Posts Tagged ‘new year’s resolutions’

An Accidentally Beautiful Afternoon with Myself

Friday, January 4, 2019
Debbi DiMaggio

Ghiradelli Sq

Accidentally with purpose. Law of attraction. Think it, will it. If you build it they will come.

I write as I think, so bare with me.

New Year’s Resolutions & Bucket List Things To Try and Do.  ( But you won’t see Skydiving or Scuba on the list! ) I tried Scuba… OMG! I thought I was going to suffocate. And Skydiving… definitely DO NOT want to try.  I did, however, when I was younger and had the guts.

Finding Your Purpose.

I think a lot. I don’t give myself much down time. Although, I am trying.

Mindfulness and Meditation is my focus this year. Seeking to tame the “Monkey Mind”. I will say, I have been trying for the last few years, however, unsuccessfully. I even read an entire book from one reporters  journey as he tried to sit in meditation and mindfulness. Not just using an app, but through first hand experience. He attended a retreat in Marin, CA. And he is from New York! You can only imagine how difficult it was for a New Yorker and a Reporter to slow his mind! I know. I read his book. And the very thought of sitting for a week in absolute silence seems virtually impossible, even a bit scary, even lonely. If you’re wondering, no, he did not stay quiet the entire time. But you’ll have to read the book if you’re intrigued, if only 10%.*

I stumbled upon his book at an airport. Or was it, really … by accident? My life seems to be a jumble of things that have happened to me, for me.. “Accidentally with Purpose”, created by the “Law of Attraction” and something I needed then, now and tomorrow? That thing or tool always seems to come at the exact time I needed it or was calling it. You know those times? They are always amazing, oftentimes inspiring but can even be a bit unnerving, like a horoscope reading that is dead on.

Well, a few of my goals & bucket list desires this year are …

  1. Write my Blog without feeling I need to write a novel. (Debbi DiMaggio A Grateful Life, www.DebbiDiMaggioBlog.com ) Keep it simple until the next one. I’ve missed so many opportunities to jot down my thoughts or teachings because I didn’t take the time to write out my experiences which would be as good for my growth as for some others who might relate.
  2. Bucket List: I have been overwhelmed with the fact that I don’t have traditional hobbies. I don’t golf or play tennis, knit or crochet. My hobby is working with my clients, meeting new people, learning new things, and of course traveling, but you can’t do that nonstop.  That was a long way of stating this year’s Fun & Inspiring Activity I have on my New Year’s List, which is to visit more museums and galleries. TJOxklxiT0CsFShiV9QD0w

I’m happy to report I started out the New Year with two of my favorite people who agreed to go with me on New Year’s Day… SFMOMA. And thanks to my friend Pam who has a membership got Bianca and I in with her passes. I used to have a  membership but like many things, I subscribe and don’t go. I am going to work on that too.

And today, after I was dropping off gratitude gifts to a few San Francisco Realtors who refer us business (note the Blog title, Debbi DiMaggio A Grateful Life, grateful for their referrals, and to the beautiful afternoon.) I noticed a few art galleries so I stopped in.

I am super inspired and excited to have found a new activity I can do in any city I visit including my own. Repeats are A OKAY! I have many more goals and items to add and check off my Bucket List but I’ll save that for another glass of Rose.

rose

(Written from The Cheese School of San Francisco while looking out to the San Francisco Aquatic Center from the top of Ghirardelli Square one a beautiful chilly but mesmerizing day.)

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I had no idea the simple errand would turn out to be such a wonderful afternoon enjoying some Me Time after the hectic holidays.

XOXO!

Gratefully Yours,

Debbi

PS It’s been years since I’ve been to Ghirardelli Square.

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As a native we tend not to revisit places we have been a million times, figuratively speaking. But I forgot how beautiful it is. And so much had changed as had stayed the same. I didn’t get a chance to take it all in as there was so much to see, but look forward to going back again to explore the rest. Including the cannery and the other nooks and crannies and of course, the galleries.

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The book I referred to above is called 10% Happier by Dan Harris

Summary: Dan Harris’ 10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works: A True Story.

Two of my favorites of the day:

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and

the girlbut there were so many more 🙂

foods with benefits // chart your course

Sunday, March 3, 2013
Debbi DiMaggio

Writing is my therapy.

Penning my thoughts is where my goal setting begins, where I discover myself and chart my path.

It is something I do when I am trying to wind down and relax. It helps me to stop working, cleaning the house, or any number of other things that keep me from simply stopping. It’s a place where I am able to move more slowly and allow my thoughts to flow. I am prompted to open my MacBook when my mind becomes flooded with thoughts. I am usually inspired and moved to write when I have something to share. When my mind begins to reel it is at that time when I know that if I don’t stop and write out my thoughts it will consume me until I do.

I begin….and sometimes I don’t know what’s coming next.

I try to identify my mood, my feelings, and the place where I am. I always seek to inspire, teach or simply share what I am experiencing. Sharing with others creates a connection, a bond and even a friendship. At the very least, words written and common experiences shared, help to motivate us or make us feel a little better, more normal and sometimes it gives us new insights, gets us back on track and makes us realize we all want or need similar things.

Many times it’s about my children. It might be a story about a big win, or a big loss, or a lesson learned through teamwork or from a coach.

Sometimes it’s about travel or starting a new workout regiment, a New Year’s resolution or a Bucket List goal, but today it’s about eating healthy. It seems so commonplace to discuss diet and health, but now in my late 40’s the whirling thoughts seem to be on the forefront of my mind like a bright pink post-it note stuck to my forehead! So what else does a writer and teacher, at heart, hope to do – well, yes… teach, share and inspire.

January 2013 goals and resolutions kicked off like no other. Last year I focused on identifying a workout regiment that was fun and made me happy. Music usually does that, so for me, I quickly discovered that an exercise regiment with music was best.

This year it’s all about eating for the benefits of not only, weight loss and maintenance, but for health.

And my story begins here: It was December once again and the time of year when the real estate market tends to taper off. It is also the time of year when I have the “time” to make my personal appointments and focus on myself.

It was the afternoon of New Year’s Eve. My husband and son dropped me off and headed off to the Marin DMV so our son could take his driver’s test. I sat in the waiting room at the CPMC Breast Center in San Francisco awaiting my results. It was the second round testing. The first test, my annual mammogram, found an unidentifiable something, which prompted a call from my doctor that I needed to return for advanced testing.

As I sat in my dull gown surrounded by other worried women, some young, some old, some with friends, some alone, some with parents, some with children; I looked into their eyes wondering. I am certain we all had the same fleeting thoughts, none positive, of that I am certain. I tried to be strong as thoughts filled my mind like misfiring synapsis — “I will not live to see my daughter get married. I will not live to see my son play lacrosse in college. I will not… ” My next thoughts: “people beat cancer by eating healthy and following a special diet. Eating the right foods…. fruit, vegetables, salmon, and so on and son on….”

My mind was spinning like the tea cups in Never Neverland at Disneyland, faster and faster until….

A very kind woman looked over to me and said, “I love your boots!” I’ve been watching you since you came in.” The other ladies chimed in too. They all asked about my boots and were very complimentary. Everyone was so nice. That too, made me want to cry.

It was New Year’s Eve and our son had a big day ahead of him. Getting your driver’s license is such a huge milestone in one’s life. I chose to dress for my death sentence and /or for our early New Year’s Eve dinner (we were staying in as we like to, and our son, age 16, of course would be going out to ring in the New Year). But at least we would have his company for an early dinner.

The last time I sat in that room, all wearing the same uniform, feeling like a numbered prisoner, rather than a person, I decided I would look good even if I didn’t feel so happy. So I wore a cute outfit. Fashion always makes me smile.

I am sure many of you have either experienced what I went through last December or know someone who has. It never gets easier. The waiting is always the hardest part.

What’s the correlation, you are probably asking, just about now. While sitting in the waiting room I vowed to eat healthier. To start eating fruit and vegetables, and other super foods that help to reduce the risk of cancer.  ( I usually don’t eat enough fruit or vegetables, unless they are tossed in a salad. )

And so my quest to change my typical diet of breads and sweets ended on January 1st and my focus on eating healthy commenced —New Year’s Resolution 2013.

If you’ve read any of my blogs or posts you know I love to share, be it Facebook, or Twitter, my Debbi DiMaggio Blog, the Piedmont Patch Blog or on Pinterest.

Follow me on Pinterest to see my new favorite foods. Fruits and vegetables, calcium for strong bones, protein – salmon, chicken and sometimes even a hamburger wrapped in lettuce. I am trying to be reasonable so I posted a few of my favorite sweet treats too. And don’t forget to drink water, lots of it. Add lemon, lime or cucumber and pour into a pretty glass.   http://pinterest.com/debbidimaggio/my-favorite-foods/

Here are some other fun facts and healthy tips:

Tip #1

Cayenne Pepper  I put it on everything! Popcorn, salmon, salads. ( it makes my husband and kids nuts! )

 

Tip #2

Wear What You Love and Adorn Your Surroundings with Things You Love Too:

Eating healthier will make you look and feel better.

Wear a favorite outfit everyday. You will be inspired to eat better, as you begin to feel better, and continue to look better, everyday.

Tip #3

Fill Your Home with Flowers:

Since you aren’t buying junk food, cakes, cookies, candy, breads and other items, then spoil yourself with a fresh bouquet of flowers – my favorites are pink peonies and tulips – purple, orange, yellow and pink.

 

 

Tip #4:   Cucumbers

Eat plain or in a salad.  Slice them up and pop in your mouth. Cucumbers are a good source of Vitamin A, C and K among other positive attributes.

 

Tip #5:   Lemon and Lemon H20

Drink 8 – 8oz glasses a day.

 

 

Tip #6:   Salmon

Preferably organic, sustainable and fresh.

Tip #7:   Weight Loss:  It’s no surprise nor is there a magic pill. You just need to eat less and exercise more. No bread, no sweets, no carbs. Drink lots of water. Eat fish, chicken, vegetables and fruit. Well, not just any fruit. Apples, berries, oranges are best. If you stick to those food groups, go to bed early, and exercise often, you will lose unwanted pounds. But it takes time and discipline.

And finally:

Foods with Benefits  Top 10 Cancer Fighting Foods

50 of the World’s Healthiest Foods by the Huffington Post

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Two month’s have passed and I am happy to say that I have stuck to my mission. I have been eating healthy and choosing foods that are good for me.

One last note:  I met with my nutritionist, Amy Griffith, who also met with my husband and daughter. We all identify with foods differently. Since I do not cook and am a visual person, her menu plan for me was very different. ( Bianca and Adam are excellent cooks. )

The best lesson I learned from Amy, and I continue to reiterate as my mantra:  Eat the color of the rainbow.  That one sentence continues to help me focus on what to eat, or order, in my case! Thanks Amy!!

 

To Your Health!  Happy New Year!

Debbi DiMaggio

XOXO!!

 

 

 Photos by Jenn-Fox.com, Dreamstime.com and In Her Image Photography

 

 

New Year’s Resolutions Under Way // Vail, Colorado USA

Friday, March 2, 2012
Debbi DiMaggio

Below was my post on the Piedmont Patch in January.  I am happy to say my New Year’s Resolutions are underway!

Bianca and I spent the weekend together in Vail and Boulder, Colorado.  A beautiful state.

Truly breathtaking.

Evacuation Back Side, Vail, CO – the sun was shining bright and the sky was blue, but the winds were blowing at the top!  a breezy 80 MPH – it was incredibly scary!   i didn’t know how we’d get back.   i had the idea that i would fake a broken leg, as i didn’t want to get back on that lift.   a few skiiers who didn’t want to wait in this long line, opted to hike out.   you can see the top of the mountain in this photo.  they had to hike to the very top to get out.   as we finally made it to the top in the chair lift, 45 minutes later, they were still hiking.

These photos were taken by me on my iphone while skiing – it was just so beautiful at every turn. 

 Bianca and Daddy @ Sugar Bowl

Bianca

18 Months, now 18 Years

Previous Post:

Last night I hosted a dinner party with my husband, our last party to round out the holiday season and to welcome in the New Year. We enjoyed Adam’s famous pasta and shared our resolutions.

Just one morning into the New Year, as I write this, my family still sound asleep knowing they have one last day of vacation before the hectic pace of life propels us … I realize it is time. It is time to take down holiday decorations and prepare for what is next, which is 2012.

Today marks another new day, although more significant and emphasized by the culmination of parties, parades, fireworks, gatherings and conversations of New Year’s Resolutions. However, I prefer to use the word goals in place of resolutions. Resolutions made oftentimes end up as empty promises, like all of those new faces who show up at the gym to work out “more often.”

I learned many years ago that goals can be set at any time and re-examined throughout the year. Since becoming an owner/partner and marketing director at Highland Partners, I continue to examine my goals quite often. You do not have to be in business, or a director or coach, to do this. You can simply sit down with your children, a colleague or your spouse and review one another’s goals together. Whether I am coaching or sharing, I learn so much through our exchange. Each conversation reminds and reinforces my own goals, and enlightens me to new ones I hadn’t even thought of. A buddy system of sorts.

Here are a few of my goals for 2012:

Reinforce Past Goals

Help HP Agents with Their Business Plans

Exercise Weekly with Friends

Take Walks with My Husband and Partner

Complete and Publish My Book

Help More Families / Sell More Homes

Visit Aspen and Vail ( My daughter is at CU Boulder )

Learn Something New

Create Photo Books using iPhoto

Inspire My Children

Simplify: Garage, Basement and Closets

Expand Reach and Support of My Favorite Charities

Host More Dinner Parties ( Adam needs to be on board with that one, since I don’t cook! )

Plan and Take a One-on-One Weekend Get-Away with Each Member of My Family

Celebrate Adam’s Big Birthday

and

Our 20 Year Anniversary

Dance More!

And, of course, this goes without saying… Eat Healthier, Spend More Time with Family and World Peace.

What are your goals for 2012? I’d love to hear them, and am sure others would, too.

Cheers to a Happy and Healthy 2012! May all of your dreams and goals be achieved.

There is always so much to accomplish…

XOXO! Debbi

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