Rules for Minimizing to Better Organize Your Life

 My house is taking over my life! It's a mess and it makes me feel like I am always behind. I am embarrassed to have people over and I can't do it all myself. I resent others in my home for not caring, not picking up and not being more aware of the importance of an organized life is to me.

Does that sound like you? I know it was me. Most of the time I was raising the kids I was frantically trying to teach them they should pick up after they are done with things and they still don't do it. Obviously, my priorities are not anyone else's.

So how does that affect you?

When you need to feel peaceful when you enter a room....and your stomach goes into a knot, how does that affect your heart?

Believe it or not, your heart is stressed out. It beats faster when you are stressed out and it works harder. 

Are these pictures making you feel a need to clean?

You want to organize this mess?

Your kids room looks just like this lego land?

So what are the rules of minimizing so that you can get a handle on your home?

Wait no longer. Here they are...




RULES FOR MINIMIZING

• Pull out and sort items from closets and drawers first (so pick one...just one right now)

Get 5 Bins, boxes or bags and label them: Keep - Sell - Give - Fix - Toss

Decide as you look at each item by asking yourself what you want to do with it. If you are having trouble deciding... as yourself:

• Do I love it? Yep...keep it! Nope...toss it, sell it or give it away
• Need it?  Yep...
• Can I live without it? Yep...Toss it, sell it, give it
• Have I used it in the last 12 months? Toss it, sell it, give it
• Will I use it in the next 12 months? Not sure? Toss it, sell it, give it
• Why am I hanging onto it? Good question! Memories ... we can discuss this later
• Is there another way I can keep this memory alive?...more details later- keep it for now
• Can someone else use it? yep- pass it on!

Place it in the corresponding bin, box or bag until all the items have been looked at. Yes, you can have an "I am not decided" pile but remember, in order to actually be successful, you have to eventually put things in the right category today.

Whew....after 20-30 minutes you should be done with that one thing. If not take a break. Then get started in a few. Burn out is not the goal here.

So memories...are important to you. We make our lives over time and we enjoy looking back at pictures and mementos to feel what we felt in that moment again. Do you need them all? Are they making life more difficult or more enjoyable? Do you have to dust them? Do you have to guard them against breakage? Do you have to lock them up? Take out insurance on them? Are they possessing you more than you are possessing them?

Here are some thing s to ponder:

• Pictures- can be placed/arranged in frames, on a CD, in albums and given as gifts. They can be duplicated and shared with other family members, given to the children if they are old enough, passed down while you are still in charge of it. Remember that some photos of where you went, vacations etc that you took early in life may not be anything that anyone else will ever want. Thin those down to the most enjoyable to reflect on. Enlarge, print and hang them on the wall or share them with the library, church, schools etc for their walls as appropriate.
• We are a society that is drowining in our "things". We need them, or we say we do. We know for sure we want them. Here is the bigger question to ask yourself, what is the benefit of keeping them? If I had 5 minutes to collect the things that mean the most to me...what would they be? Some people have had to make that very decision as either fire, mudslides or flooding was moments away. So take even 20 minutes to decide what they would be. Why not go a step further and put them all close enough together so you could grab them if you needed to.
• Nick-nacks etc.- are items that are abundant. Too abundant. Trophies, cheerleading gear, ice skates, yearbooks, We hate to throw it out or give it away because it might hurt someone's feelings. So, here is what I did. I asked my children what they wanted if I died and I gave it back to them right now. I don't need it, I enjoyed it long enough, let them have it now, why wait until I die and maybe someone else would end up with it or throw it out. 
• Clothes- ugh...I had enough for a 365-day vacation! Shoes for 600 feet when we only have 2? Here is what I did, I picked out 10 of my favorite outfits. I know we have to have seasonal clothes, but in the future, I will buy short sleeve shirts and then buy sweaters with long sleeves so I can wear my shirts all year round. I kept only the shoes I love. Only the dresses I love. I don't even wear dresses anymore. So, I may pass them on later. But this is where I started. I threw out my holy underwear:) and socks that didn't match were shrunk or stretched out. 
• Shampoos, lotions, potions, polishes, brushes, sharpeners...men are just as bad as women. Read the label and if it is safe to use, keep it, if not toss it. Ask yourself, if your skin absorbs it will it make me feel healthy? Yep...keep it, if not toss it. Too many little things everywhere make it hard to organize...just start getting thinned out in these areas.
• Towels, sheets, pillows, blankets- Keep your best and throw the rest in the GOOD WILL.
• Movies, Music CD's, games etc- Let someone else enjoy them. Donate to an after-school program at the YMCA/YWCA, library, hospital, nursing home, a family with kids.

There are lots more things you can get into and get rid of, trust me, it comes in as fast as it goes out some days. But keep plugging along and 7 days a week may eventually seem like just enough:)

Blessings! Let me know below what your biggest struggle was and let me hear how you overcame it.

Happier on Weekends -- During the week

It's a general consensus that we are happier on weekends than on weekdays. 

To that I say.... pffffftttt....only if you work Monday thru Friday. 

When I had to work on the weekends, I was anything but happy!

As a matter of fact, I was mandated to work a double shift on a weekend (short handed to boot) and that is where I quickly and firmly drew the line. 

So how do you get that weekend feeling during the week if you work on a weekend? It's kind of tricky but it can be done and it's better than you think!

So let's say, it's Wednesday and you are off. You are tempted to sleep in right? So figure out a way you can do it. It will take some bargaining I am sure, but do it if it will make it an awesome day.

Next, want to stay in your pajamas all day? DO IT!

Want to jump out of bed and go to the gym? DO IT!

How about making a massage appointment?

Get your haircut?

Take a drive and surprise a friend for lunch or supper?

Go shopping for yourself when everyone is at work?

Anything that you would love to do on a weekend...DO IT!

Bubble bath...ride your motorcycle...play your guitar, your piano, your harp

Take a walk, swim, run, ride the horse, play tennis or golf

Eat out...go to happy hour at 4PM...get the best parking spot somewhere you always don't

Sit on the porch, watch the sunrise, drink your coffee slow and watch rush hour traffic whiz by

Smile alot 

The possibilities are endless.

Grab your weekend when you can. 

To Every Mom ...Pray at the Wishing Well

I used to try to do it all. When my girls were small, I wanted to be the best mom ever. I was always thinking up things for the kids to do that were creative. Crafts, stories, plays, pretending, games. One of their favorites was fishing for prizes out of "the wishing well". They would throw their fishing line down from the top of the stairs, over the railing and after I tugged a few minutes, they would pull in their line with their catch. Which usually consisted of a sample of shampoo, a gumball machine toy, any little gadget that I could find around the house that they hadn't seen before. It was always fun to see their eyes light up over hardly anything at all.

In those days, I appreciated that beautiful innocence of childhood. It was so easy to please them and to keep them excited about life. Each day brought such wonder and delight. Everything being brand new...every experience their first. I wanted an 8th day of the week. Time was flying by and every minute I was loving it.

Then life crept in. I didn't know I could have stopped it. I didn't realize I didn't really need things. Not the things of the world. Not more stuff. It only made life more complicated, more work.

I don't know how women do it today. I thought life went fast enough back then, but today it's on fast forward and it's stuck there.

If you are a mom today...God loves you, God blesses you, He sees what you are trying to do. Think like your child. Believe like your child. Go to the well and instead of wishing, pray there. God will hear you. He will give you what you need to do His work in caring for your kids, your spouse, your home, your family and you will want an 8th day of the week. You will want extra time to enjoy your life.

Simplify your life. Don't over complicate it with more stuff. Kids should learn to be creative. They should learn who they are and what interests them. Let them learn to work with you and do the jobs you need to do around the house. Life goes by in a flash and as we get older...1/2 a flash. Make it last.

4 Tips to Make it Through the Week

Hmmm...feeling like this zebra and it's not over yet??
I have had weeks where everyday felt like it was "goundhog day".

It doesn't really matter what is causing the week to be an overload...or does it?
Tip 1
Take an inventory of how much crap you have on your plate
Tip 2
Decide who put it there, if it was your own choice, did it make sense to do it this week or could it have waited? Postponing things can actually give you more time to focus on it and give you better results.
Tip 3
Decide who put the other items on your plate (see, I can be proper) and do they have the right to do it. If they do (like it's your boss) is it going to make sense to do it this week or not? If you have a good relationship with your boss ( I don't think I ever did) then you will probably feel it's ok to discuss the deadline date of the project. However, if you don't feel your boss is approachable, you may want to watch how someone else ( the one with the brown nose) is doing it and learn it, do it and teach it! No joke. Even if at first it's out of character for you, eventually you can learn any skill. Learn this one. If they are chatty...be chatty. If they are always asking advice on personal matters...do it. If they are inviting them out for golf, a beer or dinner, get with their program because obviously it works. You need it to work too.
Now, if you don't have a boss or someone who can put things on your plate for you...shame on you. You are your worst nightmare. Quit it already! You work for yourself. You manage your home, run the carpool, have clients, meetings, appointments that you schedule for the most part. Be kind to yourself.
Tip 4
Lastly, Stop juggling. Juggling takes hours of practice and leaves little time for anything else. Life is too short. You are missing the intermission. You know that time you take a pee, get a drink, eat, exercise, have family time....yeah. Don't fill your schedule like there is no frickin tomorrow. Let me guess... that tomorrows schedule looks alot like todays. So schedule thoughtfully.  Deligate. Breathe, get your stripes back. See ya on the flip flop! 

Be Blesssed!

Soon it will be

• the holidays
• somebody's birthday
• somebody's anniversary
• new baby
• new house
• new job
• retirement
• party
• tax time
• fundraiser
• dinner
• graduation
• religious observance

Yep...we go from one event to another in our lives don't we?

I don't know about you, but without my calendar I would miss almost every important one. Not because I don't care. But because we are spinning through life like a top. 

Occasionally I let myself take a breath. Not feel guilty about it and re-center myself. Saying...it's ok to take a minute here. Sad but true. That is why an 8th day of the week got it's name!! I need one. When I tell people to schedule time with me and send them to my online scheduler, I am not doing it to put them off. It's because I really don't know what my own schedule is unless I am told. 

So, my question to you today...yes you...not the next person who reads this article, but you...my question is, how do we get off the merry-go-round? How do we balance our lives and slow it down so we can enjoy it? We run around like chickens from one thing to another, trying frantically to get it all done and squeeze in some fun ones...but it always seems to leave us spent either  emotionally, physically or financially. (Or all 3)

Today is the day I want your ideas on how we can slow it down, how you do it. Or how you wish you could do it. I need ideas to help myself do it. Mostly because there really isn't an 8th day of the week.

 below!!

Always in Beta!

Some days I wonder what has disconnected in my brain. I can hardly believe I used to multitask with such speed and efficiency and now...I need an 8th day of the week. How does that happen? Hmmm...  Or should I ask when did it happen?

I have decided that transitioning from being a kid to being an adult is more fun than going into mid life. Well, honestly I guess I am past that too. Geez, I think I am old. I have to stop thinking that. I can't really tell how old anyone is anymore. I always guess wrong. Maybe because I don't choose to remember how old I am.


Now that I have succeeded in feeling like an old lady who swallowed a fly, I don't know why she swallowed a fly...I think she'll die.

I have to pull myself back up by thinking of some of the great things that I have noticed about mid life. Hmmm...well, what comes to mind is feeling more comfortable in my skin. I actually have my own personality now. I am not looking at everyone around me to determine how I feel about myself. Day by day I have learned to be myself and not worry about what others think of me. That is a really freeing feeling. 

Something else I have been able to recognize is that others see us so different than we see ourselves. I can be my harder on myself than anyone else can.

I think in the last 5-6 years, I have felt like I have been redesigning who I am and what I want to accomplish . I used to get in that frantic...OMG...I have to hurry up because I'm getting old and my time is running out. But since I learned that there is all the time I need. That time comes from me. I haven't felt that way. It seems good to take that lid off and release that inner pressure. Sometimes the things I think about are the worst case scenarios you could ever dream up. I'm putting in for a tune up on that. I hate when I do it and I am just so conditioned that I really have to catch myself and say...stop it!

Now that I am always in beta mode...every day seems exciting. It's ok to go with the flow and not fight the current. Stop pinching the quarter and relax a little bit. I guess I have been a caregiver so long ...too long...but my respite is finally here. I appreciate every day and I wish i had been able to figure out a way to do it sooner. Hey, but I did it! I got my bow hunting license and I am going for my gun course in October. Who knows I may even trek into the woods. I sold my motorcycle...but you never know, I may see one I just have to have yet!

I feel like every day is my 8th day of the week. That one extra day you can just put your feet up, shut off the world and say ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

I AM HAPPY!!!

I AM HAPPY!!!  When was the last time we actually said that to our self?
Is it because we don't think about it? We don't feel it? We don't want to know the truth of it?

If we need our mouth pulled up at the corners like this little monkey in order to smile...how do we expect our life to be happy?

Happiness is different for everyone so I can't recommend something magical that will get you in the mood. Here is the thing I can do, get you to ask yourself the questions and once you do that, maybe you can see what you need to do more of.

I can also share with you what has been my own experience. Let's take the last 3-4 months in reflection. I can easily do that because I keep a little bit of a log book on what I do on a regular basis. I started doing this, when my kids were knee high to a grasshopper.

It's fun to look back at the special times. It was(and still is) a way to review what I have learned and it helps me formulate a new approach to things going forward. I know that sounds kind of analytical. But honestly, all those journals, all those calendar entries (my loving daughter made me read them one last time before I threw them out) are my life. It's how I became me. It's my journey.

At times I know I needed an 8th day of the week. Many times!! Even over the last few months, I have moved, taken on a new management responsibility, maintained my home business expansion project, started a meetup, had a few yard sales, worked with a coach, taken a bow safety course, kept up with my blogs, helped family, had a baby shower, made the duck in a bucket cake, making a baby quilt, cleaned, cleared, patched, painted walls and mowed into the night. It makes me tired just writing it down.

Through it all, I never lost sight of the importance of enjoying the moment. Just every once in awhile, expressing how happy I was to still be here. So happy it makes me to help other people. So happy that I have a husband that is faithful and devoted. Happy that I still have one parent. Happy my kids are healthy and happy. Happy for the possibilities that tomorrow brings with it.

Despite the need for that 8th day of the week...I hope you tell yourself how happy you are too. There is plenty...no more than enough...way too much even of the negative thoughts that we are bombarded with daily from our environment. Think and be thankful...Be happy!

Get More by Doing Less

Everybody wants more for less. Usually this is when we are talking money. But here I am talking a bigger asset...actually your BIGGEST ASSET ...your time.

It's your biggest asset because it's really worth the most to you. It's really all you have to invest in anything. You invest time in doing projects, in going to work, in spending time with friends and family, in building a business. You can invest money, but if you don't have the time to save it, watch it grow or spend it, it's really not much good to you.

So how do we get more? What do we want more of? Money, time, friends, stuff...you fill in the blank. I want more___________________.

Now let's figure out how you can get more of it. Did you say money?
Get more money by:
1- working another part time job
2- selling something you don't use anymore
3- save a little every paycheck
4- spend less on those extras that you don't really need
5- do odd jobs around town
6- quit a habit that costs money or do it less
7- don't reward yourself by buying something
8- if you are addicted to shopping, get help to shop less
9- grow your own veggies
10- barter with a friend for services so you spend less

What other things did you think of?? Comment below for the rest of us.

Did you say time?
Get more time by:
1- getting up earlier each morning
2- plan out your errand route so you do less backtracking
3- cook for the week so you cook less every day
4- get the family on board with chores and do less yourself
5- take a nap and stay up later at night
6- get organized so you aren't looking for things as often
7- simplify your life as much as possible
8- throw away the junk you don't need-having less takes less time to manage.
9- make a schedule for the day - work for 1 hr per project- you use less time but you actually get more done
10- hire someone to do it for you- you have less to do and they have more:)

What other things did you think of?? Comment below for the rest of us.

Did you say friends?
Get more friends by:
1- joining a small group in the community
2- going to a worship service
3- be open to having a conversation with others more often
4- get out more and spend less time being bored
5- go to that class reunion
6- play more golf, tennis, bowl
7- stop telling yourself you don't have time or you don't know anyone
8- do something nice for someone in need
9- volunteer more
10- smile and look approachable

What other things did you think of?? Comment below for the rest of us.

So wrapping this up, you can see that changing your thinking around the things that you want will make it happen. It's the thinking that you are doing more of and then it's easier to do less of the things you don't like and get more of what you do. As always, stay healthy and if you get stuck on anything I talked about. Know my door is always open and conversation always welcome. 1-800-503-0483 (EST)

Watch out for that Iceberg!!

The dangerous thing about icebergs isn't what they look like on the surface. It's what lurks beneath that causes the ship wrecks.

As I was contemplating why I feel "overwhelmed" with all the daily requirements of people (especially women) today. I want you to take a look too.

Picture we are in the frigid Antarctic. We are looking out over the vast waters and see several, small, floating, flat, chunks of ice. We get to daydreaming about stepping from one to the other and how fun that would be. All of a sudden we have a really great idea. (All great ideas don't come from the Antarctic by the way) Let's see if we can stand with one foot on one chunk and the other foot on another chunk.  We let our mind take us through the motions. First one foot then the other. We made it! Now what? Hmmm...our feet seem to be slowly drifting in opposite directions. We realize this could be a problem. What do we do next?

Well, I hate to leave you at that critical moment in the story...but isn't our daily life really like a bunch of floating ice chunks? Each chunk being something we are responsible for each day? How many chunks are floating in your Antarctic? How are you keeping your balance? Are you looking around for someone to help you out? Is there anyone in sight? How will your story end?

Years and years ago, people were more community oriented. They had people, they had help. But today everyone is running around, (especially women, mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and men too) trying to do it all! Every day! Looking for that 8th day of the week to rest or get caught up (is that possible?).

What you see above the water may feel like you are going down. Are you trying to juggle...or multitask, like I love to do (but don't do well)? Do you feel like you are going to have to split yourself down the middle or go down trying?

Those chunks are not even the real iceberg! Those are just the chunks that we try to manage that have broken off. But the iceberg...is your health. You can see how you feel on the surface. You know when you are tired, stuffy, ache, itchy, sick or look ok as you pass by a mirror. But underneath the surface...you really don't know what shape you are in, do you? What you can't see, is what you need to be weary of. The stress in our daily lives can cause us to be ship wrecked!

Eat foods that are real, not processed, sugared or diet, drink filtered water, use natural, organic products, move your body as much as you can. Take a day off , no really... a day off to rest and enjoy the moment. Start putting your community of people together that want to live healthy. Those people that will give you encouragement, inspiration and socialization. Learn what changes you can make in your life. Become more natural.

Visit me (a holistic nurse) online today! www.sandrabullard.com

Stay Healthy,

PRODUCTIVITY MADE SIMPLE

I know it sounds crazy but, we really can get more time in our day by being productive. WHAT??? SPEAK ENGLISH right? More hours in the day? NO i said more time.

I learned this just a few weeks ago, so you can teach an old dog a new trick!
Productivity is achieved by using a system. A system that works with you to keep you on track during your day.
The most organized person on earth is getting more done each day. So they feel very productive ((Unlike me when I heard about this, getting hardly anything accomplished but being as busy as hell.)

So here is the system that I learned from a friend of a friend,Eben Pagan. Hissystem has changed my life!!

It's called the 60-60-30 Solution and it's part of his 90 day program. I strongly suggest you watch all of his videos if this captures your interest at all.

This is a way to organize your work time so you achieve maximum results, then take a break to renew your energy and focus. You will want to see what he says about your productivity pyramid before you start. You work for two 60 minute blocks of time and then take a 30 minute break.

Your first two 60 minute "Focus Blocks" should be used to do your high dollar value and/or high lifetime value activity. Whatever is your highest priority is to either bring you money or a better life. Then take a 30 minute break away. 

I can tell you it works! GO take a listen to Eben and let him tell you all about it. Eben...my friend....take it away! LISTEN TO EBEN NOW

Have the best Productive Day ever!!


 

Get more out of Life-Sprinkle Nutritional Yeast on your Food

It wasn't too long ago I didn't even know what it was. Yeast...I only knew of 2 kinds, the one that rises bread and the one that causes women to feel terrible. So when I heard of this, I was a bit against the idea at the start. I couldn't wrap my head around the idea that it could be "GOOD" for me. So if this is your perspective, you are about to learn a new thought....try to be open to it.

Here is WHY, when you use this you won't need an 8th day in your week to get everything done. You'll have stamina that you had when you were younger.

The Story of Nutritional Yeast: According to Bragg

WATCH THIS VIDEO



I only recommend what I myself use, that way I feel I can stand behind it and give you great personal testimonial and feedback on your questions.

Here is a helpful hint if you are new to this product: Start with a food that you would sprinkle Parmesan cheese on like spaghetti or soup. Use just a little until you see how it tastes on things and then add a bit more. Stick with the recommended serving size. I think you will enjoy the way you feel. Calmer nerves but full of natural nutritional energy!

Until we meet again,
Stay Healthy!

10 Ways to Relieve Stress Naturally and Get Less Stress in Your Life!!

Before I give you this ancient old wisdom...let me preface by saying, if you signed up for Simply Healthy Newsletter, you may be getting this information twice...but don't stress about it...because we really don't retain it all the 1st time we read it.

10 Ways to Relieve Stress Naturally

1- Lavender- Is the most widely used Essential Oil in the world and has been used for thousands of years to calm.  2-Massage- Everybody loves a massage, get someone to do it for you or learn the many ways that you can accomplish this by yourself. There are special massage wands available along with foot rollers etc that are very effective if you can't fit a massage in your schedule or your budget. 3- Meditation- Get a CD, download off Youtube, be creative. Just don't do it while driving. You don't have to be a guru, just relaxed. 4- Exercise- With Yoga, Tai Chi, QiGong, walking...all release endorphins into the brain, which improves your mood. 5-Organize your life- If you hate it or can't figure out how, either ask a friend to help out for a day or hire it done for you. Studies show that clutter makes a person feel edgy. 6-Eat Healthy- Junk food makes us depressed. Eating Healthy gives your body and mind the energy it needs to overcome stress. 7-Unplug & Dissconnect- TV, Radio, Cell, Laptop, Tablet...all are causing us to be over informed, over stimulated and over stressed. 8- B Vitamins- the brain/nervous system vitamins...keep your nerves healthy. Any deficiency of these amazing vitamins can cause irritability, depression and apathy (you just don't care). 9- Aromatherapy- Inhaling certain pleasing scents can calm the nerves. Essential Oils  stimulate the Limbic system which releases chemicals in the brain promoting feelings of relaxation, calm, love and excitment. Popular scents are Lavender, Cypress and Rosemary. 10-Sleep- This is the MOST important stress reducer. Too little sleep leaves you cranky, irritable and on edge. Reduce the caffeine ( coffee, tea, chocolate/cocoa, soda pop, energy drinks, supplements for energy, sugary stuff ) 3-4 hours before bed. No big meals before bed either. These can cause indigestion, reflux of stomach acid and heartburn.

Stay Healthy!

Top 10 Health Secrets Revealed

In quiet celebration of our health Top 10 Health Secrets Revealed

1-STRESS LESS  2-SPRINKLE NUTRITIONAL YEAST ON YOUR FOOD  3-EAT LESS  4-EMBRACE GOOD BACTERIA  5-OPT FOR NATURAL REMEDIES  6-MAKE FRIENDS A PRIORITY  7-STAY pH BALANCED  8-EAT GARLIC  9-DETOX REGULARLY  10-GET ENOUGH SLEEP Sign up over on the right of this blog to get more details by email! These topics are all so important we'll do them one at a time. Be sure to sign up!

Watchdog on duty!

Day after day I sit half awake watching an "organization show" that I absolutely love. Whatever is going on in the house, takes second place to this half hour show. It's kind of addicting. I started out telling myself I would learn some great ideas for organizing my own life. Well, I did pick up a few things here and there and put them into practice. I even bought some shelving and some baskets and rearranged and organized. I would get frustrated if anything interfered with my "show" even angry at times that I had to miss the best part for some reason or other. Then the re-runs started. I had already seen them, I said to myself I have seen this one already and before I knew it my butt was in the chair and eyes glued to the TV. So why am I sharing this stupid admission of watchdog fever with you? Probably because it happens to us all. We all share some crazy addiction to one thing or another. It consumes our time, our life and sometimes it even ruins it.

We believe we need it. We tell ourselves we can't live without it. Our lives are better because of it....and on and on we talk to ourselves don't we? Just listen the next time you rationalize something you are addicted to. I don't know about you but it bugs me to give away my power. But I still have trouble not doing it.

I was watching the Steve Harvey show last week and there was a busy couple on that were having trouble finding time to be with each other. They wanted Steve to tell them where in their crazy schedule they actually carve out time. So he looked over each of their schedules and he pointed out a couple of things they could both do and the wife said to Steve that her husband had a girlfriend....the look on Steve's face you can just imagine...she was talking about her husband's TV time. His girlfriend was the TV because he ALWAYS scheduled in time to watch her.

Point to ponder is...What are we letting steal our precious time ?? How can we get more out of life if we just let things pull us in one direction or the other? I encourage comments:)

Are you expired?

If we only came with a "GOOD UNTIL" date, we would know how fast and how hard to live wouldn't we?
Do you know people that have already expired, that are way past their "buy before" date?? They have given up and given in to defeat. Their attitude stinks, they have let their health go, they have given up hope...or thrown in the towel of life??

On the other hand, imagine for a minute, those people that have been given some bad news. They have a dis-ease or cancer and have been told they have 6 mos to a year to live. But they ignore that expiration date. They beat the odds, they steal from the gravedigger. Time takes on a whole different meaning to them doesn't it?? You really would want an 8th day of the week. You would push to the max to do things to get healthy. You would say and do the things you had been putting off. (Or at least the ones that really mattered to you)

So we have looked at both ends of that spectrum and I suspect you and I are somewhere in between? If you are like me, some days pushing the envelope, trying to get in all done and some days just relaxing and enjoying the moment. It's the middle that gets muddled. There is no urgency, no "good until" date to keep us moving forward. Some things seem important, but then that fades with either lack of money or lack of time to pursue it.

Not enough time and not enough  money is most people's problem. But it's just an excuse disguised just enough to fool ourselves into believing that it really wasn't that important. Are you willing to let your plans expire? What date have you set to start something new? Maybe it could be today. www.sandra777.com

Keep Asking!!

I just have to keep asking. Can I? Should I? Will I?

As I was reading T.D. Jakes new book "Instinct" (which by the way is absolutely the best) I can't help but feel him speaking directly to me. What we are good at and what we are good for are in rhythm. I think, If we follow our natural God given journey, the one our soul is absolutely dying to fulfill, we will not only enjoy what we are doing but be awesome at it. Sound good? But in all honesty, only 10% of people are actually doing it. Think about yourself and what you wanted to do when you were say 16-17. When you felt your heart was happy and doing something it really really loved to do. Are you doing it now? Have you had the opportunity to pursue that to the fullest? I know I haven't.

So I just keep asking my heart why does it want what my head says is impossible. Ever have that struggle?? It really is a tug of war with no winner since it's a battle within myself. I want the pain of the need to accomplish it to just go away and leave me alone. I pile up excuses and reasons in front of the door to that very dream, but if it could be realized, it would blow my mind! I know it would!

So why the struggle? Like I always tell others...just do it! I want a wellness center and my heart won't stop until it gets it. I can't think of anything else. I visualize it right down to every detail. I have walked thru it room by room and soaked in the feeling that goes with my virtual tour. I can smell the elegant oils diffusing, can see the fountain and the lush foliage in the lounge, i sit in one of the soft leather chairs and look out the tall glass windows that make the circular welcome area. I see the juice bar full of chatting friends and the yoga room full of relaxation and invigoration, the kitchen is the center of a natural cooking class and the aroma of garlic and onions surround me as I open the door to peak in at todays menu. You see this dish is available in our natural food cafe' just down the hall. One of the local co-ops has opened a shop and several are huddled around one of it's members who is giving a demonstration.

Each night as my head hits the pillow, my dreams take off. More and more details reveal themselves and in the morning, I hate to wake up. Each morning I have to realize that it's not yet a reality. But I know that some day it still can be.

So what "wakes up in you each night" in your dreams. What does your heart still desire to do?When or will you do them?

I just keep asking how and when, but so far no answer. What do you think I should do? Should I stop living in a dream world or never give up hope?? I really don't know. What do you say??

Life...are you in??

It's a good question and one that we easily ignore.
Yes, we are all living. But ask yourself , am I engaged in life? Am I really in the game?
Have you pulled out all the stops? Do you attend every event that you can?
Do you call every family member when you think of it?
Have you sent out every card or gift that you really wanted to?
Did you get the oil changed in the car on time? Fill the gas tank and clean out the trunk?
Have you mowed the lawn? Played tennis, gone fishing, sewed that quilt?
How many things have you started that you still need to finish?
Life can get so complicated and so fast paced that we actually find ourselves retreating at times.
Raise your hand if you know what I mean here.
It's too much to get it all done. The work that is. Many of us are trying to work that 50 year plan.
You know the one your grandparents and parents worked. But now we need to keep working.
Longer and harder than they even did. Pray they don't change the retirement age before you get there.

So take a big breath here and let it out slowly...feel yourself relax.
Feel your bare feet in the warm sand of the beach as you wiggle your toes in deeper. Feel the sun warming your skin just enough. You are sipping some of your favorite cold beverage and the ocean breeze kisses your face with a light scent of some exotic flower blossom.
Love is in the air. Excitement everywhere. People are smiling and happy and laughing. You mind is
swirling with dreams. Those dreams that just won't die from way back. Some from your childhood and some you have added over the years. This is such fun, just thinking about those dreams feels so wonderful deep in side. You don't usually indulge yourself like this. It seems so foolish. It even hurts, because something tells
you, you don't deserve it.

Did you feel the wonderful high you got from experiencing those dreams?
Did you feel the energy sucking low of telling yourself to let go?

So , have you decided yet? Life...are you in??
Are you into the work part of life?
Now what about the fun, relaxing, exciting life you thought you would be having right now?
Are you in that part of life yet?
If not...do it! Get in the game. Get those dreams out and look at them,but this time get a way to make
them real. That's what I did. You can too.

You only need a way to do it and I have that just waiting for you.
So put all your excuses away and lets get going!! Together you can do it! It's time to get in!!

Get More Energy in your Day!

Greek Pasta Salad

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons chopped garlic 
• 2 tablespoons oregano (or ask me about using essential oils in cooking)
• 1 teaspoon sea salt ( leave out if on a low sodium diet or have high blood pressure)
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice ( one large lemon)
• 12 ounces dry pasta (Cook, drain and cool)
• 1/2 cup pitted Kalamata/favorite olives sliced in half ( use sparingly with low sodium diet)
• 1/2 cup grape tomatoes cut in half
• 1/2 cup sweet onions (chopped small) if people don't like onion pieces, use onion powder instead (no salt)
• 1 cup diced red or yellow bell pepper to taste ( if people don't like peppers, slice rings of pepper on top)
• 14-ounce can artichoke hearts drained, stems left on and quartered the long way (or leave out)
• 2 tablespoons of crumbled feta or blue cheese ( use smaller amount if on low sodium diet)

(See another version of this recipe on afamilyfeast.com)

So 24 hours...how do you get more out of that??

Get it together! Get Organized!! Stop wasting time looking for stuff, not finding it, getting frustrated and buying more. ONE thing no one needs is more stuff. It takes up more time. Time to clean it, maintain it, store it, use it, loan it, find it, save it...you get it.Our stuff owns us...yep it does.

Got more than one office in your home? Got more than one room with clutter?
It's taking a toll on you without you being totally aware of it. Seriously it's an energy drainer!

You say "ughh" as you walk by a mess, you tell yourself you are too busy right now to deal with it and it's still sitting there weeks, maybe months after the 1st time you said it.

Am i seeing into your soul?? How do I know? I have been there and am so empowered now that I am working my way out of the swaller...is that a word? Anyway, this little piggie is cleaning up her act and what I wanted to share with you today, is that you should do it too! Never mind what your home, office, garage, man cave looks like when people walk in...it's behind those closet doors and inside those drawers and everywhere you have stuffed things that don't belong that are causing you to short circuit. Let me explain. It's like an electric wire...it starts out full power from the source and if the wire gets a hole in it, it loses some power...over time, many small holes, means you will hardly have power to turn on a light bulb.

So lets get on that project that is driving you crazy...you already thought of it. Yep, that one. Pull out our calendar or pull it up and carve out 2 hours to "Git-er-done" It will really help you POWER UP!

I'll be excited to hear about your project and what you learned and how it affected you. So stop back so we can all hear your story.

Stay healthy!!till next time.
Sandra
www.sandrabulalrd.com

It could be today!

Today could be the day someone you know gets cancer. Based on statistics...it could even be you or me.
http://www.cancer.org/ has all of the latest stats if you really want to increase your fear and phobia.

So why hit you between the eyes with it? So you'll listen:)

We can't get more out of life if we aren't living !!

Every day we make choices. We know when we make a bad one just like we know when we make an awesome one. Question is...how will that choice impact us in the future?

In my job as a medical underwriter for a long term care insurance company, (retired in 2011) i had the privilege of  getting an up close and personal glimpse into our nations medical history from every corner of the United States.

So what...right?  Here is what I found out...We are one sick, under educated, dying breed. I won't get on any soap box today...but I will give you a few facts to possibly wake you up !!!!!

You are the one I want to help today. You and I are here together and right now, it's you i want to focus on.

Here are some basic TRUTHS you should take to heart:

1- You are what you eat
2-  A body at rest stays at rest, a body in action stays in action
3-  You know your health better than your doctor
4-  Educate yourself to get health

One HUGE thing I noticed was that when individuals had a habit of "eating out" they had cancer in their history. Men had prostate cancer, women had breast cancer. WHY? because they didn't know that they were feeding themselves fats/foods that were causing an inflammatory response in their body. That simple.

So, no one wants to cut out going out to dinner with family and friends right? But there is a way you can ...pardon the pun...have your cake and eat it too.

That is to educate yourself about the healthy fats that you body needs to stay strong and build new cells and the ones that make you fat, sick and dead.

Call me for a 15 minute (just you and I) and get started today!! 1-800-503-0483

Get more out of life!! Live it!!

~Sandra
www.sandrabullard.com