Thank you to everyone for the get-well wishes and prayers for Peter’s grandmother. As far as we know, things stand pretty much the same right now. All we can hope for is as much comfort as possible. Also, thank you for sharing your love or dating stories. I loved reading them! Check out the comments if you’re in a mood to say “awwwwww”.

Do you remember my cardio session yesterday on the machines? Well, I discovered one other plus to it. The magazine reading! I haven’t picked up a magazine in forever. I read through the October Parenting issue and came across quite a few interesting topics.

Should there be a law forbidding smoking in the home/cars of those with small children? Hmmmm….I hate the thought of young children being submitted to 2nd hand smoke, but how could we even implement that?

Do magazines still have the same prowess in media despite the rise of internet information and other forms of media? I know I haven’t picked up a magazine in months because of blogs.

Although the above provide room for two very intriguing discussions, a different article caught my eye. It was an article about parenting, but it really struck me as something that could apply to our relationships with our bodies as well. The effectiveness and importance of using explanatory language instead of accusatory/emotional language. What does that mean?

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The article discussed how, in parenting, kids do not respond well to yelling and frustrated statements from parents. Comments like “Can you not clean up your toys? Are you that helpless?” won’t reach a child best. It shared how using explanatory language can more effectively discipline and guide children to appropriate behavior. Saying, with focus and calm attention to the child, “I see toys that need to be picked up. You have 5 minutes to put your toys in their bins.” will, apparently, prompt the desired action.

I’m not starting a discussion on parenting though.  Leave it to me to take that topic and relate it to how we relate to our bodies and ourselves. How often do thoughts like this come into our minds?

• I can’t believe you! You can’t even control yourself around this food at the party. You’re eating way too much. Ugh.
• You will never lose this weight because you’re a failure. You can’t do x, y, z and you can’t get in shape either.
• You aren’t as pretty as her. You aren’t as in shape as her. You aren’t as fashionable as her. You aren’t… You aren’t… You aren’t…

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We can get caught up in using that emotional or accusatory language instead of the realistic nature of explanatory language. If we used explanatory language with ourselves, I imagine we would gain confidence. Accusations against our looks or abilities set us up for failure by putting a cloud of doubt over us. Placing negative emotions on situations can shadow solutions and the opportunity for change and growth. Accusatory and emotional language, I believe, keeps us in a perpetual battle against ourselves.

Explanatory language, on the other hand, could look like this:

• I had a stressful day at work. I feel compelled to eat a bunch of chocolate to hide those emotions. It is okay to feel that way. But will the food really help? What can I do to calm myself instead?
• I feel frustrated that my diligence in eating better and working out isn’t showing up in the smaller sizes/weight I expected. I just want to give up. But, body? You do feel better and stronger. Maybe we should keep it up.
• I have cellulite on my legs. It’s there, but maybe it isn’t as much as I thought. I also ran three miles today. That’s really awesome!

Removing the emotions and stating the facts can help us clarify what we really need. Sure, it may not always work, but it very well could motivate us to take a step in the right direction. Worth a shot I would say.

• Have you ever thought about language being emotional or explanatory? Do you think the difference could impact our self-appreciation?
• Do you still read magazines? Which types/ones?

So, how ecstatic are you that it's Friday? I’m thrilled! Why? Because I feel great and get to go meet up with some awesome bloggers in a couple hours. We’re having an Atlanta Blogger Meet-up tonight at a restaurant I have wanted to try forever. I know a particular someone very fond of Seasons 52, where I will be going tonight. Hooray for blogger fun!

If you can’t tell already, my mood today soars through the roof. I attribute this to a great yoga class this morning. I didn’t get the chance to do yoga for a long time while out of town and for the past few weeks my schedule didn’t allow making it to class. I accommodated with some quick, prenatal classes from YogaDownload. The prenatal ones bored me to tears, however, and I knew I must give my beloved regular class another go. I went today and it. was. phenomenal.

Yoga feels so incredibly good for your body. And your mind. I was able to do most everything except for a core track, which I chilled in child’s pose for. I listened to my body and didn’t go as deep in particular moves, but still could notice the benefits and energy working through my body. Rock out some yoga if you haven’t before. I used to think it wasn’t necessary. Oh how wrong I was. Love it now!

Another thing that puts me in a good mood comes in the form of a children’s book. That’s right. Last night, as I read some of the books I bought yesterday to Makenzie, one jumped out at me as the best book I have ever read. It had such a powerful message that could speak to anybody. I’ve typed out most of the “poem” of the book for you below. It’s called Hooray for You by Marianne Richmond. Please read the entire thing to get the full message of the "you-ness of you". You will not be sad you did.

For quite a long time, the world saved a place.

Millions were born, yet none filled your space.

Until the second of a minute of one special day,

you took your first breath and the world said Hooray!

Perfectly timed. Not one minute more.

You suddenly were where you were not before.

But planning preceded your earthly debut

as all was completed in the you-ness of you.

“You-ness?” you ask. Quite hard to describe,

it’s your style of being, your rhythm or vibe.

It’s the grand sum of you that sets you apart.

Your body and brains plus your spirit and heart.

“Okay…” you might think, “but I’m not sure I see,

why the big fuss and hooray about me?”

Then get set to enjoy the big celebration

of the you-ness of you, a remarkable creation!

Isn’t it something that your wonderful face

is not like another in the whole human race?

The body you live in can jump, dance, and play

with custom built parts to move your own way.

And your certain good looks are just one teensy part

of the you-ness galore of your mind and your heart.

This is the essence of what you’re about,

the true who of you within and throughout.

You’re perfect as you, but my friend, you will see days when delighted is not what you’ll be.

You might even think, “I’d sure like to be like him, her, or them. Any person but me!”

Then stop that at once. Put gloom on the shelf.

Say, “Good-bye doubt” and “HOORAY SELF!”

If people compare you with another,

like a mother or sister or uncle or brother,

to them you can say for certain indeed,

“I’m completely for sure ME guaranteed!”

Yes, from head to toe tip, you’re truly original,

a creation-in-progress, a distinct individual.

Look the world over, and you’ll never find

a duplicate of you-ness that’s your one-of-a-kind!

On the day you were born, the world grew by one.

Life with big purpose and much to be done.

Look in the mirror. Love who you see.

Stand tall. Smile big. Shout…”HOORAY FOR ME!”

Umm…how STELLAR is that?! I think this needs to be shared with everyone we love. We are all unique, amazing, beautiful individuals and should be proud of who we are. As much as it delights me to see such a message in a children’s book, it also saddens me that this message dies somewhere along the way on our paths to adulthood. Instead of celebrating the “you-ness” of each person, we critique, judge, and put down ourselves and others. It needs to stop! Let us celebrate who we are!! I celebrate each of you for the friendship you give to me. Even without meeting, I know you all have kind hearts. Even without seeing face to face, I know you all are gorgeous. Even without talking on the phone, I know you all are smart and fun. HOORAY FOR YOU! And HOORAY FOR ME!

No “questions of the day” for today’s post. I think what you just read should be provoking enough. I know it stirred me.

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New article - Click HERE to see some important nutrition info AND tips for getting more produce in your diet. And I will go ahead and give ample warning. I have to write at least 3 articles a week and I do not expect you to read all of them, but if you can at least click and take a real quick peek it helps. Comment if you please!