“If I had listened to all those people who muttered, “Good luck, kid” when they heard me say when I was young that I wanted to be a Yankee, I would have given up long ago” - Derek Jeter; The Life You Imagine
I want to talk about dreams. This is something that’s been heavy on the front and center of my mind (and heart) a lot lately, so forgive me if I’m beating a dead horse - but at least I’m using a new pair of boots to do it 😉
So, firstly, the fact that I’m reading this book makes me giggle, cause sometimes admitting our spouses had good ideas can feel like that means our ideas were wrong, if that makes sense in a weird type of way. Let me explain this part before we move on.
I’ve been working on my mindset a lot lately, and that’s because - believe it or not - I can go all “Negative Nancy” with a quickness. I have found so much comfort in building up my mind, my confidence and my general skills in this past year. Did some other areas of my life take a slight back seat? Does laundry occasionally pile up a bit more than it previously did, some days contain more real life learning than bookwork for my kiddos & maybe date nights with my spouse are far and few in between or look different than they did in a previous season of life? Perhaps, but getting your mind right isn’t just “for you” or just “for your business/school/etc.”. Getting your mind right is everything you guys, everything.
Our mind affects our quality of life, productiveness, happiness & all of those around us are affected too. It’s important. Martha Krejci says “The way you do anything is the way you do everything”, and it’s true… so, it stands to reason that working on your mindset will improve allareas of your life. Ok, bunny trail aside, my husband saw me devouring lots of personal development books lately (some call them “self help” but that title kind of turns me off) and suggested that I read a book that deeply impacted him in high school during a time when he was playing baseball. He took a mental training class with one of his coaches and was recommended to read The Life you Imagine by Derek Jeter. It spoke to him and doesn’t typically enjoy reading. Sooo, after my initial resistance to the book on the grounds of: him not being a reader (“what does he know about books” said I) and it “being about baseball” (notafan) (also, it’s not about baseball, even Jeter himself states “The lessons I talk about here transcend baseball”, and they truly do.), I decided to give it a shot. After all, I’d picked up a copy several years prior at a yard sale (thought my husband would enjoy the gesture but he hasn’t reread it yet…).
Moving on. Dreams, that’s what we’re talking about here. Dreams are great and all (everyone should dream, and dream big imo) but without a plan and attainable goals along the path, dreams stay dreams. Yes, having a plan is essential because “He who aims at nothing surely hits it” and “If you don’t know where you’re going, the road will surely take you there.” Two similar quotes pointing to the same idea. But, more than a plan, visualizing and believing are also fundamental to attainment.
Belief is key because no one is going to hand your dreams to you on a silver platter, and on that same note, no one (at least in the early stages, and in the most detailed way) no one is going to have more belief in your exact vision than you do. You are responsible for keeping it alive. Your belief should be so strong that you can see
You will also want to surround yourself with people who have similar dreams and goals in life. People who are go-getters, visionaries & “glass half full” types. Not only because of the whole birds of a feather thing - cause that’s important - but also because having someone(s) in your corner can elevate your spirits when the doubts (and doubters) come knocking - and, knock they will. Derek references his parents and their devotion to his dreams often. He says, referencing his parents encouragement, “none of his goals were considered outlandish. Everything was attainable (emphasis mine). When you’re only a kid and your parents make you feel that way about yourself, you can dream about doing anything… You can accomplish anything”. That’s beautiful. If that don’t bring tears to your eyes, #checkyaheart
I’ll definitely touch more on this topic in the future, and in the mean time you can get my top 12 tips for following your dreams and living the life you imagine.
Until next time, friend ♡
“Some people dream of success, while other people get up every morning and make it happen.” Wayne Huizenga
To some, the mere thought of actually hating Christmas, Thanksgiving or birthdays is abhorrent. Why would you? How could you? Nobody does - right? Well....... I haven't been around the too long, but I have met some real life Scrooges in my time, and while misunderstood by many, people have their reasons.
A lot of times, it's as simple as this: Holidays bring up old feelings. Perhaps a loved one has passed and their memories still linger, causing the pain of nostalgia for what was. Perhaps there is bitterness from a pass hurt and a time that would typically be full of joy and fellowship feels empty and hollow. The list goes on, but we are all unique and people have their reasons.
Today, though, I want to talk about the average jane/joe. Loving the holidays, playing Christmas tunes (just no Mariah
Carey please, I can't afford to have the windows in my home shattered) all of December & baking up a smorgasbord to share w/ gathering friends & family. It's a time of coming together, remembrance, love, peace & good will. We look forward to these brief moments all year long, but... when the time draws near, we suddenly find ourselves in a panic. How do I time the potatoes & stuffing so they're hot with the turkey? When do I sneak downstairs to hide gifts under the tree after my kids reluctantly fall asleep? How can I manage to have Aunt Sue & Cousin Vicki in the same room without World War 3 breaking out - cause you know someone's gonna bring up politics.
Carey please, I can't afford to have the windows in my home shattered) all of December & baking up a smorgasbord to share w/ gathering friends & family. It's a time of coming together, remembrance, love, peace & good will. We look forward to these brief moments all year long, but... when the time draws near, we suddenly find ourselves in a panic. How do I time the potatoes & stuffing so they're hot with the turkey? When do I sneak downstairs to hide gifts under the tree after my kids reluctantly fall asleep? How can I manage to have Aunt Sue & Cousin Vicki in the same room without World War 3 breaking out - cause you know someone's gonna bring up politics. 
These are very real concerns, and would incite panic in the best of us. It can all seem like too much to an already overloaded and overwhelmed mom who already feels like she's juggling the world. The holiday's come and go, but the prep & cleanup seem to drag on... Kinda funny (in an Alanis Morissette kind of way) that the definition of Holiday via Oxford dictionary throws in that "no work is done" in the definition of Holiday...Let's get real, there's much work to be done, and the brunt of it typically falls on mom - or the main caregiver of the family. And, while we could choose to be bitter about this, let's instead friend, choose to be better. We can't control what happens to us but we can control our reaction.
Instead of marinating in the fact that we have a thousand and one things to juggle & not enough time to do it all, let's try and remember the Reason for the Season - the celebration of the birth of our savior - Jesus. And, let's also remember that this is a time to enjoy our loved ones, make precious memories and soak in Every. Single. Moment. Cause - guys - it passes so stinking quickly. Looking back at some of our 
Christmas photos recently nearly brought me to tears. The kids change rapidly each and every passing year. The innocence of childhood is replaced by the pains of growing up and out, it's bittersweet of course because there is much to enjoy along the journey, but time is a thief and constantly reminds us that life is but a vapor. Enjoy it, cherish it, thank God for the blessing of it.
Christmas photos recently nearly brought me to tears. The kids change rapidly each and every passing year. The innocence of childhood is replaced by the pains of growing up and out, it's bittersweet of course because there is much to enjoy along the journey, but time is a thief and constantly reminds us that life is but a vapor. Enjoy it, cherish it, thank God for the blessing of it.I'm going to have some super practical tips on organizing your home, preparing for guests, cooking/baking & other juggling acts up on my blog soon, but for now check out my free guide 7 Ways to Keep Your Cool During the Holidays and let me know in the comments one/some of your favorite tips for making sure everything is as chill as possible during the chaos of Christmas.
I wanted to share a tip that I use to combat grumbling. Grumbling is something I'm sure we all struggle with, whether we want to admit it or not. But, how can we help our fellow sister's in Christ - or ANYONE for that matter - if we don't share our struggles and how we use our weaknesses to glorify God. in 2 Cor 12:9-10 Paul is boasting about his weakness, and he says this is so that the power of Christ may dwell in him.
So. . . let's boast away, cause who doesn't need more of *THAT pwer, amirite???
Ok, so.. here's my tip (but first my confession, hehehe) I HATE LAUNDRY. Ok, that was a little strong, uhhh, I don't really like doin' laundry, k? So, naturally in my flesh Imma wanna grumble about it... But, I try to set a good example for my kids, so we moved the laundry machines to the basement so they couldn't hear me - Just Kidding!!!!!! Sheesh! Ya'll are so serious... They were in the basement when we bought the house,
What I'm really trying to tell you, is that I'm mostly a quiet grumbler. You know the type, if you were close enough and saw my facial expressions you'd prolly know what was going on in my mind. Occasionally, since I'm usually alone in the basement besides the occasional "Spricket" (oh, imagine what they've heard...), I will grumble outloud (listen, I'm a talker - we already went over this - and I randomly, audibly think during the day, even if the kids aren't in the room with me, LOL)...
So, what I have found to do is pray during the task... but, not just any prayer, because I have what's known as "prayer-adhd" and if I'm not closing my eyes and keeping my body fairly still, I. Will. Get. Distracted. One moment I'll be all "Oh Lord, thank you so much for what you've - " and then out of NOWHERE my brain is like "duuuude, you forgot to order Cilantro with your Instacart order and it'll be delivered soon - oh you better go get the Amazon packages off the porch before the - wait did it rain? you gotta make sure the car windows are closed - wait did you put gas in the car this morning? it was already on E last time you drove it - speaking of driving don't forget to go to the post office aaaaaaaaaaaand while you're out you should get eggs from the farm " - see where I'm going here?)
SO, I pray very specifically for whatever is associated with each piece of laundry I'm currently dealing with. The most drawn out ones are usually when I do the "random" loads, and that's when there's just a few articles from each category of laundry that didn't fit in their main load, so I wash 'em all together. (Don't come at me you color/white/fabric texture-separating weirdos, I wash towels with pillowcases, socks and jeans sometimes, ok? They get along JUST FINE. The *only* exception to this rule are my flour sack towels, and that's bc they come in contact with food directly, so they get washed alone.)
As I was removing the "random" load from the dryer, piece by piece tonight, I was inspired to share this drawn out and probably silly little part of my life with you, because I think someone might just need it.
My prayer went something like this:
(Hubby's tank top) Lord thank you for my hard-working husband, bless and protect Him, help me love him better.
(Towel) God thank you for hot showers that we are able to wash ourselves in regularly.
(Gianna's Hoodie) Thank you for Yard Sales and for my daughter's fashion/frugal sense that causes her to buy SO many cute clothes at rock bottom prices.
(A Blanket) Thank you for this blanket that I think I might have stole from my mother but she doesn't remember and neither do it - and it's warm - so bless my mom, keep her healthy & thanks.
(a random sock) God thank you for socks to keep our feet warm, feet to walk and please help me find the match to this sock so I don't have to destroy it.
There might have been a few more, but those were the ones I could remember. Anyway, hopefully the Lord has a sense of humor =) Make sure to ask God for ways to help you find joy in any circumstance and keep your eyes, ears & heart open for his answer and you will find what you seek! <3
