Philosophy - Laugh

I'm a philosophy girl. I don't know if I have mentioned that in the past, but I am. I love their products and, well, their philosophy. They always put some sort of witticism on their packaging. I recently finished up a bottle of their shampoo/shower/bubble bath entitled "Laugh". The scent of the product was pomegranate but the philosophy is:

Laughter is the best medicine. Laugh until you cry. Let your smile light your eyes and curve your lips. Fondly recall embarrassing moments, exchange jokes. Discover the humor in life's challenges. Have a goofy dance off. Cherish what tickles your fancy. Plan a game night. Say something playfully unexpected. Make silly faces. Laugh more often. 

On this day of remembrance (September 11), I challenge you all to acknowledge the loss and pain that our world has experienced. But, I also want you to take time to laugh and appreciate all that we have. I know I'm going to....and I know the dog is going to look at me strangely as I perform my own personal goofy dance...

August Blog Challenge Day 4

Today's discussion point is: "A Habit That You Wish You Didn't Have"...

Oh there are so many, where should I start? I think I might actually have to list them out here with an action plan....

1. Watching too much television. I am in the habit of turning the television on the moment I get home or get up. It should just be background noise for me, but it isn't. Sadly, even though I tell myself I'm not going to do it, as soon as the television is turned on, but couch develops an ass magnet and I am trapped. I have tried to come up with a couple of different ways to overcome this bad habit. On the days that I work from home, rather than turn on the TV and become distracted, I am listening to my Audible books. They provide the same sort of background noise (plot, character development, etc.) that the television does, which activates a certain part of my brain that just listening to music doesn't quite fill, but I'm not distracted by the shiny, moving pictures. Another way I am considering conquering this habit is by getting rid of the television altogether....well, okay, maybe not get rid of the television just the cable and instead get the replacement to the rabbit ears so that I only have the local channels and only in real time....this will cut out a lot of the time that is spent watching recorded shows....But, I doubt if I'll actually go through with that one. 
2. Eating ice cream...I have developed a terrible habit of eating ice cream all the time, for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. I get a craving for ice cream and instead of refocusing myself on something else that is better for me (like an apple) I will get in the car, drive to Walmart and buy some ice cream. I will then sit and eat the ice cream until I am sick. So, how am I going to conquer this, well it is two-fold and is also part of the first step of a long term goal that I am working on (having a viable budget and savings program)...I have challenged myself to NOT go to the grocery store without a list and to NOT buy anything that is not on the list. I sit down and figure out what meals I will have in the upcoming week and what I need to prepare them and make a list based on that plan. I have also challenged myself that in the month of August I am not going to buy anything for myself, other than the obvious necessities like food and gas. So, this actually leads me to the next bad habit: 
3. Spending money all willy-nilly. I am very bad about just going to Target and buying a shirt or a sweater or going out to Amazon and buying a book or something that I just DO NOT NEED. At this moment in time, there is nothing, aside from food, that I need. I have plenty of clothes, shoes, books, makeup, fabric, etc. etc. etc. and do not need to randomly buy stuff. I am challenging myself to NOT do this. Now, I say that, but there is one thing that I intend to purchase in the month of August and that will be paint and paint supplies for painting my house; I know it is not a necessity, but in order to achieve my goals it is something that I will need to do. 

Okay, those are 3 of the bad habits that I have and how in the next month I'm going to try and exorcise them from my being. Once I get those conquered, there are plenty more to take their place....

Habitual Behavior

"They" say that if you do something for 21 days in a row, then it will become a habit. Now, don't ask me who "they" are but "they" are always very knowledgeable and have opinions on lots of stuff, but that isn't what this blog is about. 

About a month ago my folks came to visit me. Before they came I was just getting in the habit of walking daily, taking a my vitamins and what not every morning, and eating healthy meals, without stopping at fast food places and eating out of bags. Then, mom and dad came to visit, and I got out of my good habits. Don't get me wrong, I'm not blaming my folks. They would have been very supportive of me getting out and taking a long walk each day that they were here and they were really very considerate guests not making any demands from me in any way. No, it is my own fault that I fell out of these habits. 

However, I'm turning that around today. With the change in time (spring forward and all that), I'm marking the line in the sand and starting over, again. I got up this morning and took a nice walk around neighborhood. I have some healthy food in the 'fridge and I think I am stocked and prepared for my week. 

Next weekend may be a challenge as I'm going to go house sit/dog sit for a friend of mine who has to go out of town. I am still planning on walking every day. I think if I have my walks mapped out and stick to the plan (making it a habit) then I can get back on the wagon and stick this out. 

On the flip-side, I have A LOT of bad habits that I have to make myself break. Hopefully, if I fill my time with implementing the healthy habits, the unhealthy ones will. I'll check back in with you about this in 21 days....