This past Saturday, March 14th, was my birthday. Ever since I was a little girl, I have always loved my birthday. I must say, I still do!
Six years ago I celebrated my birthday in Magnetic Island, Australia.
Four years ago I spent it in Vancouver, Canada.
Last year I was blessed to celebrate my birthday in my grandparents birth country, Val Pellice, Italy.
This year I was fortunate enough to spend this lovely day in Flensburg, Germany.
Yet, with all the amazing birthdays that I have had throughout my life, none of them compare to this year and the picture below will tell you why!!!
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As you can see, I am not spending this birthday alone!!!
Ryan & I couldn’t be more excited about our little girl coming our way this July!
If it is even possible, my desire to help inspire females to love themselves, their bodies, the food that they eat and their lives has increased even more, ever since I found out I will be raising my own little girl as well! [line]
With that being said, the theme for this month is all about Women Empowering Women. I believe that we can really learn how to empower others through empowering ourselves first.
My favourite short quote, “Be the change in the world you wish to see” – by the one and only Ghandi himself, captures it all.
If you want to start seeing another generation of empowered women then you must work on yourself first!
That is why in this week’s blog I shared with you my top 10 tips that will help you empower yourself today – and in turn the rest of the world!
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(1) Engage In Daily Movement
Rather then focusing on having to go to the gym for an hour a day (or whatever your rule is!) – focus on moving your body daily instead! That could include walking, going for a bike ride, dancing around the house or hitting up the gym. Moving daily is not only important for your physical body but your overall well-being. How can you get moving today?
(2) Sleep! Sleep! Sleep!
Sleep often gets put on the back burner as something you can give up for things that are “more important” like working, cleaning up your house or going out with friends/family. Yet, the truth is, sleep is an essential part of your overall well-being. If you are truly walking on the path towards empowering yourself then it is important that sleep becomes something that you are committed to valuing more and getting enough of. Amongst many other things, sleep helps the body heal in repairing and strengthening its immunity. It affects your energy and mood as well. It contributes to your memory and levels of concentration, which in turn will affect how you will perform at work or throughout your day. Sleep also affects your life span – so if you want to live a long empowered life – then get to bed!
(3) Eat For Pleasure & For Nutrients
We have to eat in order to survive, so why not try to choose foods that are rich in nutrients which are meant to nourish your body. What is also equally important is having a positive mindset when you eat. If you are eating “healthy” because you think you should but truthfully just want a piece of chocolate cake, go out and eat the cake while enjoying it! A positive mindset while you are eating, and letting go of the guilt when you choose something that you don’t perceive as being as healthy, is just as important as the food you eat!
(4) Speak To Yourself The Way You Would Speak To Your Best Friend
This one is pretty self-explanatory. If you are not speaking to yourself (or thinking thoughts about yourself) in the same way that you would speak to your best friends, then it’s time to change that.
A few suggestions to help with this are:
(5) Enjoy Your Work
Your work doesn’t have to be your passion, as you can always do that as an hobby, but it is important that you do enjoy yourself when you are at work. For most of us, work encompasses a lot of our day, so enjoying your place of work, your tasks, your colleagues (as many as you can!) and your commute to and from work is very important for your overall health and well-being. If you find yourself constantly staring at the clock, or dreading going to work each morning maybe it’s time to think about a career change!
(6) Have Positive Relationships
Human beings are equipped to be social beings, we are meant to interact with one another. Continue to connect with those in your life that make you feel good about who you are and support your life choices. Cut out, or at least re-evaluate the people in your life who are negative, bring you down or make you feel worse about yourself.
(7) Get Outside and Disconnect From Electronics
We are always connected to something. Today, smart phones, lap tops, IPADS, IPODS, televisions, etc. are just a normal part of our lives. Though these devices allow us to be entertained, explore the world and connect with others, it is also important to connect with the world outside your front door. Go for a walk WITHOUT any devices. Pay attention to the sun, while it kisses your face, the breeze that blows through the trees and soar of the birds as they fly. Getting outside once a day, while not being distracted by electronics will not only strengthen your ability to be more present but will also leave you feeling radiate!!
(8) Let Your Dreams Come To The Surface
For most of us it was easy to talk about our dreams when we were small children. Yet, as we aged our deepest dreams seemed like less of a possibility as the “realistic world” around us took over. Learning how to truly empower yourself takes place when you can allow your real dreams and desires to come to the surface.
I invite you to ponder on these questions and dive within to see what you dreams you discover inside.
(9) Meditate and Learn How To Quiet Your Internal Chitter-Chatter
Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do to empower yourself is to learn how to quiet the internal chitter-chatter within your mind. A lot of the answers that we are longing for, the strength that we strive for and the guidance we yearn for, all reside deep inside of us. I believe that no one is really a Guru, or knows it all. Those individuals that are perceived that way have just practiced quieting their minds and were able to connect to their own version of the truth. These people who have seen the light are not any more special or different then you – they have simple learning how to trust that voice within. Guided mediations, yoga or any other form of mindfulness practices will help strengthen this for you as well.
(10) Practice The Art of “Trust”
Above all else, work on practicing the art of “trust.” Trust in the process. Trust that your life unfolding as it should. Trust that your life will work out as you desire, if that is something you are committed to attaining. Trust in food. Trust in your body. Trust in others. Most importantly trust yourself. As mentioned in number nine, what you are searching for lays inside of you, so trust your that voice, gut feeling and nudge from within.
I truly hoped you enjoyed these tips to help empower yourself. The more you practice these tips, the more I can guarantee that you will feel more confident, sure of yourself and ready to “be the change you wish to see in the world.” This in turn, will help you empower those around you, as they watch you radiate from within as your confident, fierce, empowered, authentic self.
