Happy Monday everybody! I hope you had an absolutely amazing weekend! What did you get up to? I enjoyed an art contest, a performance from the VOC gospel choir, and witnessed the Run for the Cure which Amanda ran in.  The basis of the Golden Brush Art competition was that, 5 teams of 3 well-established local artists, worked together to create a brand new collaborative piece of artwork which was also auctioned off the same night.  Team 5 ended up winning the contest.  I really enjoyed #4′s piece.  Which one do you like?

Empty canvas's before the contest.

Team #4 hard at work.

Team #5's Masterpiece at the first break.

Team #1 #2 and #3 (from right to left) at the half.

Team #4's masterpiece at the break.

Run for the cure start line in Vancouver.

Amanda finishing her run for the cure!

Amanda finishing her run for the cure!

After hearing the stories from a few speakers that had been diagnosed with cancer (and then defeated it) at the Run for the Cure event stage, I began to consider how blessed I truly am, to live in a very healthy, creative and able body. I don’t think we always appreciate that as much as we should. We are in fact the miracle of birth, and should do everything we can, to look after ourselves, in order to have the longest and most enjoyable and fulfilling life experience we possibly can! Here are some ways I try to look after myself;

1. Exercise Regularly

Keep your body running at optimum health so you can enjoy your day to day life!

2. Eat Healthy

Fuel your body with nutritional food to ensure you’re reaching your body’s maximum potential.

3. Increase Your Knowledge / Read

It’s important to learn something everyday, it’s the journey of life that’s makes the story, not just the beginning and end.

4. Drink Lots of Water

Our bodies are made up of 70% water, so continue to lubricate, cool and flush your body with water.

5. Laugh Often

Enjoy life!  Everything you do, should be joyful, otherwise…why are you doing it?  Hang out with friends, watch a funny movie and nurture a positive mental attitude.

6. Enjoy Nature

Look around you, it’s amazing where we live.  Check out what I saw while walking around  Lost Lagoon in Vancouver;

11 baby racoons feeding in Lost Lagoon.

7. Shut off the TV

You can be just as entertained outside, you can get a lot more accomplished, and you can save money too!

8. Limit Alcohol and Junk Food Intake

Yes, most things can be enjoyed within reasonable use, but excessive alcohol and junk food are just not good for your body.  Yes enjoy a drink and a plate of nachos, but remember that it should be kept to a minimum…also healthy for your budget!

8. Set Goals and Always Strive To Achieve Them

Again, life is a journey…build and experience the life that you truly want to.  Don’t be satisfied with “okay”, dream big dreams, set goals and always take action.  Life is short, enjoy it and make the most of our time in this life experience.

9. Maintain and Nourish Relationships

Remember to keep in touch with friends and family in your life.  Relationships can add a lot of excitement, joy, feedback, motivation and love to your life.  Nurture those relationships!

10. Have Fun!

Go out there, have some fun, raise some energy…do the things you’ve always wanted to do.  Life can be easier than you think…it’s all in the mind!  You’re an amazing person who has been blessed with many gifts!  Use them, and bring light and love to yourself and all of those around you!

There’s 10…there’s hundreds more of course, but these are 10 ways that are very important to me to look after myself, and try to make the most of our time in this current life experience.

Thanks again, have an amazing Monday, and an amazing week!  I’ll leave you with a video of the VOC Sweet Soul Gospel Choir performing one of my absolutely favourite songs of all time right before the starting of the 2010 Run for the Cure in Vancouver.  Checo is an amazing example of someone who has fun and loves life!  Enjoy!