Challenges

What is it about the word challenge that makes me take notice?  Is anyone else like this or am I alone with my competitive, challenging nature?

Currently I have about three challenges running around in my brain trying to provoke me into making some changes in my life.  But one thing I've learned about taking on a challenge is you had better be serious about it, because after 3-4 days, the challenge becomes the enemy.  At that point you have two choices:  Get rid of the enemy by giving up the challenge  OR  seeing it through, which always leads to a life different than it was before.

That's the part that gets me.  The whole 'different life' thing.  And I know the life I have now is truly blessed, but there's another part of me that knows in my heart I would thrive if only _______ were different.

One thing I have learned about myself this year is that I never truly relax... like, ever.  I am always thinking about what I should be doing, what I haven't done, what I ate, what I spent, and what it's going to cost me, mentally and physically.

My.  Brain.  Never.  Stops.

And it's exhausting.  So sometimes, I think I the challenge is more of a way for my mind to relax in some sort of twisted structure (think Bikram yoga).  So is the challenge helping me grow or just a mental way of weeding out the unnecessary wants?  Is my mind working overtime so I can try and find a way to relax?

Your guess is as good as mine.

All I know is that challenges are hard.
They test you.
Sometimes they piss you off.
Other times you find yourself proud.
Always, even if you don't finish, you will be changed in some way.

Make a challenge to yourself this summer.  It doesn't have to be big or life changing.  Just something that you've been thinking about for a while.

Set a date.
Write the goal.
Take the challenge.

To be continued....

Happy Mother's Day...

I think by now we all know that I have this love/hate relationship with Mother's Day.

On one hand...

Toby and the kids are extra nice that day.
Usually a meal is involved.
Everyone you see wishes you Happy Mother's Day.
My sister always gets me the best gifts.  Spoils me rotten.
Spring is in the air.

But then on the other hand...

I still miss my mom.

I won't get bogged down on what I don't have without her, since I'm starting to learn that the best of her is still with me.  I have her laugh.  I have her smile.  I have exceptional parenting mothering skills... just ask my kids or anyone at the rink.  I take care of them all.

My office is a lot like her office was:  Always filled with someone wanting to hang out or needing advice.  Sometimes they just want to vent or on the really bad days, they'll shut the door and cry.

So I sit and listen, or hug, or give them what they need, whether it's simple advice or a kick in the pants.  I witnessed this gift in my mother when I was in high school, and now I see it in myself.  It's as if she is really still here.

But she's not.

So being my mother, and still wanting to make sure I'm okay, she has surrounded me with some of the best moms I know.

My friends.

As I was walking tonight I had this overwhelming feeling of being blessed with friendship.  These moms are the ones who have held me up over the years.

still not sure who the guy is...

Laughed with me.
Cried with me.
Given me hope and support when I needed it, and of course a kick in the pants too.
We've swapped recipes and pins.
We always trade books.
We check up on each other's kids.
We do breakfast, lunch, dinner, and movies.  (Shhh)
Drinks are a given, and 'wine-ing' is allowed.


In a nutshell, I am blessed.

So to all you moms... and some of you aren't even moms yet, thank you.  Thank you for making this thing we call life worth living.  Thank you getting me through the hard days and making the easy days more fun.

We are all blessed to have each other for certain.

Thanks Mom...

Leaping

I don't know about any of you, but in my opinion, leaping is nothing short of terrifying.  I mean seriously, when was the last time you took a chance (a scary one) or knew someone who did?

Leaping isn't for wimps, but I truly believe most of us are just going through life playing it safe, and not getting anywhere.  Which then begs the question...

Are you happy playing it safe?  Or would you rather take a chance (even a small one) even if it means you might fail?

Is your life everything you want it to be... be honest, and if it's not, what would you change?  I don't know if it's just my age or what, but this feeling of anxiety and overall unsettled has fallen over me lately, and I find myself daydreaming of a better life.  I want to be the person who can take chances, but after years of perfecting safe, that is a tall order and a challenge to change.  The idea of trying and failing is easily the biggest reason most people don't take chances.

So I am going to start taking my own advice - a bitter pill to swallow for certain - and I am going to leap.  I have a list of 4 agents and what is needed for each of them to submit my manuscript.  This part of the process is so much harder than the actual writing, but it's what I want in my life, so I need to just get over the fear of the rejection and get the ball rolling.  I need to accept the fact that I love this book and want to share it with everyone.  For those of you who know me, you understand how difficult that last statement really is for me to say out loud  :)

So, your homework for the week is to find one small thing in your life that you want to take a leap with.  It could be a difficult conversation or finding time to work out again.  Anything that might take you out of your safe zone and feels uncomfortable will work.  It doesn't have to be anything major either... we're taking baby steps this week.  

Next week I will have something else in store for you :)

Have a Happy Sunday!