Car Therapy

I was driving to work this week singing, "I'm walking on sunshine" louder than anyone has a right to sing and it dawned on me that I have spent some of my happiest moments in my car.  Most mornings, I drop the kids off, exhale and turn the radio to my favorite station.  My commute provides precious alone time with just me and whoever or whatever I want to invite in; usually I extend the invitation to music.  My mood that day determines which songs I play. With the kids off to school, I can now listen to that cool song with a few bad words (Welcome to JamRock) that I can't let the kids hear, yell at the talk show host who is "talking crazy" and cry when I hear a sad country song (Blake Shelton's Baby), Martina McBride's (I'm gonna love you through it) or  almost any song by Shirley Caesar (No Charge) because her voice reaches in and grabs your heart.   I sing loudly.  I play Micheal Jackson's Off the Wall and dance until the person in the lane next to me starts staring at me and then I smile and wave at them.  I relax.  I breathe.  I make quick fixes to my hair and makeup (yep, I am one of those people).   I give myself pep talks about life (Janet, you woke up so it is already a wonderful day, just claim your joy today).  I say the same commuter prayer in the car every day. 

Father, thank you for waking me up this morning and starting me on my way. 

Please keep the entire family safe and accident free.  

Fill our hearts with love, joy and happiness (If it has been a rough morning, I throw in peace).  

I say a special prayer for anyone who needs you today but does not know you or is unable to pray; please bring them comfort and meet the needs of their heart.  

Thanks for your love and your blessings.

In Jesus, name.  Amen.  

When you have 3 active boys "safety and free of accidents" is a huge deal.

I sometimes turn the music down and call someone that I love.  I reserve my "car calls" for the people who make me happy because who wants to speak with a downer when you are on the road. I plan my day, try to map out my life, think about dreams that I am still afraid to say out aloud, yell at people that I don't have the courage to yell at in person but mostly I do what I love - sing and car dance.  By the time I get to my destination, I have laughed, cried, sang or danced my worries away; well most of the time. 

If you don't think that you have time for yourself, consider the time that you spend in your car.  Focus on the road ahead, drown out all negative energy, ignore all the crazy drivers and just be your craziest, wildest, funniest, most authentic self.

Are Your Daily Activities Aligned With Your Core Values?

Are your daily activities aligned with your core values?  When the answer is no, it creates both physical and emotional imbalance.  It is fine to be busy if you are busy doing the right things but it is a shame to spend all your time on a treadmill that is going nowhere. 

 A few weeks ago, my Whole Health doctor told me that I was leading a stress-filled life and that stress was contributing to my thyroid imbalance.  In response, I started a eight week boot camp class, added helpful supplements, such as Vitamin B-12, Hemp seeds, Chia seeds,and Maca powder to my diet and also cut back on my interactions with people who are a source of negative energy.  Life coaches often recommend journaling as a way to reduce stress and reconnect to your inner self and it is great advice, however I have never been able to journal for more than a few weeks at a time so I was happy to discover a shortcut.  As I was completing "happiness" exercises on one of my favorite websites (www.happify.com),  I was asked to write down my core beliefs and values.  At first I groaned at the thought but started writing anyway.  I was surprised to find that some of the things that I valued last year have changed based on all my life experiences over the past year, including the passing of my father.  Below is a random list of thoughts/beliefs that shape my day.

1. Don't be judgmental.  Be kind and understanding regarding the road that others have traveled and the path that they have chosen for their lives. 
2. Shower God, family, friends, and neighbors with love. 
3. Pray everyday and always give thanks for my blessings. 
4. Contribute to the life of a child that is not my own. 
5. Nourish my mind, body and soul and continue to be open to new truths. 
6. My body is the temple of God and it is to be treated with the highest regard. 
7. Eat real food. We are what we eat. 
8. Material things = fleeting happiness. If someone loves something that you own, give it away with a smile. 
9. Don't be afraid to feel every emotion (laughter, sadness, tears, joy, pain). Feel it but don't dwell on it and don't hide it with substances, legal or illegal. 
10. The power of the Bible lies with those who read it; if I don't love myself and my neighbor everyday then it is just a book with good stories. 
11. I am an introvert but not a loner. Strong relationships and strong friendships mean everything to me. 
12. We are our brother's keeper; don't miss a chance to help someone in need. 
13. Take a moment everyday through prayer or meditation to listen to what is in your heart. 
14. Listen more than you speak and give more than you receive.
15. Exercise every week.  Sometimes that means exercising your facial muscles by smiling at everyone that you meet and exercising your arms by giving everyone a hug.

What I learned  from this exercise is that in order to better align my beliefs to my daily life, I need to become more connected to my local community.

Take a few minutes to jot down your core beliefs, your goals and a few things that you value.  Keep a journal for one week and document everything that you do.  Are your daily activities aligned with your goals and your core beliefs?  What can you eliminate to make room for inspiration and growth?  What can you incorporate in your life to increase your peace, general well-being and your impact on society?   

Share your list so that we can inspire, support and encourage each other.