What Do You Do to Live Your Best Life? Share with All of Us Mamas.

I read this once and fell in love with it:

"The Happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything."

Here it goes:

Physically: I walk a bit and exercise while gardening (bending, stretching).

Spiritually: Be one with the universe, sit outside quietly, enjoy the warmth of the sun, the wind and the birds. Say a prayer nightly for family, friends, assosciates for peac, happiness and strength.

Emotionally: Thinking positively, change what I can and accept what I can't.

Caregiving: Be positive for hubby.

Personal: Take time for me by wandering aroudn the grocery or fabric store and "window" shopping on Ebay.

Random act of Kindness: Do something kind for someone each day even if it is smiling at them or complimenting them on clothing or hair.

Just live today as if it is your last and do all you can and be happy. Know that you did your best and hope you see tomorrow.

The other S.

I had four spinal fusions in the past ten years (last one was two years ago). I never, ever thought I would be kicking butt in pilates and kickboxing and long walks with the dog.

My daughter came to us shortly after birth and I didn't know there could be such great love. There were a half dozen times before the ink was dry on the paperwork that my sister (the bio mom) would come to our home very late at night and say "give me back my F-ing baby". We always got her back the next day but it is truly horrible to go through and has given me such an appreciation for her. Eighteen years ago and it can hit me like it was last night.

I unfortunately divorced when my daughter was four (problems with said birth family and not enough brains to fight for what we wanted together). I have the most amazing ex-husband, we have always been on the same page with parenting and have supported each other completely (the divorce was truly not necessary. ughhh. I'm not dead yet though right ;) ). We never had a formal parenting plan or established child support...we did what was best for our daughter.

I have had to learn that I can't control my family and if they are crazy, dangerous, toxic, lunatics then they have no place in our lives. I won't accept it it from my friends, I certainly won't accept it from my parents or sister. On we move.

I laugh a ton with my daughter and ex-husband to boost confidence. I also have an amazing position for my company that makes nearly an immediate impact on patient's lives and that is really awesome!

We do not attend church but try to always do the right things because they are the right things to do.

We always keep communication open!!

We love my ex-husband's family, our friends, our pets, miss those who we have lost and live life to the fullest. We appreciate what we have and what we have worked very hard to create. We enjoy our lives! This isn't a dress rehearsal for me!!

I don't know that I'm living my "best" life, but I'm happy, which is more than a lot of people can say. My husband and I strive to live a "normal" life. We are working at becoming debt free and really only buying what we need. I'm in the process of downsizing our home, getting rid of extra furniture and knick nacks. Its just overwhelming and I hate it. I'm doing the same for the kids. We go to church every Sunday. We do activities with our kids, they are our priority. I'm overweight, always have been. But I have very good self esteem, it has never gotten me down. I am making strives to eat healthier for all of us, but after doing the same thing for 45 years, its hard to start healthier habits but I'm working on it. =)

The biggest thing that happened to get me to this place is my divorce when I was 39. It really hit me that I was going to be 40 (so OLD!) and that life is so short. I decided to remove everything negative out of my life, things AND people, and I did that and it was so FREEING!!! And I still do that, try to stay positive and be around positive people. It really makes a difference.

So I don't think there is any big secret to living a good life. All of us know what makes us happy and what doesn't. Go toward the good and stay away from the bad! =)

Physical health/back problems/mental health - I do yoga, walk a couple miles, Riley's twisting core exercise, and 100 push-ups a day (totally so proud of that i just have to brag! :) ) Oh, that's a rotation - only the push-ups are daily.

Emotionally - I try to follow the steps of AA. I'm not in control of others, and make no decisions out of fear or anger. I also work on my character defects that I discovered, try not to be passive aggresive, people pleasing, etc.

For sobriety, I try to keep in mind HALT. Don't get overly Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired.

I also follow the philosophy in "Transactional relationship theory" that we all have three internal personality "types" of inner adult, inner parent and inner child. I try to make sure my inner child gets to come out and play as often as possible.

I try to correct my old "scripts" and maintain healthy boundaries.

To boost my self-confidence, I find a challenge and accomplish it. (which i believe is the only way to gain confidence in self, is to accomplish something, i.e. "i did it")

Other - I try to drink fruit juice (esp V8) to maintain my vegetable intake.

I take metamucil for cholesterol.

We take daily vitamins.

We eat fast food once a week, and usually only once.

And we try to make one day a week family/lazy day.

I try to relax and let life happen. I ain't in control of 99% of my day anyway, so I might as well have fun along the way. :)

Physically - zumba, yoga, cardio, and resistance training - 4 to 5 days a week. Heart healthy diet has made all the differance. No processed carbs, no white sugar or flour, tons of green veg and fish. I take supplements, Coq10, Melatonin, B Complex, Multi, and D

Emotionally - welbutrin and excercise

Spritually - attend church with my husband, I am connected with the women at church through various small groups, we attend couples bible study, I read books outside church to further my own understanding.

Confidence - esteembale acts. I do things that I am proud of, such as excercising, contributing my time on church volunteer projects, doing things my kids will be proud of.

The most important thing I have learned is to take care of myself so that I have the strength to take care of others. I give myself 100% to my family. That requires me to take time to improve my physical and mental health. My life is enriched by observing seasons, holidays, milestones with my family, nuclear and extended. I look forward all the time to the next thing and try to wring every bit of joy I can out of ordinary day to day activities. I seek out every chance to make a memory with my kids and husband.

Honestly, I pay people to clean the house, do the yard and scoop poop. That way we have TIME. Time to watch movies, laugh, play games and enjoy eachother without being so caught up with the have tos of life. I also take a LONG bath about 3 times a week. Just me and my book. That is my relaxing time, my get away. Best one: Be stupid with your kids. Chase them around the house, play legos or barbie or X box. Just becasue you are an adult does not mean you have to do adult things all the time.

Self confidence is easy, it is knowing and accepting (the accepting is a little harder) that everyone has flaws and we all tend to notice only ours.

The rest I put little thought into. I am very content with my life as it is. Everything more I get is just gravy, like found money.

Drink wine

Hired a cleaning lady

Play with my kids as much as possible

try not to sweat the small stuff

Learned that I don't have to please everyone

I think its about just being who you are and liking it, and your life.

Some people always have to be doing things to "improve" or to stay "exciting" or to stay "interesting"... so some are just trying to keep up with the Jones' type thing.
Some people just constantly like to reinvent themselves all the time. Some just always have to compare themselves to others, or compare others to others.... so then that is just noxious.
Some see themselves as a "check-list" and always have to be something or something else or feel they are not enough.

Some are content with who they are and life. Some are not.

I think, living the best life is also about being who you are.
And knowing that.
And liking it.
And knowing who you are.
It can be simple. Or not.
No drama needed.

Wow this is a great question and I loved reading the answers. I have been thinking a lot about this topic as I hit my mid-40's and my daughter reached the teen years. I want to set a good example for her, as well as enjoy my time here.

Physically, I run...or walk...or hike...or swim. Anything, just to stay active. This clears my head and helps stave off Angry Overstressed Mom Syndrome.

Emotionally and mentally: I am trying to be more gentle with the people around me. I am very demanding of myself, and those expectations tend to spill over if I get lazy. As I get older I realize it's better to let stuff go.

Spiritually: as a lifelong Catholic, I'm at a crossroads about organized religion (just open any newspaper and you'll know why, unfortunately)...however, I do believe in the traditions of charity I was raised with, and I do respect the good work of people of ALL faiths. I still do pray, but I don't attend Mass all that often.

To boost my confidence: take care of my skin and hair; speak my mind; love my family in a huge way (they know I am there for them); and, lastly, try to minimize drama or what I term "not living authentically." If something doesn't feel right, and it's not necessary to my family, it's out. Life's too short for that kind of distraction.

Have a great weekend everybody...

I work hard at a full-time job I love. I tell my kids and husband all about my day every day. I sometimes recruit the kids to help.

My husband works a lot fewer hours so I'm the main breadwinner. I enjoy setting a good example to the kids about getting the right education to find or create a job you will love!

I thank my lucky stars every day. For my life, my family & our health.

Exercise as ritualistically as I can (harder since I've had the little one).

Talk to my positive friends wen I am feeling down.

Watch the news & realize I have nothing to complain about.

Enjoy every day to the fullest: the sun, being outside w/my little one, appreciate my family (dad, mom, sis), my husb & step dtr, take a minute to enjoy the little things (birds chirping, when my ltl one picks a flower for me, beautiful days).

I use a "tags" to remind myself to think positive: phone ringing & an ambulance siren. I hear those & think to myself "that's right, I have nothing serious to complain about".

Surround myself w/positive people.

Walking always clears my head.

Pray for other people.

Trying to eat right (harder now that I'm busy & stay at home. go figure) so
I stay healthy & live a long life for my family.

Being kind to others.

To boost confidence? Look in the mirror & tell "you're just fine the way you are. You are happy and alive". Exercise helps this: clears the mind, keeps weight down as much as poss & keeps hearts/lungs healthy.

Eat as healthy as possible.

Laugh as much and as often as possible.

Thank my lucky stars when I awake to a new day & as I go to bed as I've had a chance at another day.