A turtle’s perspective – In memory of my father

Are you a turtle? My father used to ask everyone he met that question. As a young military man he was inducted in to The Turtle Club. Up until the day he died he lived the Turtle Creed!

“Turtles are bright eyed, bushy tailed, fearless and unafraid folk with a fighter pilot attitude. They think clean, have fun a lot, and recognize the fact that you never get any place worthwhile in life unless you stick your neck out.”

He was a POW in World WAR II. This Memorial Day (and everyday) I honor him by giving you 5 tips for living a slower, more complete life – consider the turtle!

1. Take it Slow – that’s right. Slow down and enjoy the view. Be present in the moment. Don’t let life move so fast that you miss what’s right in front of you.
2. Play A LOT and nap often - My dad literally danced through life. Although he worked hard, he danced when he could, played cards and games with his family and friends, and went fishing several times a year. He also rested when his body told him it needed to. Do something fun everyday and give yourself permission to take a siesta!!
3. Eat when you’re hungry – Listen to your body and eat when you’re hungry. Be sure to eat nutritious foods that fuel your mind and your spirit. Turtles tend to eat a natural diet, one that consists of proteins and vegetables.
4. Celebrate your accomplishments – It’s important that we recognize our accomplishments, especially the small ones. This creates a positive response that propels us into a bright future. (Remember, turtles are bright eyed and bushy tailed for a reason!)
5. Don’t be afraid to stick your neck out – Make mistakes; they’re life changing. Help someone in need; it’s worth the effort for everyone, including you. Speak up; let your inner voice be heard, someone really needs to hear your message. Show the world who you really are and be proud of yourself.

Yes, this was my father’s creed. He believed that life, to be lived fully, meant slowing down and enjoying the view. He helped as many people as he could, napped a lot and ate when he was hungry. I’m following in his footsteps and am off to take a nap!

“You will find that life is more fun and takes on new meaning when you are a Turtle!”

Blissings…Teri

P.S. If you’d like to become a turtle, simply email me and I’ll send you the 4 questions every member must answer for initiation.

Peace of mind is as easy as 1, 2, 3

What exactly does that mean, Peace of Mind? Does it mean that you are never bothered by anything? Does it mean being in a seemingly super drugged out state of "Blissville"? We're human. Stuff can bother us. We get annoyed, frustrated, and well, pissed off!

Maniacal drivers, crabby cashiers, loud startling noises, double dipping, parents who don't pay attention to their children (like leaving them in a car while they run in to shop) are some of the triggers on my list of things that cause me to go from The Bliss Lady to The Pissed Lady.

Peace of Mind, to me, means recognizing when these and other actions irritate me, connecting with the emotions and feelings attached to those things and finding my way back to balance. It means living with my own actions, without regret or guilt and being comfortable with who I am. It's a feeling of calmness and serenity, even when the life around me seems off kilter, out of synch and just crazy.

How do we reconnect with that "inner bliss" when something throws us off? Just like riding a bike, it begins with practice. There are a few simple tools you can use, right now, to create more Peace of Mind in your life.

1. Breathe - When something threatens to rock your Peace of Mind, breathe. Pretty simple, right? Studies have shown that deep breathing, even for just a few minutes, can significantly reduce stress and anxiety, bringing you back to a place of calmness and serenity. Learning deep breathing techniques, meditation, and/or yoga can significantly reduce your overall levels of anxiety and stress, which naturally leads to more patience and tolerance of others.

2. Smile - Smiling, even for a minute, reduces blood pressure, releases serotonin, improves the immune function, lifts the face and causes others to smile, too. It's creates a chain reaction of positive energy.

3. Laugh - One of the greatest sounds on Earth is laughter. It's infectious; one can't help but feel better when laughter is shared! A good laugh benefits us physically, emotionally and spiritually and its effects can last in the body for hours. “Your sense of humor is one of the most powerful tools you have to make certain that your daily mood and emotional state support good health.” ~ Paul E. McGhee, Ph.D. Practice Laughter Yoga (I do!) and begin laughing for no reason today- you'll get the benefits both physiologically and psychologically and so will those around you.

These 3 FREE and easy to tap into techniques can be used immediately to reconnect you with your Peace of Mind, where you feel calmer and more at ease. They work for me and countless others, too! Breathe, Smile and Laugh your way to a more blissful life!

Blisstory question: What are the things you love, honor, cherish and admire most about your mom?

(This is an edited version of a post from May, 2009)
First things first, above all else, I cherish the life she gave me. That's why everyday is Mother's Day in our house. She provided a strong foundation and house of love for all of her family. Today, that foundation is as strong as ever. At 79 years old, she still has that spunky, defiant, never give up attitude. Yeap, that’s where I get it from. She is the original Bliss Networker!

I truly admire her ability to pick herself up when she’s hit with a blow; she’s had more blows than I can count. She’s suffered the loss of a child, the loss of her lifetime partner, 3 heart attacks, 2 strokes, breast cancer, lung cancer and lives with COPD and arthritis; nothing diminishes her love of life (or her love of gambling and Tim Horton's coffee!) LOL

My mom is my first real friend. She is the person I call for everything: good, bad or indifferent. A day doesn't go by that we don't chat, even if for just a minute.

Along with being my friend and mother, she has 5 other children who love and adore her as equally as I do. She is a friend and mother to countless others and is always taking in strays. Today, her youngest grandson (my "baby" boy) occupies a room at the "Grambo Inn". You just never know who might be taking up space in one of her rooms. She is a mother in law, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, great aunt, great, great aunt, and so much more. When I think about the many people that have crossed her path, I know that each one of them was impacted in a positive way by her presence and smile.

Today and every day I honor Janet Rose Griffin, the woman that brought me into this world. I love her enthusiasm, excitement, stubbornness, fortitude, graciousness, and her capacity to love, especially her family. Here’s to you mom!

I'm also honoring Susan Williams, where ever her spirit may be. You were a remarkable woman and your light shines bright in our family. THANK YOU for bringing my husband into this world. You are a shining star, Susan!

OK, so here's a gift for all of you! Simply click Sisstory Now for a complimentary E-Book copy of "The Sisstory Journal" - dedicated to my mom, my daughter, my sister and all of you - Rockin women around the world! (Offer good through May, 8, 2011) Sisstory provides over 365 delightful questions, actions, and more for celebrating the feminine spirit!

And a little self promotion:
Pick your mom up one of our delightful other E-books, Girlavanting, The Girls Guide to Balance, Bliss and Fun or Blisstory Journal today. Share her life, share her legacy, have a whole lot of fun celebrating her!

Happy Mother's Day, every day, to all!