Model Behavior

I’m a fitness enthusiast and a firm believer that our magnificently complex bodies can stay healthier if we stay active and monitor what we ingest.

But that’s not just theory for me…I’ve got role models for graceful aging in my 80+plus-year-old parents!

My father is still an enthusiastic golfer, talking smack and taking names of golfers half his age!

My mother managed to stave off diabetes by upping her activity and lowering her caloric intake.

And their great physical health positively impacts them mentally, spiritually and emotionally.

At its deepest level, your body is ageless, your mind timeless.” ~ Deepak Chopra

Inhale Stamina, Exhale Sluggishness…
Inhale Strength, Exhale Stiffness…
Inhale Steadfastness, Exhale Stagnation…
Just Breathe…

#JustBreathe
#Health

Mature Connections

At 80, my Dad is blessed to still have friends and family in his life that he’s known since his earliest memories. Though they might be separated occasionally by distance or disagreements, they never disconnect emotionally.

Our true self never fears or feels threatened by heartfelt connections. It only knows how to connect and how to love.” Deepak Chopra

Inhale Connection, Exhale Disconnection…
Inhale Friendship, Exhale Anger…
Inhale Love, Exhale Fear…
Just Breathe…

#JustBreathe
Reflections With Renita

New Connections

One of the speakers offering tribute during my parents joint 80th birthday party was Gloria Cobb, who my Mom refers to as her “claimed child”.

Gloria has gleaned wisdom from my Mom’s experience raising five children and my Mom has acquired an adopted daughter who loves and looks after her in her adopted Orlando home.

Embracing change, changing relationship patterns, being open to new people and activities are some of the ways my parents stay engaged in life. And engaging in life is how to keep enjoying life.

Life gets sweeter when you open up from a place of peace and continue to expand your circle.” Oprah Winfrey

Inhale Change, Exhale Stagnation…
Inhale Newness, Exhale Sameness…
Inhale Connecting, Exhale Rebuffing…
Just Breathe

#JustBreathe
Reflections With Renita

Acceptance

I believe our God given gifts and talents and personality are to be used to achieve our purpose. But whether or not we use those gifts, apply our personalities or achieve our purpose is up to each of us based on our personal beliefs. It’s no one else’s business

Grace says you have nothing to give, nothing to earn nothing to pay.” Charles R. Swindoll

Inhale Acceptance, Exhale Rejection…
Inhale Embrace, Exhale Tolerate…
Inhale Grace, Exhale Judgment…
Just Breathe…

#JustBreathe
#Strengths

To Be Known

We say we want to be known but then make those closest to us guess our inner thoughts and feelings. But if we tell those we say we love exactly what we are thinking and how we are feeling, they wouldn’t have to guess; they would know and could react accordingly.

And we would get what we want.

And they would know us better.

I’m just saying…

Love is the essential existential fact. It is our ultimate reality and our purpose on earth. To be consciously aware of it, to experience love in ourselves and others, is the meaning of life.” ~ Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles

Inhale Love, Exhale Frustration…
Inhale Love, Exhale Impatience…
Inhale Love, Exhale Fear…
Just Breathe…

#JustBreathe
#Relationships

Wiser

What we ingest, consume, or absorb either helps us stretch and grow or keeps us stuck and stunted…guides us to wisdom or leads us to death.

What are you taking in?

Eat honey, dear child—it’s good for you—and delicacies that melt in your mouth. Likewise knowledge, and wisdom for your soul—get that and your future’s secured, your hope is on solid rock.” Proverbs 24: 13-14 MSG

Inhale Wisdom, Exhale Stagnation…
Inhale Growth, Exhale Stalled…
Inhale Maturity, Exhale Stunted…
Just Breathe…

#JustBreathe
#Wisdom

Older

I was accused of being set in my ways because I chose not to do something I didn’t want to do.

While it may be true that some people get “set” or stagnant as we age, I believe many of us get wise…we know more about who we are, we better understand what works for us, and we avoid what gives us gas.

We learn how and when to say no.

Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding,” Proverbs 3:13 NIV

Inhale Wisdom, Exhale Wavering…
Inhale Understanding, Exhale Uncertainty…
Inhale Confidence, Exhale Confusion…
Just Breathe…

#JustBreathe
#Wisdom

Shared Values

A week before I was scheduled to conduct a day of workshops for multiple leadership teams at a government agency, I was asked if I was going to laugh. The question might as well have been, “Are you going to breathe while you facilitate the workshops?”

I laugh loudly, uniquely and, as I age, with increasing frequency. But in this instance, my laugh, a reflection of my positivity, one of my strengths, was perceived as a weakness.

Trying not to laugh made for one of the longest, most exhausting, miserable experiences of my life. So I decided that in the future, I would only work with those whose values I share, one of which is, there will be laughter!

Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.” ~ Victor Borge

Inhale Authenticity, Exhale Repression…
Inhale Positivity, Exhale Restriction…
Inhale Fearlessness, Exhale Restraint…
Just Breathe…

#ReflectionsWithRenita

Everyday Values

It’s not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are.” ~ Roy E. Disney.

If you say you value integrity, SHOULDN”T you be where you say you’re going to be, when you say you’re going to be there…do what you say you’re going to do, when you say you are going to do it…you know, be accountable to yourself?

Asking for a friend…

Inhale Integrity, Exhale Excuses…
Inhale Commitment, Exhale Guilt…
Inhale Accountability, Exhale Anxiety…
Just Breathe…

#Values
#JustBreathe

Limitless Reality

What we refer to reality is basically our perception fueled by our past experience or what we interpreted from a past experience. When we filter the present through what has happened to us or how we perceived what happened to us, we often respond in ways that actually limit us. What IS real is God’s love and His plans for us.

I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” Jeremiah 29:11, MSG

Inhale Conviction, Exhale Illusion…
Inhale Trust, Exhale Perception…
Inhale Reality, Exhale Story…
Just Breathe

#JustBreathe
#Reality