I'm thinking about gaining.This time of year, our society tends to function around the idea of losing. Losing weight, cutting back on social media, TV, sugar - whatever it is. We set goals in December to start working toward at the beginning of January. We spend money on plans, apps, gadgets - anything that will help us obtain the deficits we need. I often wonder if we focused our attention on gaining rather than a deficit, would we find a renewed sense of wonder and passion for our day to day lives? When we operate from a position of "I GET to add this" it can shift our perspectives toward the goals we set as a result. We are too harsh with ourselves. Too image focused, too hungry to...
Does the frosting really matter? I asked this question all of the time growing up. Being a rather impatient and eager little girl with an enormous sweet tooth, the process of finishing cupcakes was torture. First you had to mix all of the ingredients together (and eat half of the batter), then put them in cupcake liners, bake them, let them cool, AND ice them, all before you could sink your teeth into their sugary goodness. In my mind it wasn't worth the wait. I could not understand why my grandmother insisted that this was the best method. It clearly wasn't. And so, I would whine, "does the frosting really maaaaattttter?" Gently she would respond, "Yes, it matters. It matters because it means you worked...
G R A T I T U D E. Oh it's hard sometimes friends. Can anyone relate?It's hard to quiet the comparisons. It's hard to focus on small, good things when it seems like all of the big things are rebelling against our preferred timelines or expectations. It is hard to live with gratitude when we are conditioned to criticize and see through a lens of "lack" or deficit rather than abundance. I wonder about gratitude. I question it's impact in my life - in the lives of my family and friends. Would I see them differently if I saw myself in a more grateful light?I wonder if we increased our gratitude practices, if we would flourish a little more. Read on, I know I needed these words...
L I S T E N. There are many conversations I've missed in my life. Either I was too busy, too distracted, too focused on my response, or too tired to truly listen. There is a major difference between hearing and listening. I can hear what someone is saying - the tone of their voice and notice words coming out of their mouth - without actually listening to them.It's embarrassing. You know, to have a full conversation with someone and not be able to summarize what they said.And then, we expect others to listen to us and are discouraged or frustrated when they don't. Can anyone else relate? Have you ever been listened to? I'm talking about having the full, undivided, genuine...
When I throw a party or prepare something special for my friends and family I want it to be right. I want it to be seamless and impressive. I want it to be perfect. And guess what? It never is. I've made plenty of things that were slightly under baked, over seasoned, or room temp by the time my guests ate. I've forgotten to light the candles on tables, left the flowers in the garage, and forgotten to sweep the bathroom floor a countless number of times. I've forgotten and been ashamed by my less than perfect performance. Oh, and I've made the mistake of attempting homemade donuts. All in the name of winning approval. Can I let you in on a little secret? It isn't about...