The past few days seem to have gone by in a flash....I continue to work on the cleaning and organization of the house. How in the world did I ever let it get this bad ?! There seems to be a never ending supply of things I don't need, use, or even like! I've resolved to be more mindful of my purchases this year.
Going through all of our things is a pretty solitary activity and so I've had a lot of time to think...about things. Like what needs to be purged from my mind and life as well. What thoughts, ideas and feelings have I been holding onto that I need to release? Maybe some old grudges, ideas about what I can and cannot do, my understanding (admittedly very limited) of who God really is and what His will for my life is. Just to name a few. Let's just start with what I believe about myself for instance. I use to believe that I couldn't exercise. I told my doctor I couldn't, it just hurt to much. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia about 18 years ago and since then I've pretty much allowed it to run my life. I was always to tired or in to much pain to do the things I wanted to and it was a convenient excuse NOT to do the things I didn't want to or in reality was afraid to try. I realize now I missed out on a lot of Life.
I began to make a change in February of last year. A very good friend and I made a covenant together to exercise and to make better food choices. Having some one to be accountable to made a huge difference. Also, I was under so much stress at work that exercising was the only way for me release it in an appropriate manner. I see now that God used those two things together to help me see that:
1. I can do hard things
2. I'm stronger than I think
3. Taking care of my physical body is important
4. I can do anything when He's there beside me
So now after almost a year....I love exercise. I look forward to it. I've lost weight and gone off two medications. I've decided to take the Apostle Paul's words as my mantra " I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should," 1 Cor. 9:27. I know I'm taking it out of context, but I'm tired of my body dictating to me what I will and will not do!
That goes for my mind as well. Too long have I let thoughts of not being smart enough, thin enough, young enough etc.. to rule my thinking. With Christ I am more than enough. It's a new way of thinking and acting for me this year!
So with that in mind, I did something that has excited and terrified me all at the same time. I applied for a job as a Flight Attendant with one of the airlines that has a hub in our area. I have no idea if I will even be called for an interview, but just submitting the online application was a HUGE step for me.
Whatever The Lord has in store for me I'm on board with!
I've also continued to enjoy reading The Happiness Project. One of Grethen's theories is that growth is important to our happiness and I believe that's absolutely correct. It isn't just the mastery of the new skill but the journey along the way that causes the growth to happen. Working on this blog has been a growth experience and happiness has certainly been a byproduct of that growth.
Learning to use an iPad is another opportunity for growth since I've never used an Apple product before. I was a little irritated with my husband for not wanting to go with me to make the purchase, but after I was done I realized how good I felt about myself for researching (took me a month to decide) it, making the decision to do it and then acting on that decision. I felt strong, capable.....smart! Who knew! Now I just need to master using it!
Here's to living life to the fullest this year!
Shan
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Monday, January 7, 2013
Delusions of "What Shan Can Do."
Today was my first non-working Monday... I kept waiting for someone to catch me playing hooky and call my Mom! All this freedom is a little unsettling for me.
I had such big plans for today. I hate to admit it, but I suffer from a terrible condition I like to call "Delusions of What Shan Can Do." Every night as I'm lying there in bed I think of all I want to accomplish the next day and the list is incredibly long. This is what I had planned last night for today:
Get up at 5 am
Work out for at least an hour
Finish cleaning/organizing the "exercise room"
Have Devotions
Make a drop at Goodwill
Go grocery shopping
Cook dinner
Now let me tell you what really happened. I didn't get up at 5 am. I think maybe I've goten up that early twice in my life and I'm pretty sure I was forced or tricked. Today my eyelids were barely open at 9! The day hadn't even started and I was already disappointed in myself.
Now here's the real problem. I am not a morning person. Never have been, probably never will be. And getting up at 5 in the morning is so totally unrealistic. I have the best of intentions laying there in the dark, but come morning snuggled there in my nice warm bed, all rational thought flees. Another problem with mornings is the stiffness. My body seems to "freeze" over night and those first few movements are incredibly painful and so I put them off as long as I possibly can.
I did finally push and pull myself out of bed and made my way to the treadmill. I was able to put in a good 36 minutes! Why 36 minutes you might wonder? Well I have this weird thing with myself. I want to do a mile in less than 15 minutes. Not really all that ambitious I know, but that's my goal right now. I also want to do at least 2 miles. This morning that first mile was pretty slow. So I pushed myself for the second one and was able to finish 2 miles in 29 minutes and 45 seconds. The last 5 minutes and 15 seconds was just for good measure! I'll take my wins where ever I can get them.
After that I did spend a good couple of hours in the exercise room. I went through my closet again and then tackled a small desk and some portable storage files. I still have 2 file cabinets that are calling my name.
So far I've managed to go though and make piles of what I want to keep, what's garbage and what's going to Goodwill. I plan to use this room as my staging/go-through everything area. I think I will need to probably go back through more than once if you know what I mean. There are probably things that made the first cut that won't make the second. I might even need to do a third!
I finally was exhausted and hadn't eaten yet so at noon I took a break. I ate some leftover sausage, egg, hashbrown casserole and felt some renewed energy. I couldn't believe how late it had gotten so after a quick shower I was ready for the grocery store.
I'd made my list and it was going to require three different stores. One of which was Costco - that's never a quick trip! By the time I'd finished at all the stores and made it home it was almost 4:45. So instead of putting dinner in the oven at 5 pm, I was trying to clear enough space off the counters to get dinner started. Arrghhh..... my dinner plan was the Barefoot Contessa's Turkey Meatloaf. Something I hadn't made in a while and had forgotten it takes 1 1/2 hours to bake! Still I was determined and pressed on. So between all the half put away groceries, cookbook, and ingredients I got that meatloaf in the oven by 5:20. I bumped up the temp and it was ready by 6:30pm (and it was well worth all the trouble).
During all of this chaos I realized that I'm going to have to change my cleaning plans for the upstairs and focus on the laundry/pantry so I can put the groceries away! My husband would refer to this as a "sequential vortex." Having to do one thing before you can do something else. Man, I am always falling into those!
I never did have my devotions today...another disappointment. I really need to stop over planning my day - the night before!
"Delusions of What Shan Can Do." strikes again! I'm sure I'm not the only one who suffers from this ailment - trying to stuff too much into to few hours. I think it's a symptom of our culture. You can't just read of book or talk to a friend. No you have to be text, check your email, update your facebook status, load the dishwasher or washing machine! I'm so guilty of this. I always feel like I need to be doing more than one thing at a time - rarely do I give my full attention to what I should. I think that's why I put Live intentionally - in the moment on my list for 2013. I need to slow down. I need to focus. I need to pay attention. Maybe tonight when I'm laying there in my bed and my mind starts in with all the planning for tomorrow, I'll just tell myself to shut the (pardon my language here) hell up! Maybe I'll even be paying close enough attention to hear myself.
Here's to a fresh start tomorrow,
Shan
I had such big plans for today. I hate to admit it, but I suffer from a terrible condition I like to call "Delusions of What Shan Can Do." Every night as I'm lying there in bed I think of all I want to accomplish the next day and the list is incredibly long. This is what I had planned last night for today:
Get up at 5 am
Work out for at least an hour
Finish cleaning/organizing the "exercise room"
Have Devotions
Make a drop at Goodwill
Go grocery shopping
Cook dinner
Now let me tell you what really happened. I didn't get up at 5 am. I think maybe I've goten up that early twice in my life and I'm pretty sure I was forced or tricked. Today my eyelids were barely open at 9! The day hadn't even started and I was already disappointed in myself.
Now here's the real problem. I am not a morning person. Never have been, probably never will be. And getting up at 5 in the morning is so totally unrealistic. I have the best of intentions laying there in the dark, but come morning snuggled there in my nice warm bed, all rational thought flees. Another problem with mornings is the stiffness. My body seems to "freeze" over night and those first few movements are incredibly painful and so I put them off as long as I possibly can.
I did finally push and pull myself out of bed and made my way to the treadmill. I was able to put in a good 36 minutes! Why 36 minutes you might wonder? Well I have this weird thing with myself. I want to do a mile in less than 15 minutes. Not really all that ambitious I know, but that's my goal right now. I also want to do at least 2 miles. This morning that first mile was pretty slow. So I pushed myself for the second one and was able to finish 2 miles in 29 minutes and 45 seconds. The last 5 minutes and 15 seconds was just for good measure! I'll take my wins where ever I can get them.
After that I did spend a good couple of hours in the exercise room. I went through my closet again and then tackled a small desk and some portable storage files. I still have 2 file cabinets that are calling my name.
So far I've managed to go though and make piles of what I want to keep, what's garbage and what's going to Goodwill. I plan to use this room as my staging/go-through everything area. I think I will need to probably go back through more than once if you know what I mean. There are probably things that made the first cut that won't make the second. I might even need to do a third!
I finally was exhausted and hadn't eaten yet so at noon I took a break. I ate some leftover sausage, egg, hashbrown casserole and felt some renewed energy. I couldn't believe how late it had gotten so after a quick shower I was ready for the grocery store.
I'd made my list and it was going to require three different stores. One of which was Costco - that's never a quick trip! By the time I'd finished at all the stores and made it home it was almost 4:45. So instead of putting dinner in the oven at 5 pm, I was trying to clear enough space off the counters to get dinner started. Arrghhh..... my dinner plan was the Barefoot Contessa's Turkey Meatloaf. Something I hadn't made in a while and had forgotten it takes 1 1/2 hours to bake! Still I was determined and pressed on. So between all the half put away groceries, cookbook, and ingredients I got that meatloaf in the oven by 5:20. I bumped up the temp and it was ready by 6:30pm (and it was well worth all the trouble).
During all of this chaos I realized that I'm going to have to change my cleaning plans for the upstairs and focus on the laundry/pantry so I can put the groceries away! My husband would refer to this as a "sequential vortex." Having to do one thing before you can do something else. Man, I am always falling into those!
I never did have my devotions today...another disappointment. I really need to stop over planning my day - the night before!
"Delusions of What Shan Can Do." strikes again! I'm sure I'm not the only one who suffers from this ailment - trying to stuff too much into to few hours. I think it's a symptom of our culture. You can't just read of book or talk to a friend. No you have to be text, check your email, update your facebook status, load the dishwasher or washing machine! I'm so guilty of this. I always feel like I need to be doing more than one thing at a time - rarely do I give my full attention to what I should. I think that's why I put Live intentionally - in the moment on my list for 2013. I need to slow down. I need to focus. I need to pay attention. Maybe tonight when I'm laying there in my bed and my mind starts in with all the planning for tomorrow, I'll just tell myself to shut the (pardon my language here) hell up! Maybe I'll even be paying close enough attention to hear myself.
Here's to a fresh start tomorrow,
Shan
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Life goes on...
I hope I'm not the only one who hates de-Christma-ing the house! I just hate packing away all the beautiful ornaments, the twinkling lights and the wonderful Santa's and snowmen. Right now the house is a disaster, but I'm on a cleaning, decluttering, throw-it-out, kick and I'm determined to get it all done (the entire house) before anything goes back up!
I've been wanting to really get in and clean and organize my house for a long time, and I've made fits and starts to it when I've had a free weekend here and there but never could quite get everything accomplished. Now since I'm not working I actually have the time to do it. I already cleaned out the coat closet at the bottom of stairs after putting Christmas to bed. There were certainly some interesting items in there, some I couldn't even identify. I do know that I really don't need 7 sweatshirts! There must be a support group for people like me. I feel compelled to buy a sweatshirt every time we go somewhere new. It's just sad.
I've also started reading the Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. The book has been out since 2009 and I happened to run across the desk calendar last year and was intrigued by her idea of increasing our happiness so I put the book on my Amazon Wish list for Christmas this year and Santa delivered!
So far I've really been enjoying her book. She has some great concrete ideas about ways to improve your life. Most all have been very practical..like getting rid of clutter - mental and material. Maybe that's what's prompted my cleaning "jones".
Quite a bit of what I've read so far are things that I've been thinking and feeling for a while now. Questions like...am I doing what I really was made to do? what I love? what do I love to do? what has eternal impact? how can I get my spices to stop falling out of the cabinet, and get my whites really white? You know big important life altering questions?!
One of my problems is something she addresses...I get overwhelmed by the magnitude of the tasks. That seems to cause a terrible case of constipation! I can't get anything to move. My mind, my body all freeze up and I can't get anything done. She shares some advice her mother gave her. " Make a list, do a little each day and stay calm." Seems pretty reasonable. So I've made my list and I will work on it a little each day over the next couple of weeks and hopefully by the end of January I will have one heck of a clean and organized home (and maybe still have a few strands of hair on my head)!
I've also been working on my resolutions - which I've added to and revised a bit:
1. Be in the Word daily
2. Express Gratitude
3. Figure out what I love to do and do it!
4. Stay physically active. DO something everyday.
5. Look for beauty in those around me - share what I see in them with them.
I've been wanting to really get in and clean and organize my house for a long time, and I've made fits and starts to it when I've had a free weekend here and there but never could quite get everything accomplished. Now since I'm not working I actually have the time to do it. I already cleaned out the coat closet at the bottom of stairs after putting Christmas to bed. There were certainly some interesting items in there, some I couldn't even identify. I do know that I really don't need 7 sweatshirts! There must be a support group for people like me. I feel compelled to buy a sweatshirt every time we go somewhere new. It's just sad.
I've also started reading the Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. The book has been out since 2009 and I happened to run across the desk calendar last year and was intrigued by her idea of increasing our happiness so I put the book on my Amazon Wish list for Christmas this year and Santa delivered!
So far I've really been enjoying her book. She has some great concrete ideas about ways to improve your life. Most all have been very practical..like getting rid of clutter - mental and material. Maybe that's what's prompted my cleaning "jones".
Quite a bit of what I've read so far are things that I've been thinking and feeling for a while now. Questions like...am I doing what I really was made to do? what I love? what do I love to do? what has eternal impact? how can I get my spices to stop falling out of the cabinet, and get my whites really white? You know big important life altering questions?!
One of my problems is something she addresses...I get overwhelmed by the magnitude of the tasks. That seems to cause a terrible case of constipation! I can't get anything to move. My mind, my body all freeze up and I can't get anything done. She shares some advice her mother gave her. " Make a list, do a little each day and stay calm." Seems pretty reasonable. So I've made my list and I will work on it a little each day over the next couple of weeks and hopefully by the end of January I will have one heck of a clean and organized home (and maybe still have a few strands of hair on my head)!
I've also been working on my resolutions - which I've added to and revised a bit:
1. Be in the Word daily
2. Express Gratitude
3. Figure out what I love to do and do it!
4. Stay physically active. DO something everyday.
5. Look for beauty in those around me - share what I see in them with them.
6. Live intentionally - in the moment. Stop worrying about the future.
7. Be aware of opportunities to help someone else
8. Make spending time with my family and friends a priority
9. Use my words wisely and in kindness - especially when speaking to my husband and family.
10. Love bigger - include more people in my circle of friends
11. Clean and organize my home.
12. Do something hard, outside my comfort zone.
Yesterday and today I worked on the physically active part. In fact I'm so sore today from my 20 minute Jillian Michales DVD workout that I can hardly move. I actually had to take some Advil this morning and go back to bed for a bit. My thighs are so angry today, they are making me pay every time I move. Forget about going to the bathroom. Someone must have lowered the toiled a good foot and a half! And that was on week one, day one! I don't even know her and yet somehow I hate her all the same! I did perserve and hit the treadmill for 30 minutes - 20 of which was running at over 4 mph which I know isn't all that impressive, but for this girl that is really an accomplishment.
Of all the things on my list above..figuring out what I love to do and doing it seems to be the hardest. I know I love people. I love being with them, talking to them, listening to them. I really enjoy just being around all different types of people. I also love to read....books are a serious addiction of mine. Much worse then sweatshirts or purses or bracelets. I have a lot of addictions as you can see, but by far books are the worse. There are books covering most surfaces in my house. Most have been read and re-read. I have stacks waiting for me to read (I did get 9 books for Christmas). I love the smell, the texture, and the excitement of opening that first page and being transported somewhere wonderful! I also have a Kindle so I have a book with me no matter where I am. I really need to find a support group....
So how do I take what I love and find a job doing that? Maybe I can just read to random people on the street and they will pay me...to stop.
The doing something hard is writing this blog. Opening myself up to criticism, failure, looking like an idiot, letting people see the real me...whoa not my idea of a good time. I mean I just figured out how to add a title to each post! I mean really, I need a ten year old around here sometimes. Yet there is something exciting about doing something hard, something that stretches me. Every time I write, I feel like I've really accomplished something. I feel bigger (no, not fatter) like I've discovered something new about myself I didn't realize was there. I can do hard things. I can do things that scare me. I can do NEW things.
So here's to doing something new. Who knows that tomorrow holds. Maybe another session with Jillian if I can get out of bed.
Blessings to you,
Shan
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7. Be aware of opportunities to help someone else
8. Make spending time with my family and friends a priority
9. Use my words wisely and in kindness - especially when speaking to my husband and family.
10. Love bigger - include more people in my circle of friends
11. Clean and organize my home.
12. Do something hard, outside my comfort zone.
Yesterday and today I worked on the physically active part. In fact I'm so sore today from my 20 minute Jillian Michales DVD workout that I can hardly move. I actually had to take some Advil this morning and go back to bed for a bit. My thighs are so angry today, they are making me pay every time I move. Forget about going to the bathroom. Someone must have lowered the toiled a good foot and a half! And that was on week one, day one! I don't even know her and yet somehow I hate her all the same! I did perserve and hit the treadmill for 30 minutes - 20 of which was running at over 4 mph which I know isn't all that impressive, but for this girl that is really an accomplishment.
Of all the things on my list above..figuring out what I love to do and doing it seems to be the hardest. I know I love people. I love being with them, talking to them, listening to them. I really enjoy just being around all different types of people. I also love to read....books are a serious addiction of mine. Much worse then sweatshirts or purses or bracelets. I have a lot of addictions as you can see, but by far books are the worse. There are books covering most surfaces in my house. Most have been read and re-read. I have stacks waiting for me to read (I did get 9 books for Christmas). I love the smell, the texture, and the excitement of opening that first page and being transported somewhere wonderful! I also have a Kindle so I have a book with me no matter where I am. I really need to find a support group....
So how do I take what I love and find a job doing that? Maybe I can just read to random people on the street and they will pay me...to stop.
The doing something hard is writing this blog. Opening myself up to criticism, failure, looking like an idiot, letting people see the real me...whoa not my idea of a good time. I mean I just figured out how to add a title to each post! I mean really, I need a ten year old around here sometimes. Yet there is something exciting about doing something hard, something that stretches me. Every time I write, I feel like I've really accomplished something. I feel bigger (no, not fatter) like I've discovered something new about myself I didn't realize was there. I can do hard things. I can do things that scare me. I can do NEW things.
So here's to doing something new. Who knows that tomorrow holds. Maybe another session with Jillian if I can get out of bed.
Blessings to you,
Shan
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Thursday, January 3, 2013
You just never know.
Well you just never know what a day will bring!
I've been working for a company (which shall remain nameless) for almost 4 years. Unfortunately, it is not a place that values it's employees. In fact they are seen more as liabilities and disposable.
Well, I finally came to a very difficult decision and had given my month's notice ( a requirment for my position). My last day was to be January 11, 2013.
Unfortunately, I have been sick since the Saturday before Christmas and have had to miss two days work last week and one day this week. Everyone in my house has been down with terrible sinus infections that we just can't seem to shake in spite of antibiotics and for me steroids too!
So, imagine my surprise when I finally was able to make it in to work today and was told that "they", my immediate boss (I'll call Mary) and the CEO had a long conversation yesterday and decided that it would be best if I spent my last few days at home on sick leave so I could get well! My well being nor anyone else's has even been a big concern to the CEO before. I told "Mary" that I didn't have enough sick leave to do that and she said not to worry they would pay me for the time since it was their decision, plus pay out my vacation.
Hmm, I have to admit that at first I wasn't sure what to think. I almost felt like I was being let go...fired you know? I know they don't have anyone to replace me yet and all the responsibilities will fall on my boss.
I feel really bad about all of this. I began working for this company in a different position - Office Manager for a Retirement Campus. I really enjoyed working with the Residents, unfortunately it became a very toxic environment due to the leadership. About the time I was beginning to look for another job, I was offered a position at the Corporate office in the accounting dept. This turned out to be a HUGE mistake. I was just not suited to work at a computer all day without any interaction with others. I realized to late that I need to be serving others in some way or another for me to even like my job! This was all about the bottom line and unfortunately the toxic environment was coming from the very top down.
But, God always goes before me...this morning I finally forced myself to stop from rushing out the door to work, and sit for a minute and read the Word and have a short devotion. I was reading from a book I've had for a long time. Living Close to God by Charles Stanley. Guess what I read on the second page? A section from Psalms 139. "Thine eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Thy book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them."
Pastor Stanley goes on to quote from Cynthia Heald's book Intimacy with God: " The God who created us has not abandoned us to grope blindly through life. He has provided, at great expense, all that we need for life and godliness. God is our personal Creator, and He wants to be our Shepherd who protects and proves for us." I also said a short pray before getting out of my car at work this morning. " Lord I don't know what this day holds, but you do. Give me strength."
I feel pretty certain that He not only knew what was going to happen this morning, but He went ahead of me and prepared my heart. What lies ahead of me in my day is no surprise to God. Everything has to pass though His hand before it comes to me...the good and the bad.
Now I have no confidence in the people that I used to work for to do what they say they will do (pay me for these 7 days), but I DO have every confidence in my Creator to do what He says He will!
I am so grateful that His heart is good toward His children and that His mercies are new everyday, and if that isn't beautiful, I don't know what is!
Resting in Him,
Shan
I've been working for a company (which shall remain nameless) for almost 4 years. Unfortunately, it is not a place that values it's employees. In fact they are seen more as liabilities and disposable.
Well, I finally came to a very difficult decision and had given my month's notice ( a requirment for my position). My last day was to be January 11, 2013.
Unfortunately, I have been sick since the Saturday before Christmas and have had to miss two days work last week and one day this week. Everyone in my house has been down with terrible sinus infections that we just can't seem to shake in spite of antibiotics and for me steroids too!
So, imagine my surprise when I finally was able to make it in to work today and was told that "they", my immediate boss (I'll call Mary) and the CEO had a long conversation yesterday and decided that it would be best if I spent my last few days at home on sick leave so I could get well! My well being nor anyone else's has even been a big concern to the CEO before. I told "Mary" that I didn't have enough sick leave to do that and she said not to worry they would pay me for the time since it was their decision, plus pay out my vacation.
Hmm, I have to admit that at first I wasn't sure what to think. I almost felt like I was being let go...fired you know? I know they don't have anyone to replace me yet and all the responsibilities will fall on my boss.
I feel really bad about all of this. I began working for this company in a different position - Office Manager for a Retirement Campus. I really enjoyed working with the Residents, unfortunately it became a very toxic environment due to the leadership. About the time I was beginning to look for another job, I was offered a position at the Corporate office in the accounting dept. This turned out to be a HUGE mistake. I was just not suited to work at a computer all day without any interaction with others. I realized to late that I need to be serving others in some way or another for me to even like my job! This was all about the bottom line and unfortunately the toxic environment was coming from the very top down.
But, God always goes before me...this morning I finally forced myself to stop from rushing out the door to work, and sit for a minute and read the Word and have a short devotion. I was reading from a book I've had for a long time. Living Close to God by Charles Stanley. Guess what I read on the second page? A section from Psalms 139. "Thine eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Thy book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them."
Pastor Stanley goes on to quote from Cynthia Heald's book Intimacy with God: " The God who created us has not abandoned us to grope blindly through life. He has provided, at great expense, all that we need for life and godliness. God is our personal Creator, and He wants to be our Shepherd who protects and proves for us." I also said a short pray before getting out of my car at work this morning. " Lord I don't know what this day holds, but you do. Give me strength."
I feel pretty certain that He not only knew what was going to happen this morning, but He went ahead of me and prepared my heart. What lies ahead of me in my day is no surprise to God. Everything has to pass though His hand before it comes to me...the good and the bad.
Now I have no confidence in the people that I used to work for to do what they say they will do (pay me for these 7 days), but I DO have every confidence in my Creator to do what He says He will!
I am so grateful that His heart is good toward His children and that His mercies are new everyday, and if that isn't beautiful, I don't know what is!
Resting in Him,
Shan
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
And so it begins....
I've been promising myself that I would start writing for several years now and blogging seemed like a really good way to just jump in and get my feet wet. So this is for me. I don't know if anyone else will read it and that's okay. I need to do this... for me. There are just to many thoughts running around in my head and I need to get them out and make room for new ones!
Beautiful...it seems there are a lot of ideas and definitions of what beauty is. So I decided to look it up.
The definition: physically attractive. Okay I can see that, but really it's so much more and when you apply it to how you're living or trying to live your life I think I like some of the synonyms listed better. I picked out a few of my favorites: admirable, appealing, delightful, divine, excellent, fascinating. Those words seem to define the life I'm trying to live or at least the one I want to live in this new year a little more clearly than just.... physically attractive.
I'm at a point in my life where I would like the things I spend my time doing to actually matter. That I would have an impact on someone else's life, somehow making it better, more beautiful is I believe what I've been put here to do. To show someone more kindness, more patience, more acceptance, more grace and more love perhaps than they've seen their whole lives. And that my friends is beautiful!
I'm setting a few goals for myself for 2013 that I think will help me in my quest to live more beautifully.
1. Be in the Word daily
2. Express Gratitude
3. Spend time doing what I really love - being with people
4. Stay physically active
5. Look for beauty in those around me
6. Live intentionally - in the moment
7. Be aware of opportunities to help someone else
8. Make spending time with my family and friends a priority
9. Use my words wisely and in kindness
10. Love bigger
I think if I can do even one of those things everyday - my life and the lives of those around me will indeed be more beautiful!
Blessings
Shan
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