40 Days to Personal Revolution

Tomorrow we have a final meeting/celebration to mark the end of the 40 Days program I’ve been participating in at Cleveland Yoga. We were buddied up with a partner on our first day, and my partner was Rachel. She’s cool. Like, Burning Man cool(she goes every year). She runs her own super creative branding company.

She decided to write a list of “40 Reasons to Continue the 40 Day Lifestyle.”

Rachel’s list inspired me to write my own list about what I have accomplished over the last 40 days. Turns out, I’ve been busy.

1) Got my hair cut.

2) Got all new bras and underwear.

3) Meditated every day, usually twice.

4) Got the kitchen re-did. I finally have a dishwasher, and new counter tops are on the way.

5) Ate nothing but fruit for five days. It was supposed to be three days, but I got sick in the middle and started over.

6) Practiced yoga six days a week.

7) Saw the doctor for my lady parts (had not been in years).

8) Started seeing a naturopath.

9) Scheduled a mammogram for tomorrow (have not been in years).

10) Started ballroom dance class with Hot Toddy.

11) Cleaned my office.

12) Cleaned the home school shelves.

13) Researched school possiblities for the kids.

14) Updated my resume and submitted it for a possible per diem writing job.

15) Figured out a way to fit writing two hours a day into my schedule (without having to wake up at 5AM to do it).

16) Continued to study for my nursing boards.

17) Rejoiced over my daughter having a very successful experience at her friend’s slumber party.

18) Ate almost no processed foods.

19) Refused to weigh myself because this is not about weight.

20) Am able now to keep up with a 90 minute hot yoga class.

21) Have done many head stands.

22) Made a new buddy.

23) Ate at least one yoga meal almost every day.

24) Grew to really love yoga and commit to a more regular practice long term.

25) Still got together for a glass of wine on most Wednesday evenings with friends.

26) Saw a big reduction in Seth’s tics. Then a slight increase. Then less again, I think.

27) Thought of a possible nursing niche I can be down with. Not sure if it exists yet.

29) Got an abdominal massage and started the process of healing the trauma associated with my kids’ births.

30) Journaled each week.

31) Did not have caffeine.

32) Became wheat free.

33) Decided on white appliances with the notion stainless is trendy and will become outdated. Saved money rationalizing this way, whether it’s true or not.

34) Hurt my kids’ feelings when one overheard me venting that I never wanted to be a  home schooler.

35) Got through it. Talked it out with the kids. Changed some things to help make it work for me.

36) After beating myself up hard for a couple of days, forgave myself. I’ve  been incredibly giving and devoted to my children, and no one is perfect.

38) Went through every dresser drawer and packed up all the outgrown clothes or stuff we don’t wear. Gave it to the Veterans. They pick up right at your door!

39) Breathed more.

40) Valued myself.

I think it would be a good idea to do the 40 Days thing each year. To reset, and evaluate how my life is going. A lot of energy shifted during this time. I’m feeling really unstuck.

If you are interested in doing the 40 Days program, the book is titled 40 Days to Personal Revolution by Baron Baptiste. I recommend doing it with a buddy. Even an e-mail buddy. Someone to process with and hold some accountability to. It was a very worthwhile experience.

Namaste.

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11 Responses to 40 Days to Personal Revolution

  1. naomi says:

    That’s one amazing list Michelle!! xo

  2. Congratulations, Michelle. I’m so inspired by what you’ve accomplished and how you’ve done it.

  3. Meg says:

    I am so fascinated by this evolution in you and how this exercise helped to get you “unstuck”. I want to hear more!

  4. Kerry says:

    Holy moses! That’s like a year’s worth of transformation in a little over a month. Congrats!!!!

  5. Dee Ready says:

    Dear Michelle, your list is inspiring and I’m happy for you because a sense of contentment inundates your list. I’ll see if the book is at the library. And I,too, am trying to do the yoga-type eating. I tend to inhale my food and so I have much to learn about this.

    Peace.

  6. Carrie Link says:

    Wow. YAMH. Love the list and everything on and about the list. BTW, I’m with you on the white vs. stainless thing. White all the way, baby! How much do you LOVE your dishwasher??? I recommend pushing start then running down and pushing start on the washing machine, then having a cup of tea while two machines are doing things you don’t have to.

  7. kario says:

    That list! Oh, that list. I love it so much. What a glorious thing you have done here, valuing yourself in so many different ways. Here’s to a continuation of it all from now on.

  8. Amanda says:

    Well I’d say you’re revolved 🙂

    Really glad to hear Seth is on the up and tics are on the down.

    And did I read correctly you’re looking at schools?? Just being in a place to consider that shows how much all of you have achieved. I’ll be thinking of you on Monday, that home school can be an answer for now and it might not be for ever. It can be done.

  9. Leah says:

    Good for you! What an accomplishment!

  10. Nina B says:

    Love this. It’s the small things that make big differences.

  11. Kathee says:

    Wow!

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