Here I am, trying on my bathing suit to go to Florida soon. I'm months away from turning 30 and still struggling with the same. darn. thing. Wishing I didn't have these "love handles," or that my belly was flatter, or my thighs were thinner, or my arms didn't jiggle so much. But now, I'm a mom of 3 girls. Three precious faces looking to me, observing and learning through my example how to feel about themselves. And no matter how many times I assure them that they are beautiful and perfect just as they are, that message will be lost if they see me believing any differently about myself.
How Changing Your Focus Could Change Everything
My husband and I bought our first home in a cute little river town called Marietta. Occasionally, on a Saturday morning, I would take advantage of living near the water and head down to the river. I loved to sit silently and watch the water. It was a wonderful opportunity for me to unwind and to simply be.
How Could 5 Seconds Could Change Your Life?
Yesterday, I finished reading Mel Robbins' book, "The 5 Second Rule."It has nothing to do with dropped food.It has everything to do with improving your life. The premise is this: Any time your gut tries to move in the right direction, your brain talks you out of it after 5 seconds. If you don't take action within those first 5 seconds, you miss your window of opportunity.
I Was Having “One of Those Days” as a Mom
I was having one of those days as a mom. I was frustrated. Nothing seemed to be going right. My fuse was getting shorter. I was exhausted. The kids wouldn't listen. They kept asking me for things. Asking over and over and over again. Even after I had said no a million times...
On Being a Mom and Being a Role Model
Do you ever sit around and think about how much your life has changed since you became a mom? I do. I look at my girls and I think about how they'll see life someday-- how they may not remember everything I say, but they will remember the lessons that I teach them with my own life. I want them to know that they can do anything, not just because I tell them so but because I show them so. I want to be an example of continual personal growth, loving others, and having a servant's heart. An example of someone who went for her dreams, instead of simply talking…
How to Manage Your Time So You Always Have Time For What’s Most Important
As a married mom of three, a part-time jewelry consultant, and blogger, I have been forced to become better at time management. And I am always trying to improve my skills in this area. I want to maximize my time with my family, but I don't want to give up the big dreams that I have for us. I often get asked, "How do you do it all?!" The answer is that I prioritize. I am learning to make a distinction between the urgent and the important.
Permission to Recharge
This week I have been confronted with an important lesson just when I needed it. So many days I am "go go going." I try to fit in every little task into my day. As soon as my peaceful morning routine is over, I start running around. I often multi-task in an effort to save time and get more done. The message that I have received this week is "Slow down. Life is not an emergency. You must take time to refill your tank and or will run out of gas on the highway."
Are You Moving in the Right Direction?
Yesterday was my 27th birthday. Birthdays have a way of causing you to reflect on life— where you've been, where you are, and where you are going. I'm still in awe that my body helped create two little beautiful human beings. My oldest will be THREE this year. It seems like only yesterday that we brought her home. I can't believe this year will be five years since I married my husband. That means it's also been five years since I graduated from college. Time seems to be going so fast.
Worrying, Achieving, and Learning to “Be Still”
By nature, I am wound pretty tight. I am very anxious and often worried and I find it hard to relax. I have always believed that I had to be that way in order to be a high achiever. To let go and "take it easy" would be to accept lower standards of myself. But I no longer believe that to be true.
Have Courage and Be Kind
Courage and kindness have been reoccurring themes in my life lately. Last week I saw the new "Cinderella" movie. I'm a huge Disney princess lover (having two small girls is just a cover-up), so I was giddy about this experience. Simply stated...I loved it. One of the reasons I loved it so much was because of the amazing lesson(s) of this film. There is the classic Cinderella moral: "Dream big and never give up hope." But the focus was much more on the lesson that Cinderella's mother tells her before her passing: "Have courage and be kind."
