Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Great way to start the new year!

I didn't really make a resolution this year. I just decided to resolve to focus on self-development. Part of that is committing to doing the things that make ME feel good. What I have nailed down: being a good wife, being a good mom, volunteering in my community. What I DON'T have nailed down: doing the things that nourish my soul and make me feel great, inside and out. I feel guilty, plain and simple, to do things that solely benefit me. However...when I think about it a little more in depth, if I feel better and happier, won't that benefit everyone around me as well? I just need to work on reminding myself of that. My home and family will not fall apart if I take a little bit of time for myself. I forget this. Every now and then I get a little reminder, a nudge. I did. I haven't written in a while, wholly consumed by the duties of a domestic goddess and super mom. However, a few days ago, I got an email, a congratulatory email, stating that a piece that I had written and submitted has been accepted for submission in an upcoming Anthology! I also have a different piece being published in a different Anthology in March of this year! I read this good news email and then the words morphed into: "See girl, what is the matter with you? Your words matter, you have a skill, a gift. You need to stop complaining about not having the time, and MAKE the time. Writing is your thing, and you are being very neglectful! Get back to it, woman!" Or something like that... So it's a good start to 2011. A little more me time is in order, and I think that everything will still be okay in the home! (chanting, "abandon the feelings of guilt and be your best selllllllllf....")

~MG~

Monday, January 3, 2011

*New Year, New Challenges*

Another year of life! Fantastic, thanks God!! What will this year bring? I don't know that anymore than I knew ahead of time last year that I'd be moving to Texas, that my mini-van would break down in the middle of TN, that my husband will need major knee surgery, etc...you just NEVER know. What I DO know is that I have the power to choose what I want to challenge myself with this year! I love a good challenge. I have come to learn that all, great and small, can empower me and/or enhance my life in some way. A fun challenge I am starting this year is taking a photo everyday for a whole year, 365 days of snapshots! (I found a page on FB called SNAP 365 and it sounded like fun!) I am also challenging myself to use my voice more this year. We often think that as one person, we can't do much. But if each ONE did, it would have an effect. I believe that my ability to write is a gift. What am I to do with this precious gift that was given to me? I intend to find out this year! What is your natural gift? What do YOU plan to do with it this year?? Find challenges for yourself, great and small! Commit to being a better version of yourself this year. That's my plan!

~MG~