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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

sunnyjennadanielle

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

Jenna | Healthy Lifestyle
This is your Monday morning reminder to slow down This is your Monday morning reminder to slow down when you need to.
⠀⠀⠀
So often I find myself focused on an end goal that I forget to pause. To  b r e a t h.
⠀
So here it is: take 3 minutes to close your eyes and take deep breaths.
⠀⠀
Ok, carry on. ♥️
(21+ plz) Saturdays are for brunch and @drinkboman (21+ plz) Saturdays are for brunch and @drinkbomani alcohol-infused cold brew! ☕️ Say whaa? #sponsored
⠀⠀
I just filmed myself trying this magical elixir for the first time and my thoughts are up in my stories now! 👀@drinkbomani has 0g sugar and is only 110 calories, making it the perfect accompaniment to your weekend brunch spread.
⠀⠀
What do y’all think? Does hard coffee sound like your kind of thing??
#bomani
Happy #NationalDrinkWineDay, loves! I love silly h Happy #NationalDrinkWineDay, loves! I love silly holidays. In fact, I believe the world could use a few more of them with the year we’ve had. 🍷
⠀⠀
Unless it’s a dry Prosecco or rosé, I’m usually a red drinker—I’m all about the Chiantis. So what’s your fav kind of wine?? #weirdholidays
🍺. It’s fun, it’s adult-y, it’s tasty... 🍺. It’s fun, it’s adult-y, it’s tasty... sometimes it’s even necessary! It’s no secret that I love my wine (and whiskey and beer and tequila). Heck, it makes me a nicer person and loosens up my flawless dance moves. 💃🏼
⠀
Living a healthy lifestyle doesn’t mean abstaining from imbibery. You can stay on track with your health goals and still partake every now and then. It doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing approach. Balance the fun 🥂 with the good 🥗 and try not to go overboard on either end.
⠀⠀
👉🏼What’s your drink of choice? I’m a wine 🍷 or whiskey 🥃 kinda girl.
Saturdays are for brunchin’. 😋 Take me back t Saturdays are for brunchin’. 😋 Take me back to @bluehoundkc at @palomarphx! We recently had way too much fun on a girls weekend in downtown PHX where @smashinglyashley_ and I were incredibly fortunate to be invited to brunch at @bluehoundkc. Y’all. Their avocado toast. 🙌🏼
⠀⠀
Everything we tried was amazing—including the spam and egg sliders. Whaaa? Yep, I ate them and I’m totally sold.😍 If you’re looking for a chic, beautiful spot for brunch, @bluehoundkc cannot be beat. I’ll be back soon to try a bourbon flight!
#hosted #grateful
📸: @whcoles
Never underestimate the power of: •sunshine in a Never underestimate the power of:
•sunshine in a quiet place
•eating fresh veggies
•getting up 1 hour earlier than you normally do
•writing down your goals
•moving your body at least 3x/week
⠀⠀⠀
They’re little things, really. But taking the moments to do small things for yourself can ultimately create a healthier version of you (mentally & physically). Happy Thursday, friends.
The Monday after the Super Bowl is known to be the The Monday after the Super Bowl is known to be the biggest day of the year for skipping work. It’s been estimated that today costs American employers over $3 BILLION every year. Whoa.
⠀⠀
Regardless if you’re calling out or dragging yourself into work today, or even if you're just moving a little slower than normal, I know you’re going to make something of today.
⠀⠀⠀
You’re stronger than any hangover. You’re ready to start this week fresh! Pour yourself another cup of coffee and dab some extra concealer under those eyes. Let’s make this week the best 2021 has seen!
I’ve been learning to savor the quiet times and I’ve been learning to savor the quiet times and embrace the stillness in the moments. I’m one of those people that has trouble slowing down. What about you?
⠀⠀
I am learning patience in the painfully slow moments. I am learning that my to do list will survive without my persistent attention. I am realizing that I am constantly learning.
⠀⠀
Do you ever struggle with feeling guilty for slowing down?
I need a dose of Vitamin D. ☀️ A couple years I need a dose of Vitamin D. ☀️ A couple years ago, my Vitamin D levels tanked. I was dizzy, fatigued and it felt like my skin was vibrating. 🤯
⠀⠀
Did you know Vitamin D was that important?
⠀
I’m happiest in the sunshine (preferrably on a beach, mountain or some other beautiful vista) and it’s no wonder my husband calls me solar powered. Anytime I’m feeling stressed (like lately), I know I need to reconnect with the outdoors.
⠀⠀
I’m planning an entire day in the sunshine soon, who’s with me?!
I recently did a few polls in my stories asking wh I recently did a few polls in my stories asking what y’all would like to see more of. I like to think I can read my audience pretty well, but I love to get your unfiltered opinions.
⠀⠀⠀
𝙈𝙮 𝙨𝙩𝙮𝙡𝙚. I’m still figuring out my style at 33 (lol) but I love where it’s headed and I’m willing to bring y’all along. I am by no means a fashionista or a style blogger... most days I’m texting @smashinglyashley_ to dress me. 😂 BUT I’d love to show y’all more of the outfits I love.
⠀⠀⠀
𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝𝙮 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 was a big one! It’s what my blog and business were founded on and I am always thinking of ways I can incorporate healthy into every day life. Expect LOTS more of that!
⠀⠀⠀
𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙙𝙤 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜. This one is a little harder for me. I’ve been a blogger for so many years and I recently took on a marketing director role as well as a venue manager role for a wedding venue. I’m busy. Like, all the time. But I seriously love it all and I’m finding it fits nicely in with my blogging. I am still figuring out how to incorporate them all together.... TBD.
⠀⠀
𝘼𝙨𝙝𝙡𝙚𝙮. It’s no secret my bestie @smashinglyashley_ is a smoke show. She is—hands down— what y’all voted you want to see more of! When we’re together, we both get so many sweet DMs from y’all. She’s amazing and I’m glad y’all love her as much as I do. Yes. You will get more Smashingly Ashley coming soon!
⠀⠀⠀⠀
𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙣𝙨. I swear, y’all like my chickens more than you like me sometimes! The girls are doing great, and I will definitely share more of their cute clucks, wattles and faces soon!
⠀⠀⠀
If you missed out on the poll, tell me below (or DM me!) what you’d like to see more of on here!! 👇🏼
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
This is your Monday morning reminder to slow down This is your Monday morning reminder to slow down when you need to.
⠀⠀⠀
So often I find myself focused on an end goal that I forget to pause. To  b r e a t h.
⠀
So here it is: take 3 minutes to close your eyes and take deep breaths.
⠀⠀
Ok, carry on. ♥️
(21+ plz) Saturdays are for brunch and @drinkboman (21+ plz) Saturdays are for brunch and @drinkbomani alcohol-infused cold brew! ☕️ Say whaa? #sponsored
⠀⠀
I just filmed myself trying this magical elixir for the first time and my thoughts are up in my stories now! 👀@drinkbomani has 0g sugar and is only 110 calories, making it the perfect accompaniment to your weekend brunch spread.
⠀⠀
What do y’all think? Does hard coffee sound like your kind of thing??
#bomani
Happy #NationalDrinkWineDay, loves! I love silly h Happy #NationalDrinkWineDay, loves! I love silly holidays. In fact, I believe the world could use a few more of them with the year we’ve had. 🍷
⠀⠀
Unless it’s a dry Prosecco or rosé, I’m usually a red drinker—I’m all about the Chiantis. So what’s your fav kind of wine?? #weirdholidays
🍺. It’s fun, it’s adult-y, it’s tasty... 🍺. It’s fun, it’s adult-y, it’s tasty... sometimes it’s even necessary! It’s no secret that I love my wine (and whiskey and beer and tequila). Heck, it makes me a nicer person and loosens up my flawless dance moves. 💃🏼
⠀
Living a healthy lifestyle doesn’t mean abstaining from imbibery. You can stay on track with your health goals and still partake every now and then. It doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing approach. Balance the fun 🥂 with the good 🥗 and try not to go overboard on either end.
⠀⠀
👉🏼What’s your drink of choice? I’m a wine 🍷 or whiskey 🥃 kinda girl.
Saturdays are for brunchin’. 😋 Take me back t Saturdays are for brunchin’. 😋 Take me back to @bluehoundkc at @palomarphx! We recently had way too much fun on a girls weekend in downtown PHX where @smashinglyashley_ and I were incredibly fortunate to be invited to brunch at @bluehoundkc. Y’all. Their avocado toast. 🙌🏼
⠀⠀
Everything we tried was amazing—including the spam and egg sliders. Whaaa? Yep, I ate them and I’m totally sold.😍 If you’re looking for a chic, beautiful spot for brunch, @bluehoundkc cannot be beat. I’ll be back soon to try a bourbon flight!
#hosted #grateful
📸: @whcoles
Never underestimate the power of: •sunshine in a Never underestimate the power of:
•sunshine in a quiet place
•eating fresh veggies
•getting up 1 hour earlier than you normally do
•writing down your goals
•moving your body at least 3x/week
⠀⠀⠀
They’re little things, really. But taking the moments to do small things for yourself can ultimately create a healthier version of you (mentally & physically). Happy Thursday, friends.
The Monday after the Super Bowl is known to be the The Monday after the Super Bowl is known to be the biggest day of the year for skipping work. It’s been estimated that today costs American employers over $3 BILLION every year. Whoa.
⠀⠀
Regardless if you’re calling out or dragging yourself into work today, or even if you're just moving a little slower than normal, I know you’re going to make something of today.
⠀⠀⠀
You’re stronger than any hangover. You’re ready to start this week fresh! Pour yourself another cup of coffee and dab some extra concealer under those eyes. Let’s make this week the best 2021 has seen!
I’ve been learning to savor the quiet times and I’ve been learning to savor the quiet times and embrace the stillness in the moments. I’m one of those people that has trouble slowing down. What about you?
⠀⠀
I am learning patience in the painfully slow moments. I am learning that my to do list will survive without my persistent attention. I am realizing that I am constantly learning.
⠀⠀
Do you ever struggle with feeling guilty for slowing down?
I need a dose of Vitamin D. ☀️ A couple years I need a dose of Vitamin D. ☀️ A couple years ago, my Vitamin D levels tanked. I was dizzy, fatigued and it felt like my skin was vibrating. 🤯
⠀⠀
Did you know Vitamin D was that important?
⠀
I’m happiest in the sunshine (preferrably on a beach, mountain or some other beautiful vista) and it’s no wonder my husband calls me solar powered. Anytime I’m feeling stressed (like lately), I know I need to reconnect with the outdoors.
⠀⠀
I’m planning an entire day in the sunshine soon, who’s with me?!
I recently did a few polls in my stories asking wh I recently did a few polls in my stories asking what y’all would like to see more of. I like to think I can read my audience pretty well, but I love to get your unfiltered opinions.
⠀⠀⠀
𝙈𝙮 𝙨𝙩𝙮𝙡𝙚. I’m still figuring out my style at 33 (lol) but I love where it’s headed and I’m willing to bring y’all along. I am by no means a fashionista or a style blogger... most days I’m texting @smashinglyashley_ to dress me. 😂 BUT I’d love to show y’all more of the outfits I love.
⠀⠀⠀
𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝𝙮 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 was a big one! It’s what my blog and business were founded on and I am always thinking of ways I can incorporate healthy into every day life. Expect LOTS more of that!
⠀⠀⠀
𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙙𝙤 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜. This one is a little harder for me. I’ve been a blogger for so many years and I recently took on a marketing director role as well as a venue manager role for a wedding venue. I’m busy. Like, all the time. But I seriously love it all and I’m finding it fits nicely in with my blogging. I am still figuring out how to incorporate them all together.... TBD.
⠀⠀
𝘼𝙨𝙝𝙡𝙚𝙮. It’s no secret my bestie @smashinglyashley_ is a smoke show. She is—hands down— what y’all voted you want to see more of! When we’re together, we both get so many sweet DMs from y’all. She’s amazing and I’m glad y’all love her as much as I do. Yes. You will get more Smashingly Ashley coming soon!
⠀⠀⠀⠀
𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙣𝙨. I swear, y’all like my chickens more than you like me sometimes! The girls are doing great, and I will definitely share more of their cute clucks, wattles and faces soon!
⠀⠀⠀
If you missed out on the poll, tell me below (or DM me!) what you’d like to see more of on here!! 👇🏼
Follow on Instagram

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