While the recent political climate can be challenging, I look to the silver linings and focus on maintaining habits that keep me healthy, both mentally and physically. I practice daily gratitude, and it reminds me that there is so much to be grateful for! Most mornings, I wake up and make a mental note of a few of the things I appreciate. I also write down what I’m thankful for because journaling helps me process my thoughts more thoroughly.
Another habit that has a big influence on the way I feel is engaging in consistent exercise.
Health and fitness are the foundations of everything, so I make them a priority
I’m taking a yoga class called radiant yoga, which isn’t as hot as Bikram but still gets my blood flowing, and I also do a power flow. It’s tough! I usually attend these classes on the weekends. During the week, I do a workout similar to CrossFit. It features circuit training with rounds of lifting, pushups, burpees, and other exercises. It definitely makes me sweat!
Finding my exercise routine has been a journey in and of itself. Last year, I started a challenge where I aimed to lose 20 pounds in six weeks. I was making great progress with it, but during the fifth week, I broke my foot. It took me three months to recover from the injury. As I started getting back into my exercise routine once my foot was healed, I was reminded how hard it is to get your momentum back after months away. It’s been tough, but I know how much better I feel when I make time for exercise.
I’m aiming to do some type of physical activity six days a week, and so far, it’s going well!
Being outdoors is also a big source of joy in my life, and I often combine that desire with fitness. I love hiking, and in addition to doing a lot of that this year, I’m giving skiing a try! I bought a pair of skis, and we’re making some trips to Tahoe to hit the slopes. I took lessons a couple years ago on the bunny hill, and I’m ready to get back out there!
True to his name, Happy has been bringing much mirth to our lives. He’s becoming more well-behaved thanks to the assistance of a trainer who comes to our home to see how we can best support his growth and learning. The trainer observes his habits and shows us how we can effectively encourage him. As we get to know Happy, he’s getting to know us, and we keep in mind that raising a rescue pet comes with additional effort. But we are more than willing to put in the time for him.
Even with the best habits, I know it can be challenging to see the bright side sometimes. Every day, I work with families who face obstacles as the administration makes it more difficult for them to get through the immigration process by issuing more requests for evidence. Despite these barriers, we are still getting our clients’ cases approved, and at the end of the day, we hold our heads up high, knowing we work hard to find resolutions for them. We’re still getting good results for our clients, despite the challenges we face. Because our team knows that we are overwhelmingly successful, it builds confidence.
You can read about some of the triumphant outcomes we’ve obtained for our clients inside the newsletter. I hope it reminds you that even when the situation seems impossible, there is always hope.