We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we're frustrated that the kids aren't old enough and we'll be happier and more liberated when they are. After that, we're frustrated that we are dealing with pesky teenagers. We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage.
 
We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, or go on a fancy vacation, or when we retire.

The truth is there's no better time to be happy than right now.
If not now, when?  Your life will always be filled with challenges and worries. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway.

Stop waiting....
--until your car or home is paid off
--until you get a new car or home
--until your kids leave the house
--until you go back to school
--until you finish school
--until you lose 10 lbs.
--until you gain 10 lbs.
--until you get married
--until you get a divorce
--until you have kids
--until someone makes up his or her mind
--until next year
--until you die

Can you think of a better time than right now to be happy?

So...

Work like you don't need money. Love like you've never been hurt. And dance like no one's watching.

Today is a gift that's why it's called the PRESENT!

(Thank you to Dave Boufford, Mr. Positive for this message!)

I begin this post with the four hardest words to say..."Honey, you are right."  I hate it when that happens.  But this post is not about hate, it is about LOVE.  I'm inviting you do join me in my efforts to really put this word to the test.  A lot of things have led me to take on this monumentous project.  But the climax happened just last night.  After two days of watching the horrifying images of those poor people in Haiti, of texting codes to donate money, and of feeling so sad almost to the point of being drained, I came to a realization.  (With a litle help from my husband.)  Upon hearing the words by Pat Robertson, about Haiti bringing this disaster on themselves with some long-ago pact with the devil, I was irate.  So angry, and appalled.  And when Keith Olberman came on his show with words of retaliation, I cheered.  He looked right in the camera and told both Pat Robertson and Rush Limbaugh that "wished them to hell."  I posted his rant on my Facebook page, and took solace in the comments from like-minded people who were angry too. 

Now here comes the 'Honey you're right' part.  My husband and I have been dwelling a lot on the word and the concept of LOVE.  In a world so divided along party lines, racial lines, gender lines, and preference lines, it's easy to get caught up in an arguement anywhere you go.  Social media has made us all commentators and has given us a voice.  And I believe, at my core, that the most important thing we can do during our limited time on this little blue and green ball is learn to LOVE.  But for me, so far, this has been easy.  Because I love those who are easy to love.  I love those who think like me.  I love those who are vulnerable, those in need, those who are loveable.  My husband is bringing to my attention (in his most loving way) that to hate a hater makes me a hater.  I have felt justified in my anger and sarcasm and judgement toward anyone who I view as mean, judgemental, close minded.  But last night, after a long conversation trying to defend my position of hate, I relented.  He is right. 

So...here's where you come in.  I want to be a person of LOVE.  I want the words out of my mouth and the actions of my life to show LOVE.  And I want to learn how to love those who are hard to love.  Will you keep me accountable?  Will you share with me your stories of how you have shown love, or felt love, or even tried to feel love toward someone who totally did not deserve it?  Someone who may not ever return the love?  I think we can do something together here folks.  Something big.  Something important that will go beyond the name calling and negativity we are all living in now. 

Will you join me in the LOVE project?  Leave your comments and stories below.

A new year, a new decade.  I know I speak for just about everyone I know when I say...Phew.  Most of us feel like we've been dragged behind a bus and hit from all sides.  This year, we experienced 'stay-cations' (a treat for everyone but the Moms), recessions, bailouts, Adam Lambert, and balloon boy.  We mourned the loss of the King of Pop, and watched Lady Gaga with our jaws on the floor.  But here we are, and I for one am optimistic.  In my work, I get the privilege of seeing everyday people make themselves better, every day.  Take this past week as an example: 

On Monday, these five beautiful Mommies-To-Be were lifting, sweating and smiling in my Lift class. At a time when they could easily retire to the sofa for 40 weeks with chocolate chip cookie dough and Oprah, they choose to stay strong and healthy. Those lucky babies!

Jim, a long time friend and student, will turn 70 this year.  And his goal?  To tackle 'Hero Hill' on his mountain bike.  No small feat.  He regularly attends cycle classes, when he's not enjoying winter sports in Utah.  Even cooler, he works out with his daughter Betsy.  What a role model.

I look around my classes and I see cancer survivors, spouses who are care takers, people battling depression, eating disorders and addiction.  People going through divorce, people falling in love. People living with the pain of chronic injury.  I see activists, parents, and best friends.  They all inspire me and make me want to show up with something new each time.  Something to show them the strength that lies inside of them.  Something to help them recognize how powerful they really are, just by showing up. 

YOU can be one of these people.  YOU have a story and YOU have immeasurable strength inside of you.  Show up.  Don't let the New Years resolution crowds scare you.  Find a spot and start to move your body.  Begin to see how being active and making a commitment to your health is the key to unlocking your full potential.  I look forward to seeing you in the gym soon...new year, new decade, new YOU!

A parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule. The mule fell into the farmer's well. The water wasn't  very deep, so the mule could stand on the bottom. The farmer heard the mule "braying" - or whatever mules do when they fall into wells.

After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. Instead, he called his neighbors together and told them what had happened . . . and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.

Initially, the old mule was hysterical. But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back, a thought struck him. It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back he should shake it off and step up!

This he did, blow after blow. "Shake it off and step up. . . shake it off and step up . . shake it off and step up," the old mule repeated to encourage himself. No matter how painful the blows or how distressing the situation seemed, the old mule fought panic and just kept right on shaking it off and stepping up. It wasn't long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, stepped triumphantly over the wall of the well .

What seemed like it would bury him, actually helped him all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.

That's life.

If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness, or self-pity . . . the adversities that come along to bury us usually have within them the very real potential to benefit and bless us.

I am chairing a committee for the Utah State Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.  Our new program "Fit MS" is helping people with MS live healthier lives through exercise, nutrition, and mind-body awareness.  Our next challenge runs January through March, and we would like to award prizes to all who participate.  These prizes will be awarded at the end of Walk MS in April at the Gateway.  Over 3000 people will gather for the awards ceremony.  Would you consider making a prize donation?  Anything you could donate from your business or community contacts would be much appreciated.  Let me know if you think you can contribute, and I would be happy to come and collect your donation.   I can provide a solicitation letter on MS letterhead if you wish.