Last week I was reviewing plans for the self-care contest/challenge with Mollee Bauer of pregnancy.org when we realized the contest needed additional planning to succeed, so I’m postponing it from Oct.2-8 to Nov.14-18. Also, my emotional pitcher was nearing empty. As we often say, you can’t give others what you don’t have so I gave myself a 3-day weekend to recharge.
This weekend, I haven’t done anything special. In fact, I haven’t done much at all. Truly nirvana. However, I wanted to share a few gifts with you since the contest/challenge is delayed. Here they are. First, the theme of the contest will be gratitude and thankfulness. Each day we’ll have an activity to complete which expresses our theme. Over the next few weeks, if you come up with an activity we use during the contest, you’ll win a box of Godiva chocolates. Please put your suggestions in the comment section of this or future posts.
Second, the following are links to other web resources for living self-care from several wonderful women I’ve met online and other articles/interviews I’ve done recently. For pregnancy and post-birth health, visit pregnancy.org. For self-care tips, listen to my podcast with Darline Turner of mamasonbedrest. Read about making motherhood work for you on totstoteensmagazine or look at my 7 Sanity-Saving Tips at babycenter.com. Good suggestions for anyone.
Don’t forget to send us a contest idea and remember, “Self-care is like chocolate, you can never have enough.”
drdianesanford.com 
I don’t know if this is too obvious, but a Gratitude List (I keep a Gratitude Journal, but sometimes that’s not practical) of at least 5 things you are grateful for today is a fabulous way to start off the day. We tend to focus so much on the negative that sometimes we need reminding of the positive. And I don’t care how awful your situation is, there are positives. Sometimes we may have to look really hard, but they’re there.
Over the course of one day, notice times you feel impatience or frustration. At these times, practice sitting with the feeling instead of trying to change it. And then, stop and ask yourself “what about this situation am I thankful or grateful for?”
Another good idea. It’s interesting that there is generally something positive about even the most frustrating situations as well as something negative about even the best situations. Wise to stay aware of this and practice gratitude even when it seems least likely.