CHOOSE to be Happy

Every year we pick a theme for the new school year; something that we want to focus on as a family. This year we are focusing on choosing to be happy. And it's crazy how true that statement is. We really do CHOOSE to be happy or not. And I think that sometimes we enjoy being miserable, unhappy, or apathetic, which is CRAZY. But it's true.

Or at least it must be true if we truly do CHOOSE whether or not we are happy. A couple of weeks ago I noticed that I was choosing to be unhappy. I wasn't sad or depressed or anything. I was just kind of going through the motions of life. Pushing through my day, checking off my To Do list, and getting to the end of the day exhausted. Luckily I stumbled upon a YouTube video by Andy Andrews (best selling author and motivational speaker). I love Andy Andrews and when I watched his video a light bulb went off in my head and I realized what I'd been doing. And I resolved to change.

The rest of that day I tried to smile whenever I spoke to my kids and I tried to be fun and energetic. A lot of the times my smile didn't feel natural and felt really forced, but it didn't seem to matter to my kids; they smiled back. When my husband came home that day I made a concerted effort to stop what I was doing, go and greet him with a smile, and let him know that I had missed him and was happy that he was home. And for the rest of the night I tried to remain upbeat and smiling.

The change that came over our home was palpable. Not only did I feel happier throughout the day and a lot better at the end of the day, but my entire family seemed positively affected. Everyone seemed to be happier and seemed to be having a lot more fun. And I realized how much of an effect that I have on the people around me. And I think we all do.

So the next time your spouse, your kids, your friend, your mom, etc. walks in the door, greet them with a smile and let them know that you are happy to see them. And if you're feeling that your life is a little blah and that you are just going through the motions, CHOOSE to be HAPPY. You'll be surprised at the difference it makes.

Andy Andrews Video: Choose to Be Happy

The Lost Hour or I HATE Daylight Savings Time

For those of you who live in a place where Daylight Savings Time is no longer in effect (or never was in effect), I am deeply jealous. Over the weekend our clocks jumped forward an hour and my body has been feeling it ever since. I'm having a hard time wanting to go to bed at the right hour and it feels like death to get up at the same time that I was getting up at before.

The only problem is that it isn't the same time as it was before. It's actually an hour earlier and my clock is just lying to me. But my body isn't fooled. I get up at 5:00am most days and, while it's really early, my body was used to it. In fact, on some days I would even wake up a few minutes before my alarm would go off.

Now I'm asking my body to get up an hour earlier and I'm secretly asking myself how long it will take to get used to it. It doesn't help that I was recently listening to a chapter in Nuture Shock on sleep that was relating all of the bad things that happen to you due to lack of sleep: mind doesn't work as well, self control is lessened, moodiness, irritability, don't lose weight as easily, etc. The book even pointed out that these same effects occur when the same amount of sleep is merely shifted (like when you sleep the same amount of time on the weekend but you go to bed later and get up later or when you shift sleep during Daylight Savings Time).

At this point I have to really, really disagree with my state's refusal to do away with Daylight Savings Time (http://fox13now.com/2015/02/04/the-first-daylight-saving-time-bill-in-the-utah-state-legislature-has-died/). I don't see any point in keeping it. I do see a lot of reasons why we should get rid of it. Just imagine how many hours of lost productivity and general lessened happiness occur throughout the state every time we shift all of our sleep schedules. I know that I definitely haven't been as productive since the shift. Have you?

Book Review: Silas Marner

This slow-paced, introspective novel really takes you back to another age when everyone knew everyone and life was simpler. I enjoyed immersing myself in this book and left it feeling as if I would like to spend a couple of weeks in a lonely cottage in the English countryside.

I also enjoyed all of the ideas the book left me to contemplate, mainly the idea of happiness and whether or not it grows or decreases with wealth. The book tends to point to the fact that happiness is easier to attain through simple pleasures and meaningful relationships rather than affluence. I tend to agree, but it was a good reminder to be grateful for what I have and stop reaching for the stuff that I don't.

On a side note, when are we going to start calling George Eliot by her real name? I think it's about time that Mary Ann (Marian) Evans was referred to as the author of her own books instead of the male pen name that she chose because women were not as readily accepted as authors back in her time. Just a thought.

Bookworm Lisa's Review

Book blogger and Goodreads librarian, Bookworm Lisa, posted a review of The Watchers on her blog, Bookworm Lisa.

You can read the review here: http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/2015/02/book-review-watchers-by-ashley-jensen.html.

Lisa tells a little about the basic plot of the story and then gives her take on the book. It's always interesting to hear or read what people take away from your book. Everyone seems to key in on different parts, which is what makes books so amazing.

I love it that twenty people can read the same book and can view that same book in twenty different ways. A book is never the same for the various people that read it. In fact, a book changes even as you read it multiple times. Your perspective changes based on your life experience, and that changes the book. At least that's one of the excuses I use to read my favorite books over and over again.

Need Some Sleep?

Lately I've been missing out on sleep, and that's definitely not a good thing. A lack of sleep can make me a super cranky mama by the end of the day. And my family deserves better. Doesn't yours?

Here are 12 Daily Habits for Better Rest that I found in an MSN article. I'm excited to try them out and finally get more Zs.

12 Daily Habits for Better Rest

If you've ever wanted to be that person -- the one with seemingly limitless amounts of energy throughout the day, the one who's never been accused of "looking tired," the one who's never uncaged a primal-sounding yawn in the middle of a meeting -- you're going to have to adopt some healthy sleep-related habits. If you think good sleep is achieved by resting your head on a pillow and closing your eyes, you are wrong. Check out the habits of well-rested people below, and start dreaming of better sleep.

1. Well-rested people don't hit snooze.

2. And they rarely eat doughnuts for breakfast. Instead opt for a high-protein, low-sugar breakfast.

3. They don't drink coffee after lunch.

4. They certainly don't smoke. 

5. Well-rested people talk to their coworkers during the workday.

6. They work out -- and at least a few hours before bedtime.

7. They don't rely on a nightcap.

8. And they don't watch Netflix in bed. Unplug an hour before bed.

9. They think about pleasant, simple things before dozing off.

10. Not-so-sleepy people exile their pets to the floor.

11. And they sleep in socks.

12. They don't sleep in (much) on the weekends.

 To read the entire article: http://www.msn.com/en-us/health/wellness/12-daily-habits-for-better-rest/ar-BBhIbJC

Newly Released: The Watchers Book Trailer!

My husband is incredibly talented (in so many ways it isn't even funny) and he created a trailer for my book, The Watchers. I think that he did an amazing job! Don't believe me, check out the trailer for yourself.

See, I told you that it was awesome!

Like a Girl

I love running like a girl!

Because girls are TOUGH!!!

Share this message with every girl (young or not as young) you meet today.