Monday, April 23, 2012

Happenings of a Happy Has Been

Have I mentioned how glad I am not to have the pressure of preparing for a pageant this Summer?  Well, I AM GLAD!!  Memphis Pizza Cafe was GOOOOOOD today at lunch!  But, even though I don't have to worry about being tiny, tiny to fit into that Nazi Mrs. International fitness outfit, I do have to rediscover a little bit of discipline in order to make sure I am ready for the modeling jobs coming my way.  I had one today, and I'll be honest...I felt a little puffy.  So, I have to get semi serious.  Not super serious mind you; just semi serious.

I've started running again, and it feels great.  Running gives me such a fabulous mood lift.  I ran my first 5K of the season yesterday, and I finished in under 30 minutes which was my goal.  That made me happy, and it motivated me to keep improving.  I always have to be competing at something.  I thrive on it.  Without a goal; something to work for and improve upon, I feel a little lost.  Strangely, my running isn't exactly maintaining my weight like it should be, but I know that will come...once I put down the Oreos.

My life is so different than it was a year and a half ago; different in a good way.  I have my own business, I'm a working model, I'm making a positive difference, and I'm not miserable in the practice of law.  When I say I never saw any of this coming, I REALLY didn't see any of this coming.  Dreamed about it?  Maybe.  Allowed myself to believe it could actually happen?  Not so much.  My year as Mrs. Tennessee taught me how to believe in dreams again, but mostly it reminded me how to believe in myself.  I am very happy with my "has been" pageant queen status, but I am SO thankful it all happened like it did.  I feel so lucky, and I feel like I've just scratched the surface of my potential. 

Keep moving, keep improving...that is what this year is about for this "has been."

Modeling vintage Chanel jewelry for Mednikow Jewelry and Laurelwood Shopping Center
Me and David with Devon...MVPs at the Grizzlies v. Timberwolves game...great night :) 
My family hiking at Petit Jean Mountain...great day :) 

Be Good and Be Happy!       
Mary-Marsha Riley

Friday, April 6, 2012

Thought for the Month of April

In life, I try to pay attention to things that inspire me, and I am constantly intent upon improving myself and my outlook on this life.  I am the first to admit that sometimes life becomes heavy.  If you pay attention in life, you cannot escape seeing all the pain in the world.  Sometimes that pain is difficult to overcome and challenges hope and faith.  But, we can't let the hurt and pain in the world handicap us from making positive change in our own lives and in the lives of those we share this planet with. 

I am the kind of person who always needs a goal.  Obviously last year at this time I was in full on preparation mode for Mrs. International.  This year, my goals are to become happier and place in the Top 3 in my age group in a 5K race.  What is pretty convenient about those goals are that they work together.  When I run, I am happier!  But, I truly want to commit the next year to self discovery and improvement.  I made huge strides toward that goal last year, and I want to make even more progress this year.

I think the following thought from the inspiring Dale Smith Thomas gives all of us a jump start to improving our outlook and our perspective on life.    

"What you focus on gets bigger." Those 5 words if we truly understand them, believe them, and act on them can totally change our lives both personally and professionally. Are you focused on what you have accomplished and the things that are going right or are you focused on what isn't going right? Are you focused on your dreams and goals or are you "focusing" on the opinion of others and allowing it to slow you down?

-Dale Smith Thomas

Happy April! 

God Bless,
Mary-Marsha Riley