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Choosing Happiness

June 1, 2018

We tend to let the happenings of our day dictate the mood we are in by the end of it. If something great happens, we’re having an awesome day! If a few unideal things happen, we’re having a bad day and we just want it to be over with already. It’s an easy trap to fall into. We tend to forget that our attitudes are entirely up to us to decide. Every moment of every day we are choosing the way we see our world.

It’s a tough pill to swallow because this means that we’re responsible for the negativity in our lives too. You can not choose what happens to you, but how you respond is 100% up to you. This doesn’t mean that you should act like Miss Suzy Sunshine 24/7, because that wouldn’t be authentic. This means that you need to face your situation, feel all the feels about it, and then choose the positive.

When I was 21 I underwent surgery to have two vertebrae in my spine fused. I had grown up riding horses and that paired with weak and degenerating discs between my vertebrae equaled years of pain and a less than ideal range of motion. The surgery was successful and I was able to be semi-pain free for the next 9 years.

This past year, I had been having an inordinate amount of pain in my lower back and went to see the orthopedic doctor. I learned that even more discs are degenerating above my fusion. Fusing the spine again is an option but that tends to lead to more degeneration in the unfused discs above it.

I took my time with the news and I allowed myself to be upset for a while. I felt frustrated and fragile. I am a badass! I am not some fragile flower! I had to take a step back and take a good hard assessment of my life. I have ouchy days and I have good days, but I can walk. I could choose to be limited by the pain and the news of my back getting worse. I could choose to stop working out because I can no longer perform squats or deadlifts without substantial risk. I could choose to sit around and feel sorry for myself.

Or I could choose to get up and celebrate life. 

I workout because I am grateful that I still physically can.

It’s all in the attitude you choose when confronted by difficulties. You can choose to be defined by the negative happenings in your life or you can choose to be defined by the great.

I don’t want any more surgeries, so I’ve been working hard to strengthen my core and have been strictly monitoring my workouts and general life habits. There are many pain management options from injections to dry needling and beyond. I have plenty of choices in front of me. I can manage this setback, I can rise above.

So put this message into action: the next time you’re faced with a negative event, before your hardwired brain sends your attitude into a downward spiral, take a step back. Allow yourself to react and feel frustrated, angry, hurt, scared, sad, upset, and then find the positivity. If the only positive thing you can find is that you’re alive and breathing, let that be enough. There are many who are denied that luxury.

Just like it takes time to create a new habit, it takes time to rewire your brain to seeing positives instead of negatives. There is so much to be grateful for.

Let me know: when was the last time you felt down and forced yourself to turn it around? How did doing that make you feel? What are some areas of your life you feel you can improve on?

2 Comments
Filed Under: Fitness, Lifestyle Tagged: back, choose, fitness, happiness, motivation, quote, surgery

Comments

  1. Michelle Dean says

    June 3, 2018 at 1:31 pm

    This really hits home for me. I have realized over time that I have a “negative outlook” on things. I would hardly ever look on the bright side of things. I always expected the worse so when whatever happened, I was relieved and never disappointed.

    I heard a talk one day. It said you have to let yourself feel the feelings that life gives you because that is how you learn. It does take a lot of self will and reminding yourself of your worth and what is act Italy important. It’s not easy. Never was, but realizing you’re in control of your own happiness it changes your perspective.

    Reply
    • Jenna Danielle says

      June 8, 2018 at 3:11 pm

      I couldn’t have said it better Michelle! Being positive isn’t just something certain people do, it takes effort! But it can change your whole life around if you let it! Hugs, girl!

      Reply

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sunnyjennadanielle

⠀
Health | Life | Food | Travel | Dogs
➕ a little wine and a lot of sunshine.☀️
⠀
💍@whereisox
📍AZ 🌵
⠀⠀

Jenna | Healthy Lifestyle
Blame genetics/adulting. Dark circles have been pa Blame genetics/adulting. Dark circles have been part of my life for-ev-er. Complimentary from @filorgausa comes their Optim-Eyes best-selling eye cream and I’ve been using it religiously for the past few weeks.
⠀⠀
First off, I love the texture—it’s super light and hydrating. Second, and probably most importantly: I look like I actually got some sleep (I didn’t) or that wasn’t blessed with bad genetics (I was).
⠀
@filorgausa wants to help you fake a good nights sleep, too, so they’re offering my followers $10 off a bottle of your very own Optim-Eyes! Use code IGEYES.
⠀
Adulting is hard, but you’ve got this, even if you need a little help here or there. 😆 👀
⠀⠀
#optimeyes #eyecream #ocotlyfamily
We got out of town this past weekend and watched t We got out of town this past weekend and watched the sun set over the Arizona high desert. We watched our daughter and pup frolic through a meadow (scroll for the vid😅) and just enjoyed the breeze, the mountains and each other.
⠀
This week is turning into craziness for me so today, my post is about slowing down and feeling the sun on your face.
⠀⠀
Deep breath. Inhale gratitude.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Exhale doubts.
⠀⠀⠀⠀
Ok, now go 🏃‍♀️
Hair health begins on the inside! @hairlavie gift Hair health begins on the inside!  @hairlavie gifted me their Clinical Formula Hair Vitamins to try out. I’m blown away with the ingredient list:
⠀
Reishi mushroom, collagen, biotin, zinc, iron, copper, flaxseed, horsetail, kelp, vitamins d, e + LOTS of b’s AND MORE!
⠀⠀
Whole-body wellness is essential for hair health. I love that @hairlavie prides themselves on transparency, responsible sources and science-validated benefits of their products. I can’t wait to see the results!
⠀⠀⠀
So how are you taking care of your hair health?

#myhairlavie
We’re heading up north to find some adventure to We’re heading up north to find some adventure today!🏔 My in laws are camping up near Flagstaff and we’re thinking of crashing their campsite. 😏
⠀⠀
The temps are slowly winding down here in AZ—yesterday only got to 105°! I’m going crazy and need to get out of town. Let’s what what we can find!
⠀⠀
What are y’all doing this weekend?!🙌🏼
They just keep getting better! @styledsettings cam They just keep getting better! @styledsettings came out with a new white and gold set and you know I had to get it. 🙌🏼
⠀⠀
⭐️ Ever since we started building our house a few years ago, I had this vision for a white and gold kitchen. When it came time for the sink and cabinet handles to be put on, the only thing my husband and I could agree on was dark bronze.😏
⠀⠀⠀
👉🏼SUNNYJENNA15 for 15% off! 🙌🏼
⠀
Luckily I have plenty of gold kitchen utensils to brighten up my favorite room in the house! All of these cuties come in @styledsettings new White & Gold Luxe 8PC set. My husband loved the garlic press.
⠀⠀
If gold isn’t your thing, they also have this set in copper 🤩 with pink or black! Girls, if you want to add some color to your kitchen, you have to check them out on @amazon. They have everything from measuring cups to knives to dish drying racks (mine’s gold, duh).
⠀⠀
Get 15% off your order with my code SUNNYJENNA15
⠀⠀
⚪️🔵🟢🟠🟡🟠🔴🟣🟤
I’m curious, what colors do you have in your kitchen??
✋🏼🤚🏼TEN things to be GRATEFUL for RIGHT ✋🏼🤚🏼TEN things to be GRATEFUL for RIGHT NOW.
⠀⠀
Maybe I needed to write this list; maybe you needed to read it today. Whatever the case, these are just scratching the surface of all the things to be thankful for in this world.
⠀⠀
1. Music
2. Your cozy place
3. An outfit that makes you feel good
4. Access to the internet
5. Right here, right now (deep breath)
6. Friends and family
7. A good book
8. Fresh food
9. Fresh air
10. Doing something kind for a stranger
BONUS 11. That beautiful places exist in the world (see picture)
⠀⠀
Today, I am doubly grateful for #11. Just looking at pictures of beautiful places sets my heart to dreaming.
⠀⠀
👉🏼What’s one thing you’re grateful for today?👈🏼
A huge THANK YOU to everyone who took the time to A huge THANK YOU to everyone who took the time to wish me happy birthday on Monday.
⠀
This year, I’d like to work on my photography skills. Being up in Sedona last week inspired me to get back to learning my camera. When I’m in a beautiful place, I want to capture it so that when I look back, I can remember exactly what it was like.
⠀
Do you set personal goals on your birthdays?
C H E E R S to T H I R T Y T H R E E years! 🎈 C H E E R S to
T H I R T Y  T H R E E years! 🎈
⠀
This year has not been ideal to say the least. Lots of anxiety, trips cancelled, family’s new babies not snuggled & new daily frustrations.
⠀
Amidst all of it, I’ve found a deep and happy peace. I am surrounded and supported by the most amazing people. I am finally unafraid to present myself as who I am (although at times it may be hard to describe!).
⠀⠀
Thanks for being here, right now. I hope you’ll join me as I twirl my way through the next 12 months. Cheers! 🥂
⠀
“And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.”
Birds flying high, you know how I feel Sun in the Birds flying high, you know how I feel
Sun in the sky, you know how I feel
Breeze driftin' on by, you know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life for me
⠀
And I’m feelin’ good.
⠀
Can’t stop posting Sedona content and I’m not sure I want to. 🤩 Can you blame me?
⠀
Hope y’all have the most amazing weekend. My mom is visiting and we’re having a little girls shopping day for my upcoming birthday on Monday. 😆
⠀
📸: We hiked Cathedral Rock in the dark at 5AM to watch the sunrise from the top. Full Sedona blog post coming soon!
Get moving! Every next level of your life will dem Get moving! Every next level of your life will demand a different version of you. You can rise up from anything. You can recreate yourself as many times as you damn well please.
⠀⠀⠀
Learn new skills, think new thoughts, choose to be the catalyst to the next, best version of yourself. All that matters is that you decide & begin.
Follow on Instagram
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sunnyjennadanielle

⠀
Health | Life | Food | Travel | Dogs
➕ a little wine and a lot of sunshine.☀️
⠀
💍@whereisox
📍AZ 🌵
⠀⠀

Jenna | Healthy Lifestyle
Blame genetics/adulting. Dark circles have been pa Blame genetics/adulting. Dark circles have been part of my life for-ev-er. Complimentary from @filorgausa comes their Optim-Eyes best-selling eye cream and I’ve been using it religiously for the past few weeks.
⠀⠀
First off, I love the texture—it’s super light and hydrating. Second, and probably most importantly: I look like I actually got some sleep (I didn’t) or that wasn’t blessed with bad genetics (I was).
⠀
@filorgausa wants to help you fake a good nights sleep, too, so they’re offering my followers $10 off a bottle of your very own Optim-Eyes! Use code IGEYES.
⠀
Adulting is hard, but you’ve got this, even if you need a little help here or there. 😆 👀
⠀⠀
#optimeyes #eyecream #ocotlyfamily
We got out of town this past weekend and watched t We got out of town this past weekend and watched the sun set over the Arizona high desert. We watched our daughter and pup frolic through a meadow (scroll for the vid😅) and just enjoyed the breeze, the mountains and each other.
⠀
This week is turning into craziness for me so today, my post is about slowing down and feeling the sun on your face.
⠀⠀
Deep breath. Inhale gratitude.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Exhale doubts.
⠀⠀⠀⠀
Ok, now go 🏃‍♀️
Hair health begins on the inside! @hairlavie gift Hair health begins on the inside!  @hairlavie gifted me their Clinical Formula Hair Vitamins to try out. I’m blown away with the ingredient list:
⠀
Reishi mushroom, collagen, biotin, zinc, iron, copper, flaxseed, horsetail, kelp, vitamins d, e + LOTS of b’s AND MORE!
⠀⠀
Whole-body wellness is essential for hair health. I love that @hairlavie prides themselves on transparency, responsible sources and science-validated benefits of their products. I can’t wait to see the results!
⠀⠀⠀
So how are you taking care of your hair health?

#myhairlavie
We’re heading up north to find some adventure to We’re heading up north to find some adventure today!🏔 My in laws are camping up near Flagstaff and we’re thinking of crashing their campsite. 😏
⠀⠀
The temps are slowly winding down here in AZ—yesterday only got to 105°! I’m going crazy and need to get out of town. Let’s what what we can find!
⠀⠀
What are y’all doing this weekend?!🙌🏼
They just keep getting better! @styledsettings cam They just keep getting better! @styledsettings came out with a new white and gold set and you know I had to get it. 🙌🏼
⠀⠀
⭐️ Ever since we started building our house a few years ago, I had this vision for a white and gold kitchen. When it came time for the sink and cabinet handles to be put on, the only thing my husband and I could agree on was dark bronze.😏
⠀⠀⠀
👉🏼SUNNYJENNA15 for 15% off! 🙌🏼
⠀
Luckily I have plenty of gold kitchen utensils to brighten up my favorite room in the house! All of these cuties come in @styledsettings new White & Gold Luxe 8PC set. My husband loved the garlic press.
⠀⠀
If gold isn’t your thing, they also have this set in copper 🤩 with pink or black! Girls, if you want to add some color to your kitchen, you have to check them out on @amazon. They have everything from measuring cups to knives to dish drying racks (mine’s gold, duh).
⠀⠀
Get 15% off your order with my code SUNNYJENNA15
⠀⠀
⚪️🔵🟢🟠🟡🟠🔴🟣🟤
I’m curious, what colors do you have in your kitchen??
✋🏼🤚🏼TEN things to be GRATEFUL for RIGHT ✋🏼🤚🏼TEN things to be GRATEFUL for RIGHT NOW.
⠀⠀
Maybe I needed to write this list; maybe you needed to read it today. Whatever the case, these are just scratching the surface of all the things to be thankful for in this world.
⠀⠀
1. Music
2. Your cozy place
3. An outfit that makes you feel good
4. Access to the internet
5. Right here, right now (deep breath)
6. Friends and family
7. A good book
8. Fresh food
9. Fresh air
10. Doing something kind for a stranger
BONUS 11. That beautiful places exist in the world (see picture)
⠀⠀
Today, I am doubly grateful for #11. Just looking at pictures of beautiful places sets my heart to dreaming.
⠀⠀
👉🏼What’s one thing you’re grateful for today?👈🏼
A huge THANK YOU to everyone who took the time to A huge THANK YOU to everyone who took the time to wish me happy birthday on Monday.
⠀
This year, I’d like to work on my photography skills. Being up in Sedona last week inspired me to get back to learning my camera. When I’m in a beautiful place, I want to capture it so that when I look back, I can remember exactly what it was like.
⠀
Do you set personal goals on your birthdays?
C H E E R S to T H I R T Y T H R E E years! 🎈 C H E E R S to
T H I R T Y  T H R E E years! 🎈
⠀
This year has not been ideal to say the least. Lots of anxiety, trips cancelled, family’s new babies not snuggled & new daily frustrations.
⠀
Amidst all of it, I’ve found a deep and happy peace. I am surrounded and supported by the most amazing people. I am finally unafraid to present myself as who I am (although at times it may be hard to describe!).
⠀⠀
Thanks for being here, right now. I hope you’ll join me as I twirl my way through the next 12 months. Cheers! 🥂
⠀
“And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.”
Birds flying high, you know how I feel Sun in the Birds flying high, you know how I feel
Sun in the sky, you know how I feel
Breeze driftin' on by, you know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life for me
⠀
And I’m feelin’ good.
⠀
Can’t stop posting Sedona content and I’m not sure I want to. 🤩 Can you blame me?
⠀
Hope y’all have the most amazing weekend. My mom is visiting and we’re having a little girls shopping day for my upcoming birthday on Monday. 😆
⠀
📸: We hiked Cathedral Rock in the dark at 5AM to watch the sunrise from the top. Full Sedona blog post coming soon!
Get moving! Every next level of your life will dem Get moving! Every next level of your life will demand a different version of you. You can rise up from anything. You can recreate yourself as many times as you damn well please.
⠀⠀⠀
Learn new skills, think new thoughts, choose to be the catalyst to the next, best version of yourself. All that matters is that you decide & begin.
Follow on Instagram
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