“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.” --Marcus Aurelius

January: Nutrition and Health

February: Kindness and Generosity

March: Order and Purpose

April: Strength and Flexibility

May: Relationships

June: Adventure and Fun

July: Community and Environment

August: Knowledge and Interests

September: Sleep and Tranquility

October: Simplicity and Moderation

November: Gratitude and Positivity

December: Spirituality and Resolution

This month is about having a grateful and positive attitude. Even though I occasionally take it for granted, I really do have so much to be thankful for. Just last night we got home from a baby shower that my husband's old neighborhood hosted for us. Everyone was so warm and inviting, and I was overwhelmed with hugs, compliments, good food, and generous gifts. This shower is one of five baby showers that friends, family or coworkers have thrown for us. FIVE baby showers! Of course I am excited to get nice, new, much-needed things for our baby, but I mostly just feel very blessed that we have so many loving, supportive people in our lives. Even more, for 9 months I have had a happy, healthy pregnancy with no big discomforts, complications, or complaints. I'm married to my high school sweetheart and best friend, and he is equally excited to welcome our little boy into this world. We have a safe, comfy home and stable jobs with lots of vacation time. And when I take a minute to appreciate things like driving a new car or wearing a beautiful diamond ring, I would be crazy to not realize that I am either spoiled or very lucky.

This is not to say that things are always perfect, though. I was tossing and turning most of the night with stomach cramps and back aches, I was irritable this morning and seemed to focus only on the fact that my thighs seem to be growing at the same rate as my belly, I was late for work and had to rush to prepare for my first class, and I found myself stressing out about preparing for maternity leave and all the expenses of having a baby. I don't expect to be positive and grateful every second of every day, but I do know I need to work on having a better attitude and perspective, especially on days like today.

So this month, appropriately the same month as Thanksgiving, will be about remembering and celebrating that I have so much to be grateful for. I should never be waking up grumpy or dwelling on the things I wish were better, instead I should be rejoicing in the fact that I was given another day to live and enjoy. Telling people I appreciate them, finding the positive in every situation, and counting my blessings as I go to bed and wake up each day are simple things I plan to do this month.

“You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life. And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law: the more you have and are grateful for, the more will be given you.” — Sarah Ban Breathnach

“Simplicity, clarity, singleness: These are the attributes that give our lives power and vividness and joy." --Richard Holloway

January: Nutrition and Health
February: Kindness and Generosity
March: Order and Purpose
April: Strength and Flexibility
May: Relationships
June: Adventure and Fun
July: Community and Environment
August: Knowledge and Interests
September: Sleep and Tranquility
October: Simplicity and Moderation
November: Gratitude and Positivity
December: Spirituality and Resolution

Between working full-time, waddling around with an extra 30 pounds and preparing to bring a little one home in the next couple months (!!!!!), if there was ever a time for me to take a step back and simplify my life a little, I think now would be the time. Unfortunately, keeping things as uncomplicated and easy as possible is easier said than done, and it's even harder if you're a woman. I don't know how, but men seem to have mastered the art of simplicity. Let me give you some examples:

My husband only needs one bar of soap and one bottle of shampoo to take a shower, and he only wants the same Irish Spring soap and the same Head and Shoulders shampoo that he has used for years and years. I've seen commercials for the new Irish Spring men's body wash or soap with moisturing beads, and I'm like, "Oooh, that looks nice and different, you should try that," but he won't have anything to do with it. When it comes to food, I'm about 99% accurate at knowing what he'll order off any menu at any restaurant, and that's because he is a meat and potatoes type of guy (and by that I mean sausage and hashbrowns or hamburger and french fries). And his morning routine (shower, shave, and dress) takes about ten minutes.

I, on the other hand, am not like this. Even if I find a product I like, I want to try a new body wash and salt scrub and face wash and shampoo and conditioner every time I go to the store. I also like to have a variety of scents and textures to choose from so I can match what I use that day to my mood. My husband would never know what I want from a restaurant because my cravings and preferences change all the time. I get overwhelmed when there is a large menu and I have to make a decision because I want to try a little bit of everything, and there is always a battle between choosing ol' trusty and trying something new. I'll usually change my mind at least a dozen times because what if I don't end up liking what I ordered? Oh, that's the worst! And my morning routine (shower or bath or neither, coffee, sometimes Good Morning America, curl or straighten hair, breakfast, makeup, try on several different outfits, put on perfume and jewelry, put the dog outside, decide I don't like what I'm wearing and change, get my lunch ready, turn off lights...), let's just say it takes over an hour.

Why do things have to be so complicated? I guess the answer is that they don't. I don't plan on changing my ways entirely, but I do know that simplicity and moderation are virtues. So here's what I'm thinking this month:

• Cut back on buying "stuff." Before buying products, groceries, clothes, etc, ask whether it is a need or a want. Limit the wants as much as possible. This will cut back on clutter, save money, and might open my eyes to how much unnecessary "stuff" I buy each month.
• Minimize my to-do list. I'm slowly learning that it's okay to procrastinate, to say no to people, and to be a little lazy at times. So what if I didn't get those papers graded or have enough energy to change the sheets? Life will go on just the same.
• Single-task. I am definitely a multi-tasker, but it can leave me feeling frazzled and all over the place. Focus on doing and completing one thing at a time.
• Have some quiet, media-free time each day. My favorite part of Yoga class is the last ten minutes, when the instructor has us get comfortable, close our eyes, and just concentrate on our breathing. Our world is so busy and over-stimulating that we forget to take time to just be still and breathe. It's good to turn off the TV, put away the cell phone, and just live in the moment for a little bit each day.
• Moderate food. I've already mentioned that I've gained 30 pounds in my pregnancy, and this did not happen from eating apples and carrot sticks all day. At dinner on Friday, I literally put away a piece of chocolate cake and ice cream in two minutes flat (and it said "big enough to share" on the menu). I think indulging is fine, but I felt ridiculously, uncomfortably stuffed for the next few hours and can safely assume I've gained 31 pounds at this point. "All things in moderation" is a good motto!
• Spend less time worrying about or deciding on issues. Don't insist on complicating things. Remember that life is really pretty simple.