Category: What I Learned

now i get it {spring 2018}

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One of my favorite inspirational writers, Emily P. Freeman, post a quarterly link-up where we share what we learned during that season. I’ve seen and read these for a few years now but only participated one time. Sharing something so intimate feels overwhelming; what if I never learned anything new? What if I keep having to learn the same old things day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year. For example, if you read my January 2016 edition, I discuss foundational habits.  Yep, still struggling with those! But, now I get that this is an excellent exercise for anyone who is seeking to live their one life with intention and purpose. And sharing in this space crystallizes what I have learned, making it real and refreshing my memory when I need to be reminded again and again.

So, with that in mind, I am participating this season and sharing with you wonderful souls what I learned and will probably always be learning this past spring. Here goes…

  • I’m learning to trust my intuition, my gut, “the voice within, the voice of God’s spirit, the whisper of my own soul.” (Shauna Niequist in Present Over Perfect) This is something that I will have to work on for the rest of my life.
  • I now know that I for me to live the life that I want to live that I must stop running from my emotions. In the book, “When Things Fall Apart” by Pema Chödrön, she discusses the necessity to sit in the “hot loneliness.”  I hate doing this! I have run from my emotions and my feelings for most of my life.  My modus operandi is when I get a whiff of a feeling that is uncomfortable, painful, or even something that is exciting or interesting, is to do one of two things: (1) push it deep into the spaces of my own heart and then pile food, preferably ice cream, on top of it or (2) get busy doing something, anything to not think about it anymore. All you have to do is see a pic of me to know which one I do the most. Ignoring my emotional life has affected everything: how much joy I experience; my honesty with my husband; my memory, or lack thereof, of the special moments in my life; and the authenticity in my writing. Learning to sit with my feelings is hard, probably the hardest thing that I will ever have to do, but now I know that I have to do it.
  • Self-care is requirement; it is not an optional exercise. There is no life (literally, no life) without it.

What have you learned recently? Let’s talk about it.

enjoy life

what i’m into – that’s keeping me sane {april 2018}

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what i'm into {april 2018}Per my March edition of What I’m Into where I mentioned the need for premium, April was dedicated extensively to putting that in my proverbial gas tank.  While this month has been a world wind of traveling and activities, I have come to the end revived and inspired for what’s to come.

First up, was a trip to my parents’ lakeside condo in Daytona Beach, Florida where we met up with my sister and her family (I met my nephew for the first time ever!). It was a family reunion of sorts and it was wonderful.  My BIL taught me how to play Dominos.  I think I surprised him by posing a bit of a challenge.  He had to step up his game to beat me; something I don’t think he was expecting.  Let’s be clear, he did ultimately beat me.

Then it was off to Vegas where I accompanied the Hubby on a business trip to the annual NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) Convention.  We got to stay at the Wynn, my favorite hotel on the strip on the 53rd floor with views of the strip.  A lovely hot stone massage and room service on one day added quite a bit of premium into the tank.

To commemorate the entire vacation, I went to the local Kendra Scott boutique, and used the Color Bar to design a unique piece to wear to remind me to do the things that I need to do to stay sane. A huge thank you to Rebekah and Noel for their help. I wear it almost every day.

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Inspired, I returned home determined to take some time to do the things that have been “niggling” at me to get done: cleaning out the garage, spring cleaning the ceiling fans and blinds, etc.  I am proud to say that I have made some real progress in that arena.  I finally purchased and installed a floating shelf (I had courted it for three years and the Hubby did help install it) in my son’s/guest bathroom and it looks absolutely amazing. It elevates the entire bathroom.  Once again, I don’t know why I don’t do these things right away? Three years for a $13 shelf!

April has been a very good month for me and I am excited to continue to grant myself permission to put premium in my tank in May.

I’m linking up with Leigh Kramer’s What I’m Into so check it out and see what others are up to as well as tell me how you are including some premium in your life.

enjoy life…

 

what i learned {january 2016}

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Beach. What I Learned

“The body keeps score and it always wins.” -Brené Brown

I was sick for a week this January. I had pushed myself hard in December: not sleeping well, getting up early, pushing my body and working out harder than I have been in a while, a lot of responsibilities and guess what, “the body always wins.” When you don’t take care of yourself, the body will make you take care of it.

First, I learned that I whatever I do, I must keep up, what Gretchen Rubin refers to as, my foundational habits: Getting proper rest, staying hydrated, eating better, and keeping my stress levels down. These habits allow me to be at my best self and able to function at an optimal level.

Simply TuesdayAnd second, while I am doing that, I must always stay in the present moment. Living too much in the future and in the past ruins the present, and surprisingly, increases my stress level! Who knew? So while, I was sick, I did everything that I could to listen to my body and rest. I drank hot tea, read, and caught up with my favorite television shows.

I am currently reading Emily P. Freeman’s book, Simply Tuesday: Small-Moment Living in a Fast-Moving World. I am finding it to be a great book to start my day and I am enjoying savoring it slowly. I am linking up with her and others to tell you what we learned this month. Check out all our collected wisdom here.

What have you learned recently?

enjoy life…