Gossip is evil

This is a letter to my son, Aiden, just in case if something were to happen to me, he would get to know me a little bit more.  This is also a form of therapy for me.  I am writing out whatever is on my mind and heart.  Somehow in the end, all feels right.

Letter #3

Dear Aiden,

This is something unfortunate to explain but I want you to know that people are not always what they seem.

Not all people are generous all the time.  People do not always have the best of intentions.  Whether they are your family or friends they may not always be the best person they can be.

I’m not telling you this to make you feel like you can’t trust people. No, I want you to trust people. I want you to live genuinely.  Just know, that sometimes people mess up, including those closest to you.  There are many evil temptations in our world…temptations like drugs, alcohol, gambling, peer pressure, materialistic fashion, keeping up with the Jones (you will meet a lot of wannabes, but you will notice your parent’s are not one of them).  There is also greed and gossip.  One of my biggest pet peeves you will find if you haven’t already is gossip.  I don’t believe in talking about people to others.  It is a very destructive.  Gossip is evil.

You see, gossip is a lot like the game telephone.  You may play it some day.  It starts with one person telling a second person a message.  That person then tells another person the same message what they got out of the first message and this message keeps getting passed on to more and more people.  However, this message can be interpreted differently by each person, or heard wrong, or exaggerated and a false message ends up being out about someone or something.

Personally, I find gossip to be real destructive.  It is hateful.  People’s lives get hurt from it.  Messes are created and real hurt is experienced for what benefit?  None whatsoever.  When I hear gossip or others talking negatively about others or comments like “did you hear about so and so who is.” I tend to leave the conversation.  Don’t become a part of something as evil as gossip.  It ruins people’s lives. It may not seem like it is harmful or hurtful, but it is. Gossip is pure evil.

I prefer to talk about ideas, not people.  Think BIG, Aiden, no matter what life throws at you.  Don’t follow the gossip train.  Don’t spread lies about people, families, businesses, or anything.  Those lies that are being spread by people are massive wounds to the soul.  You can’t mend ones spirit easily with a cast or medication. It takes real spiritual healing, time, a LOT of time and a lot of mental self talk.  So please, oh please, beware of those that gossip and don’t get sucked into it.

Gossip is all around you.  Your own family members may do it not realizing it out of habit. You will be around it in school.  Our society lives and breathes off of gossip about Hollywood entertainers.  The world of gossip is a full time job for some, but not for your momma.  So my advice is to not pick it up as a hobby because it will keep you happier not having anything to do with gossip.  It won’t be fun having to convince to yourself that you are good person; you will just know that you are.

So Aiden, moral of the story: Don’t get on the gossip train.

I Love You

Mom

(Alisha)

Does gossip irritate you?  Have you thought about how destructive it is? 

If you have anything that you would like me to write to Aiden about that is a struggle in your family/life, or a subject that you are unsure how to approach please tell me about it.  I will write out my thoughts on the subject to Aiden, and maybe it will help you.

How to Gain Confidence & handle tough stuff

This is a letter to my son, Aiden, just in case if something were to happen to me, he would get to know me a little bit more.  This is also a form of therapy for me.  I am writing out whatever is on my mind and heart.  Somehow in the end, all feels right.

Letter #2

Dear Aiden,

I want you to know how precious you are to me.

I want you to know how amazing and awesome you are!  You have limitless potential.  I treasure you and cherish you.

I adore you!

I know that you have all the tools that you need to tackle any problem that comes your way.   YOU DO!  It is ALL inside of YOU.

Do not think for a second, EVER, at any stage of your life that you are without, or that you are not enough or that you need something else.   YOU DON’T.  YOU ARE ALL YOU NEED.  Everything you need to succeed LIVES in YOU.  Cherish that.  Remember that.  Don’t go out seeking something, just look deep inside you.

Lots of times in life our very own struggles lie within us.  So the very best thing I have found is to just work on yourself individually.  You need to take care of you.

You may feel at times that you need to take care of others first, that you should give to others first, or that it feels wrong to put yourself first.  Honestly, though, you always need to take care of Aiden first.  There are times to give, and you will know when.  But don’t stretch yourself so thin that you are not taking care of you.

There are many aspects involved when caring for oneself.  You need to care for yourself spiritually, mentally, nutritionally, physically, and financially.  Many people in our society today only focus on their financial being and the result is they get so run down they can’t take care of anything else and their whole life slips through their fingers.  Life gets messy.  You need to keep all parts in perspective. There is no easy secret to life balance.  It is something you have to figure out for yourself, I’m sorry but it is true.

Hopefully, you will see how your dad and I try to live in balance every single day.  You can’t only be spiritual one day a week. You need to seek spiritual guidance every day, reflect every day. The very cool thing is that God is with you of every part of every day so you can go to him at any time.  You really do need to have a spiritual group or some place to check in to with others to share faith. Don’t do it alone.  I’ll write more about this more in depth later.  I don’t want to over whelm you now.

Don’t worry about being perfect.   There is no such thing.  Just be you and have as much fun as possible.   Laugh.  And laugh ridiculously.  There is no such thing as too much laughter. So please, laugh for me and live and enjoy life to it’s utmost fullest.

Laughter really is the best medicine.  Work, people, and life will bring you down.  It will. It’s inevitable. But laughter and good chats with people can bring you up and bring it all back into focus.  Remember that. You are never alone. God is only a thought away. Keep him close to you. Reach out to him and talk to him at any time.  Talk to yourself at any time.  Brainwashing yourself to think positive things and laughter is indeed the best prescription I have ever found (and it’s free!).

One of my favorite tricks while I was a waitress, Aiden, was when I would have a really rude customer…someone I just couldn’t stand because he was rude, snobby, both… I would visualize them with a pig snout face sitting there in the restaurant with a bright pink tutu on.  The rude customer looked ridiculous in my head which made me smile, smile real big.  Because really yes, some people have a hard soul. Some people are rude but you can’t let them ruin you. So use mental tricks to escape yourself from those that are not positive.  And if your work life or friends are sabotaging your happy mental state, then find a new job, or find new friends. You take control.  You make the changes for you.  And then laugh at the suckers later. Okay, momma really isn’t that evil.  But you know, momma likes to joke.

There will be many times when you feel down.  It will happen.  But just like when you are learning to walk …you will get up after each time you fall.  This is what you need to do when you stumble in life.  Just get back up and get going.  Pick your head up and get going.  You don’t have to be perfect.  You don’t even have to be great. You just have to try. You just have to give your best. At times you may not feel ready.  You may be nervous for something…maybe it’s a presentation at school, a test, asking someone out on a date, an interview, or launching your own business. Whatever it is that you are stumbling with…don’t worry about being perfect, don’t even worry about getting it right. Just BE YOU and get started.  JUMP IN.  Just do it!

Tackle life and situations with an “I’m in- I GOT THIS!” mentality all the time, even if you are freaked out or doubt yourself. Trick yourself.  Focus on thinking positive things all the time.  Do NOT have room in your brain for doubt or negative self talk.  Just get started. DO.  Get up each time you stumble. You can do anything you put your mind to. You have talents and gifts that are uniquely yours. I believe in you completely and fully and I know you can achieve everything that you ever hope for.

I believe in you and my biggest hope and prayer for you, is that you believe in you too.

Go Get ‘Em, Aiden!

Go grab life and give it one hell of a ride!

I Love You and am excited for you to LIVE IT UP!

Mom

(Alisha)

Are you fully living life?  What is stopping you and holding you back?  Is it just you?  Can you get out of your own way? Go DO!

Let me know what you think! I really appreciate any comments, feedback, shares and likes!

If you have anything that you would like me to write to Aiden about that is a struggle in your family/life, or a subject that you are unsure how to approach please tell me about it.  I will write out my thoughts on the subject to Aiden, and maybe it will help you.

Growing Inside of Me

This is a letter to my son, Aiden, just in case if something were to happen to me, he would get to know me a little bit more.  This is also a form of therapy for me.  I am writing out whatever is on my mind and heart.  Somehow in the end, all feels right.

Letter #1

Dear Aiden,

This is your mom here, Alisha.  I am SO excited to meet you!  You are growing inside me and it is a beautiful thing.  Every little kick I feel from you makes me smile.  I think you had the hiccups the other day or maybe I had or we both had gas; either way, it was an interesting feeling that I am glad has passed, I bet you are too.

You are my wonderful growing boy! I am already SO PROUD of you!  I know you will do great things with your life.  Right now, you are already making me a stronger, better person.  I haven’t been sleeping much due to your active little kicking at night but it makes me smile.  I am a turbo fire addict (it’s my favorite workout) I’m sure you will know the music once you are born.  We can be turbo kick partners together! Right now, I feel like you are having a turbo kickboxing party in me! I couldn’t be more happy about that! It means you are healthy, active and growing!

 I have lots of thoughts going through my head lately…mostly parenting stuff.  Like, am I going to say the right things to you? Do the right things for you?  I’m really not doubting myself, don’t get me wrong, I just want the very, very best for you. 

I’m writing to you because I want you to know how precious you are. I want you to know how much I love you and adore you.  I don’t plan on going anywhere. I plan on being in your life for as long as God will let me.  I have decided to write you letters though just in case if something were to happen to know me, you would get to know me a little bit more.  I live my work life with a “if I get hit by a bus” plan…I know I really can’t do that with parenting, but this is an attempt. 

Or maybe, someday we’ll both be at a loss…I won’t know what to say or do but maybe I can come back to these letters for guidance.  Or maybe you will have stuff going on but won’t want to talk to me or your dad about it.  We completely understand. Sometimes you just have to sort through life stuff on your own. But maybe, just maybe, one of your momma’s random thoughts, or tips can help you out with whatever life is handing you at the moment.  We will just remember that whatever it is, that you will get through it.  I never seems like it at the time, but somehow, it always works out.

I know you can do and accomplish anything and everything that you want.  All I want is for you to live a happy, healthy, confident life.  I know you can.  I promise you that I will do my very best to help you, to nurture you. I may not be perfect at all times. We may not understand each other always, but please, please know that no matter what, I really, really, really LOVE YOU.

Your mom,

Alisha

Is there anything you wish your mom or dad or parent told you?  Is there something you wish you could hear from them?

If you have anything that you would like me to write to Aiden about that is a struggle in your family/life, or a subject that you are unsure how to approach please tell me about it.  I will write out my thoughts on the subject to Aiden, and maybe it will help you.

With Much Love ~ Alisha

 

How to deal with stupid people

Yes, stupid people suck & I had the opportunity to deal with quite a few today.

But I didn’t let them get to me for too long.

Thank goodness for my random craving of banana walnut bread (The recipe is the bread they serve at Starbucks!)

and my ability to pick up what has become my go-to stress reliever when I just wanna punch people workout.

I’m glad I found my stress relievers. Baking and exercise. Go figure.

What keeps you from punching people?

Please share!

~Alisha

My LIVE workout with Tony Horton, Shaun T, & Chalene Johnson!

Hi!

I went to the Team Beachbody Coach Summit in LA last week and it was AMAZING.  I cannot even begin to describe it to you.

There were trainer led workouts  (3 days) and a huge workout in the middle of LA LIVE (they had to close down the streets!)

Lets just say, Shaun T with his Insanity workouts made me cry.

Like full out cry, because I was pushing myself so hard. It was a good, “I want it” cry.  Something I have never had happen to me working out to the DVDs before (or any workout for that matter).

He kills you in his DVDs, try having him in person, in front of you, IN YOUR FACE.

Plus, when you see how ripped he is, that alone makes you go hard as hell.

I was seriously crying though, I was pushing so hard…then…I remembered…oh SHIT…ALISHA!!!  YOU ARE PREGNANT.

My self talk kicked in (a little too late!) “You do NOT have to be this insane!”

 

So yes, I used my pregnant card (5.5 months!) to get out of the insanity workout.   (No worries, baby Aiden is fine and healthy, doc says.)

 

But man, oh man, if you like the sport drills type workouts and really want to shred down to your lowest body fat percentage then you really need to do Insanity: The Asylum.  (This is only for serious athletes.)

 

So other than realizing I am pregnant and that the trainers are awesome and REAL and are just like they are in their dvd workouts, what else did I get out of the Team Beachbody Coach Summit?

 

TONS but today I want to share with you something that Tony Horton said to us in a personal team meeting that I was fortunate to be a part of.

It is something that I NEEDED TO HEAR and maybe you do too?

This is straight from the funny, quirky, but extremely intelligent and effective trainer, Tony Horton.

“Many people tell me, ‘Tony, I can feel the muscle coming back, but I’m not seeing results, nor pounds down, no inches lost & I am 2.5 weeks in.” Or, “I have a wedding coming up, what should I do to look good for it?”

Tony said, “Figure out your why.”

and then he said,

“Why do you want to work out?”

(this next part is MY FAVORITE)

“If your answer is a cruise, a wedding, a high school reunion, etc. then his answer to this is, “have a lot of weddings, or cruises or reunions scheduled!”

(ha! okay, his answer made me chuckle because it is SPOT ON.)

How about this for a why?

To improve your health, your digestion, your immune system. To help everything in your body work easier and more efficiently.

To take stress off of your body and your life.

To pass on your genes to your children and have them be healthy genes not genes of diabetes, obesity or other health conditions that are brought on by lifestyles of poor nutrition and exercise choices.

He also said, “working out 3 days a week is like throwing yourself down a set of stairs” you are sore the next day but it was not effective and did not do you any good.

When you are over weight, you are over whelmed.  Plain and simple.  So be consistent with your health choices and your health will improve.

Focus on improving yourself TODAY by what you put in your mouth today.  By working out TODAY.

Know that the workout you do today and each day after is improving your health, your digestion, and your immune system. TODAY! And each day forward!

No drug can do this for you as well and effective as YOU choosing to do this for yourself.

Focus on being where you are today, and not on dwelling about where you want to be, but making better choices today and each day forward, taking one step and one bite at a time.

That is the secret weapon to a long healthy life, straight from the mouth of Tony Horton.

Oh, he also said this, (This makes you think) “You are the CEO of your own body. Are you making good decisions or should you have fired yourself a long time ago because you are just running your body to the grave?”

(Yeah, this made me take a real honest look at my personal  food choices and workout plan and I did not like what I saw.)

If you do not like your honest answer to that, do not worry.

Just as Tony would say, “do your best and forget the rest.” from this day forward.

To your health and your child’s health!

Alisha