BE Happy

A few things that make me happy right now...

(1) NEW UNDIES: One of my oldest and dearest friends used to have a tradition of getting herself all new underwear every January. Maybe that sounds funny, but isn't it really a genius idea? Underwear's shelf life is probably less than a year and honestly, how many of us keep that one pair that is soooooo comfortable a bit longer than we should? To me, new underwear is kind of like freshly cleaned sheets....so cozy and refreshing! I love this idea for a January upgrade and am placing my order from Soma (my personal favorite underwear supplier) right now. Is this a new tradition that you can get behind? 😂

(2) A BETTER FACE: My face has two problems right now- paleness and redness. Yes, I live in Florida, but I use a lot of sunscreen and limit exposure because I don't want to do any more damage to my face! (I did plenty of that in the 80's when we'd tan on the roof of the sorority with baby oil- yikes!) However, I still really like how I look with just a little hint of a tan so I am thrilled to introduce you to: ISLE OF PARADISE DROPS! I simply mix a few drops (much less than they say on the bottle instructions) in with my daily moisturizer and apply evenly to my face and neck. The result is a subtle and healthy glow. I am so happy that my winter-paleness problem has been solved! Now, the other problem I've been having is redness and I'm 100% sure it's from wearing masks- UGH! Are any of you experiencing this too? The colder/dryer weather certainly does not help matters so I've been on the lookout for some new products- particularly something to calm my skin. I just ordered this CALMING FACE OIL and will report back next month.

(3) MY MANTRA: When I first was diagnosed with cancer I called a friend of a friend for advice. One of the first things she suggested was that I create a mantra...hmmm 🤔. I was expecting a doctor referral or a diet suggestion, but she was a Yogi and so, in hindsight, this made sense coming from her. Since at that time I was willing to try/do anything to help myself be cured, I decided to give it a go and came up with...I am healthy. I am strong. I will survive. I began saying it to myself every morning when I woke up and every evening before I went to bed. When I was nervous in the waiting room before chemo or when I was deep in a machine getting a PET or CT scan, I said it over and over to myself. As silly and as simple as it sounds, having this go-to phrase provided great comfort to me. It kept my mind focused on positive thoughts and it helped me manifest my intentions.

Even though my cancer is in remission, I still use this mantra daily. Recently though, I added a fourth part...I will thrive! I have spent the last few years surviving, but while my health is good it is time for me to do more. I want to have a year of growth, prosperity, and enlightenment and with my revised mantra, I know I will.

PLEASE DON'T UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF A MANTRA. Mantras enhance positive brainwaves and chanting them increases immune functions! The sound of the mantra literally drowns out the negative thoughts in our brains making room for more positive ones. I encourage all of you to make a mantra this year. Consider your goals and intentions for the day/week/month/year and choose words to put you in the state of mind to achieve them. Start and end each day with your mantra and I guarantee your soul will be happier!

PS: Consider having your mantra printed on a bracelet at www.myintent.org. They are super cute and the omnipresent visual of your intention is very powerful.