To Do Lists…

Posted on September 16, 2013 by Gigi in Inspiration, My Life, Well-Being 3 Comments

I don’t know about you, but there are so many things I want to do, places I want to go, experiences I want to have-before I am to old or in my case “older”. My daughter Amani turned 23 yesterday, as I looked at her birth announcement that I have framed along with all our yearly holiday photo cards that each year are retired to a permanent montage on the wall, as cliche’ as it sounds ” time really does zoom by”. I am reminded every morning as I glance at my “family” life.

Birth Announcement

The Wall

Everything on my list really is doable-the fantasy things, such as living in a foreign land are just that fantasies, and I don’t focus on the “have it all” list either. For the most part I’m content where I am, not Jones-ing for a new car or a bigger house, or another designer bag, OK maybe a pair of shoes but I’m good where I am. Going to Brazil, Madagascar, Bali, New Zealand are just a few destinations on my long list, I know I will get to those eventually, it is the day to day lists that are sometimes overwhelming. I often feel as though there is not enough hours in the day to do everything, perhaps it is because I am always bombarding my brain with new information, and like my MAC it starts going real slow and of course my friend “time management” is always at my backdoor.

I’m a list writer and before I go to bed I jot down my “to do” list, you know the usual suspects, go to the cleaners, bank, store etc. or clean this up, email and such, those lists I handle pretty well. The list that challenges me is the one that has items like this:

1. kids need to be responsible adults and be able to take care of themselves.

2. We need to be healthy – so we can “see” item 1.

3. keep spiritually grounded

4. don’t let the small shit, get to me…

5. take quality time for those that are important to me–tomorrow is not promised…yeah another cliche-but this year I have learned the hard way

6. continue to take a stand-even if it means fallout

7. have a desaster plan in place – ie. if Reggie’s stroke really would have been bad- What was my plan?

8. keep working on having that “jamming” beach body- never give up

9. apply lotions and potions every night-and when that fails go for the big guns–

10. Every day live a FULL life- take time to do something SPECIAL

Happy Monday and let me start on my lists…

XOXO,

GIGI

Gigi

LOVE WHAT YOU DO_

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Gigi in Quotes, Well-Being Comments Off

LOVE WHAT YOU DO_OR FIGURE OUT A WAY TO DO WHAT YOU LOVE…

Photographer Gigi

It is easy to let an array of external forces get in your way. You know the typical culprits, like wanting everything to be just so…so much that you end up spending a lot of time in the “preparation phase” that you never do anything. Sometimes we spend time planning and perfecting instead of “doing” for fear of failing. We have blocks, especially if we typically follow traditional conventional ways of doing things.

Personally embarking on my new passion is scary at times, I think, “will anyone really hire me?”. hmmmmmm I don’t have a nice website, or a clever business card, it would be easy to say, let me work on those things and then I will move forward. At my age it is now or never, I just have to trust my gut and go forward now, and see what happens, the worse that can happen is I would join the ranks of struggling artists, and as long as I am happy, that is what matters.

True, we all want to present the best image of ourselves as possible, but trust me things have a way of working out. I shot four events for my family this past weekend, my cousin “John” and I were presented with a host of obstacles, but I just let my instinct guide me and I kept moving around and shooting from different angles with a smile of my face, delighted to finally be doing something that I LOVE!

If you are not doing something that you LOVE keep exploring, until you do, and remember some of us are late bloomers and that is perfectly OK.

Orchids

Xoxo,

GIGI

http://youtu.be/4mLrm1cuhWM

LIVING A FULL LIFE-Looks like…

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Gigi in Well-Being 7 Comments

I have been crazy busy this past month. Physically, mentally, and emotionally overwhelmed with this crazy thing called life! About a month ago my hubby had a health scare, to be specific a STROKE, the good news is that it was a very mild stroke and everything is fine now. Those of you who know my husband know he is the picture of health, he exercises daily ie. 10 mile runs, basketball, swimming in the ocean, kitesurfing, etc.,- does not and has not ever drank alcohol, follows a vegan diet, drinks lots of water, and still this happened to him. He is the fittest person I know.

Reggie Kitesurfing St. Lucia

I’m at the age where these occurrences are happening more often to my friends and family members. While we all know that we are not going to live forever, it made me question what “LIVING A FULL LIFE ” looks like… Am I living each day to the fullest? Or am I just going through the motions? Am I chasing my passions or putting off my dream to “tomorrow”? Am I making my fantasies my realities? So many thoughts crossed my mind about what living is truly about.

So my friends HERE IS GIGI’S LIST on LIVING A FULL LIFE. Not in any particular order…

1. HEALTH

We have a lot of control in this area. A good diet and plenty exercise are a must! We follow a vegan diet with a lot of raw vegan and lots of water. Hydration is so important. I don’t like going to the doctor, but I go for my annual check-ups, knowing that early detection saves lives. I also go to my eastern medicine doctor and get acupuncture.

Sexy vegan food

2. PASSION

Are you chasing your passion? For me passion is important, it keeps life exciting. Discover a hobby, or revisit an old one. Take the time to learn something new. Right now I am passionate about photography, I have always loved taking pictures but never made the time to really pursue the craft. Now I wake up thinking about it and close my eyes at night thinking about it…

Photographer Gigi

3. AUTHENTIC SELF

Being true to yourself and what you believe in is critical. Surround yourself with those who accept you for who you are. Know that there will be casualties along the way and thats okay. Always strive to “BE THE BEST YOU”. Make a conscious decision to surround yourself with those individuals that you know have your back.

4. LOVING RELATIONSHIPS

If you have a significant other in your life you are blessed, and I don’t mean just on paper…I am fortunate to be married to my best friend. We will celebrate 24 years of marriage in July. Work on loving relationships with friends and family, accept them and their shortcomings, don’t try and remake them. Be a loyal friend and always be willing to forgive and love unconditionally. Negative relationships put a lot of stress on our well being, if you have some of these- who does not, try and figure out if you can “fix” these situations, if not LET IT GO.

Easter Sunday Reggie & Gigi

5. My yoga teacher said “BE CONTENT WITH STILLNESS”

It is okay to do nothing sometimes. Quiet your mind and slow down…Take an hour or two for yourself and do nothing-detach from your electronics. Trust me the world will go on without you.

Yoga

6. KEEP YOUR MIND STIMULATED

Read. Challenge your mind. It is like any other muscle in your body, stop using it and it gets soft and flabby. Learn a new language, go back to school, take a class, do something to excite your brain.

7. TRAVEL

Whether around the world or the next town, take the time to go and explore something new. Yes traveling is expensive, but it is worth the sacrifice. Just get and your car and drive for a couple of hours, explore a new town act like a tourist, you will be surprised at what you might find.

Lioness and her Cubs

8. SECURITY

Take care of your business! Plan for your future…Think about the “WHAT IF” and have a plan in place. I met a woman this past weekend who told me she lost her house a year ago in a fire, and she had to prove to the insurance company what she had, and she did not have documents to support her claim. Although it may be a long way off, think about what “retirement” looks like for you and your family.

9. SPIRITUALITY

Believe and have faith in something. A spiritual base is necessary to keep you grounded. Faith is powerful.

10. CELEBRATE

Party and celebrate life…birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, holidays and just because…just do it–find reasons to get together.

Lastly,

11. HAVE A HEART

Do you ever do something for someone that is totally not expected? Comfort someone? Trust and look for the good in others.

What does “LIVING A GOOD LIFE” look like to you? Please share.

XOXO,

GIGI

GIGI’S LIST FOR GLIDING THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS

Posted on December 19, 2012 by Gigi in Holiday, Well-Being 2 Comments

The holidays can wreck havoc on your body. With all the parties it is easy to over indulge on treats and to many sweets, and workouts can suffer due to shopping and social engagements. The next thing you know is that January comes around and everything is a little snug and you go in to “New Years” resolution mode, signing up for new gym memberships, another trainer and of course some sort of new diet. Why not follow a few simple steps and glide through the holidays like santa this season?

1. Watch The Sugar

Sorry, eggnog and sugary desserts are not your friend. Maybe limit yourself to Christmas day or Eve and only have something really extraordinary. Skip the Costco stuff…splurge on something homemade if you are going to have something- like grandma’s sweet potato pie.

2. Blame it on the Alcohol

If you partake use moderation and balance with lots of water, between the empty calories and the water retention the next day…you really have to be careful. Sip on one or two drinks the entire evening and have sparkling water and cranberry juice with lime in between or just plain water.

3. Workout through the holidays do NOT forfeit your WORKOUTS

It is so easy to skip workout this time of year, you may have guests staying with you, or shopping that interferes with your gym time. Even if you have to modify your plan do something at least 30 minutes daily. You will feel so much better!

4. Think about what you are plopping in your MOUTH

Make wise choices. You can do a lot of damage standing and indiscriminately plopping things into your mouth. Wear something fitted so you will be reminded and balance your selections with some veggies.

5. Chocolates –you know the kind-the ones in the nice gift boxes

Just regift and give them to your nice post-person or the dry cleaner person–do not open. You don’t want to have a few boxes under your “belt” this season.

6. Eat at HOME

Eat something sensible before you go out, you will be full and less likely to over indulge.

7. Make time to JUICE

Juicing and veggie based smoothies are a perfect way to make sure you are giving your body good nutrition to make it through the season.

8. GET YOUR SLEEP ON!

Get your 8 hours every night! This is really important, there are studies that link lack of sleep to weight gain.

9. “YOU” TIME

Make time for a massage or a moment at the spa, use that gift certificate that you have been saving. This is the perfect time to take a break for you.

10. SMILE and BE HAPPY

Smile and have a good attitude, it’s only a few weeks…

Wishing you a fabulous holiday season!

Xoxo,

Gigi

Searching

Posted on December 4, 2012 by Gigi in Quotes, Uncategorized, Well-Being Comments Off

Better to start up a thousand wrong roads that to spend your life going nowhere because you know the way~Robert Brault

Each one of us is searching for something. May it be a job, home, relationship, new outfit, body, happiness, a destination, approval, sanity, youth, or maybe you are just searching for your keys. Searching is a part of our lives, part of the journey that keeps us moving forward with a purpose.

Right now I’m searching for balance in my life. I tend to have to many things going on at the same time, which makes it difficult to complete projects. Everyday is a “search” day for me, either a workout, a photography project, a meal to prepare, a pair of shoes I’ve misplaced, the book project, and always a dreaded piece of lost “paper”, either a receipt, bill, coupon, invitation, statement, etc..

Searching is a critical part of achieveing our goals, whether it’s a personal goal or professional, we start with a search of some sort.

Google

If only it was as simple as “googling” a topic and finding a million hits, our life search would be so easy. Some searches are more difficult than others, like those of us who may be searching for “youth” which is slipping away so quickly compared to some who may be searching for directions. Regardless of what you are searching for, I came up with this list they may help you on your quest.

1. Don’t believe or be discouraged by the “haters”.

2. Take the time and make a list of the steps needed for your search.

3. The future is yours it has not be revealed, therefore anything is possible.

4. Yes. You can “search” for happiness-change your existing state, figure out how to move forward, get rid of the negative things in your life.

5. This is your search, not anyone else-you are on your own timeline.

6. Let your search lead you to the “best” you.

7. Be an example and help others with their search.

Never mind searching for who you are. Search for the person you aspire to be.~Robert Brault

Always loved this song.

searching…

What are you searching for?

Xoxo,

Gigi

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To Do Lists…

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LOVE WHAT YOU DO_

LIVING A FULL LIFE-Looks like…

GIGI’S LIST FOR GLIDING THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS

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