HAPPY WEDNESDAY to you all!!  I hope you had a wonderful weekend, and you're enjoying this beautiful fall weather we are having.  Like I said before...go jump in those leaves!!  I never thought I would say this, but I am so happy I can walk to work.  I am lucky that I get to see all of the great Holiday displays on 5^th avenue.  I was thinking, it is entirely too early to start with the Holiday stuff...but then realized it's already well into November!   Sometimes when the holidays come, you feel like they came too early and too fast...soon enough they are OVER.  I say, decorate for the Holidays as soon as you can... get into that Holiday spirit!!  We all love the warm, fuzzy feeling you get inside when you can anticipate time with family, friends, fireplaces (for some of us, it's the yule log on DVD) and delicious food...OH yea and spreading the Holiday cheer :-) 

This is a nice little lead into my word of the day, appreciation....AHHHHHHHH!! (Pee-Wee's playhouse reference anyone??)  How many times have you felt that you appreciate (AHH) something or someone only after they are gone?  This is just human nature; when things are readily available we don't see a NEED for them.  Once they are gone, then we truly realize the impact they have had on our lives.  Let's change it up a little bit, and do the opposite.  Overly appreciate the things you have, so you don't miss them...OR even worse, regret what could have been.  Remember, we don't like regretting...FORGRET. (That's 'forget' and 'regret' meshed into one word...I like to simplify.)

I was running last night through Central Park, and all I wanted to do was stop...it just felt WAY too hard...blah, blah, blah.  Here I go again wearing my complaining pants.  Just like clockwork, there was a man in a wheel chair being pushed by his nurse and his golden retriever jogging along side.  When I say clockwork, I mean every single night they are circling the park at the exact same time.  The person in the wheelchair is in complete awe of the colors of the leaves, the fresh air, and literally smiling at every person he passes.  I felt awful, I am over here complaining about not wanting to run, and there are people out there who don't even have the option.

When you cringe at the sound of horns honking or your alarm going off in the morning, be thankful that you can hear them.  When you are sore because you had a hard workout or accidentally ran into something (ahem, that happens a lot to me.), be thankful that you can control how your body moves...well sort of :-)  All of these daily things like brushing your teeth, laughing and even crying; are things that some people don't have the luxury to do on their own.  Be thankful; be grateful every day when you wake up...and appreciate what you have NOW.

I have said this in past Smile-lutions, and I am going to say it again...tell those around you that you love them.  Don't wait until tomorrow to start taking care of your body (hmm diet starts tomorrow...), don't wait to do the things that you love just because you are scared.  Take advantage of your health, family and friends. 

I leave you with this little nugget of wisdom from Ralph Marston, only because I LOVE YOU!! 

"Make it a habit to tell people thank you.  To express your appreciation, sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return.  Truly appreciate those around you, and you'll soon find many others around you.  Truly appreciate life, and you'll find that you have more of it."

We all have to be reminded every now and then of how wonderful life is, especially when times are tough.  This quote rings true, when we send out good vibes sincerely, more good vibes will be sent to you.  Feeeeel the good vibes :-) 

I hope you all have a wonderful day!!  Make good use out of it because you will never have another day exactly like today.

Love you all!!

-Liz Dugan