By: Oriana Biela Lieu

I decided to take a break from blogging this summer. Since we often have people coming in  to Blue Apple Dental Group and asking about them, I am excited to bring them are back! To be honest we thought that there were not that many readers, so thank you to those of you who asked for more.

I took some time to have real fun. I spent two weeks traveling in Barcelona, Madrid and Paris with a friend having lots of laughs, riding dangerously in GO Cars and drinking too much sangria!   It was a great chance to read lots of books, forget about Donald Trump or Britney Spears or any of the stuff in the news. I also saw lots of history and some fantastic Flamenco in Madrid  (check out this video of fancy feet). It is said that to really fully relax it takes a person 6 successive weeks. I didn’t have that much time, but two weeks in the sun seemed pretty good. (Listening to this relaxing hypnosis is also helpful if you can’t get out of town but need to seriously chill out.) I also was able to go to see Sublime with Rome at the Concord Pavillion and ride a mule in Yosemite Valley.

I promised myself to live my life to the fullest this summer. Not rationalizing reasons to not do things, and always finding a way to say, “Yes, let’s do it!” It has been really satisfying. Anyone can do anything. As they say, “When there’s a will there’s a way.” Just stop worrying and trying to make everything perfect or planned or precise and you will be amazed at what comes your way.

My tips for making your summer (or any season) fantastic:

1-Appreciate your significant other or loved ones

Absence makes the heart grow fonder; time away from my honey (Dr.Lieu) made me appreciate him even more. As did he while he was at home with 2 sick kids.

2-Do one thing just for you each day

Sometimes we get stuck in our regular routine and forget what was once so important to us. I think we all have the ability to make time for things we love. Sometimes we forget to look at ourselves and remember what those things are. It can be as simple as taking a 10 minute walk; Enjoy your Starbucks or Teavana undisturbed in your favorite spot; call a friend or family member to have a conversation–not text!

3-Push your boundaries and see what happens

Take a chance and try. If things don’t happen as you thought they would, oh well.  I believe things happen for a reason; It is God or the universe teaching us something. There is always a message there, you just have to be able to see it and position yourself so it does or doesn’t happen again.

4-Have your actions come from a place of love

I am pretty reserved with people I don’t know well. I challenged myself to hug people when I ordinarily would not. People I may not have a great connection with or have maybe had an issue or frustration with in the past, I decided to come at them with hugs and smiles. The reaction I received is people happy to be near me and me feeling connected to others in a very real way.

5-Sing! Dance! Be Creative!   

Dance parties are a regular thing at our house.  We are still working on our “Whip and NeNe.”Now we have added singing. I have been terrified to sing publicly forever. Years of singing in church didn’t help me overcome the story of me trying to sing as a child and being mistaken for being mentally challenged.;-(  Singing out of tune is OK. Seeing your shy 5 year old bust a move and belt out his favorite song is heartwarming. Hearing your husband sing to you, and singing together is something really special.

Fueling my need for dance parties and great “mixtapes” I recently found the app 8Tracks. I love it. If you are just looking for something different than what is on your usual playlist, the 8Track mixes give lots of variety.

Hope you readers enjoy this and try some of these things in your life. Please let me know you are out there! I appreciate feedback and input, always!  Connect with me and Blue Apple on by liking our page on Facebook or following us on Pinterest or Twitter. If you liked this, share with a friend!

I am trying to make this Blog more a place to share tips for dental health and wellness and also a place for inspiration on how to attract joy into your life.

What topics would you like to see more about?

Hugs!

Oriana