i have to remind myself constantly to change those thought patterns when they start to creep up — pessimistic, self defeating, highly personalized, isolating kind of thoughts [shudders].

some of you asked why i got my tattoos.  on one side it says, “pain is inevitable” and on the other, “suffering is optional.”  i wanted them to be a reminder to myself about releasing negative thought patterns, but i didn’t realize to what extent the ink’s power held…haha.  today on my commercial shoot for american family insurance, i was asked three times what my tattoos meant before i covered them.  over the last two weeks many other people have also asked.  these two little strings of pretty letters are opening up all kinds of positive discussion amongst strangers.  i love that.

today we talked about how important it is to live in the moment and appreciate what we do have in our lives.  there are so many people who are much less fortunate, and yet we get caught up feeling sorry for ourselves because of a breakup, or a car breaking down, not getting that gig we wanted, or someone being an asshole BLAH BLAH BLAH…jesus, sometimes i can’t understand how people can even say they’re having a “bad day.”  what?  are you starving?  do you have a roof over your head?  clothes on your back?  is that a freaking iphone in your pocket?  of your designer jeans?  sheeesh.

we should all be SO happy.  we should all be SO grateful.

i have my health.  i have my family.  i have my friends.  i have food to eat and clean water to drink.  i have more than i could ever need.  i am so grateful.  i am so so grateful.  thank you thank you thank you so much.  i promise not to take anything for granted.

F U toxic thoughts.  you gotta leave my brain.  i know that sometimes you’re gonna slip in, and i get that — there is no light without dark yada yada — i can respect you.  but guess what?  you’re only here to remind me how great i’ve really got it.

so, thank you.

now get the eff out.