This morning on my way to work, this song came up on my iPod (admittedly- it was the GLEE version). I found myself inspired by the opening lyrics, so much so that I replayed it so that I could really listen to them a second time.

“When you wake up and don’t want to smile, if it takes just a little while. Open your eyes, and look at the day, you’ll see things in a different way!”

Some days are just plain, good days. Other days, you have to choose to be happy! You say to yourself, “I’m not going to let my boss get to me today”, or “I’m not going to let the 3 brownies I ate yesterday, make me feel fat today!”. Choosing happiness is about setting aside what happened yesterday, and getting back on track today!

What are some things that can make you happy today? Remember to be realistic in your happiness expectations. For example, I would LOVE it if the sun would come out today, but I have no control over the weather.  I do know that eating right makes me happy. So today I’m choosing to eat healthfully, and tomorrow, my pants won’t be too tight. I also know that working through my pesky “to do” pile on my desk, makes me feel so much better about work. Getting through it today, will make work easier tomorrow.

Now, you make think to yourself “eating a giant piece of chocolate cake is going to make me SUPER happy!”… but later, when your feeling guilt from your gluttony—it’s not really making you happy! It’s about making a choice to do/say/be/eat something that’s only going to be positive when you think about it later.

So, make choices that make you happy. As far as tomorrow goes, “it’ll soon be here! It will be better than before, yesterday’s gone, yesterday’s gone!”

I have this quote written on my bathroom mirror.  I don't know where I first saw it, but over the last couple years, it has become one of my favorites. It is a piece of advice that can mean whatever you want it to.

Here's what it means to me... It means that I strive to live a life full of these words : Unite, Hope, Volunteer, Give, Educate, Love & Inspire. These words are also written on my bathroom mirror, so that I am reminded each morning to be  a better person.

Being a better person... this phrase has been going through my head a lot in the last week, with the news of Harmon Killebrew ending his fight with cancer, and in his passing yesterday. Michael Cuddyer was quoted saying, "Harmon makes you want to be a better person", and he did! Harmon is the reason I got involved in the Miracle League, and ultimately what drives me encourage people to volunteer. And I am a better human than I was 4 years ago because of it.

So this week, I ask you to find what it is that you belive in! What do you think you need to do to make yourself a better person.

My new motto is: Be More 3! When my time comes, I hope that someone says that I inspired them to be a better person. The world would be a much better place if we had a few more Harmon's!!

I saw this article online recently, and thought it would make a perfect Wellness Wednesday tip!  It's a great reminder that we should be more polite to people! So this week, PLEASE, take some of these to heart, and mind your manners! :)

25 Manners Every Kid Should Know By Age 9
by Parents.com

Manner #1 When asking for something, say "Please."

Manner #2 When receiving something, say "Thank you."

Manner #3 Do not interrupt grown-ups who are speaking with each other unless there is an emergency. They will notice you and respond when they are finished talking.

Manner #4 If you do need to get somebody's attention right away, the phrase "excuse me" is the most polite way for you to enter the conversation.

Manner #5 When you have any doubt about doing something, ask permission first. It can save you from many hours of grief later.

Manner #6 The world is not interested in what you dislike. Keep negative opinions to yourself, or between you and your friends, and out of earshot of adults.

Manner #7  Do not comment on other people's physical characteristics unless, of course, it's to compliment them, which is always welcome.

Manner #8 When people ask you how you are, tell them and then ask them how they are.

Manner #9 When you have spent time at your friend's house, remember to thank his or her parents for having you over and for the good time you had.

Manner #10 Knock on closed doors -- and wait to see if there's a response -- before entering.

Manner #11 When you make a phone call, introduce yourself first and then ask if you can speak with the person you are calling.

Manner #12 Be appreciative and say "thank you" for any gift you receive. In the age of e-mail, a handwritten thank-you note can have a powerful effect.

Manner #13 Never use foul language in front of adults. Grown-ups already know all those words, and they find them boring and unpleasant.

Manner #14 Don't call people mean names.

Manner #15 Do not make fun of anyone for any reason. Teasing shows others you are weak, and ganging up on someone else is cruel.

Manner #16 Even if a play or an assembly is boring, sit through it quietly and pretend that you are interested. The performers and presenters are doing their best.

Manner #17 If you bump into somebody, immediately say "Excuse me."

Manner #18 Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and don't pick your nose in public.

Manner #19 As you walk through a door, look to see if you can hold it open for someone else.

Manner #20 If you come across a parent, a teacher, or a neighbor working on something, ask if you can help. If they say "yes," do so -- you may learn something new.

Manner #21 When an adult asks you for a favor, do it without grumbling and with a smile.

Manner #22 When someone helps you, say "thank you." That person will likely want to help you again. This is especially true with teachers!

Manner #23 Use eating utensils properly. If you are unsure how to do so, ask your parents to teach you or watch what adults do.

Manner #24 Keep a napkin on your lap; use it to wipe your mouth when necessary.

Manner #25 Don't reach for things at the table; ask to have them passed.

Originally published in the March 2011 issue of Parents magazine.

It's finally May. If you live in MN, you probably just wanted April to get over with, it was snowy, rainy, cloudy and cold most of the month! Yuck! I'm ready to move on!

I have had most of the last week off from work. Originally the plan was to celebrate my birthday and the Royal Wedding! It seemed like the perfect time to take some vacation. I'd hoped for lots of meals on patios and time with my kindle. I only got one patio meal, and only a few hours of Kindle time on the couch (which also equals snuggle time with my cats). However, what I really got out of the 5 days of no work, was rejuvinated!

I got to do basically, whatever I wanted for 5 days! I had one or two events planned for each day, but the rest of the day was mine. I got to spend time with some of my favorite people, doing my favorite things!

I also had time to figure out just how I'm going to move forward in life. I've dedicated May as a month to focus on Dandy LIfe. Promising to spend a little time EACH day to get it to a better place.

This week, I'd like YOU to spend just a few minutes each day on yourself.  Do something rejuvinating! Go to the gym, make a fun meal, play with your kids (or pets), make a lunch date... do something each day that reminds you that life is not about keeping a schedule, it's about sharing the time you have with people or things that make you happy.

Well, today is Sunday, and as I was playing around with the website, I realized I never published this draft! OOPS! So here is last Wednesday's Wellness Tip.
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This week was Easter week!  6 weeks ago, I asked you to give something up for Lent, even if you were not Catholic. It was a mini resolution.

This week, I would like you to reflect on what you learned from your 6 week resolution. Did you break an old habit, or develop a new one? Did you give up Facebook? Whatever it was I hope that you got something out of it.

I gave up eating dinner in front of the TV. It's a terrible habit that most of my single (and some not-so-single) friends have. It's not good for your digestive system to sit hunched over your coffee table. It's not good for your carpet, rug, couch or shirt to eat dripping over yourself. These are the EASY reasons that I changed a bad habit.

I  learned that sitting at my kitchen table looking out at the neighborhood kids is... quite frankly... boring! I found myself eating less (which is a good thing) because I would get bored. However, it meant that I was more aware of how much I was eating. I rarely went back for seconds. I think at first this was because I was "rushed" to get done with dinner and turn on the Twins game or watch something I'd DVRd.  But after a few days,  Mindless overeating is gone from my life, and that is the biggest lesson I took from this 6 weeks.

I can't promise that I will continue to eat at the dining room table every meal, but I will make the effort most days, I think... I will keep you posted.

In the mean time... think about making ANOTHER mini resolution. I did! It's a habit I hope to form this time!