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A Letter from the Editor
November 2008
If I sat and listed everything I am thankful for, I would be 85 before I had rattled off the last thing and I'd probably still have more. I live a life of being overly grateful for just about everything. Having been resuscitated in 1998 following a massive allergic reaction, that experience really allowed me to see the world through a new lense. Me and my 2nd husband, my four children, 3 cats and one massive Labradoodle, cherish our world and those in it. I cherish the people in my life and laughter and the daily smiles those provide.
photo by carrie aube
photography
Is there anybody out there who thinks everything about themselves is perfect and wouldn't change a thing? If you are out there, email me, I need to meet you and maybe add you on as the expert "Ask about Being Perfect".
Meanwhile back in normal-ville, I go back to the thought that most of us have 3-10 things about us that we would love to change. In a woman's mind, we tend not to focus on all things positive, but instead dwell on those 3-10 negative things, while sadly forgetting about the 50,000 other things about us that are fine, wonderful and maybe even perfect about ourselves.
Ok, so I wish I didn't have horrible anaphylactic food allergies to nuts, shellfish and so forth. I really wish my 2nd toe on each of my feet would shrink back down to something normal so I could wear open toed shoes. I really wish my butt and thighs weren't so big. I really wish my nails would grow on their own. Oh, and I have this huge scar on my shoulder and another on my back. I also really wish I was driving that Lincoln Navigator up the street. "I wish I had thought of that." I wish I had it as easy as she does and the wishes go on and on from stock market choices, to missed business opportunites to maybe even the place you live. Really, this line of thinking could go on and on and even change on a daily basis. Oh, and queen of the wish list that I almost forgot, "I wish I was as skinny as so and so"
Happiness, inner happiness, outer happiness and all around happiness. Start with a smile and go from there.
My point overall is to try to be happy with what you have and with who you are. Please think about that. Happiness. What is that to you? What makes you happy?
This isn't even positive thinking we are talking about... this is happiness central and the core of you. Instead of dwelling on negative things about yourself that nobody even probably notices, focus on the things about you that are unbelievably wonderful. You'd be surprised how long the positive list is and how short the negative list becomes.
I dared to venture out in open toed shoes this summer thinking my toes
could potentially stop traffic if unleashed, and guess what.....Not one
person said anything. Granted, it was to the dark movie theater, but you
get my point.....Come to think of it though, my husband did rush me into
that theater kind of fast, LOL.
Please do me a favor and make a list of 50 things that are great about you and post them to our blog called "V-YOU-S" at or email me directly and I will post them for you (name or unnamed).
November is all about being thankful. Pat yourself on the back and be thankful for yourself. Oh, and then eat some turkey, stuffing, gravy, potatoes, more stuffing, cranberries, corn bread, more turkey, pumpkin pie and whatever else you can for those of us in fitness bootcamp :-) Happy Thanksgiving and Happy BEST EVER YOU.
Try to take some time and find the balance.
It is there if you just stop and a listen to yourself.
Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino, Founder & Editor
See the Septemer 2008 Letter >>
See the August 2008 Letter >>
