Author: The Woman Hood

Jumping into 2017

by The Woman Hood, posted in Life in the Girl Lane, Whole Woman - Health and Fitness

dl_new_year_2017_1000_550_90_s_c1

I don’t believe in New Year’s Resolutions!

They never come true. Are never achieved. Just a wish we make on New Year’s day to make it seem like we are aiming for better for ourselves.

By the time the party is over…which is January the 2nd…tomorrow…the resolutions are forgotten – like the confetti on the floor, swept up and tossed out.

I believe in GOALS!!

Specific, Measurable, Action Oriented, Realistic, Time-bound goals! (“SMART Goals”)

Have you set yours?

Goals are not only for your workplace. You should also have goals for yourself – your health, your aspirations, your family.

If you do not set goals, you are not working towards anything, you are lacking direction, and life just takes you on a ride.

I usually take some time for myself at the end of the year to think over the year that has passed, plan for the coming year, set some goals for myself, meditate and pray. However, going into 2016 my family was going through some problems so I never took the time. It was no coincidence that the year was an endless time of running after life. My time got away from me, my finances got away from me, my mind got away from me. I could barely keep up at work and with the loss of my mother, there was a lot happening on the family front. I felt stressed and overwhelmed the entire year.

In the grand scheme of things, 2016 was not a bad year. I accomplished things at work that I was praised for, my kids were doing great in school, I finished writing my first novel, I lost 18 pounds and ran a half marathon AND took my family on their first trip to Europe, all be it to bury my mother.

It was a good year, but I felt unfulfilled and unsatisfied. That is because I could not point at any one thing and say – this is what I had set out to do and I accomplished it. Everything that happened, just happened! Nothing was intended or planned or even desired. Everything just happened. With or without my influence things happened just because they happened. And this does not lead to a sense of accomplishment, fulfillment or success.

So this year, I made sure that I took the time. To look back at 2016 and be grateful and to look forward and set creation and creativity in motion for an exciting and fulfilling 2017. And already I am feeling so much happier and excited about every day that is about to follow.

Trust me! It makes a difference!

It is just the beginning of January. You still have time. Ditch the resolutions and make a date with yourself to sit down and write some real goals. When you look back at 2017 in December, you are going to be feeling pretty proud of yourself. 🙂

Be Inspired!

goals

 

Endorsed by the Queen

by The Woman Hood, posted in A Hero Lies in You, We are the World

I was on YouTube looking for a particular song from the past when I stumbled across this year’s Christmas Message from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.

I share this with you because she speaks of the very reasons this website is in existence today – inspirations, aspirations, unsung heroes doing ‘little’ things that make big impacts – that is the essence of The Woman Hood and I am so happy to have it presented from none other than a woman who, no matter what your opinion of the British Monarchy may be, embodies greatness.

She may not actually have her hand on the reign of the country, but she has sat on a throne that she inherited unexpectedly at a very early age for 63 years, overcoming painful struggles, loss and drastic political changes while retaining her grace, dignity, humor and love.

No doubt many of her problems would be very different that yours and mine, but she is human, she is woman, she feels the same emotions we do and despite these, she has had to ‘carry on’ no matter what and continue to be the face of her kingdom, a wife to her husband, a mother to her children. She is no different than you or I.

You and I may not sit on a gilded throne and we may not give Christmas messages that are broadcast all around the world. We have our struggles, our disappointments and may be fighting to keep it together and to make ends meet, but we can do what little we can wherever we are to be the change we want to see in the world. We can, in our own small way, inspire each other to do or be better.

Be inspired…

 

My Gift to the World

by The Woman Hood, posted in We are the World

It is the Christmas in the year 2016!

It has been a roller coaster of a year. Incredible highs, Extraordinary lows. Delightful gains, painful losses.

I guess if you really think about it, every year is that way. The year just is. It is not good or bad. It just is.

But everyone experiences it differently. And that is life.

But there comes a time in everyone’s life when you are faced with a defining moment. A moment when it ‘clicks’ and you know what you have to do and you do it!

With the sudden passing of George Michael, we are faced with yet one more loss this year and I am reminded that the only time there is is this present moment. The only time there is, is NOW.

And NOW is my defining moment. NOW it ‘clicks’. I know what I have to do and I do it.

Here in this present moment I give my gift to the world. I call it…

The Woman Hood

thewomanhood_logofull

 

Happy Holidays!