Keep your JOY alive inside!

Happy Friday friends!  With the weekend almost here, remember to do something that brings YOU joy---for YOU!!!  Even if it's something simple, if it brings you happiness it will bring a smile to your face and warmth to your heart.  At the end of the day, you must remember that YOU are the gatekeeper to your inner happiness.....YOU DESERVE IT!!

Progress

 

In our society today, we expect everything to happen fast (I believe it's thanks mostly to modern technology).  We often forget that progress takes time and things don't happen "overnight"

(even though we'd like them to!) 

With any new "project" you need to be patient and know that the results will come in due time.
If, for example, you have begun a fitness program it takes time to see the results. Often when training someone I'll tell them not to give up!   So i that person is holding a traditional plank for the first time they might only be able to hold it for a few minutes--that's fine as long as their form is correct and they are trying their best.  A few weeks later that same plank, after weeks of working on it, they most likely will be able to hold it for much longer.  It took a while (slow progress), but they did it (success)!  It didn't happen overnight, but often the sense of accomplishment is now even more rewarding. 
The same thing if you are trying to lose weight--it takes time to see the number on the scale go down (remember, it took time to put it on and it will take time to take it off!)  Same holds true in our personal relationships--progress for positive changes don't happen quickly.  Instead we need to work on issues and situations not expecting things to magically "be better" and a quick fix.

So remember when you are working on anything it WILL TAKE TIME!  Don't give up!!  If you do then you are only cheating yourself.  In order to accomplish anything you need to take things day by day, moving foward with a positive attittude.  Never give up on the goals you are working on.  Stay focused, stay positive and you'll achieve what you are looking to in due time. 

YOU have a choice...choose wisely (& get moving!)

                         Exercise doesn't just "happen"... 
                      YOU need to MAKE IT HAPPEN! 
Today is a good day to start--why not?  If you don't start today, then when? 
Set yourself a goal--remember to START OFF SMALL (baby steps!) and build as the weeks go on.  Don't get frustrated--it takes time!  And you must put in the time though to get to that goal!  Remember, we all have to start somewhere.  In a few months, if you continue (which I hope you do) you'll feel better and look back and think "why didn't I start this sooner?"  So get your sneakers on and get going.  There is no better time than today--in fact, right now!
Enjoy your day and make it a healthy one!

Stay true to YOU

                                                                  Isn't this the truth? 
Too many times we get caught up in worrying about what others think rather than focusing on staying true to ourselves!   Don't let what others think persuade you.  Stay strong, stay true & be who YOU want to be!!  You'll be happier--to the core!

Happy Thanksgiving from Core Chic Jodi :)

Wishing you & yours a Thanksgiving filled with love, happiness & many reasons to be thankful!!

I'm back....and wishing you a grateful Thanksgiving!

Hi friends! First, BIG APOLOGIES for not blogging sooner.  However, sometimes in life we need to prioritize.  Not that I don't love my blog or the people that I share it with, but my family must come first.  Hurricane Sandy really stopped me in my tracks for a few weeks & had me turning in circles, but I can say I am blessed--we are all OK, our home and family are fine and almost back to "normal".  However, my heart is with those that day in, day out are still dealing with their cleanup and not being able to fully move on as it will take a lot of time.  Their lives have been changed forever---there are no "do-overs" here.  Many are still shaking their heads wondering "why me" and "where do I begin...what comes next?"

That being said as we celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow, find something that you are most thankful for and embrace it!   I hope it is not something of "monetary" value and that it is instead something that you cannot put a price on!  "Things" CAN be replaced over time, but people cannot.  Remember: don't take things for granted! 

Also, be thankful for those that come into your life, even if for a few minutes & leave a positive mark on who you are.  Sometimes it may be a complete stranger--someone we don't know that simply gives us a smile when we needed it the most, or words of encouragement when we are at our lowest. 
Here's a great example of what I mean: I remember once several years ago when my children were babies, I was so frazzled and upset.  I was in the department store ladies bathroom changing my sons very messy diaper and he was screaming, then my daughter started crying and I just wanted to cry along with them!!  His clothing was a mess and I had no change of clothing with me for him. Unknowingly, an older woman had been in the bathroom too.  When she came out of her stall and approached us she looked at me and said "sweetheart, you are doing a great job as a mommy.  Hang in there!  You'll be OK and keep up the good work!"  I didn't know her.  But those few words of encouragement from someone that I didn't even know helped.  She understood where I was coming from and made me realize I wasn't in this alone--she had been in my shoes at one time too and "this too shall pass".  What she did was really so simple, but meant so much to me.  They were just a few kind words from a complete stranger at a time I was really ready to lose it---I was SO grateful!!

So this Thanksgiving I ask you to please be grateful for things that you cannot replace and require no monetary value. Don't take things for granted!  Find the beauty in the simplest things because often those simple things are what bring us the most joy. 

Often there are MANY rainbows after a hurricane...

 

I wanted to share my post from the other day that I had on my Facebook Page.  Update, as of late yesterday afternoon, day 11 without power & as the FEMA lady stood in my living room, we were blessed with power.  However, my heart goes out to those more affected by Hurricane Sandy because my damage was NOTHING in comparison to so many others.  And as much as not having power for so long was "trying" it is just a matter of "inconvience" in the big picture of things.  Please continue to reach out to those in need.  Near & far, every person CAN make a difference and EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS!! 

 

Here's my post:

The night of the hurricane my daughter had been listening to Katy Perry's "Fireworks" song and she asked me if the lyrics were true: "after a hurricane there's a rainbow"? I told her you could only hope. The past few days we've truly been overwhelmed with the generosity, love, caring & kindness of our neighbors/community, friends (old & new), and our families during this challenging time.  

I cannot begin to thank all of you--whether you have helped my family in our needs, checked up on us, etc. &/or have helped others in need that you don't even know. 

My house may still be cold, but my heart is on fire! So tonight I told my daughter that although they may not all look the same, YES there are MANY 'rainbows' after a hurricane! 

Thanks for being our 'rainbow' & know that it is truly appreciated!! XO

Sandy Update

Still without power here in Northern NJ (been a full week!!) It has gotten much colder and another storm (a Nor'Easter) is tracking to hit this already devastated region within the next 24 hrs!!! I will admit it worries me as I feel very unprepared as I have not been able to recovery from previous storm.

I am however grateful that although inconvenienced greatly without having power, internet, cable--I am fortunate to still have what is truly important: my family, friends & home. The outreach and kindness of those near and far has been incredible. I wonder why we cannot always be like this to one another? Why does it take tragedy to "wake us up" to lensing a hand or simple acts of kindness? (I think I'll blog more about this another time...there is a lot to be said & I'm getting low on battery.)

Thanks for understanding that duting this crisi it has been difficult for me to do my blog right now! Stay well and stay positive!!

Hurricane Sandy update

Hi friends. It has been a long & trying week here in NJ to say the least! Those devastated by the storm my heart goes out to all of you and your families. It is tragic beyond comprehension. So many affected in so many ways it is unreal.

For me, I am in Northern NJ and got hit badly by Sandy as well. To date, we are still without power (6 days), there is a severe gas shortage (people waiting over 2 hrs just to be turned away after waiting as none left!) No matter where you go, people are down and out-it is understandably difficult to put on a happy face with so much stress, anxiety, chaos around us.
At my house I was blessed that aside from loss of power, several big, old trees came down and yes did some damage, but no one was injured. Fences & swing sets are replaceable, people are not. Many homes around me had trees though their roofs. One home a mother took her young daughter out of her bed just minutes before a large tree came crashing right where she slept! However another family suffered a double loss of both parents that were killed instantly by a fallen tree leaving 4 kids behind--it is beyond tragic!

What has been amazing to me has been the love and support of friends, neighbors & family. At the end of the day, that is what is important. We help each other pull through--we have to! As difficult as it is, we need to pool our resources & support one another. As we move forward these next few days, week, months and rebuild/repair we need to try to be patient (as difficult as it may be) knowing that we can and will be on our feet again.

Hang in there friends--we will make it!