"What to make God laugh?"

I hope everyone had a great weekend. I am reading a book by Wayne Dyer called "inspiration". What I love about this author is that he tells us stories from his life. Because I am trying to go for my dream of being an author and inspiring people, I am learning a lot from him. We have a lot in common. His teachers told him he could not write, he had a difficult childhood and he had know idea how to publish his first book. But he has passion, a love for what he does, and faith that the universe will lead the way. He made all his dreams come true and then some. That is where I am, I am trying to get out of the way of myself and surrender to a higher plan. I remember a quote that said "want to make God laugh, tell him your plans." So, I have no idea what will happen on my journey, all I know is that I will not give up and faith that everything will turn out maybe not as I expect but better than I could ever imagine. Now if I can only conquer this "being patient" thing, I would be a happy camper.
Lauren

"What a concept?"

Hey everybody, it will take more time to put up my chapters from my book. I will do it when I can. I hope you had a great weekend. I was reading my book at Dos Coyotes on a Sunday, which is out of my norm. There were a lot of people, mostly families and there I was sitting by myself but felt so connected with these strangers around me. Children were running around, people were laughing and I was totally present. It was an incredible feeling. I stopped reading and just looked at the people around me and smiled. I don't know how to explain it. I felt them, connected to their essence, to the God in them. I felt the wind, the trees, and everything seemed brighter. In the past I would have been so annoyed with the kids, and the noise and would of felt lonely, being the only one by myself. Not that day, it was a great day. I am learning so much every day. I know it takes practice to be present, and I am actually learning patience. Well, I don't know about that one, but I am trying. I am however not getting obsessed about my final destination, my goals end, and taking the time to slow down and just be. So, lets try that this week, to just slow down and just be. What a concept.
Lauren

"I did it!"

I did it! I road my bike to work and back my first week. Yeah! For those of you who do not know me, I want to tell you about my weight struggles. I have been battling my weight issue for over 20 years. Two years ago my highest weight was 273 pound at a size 26. I used every excuse in the book to tell myself that my weight did not effect my life. I have a great husband, I have never had health problems, and I always say "it is what is on the inside that counts." Now that is still true, and will always be true. But two years ago when I was on one of my trips to Mexico, and I could barely walk, my hips and knees were killing me. Traveling has always been the most important thing to me, the one thing I love most. So, I finally said enough is enough. Well it has been two years and I have only lost 58 pounds. 8 months ago I was at a 68 pounds lost. I had a big "failure" in my life, had a pity party for two weeks, and now I am back. This is such a difficult journey. I admire all of you who have lost weight over the years. I am on Weight Watchers, and I go to Curves. I two know people older than me who have lost 103 pounds in 18 months and 93 pounds in 18 months. It has been so frustrating. I wanted to give up so many times, but I can't give up. This is the hardest thing I have ever done and I believe that if I can do this, I can do anything! That is why it is so important for me to lose weight. The only difference is the exercise, I have to change the way I look at things. I have changed my eating habits. (even though I am not perfect) but now something else has to change. So that is why I have been riding my bike. I don't have to be thin, I just want to feel good in my body. My goal is a size 14 or 12. I can be happy with that. Why, because I choose too. I notice that most women are never happy with their bodies. That needs to change. Society, doctors, even Weight Watchers say I need to be a size 6 to be healthy. I can be happy at a size 14, so size 14 here I come.
Lauren

"People are good at heart."

I believe that people are good at heart. We get so stuck in our heads, our judgments about others, the dramas of life that we forget that even though we are so different, we have one thing in common, we just want to be happy. We all judge, I catch myself all of the time. I have to stop myself, and then I try to find the good in that person. It is hard, especially in the work place. The truth is I don't have the answers, I have people that dislike me, and I have no idea why. The only thing I have learned is to be me. I have stopped trying to please everyone and I have stopped trying to kiss up to the people that dislike me. It is not easy, but it is too much work to try to please everybody. I keep telling myself, "don't get caught up in other peoples dramas", and the next thing I know I am swept in and in a bad mood. I am getting better. When you look past those peoples dramas, and see them for who they really are, it gets easier. I have learned never assume anything. I guarantee your assumption is wrong. Just remember we don't really know that person and what is going on with them in their lives. Just love them for who they are, no matter what. Now is this hard, you're damn right it is, but it works. So, don't take things personally, and give a little love.

Lauren

"Lets try something different."

This weekend lets try something different for a change. We all have our routines, and sometimes we get stuck. Come on, most of us have 2 days off, we have to clean the house, do the grocery shopping and probably have a list of other errands to do. But this weekend, lets step out of our normal life's and do something we would not normally do. It can be anything like a picnic in the park, a walk along the river, or just a special lunch with a loved one. You can call a friend you haven't talked too in awhile, or send a letter by mail (wouldn't that be a shocker). Lets up the ante and give something to a complete stranger. Whether it is a compliment, or buying a coffee at Starbucks for the next person in line, or giving a flower to the elderly woman down the street. Believe it or not random acts of kindness can change the world. If we all start today to give random acts of kindness everyday, imagine where the world would be. After all, I believe that most people are good at heart, we just get stuck in the dramas of life to realize it. Be happy and have a great weekend.


Lauren

"Failure is not an option."

Well I said that I will start putting chapters of my book on this website, we are having technical difficulties, but as soon as we figure out how to do it, I will start putting them up weekly.

I am guided to talk about failures. How many of us, don't try things because we are afraid of failure? What is the worst thing that can happen if we fail? Think about that for a minute. I keep going back to that one quote "98% of people fail because they give up." So, what stops us from going for our goals, dreams or whatever? For me in the past failure was just proof that I was not good enough. Good enough for what? I say better to try and fail than always wondering the "what ifs of life." Seriously, If you try something and fail, and learn what works, what didn't and keep trying eventually you will succeed. I am trying to get my book published and all I am doing is slamming into walls. Maybe the only reason we fail is because we decide to give up? I will not give up. One thing I have learned is you may start down one path toward a certain goal and wind up somewhere else, somewhere better than you ever imagined. So what do you want in your life? Remember failure is not an option.

Lauren

" Boy it was a hot day!'

OK, guys I road my bike to work for the first time. I would HAVE to pick today to start, I mean after all it is only 105 degrees outside. For most, it would probably not be a big deal because it is only 1.4 miles, with some hills, well at least I call them hills. But for me it was a big deal. It was so dang hard, but I did it! Yeah! And of course I made it a bigger deal in my head. All day long, I am thinking, should I call Ernie to come pick me up, it's too hot. But I told myself If I start making excuses now I will never get on that damn bike again. When will I stop being my own worst enemy? How many of us do the same thing? I don't know, maybe it is just me, but I have a feeling that all of us do that. I wonder if guys do it as much as women do. Feel free to comment.
Tomorrow is suppose to be another hot day in good old Sacramento, but I will continue to ride my bike. Well so much for being inspirational today. I hope you guys had a wonderful day. I also hope you were all your own best friends and took time to spoil yourselves rotten. If not go do it right now!
Lauren