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Journey to Wellness

~ Fighting for health in my life one run, meal, and choice at a time

Journey to Wellness

Tag Archives: Thankful

Thankful Thursday

26 Thursday Jun 2014

Posted by Caroline in General Living

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Thankful

Happy Thursday! It’s been quite the week on my end- I’ve had some huge job related opportunities pop up, which is exciting, had one of the greatest bike rides of my life yesterday (will be on the blog tomorrow), and my step-grandpa died yesterday (I only saw him a small handful of times ever though- maybe around 5 times?). Lots of stuff going on here. Here’s what I’m thankful for at the moment.

I’m thankful for a fun weekend running and going to the pool with friends. This weekend was comprised of some of my favorite things- food, friends, TV, nail polish, and exercise! I loved running the Neon Dash race with Meg and Melissa, and am glad I got the opportunity to run with them (even though the race was poorly organized).

I’m thankful for fun nail polish colors! I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again. I smile almost every time I see my nails painted. I don’t know why… I just love it. I tried these two new colors at Melissa’s this past weekend, and really like them both (sorry for the feet picture- if I had access to the blue color on my fingers, I’d obviously use that instead.).

Summer Nail Polish

I’m thankful for having access to a gym for free! This is one of the perks of my job- a free gym! It’s not as nice as the gym I grew up with, but I save a lot of money by using the one at work, and I appreciate it quite a bit!

I’m thankful for my bike. I love being able to hop on my bike and go where I want. I love getting to experience nature up close. I’m also thankful that I didn’t have to pay for my bike (it was a hand me down from my younger brother).

I’m thankful for fans.  I’ve been able to pay less for air conditioning while also being comfortable because of them the last few weeks. What neat little inventions 🙂

Now it’s your turn to share! What’re you thankful for right now? What’s your favorite summer nail polish color?

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Thankful Thursday

19 Thursday Jun 2014

Posted by Caroline in General Living

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Friends, Thankful

I definitely need to write this post today. It’s not that I’m in a bad mood- today I’ve just felt pretty “meh”. The friend I spent the most time with the last 4 years moved to a different state on Sunday, and that’s been sad for me. It’s another little loss in a string of little losses for me over these past months, and while nothing has been huge or catastrophic, it’s been sad for me. Today is also the birthday of a friend who died 8 years ago, so that brings a bit of sadness with it as well. So, I definitely need my practice of gratitude more than anything right now! Here’s what I’m thankful for at the moment:

I’m thankful for a fun weekend with friends. Last weekend I ran the 5k foam fest, and then headed out to a fun weekend with friends. Spent Saturday day/evening/Sunday morning with a friend from grad school (going out to eat, seeing the Fault In Our Stars in the theater–i sobbed and thought it was a fantastic movie, watching Orange Is The New Black, and just catching up), and spent Sunday afternoon with Melissa and Meg at the pool. It was really wonderful and I definitely needed that. It was awesome. (Those bright orange sunglasses are from the Color Me Rad race I ran last September)

photo

I’m thankful for good books. I’ve been reading SO much lately, and I’ve been enjoying it so much. Last week was “Fault In Our Stars” (go read it AT ONCE!), and this week I’m reading “Gone Girl”.

Im thankful for my porch. I’ve been spending a few hours most days of the week sitting out on my porch writing, reading, and enjoying the sunshine and flowers. Most of the time (unless my very loud neighbors who love to scream are outside) it’s such a peaceful place to be, and I’m glad that I have it.

I’m thankful for the World Cup. I love huge sporting events that bring groups of people together, and I love the excitement of international competition. I filled out my bracket for it last week, so now I’m officially invested.

I’m thankful for fresh, cold water. It’s been in the 90s and HUMID this week, which means that I’m drinking far more water. I fill a few water bottles with water and keep them in the refrigerator so I consistently have really cold water to drink, and it’s so refreshing.

Now it’s your turn to share! What are you thankful for today? When you’re feeling a bit down, what’s one thing that helps you turn your day around?

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Thankful Thursday

12 Thursday Jun 2014

Posted by Caroline in General Living

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Friends, Running, Thankful

Happy Thursday! This week has felt a little strange and off to me this week, I think mostly due to recovery (and a random out of state trip on Tuesday to help one of my friends move). Here’s what I’m thankful for at the moment:

I’m thankful I’ve had the convenience of a friend living a two minute and thirty second walk away from me.  Seriously, how convenient is that? We walk together on occasion, and watch TV or movies together almost every week. We went to grad school together back in the day, and it’s been really nice (and convenient) to have a friend so close. She’s moving three and a half hours away now for a new job, and I’m definitely feeling sad about that!

I’m thankful for another half marathon. For some reason it almost seems like that half didn’t happen last weekend- I wonder why? I’m thankful for the chance to get out and run again in a race setting- so fun (even when it’s tough)!

I’m thankful for fun with new friends! I have friends that are moving away, but I also have new friends too! I spent Saturday hanging out at the pool with these girls, and had a great time!

I’m thankful for fresh air. What a simple and beautiful thing, right? I love it!

I’m thankful for the rain that is watering my flowers. They are growing so quickly and they are beautiful and vibrant!! I love looking at them.

Now it’s your turn to share! What are you feeling thankful for today?

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Thankful Thursday

05 Thursday Jun 2014

Posted by Caroline in General Living

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

Thankful

What a week! I’m still not into my full blown summer schedule yet, so these weeks I’ve had a bit more free time to get things done! I’ve been able to slow down and enjoy life just a little bit more, which has been nice. Here’s what I’m thankful for right now:

I’m thankful for the sunset that I can see right now. As I type this I’m looking out at a beautiful pink and purple sky right now. I want to take a picture but I know that a picture won’t really capture these colors, so you’ll just have to trust me that it’s beautiful. When I see moments like that, I try to slow down and breathe, to enjoy the present moment.

I’m thankful for allergy medicine. Oh man- we actually have a “pollen alert” right now. You know when you go on the weather channel and look up a place and it has the severe weather alerts on the top? We’ve had a pollen alert for almost 2 weeks now, and I’m a little bit over it. I’ve lost about half of my voice for the last week, so I definitely have to strain a bit when I speak. Yelling over the music in my barre class has definitely been a challenge. But- I remind myself over and over how thankful I am for medicine, because my symptoms would be far worse without it.

I’m thankful for friends. Oh my word I love them! I have so many really fantastic people in my life, and I’m thankful for the fun, laughter, workouts, and support I have with all of them. Whether in person or long distance, I feel very thankful for each of them.

I’m thankful for air conditioning. It’s that time of year again. When it’s 89 and sunny outside, I’m thankful that I have air conditioning inside (for those few moments when I actually want to be inside or am sleeping…).

I’m thankful for time outside to read. There is something so peaceful to me about going outside, slowing down, and sitting to read. I love it, and feel so content while doing it. I’ve had a few hours over the last weekend to sit outside and just enjoy life, and I’m thankful for those moments.

I’m thankful for running. All of it- the hard, the good, and the inspiring. For the times I quit, for the times I have to fight, and for the times I feel like I fly down the road. I’m thankful I can run.

Now it’s your turn to share! What are you feeling thankful for today?

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Thankful Thursday

29 Thursday May 2014

Posted by Caroline in General Living

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Family, Thankful

Every once in awhile I do Thankful Thursday posts that are dedicated to something specific (often times it’s running after half marathons). Today I’d like to dedicate this Thankful Thursday post to my youngest brother (soccer brother) who just graduated from college last Saturday.

IMG_3869I keep most information & pictures of my family members off my blog, but I thought I’d share this one (since he little and obviously doesn’t look like this today)- this is the day that I first met my brother, and the first time I ever held him.

I’m thankful for 4 “bonus years” with my brother. When I went 10 hours away to college, I never imagined us living in the same place again. He surprised me almost five years ago by asking if he could come stay with me while he had his official try out for the soccer team at the college. He decided to move down to go to college, and it’s been great to get to be around him for 4 more years.

I’m thankful for all the soccer games I got to attend. I missed out on 6 years of soccer games for my brother (and obviously those 6 years were really formative years in his soccer ability), so to be able to sit and watch him play collegiate soccer for 4 years was a true pleasure. I loved getting to sit in the stands and scream and cheer. I loved getting to hear all the fans talk about how great of a player my brother was. I loved getting to see him help lead his team to Nationals, be named conference player of the week, etc… I was thankful I was on the sidelines when he got his concussion and his other injuries, so I could help take care of him. I’m thankful I got to be his #1 fan for 4 years…. and I’m thankful that he’s not done with his soccer career yet.

I’m thankful for the hours we spent lifting (and the talks we had in the gym). The last three spring semesters we lifted almost every week together at the gym. While we occasionally lifted first thing in the morning, we usually lifted when he was done with class and I was done with work. It was a great time to catch up on one another’s lives. He taught me correct lifting form, and gave me a huge amount of different exercises to do. I hope I can continue “arms and abs” in a similar fashion to what we did, but having him there to help and encourage me can’t be replicated. I’m SO so sad that these times are ending, but I’m also thankful that they happened at all.

I’m thankful for the hours and hours of car trip time we’ve had. When he first moved here, I was a little annoyed because with 2 of us we drove home instead of flying (which I did the first 6 years)- driving 10 hours each way on holidays is long (hello holiday traffic jams), tedious, and takes away 2 days of the break. However, I look back on all the hours we spent sitting in a car together fondly. We sang, listened to books on tape, and had great conversations. I got to learn more about his life, his friends, and it was genuinely fun. I’ll really miss his company on those long trips home now…

I’m thankful for the races that he’s been at, along with all the advice he’s given me as I’ve trained. He really helped to calm my nerves as he came to my first half marathon, and I was so thankful that he was there. He ran those last 3 miles off to the side of the course, and it’s a great memory!

I’m thankful for his laughter and jokes, and I’m going to miss them! He’s not only the most athletic one in the family, but he’s also the comedian of the family. His quick jokes and play on words is so funny, and has added levity to tough days.

I’m thankful that I got to see my brother at random moments throughout my day. Because college classes aren’t always back to back, he had free hours throughout the day, and sometimes he’d pop over to my office just to say hi. I’m definitely going to miss that.

I’m thankful for the encouragement and hugs. Sometimes there’s just nothing like a family member hugging you in a tough moment, am I right? I was lucky to have a family member close to me over the past few years.

I’m thankful for the hours of movies and TV shows that we watched. We watched Frozen twice in the last week and a half, and yes- we sang along to it. I’m thankful that we had the chance to watch all of the seasons of “The League” this semester (it was such a fun way to end a busy day), and I’m thankful for all the hours of House we’ve watched.

Let’s be honest. I’m thankful for so many other things too. Really, I’m just thankful that I had 4 more years with my brother. I’m not sure if we’ll ever live in the same place (or even state) again- if he has his way (and I hope he does) he’ll be playing soccer in another country soon enough, and then I won’t really get to see him. I’m so thankful that we really had a chance to be friends instead of JUST siblings (because let’s be honest- the difference between elementary school and high school is huge, so we were always in pretty different life stages). I’m thankful he’s my brother.

Now it’s your turn to share. What’s one thing you’re thankful for in one of your siblings? Do you live close to or far away from your family members?

Looking for more ways to connect?

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Memorial Day. 2014.

26 Monday May 2014

Posted by Caroline in General Living

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Holiday, Thankful

Memorial weekend tends to be a fun weekend for people across the country. Picnics and parties tend to be the standard across the country, and I’ve certainly enjoyed this tradition throughout most of my life.

b4e457e375400157228b2b7b69751218source <-great article too

Amidst all of the fun and parties this weekend, please don’t forget the real meaning of this holiday. I talked more about  Memorial Day (decoration day) in a post I wrote last year. Don’t forget the huge sacrifices that our fallen soldiers and their families have made. For me, I’ll be remembering my mom’s dad, my dad’s dad (he just died in February and will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery), and my brother who is in the Air Force (who I got to see this weekend!), along with other friends.

Underneath the fun, laughter, and good food, don’t forget what this day actually means…

Thank you to all who serve, and thank you to the families who have also made great sacrifices.

Looking for more ways to connect?

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Thankful Thursday

22 Thursday May 2014

Posted by Caroline in General Living

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

Thankful

Happy Thursday! After a few very long weeks at my job (crammed schedule with things I needed to do after work), this week has been a bit more quiet, which is nice. It’s also the last real week at my job before my summer schedule starts (summer schedule means I end up working about half the hours I work during the year!), and I’m excited about that too! Here’s what I’m thankful for right now:

I’m thankful for a really excellent year with my clients. This year has had several very difficult moments, but everything has worked itself out pretty well 🙂 I’m thankful for the hard work and dedication that many of them have shown in trying to work through whatever originally brought them to my office!

I’m thankful for my awesome run this past weekend. Seriously- it was a truly excellent run, and I wish that every single run could feel that good. Then again, if every run felt that great, it would just seem normal.

I’m thankful for netflix. I started watching Scandal as soon as I got home from work on Friday (I wanted to do some mat pilates, and watched a good show to watch!), and really I’ve watched far too many episodes of it so far. Netflix is great for a wide variety of shows, movies, and documentaries- I love it!

I’m thankful for the times I’ve gotten to lift with my youngest (soccer) brother over the last 3 years. For 3 years I’ve spent the spring semester lifting with my baby brother. He’s graduating on Saturday and leaving the area, so this week was our last lift…at least for awhile. I’m thankful for his patience in teaching me proper technique and pushing me when I say “I can’t” over and over again…

I’m thankful for sunshine. Sweet, sweet sunshine. I appreciate the cheery light that it gives off, and I love feeling the rays hit my skin. We had rain for a few days last week, and after the previous week being sunny, I realized how much I do crave the sun! I’m thankful for it.

Now it’s your turn to share! What are you feeling thankful for right now? 

Looking for more ways to connect?

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Thankful Thursday

15 Thursday May 2014

Posted by Caroline in General Living

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Thankful

Hello and Happy Thursday! This is the last full week at one of my jobs (my primary counseling job is a 9 month job which means that I get summer break every year-YAY!), so I’m enjoying seeing my clients one last time this week. Next week is a partial week, and then I switch into a summer work schedule, which is far lighter. Here’s what I’m thankful for right now:

I’m thankful for “nature walks”: I love being able to be outside, up close and personal with nature. I love pausing to watch the animals play, smell the flowers, and hike in the woods. Last week my co-worker and I both had a little free time, and walked on a path in the woods by our office for a bit. Ahhh.

I’m thankful for time to read for pleasure. I had some free time on Sunday, and got to read for about 2 hours (part of the time on my deck in the sunshine). I love the time to relax and engage in a story!

I’m thankful for being able to get through my run last weekend while still feeling strong. Yes, it was tough, and yes, it was slower than normal, but I still enjoyed it and was able to push myself as I could. Solid.

I’m thankful that I kept my little houseplant alive all winter! I got the little guy at the end of January, and it made it through the winter. It’s going to stay inside this summer, but each weekend I stick it out in direct sunlight for a few hours, and it seems to be happy with that. We’ll see if I can keep it alive moving forward…

I’m thankful for the moments I feel motivated to throw things away. I mean, I throw things away regularly, but on Saturday evening I got motivated to really clean things up, and ended up tossing out half a bag of useless things (papers I had saved, etc…) and filing away a few things as well. I have more clean surfaces now, which I love! I need that extra burst of energy to hit more often.

Now it’s your turn to share! What are you feeling thankful for today? 

Looking for more ways to connect?

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Thankful Thursday

08 Thursday May 2014

Posted by Caroline in General Living

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

Thankful

Happy Thursday to all of you! I’ve been busy enjoying the fantastic weather we’re having, so this post is going to be short and sweet today. Here’s what I’m thankful for right now:

I’m thankful that I had the chance to read this book. Intentional living in this chaotic world is something that most of us could use some time to think about. This book was awesome!

I’m thankful for supportive work colleagues. Last Friday at work was a great reminder of the awesome collaboration and support that we have as we dealt with a tough issue! I’m so glad for the great group of people I work with daily.

I’m thankful for my foam roller. I love it and I hate it. But mostly I love it.

I’m thankful that my brother makes the time to lift with me most weeks. I definitely push myself much harder when he’s there, but he’s helping me mix things up as well. I appreciate the fun and laughter as well.

I’m thankful for this delicious dessert my friend brought over the other night. Seriously- this peanut butter cup is as big as the palm of my hand, and it’s delicious! YUM!

peanut butter cuplooks delicious, right? It’ll take at least 3 days to get through it.

Now it’s your turn to share! What are you thankful for today?

Looking for more ways to connect?

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Grace and Gratitude

07 Wednesday May 2014

Posted by Caroline in Mental Health, Pilates/Barre

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Barre, Mental Health, Picture, Thankful

I shared this quote at the end of my cool down song yesterday morning during my barre class, and I thought I’d share it here today:

grace and gratitude

It’s so simple, calming, and healthy. If you sit with your eyes closed and focus on deep breathing, say “inhale grace” as you inhale and “exhale gratitude” as you exhale- try this a few times and see how you feel!

I think infusing our lives with grace and gratitude would lead to much healthier relationships (with ourself and with others) and lead to much more peace for each of us- don’t you agree?

Now it’s your turn to share! What does this quote mean to you, and how can you apply it to your life today?

Looking for more ways to connect?

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