#spreadjoy

Small acts of kindness can mean the world to someone else.

This is often one of my mantras and a value that was deeply instilled in me from a very young age. The Golden Rule became a part of who I was and who I continue to strive to be.

At work, I often feel like a counselor and therapist to my teachers. I'm grateful that they feel comfortable coming to me with concerns and seeking guidance. Many times, all they really want is the chance to be heard without judgment. I try to do this and put myself in their shoes in the process. I actively listen, offer my suggestions when appropriate, and then stress the importance of them recognizing what they have control over -- and then moving forward fully and positively. Some conversations are more productive than others, but I try to approach each with an open mind and warm heart.

I also believe in the power of the written word, especially good old-fashioned thank you notes. In this crazy digital age, there's often something uniquely refreshing and comforting about getting a handwritten note. I try to do this at work and home whenever possible. I spent time thanking over 25 teachers today for specific things they have done in their classrooms or for the school recently. Teachers are rarely thanked, so I aim to spread joy, happiness, and gratitude around whenever I can. It's amazing how even such a simple gesture can make a world of difference.

On your quest to live your best and happiest lives, I encourage you to aim to reach out and thank someone for something awesome they've done every single day. Who knows? Maybe your paying it forward will be contagious and be exactly what someone else needs.

#bekind #spreadjoy #rememberthegoldenrule

5 keys to happiness...

A good friend at work and I were talking about the 5 keys to daily happiness today:

1. Do something nice for someone else. 2. Be grateful for at least one thing every day.

3. Read something for at least 15 min.

4. Get sweaty with at least 15 min. of cardio activity.

5. Surround yourself with positive people and those you love.

I love these and try to adhere to them daily. 

What are YOUR personal keys to happiness every day?? 

#gratitude #liveinthemoment #choosejoy

A walking boy!

And now for a more light-hearted post. 

Look who's making progress on his walking and SO proud of himself too?!! 

#happiestbabyever #soblessed 

Be kind. Always.

I was so fortunate today to celebrate the impending arrival of two female friends' baby girl at their baby shower. They have been trying to conceive through IVF for years and had multiple miscarriages along the way, a devastation I know all too well, sadly.

The entire afternoon made me think about just how blessed I am to have my son Will, regardless of what may happen in the future. There were several pregnant women at the shower as well as other women who are still enduring painful, multi-year infertility struggles. I give them mad props for having the courage to come to the baby shower in the first place! NOT easy. 

Getting to that delivery room and meeting my son for the first time over 15 months ago was a dream come true and the end of a long journey of fertility issues. It pains me that miscarriages and infertility are still so taboo, even in today's society.

I will continue to share my story and urge you to do the same if you -- or a loved one -- has been impacted. You are NOT alone, and it helps to know that SO many women have had direct experiences with infertility -- or certainly know someone who has!

Will is an enormous blessing to us, and we cherish every single day we have with him. I encourage you to do the same with a special child -- or children -- in your life. After all, I hear they grow up in the mere blink of an eye! ;)

Be kind. Listen. Be present. And remember that everyone is fighting a battle you probably know nothing about.

#soblessed #gratitude #mysonmyworld

#pleaseonlyyourself

It certainly has been an interesting two days! We got some wonderful news, which has caused me to rethink some of my priorities and upcoming commitments. Ultimately, I decided not to run next weekend's Ragnar Relay. While I am still bummed, I know it is the best decision for ME right now.

Ahhh, that ingrained Catholic guilt loves to veer its ugly head at the worst times. Decisions like this are difficult for me because I hate letting people down and not following through on commitments I already planned to do. Sometimes, though, you just have to say, ENOUGH. Make the best decision for YOU, Kay, even if it is not what others want you to do or think you should do. And this is certainly easier said than done for a Type A people pleaser like me.

But I did it. I made the best decision possible for my family and me. I'm lucky to have such amazingly supportive running friends, not to mention my very wise husband and ever-intuitive close friends.

Perhaps one of my favorite (and always unpredictable) poets said best:

"here is little Effie's head

whose brains are made of gingerbread

when the judgment day comes

God will find six crumbs

stooping by the coffinlid

waiting for something to rise

as the other somethings did--

you imagine His surprise

bellowing through the general noise

Where is Effie who was dead?

--to God in a tiny voice,

i am may the first crumb said

whereupon its fellow five

crumbs chuckled as if they were alive

and number two took up the song,

might i'm called and did no wrong

cried the third crumb, i am should

and this is my little sister could

with our big brother who is would

don't punish us for we were good;

and the last crumb with some shame

whispered unto God, my name

is must and with the others i've

been Effie who isn't alive

just imagine it I say

God amid a monstrous din

watch your step and follow me

stooping by Effie's little, in

(want a match or can you see?)

which the six subjunctive crumbs

twitch like mutilated thumbs:

picture His peering biggest whey

coloured face on which a frown

puzzles, but I know the way--

(nervously Whose eyes approve

the blessed while His ears are crammed

with the strenuous music of

the innumerable capering damned)

--staring wildly up and down

the here we are now judgment day

cross the threshold have no dread

lift the sheet back in this way.

here is little Effie's head

whose brains are made of gingerbread."

Ask yourself -- who are you trying to please today, and why? The answer may surprise you.

#expectations #livewithpurpose #liveyourbestlife 🎀💞✨🎃

Choose pure joy!

It is 8:36 pm, and I am relaxing in bed. I don't remember the last time this has happened.

A very wise coach told me today to listen to my body and let it rest and heal to be fully ready for the Ragnar Road Relay next weekend. She said:

"Your body is trying to tell you something with all this exhaustion. But understand that it's a temporary situation. Rest and the exhaustion goes away (or don't rest and it will only get worse). Look, I KNOW you can do this. You are already prepared. The only thing left to do is rest and rebuild so you are at your peak when you get that slap bracelet. Sometimes it's not about muscling through the tough days and it's more about being smart and kind to your body and mind. The best performers are the ones who know how to rest."

Well said, Coach Alison, well said. Now I must actually continue to listen to this sage advice....

You all seem to love the personal pics and videos I post, so here are some images from the past 2 days that brought me joy. Like my newly done perm from this afternoon (I get one per year and never have to blow dry my hair -- so exquisite!!)?!!

Have YOU found your sources of pure joy today?!!

#bekindtoyourself #restandrecover #choosejoy

Yay for exhaustion!

Several things I know to be true today:

1. I am beyond exhausted. My body is definitely still adjusting to my new morning workout routine, and I probably should get to bed even earlier. I am seriously ready to fall over.

2. My amazing hubby sensed my exhaustion and really brought his A-game to "William watching" and other chores tonight.

3. I love my job and coworkers. Thank God for having some sanity at school.

4. Will is just about fully walking! He took another 5 steps today by himself and is soooo ready. It's a confidence thing at this point!

5. I am so grateful to have had some amazing time with my Dad's extended family this weekend for my cousin's wedding. I don't get to see enough of them, and we couldn't have had a better occasion to celebrate!

6. Bed. Now. 

Goodnight and rest well, Warrior Women!

#newlevelofexhaustion #stillsoblessed