Smiles Are Contagious, Are You Smiling?

Sometimes I just have to sit back and smile. Why, might you ask, am I so happy? Well, today I’m happy and smiling because:

• I have two healthy, happy, and beautiful kids — can’t argue with these smiles now can you?

  

  Yes, I know he’s wearing pink pajamas, relax. They’re hand me downs from his sister and he was cold.

• I have new clothes & possibilities — I was cleaning this weekend and found my tub of clothes that I’d forgot about. They were clothes I’d been aging for the past 8~ years that I’d fit into someday maybe. You might remember my tub of clothes posting from before, well these were the bottom of the barrel, the last of the last. It’s now empty of future clothes, I’m now living in that someday maybe and inventing new possibilities one healthy choice at a time.
• I’m trying new things — As I mentioned in my last post, I’ve had a lot of firsts recently. Trying new things like food, exercises, sports, etc really makes you appreciate life and puts our lives into perspective. There is so much out there to try, appreciate, and grow from. So many new experiences that it’s silly to toss up your hands and give up on yourself. It’s never to late to lose weight, get healthy, find a new job, or reinvent yourself. Stop waiting and just do it!
• I’m looking for solutions instead of dwelling on problems — I’ve had several people tell me lately that I’ve changed since I started to lose weight last year. Somethings different this time … I wouldn’t say I’ve found my zen or my inner chi but my outlook on life and its associated challenges has certainly changed. Instead of looking at problems as insurmountable piles of complexity I instead look at them as lots of tiny opportunities to improve. This change in vantage point makes things seem much more manageable and solvable in the near term. Look at life as full of opportunities to improve instead of full of problems that are too hard to begin.
• I have a great support system — So many people don’t have a support system in place to succeed. Whether it’s an unsupportive spouse, significant other, friends, family, or co-workers … they all impact your day to day success in some way or another. I’ve posted before about being pulled down by crabs and I meant it. You have to surround yourself with positive, supportive, and motivated people to increase your likelihood to succeed and improve. My wife has been a huge supporter of me since day one. Anything and everything I’ve needed along the journey she’s helped me with, and I’ve done the same for her in return. People that are constantly complaining about themselves or their situation and aren’t holding themselves accountable and working toward change aren’t really in my inner circle any longer. You must surround yourself with positive uplifting people instead of emotional vampires.

So that’s why I’m smiling today … what are you happy about today? If your not, why not, and what can you do to turn that frown upside down?

• Shopping For Fitbloggin, Cleaning, And Helmets
• What I’m Looking To Gain And Give To Fitbloggin
• Positive Ripple Effects On My Family
• A New Found Confidence In Everything I Do
• Hello New Readers, Welcome!