Kendra's Favorite Things

You live, you learn.
You love, you learn.
You cry, you learn.
You lose, you learn.
You bleed, you learn.
You scream, you learn.

1. Use Affirmations: The use of positive affirmations has been shown to be very helpful whether you are young or old, male or female. The use of positive affirmations has been shown to be effective cross-culturally as well. Affirmations are the most effective when they are simple positive statements, for example, "I am capable of overcoming this obstacle." "I'll know what to do in this situation." They become more effective when repeated five to ten times per day. Consider it a form of reprogramming your inner computer/brain. We are designed in such a way that we begin to believe things that we repeat to ourselves.


2. Use sticky notes: Those little pads of paper with sticky edges are a great tool in improving belief in yourself. Consider posting one on your bathroom mirror that says, "I deserve a good day." This is the first thing you will see in the morning and it can set the tempo for a more fruitful day. It is also helpful to use these little notes on the refrigerator and even a place at work where you can see this message and be reminded easily.

3. Write down all of your negative thoughts and feelings: This is a way to build awareness of what negative thoughts are floating around in your mind. Negative thoughts can undermine many otherwise good intentions and efforts in life. After you have written your negative thoughts down, ask yourself, is this a fact or a feeling? If it is a fact it will not change. If it is a feeling, remember that all feelings can be and do change. Next, write down the opposite or positive expression of all the negative thoughts, for example, "I can't do this" becomes "It just feels like I can't do this". Feelings are known to be wrong many times. Make these positive expressions a part of daily affirmations and/or write them down on sticky notes as reminders of where to direct your mind.

4. Try to believe in your ability to grow: Changing a core belief about yourself, other people and the world can vastly change the way you experience life. A positive shift in core beliefs will enrich your experience of life and bring you more joy. This is one of the secrets that happy people use.

5. Develop an 'attitude of gratitude': Write down all of the things in life for which you are or could be grateful. Include even the very smallest of positive things. Keep this list handy for those times when you feel overwhelmed, challenged or down. Read the list to yourself as a reminder that the current problems of the day do not take away all of those things for which you are grateful. Many of the things that stress the self are short-lived problems that resolve themselves over time. Practice being grateful for even the smallest positives. Your skill at being grateful will improve over time and with practice.

6. Write down your concerns of the day: When you view each item on the list, ask yourself if this concern will be important six months from now. You will find that many of these concerns are mental clutter and won't be on your mind in six months from now.

7. Call or write to someone who is having a tougher time in life than you: This helps to take your focus away from your own negative thoughts and feelings and instead puts the focus of yourself outside of you. Just listening to a friend who is suffering is a great and valuable service to render. You may not know what to say or how to help and that is ok. Your friend will not have to be in alone. Just being there with a person who is in pain can be a powerful technique.

8. Try to be as kind, loving and compassionate with yourself as you are with others: It is so common to discover that many, many kind and loving people are actually very hard on themselves. The kindness, forgiveness and patience extended to others are not extended to the self. There is a myth that being hard on yourself will make you a better person. This is simply not true in most cases. Being harsh with yourself will cause damage and erode your own sense of goodness or effectiveness.

9. Surround yourself with positive people: Positive and happy people tend to improve the moods of the people around them. If you spend time with happy people you will find that their moods are attitudes are infectious. You will also learn some of the tricks and techniques they use to increase self-belief and add to the sum total of their joy in life. We can all benefit and learn from each other in this way.

"We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the life that is waiting for us.”
-Joseph Campbell

In our yoga practice we are asked to set an intention once we hit the mat. That intention is not only supposed to carry us through our practice, but also something that we can take off the mat and into our every day life. Tonight I set my intention as "stretch." This helped me throughout my practice to engage each posture a little further than usual and I left class feeling refreshed and invigorated.

But now, I need to bring that intention into my life. What can I do to stretch myself, stretch my patience, stretch my experiences? I've been tested over the last few weeks and I haven't been as resilient as usual, so I think by setting that intention in class tonight I'll be able to stretch beyond my comfort zone a bit, which will allow me to learn and grow.

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That I put my client event on at work... wow how time flies!

We've always been told not to judge things by their appearance. BUT... there are some circumstances where that is alright. For example, the LuLuLemon Shopping bags... I just love the bag for not only its re-usability and sturdiness, but for the great quotes of inspiration that can be found printed on in. Oh, and if it's what's on the inside that counts, then these bags really are the real deal, because who doesn't love a bag full of LuLu???

My oh my how I've missed the sense of accomplishment that comes along with finishing a Half Marathon. I ran the La Jolla Half today. It was my third time running this particular race, and even though I wasn't as well trained as I usually am, its good to know that everything works and my body is still strong enough to do the things I want to do. As I was running today it occurred to me that's it's been almost 2 years since I've really been able to consider myself a "runner." So it felt amazing to spend a little over two hours doing one of the things I love most; running. Can't wait to get back out on the pavement soon!!!

"Reputation is what other people know about you. Honor is what you know about yourself."
-Lois McMaster Bujold

Q: "Are you, are you happy?”
A: “I am today.”

"Maybe that’s what really mattered? Living in the now, and all that crap about the past being over? The future hasn’t happened, and today is forever? These aren’t the kinds of statements that belonged beside question marks." -Stephanie Klein (Straight up and Dirty)

Ok, I won't go as far as spelling out the word Provisional, but I got word recently that I will be chairing the Provisional Class for Junior League next year alongside my buddy Kathleen. I was going to take a step down for a year and just sit on a committee, but when the board came to me with this proposition I couldn't turn down the opportunity to work with (and mold the minds) of the next generation of JLSD leaders!

I remember how fresh and fun everything was when I was a provisional 5 years ago, and I'm excited to help make this an exciting and fun process for all 87 or more of them!

So here's to a successful year of cheerleading ahead! GOOOOO Provisionals!

Since I moved about a month ago I've been actively seeking the best of my new hood and have come to the conclusion that all things considered, Banker's Hill really is a fabulous place to live. For starters... the restaurants. There really are some fabulous little gems within walking distance of my casa. Banker's Hill is an obvious choice, but the list continues with Cucina Urbana, Azuki Sushi, Avenue 5, Hob Nob Hill (great to cure a hangover) and last but certainly not least Imperial House.

Aside from great restaurants there are even better bars, and this little area seems to specialize in my favorite kind of bar; the dive bar. I haven't made it to Cherry Bomb yet but I've heard their RBV's barely have any RB in them. On top of that there's Nunu's, Mr. A's, and plenty of other things that I still need to discover.

I also love being able to walk to Balboa Park, and that is probably the highlight of my new hood. Katie and I will meet halfway between our houses (6th and Ivy to be exact) and run through Balboa Park about once a week. There's so much to explore within the park alone that I don't think it's possible for me to bored.

Just wanted to rave about my hood so everyone knows how amazing it is! :)

"Life is too short to wake up in the mornings with regrets. So love the ones who treat you right, forget the ones who don’t. Remember that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance take it, if it changes your life, then let it. No one said it would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it."  

I know most people tend to think that their family is the best.... but mine really is!!!! I have learned over the years to never take them for granted, and that no matter what we'll always be there to support each other. As my mom always says, "Eat, Drink and be Dwyer!"

I met Ms. Natalie Luscomb a little over two years ago, and I fell in love with her instantaneously... what's not to love about her? We were out one night shortly after we became friends and she met this handsome Sailor named Brent Banks. He quickly stole her heart and they have been a ton of fun to be around for the last two years, always bringing the best out in each other and encouraging each other along the way. Brent proposed to Natalie yesterday and I just couldn't be more excited for them... they both deserve this lifetime of happiness they are about to embark on, and I feel lucky to be their friend and able to share it with them.... here's to the happy couple!!!! CONGRATS!!!!

I strongly suggest everyone go out and buy or download this album. Her first album is still one of my favorites, but she really belts it out on every track this time. "Rollin in the Deep" and "I won't go" are my two favorites, but it is one of the few CD's I can listen to all the way through.... Love, love, love it!!

"Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet." -Aristotle

I gave up texting for lent and it's been over 3 weeks since I have sent a text message. I am actually really enjoying not relying on that as a form of communication. I think I was too much of a texter, so I'm happy to feel that I've broken a bad habit. After all it only takes 21 days to develop or break a habit, and it's been longer than that. Go me!