Quit looking in the rearview mirror! When you are driving and look in your rearview mirror to see what is behind you, your eyes are not focused on what is right in front of you. Hence the reason when driving, we typically only look in the rearview mirror for a few seconds at a time, if at all. We do this because we know that the situation on the road in front of us can change instantly. (which is why you shouldn’t text and drive people, sorry not sorry) Your surroundings can change in a matter of seconds. Therefore we are paying attention to the road ahead. So why in life do we waste time focusing on events and/or moments from the past to the point we can not see what is going on today. Let me say this another way. When you are fretting over events that happened in your past, you are consumed with events that you can't change and are missing out on the present. Your life is moving on, with or without you. Life is like the car behind you on the road that speeds past, in a passing zone of course, because you are going so slow. Even if you are going the speed limit. You are completely distracted by a previous incident that you are no longer aware you are the person creating more wrecks.
If you are the person in the car driving past everyone on the road because they are going so slow, you my friend, need to slow down. You are the other end of the spectrum, so to speak. Quit being in such a hurry that you can’t embrace the moment directly in front of you. You are so consumed with worry or fear that you are constantly running from one place to another. (You could also be running late. You running behind is the cause of not being in the present, and always focusing on what’s next.) The fear of missing out on something that everyone else has is consuming your life. You are always focused on your next move, permanently living in the future. Never fully being present, and always distracted. Your mind is being pulled in multiple directions, never accomplishing a complete thought before it bounces into another lane. You are then left feeling drained and unworthy. As if you can not become successful in life no matter how prepared you are. Slow down.
Quit cheating yourself and everyone around you. The people in your life deserve more from you. You deserve more from yourself. Be intentional with your time. Your people want you to be present and aware. And when I say present I am mean the quality of time and the attention you give is more important than the quantity of time. If you are only able to see your people for a short period of time, cherish that time. Don’t fret over when you will see them again, or complain about how short your time is. Be intentional with the time you are given. Fill that time making memories that will last a lifetime. I will say it again, it is more about quality than quantity.
More is not always better and the sooner we realize that concept the happier our lives can be. We have been convinced that we can buy unlimited access to our wants. Moreso than we deserve all of our wants. That happiness can be bought... But the reality is there is no such access. When we have unlimited access to something we take that thing (relationship, toy, job, etc,) for granted. We set that “thing” to the side until we are ready for it. We assume that person/thing will always be there even though we have either been too busy looking back or hustling into the future. Either way, you have wasted the present.
Everything comes at a cost. Sometimes you can buy your wants with money but often times happiness (satisfaction) comes with a price tag that money can’t buy. What are you willing to risk? Are you willing to risk everything that is precious to you? Are you gambling your future with the present or wasting the present looking into the past? Learn to control what you can control. Invest quality time into the things that bring you joy and happiness. If something is important enough to you, you will find the time. Again it isn’t about the quantity of time or attention you give, it is the quality that matters.
Here we are at the beginning of December, full-fledged Holiday Hustle. This season, instead of spending your time shopping and wrapping gifts, make yourself the gift. Be present. High-end toys and expensive gadgets have a short shelf life before they are forgotten about. Since we do not know what our shelf life is, make the most of the moments in front of you. It may be your last encounter. This year I am saving myself the added stress of shopping for family and friends, no one is getting a present. Sorry, parents! Just me, whether it is a lunch or dinner date, a girl’s night out, or an extended family outing that is what this season will be about. Memories last forever, so why not make some good memories starting today.
I absolutely love my wool dryer balls. What I do not like is having to add essential oils to the dryer balls between loads.
Adding the oils to the dryer balls is not hard. It doesn't even take much time. But it is just a tad inconvenient. And it never fails, I always end up adding more drops of essential oils than I tend to.
Enter in my life a DIY Wool Dryer Ball Spray. OH MY! It is quick, easy, and all my kids can do this. I love my dryer spray and have no doubt you will also.
DIY Wool Dryer Ball Spray
*2 oz glass bottle- Amazon
Distilled Water
Witch Hazel (2.5 MLS)
20 drops of Young Living Essential Oils. My faves are Lavender, Purification, Citrus Fresh and Lemongrass.
Add your Witch Hazel and Essential Oils in your glass spray bottle. Swirl for a minute. Then add enough distilled water to fill the remainder of your glass bottle to the top. It is that easy. Now spray a few squirts on your dryer balls as needed and you are done. Not only is it quick and easy, but it is simple.
Check out how quick and easy this dryer spray is to use.
When I first started out on this wellness journey I called BS on just about everything. As with many things in my life, I have to see to believe. Here is one story I thought was BS.
I would hear other people say that they could not walk down the cleaner aisle at the grocery store anymore because it made them sick. It was all I could do to not laugh.
Well, God as a funny way of always using his sense of humor to make me learn a lesson.
I was preparing for a ditch and switch class when this incidence happened to me. I had to borrow a few cleaning supplies from people. I laid these products on the table with the rest of my supplies, and proceed to clean up the kitchen from breakfast.
In no time at all, I started to get a severe headache followed by a nauseous spell. I ended up having to cancel my plans for the rest of the day. It took me a while to figure out it was the fragrance of the products I brought home.
Needless to say, I stuck the products on my front porch. It took nearly six hours for my severe headache to turn into a mild headache and the nauseous feeling subside.
I can not urge you enough to start to remove products from your house. You seriously will feel better.
A very wise man once told me. It is better to learn from other people's mistakes. In this case, I must agree.
Here is a video where I discuss this topic just a little more. Ya know me, I like this short and sweet.
It has been a while since we have talked about where it all began. We have been on a little health kick now for 4 years. WOW, when you say it like that it seems much longer.
I have learned a lot about myself and kids through this journey. Rarely is something as simple as it appears.
This has been a slow learning process. One can easily get overwhelmed and shut down. I did many times. However, I never stay down for long. I always get back up and continue to find easy and simple ways to support my kids and their health. One day at a time.
In life, we tend to over complicated many things. Stay true to yourself and your beliefs. You can't go wrong that way. Life only gets complicated when you lose focus on your goals and start following others.
Remember this simple truth, this your life. It is your job to live it to the best of your ability. No one else's.
Let me leave you with this. People will criticize you either way you go, why not travel down the path that makes you the happiest? Afterall it is your decision and life.
How different would your life look if you gave yourself half as much Grace as you give others? A little love, some compassion, and umm forgiveness. Have you ever considered the fact that you don’t give yourself enough Grace? We are living in a world that is full of not enough. The consequence of that though, is we stop trying. We shut down. Or worse, we begin to diminish the qualities that make us unique. Simply put, we quit letting our own light shine. Stop. We need all the lights we can get. Otherwise, we will end up living in a dark world. How scary will that be?
Numero uno - you need to love yourself enough to fight for what you want. I am not saying go out and be ugly to other humans. What I am saying is, you need to adjust your eyes and focus on your own life and your own goals. Yes, you have made mistakes in the past. Probably terrible mistakes, but who hasn’t? Those moments do not control your future... unless you allow them to. Forgive yourself and move on. Don’t allow yourself to drown in your own self-pity. Grace, people. Why can we give Grace to others, yet when it comes to yourself it is like all of a sudden there is a shortage? Wake up, people, there is no shortage.
Here is the reality of your situation... You are one-of-a-kind. You are priceless. Absolutely, unapologetically, unique. No one on this planet can ever be you! Many can mimic, but no one will succeed.
Quit worrying about what others think about you. That's not your problem. I know that is hard, we all want to be liked. Quit fearing the outcome of every situation. Heck, I can’t count how many hours I have wasted spending energy on problems that never happen. #tonsofhours - Did you know a study shows that 80% of those problems never happen? Can you even imagine the obstacles you could conquer if you quit holding yourself back? Quit allowing fear to control your mind. Nike hit the nail on the head with 'Just Do It'. Quit doubting your ability to accomplish things. Give yourself a little grace when things don’t work out as you planned. You are worth every ounce of grace you need.
I have done a lot of personal development over the months and the topic that keeps popping up is, my life starts and ends with me. No one else makes decisions about my life. All I mean by that is, every decision I make is mine to make. If I choose to sit back and watch others work their tails off while I play, that’s on me. If I am too scared to approach someone and talk to them, that’s on me. No one else. My life, my choice. Quit blaming others for outcomes you created or allowed to play out.
The best gift you can give your future self is to work on you. Figure out what it is that you need in order to believe that you are worthy. Learn to love yourself as much as you love others. Start planting some seeds in your heart and mind so that by the time you are ready to change your seeds are ready to bloom. After a long drought, it takes a long time to rehydrate the ground with the right nutrients plants need in order to bloom to their fullest potential. Fill in the cracks with some love, kindness, and grace.
From our family to your family this Thanksgiving Season, I hope and pray that you have the best Thanksgiving ever! My favorite holiday ever -Family, Friends, Food and Football. No other expectations. It is all about the food. I am grateful for the time we get to hang together and pray that my words bless you!
-Michelle✌
