Mornings are always hectic for me, I try and pack everything in, exercise, grocery shopping, and laundry, anything I can do for myself or my home before the phone rings or family commitments get in the way. Right now it’s been about finding a job and a purpose and suffice it to say all of it can be quite taxing on the body and brain.
Tomorrow is Mother’s Day and if there’s any advice I can give it’s to slow down and find peaceful pursuits and pleasures to regenerate and renew. It's the slowing down that will get you to your goals in weight loss and maintenance.
As I got up this morning my first bit of pleasure came unexpectedly on the way back from picking up my favorite cup o' joe. Just as I was driving to cross off another item on my list of “To Dos” for the day a mother duck, her babies and a father duck were crossing right in front of me. Slowly and methodically the parents ushered their sweet furry babies across a very busy highway forcing me to stop and watch. The family of ducks forced me to slow down from my busy day. In many ways it was a relief and a peaceful pleasure.
Peaceful pursuits and pleasures can bring us joy and happiness. Injecting these pleasures into our day can definitely heal our hearts and and give us peace of mind.
Taking this action to pursue peace and pleasure helps with weight loss. I know that when I’m at my happiest or when I have slowed down it's much easier to try and maintain or lose a couple of pounds.
It’s been said that people tend to burn more calories and reach their goals when they’re happy. The negatives out of my life I found I could concentrate on what was important to me and for my health. It’s not always easy but I'm learning to be conscious of it.
What are some Peaceful Pursuits and Pleasures that you can incorporate into your day?
These are some things that I’ve practiced over the years:
1. An early morning talk with my 20 year old son.
2. Having my daughter spend an afternoon with me at a movie in the middle of the day.
3. Feeling a soft warm breeze while sitting outside on my patio.
4. An afternoon walk and feeling the sun on my skin.
5. Sitting next to a beautiful lake watching a sailboat go by in Michigan.
6. Listening to a favorite song.
7. Reminiscing over old photos.
8. Working with a purpose. There’s nothing like knowing you’ve made someone else happy.
9. Cooking a healthy comforting meal that my family loves.
10. Flying a kite.
11. Immersing myself in a favorite hobby.
12. Meditating and listening to my own breath.
13. A long nap.
14. A picnic with my husband.
15. Hearing leaves crunching beneath my feet in the fall.
16. Building a fire, staring at the flames and feeling the warmth.
17. Journaling
18. A candlelit dinner for two.
19. A good book and a cup of tea.
20. A bike ride on a tree covered trail.
There are so many peaceful pursuits and pleasures if we’d only take time out to revel in them. This Mother’s Day give yourself the gift of happiness and find something that will give you your peace.
Happy Mother's Day!
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