Simple Pleasures: Simply LOVE the Skin You're In!

Falling leaves. Farm animals. Tire swings. Tree climbing. Fluorescent sunsets.

It's easy to notice the simple pleasures when looking at the world around- even enjoyable to search for beauty in the most unusual places.

It's more difficult to notice the simple pleasures within ourselves; our very different and unique selves.

Laugh lines. Shiny gray strands. Lumpy curves. Mistakes. Failures. Fears. Quirks.

Do I dare go on? Should we cover all the reasons it's so difficult to actually love the skin we are in?

The idea that we can relish in the simple pleasures of our life . . . well, it's easier said than done. BUT, we must try. In order to find contentment and happiness, we must strive to be grateful and diligently notice the simple pleasures surrounding us and within us.

Hardship. Illness. Death. Destruction. Dysfunction. Violence. Hatred. Misunderstanding.

There are a million reasons to avoid noticing or appreciating not only the greatness happening around you- but also within you.

The first step is to understand, appreciate and accept who YOU are. We are each created uniquely wonderful. Shape, size, hair color, strengths, abilities, freckles, birthmarks . . . it's all part of YOU. Along with those parts also come limitations- limitations can NOT be our focus, only thought of as part of the whole package; making us complete and just as human as everyone else.

When negativity or difficulties are knocking at your door, you can open it and let the dark and doom overshadow your life.

OR!

You can keep that door shut tight, head to the window, open it and let the fresh air flow in. You can find the glimmer of sunlight shining bright. You can notice the bird soaring through the sky. You can look deep inside and find the simple pleasures surrounding you and within you.

Look in the mirror. What do you see? I know it's hard- I know you'll go straight to the negatives. You'll notice the simple flaws.

STOP.

Look again. This time force yourself to notice the simple pleasures. The pieces of you that are beautiful and different. Then look deeper. Think of what makes you special, unique and important to this world.

The world is better because of YOU. This life simply wouldn't be the same without the simple pleasure of you being YOU.

"Mom, look up. What do you see? I see a crocodile eating an alligator."

Simple pleasure. Cloud gazing.

Simple pleasure. I'm not a perfect mom, but in that 'cloud gazing moment', life couldn't be more perfect. The negative tone I used earlier can be erased by the gentle creativity I share with my three-year-old.

Simple pleasure?

Yes, please!

It's totally up to me.

A simple request = take time to find the simple pleasures- around you and within you.

Look deep to find the beauty within yourself. Love you for you. Enjoy the skin you are in. Everyday is a gift . . . LIVE like it.

Simple Pleasures #SlowDownToEnjoyThem

Notice the beauty around you.

Notice the beauty within yourself.

 #Appreciate #FindHappiness #BeContent

 

Enjoy the journey you have been blessed with, love the people in your life, smile :) and remember, 'It's Okay'.  
 

Visit www.itsokaybooks.com to learn more!

 

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What Are You Doing?

"I wake up. I see the beautiful sky. It was so nice to be alive; to write songs and be with my friends today!"

My obnoxious and spirited #3 . . . what amazing perspective!

The other day I looked at my spouse; at my one and only, "Honey, what are we doing?"

We are at a time of questioning- wondering if we are in various life activities for the right reasons. Hopeful we are providing opportunities and raising our children to be the best they can be. Worried that we are missing the big picture of what it is all about . . . getting caught up in the 'doing' instead of the 'loving' our six-year-old reminds us of.

Big questions. Different times. The seasons of life.

Life brings us season after season. Some are mild and fly by without much notice. Some offer perfect- top 10 weather- day after day. Some seasons are bold, fierce and leave burns from the cold wind.

Seasons.

What season are you in? What are you doing with your life? Is it mild and manageable? Or fierce and blowing out of control.

I think back to the slower days that I sometimes wished away- days at home with diapers and strollers and messy meals. Moments were so lonely and some days stretched so long they felt as though they would never end.

Our kids are a little older . . . no diapers- just activities, homework and sibling struggle after sibling struggle. I sometimes secretly wish for those long days at home with no worries except when the next diaper would explode, or cry would come out or mess would present itself. Knowing that there were thousands of moments of joy tucked inside every challenge within those younger years.

And then, sometimes I find myself wishing for the next season. Hoping this one will fly by so the next one might be easier or less complicated (this is in no way the truth, but our thinking can be so convoluted and wrong)!

We must not wish seasons away- even the hard ones. We grow from each season. We become better with every fallen leaf, crack in the ice or blinding ray of sunlight.

Our season; our struggles, they are not that great in the scheme of life. They are certainly not more than any of yours reading this. It's just that the season we are in is causing us to look deep; rethink. We are taking time to regroup and ask ourselves, "What are we doing?"

It's time to STOP!

All of us need to stop and reflect on the season we are in. It's not about the things. It's not about amounts. More is not necessarily better.

People. Relationships. Memories. Love.

Whatever season we are in, we much make sure we are doing everything we can to make the most of it! If we are lucky enough to be enjoying a calm before the storm- goodness, we must spend our days in gratitude.

If we are in a manageable season that continues to move and change, certainly we must ask if we are taking advantage of the moments of glory and not focusing on the leaves cluttering our lawn. We must pick and choose the battles of frustration and make the most of the blessings tucked in our daily monotony and routine.

Is your season fierce? Or out of control? Are you dealing with the unimaginable? Is death, illness or tragedy knocking at your door? If so, I'm sorry. You don't deserve this awful season. So many bad things happen to amazing people- and it's not fair for you.

My hope for us all- no matter what season we are in . . . that we remember our seasons are important to us. Our struggles hurt- no matter how big or small. Some seasons will come and go easier than others- some will feel like they will never end. Imagine what the world could be like if we'd recognize that our seasons are all different and reaching out might make a season more manageable for others.

STOP. Reflect. Question.

The weather is changing- may the wind blow in your favor. May the stars shine bright on those you love! May hope forever stay inside your heart.

"I wake up. I see the beautiful sky. It was so nice to be alive; to write songs and be with my friends today!"

What are you doing? #areyouhappy

What direction is this season steering you? #doyoulikeyourweather

Stop & reflect! Are you #lovingcompletely

Enjoy the journey you have been blessed with, love the people in your life, smile :) and remember, 'It's Okay'.  
 

Visit www.itsokaybooks.com to learn more!

 

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