tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999160499124202951Tue, 03 May 2011 15:14:22 +0000at some point, i decided that my life should be more. who i am on the outside was not who i am on the inside. it had become a habit to edit myself, tamp down my dreams and put others first. this blog is all about my journey to attain a happier, balanced life. it is about putting my health, physical and emotional, first and celebrating the beautiful person that i am.http://beautifulgirlinside.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (i am storm.)Blogger165125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999160499124202951.post-6368716279206043075Tue, 03 May 2011 15:14:00 +00002011-05-03T11:14:22.850-04:00hatredracismlovediscriminationI mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only Love can do that. ~ Martin Luther King, Jr At a point my life feels full of love and http://beautifulgirlinside.blogspot.com/2011/05/light-in-spite-of-hidden-darkness.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (i am storm.)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999160499124202951.post-6700846061960539268Fri, 22 Apr 2011 17:20:00 +00002011-04-22T19:47:11.290-04:00My heart is so full.  Lately I seem to not be able to keep a smile off my face and out of my eyes.  Situations that would previously irritate me, no longer do so.  I think I owe it all to you. I am putting this into a letter you may not actually read as I am sure it will sound overly sappy. Even as I type this, I see your smile and can hear you now, "you are ridiculous." And, again, I smile. http://beautifulgirlinside.blogspot.com/2011/04/letter-of-thanks.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (i am storm.)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999160499124202951.post-3988089954891339804Wed, 20 Apr 2011 18:50:00 +00002011-04-20T14:50:59.289-04:00perseverencehealinglifefamilyFinally a bit of time to write.  Life has been hectic lately and time at a premium.  Today is a rainy day and I am taking some time to myself and to soak in my good fortune and blessings. The theme of the past few years was all about taking back my life, my self respect and personal strength.  Then came 2011.  I welcomed the year full of optimism and excitement -- feeling strong I looked forwardhttp://beautifulgirlinside.blogspot.com/2011/04/pup-is-5-and-i-am-fine.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (i am storm.)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999160499124202951.post-5048345855387365846Tue, 28 Sep 2010 00:29:00 +00002010-09-27T20:29:10.839-04:00affirmationNatureself worth Ralph Waldo Emerson is credited with that statement.   I've tried to spend more and more time outdoors lately.  It makes me feel better, or rather, when I don't spend much time outdoors, I do not feel as well as I could. It's amazing what a difference it makes.  For me, it feels as though the sunshine and nature refill my energy and happiness stores.  I have realized that as much as I http://beautifulgirlinside.blogspot.com/2010/09/nature-always-wears-colour-of-spirit.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (i am storm.)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999160499124202951.post-8287321656542071344Fri, 24 Sep 2010 02:26:00 +00002010-09-23T22:26:12.711-04:00affirmationself esteem Angel. Freedom and Abandon Love that quote by Mark Twain.  I have lived that quote. I do think we are all the same.  No one person is better or more valuable than another.  We are all different and unique but at the end of the day, we are all the same - we are all worthy of love, compassion and respect. I try to live this philosophy. I do realize that I have failed in many ways - both obvious http://beautifulgirlinside.blogspot.com/2010/09/we-are-all-alike-on-inside.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (i am storm.)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999160499124202951.post-4815329704173919234Tue, 03 Aug 2010 14:50:00 +00002010-08-03T10:50:42.945-04:00Super cute pink baby hightops I put myself first yesterday.  I bought a new pair of running shoes.  I needed them and found a great deal.  I'm so happy!  I can't wait to wear them at the gym. I did another thing out of routine this weekend.  I went to the mall.  I usually go shopping for a specific need.  I'm not one to just go to the mall without a purpose.  That is exactly what I did on http://beautifulgirlinside.blogspot.com/2010/08/accomplishments.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (i am storm.)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999160499124202951.post-8714764248689598192Sat, 31 Jul 2010 16:46:00 +00002010-07-31T12:46:57.815-04:00working outSummerattitudeToronto as seen from Ward's Island Summertime -- sunshine, laughter, flip flops and fun! A season of freedom. A season of growth.  A season of birth and rebirth. I feel like I'm always writing an "I'm back" post lately.  My blog is defined by a few posts with long gaps between them. Well, I'm back! As July winds down, I find myself happy.  Very happy.  Life is good and I don't seem to have http://beautifulgirlinside.blogspot.com/2010/07/summertime-2010.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (i am storm.)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999160499124202951.post-5791598616408028940Wed, 14 Apr 2010 05:07:00 +00002010-04-14T01:14:13.648-04:00Boss -- another grand adventure foiled! If you have frequented my blog for any length of time, you have probably heard of my dog...dog, goat, puppy love, rabbit, baby dufus or puddin' head...many names. One being with many lessons to share. By the way, before I get too far along, I have a new name for him it seems.  Lately he has become Baby Duck...not sure why yet, but that's what I have takenhttp://beautifulgirlinside.blogspot.com/2010/04/puppy-perspective.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (i am storm.)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999160499124202951.post-8563158990589189079Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:41:00 +00002010-03-01T12:44:16.017-05:00CanadaHockeyOlympicsPhoto by shaynekaye As a Canadian, today is a great day! Today we are Golden! We fit many of the stereotypes and if you watched the closing ceremonies of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, we are ok to point fun and laugh at them. That being said, as a country, we are used to being the soft spoken nation on the world front.  We watch what others do and quietly go on our way. I am a first http://beautifulgirlinside.blogspot.com/2010/03/fiercely-canadian.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (i am storm.)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999160499124202951.post-5669600131477912313Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:58:00 +00002010-02-17T14:07:16.649-05:00NodarOlympicsPhoto by darkpatator I am a proud Canadian and am loving the Winter Olympics. I love seeing all the Red and White in the crowds and I love cheering for the athletes competing. I watched the opening ceremonies and was impressed. I was glad to see Bobby Orr, Anne Murray, Rick Hansen, Mrs. Fox and Wayne (I like how I refer to him by only his first name). All great choices. KD Lang took my http://beautifulgirlinside.blogspot.com/2010/02/treasure-moments.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (i am storm.)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999160499124202951.post-5805010997202503122Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:56:00 +00002010-02-12T08:03:14.567-05:00stress managementPhoto by arianec Stress management is something I do try to work on -- meditation, yoga, exercise, awareness. It really can be a struggle to remain in the present.  I realized this yesterday - I had two reminders.  As I was driving to a dinner, I was thinking over something that happened in the past.  It was replaying in my mind - not a good thing.  Nothing positive could come of this http://beautifulgirlinside.blogspot.com/2010/02/present.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (i am storm.)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999160499124202951.post-5914188826862066929Thu, 11 Feb 2010 02:08:00 +00002010-02-10T21:26:43.630-05:00gratitudemusings Today you may call me Sparkling, Snowflake Dancing in the Breeze, Wearing Rose Coloured Glasses with Dreams of a Joyful Future Full of Infinite Possibilities! I woke to a world covered in a gentle blanket of soft, powder-like snow.  My world was softer, brighter and fresher. The sounds of traffic and everyday life somehow quieter, muffled.  After easing into my morning I had a productive dayhttp://beautifulgirlinside.blogspot.com/2010/02/today.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (i am storm.)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999160499124202951.post-90413230108257047Tue, 09 Feb 2010 04:31:00 +00002010-02-09T09:52:15.363-05:00calm Photo by Bukutgirl Some days leave you feeling out of control.  It's amazing how much difference a day can make.  I realized today that I have learned that when life hands you a roller derby day, you need to slow down, take a breath and repeat to yourself, "This, too, shall pass." It has a been just over a year since I decided that for a number of reasons, my life was not http://beautifulgirlinside.blogspot.com/2010/02/feeling-frenzied.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (i am storm.)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999160499124202951.post-8642433534321382307Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:40:00 +00002010-02-04T09:45:35.784-05:00stewardshipenvironmentearthPhoto by Divemasterking2000 Treat the Earth well. It was not given to you by your parents. It was loaned to you by your children. - Kenyan proverb We hear so much about being Green and Earth Friendly, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.  It all sounds good.  How much is marketing hype and rhetoric?  How much do we apply in our lives? I still regularly see cars travelling with one person in them.  Ihttp://beautifulgirlinside.blogspot.com/2010/02/it-is-only-on-loan.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (i am storm.)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999160499124202951.post-7332306450429886979Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:52:00 +00002010-01-29T13:55:15.084-05:00thinking positiveAwesome thingsPhoto by LastBestPlace There are so many awesome little things that happen everyday in every life. I have noticed several in my life lately. I do believe that if we focus on the positives in our lives, we will receive more positives.  Likewise, if we focus on the negatives, that is all we will see.  I try so hard to keep my focus on the positives.  I have long made a nightly list of three http://beautifulgirlinside.blogspot.com/2010/01/awesome-things.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (i am storm.)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999160499124202951.post-7216971269503220312Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:42:00 +00002010-01-29T13:59:13.167-05:00happinessdogsrunningJacket fromFetch and Pounce Living just outside of Toronto, late January and February are typically bitter cold days.  The wind howls, your breath is visible in little rolling clouds of white and the ground squeaks under foot. That has not been the case the past couple of weeks.  It has been unusually warm....floating just above 0. I committed recently to running a 5km run this year.  I had http://beautifulgirlinside.blogspot.com/2010/01/joyful-moments.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (i am storm.)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999160499124202951.post-484533870188962908Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:37:00 +00002010-01-25T11:38:32.870-05:00choiceshealthdiabetes type II Photo by aldenchadwick Why do people decide not to choose their health? This is my latest confusion.  I have recently learned of three people with Type II diabetes.  None of the three have made the decision to choose their life and health.  I don't understand. 1. Woman in her early 60's. Cranky Pants has already had 4 heart attacks and was recently diagnosed with Type II.  She may be, at http://beautifulgirlinside.blogspot.com/2010/01/decisions.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (i am storm.)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999160499124202951.post-5507427974389023355Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:24:00 +00002010-01-13T10:24:30.536-05:00choiceshappiness Photo by Digicla Today, I choose happiness. I do think that to a large extent, happiness is a choice.  We choose whether to focus on the negative of positive aspects of our lives.  When we choose to focus on the positives, we are choosing happiness. A friend was recently going through a rough patch.  I told her of a bleak period in my life.  One of my methods for pulling out of it was to http://beautifulgirlinside.blogspot.com/2010/01/choices.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (i am storm.)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999160499124202951.post-8616485365993651359Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:33:00 +00002010-01-12T10:33:15.085-05:00PeopleKindness Photo by Kweezy mcG I read an article debunking myths of happiness.  One of the myths according to the article was that doing what you may term a random act of kindness for a stranger did not induce happiness.  It often was received with suspicion and distrust. I did not like reading that.  I thought it was a sad picture of the world.  Still, I read more. There are many instances when nice http://beautifulgirlinside.blogspot.com/2010/01/random-acts-of-kindness.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (i am storm.)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999160499124202951.post-2523565297587370834Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:06:00 +00002010-01-11T11:09:20.964-05:00life lessonsperpsectivefamily Photo by Jesse Kruger Some of life's lessons hit hard.  Others fall gently like the leaf in the image above.  I was the recipient of one such life lesson last week.  I am so very grateful that I was paying attention.  It is easy to miss these gently lessons. One of the threads of discussion with my friend the Malaysian Beauty was about family and specifically about relationships with siblingshttp://beautifulgirlinside.blogspot.com/2010/01/life-lessons.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (i am storm.)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999160499124202951.post-8458079421821788356Fri, 08 Jan 2010 18:14:00 +00002010-01-08T17:02:02.184-05:00contemplationConversationgrowth Photo by Andrew Mason I was to meet a friend last night. Meet a friend, run an errand, grab a bite and head the the movies. We ended up doing the first two, heading home, missing the movie and talking for hours. There is nothing better than great conversation. We talked about everything.  Our strengths and our weaknesses.  We talked about dreams.  About loss and about growth.  We spoke http://beautifulgirlinside.blogspot.com/2010/01/great-conversations.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (i am storm.)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999160499124202951.post-7648025059802251228Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:44:00 +00002010-01-08T12:18:05.476-05:00dreamsgoalsi have not posted in a quite some time but i am back.  happy new year!  i hope that the year has started off on a positive note and that 2010 is treating you well.  unlike many and like just as many, i do not make resolutions at the new year.   i do take time to stop, consider my goals for the coming year and dream of what the next twelve months will hold.  what are your dreams? your personal http://beautifulgirlinside.blogspot.com/2010/01/welcome-2010.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (i am storm.)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999160499124202951.post-6455243906558609468Tue, 08 Sep 2009 03:14:00 +00002010-01-07T12:33:19.172-05:00conquering any difficulty always gives one a secret joy, for it means pushing back a boundary-line and adding to one's liberty. ~ henri frederic amiel my friend, the starfish, gave me a great book at christmas, "welcome the rain". i have found myself turning to it repeatedly when i needed a burst of support and motivation. today i found myself facing a challenge to a new resolution. amazinghttp://beautifulgirlinside.blogspot.com/2009/09/secret-joy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (i am storm.)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999160499124202951.post-5194624409153485349Sat, 05 Sep 2009 14:35:00 +00002010-01-13T12:52:21.530-05:00happinessself evaluationoptimismit's labour day weekend! the time of year that feels more like the beginning of a new year than january 1 ever will. a time to review the past and prepare for the future. summer is winding down and we are getting ready for fall. this year has been a good one for me. the summer was not super hot, but i'm not a fan of the high heat and humidity. it was much more temperate and comfortable http://beautifulgirlinside.blogspot.com/2009/09/happy-new-year.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (i am storm.)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3999160499124202951.post-2703463107857991805Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:20:00 +00002010-01-07T12:35:04.030-05:00supportadvicestrengthchallenges...my blessings. lately i have been facing some challenges. you most likely know what i mean. a period in your life when you have a challenge, think you have found your way through only to walk into another. at some points it feels like you are trapped and starts to wear on you. a few months ago, i came up with a plan (the master plan) faced everything head on and opened up to those http://beautifulgirlinside.blogspot.com/2009/08/counting.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (i am storm.)1