Tresses that were full of Stresses

Oh when I put on my Supermom Jeans I felt powerful and energetic.  After cutting my hair I felt like a brand-new woman!!! The tresses had to go.  I haven't had a proper haircut in two years, maybe a quick trim - two at the most.  That's a lot of time and a lot of damaged hair that held too many stresses.  My hair was the longest it had ever been.  As a society I believe we have taught many people that long hair usually equals a pretty factor.  That there is pride in our locks and it shows we have willpower and patience to grow out our hair.  Or people like me who just don't get around to the hairdresser.  Believe me this haircut is long overdue and been on the to-do list for at least six months.  My poor fantastic hubby patiently listened to every one of my complaints, whines, outbursts about this too long of hair.  He listened as I yakked about how I pulled my hair (accidentally) and my son pulled on my hair (for sport), how the chairs would tug my hair and I would wake-up with headaches as I continually gave myself whiplash as I would roll over my hair and then try to pull my head up.  Argh!  And finally it was time.  I called, I made an appointment and slashed it off my to do list.  The stylist cut my hair within five minutes of my arrival and as soon as that scissor snipped my hair - angels sang and I smiled the mega-watt smile. 

Because it wasn't just hair she cut.  She helped my de-stress the tresses.  That hair held heartache and worry as I would run my hands through my hair as I sang and whispered to my son in the NICU so many months ago.  Those abandoned strands held pain and frustration as I tugged it into a messy bun after my hair being pulled yet again by one of the many sources.  Those locks were loaded with guilt as I hid my face behind them in hopes to fade away from the world.  There were some dark moments these last two years and those hairs held every memory of sadness, every second of anger, and every instance of worry.  It held no joy because I keep that in my heart :)  But the tresses were stressed and therefore became more stress.

Last night I slept like a baby as I drifted into the land of slumber roughly nine o'clock.  Which is crazy unheard of behavior from me.  Which meant I woke up early with energy.  Not anger or frustration at the early rising but well rested and headache free.  I was able to be at my daily goal of seven thousand steps before ten am as I had a work-out with the Bollywood Burn (newest dvd from the library ) and yes it did burn.  I haven't worked-out besides walking in far too long of time.  Good time to mix things up since I was a brand new me :)  Then unto a walk with one of my favorite guys and canine :)  Then for an encore this afternoon I was back to raking.  I did a small section with my supermom jeans but without my stressful tresses I was able to conquer 2/3 of the yard.  Yay! 

Hair does tell a story.  I love how a seasoned hair stylist can read your lifestyle by the state of your tresses.  As we were deciding on cut and color (as I felt two years without a haircut meant there was room to splurge :)  my stylist mentioned how I could pull off a lighter blonde as I had light hair as a kid.  I did.  But I thought that shade was long gone but she knew.  She could tell how many countless tugs of ponytails and buns my hair experienced.  But my hair was telling a different story that I no longer wanted to co-author.  My tresses were displaying all my stresses and resentment and hurt and on and on.  But these days I have a pep to my step and a sappy to my happy :)  It was time to share that story with the world.  Thank you tresses for being a long for the ride - but in the nicest way possible - GOOD RIDDANCE!

May your HealthFULL Journey eliminate the stresses,  polish the tresses, and make you feel like a more joyful energized brand new version of yourself. 'Til we meet again. . .

Living means to be Aware.

This post was originally to be titled "Minty Fresh" and that the herb Mint was our new produce of the week.  I thought about sharing how we used it with lamb.  Considered doing light research on the computer about the benefits of adding fresh herbs to meals.  But then life happened and I realized Mint was no longer on my thoughts but the importance of being aware seemed to be smacking me in the face.

Currently our house is in upheaval.  My wonderful hubby is off on a retreat which I will be taking one myself soon.  This leaves us separated for a couple of days at a time.  We tend to be those couples that do a lot together.  So this is a little surreal.  We split parenting duties - a lot!!!! In the last day I have found myself communicating with his ghost.  Alright you pour the milk and I'll grab the boy and change his diaper.  And how rude, I return and no one has poured the milk!  When I need to tag-team out of responsibility for just a three minute sit down.  There is no partner to tag and our delightful toddling son only sees my weakness as his advantage.  Isn't it funny how much more we aware of a person or an object when they go missing? 

I also wanted to write from this present mind as I am doing okay healthfull journey wise today.  I am not being super fit and super healthy but I also am not doing horrible and moping on the couch  (maybe a small part of myself would love to be a couch potato :)  I  ate not the best choices today.  But I did walk over 12000+ steps today.  I had two slow days this week around 5000 steps.  The rest right at 7000 steps.  But I made myself  AWARE of how many steps I took today as the day progressed.  For most of the day I made myself get up and walk around or jog at least 1000 steps each hour.  This helped keep me moving, but not to an impossible standard.  That is less than fifteen minutes every hour of just moving.  It didn't have to be working out and sweating (though there were spurts as I looked at the clock and saw I had less than ten minutes to add 700 steps :) . 

I got some cleaning done today which helps me feel energetic.  When we bog ourselves down with a guilt - laden to - do list it drags us down and drains our energy. At least I am AWARE of this phenomenon for myself.  By clearing items off the list for the weekend I feel more available to my son, to myself (tell me I am not alone on withholding pleasures because chores are unfinished - a quiet hour of reading, an indulgent bathtub, a decadent dessert?) and to life.  I feel stronger, more energetic, more sane, organized, accomplished which leads to confident, and frees up my spirit to be playful.  Crazy how items that take as little as ten minutes steal moments, hours, days from my life because I procrastinate, whine, and sometimes just plain ignore the situation. 

Another  moment of AWAREness is how awesome that a regular everyday kind of day can be life - altering.  Sometimes, this is not an awesome realization, but can be that kind of moment where your heart pounds in anticipation, how your mind begins to overwork the gears at the infinite possibilities, and how just for a moment you are lost in the surprise.  Because sometimes if you are willing and AWARE life decides to sparkle in the simplest of pleasures - child goes to sleep, an old friend drops you a note, a book has an inspiring quote, or you just stop; breathe in, breathe out - and realize you are beyond blessed.

May your HealthFULL Journey help you gain awareness of your surroundings and the blessings that already glimmer in your life.  'Til we meet again. . .