mental flexibility

I do not seem to have to much of this lately, This article caught my fancy, so I wanted to share with you.  ENJOY, I did
From Spark people
Be flexible some time about the things that you can. "Lighten UP" as the saying goes. We older American humans need to LEARN to enjoy, relax, get back the laughter in life. IF you think you might have become a little rigid or strict in your daily plans, these hints might help:
Accept this about yourself. Your take charge attitude in the past has given you many rewards. You have much success in your efforts of planning, following through, which is great but we need some more freedom also.
Can you compromise: Watch the fine line line that you might be portraying between being assertive and being domineering. Listen to what others suggest, accept some help, let others take the lead. This will help you feel more relaxed and less rigid.
Flexible Actions: (don't you just love these titles)  Let someone else take over some the planning of day to day life. Leave the dirty dishes till the night, forget about the bed etc. It's like stretching in YOGA, each time to stretch, your body allows you to go a little further.
REWARD: yes, here is that word again. You get to reward yourself for being more flexible. Since you are letting others do some of the daily actions, you might feel a little crazy but bite your tongue, walk away. "LET IT BE" Get a massage, get your nails done, go for a walk. Whatever is soothing to you.
FAILURE IS Functional?? What.!!! Remember,  Becoming more flexible is a WELLNESS goal. We are getting good at setting goals, so let this be a new one for our mental health.  Remember that you do not have to carry all the weight. Flexible actions every day takes some of the stress away.
Be in control, some of the times is really OK. Don't get me wrong; but when it becomes to much for all around, let go. Stretch those mental muscles. You and all around you will be better for it.
My new living situation is testing me every day. So I am taking this to heart for my mental health.
take care all and BE HAPPY

eating mistakes

we all make them. I read this article and it was an awakening for me. Maybe for you also.
Womansday.com says:
Too much salt.. did you know that the average American consumers around 3,300 mg..UGH!!
     Try to eat less prepared foods. Prepare your own food. We seem to be getting so lazy in America, wanting every thing fast.. Need to take the time to cook Get sauces on the side..ask for some low salt choices at restaurants.
Sugar:  no more than 24 g of added sugar a day for us women. Again read the labels---watch for honey, molasses, cane juice malt syrup. Soda fruit-like drinks, iced coffee. AND low fat foods
Fiber: Do not skimp on fiber which helps with energy and stabilises food intake. Try to up your fiber intake SLOWLY and drink more water..Eat beans, eat your skin on fruit and veggies
Protein:We need to protein to help with hunger about 46 g a day.remember that protein is not only from meat. Try an egg, low fat yogurt, low fat cottage cheese. Use some nut butters on an apple or banana, even celery sticks. EAT YOUR greens.
WATER< WATER..as I have said before, it seems that we Americans do not drink enough water.
Add some lemon slices, mint berries. Maybe drizzle some fruit juice into your seltzer. Even the fruit you eat, counts, so  keep eating your fruit and veggies.
Carbs..Do you overdose on carbs. I use to be a ocarb junkie. Fortunately I h ave been able to control this. Watch the highly processed foods-eat oats, beans, lentil instead. I think most people need some carbs but not as much as Americans seem to consume.
Do you skip meals? Another no-no in the women world. Make the time to eat,,try to avoid the drive through. Try to pack some snacks that you can keep handy. It does not help in the weight loss end of the deal either. We need calories to "BURN" calories.

Happiness

I decided to end the week back to the happiness theme. Found a great article L Beattie on "Myths" of happiness. I have touched on this before also, but this article was very good.
Do you feel happiness it out of reach for you? How do you finish the sentence "I could be happy if..."
DESIRE might be considered the defeat of happiness. People seem to feel that they can not be happy or content with the life they are leading. The in only take over. It seems that people tend to put their life on hold waiting for the next best thing.  BUT really!! follow me on this-happiness is a thought process that depends on your OWN thinking.
Even a small thing like loosing a couple of lbs is good, be happy, clean your car, be happy. Think about the good things in a job that you may not like. YOUR are employed--remember the many that are not.
DO not abscess about the flaws, focus on strenghts. So many of us have money problems, but you have a roof over your head and can keep plugging along. Be grateful about your life and WHAT you have. Think about this, be creative, take in the wonders around you. US, what a place we live in.
TRY to remember that it is not only the big events that make up your life. IF we can keep in mind the day to day little events that make up the day, then we will begin to feel some contentment. You are the "constant" in your life. FEEL like you have the ability to make the changes and you will do that. Do not depend on others to make you happy, appreciate your blessings and the positives in your life.
ENJOY today!!! See what kind of a difference that makes.
WHAT do you guys think?