Life is a Runway

My obsession with the topics of life, style, and lifestyle led me to the conclusion that life can certainly feel like a runway. My life in particular is full of activities associated with maintaining my physical appearance, showcasing different outfits everyday in order to express who I am, as well as portray a certain image, and I generally feel like I’m walking around and strutting my proverbial stuff for the proverbial panel of observers to see. In general I have lived a life seeking the approval of others, in much the same way the designers who send models down the catwalk are putting forth an image that is supposed to inspire interest and keep people stimulated in order that they subscribe to the brand/image being put forth. This type of runway experience is the way I have lived much of my life and the way in which I see many people living their lives. Instead of designing our own brand of uniqueness and authenticity, we can often end up settling for being imitations of other people in order to feel in, or hip, or accepted. Some of us end up trying to keep up with the proverbial trends of life that include others approval of us and so that we fit into the model of life that is in fashion or to use a anti-fashion term, is comfortable. In recent years I have found myself more interested in being a designer brand of my own authentic self, bucking the trend of just accepting what we are supposed to do in this life, and hoping to create my own life style that represents a “Custom Made T.” I intend to write about many topics related to these concepts; life, personal style, and living a lifestyle that represents my own personal brand of being authentically me. Although it’s difficult to not be a “slave to fashion and beauty,” I hope through the writing process to find more of the beauty within, and bring it to the surface in a way that reflects an internal and an external bon chic bon genre.

Post-Vegas Gratitude

After 3 days in Vegas with my cousin and her friends, I find myself incredibly grateful for:

Life long friendships with women who understand the bonds of sisterhood, for girlfriends who love each other and like each other, for women friends who root for each other and have each other’s back, for friends who are mature and caring towards each other and give each other the benefit of the doubt, for girls that appreciate each other and are out for what is best for the group and not just themselves, for girls who make life effortless and make it easy to see the meaning of friendship, loyalty, strong bonds, a committment to sisterhood, and female empowerment, and the meaning of trust and being a true wing women.

A great reminder from my mentor

“Set peace of mind as your highest goal, and organize your life around it.” -Brian Tracy Happy September fabulous females around the globe! I am just returning back to work after a wonderful few weeks off. For most of us, maintaining the peace of mind & relaxation we feel while away on vacation seems impossible once we enter back into the daily routines of our lives. However, the more life skills we have to do this successfully, the easier the goal of maintaining peace & relaxation in our lives becomes. So, this month I would like to offer some tips & tools for maintaining that lazy, hazy feeling of summer as we enter into fall; the busiest time of the year for most. To start, there is one simple prerequisite for everyone; you must first set peace of mind as your highest goal knowing that if peace is what you want to experience most in your life, then you have to be willing to organize everything else around it. Everything! Now, I am sure to some reading this, this seems absolutely ludicrous. Still, I know this is only because it doesn’t yet seem possible for you… & that’s only because no one has ever taught you or shown you how to do so. This isn’t to say that it’s easy & that every day will be a walk in the park, still I know & live first hand, that it is possible! So here goes: 1. In the wise words of Brian Tracy, “Set peace of mind as your highest goal, and organize your life around it.” Each day as you step out into the world & meet people, are offered a job, a promotion, an opportunity to do something fun socially, sign your child up for a class or whatever else may cross your path, ask yourself first, “Will doing this/saying yes to this add peace to my life? Or will it take away from whatever peace I currently have?” Most of us don’t ask ourselves this question. We allow ourselves instead, to say yes to certain things because they ‘sound fun’ or because we worry that if we don’t say yes we’re ‘missing out’ or because we feel like ‘we should.’ These are not decisions or choices then, based on your best interest…& that undoubtedly, makes your life more complicated, stressful & difficult. So before you do anything, ask yourself this one question first! 2. Learn to prioritize. This is a difficult concept for many, still it’s absolutely necessary if you are to live a peaceful life. Ask yourself, with everything on your plate at the moment, “What honestly, can wait?” Not sure how to decipher what’s most important today & what can truthfully wait until next week, next year or next month? Then make a list of every single to do, want & goal you’ve got in your head right now, look at your list immediately & ask yourself this question: “What’s most time sensitive?” Do that first! Bills due tomorrow or else you pay a late fee? That’s your top priority today…over meeting up with friends for drinks tonight. Cancel! Wanting to get married & have children & you’re nearing 40? That’s your top priority over a career transition because biologically speaking, this goal is more time sensitive. However, you can always transition into a new career in your fifties. Bottom line: if there isn’t a time frame on it, it can truthfully wait. Remember, you can’t do everything right now so prioritize!

3. Let go of your addiction to being crazed or your fear of being happy! This one is also another challenging concept for some still the ugly truth for many is that some of us like going, going, going all the time. We can then complain about how hectic or difficult our life is. Well, stop the insanity! Start by owning what your part is in anything that may feel constantly chaotic in your life. Ask yourself, “How do I contribute to the chaos I’m experiencing?” Also, for some, give yourself permission to be happy. Life doesn’t have to be a struggle so remind yourself this daily. Tell yourself each morning as you brush your teeth & look at yourself in the mirror that day, ”Today I give you permission to be happy, to say no to some things, to enjoy your life & allow yourself the experience of peace.” Life is short ladies so enjoy it!

4. Know that truly, less is more. I think a lot of people really do believe that bigger is better & that more is too. However, it’s just not true! Having more requires more upkeep, more responsibility & more time…all of which take away from the overall quality of your life! So, maybe wanting more kids sounds great in theory, still perhaps for you the number of kids you’ve already got would allow you to enjoy them each more & give you all better quality of life. Or maybe owning that second home or renovating your kitchen feels key to your happiness as you think about it, still perhaps right now, there is already enough on your plate. A year from now you can revisit these goals & at that juncture find more free time to pursue these desires when they’ll actually contribute to your peace & enjoyment.

In need of a gratitude adjustment

Today I am grateful for:

My health, fitness, and wellness, my inner and outer beauty, my committment to personal growth and awareness, my dedication to my education and career development, my willingness to try new things and get better at them, enjoying learning tennis, a nice winery and date experience yesterday, time with my cousins this week, helping my parents out, my mom getting her mojo back, my home, my doggies, my unique life journey.

The Flood Grates are Open

I’m feeling very grateful today; I’m grateful for many things:

Health and wellness, disciplined with working out, feeling fit and energetic, doing a value assessment yesterday, self awareness and committment to evolving past impulses and behaviors that don’t serve me, support from many, my sweet little pups, travel plans set for Vegas and Miami, plans in SF tomorrow night, infinite possibilities, openness to this unique journey that I call my life.

Now Gratting, Tracy Thomas

Today I’m grateful for:

Surrendering, doing what I can, letting go, having faith, my home, my doggies, my Mommie, my journey, enjoying tennis, my body starting to cooperate, my coach, my school, my sense of humor, my wardrobe, my shoe collection, finding new designers that I love, good weather, luxury issues.

Don’t be a hater, be a “grater.”

Today I’m grateful for:

Feeling healthy, working out a lot, feeling strong, tennis back in my life, old friends visiting town this weekend, plans with my girls Saturday night, a date tonight, feeling productive, great family, wonderful friends, facebook friends and connections, 10-10-10, that I get City time and suberb time, my house, my experiences, travel plans, mom feeling good, mom getting her just desserts.

Feeling Grat, Grat, Grat……

Today I am grateful for…………….

My health, my family, my friends, all the deep connections I have with friends domestically and internationally, my strenght, my perserverance, my committment, my self awareness, my athetic ability, my willingness to look at myself honestly, my travel experiences, and all of the continuous travel that’s on the agenda for the year, my doggies, my new cable with ATT that is so much better, looking younger than my age, feeling great.

Feeling Grate

Today I am grateful for:

Tahoe time with Kerry and the boys, being in nature, getting out of my comfort zone, kid energy, connecting with Kerry, playing tennis, the renewed desire for tennis, great weather back home, a great date with a great guy, getting the piano back from the bizzaro family, health and fitness, family taking care of the doggies, my beautiful home, my abundant life.

I’ve got a Grrrr-attitude.

Today I’m grateful for:

Working hard the last two days, crossing things off my to-do list, the piano move is almost over, plans for Miami, myn doggies, my home, my health, feeling strong, working out, eating well, seeing results, hair getting done today, date with a cool guy tonight, getting into my dissertation and finding it interesting, great reality TV, sunny weather, abundance in so many areas, trust and faith in my unique journey.

Beginning of the week Grats

This morning I am grateful for:

My health, my fortitude, getting into my research and meeting my committment this weekend, Duane helping me with household stuff, my dissertation coach, my self awareness, feeling I’m going to be a good psychologist, upcoming Miami trip, 101010  decision making process, material abundance, love in my life from many, and love in my heart for more people than I can even focus on.