Or at least your perspective.
1. Kicking Fear to the Curb. How many times do you let fear dictate choices? In fact, we live in kind of a fear inducing culture right now. There is so much information, so many choices, so many options, that often times there is this fear of not making the right choice. I look at motherhood and the over abundance of opinions on raising children – and sometimes fear of making a mistake can hold us back. Don’t let fear limit you, your potential, or even your outlook on today. Be bold, make a decision, and move forward.
2. Learning to like yourself. And forgive yourself. And move on. And well, truly, just being comfortable in being you. So I’m 43 and I’m finally learning to embrace me for me. Competition and comparing one’s self against others just leads to discontentment. It’s what makes us wonder if we’re really cut out for this job and makes us doubt our own awesomeness. Start to like you for you and embrace the gifts you bring to the table.
3. Ending Procrastination. I have lived such an if this happens then I will be happy life. Well, as you know from my writing, the ifs sometimes never happen or take forever and time just keeps moving by exponentially. Procrastination keeps us stuck. As moms it keeps us from doing what we need to do to make today better than yesterday. Where are you procrastinating? What should you be doing that you keep putting on the back burners? What should you stop doing but you’ve just not had the courage, time, or gumption to stop? No more procrastinating.
4. Finding time to do what you love. Time keeps moving. Don’t let the busy keep you from cultivating your own dreams, talents, and joys. If you love to garden then garden. If you love to knit then find time to knit. If you love to travel then figure out a way to travel. This goes along with the procrastinating. You can always be busy. Always. The to-do list will never end. Make sure to find time in that to-do list to do what you love. When you invest in you you recharge yourself and then are a better you for those you love.
5. Doing, not just dreaming. It’s great to dream. But a dream without a plan is just that – a dream. So start doing. If you love to write and dream about writing a book then start actually writing the book. When you work on a dream it motivates others, including children, to move forward pursuing dreams. This can be a scary thing, but articulate and share your dream with others so that you have an accountability partner who can keep pushing you forward.
6. Investing in your friends and family. Kids are only young once. Friends are an ultimate gift. Do you invest time with them? Do you really listen? Or do you race through times together with a mumbling mmhmm and uh-huh posture? When you invest time with others, including your family, not only is your heart filled but also theirs. Time spent with those you love will be what you remember in life.
7. Not being afraid to fail. Failing is part of learning. It’s a part of life. When we fail (or our kids fail) we learn to pick ourselves up again, to learn from our mistakes, and to keep moving. It’s easy to stop, to think that this is the end, but it takes great tenacity, perseverance, and learning to try again. Don’t let the fear of failure hold you back. There is no perfect, there is only real. And real is tripping sometimes and then not staying there but fighting through.
8. Being positive and kind. A smile can change someone’s day. Looking for the good can change your day. Life is hard. It’s full of moments that are challenging. There are ups and downs and crazy times and ridiculous times. There are days where throwing in the towel feels like it’s needed. My challenge to you? Look for the beautiful moments tucked within the ordinary. Start to practice gratitude. In fact, of all eight, if you can work on just implementing this one this alone will change your life.
And you? Choices that you love?
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Want to know how these choices changed my life? Discover it in my book The Brave Art of Motherhood.
~Rachel
10 comments
I’ve made a conscious choice these last few weeks to stress less and live more. In life, especially motherhood, there are so many times we can stress out and want to pull our hair out. But just letting go and realizing that stressing out doesn’t ACCOMPLISH anything, and just enjoying life’s beautiful moments causes a much more peaceful existence.
I keep your posts in my bloglovin feed for moments when I need them but this one… This one really resonates with me. I have been trying to make an important decision for three years (!!!!!!) and yes it is fear that is stopping me. I am going to print this out and hang it on my fridge for a little motivation! Thank you!
Gratitude is (for me) the most powerful tool I’ve used since becoming a mother. It is the only thing that truly helps me live through those most challenging moments in learning how to mother two children since my second came along. I utter thanks at that dark beast, what ever it is at that moment and be thankful for it and my body magically loosens my grip, just enough to beliv in myself to get through the next minute, until those moments just pass. Thank you so much for sharing. I too find that fear can really shake a mother to the core. When I realize I am in the middle of fear, I say “I am safe, my children are safe” and really look at what I am worrying about. It’s usually something that doesn’t need that much of my energy so I relax a bit. We are warriors fellow mothers, love and light to us all.
Rachel, This is Such a beautiful post, and so true. It is truly an honor to get to know you better. The last few weeks have been rough in our house, and this post totally made my day!
Ashley,
I so love being your friend. Your realness is refreshing to me.
Rachel
THANK YOU!!!! You don’t know how much I needed this! I’m going to print it out and post it (maybe in a couple places) as wonderful reminders.
Thanks for yet another wonderful post! Always praying in Seattle!
Psalms 91:14-15 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
Continuing to pray!
Psalms 86:1-4 Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy. Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee. Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
1. Smile big a crazy times. It really does induce some happiness.
2.Yep, new jeans or sweater right? On Sale. It pays double, I look cute and got a really great deal.
3. Yep, I jump up right away sometimes and do exactly what was up to do. It gives me power!
4.Love? What? Anything to give me time to enjoy and relax and be happy.
5.Prep for family future. Do it!
6.Prep for family preparedness.
7. Fail? Nope! Another chance to ask for help and be vulnerable. People you trust love it. They can then speak openly to me.
8.Kindness and prayer for others that piss me off. It helps me be prepared entirely to be loving in any other part of my day.
Thank you for posting this I wish there was a way for me to keep this but I don’t have a computer or printer but I really enjoyed reading this Thank you and may you be Blessed with Everything.