"If you trip in life, make it part of your dance"-unknown

 Lon Hagler Lake trail run

YES!!!

Have you been practicing to be awesome???

The Links Matter

What's holding you back?
              ..Issues may bring you down? Remember it has no control over you. Emotions/sickness/people/work stress can really hang on us. TAKE CONTROL! First acknowledge it is an issue. Do what you can in the moment---develop a plan on how to handle it--->Keep it outside your invisible force field. If you carry it everywhere/talk about it/be angry/fearful/upset-->it cause extra unnecessary stress on your body. Stress causes our bodies to be more susceptible to diseases, allergies,  and illness.
      Sooo... take a breathe in.....and out.....Let it go..... I'm not saying to forget your problems, they'll still be there, but you will no longer carry them throughout the day. You'll notice overall more balance with more focus, be happier, increased energy, and certainly more pleasant to be around :)

    
So get ready to pump those legs & swing higher!
       
       Get ready to be inspired and create more links



Smile.Laugh.Love.Be Inspired. Remember the small links matter.

Positive and negative are directions. Which direction do you choose?

Clear Thinkin’ soup

For those days you just dont feel so good or just need some good soup:)
Noodle free, Meat Free, vegetable pho’

Serves 4

1  quart of Vegetable pho- broth (can use vegetable broth)

2  zucchini chopped

3  cloves of garlic

¼ C  chopped green chili peppers

1  chopped sweet onion (small)

1  pkg bean sprouts (8oz)

1  can of water chestnuts

1  tsp xylitol or agave

1  tbsp of dried lemon basil or 1/3 c fresh basil

2 Tbsp coconut oil

Salt to taste

1/8 tsp turmeric

         Step 1:  Heat coconut oil & Saute chopped onion until fully cooked. Constantly stirring, gradually add garlic, green chili peppers, zucchini, bean sprouts and water chestnuts until saute till mostly cooked.
        Step 2: Add broth, salt, xylitol and lemon basil to sauteed veggies. Lightly stir & simmer for 5-7minutes. Serve and top with optional condiments.

Optional condiments:
Fresh Lime
Hot chili sauce
cinnamon
Sunflower seeds

I've got nothing to do today but smile.” ― Simon and Garfunkel

Love this

Celebrate Mother's day w/ Painting classes!!!

Jump in! Come experience a creative painting class and find your inner artist. Learn some of the basics of acrylic painting and get inspired-while enjoying the company of friends/family. Classes are 2-hour sessions for $45 per painter, includes easy step by step art instruction, all supplies are provided, and you'll have a new masterpiece for your home.
Reserve your spots today call (719) 425-9929 or  email
Perfect way to celebrate Mother's day! Create a lovely memory by taking a class together!

Upcoming May classes:
Held @ Hobby Lobby 3133 North Garfield Avenue  Loveland, CO 80538
    Come Celebrate Mother’s day painting together!!
      Friday, 11th @5:00-7:00pm
      Saturday,12th@5:00-7:00pm
      Friday, 25th @5:00-7:00pm
      Saturday, 26th @5:00-7:00pm
Must reserve in advanced
Reserve your spots today call (719) 425-9929 or  email
Interested in other dates or want to have Private party for any occasion? -Ask for details

What moves you?

Do you ever find yourself in a place of regret?
A place that you look at the stars and try to find where you fit?
Take a breath... I know it's been one of those weeks....
    Stand tall... even though you're small in this universe...
YOU have a purpose!!!

       (my main line I always want to get across) The DETAILS MATTER. The little things matter, and your time MATTERS!!! Time tells everything...YOU HAVE THE STRENGTH TO PURSUE...... Anything you want ....Walk the world like you are you're your own DOCTOR, PROFESSOR, EXPERT... because you are the only one who knows life like you! You are an EXAMPLE and have the GIFT OF WISDOM of what others haven't gone through. YOU have the POWER to MOVE THE MOUNTAINS others couldn't! I HOPE THAT MAKES YOU SMILE. If you find yourself in a place of weakness SEE IT as  GAINING STRENGTH!!!

Give yourself permission to  gain awareness that:
                                          ...you matter.
                                          ...you have balance,peace, and serenity.
                                          ...everything you do and every step you take in this world has a purpose!



So crash your wave of movement hard and make it meaningful in this world!

Gratitude

Spring is in the air.....
    Take a deep breathe in... focus on all small details in life that make you happy, and thankful....and breathe out... letting go of all problems and stresses you're carrying. Let them go...yes they're still there, acknowledge they're there, but choose to let go of the stress that comes with them and leave them outside your bubble. Breathe in....remembering the last time you smiled... and how that felt,  maybe: being shown kindness from a stranger, a little kid telling you a story, a older couple still in love..and telling the story of how they found each other, watching a breath taking sunset, someone complementing you, a priceless conversation with a friend, getting real letter from a loved one, blowing bubbles in your cubicle, seeing the most perfect flower, hearing the words "I love you", someone giving you a real hug, hearing a sincere "thank you" at work, laughing for no reason, hearing a song that moves you,etc. ....soak in that same feeling...smile...Choose to be thankful for the those happy times.
 Emotions are contagious, they have huge impact our health  and people we surround ourselves with... be the one guilty of spreading happiness today.
 
Recently I got thinking of ways to live happier... we all have challenging moments of feeling down and things don't go our way, it's part of the journey in life(highs&lows). Choose to no longer accept those defeating feelings. With all the pressure we have (relationships, Health,Time, Money, Work) in this life we sometimes forget to take the time to enjoy the small beauty's and show others we care. Use your time wisely by choosing, thinking, doing things that add and multiply to our happiness in life. GET RICH in HAPPINESS by choosing to think positive and be aware of what makes life great.
Take time to write down 5 things that have made you smile and have them when you need to be reminded to smile.
      Have a lovely day!!

Pearls of Wisdom

Life is truly an endless spiral of mystery... 

Going up and down... 

Not every fish friend is going the same direction... Sometimes we have to fight the current or surf the wave... Each of us has a purpose for the direction we go... Challenges come in waves... 

Often leaving pearls of wisdom to someday pass on...

Every struggle has a purpose! 

You have the strength to pursue anything!

Believe it.

Pop up gallery Event!!

I'll be showing my paintings in the Gallery at 213 E. 4th Street, downtown Loveland (01-13-12 only)! Doors open at 11am and stay open till 9pm.Featuring local artists....The gallery has a broadened and informed perspective; offering diverse and rigorously curated artwork in varied media and styles ranging from traditional to experimental. Stimulating presentation and community engagement, fostering creativity and artistic excellence!! You're invited!! Feel free to invite friends and family! Hope to see you there! Tifanee Petaja

Mountains in the making

My online Gallery is up :)

Browse through my collection of paintings all of which can be purchased as framed prints, canvas prints, greeting cards, and more. Click the the tab at the top and it will take you there! I hope you all are having a lovely holiday season :)

Paintings by Tifanee Petaja

Hello friends!!! Come downtown!!! I'll being show my paintings (1st time in Co) at this Friday Evening and Saturday @ the Pop up Gallery Holiday Art Show/Sale When: 5:30-9 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday It's downtown right near Snow Sculpture in the Dark and Loveland’s monthly art walk. Its going to be an a incredible night on the town. There are lots of other activities on tap for this event including wagon rides with Santa, musical entertainment, ice bowling, a live nativity scene and more. http://www.reporterherald.com/news/downtownloveland/ci_19486034 http://www.engagingloveland.org/events/featured-events/sculpture-in-the-dark

Launching into your "New Wave"

Sometimes in this world we get a little lost no matter what age- it can be an endless circle of a little bit of everything. Seems we're always learning lessons, learning to forgive(others &ourselves), learning to move on, and MOST IMPORTANTLY PURSUE A NEW FUTURE! Its a step by step process and we need to find our motivation, inspiration, and our therapy to help us out of the hard times to launch us back into new wave.

I find dreaming of successful ending first works best for me-keeping in mind dream like a child, no dream is too big to reach:)Then begin writing or putting those dreams/future goals down in someway- I enjoy writing, collages, and painting.  It makes those dreams come alive or at least visible reminder to yourself what is important you. This is going to help you find inspiration.
Sometimes the biggest thing is we just truly just forget about who we are. We get lost in the job, success, relationships......ideally we just forget to take time to take care of ourselves and find that inner balance again. When I need to free my mind I go running to find my inner strength and balance. Focus on what you need to find balance for your mind, body, and soul. Take care of yourself so that you can be there for others and be able to be successful at work, too. Choose to communicate clearly, be honest, and caring others. The small details in life matter; take the first step today just think about where you are with you... Think about what you've wanted to accomplish over years. Many of us aren't where we thought we'd be, and that's ok. Although, this is just new wake up call to find inspiration for change within ourselves before the start of the new year.

Motivation+Inspiration+therapy=balance -->change