book – Jenna Jamieson, Author

Is it possible to add more to your plate?

By Jenna Jamieson | May 31, 2017 | Comments 2 comments

There’s so much to be said about making it to the other end of the tunnel at the end of the year, at least most teachers can relate to this! I loved every minute of being back at my old high school as a teacher. It was a new challenge, a new learning experience, and more than that a new way to give back to my community and the people in it. I must say not only did I survive happily through the exhaustion, chaos, and craziness of the school year, but I managed to do a few side projects as well. After all, life is supposed to by crazy busy, right?!

I finished my #ProjectKindnessBook which is titled Giving Back: Lessons from an adopted immigrant on why a happy life is about helping others, eloped to Ireland, and coordinated a backpack drive in my local community to help students in need. I was so excited to have lots of my own projects to do this summer including sort pictures, which has been on my ‘to do’ list for ages. And, then I was asked to serve as the community member for the SIU Carbondale Homecoming Committee which is where I do a lot of my volunteer work aside from other misc. volunteer projects I get myself roped up in! I pondered it for the night, curiously cautious about whether I wanted to give more free time. A lot of it over summer. I thought to myself how the heck can I be signing up to give my time to another project? It’s summer and I need to catch up on MY life. And then, I realized just how extremely selfish that is and was to think. I have so much more than the average person and the ability and control to always add more too my plate if I prioritize my projects correctly and use my time wisely. And, you have that same exact power! You can add more to your plate than you probably ever thought or realized. You can seek projects to get involved, find ways to give back by fulfilling disparities within your community, and realizing that life is bigger than you and your life, but about what you can do for others. At the moment, I felt like I needed some rest and relaxation after being a full-time beginning teacher, being newly married, writing a book, and then I remembered that my rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation in life comes from giving back and doing things for others in my ‘spare’ time. I use spare time loosely because I don’t seem to allow too much of that in my life. (Though, don’t let me deceive you, I plan on having a few fun days this summer with family and friends, enjoying the local wineries, and spending time with my husband – who usually helps along with the crazy projects I commit to and doesn’t get annoyed by all the extra time I spend doing things for others.)

The moral of the story isn’t that I make myself do good things or make myself give back or make myself have a passion for my community. It isn’t that I am this phenomenal person who is selfless. It’s just that giving back has become second nature to me in life. I have gotten so used to it being part of my life and who I am. It’s become my passion. I challenge you to join me with your pictures of giving back. Use these when you tag your pictures: #BeKind, #GiveBack, #HelpOthers, and #ProjectKindnessBook.

~jj

#ProjectKindnessBook

#AlwaysChooseKindness

Respect, Kindness, & Tolerance…this Christmas season!

By Jenna Jamieson | December 11, 2015 | Comments 0 Comment

I am finishing a book that I can’t wait to share with everyone because it revolves around helping others, kindness, and giving back. This has inspired me to share a post about respect, kindness, and tolerance which I think is especially important and critical to remember during the Christmas season. Christmas while fun is often a time of stress for many. It can be stressful to prepare for all the holiday festivities and parties, expensive to buy presents for everyone on your list, and it can be emotional or sad for those that have loved ones that are no longer here to celebrate with them.

As we move into this season of giving I hope we can also be mindful of those around us. While we may have different views, religious beliefs, and even traditions I hope that each person remembers to be respectful, kind, and tolerant of others. We don’t have to share the same views, go to the same church, or have the same traditions to be diplomatic, respectful, kind, and tolerant. That means we wish each other well and say, “Merry Christmas” to all.

This may seem like a simple post or even a “non health” related post, but in actuality it is a post that focuses on our spiritual, emotional, and social well-being. We accept others for who they are, we reach out to others to say “Merry Christmas” to include all, and we remember that different Christmas celebrations is what makes the world so beautiful.

So I challenge you to embrace each other through respect, kindness, and tolerance this Christmas season! Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night (and year)!

~jj

#ProjectKindnessBook

#AlwaysChooseKindness

Music, rhythm, and workout inspiration!

By Jenna Jamieson | January 29, 2015 | Comments 0 Comment

There are a few things about music that I absolutely LOVE: 1) It makes my workout go faster. 1, 2, 3 and you’re done in a flash! 2) It provides a great beat to ensure I keep up with my workout pace. 3) It helps me accomplish my goals through motivation. These are 3 things that will help you throughout your workout. Think of it as you + the music vs. your workout! 😉

Think of the world without music. Now, think of your workout without music. That would be something that is hard to consider for many of us because we use music to push us through our workout. The music almost becomes one with us because we want something to focus on besides our actual workout. Something that helps us become distracted and makes the workout go faster.

Another great thing about music is the beat it provides. I love this because it helps me stay on pace and go faster even when I am getting tired. It pushes me and challenges me so that I get through my entire workout and for that reason alone I think music is a perfect combination for working out. I have noticed that I try to stay with the beat of the music during my workout. Not that I actually “dance” throughout my interval training workout, but that I rhythmically do the exercises, staying in tune with the music. It helps me keep pace, stay focused, and makes my workout more fun! This is what makes music inspiration because it motivates and engages me during my workouts.

Music is a great way to make you happy, change your mood, and can help you accomplish your goals during your workout. With music, you can train your mind and body to move with the rhythm of the music, making your workout more challenging and fun! Further, music is a great way to help you accomplish your goals. Remember that it is important to be happy with whatever you accomplish because that along with music will help you to keep pushing forward! Music often makes you train harder so that you can pass your fitness and wellness goals.

If music isn’t your thing, try reading a book where you read 10 pages then run for 5 minutes, or some variation that works for you. The same can work for those who watch tv while they workout. You can run during commercials and walk during the program. Both options provide great interval training and that’s something that is great for your body. Interval training has actually been shown to be more beneficial than strictly running or walking.

So, next time you head to the gym, go outside for a run, or start your workout, you may just want to throw your earphones in as well! Happy skipping, moving, and working out to the music! 🙂

~jj