, can be great cardio and ab exercise. We have limited our conversations to texting and using emoticons and using LOL. But are you really laughing? Or just chuckling to yourself? Many times over my lifetime, I have laughed till my stomach hurt, laughed till my face hurt from smiling. and truly cried as I couldn't stop the giggles. My hope for you today is that you reflect back on those gut busting laughing bursts in your life and remember how Awesome You Felt!! Therefore, May your day be filled with hilarious things that make you laugh so hard that you cry, snort and release endorphins!! Happy Sense of Humor Saturday!!

Fabulous Friday, Jan 2

Good Morning Campers from Camp Sunnyside!!  What are you Thankful for today?? I'm thankful for the movie Good Morning Vietnam.  If you haven't seen it, please do so. When Robin Williams character says Good Morning Vietnam every time he's on the radio, that's what I hear as I write these posts. Why do I address you as "Campers"?? It's a fun way to address my friends, family, followers instead being formal by saying everyone, I thought Campers would be Fun... And campy!!  ( Lol  pun intended) 
I use "Camp Sunnyside" as I had a roommate, back in the day, who used to jump on my bed at 6am and say Good morning at Camp Sunnyside. She did it just to pester me since she was awake to go to work and I was still asleep.  It was funny and annoying but it stuck with me.  As I started posting on social media, I decided to use from Camp Sunnyside as wherever location  I am.  Hearing it and saying it makes me Happy. That is when I made a choice that wherever I am,  I can be Happy!! And from time to time,  I will use "Sunshine" to address you. There a very specific reason for that... Ever had a rough patch in life,  and then one morning, you notice the Sun has risen and shining brightly?? That's the best metaphor for life... No matter what happens, where you are, how you feel,  the sun will rise the next morning and we get another opportunity to Start Again. That's how I feel when I address you as "Sunshine" you may have had a rough patch and you need a reminder that the sun will rise in the morning to allow you to  Start Again. With all that said, I am thankful that Good Morning Vietnam stayed with me and shaped me to be who I am.  I'm thankful for my old roommate who made me laugh on a daily basis.  Most of All,  I am thankful that the Sun rises every day and we get a chance to Start Again!! May your day be filled with people who impact you by making you think and by making you laugh!! Also,  May the Sun rise for you to Start Again!! Happy Fabulous Friday!!

Thankful Thursday, Jan 1, 2015

Good Morning Campers from Camp Sunnyside!!

It's #ThankfulThursday!! It's also a New Year!! Happy 2015!! Let's start the New Year off on the right foot and ask yourself, What are you Thankful for?? I am thankful that at the age of 23, I choose to no longer drink alcohol. After celebrating NYE last night while drinking sparkling cider, I was able to get to my 9am Boot-camp class.   I had battled with a drinking problem that slowly started at age eleven and grew into a major problem by the time I was 16, drinking almost daily. That was the pattern until I got a DUI six months after my sweet sixteenth birthday. One of the best things that happened to me!! Had to go to AA, was on probation, and did community service. I had slowed down immensely but didn't stop all together until I was 23.  At that moment, I told the beer that was left in my refrigerator, that "I can never have another one of you".  And I haven't! In fact, I haven't  had a desire to drink again. So that is what I most thankful for today... That I quit drinking and haven't been concerned with it ever since. It's a non issue for me. I don't regret any given morning waking up hangover free!! That has been the best feeling... Knowing that I can go out, even to a bar, with friends and wake up feeling fine while they wake up hungover. Believe me, it took me a long time to figure out how to have fun without drinking. But I did.  So if you are concerned about the  alcohol that you consume is a problem and worry what your life will be like without it... Let me the one to tell you,  IT IS GREAT!! If I can be a non-drinker for the last 17 years, so can you!! Reach out and get help if you need it, before its too late and get a DUI like I did.

As we face 2015 together, I hope that I can Sprinkle your day with a little Sparkle!! I hope that we can inspire each other as we try to achieve our goals for the New Year! May your day be filled with time for reflection to focus on what your goals are for 2015!! Happy Thankful Thursday!!