This post is part of the Balanced challenge with Tricia Goyer—and you can join, too!
Read chapter ten and come up with your list of “eight.” Then write down those eight themes on a pretty piece of paper and post it somewhere you’ll see it often (bathroom mirror, refrigerator, bulletin board, etc.). Then take a picture of it and post it on your blog.
Music, singing, worship. It's how God reached me and music is what kept me coming back. I was not blessed with a beautiful voice, but I love to sing. So I do. All the time and I think it brings joy to the Lord.
Family is what you make it. There are those you're born to, those you are drawn to and those you draw to you.
People matter. Get to know the people in your community, whether that's at work, at church or in your neighborhood.
Serving a higher purpose. There's nothing more rewarding than knowing you've positively affected someone else's life.
Friendship is a gift. Treasure your friendships. Nurture your relationships so they can blossom and grow as you change throughout life.
Take time to play. You're never to old to have fun. Always be young at heart. Life is short.
Laugh at yourself. Laughter is the best medicine. Have you ever done something ridiculous or really embarrassing? The quicker you can laugh at yourself the better you'll feel. Don't waste time scolding yourself - it'll only bring you down.
Be thankful. For all the little things. Those are what you miss the most when they're gone.
Showing posts with label Balanced. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Balanced. Show all posts
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
March 19: Inspiration and Relaxation (Chapter Nine)
This post is part of the Balanced challenge with Tricia Goyer—and you can join, too!
Give your mind a rest and a dose of good, old-fashioned inspiration. Carve out some time today to implement one of my tips about finding inspiration and enjoy the feeling of creativity. Then come up with your own list of ways you can find inspiration and share those on your blog.
Find time to spend with God. This is an area I continually struggle with. I find I have been talking to God more lately and that's progress from where I was a couple of months ago. I definitelyneed want to carve out time in my day and dedicate it to quality time with God.
Research the area you want to pursue. I've started doing this. I keep collecting information. I've amassed so much that I need to find time to sort through it and keep what's good and get rid of the rest.
Expect to make adjustments to your schedule. I'm married, have three kids and work full time...I definitely expect to make adjustments to my schedule, especially since I want to start my own business. Research and planning is all done in my spare time.
Enjoy the process of striving toward your dream. I admit that this is an easy one. When I do get some solid time to work on my dream I find it completely uplifting. I do get a little frustrated when I don't get as much time to work on things as I'd like. I need to go back a step and expect to make adjustments.
Develop relationships with others who share the same talents and goals. Relationships come naturally to me, although I do find it difficult to purposely network in real life. Online is so much easier and yes I suppose safer as well. No doesn't hurt as much while online. Although I have also met some amazing people online who share similar talents and goals.
Openly communicate your dreams to your family, and ask them to share theirs. I try to be as much of an open book as I can be. There have been times when I've had ideas and friends or family have shot those ideas down. Yes, maybe some really were ridiculous. Some of my dreams however could have been worth following. Would they have taken a lot of work? Absolutely. Is there risk in following your dreams? Yes, of course. Can I accomplish my dreams? I can, if it's part of God's plan.
Make daily appointments with God to ensure you are on the right track. I often forget to consult with God and when I do everything seems to go askew. I wanted to come up with the right business name. I couldn't move forward until I had the right name. I made several attempts. A few times I thought I had it right. And then I got God involved and suddenly a couple of words popped out at me and I was able to put something together. I'm still not 100% sure about it as the name, but I know the words I found are going to be the foundation of my business. I know it will be a solid foundation.
How do I find inspiration?
I find inspiration in my day to day life, in the people I meet and the things that happen from one day to the next. Music helps a lot too. Listening to loud music and singing along is my happy place. When I do come up with ideas I have a friend that I run to for advice on whether it's good, bad, just plain crazy. The best part is no matter how ridiculous my ideas are she's always honest and encouraging.
As a side note I also tend to get my best ideas while in the shower or while washing the dishes. I'm not 100% sure why that is. I assume it's because I don't need to think about the task at hand and I can let my mind wander. All I know for sure is it works.
I'd love to hear about ways that you find inspiration!
Give your mind a rest and a dose of good, old-fashioned inspiration. Carve out some time today to implement one of my tips about finding inspiration and enjoy the feeling of creativity. Then come up with your own list of ways you can find inspiration and share those on your blog.
Find time to spend with God. This is an area I continually struggle with. I find I have been talking to God more lately and that's progress from where I was a couple of months ago. I definitely
Research the area you want to pursue. I've started doing this. I keep collecting information. I've amassed so much that I need to find time to sort through it and keep what's good and get rid of the rest.
Expect to make adjustments to your schedule. I'm married, have three kids and work full time...I definitely expect to make adjustments to my schedule, especially since I want to start my own business. Research and planning is all done in my spare time.
Enjoy the process of striving toward your dream. I admit that this is an easy one. When I do get some solid time to work on my dream I find it completely uplifting. I do get a little frustrated when I don't get as much time to work on things as I'd like. I need to go back a step and expect to make adjustments.
Develop relationships with others who share the same talents and goals. Relationships come naturally to me, although I do find it difficult to purposely network in real life. Online is so much easier and yes I suppose safer as well. No doesn't hurt as much while online. Although I have also met some amazing people online who share similar talents and goals.
Openly communicate your dreams to your family, and ask them to share theirs. I try to be as much of an open book as I can be. There have been times when I've had ideas and friends or family have shot those ideas down. Yes, maybe some really were ridiculous. Some of my dreams however could have been worth following. Would they have taken a lot of work? Absolutely. Is there risk in following your dreams? Yes, of course. Can I accomplish my dreams? I can, if it's part of God's plan.
Make daily appointments with God to ensure you are on the right track. I often forget to consult with God and when I do everything seems to go askew. I wanted to come up with the right business name. I couldn't move forward until I had the right name. I made several attempts. A few times I thought I had it right. And then I got God involved and suddenly a couple of words popped out at me and I was able to put something together. I'm still not 100% sure about it as the name, but I know the words I found are going to be the foundation of my business. I know it will be a solid foundation.
How do I find inspiration?
I find inspiration in my day to day life, in the people I meet and the things that happen from one day to the next. Music helps a lot too. Listening to loud music and singing along is my happy place. When I do come up with ideas I have a friend that I run to for advice on whether it's good, bad, just plain crazy. The best part is no matter how ridiculous my ideas are she's always honest and encouraging.
As a side note I also tend to get my best ideas while in the shower or while washing the dishes. I'm not 100% sure why that is. I assume it's because I don't need to think about the task at hand and I can let my mind wander. All I know for sure is it works.
I'd love to hear about ways that you find inspiration!
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
March 18: Make Today Amazing (Chapter Eight)
This post is part of the Balanced challenge with Tricia Goyer—and you can join, too!
Take one of my tips to make today amazing (toward the end of the chapter in Balanced) and implement it today. Did you notice a difference in your attitude? What changed? Blog about it!
Oh, Tricia continues to stretch my limits with the Balanced Challenge. I'm expecting that monthly visitor and it's been quite difficult with today's challenge. Here are the highlights:
Take one of my tips to make today amazing (toward the end of the chapter in Balanced) and implement it today. Did you notice a difference in your attitude? What changed? Blog about it!
Oh, Tricia continues to stretch my limits with the Balanced Challenge. I'm expecting that monthly visitor and it's been quite difficult with today's challenge. Here are the highlights:
- I sang Psalm 51 while in the shower. I actually sang it off and on throughout the day. It's such a blessing to have a song of God in my heart!
- I had a nap in my car. Yes, this was a highlight. It was quiet, peaceful, and warm (heated seats).
- I took a few minutes to listen to Furious by Jeremy Riddle (Bethel Church). Okay I played a couple of versions and replayed them a couple of times. God loves us furiously!
- I took a few minutes to lay on the couch with my head on my husband's lap.
- I hugged each of my children and told them I love them
- My kids put away their clothes and the boys did the dishes!
- My daughter and I had a mini dance party
Here's what I was singing in the shower this morning:
Have Mercy on Me, O God
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin
You cleanse me from my sin
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy,
the joy of your salvation.
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy,
the joy of your salvation.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise
and my mouth will declare your praise
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise
and my mouth will declare your praise
Monday, March 17, 2014
March 17: Teamwork (Chapter Seven)
This post is part of the Balanced challenge with Tricia Goyer—and you can join, too!
Many hands make light work—and moms, you shouldn’t feel the need to do everything yourself. Schedule a quick family meeting today to talk to your kids and spouse about the responsibilities you all can share to make your load a bit lighter. Blog about what task was given to whom.
Well, it's our wedding anniversary today so our schedule this evening was totally off. I drove home from work to pick up the kids and my husband. We dropped the kids off at the in-laws and went for a lovely dinner at East Side Mario's.
By the time we got home it was after 8 so I got my six year old daughter to bed. The boys, however, I asked them to clean the kitchen. Of course, I got the usual hesitations.
So, I took some time to talk to them about how we are all a part of this family. We're a family of five living in a nice home. If each one of us helps out around the house it benefits all of us. We keep trying to give them a specific "chore" but this doesn't always work out so well. Instead, we're just all going to help with what is needed.
Tonight, what was needed, was the kitchen to be tidied up. The boys did a great job of doing the dishes and making sure the kitchen was presentable. I'm sure tomorrow morning will go more smoothly having a clean kitchen!
Good night and God Bless!
Many hands make light work—and moms, you shouldn’t feel the need to do everything yourself. Schedule a quick family meeting today to talk to your kids and spouse about the responsibilities you all can share to make your load a bit lighter. Blog about what task was given to whom.
Well, it's our wedding anniversary today so our schedule this evening was totally off. I drove home from work to pick up the kids and my husband. We dropped the kids off at the in-laws and went for a lovely dinner at East Side Mario's.
By the time we got home it was after 8 so I got my six year old daughter to bed. The boys, however, I asked them to clean the kitchen. Of course, I got the usual hesitations.
So, I took some time to talk to them about how we are all a part of this family. We're a family of five living in a nice home. If each one of us helps out around the house it benefits all of us. We keep trying to give them a specific "chore" but this doesn't always work out so well. Instead, we're just all going to help with what is needed.
Tonight, what was needed, was the kitchen to be tidied up. The boys did a great job of doing the dishes and making sure the kitchen was presentable. I'm sure tomorrow morning will go more smoothly having a clean kitchen!
Good night and God Bless!
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
March 12: How Your Work Benefits from You Being at Home (Chapter Two)
Chapter 2 - How Your Work Benefits from You Being at Home
What can you do or change to make working from home actually work for you? Creating an office space? Cleaning up that office space? Looking into finding a babysitter for a few hours a day? Take the first steps in making the change, then take a photo of your progress and post it on your blog.
I truly tried to do this tonight. While I did end up with a decent workspace it did not come easily!
My workspace is in my living room. The computer is set up with the tv. The idea is to send the kids upstairs for a certain amount of time while I have quality work time. Before I could get to work though I needed to organize my clutter.
The box if full of papers, books, taxes and a skirt that needs to be sewn. Beside the box are two baskets of yarn and crochet accessories. Okay there's a lot here, but if I just prioritize then I think I can get it done. What the priority here? Oh yes, my skirt so I can wear it to work tomorrow.
And then I realized I needed to wash my comforter so we can use it tonight. Off I go down the stairs to start a load of wash. Only, there's a load in the dryer and the washer already. I finish switching over the laundry and get my dirty sheets and comforter into the washer, make the bed with clean sheets so now all it needs it the comforter. Then I remember how disgusting my bathroom is. So, I cleaned it and pushed all the dirty laundry into the laundry room, gathered up all the garbage in the basement, and brought up some dirty dishes.
Now I'm upstairs. Back to sewing my skirt. Wait my sewing box is broken. I need something else to put this stuff in. Somehow, my vitamins and medications got organized and I eventually found something to put my meager sewing stuff into.
Crap. It's later than I realized and my daughter needs to go to bed.
So, I did managed to sew my skirt while watching a couple of sitcoms. Finally, I managed to go through my big box of stuff and organize it into tidy little pile. Here are some pictures while going through the worst of it.
The final product and I have a feeling tomorrow will go a lot more smoothly as a result!
In the round table is what's left of my pile. I still have lots of crochet stuff, but it's easy to hide. I need it accessible so I can complete a blanket I'm working on.
Overall, I got so much done tonight, even if it wasn't all on my radar. I felt a little it like I fell down the rabbit hole and couldn't find the right way out. So, I think it will be a lot less stressful when I sit down to work from here on out.
Today's challenge...accepted and completed!
What can you do or change to make working from home actually work for you? Creating an office space? Cleaning up that office space? Looking into finding a babysitter for a few hours a day? Take the first steps in making the change, then take a photo of your progress and post it on your blog.
I truly tried to do this tonight. While I did end up with a decent workspace it did not come easily!
My workspace is in my living room. The computer is set up with the tv. The idea is to send the kids upstairs for a certain amount of time while I have quality work time. Before I could get to work though I needed to organize my clutter.
The box if full of papers, books, taxes and a skirt that needs to be sewn. Beside the box are two baskets of yarn and crochet accessories. Okay there's a lot here, but if I just prioritize then I think I can get it done. What the priority here? Oh yes, my skirt so I can wear it to work tomorrow.
And then I realized I needed to wash my comforter so we can use it tonight. Off I go down the stairs to start a load of wash. Only, there's a load in the dryer and the washer already. I finish switching over the laundry and get my dirty sheets and comforter into the washer, make the bed with clean sheets so now all it needs it the comforter. Then I remember how disgusting my bathroom is. So, I cleaned it and pushed all the dirty laundry into the laundry room, gathered up all the garbage in the basement, and brought up some dirty dishes.
Now I'm upstairs. Back to sewing my skirt. Wait my sewing box is broken. I need something else to put this stuff in. Somehow, my vitamins and medications got organized and I eventually found something to put my meager sewing stuff into.
Crap. It's later than I realized and my daughter needs to go to bed.
So, I did managed to sew my skirt while watching a couple of sitcoms. Finally, I managed to go through my big box of stuff and organize it into tidy little pile. Here are some pictures while going through the worst of it.
The final product and I have a feeling tomorrow will go a lot more smoothly as a result!
In the round table is what's left of my pile. I still have lots of crochet stuff, but it's easy to hide. I need it accessible so I can complete a blanket I'm working on.
Overall, I got so much done tonight, even if it wasn't all on my radar. I felt a little it like I fell down the rabbit hole and couldn't find the right way out. So, I think it will be a lot less stressful when I sit down to work from here on out.
Today's challenge...accepted and completed!
This post is part of the Balanced challenge with Tricia Goyer—and you can join, too!
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
March 11: Family Priorities (Chapter One)
Welcome to Chapter one of Balanced - Finding Center as a Work-at-Home Mom, By Tricia Goyer.
Determine what your priorities as a family are. Ask yourself a few questions:
Determine what your priorities as a family are. Ask yourself a few questions:
What do we want to achieve as a family?
- To have dinner together as a family
- To spend quality time together
- To have dinner together as a family
- To spend quality time together
What will matter five years from now—ten years from now?
- That my children have a close relationship with one another
- That we're a close knit family who enjoys each other's company
- That my children have a close relationship with one another
- That we're a close knit family who enjoys each other's company
What will mold our children into God-serving adults?
- To take turns praying at dinner
- To spend time reading the bible together
- To connect and serve in our church and community
- To take turns praying at dinner
- To spend time reading the bible together
- To connect and serve in our church and community
What will bring peace—not stress—to our home?
- That my children will learn to be a part of the family unit and that chores help the whole household
- To look at what God is doing in our lives and the lives of those around us
So, that's my answers to the questions of chapter one. There are some things I need to implement like the praying and reading the bible with the kids. We do eat dinner most nights as a family, but there's definitely room for improvement. Stay tuned for Chapter Two tomorrow!
This post is part of the Balanced challenge with Tricia Goyer—and you can join, too!
- That my children will learn to be a part of the family unit and that chores help the whole household
- To look at what God is doing in our lives and the lives of those around us
So, that's my answers to the questions of chapter one. There are some things I need to implement like the praying and reading the bible with the kids. We do eat dinner most nights as a family, but there's definitely room for improvement. Stay tuned for Chapter Two tomorrow!
This post is part of the Balanced challenge with Tricia Goyer—and you can join, too!
A Mass Update - Writing/Isagenix/Balanced Challenge
I've been reading another Tricia Goyer book, Balanced - Finding Center as a Work-at-Home Mom. She's such a fantastic writer and so down to earth. Tricia really is my kind of woman - completely imperfect but she is an inspiration because of these imperfections. This book isn't just for the work-at-home moms. It's really for any parent who is trying to find that balanced life. For the next eleven days I'll be posting my personal answers to questions from each chapter.
Writing Challenge
So, for those of you who are keeping up...Yes. I am doing a challenge within a challenge within a challenge. (31 Days of Writing Challenge, 12 Week IsaBody Challenge, and 11 Day Balanced Challenge) This of course is on top of all the other things I do...I work full time, have three kids and a husband. Plus there's church things, and a board of directors I'm involved with. Plus there's the mystery thing I'm working on too.
I'm starting to think I may need to scale down on some things.
Hmm.
Isagenix Update
I have to say today's been a pretty amazing day. I was pretty tired this morning, but I've had so much creativity today it's insane! I spent my 30 minute lunch break working on my mystery project. And the creativity just keeps on coming. You know the last three days I've actually done a little bit of house work. Yes. For me, that IS a big deal. It's not even like I set out to do these extra things on purpose. I've just been doing them. It's like I'm seeing things differently. This is pretty fantastic.
Isagenix where've you been for the last 9 years?!
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