The Reluctant Runner

Today's happy: Selectivity. I'm selective in all things even my battles. Sometimes you have to be okay letting them think they won 😊. Mama said early on, "Nisha, everything isn't worth your attention. Keep your head forward." I had to live to really learn. #queening #peace #day58 #100HappyDays

Today's happy: Letting go. Experience is truly a great teacher. Take the lessons and move forward with an attitude of gratitude. #introspection #life #happinessisbeauty #day56 #100HappyDays

Today's happy: Sonia Sanchez. Any time you have the opportunity to be in the presence of a phenomenal woman you should seize it and cherish it. Tonight was awesome😊. "This world is a better place because of Sonia Sanchez: more livable, more laughable, more manageable. I wish millions of people knew that some of the joy in their lives comes from the fact that Sonia Sanchez is writing poetry." - Maya Angelou. #day53 #100HappyDays

Today's happy: Self love :-). We live in a world where black women are expected to be eternally humble. My response: unapologetic self love, preservation, and celebration. No, I will not be quiet about how wonderful I am. No, I will not labor quietly waiting for applause. My worthiness for celebration exists whether noticed by anyone else or not. So, while you wait and labor, I will protest. I will shout my own damn name like Badu. They've told us to hate ourselves to the point that we chastise and criticize each other for daring to be visible. Wait, they say. Work hard. Save everyone but yourself and don't complain. No, thank you. I will protest 💙. #day51 #100HappyDays

Today's happy: My personal mission statement and Day 50!!!!! I'm halfway through my 100 Happy Days Challenge and it's working 😊. I'm grateful each day for the smallest of things. My tea....the flatbread a co-worker shared with me today....eating pizza and drinking red wine for dinner.... Wrote this on my birthday last year and I read it often as a reminder of my wonderful black woman magic. #day50 #100HappyDays

Today's happy: Enjoying my own company 😊. Solo casual breakfast and @thisistheread's Best Of episode in my headphones....getting my entire life. Lesson: Do the world and yourself a favor. Learn to enjoy your own company. Be someone you want to be around. "I'm way too interesting to ever be bored." - Nisha Chantel. #selfcareSaturday #day47 #100HappyDays

I'm just going to sit this here and go warm my tea. Live your own life and shout your own name while doing it. Are you impressing yourself? If so, great! If not, get to work. #behonest #beaware #begrateful #todayswisdom

Today's happy: Mid-day text convo with one bestie and surprise phone call from another confirming why you keep the ones who "get it" close. I'm so glad to have found my fellow unicorns. #day17 #100HappyDays

Today's happy: My literal Couch to 5k. The clouds, the rain, the cold...all these conditions made a convincing case for my remaining warmly snuggled in my bed. But, my heart wouldn't let me sleep. My plan was to leisurely walk and talk with those around me. I even wore Nikes instead of Brooks. At the start line, I knew there was no way I was about to walk. My patience and pacing wouldn't allow that. So, walk/mostly run/talk I did on this dreary Nashville morning surrounded by beautiful people for a wonderful purpose. Wake with purpose. God is too good not to. What do you rise for? #NashvilleCARES #NashvilleAIDSWalk #purpose #joy #day12 #100HappyDays

In that order....😉#missionaccomplished #day8 #100HappyDays

Missed my restorative yoga class this evening. Lawd! I needed some deep meditation and stretching in my life! But, instead of diverting directly to happy hour, I ended up in the produce section. Health is not just a few runs and some gym action. It begins with what you consume and this body prefers home-cooked meals...when I have time 😉. Sidebar: Can someone please answer Hot Yoga's ad for front desk help so I can stop being locked out by the instructor who doubles as the receptionist? #day7 #cookingtherapy #100HappyDays

I promise not to post a 100 selfies 😉. Lol! But, I'm pretty sure taking a picture of someone else's child in Walgreens would be pretty weird. Stopped in after work for my favorite primer (L'oreal Makeup Base, great drugstore brand...I digress). While walking, I hear a small voice say "You're pretty!" I look down and am met with the cutest little brown girl. I immediately respond, "Thank you! You're beautiful and I love your pink shirt." This broke the ice and led to me helping mom with picking foundations shades 😊. Today was a really good day. I was all prepared to post about not hitting the snooze button, meditation, blah, blah, blah. But, this was a genuine moment with a genuine soul. #refreshing #toorare #100HappyDays

This looks like an ordinary glass of sangria. But, this glass of sangria has a story. It almost didn't happen. Rock wit me for a second. I dressed to run and drove to my fave park. After looking up the time of sunset and calculating the pace it would take to beat it, I surmised my run was not as important as avoiding being the latest victim on channel 5. So, to happy hour I went with great company and conversation😊. Proud of myself for trying. Lesson: These 100 days may not be perfect or particularly exciting and I don't care to paint them to be. That's not my goal. The goal is better. #reality #day2 #100HappyDays

The beast is back or at least my passion...LOL. I have alot to do and I need to be strong to do it. Keeping this in mind, I'm closing out the year with the 100 Happy Days Challenge. My 100th day ends on December 31st!!!!! Purely coincidental, yet appropriate :-). This year's tests will not be my story. I will be posting workouts along with other happiness. If this interests you, rock wit me (in my distinctly TaNisha voice). I'm fighting for my best life and I know there are some other people doing the same. This is for us. Today's happiness: Step runs and lunges at dusk...with firemen. Loved pushing my body. It hurts so good! Now to find my glutes again....pow! #staytuned #100HappyDays

"Why do I post selfies?" Answer: I'm intensely private. Rather than post every meal, vacation, outing, event, outhouse, henhouse...I choose to post less invasive things. To be clear, the most gorgeous things about me are intangible. My loyalty, intense honesty, quick wit and amazing heart are only things I share with those I trust along with my location and who I'm with at any given time. 😉 Like or scroll. #mamataughtme #toeachhisown #doyou