Y.I. Wednesday: 9 Reasons Why I Drink Coffee

There have been years of speculation that those who drink coffee are bad.
Well, I guess I am one of them them.

Because I drink coffee and I love it!

Here's 9 Reasons Why I do:

1. Because as a mother, it is my own guilty pleasure.
2. Because I am probably addicted to it.
3. Because it's the only addiction I can do and still drive a vehicle.
4. Because it's an addiction that is legal and is not killing me with every sip.
5. Because it tastes yummy and there are so many different ways to have it!
6. Because someone introduced me to it when I was 22 years old, and working at 5:45 am, it helped me wake up!
7. Because coffee actually has some health benefits.
8. Because my mind actually works better when I drink at least one cup of coffee first thing in the morning.
9. Because I can :)

What do you do and why?

I Share Y.I's every Wednesday!!!

How To Test Drive Your New Year's Resolution

There are many of us who would be more than happy to skip New Year's Resolutions and who would prefer to simply countdown to the ball dropping and enter 2012 accepting things the way they were the year before.

Then there's others who look forward to a new challenge, or a renewed sense of accomplishment, so they set their sites on an item, or weakness, which they plan on tackling in the New Year.

Choosing a New Year's Resolution isn't easy. No one is perfect, and so at any given time we could likely find a dozen things which could use a bit of tweaking.

So, how do you know which one do you choose? 
And...
Which one is more important than the others?
And...
How can you guarantee success with the one you pick?

Well, the first two questions are very personal, and the one making the resolution would be the only person able to answer them.

But the third one depends on the why and if you've tested it or not.

How do you test your chosen New Year's Resolution?

Give it a trial run today!

If your resolution might be to follow a better fitness regimen, add it 'mini-size' to your day for a couple of days.

If you are completely disinterested and unmotivated trying to follow it, than you might want to choose something else. (It's possible that you aren't ready or your 'why', right now, is not great enough.)

We all want to succeed. 


'Try, try again,' is the often muttered motto when we fail, and it can leave us completely discouraged.

I believe that to feel motivated to accomplish something, and be excited to move on to another challenge, it is imperative that we are successful, even if it's only in the littlest increments.

That is a reason to test-drive a resolution. 


If you are not ready, it will be nearly impossible to stick with it.
So, include it today in small doses....then tomorrow try it again....if it is going well and you are excited about it and it is benefiting you, than keep it as your New Years Resolution on January 1st!

If not... go back to the drawing board.

Another reason you should test-drive a resolution: 


To find out if the one you chose will make a large enough impact.

Suppose you make a goal to wake up a half hour earlier every day. The reason you want to do this is so that you get things done around the house... though when hear your alarm, you wake up, but spend the next hour lying there, or you find yourself surfing the net or updating your Facebook status with coffee in hand.  While I enjoy doing all of these things, if my goal is to get up to 'get things done' I have defeated the resolution of getting up earlier.

It may be, that this is not a strong enough resolution.

Last year, I chose to incorporate the One Word approach to my New Year's Resolutions.

This week, I picked a few words to try....

• Faith
• Let it Go (I know that's three but I like it and could could consider it- My One Phrase.)
• Goals

I will let you know how it goes...

What New Year's Resolutions will you choose to test-drive? 

Fun Friday: Remember Being a Kid at Christmas!?

Christmas reminds me of being a kid! 

Waking up and unwrapping a bunch gifts,
then getting to play with them! 

Although today isn't Friday, this is your Fun Friday post, and it is Christmastime!
 So check out this link and have some fun!

You deserve to feel like a kid again!

Happy Holidays to You and Yours!

Y.I. Wednesday: Why I'm Addicted to Motivational Quotes

 I try my best to be a positive person, but I can't always get there on my own.
Motivational quotes are always to the point and are quick easy pick me ups that can be posted anywhere!

That is Y.I. rely on motivational quotes!

Here's where I like to find the best motivational quotes:

Thinkexist.com

The bookstore (their journals have quotes and magnets and mugs)
Bits & Pieces (periodical found at 'motivateandinspire.com'
Some of my favorite books have great quotes

Where I post motivational quotes:

on my computer at work

on my car visor

on my desk

on my mirror

on my cell phone

on my computer at home

on my refrigerator

on my wall in the bathroom
on the kids bathroom door (good reading material)

on my shoe

(Just kidding about that last one, but I do love to post them everywhere!)

Where I have the most motivational quotes: 

On my refrigerator

Two of my favorite motivational quotes:

'"Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right."-Henry Ford

"Just when the caterpillar thought his life was over, he became a butterfly."-Proverb

What's your favorite motivation quote?

What's Standing In the Way of You & Your Goals?

Are you doing the best you can to reach your goals?

or 

Do you have Excusitus

What to do if the answer is Yes. 

An excuse is something you tell yourself first, in an attempt to justify why you didn't do something.

Fun Friday: Inpsirational Fact

Most people didn’t know that Napoleon Bonaparte actually drew up his battle plans inside of a sandbox. - Fun Facts Online

Just goes to show you, inspiration can strike ANYWHERE!

Y.I. Wednesday: Why I Chose GRACE for 2011

With the New Year approaching, it's time to start thinking about resolutions.

Since I decided to completely do away with the traditional form of resolution making last year and instead, 

adopted the  

One Word 

approach....

It's almost time for me to decide which word

I will be focusing on in the year 2012....

Read Y.I. chose Grace for 2011

See How I'm Doing:

March 2011

 October 2011

Let me know if you do New Year's Resolutions and what they are...

Maybe you'd like to pick One Word with me!

'Grace fills empty spaces, but it can only enter where there is a void to receive it, and it is grace itself which makes this void.'

~ Simone Weil

A Lesson on Attitude

One of my favorite books of all time is:

See you at the top by Zig Ziglar.

Amazon.com Zig Ziglar

Here is a simple and straightforward quote from Zig:

'Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.'

Watch this  motivational video from Zig Ziglar

A 'Can' Do Attitude

Don't let obstacles get in your way....

Have a 'Can'-Do Attitude!

 Posted by prockstar on Stumble

Y.I. Wednesday: Love ART

 Y.I. Love Art: 
There is a certain calm that comes to me when I am looking at a piece of art.....

A fashion magazine ad which I just love because of the unique way it's done...

What is art anyways?

It could be a building... a bridge... or a sculpture...

It could be a photograph...a flower arrangement, potted plant or vegetable garden...

Ultimately, I think I would describe art this way:

Anything that when you look at it brings you joy and peace....

My Children's Artwork

...and that you appreciate and consider a gift every time you lay eyes on it...

A Christmas gift to me last year

Art can be anything that someone created with their hands and their imagination, which makes you smile...

A quilt from a local quilt show

Try this relaxing activity:

View art online

The best places to do this:

AllPosters.com

Art.com

GreatBIGCanvas

(look up art specifically by genre, colors, and types)
Find something that makes you feel tranquil and share it if you like!

What is art to you?
Where do you find it?
And how does it make you feel?

Getting What You Want

Dear Santa, I've been a good kitty and would like....

Cats seem to go on the principle that 

it never does any harm to ask for what you want. 

~ Joesph Wood Krutch

WE SHOULD FOLLOW THEIR LEAD...BECAUSE IT WORKS.

Funny but True...

If you wish to make a man your enemy, tell him simply, "You are wrong." This method works every time. 

~ Henry Link

Y.I. Wednesday: Make Lists

Y.I. Make Lists:


Because it:

• Helps me to see my goals
• Helps me feel accomplished as I check them off
• Helps me stay organized
• Helps me manage my time
• Helps me prioritize
• Helps me delegate
• Helps hold me accountable
• Helps me stay focused

If you like to make lists and keep hard copies:

Use a simple notebook (and no not the 'computer' notebook- the old fashioned one which has paper in it and you must turn the pages to get more clear space). Perks: space is unlimited and you have them there to see no matter where you are, batteries not required!

If you have the iPhone check out these 25 To-Do List Apps.

If you like making lists that are on the computer, online and can sync with your email:

Check out these 3 Simple Apps (read the comments at the bottom of the article as well because readers offer their own suggestions as well).

Thanks for the Advice: 

As someone once told me, 'do not use sticky notes for lists' as they are too small. 

She was so right and I am much happier when I don't use them! :)

Do you make lists? Why or Why Not?

Putting Others Down to Pick Ourselves Up

I have related this action to bullying in the past.

Those who push others around, talk behind their backs and belittle others, whether it is blatant or somewhat sly...are indeed very insecure.

They do what the title of this blog says, they put others down to pick themselves up.

We have probably all done it once or twice in our lifetime. Though most of us outgrow it as we mature.
But there are some who never outgrow it and it is funny to watch those people spend more time putting their energy and time into knowing so much about someones business, just so they can find a reason to put them down.

Those people seriously need to focus on their own lives and getting (and keeping) their own affairs in order.

I find this quote quite relevant: Those in glass houses should not throw stones.

If this is happening to you:
'Be flattered that someone admires you so much, to spend all their precious time on you!'

Then, ignore them! 


Like I always tell my three children, 'Worry about yourself'. That's what these folks should be doing.

Don't ever allow someones comments dictate what you do, feel or think. You are your own person and you live your life according to what works for you. You make your own choices and decisions because you can, and should.

What do do if you find yourself putting others down
How to deal with  those people who put you down
What if you are the one putting yourself down?

Thanksgiving: It's Not Just About The Turkey

We were taught in school that Thanksgiving was about Pilgrims, Indians and Turkey.

(I suppose if you are a vegan, it would never be about the turkey, but would be more about the other yummy things to eat!) 

But anyhow...

Thanksgiving is still about these things, and it always will be, but it's also about something else....

Split the word Thanksgiving into two words:

Thanks   &   Giving

No Turkeys, Pilgrims, or Indians here...

Read this article on what you can do this Thanks-Giving to take the Turkey out of it and

create an opportunity for some personal growth.

(If you really want to take the Turkey out of you Thanksgiving literally, and want to learn more about 

Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes click HERE.)

Enjoy!

Laugh

He who laughs, lasts.
~ Mary P. Poole ~

Ten Interesting Facts About Laughing 

A Yellow Inspiration Blog Post From the Archives That Makes Me L.O.L. Every Time



 
 

Y.I. Wednesday: Bake Cookies Once a Week!!!

Y.I. bake cookies for my kids once a week when they get home from school... because I want them to have what I didn't. Because once a week I really want to be like June Cleaver. But, also, because once a week I want to break my own rules and give them an unhealthy snack and because they are my favorite cookies in the whole world, and I want to be a kid, at least once a week! :)

What do you do? 

Share your Y.I.

Watch This Video of A Favorite Song, Done by Connie Talbot

This video made me smile.
I love the song Imagine,
it is one of my all time favorites
  and it was done so very well by this young lady who stole
Simon Cowell's heart on Britan's Got Talent.

IMAGINE

A Funny Look at Procrastination

There's things that come up in life we just don't like doing....

Either because they aren't fun or they're not our favorite things to do.

Regardless of the reason...

We might end up procrastinating.

This Fun Friday, 

I want to share this comic

I found on Stumble last night....

about

the 6 Stages of Procrastination 

If you frequently find yourself reaching #6,

don't worry,

you're not alone...

Although you're probably experiencing a shortage of clean underwear more often than you'd like...

and a number of other frustrating and inconvenient moments...

T\hey say 'when the pain is great enough, we will change'...

Gooooood Luck!

Y.I. Wednesday: Recovering Speeder

My local friends drive these magnificent Dodges... I wish mine had lights and sirens.

Y.I. abide by the speed limit.... 

Because now my foot automatically knows it, 

after my butt got enough tickets. 

I have now become the little old lady driving down the road that other people honk their horns at, and pass furiously while giving me the finger.

But I keep chugging...slowly...because....

The way I look at it is this: THEY won't be paying my ticket if I get one. And, if I lose my license, (yes, I was that bad), they will not be the ones bringing my kids to after-school activities...and neither will I.

So, it's better to do the speed limit.

And it has actually changed my driving experience tremendously.

I am more aware. I enjoy the ride and the scenery (a little eyeroll here). 

But seriously, I am definitely more cautious and safe.

I have now become the one to waves at speeding-drivers, while using my hand gestures!

(I think I'm just jealous.)

What do you do....and why???