The Struggle of Finding Peace, Love & Joy!

Peace.

Love.

Joy.

Who knew three little words could be so powerful? Wouldn't it be something to be at ease and feel a sense of peace? What about having a heart so full of love it felt like it could burst? Or maybe, imagine feeling so happy that joy seeped from your very being.

"All I want is some peace and quiet!"

Are you kidding me? No one 'gives' me peace. I allow peace into my life when I choose. It's 100% up to me. When I choose to engage in activities that utilize the best me- I feel less stress. When I know how to say, "No!" to the things in life that leave me anxious or constantly doubting, I can find more peace.

I can choose peace. I can find comfort. I can allow myself to enjoy the calm amidst the wildest storm.

Hugs. Smiles. Laughter. Kind words. Love notes.

I can also choose love.

When the holiday cheer turns into the holiday sneer- I can steer clear of the things and people in life that bring me down. I can stay positive and loving.

I must remember that life will not be perfect. BUT, I must also remember that life is short and my loved ones may not be here one day. I must fight to cherish and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!

Joy to the world!!!!!!!!

Tis' the season to merry and bright. Right? Yes. Yes, it is! As long as I make it that way. My joy will abound when I seize the moments to truly appreciate the millions of blessings in my life.

It's time! We CAN . . . find peace, fill our hearts with love and spread the best and most joyful parts of ourselves.

Today I will give an extra hug. Smile more often than normal. Share kind words. Play a game. Listen and listen some more. Let go of what I cannot control. Sit in silence and put my phone down. Read. Do something I enjoy. Today I will count my blessings- one by one by one by one by one!

#findpeace Say 'yes' to slowing down the pace of life

 #findlove share your smile & a hug

 #findjoy Notice your blessings & have fun w/ them

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!

 

Don't want to miss a blog? Sign up to follow by e-mail.

 

Follow on Facebook & Twitter!

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!

 

Don't want to miss a blog? Sign up to follow by e-mail.

 

Follow on Facebook & Twitter!

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!

 

Don't want to miss a blog? Sign up to follow by e-mail.

 

Follow on Facebook & Twitter!

Focus on YOU!

 

 

At what point in life do you realize that control is an illusion? When does it become apparent- and part of your own belief system- that you CAN NOT control anyone or anything?

 

Since I basically teach this daily to students and co-workers, you would think I could buy into my own philosophy. The philosophy that says we cannot control anyone but ourselves. We are powerless to make others do what we want them to do. We cannot 'change' people. We cannot force new behaviors or habits or, or, or! We CAN'T.

 

However, we CAN control ourselves. We CAN make good choices. We CAN do the right thing (even when others aren't). We CAN make the best of the hand we've been dealt.

 

Tonight I took a much needed walk around the lake. It occurred to me that my greatest irritations come from my inability to control my family. How sad is that?

 

I want them to do what I want, when I want and how I want. Goodness, woman. Are you a dictator? Why, yes. It appears that way.

 

I sometimes feel as though my children and husband are supposed to like little puppets on a string- and me the puppeteer. Wouldn't that be something? Shoes would be put away. Clothes would be in the laundry right-side out. Manners would happen 110% of the time. Kind words would always be shared. There'd never be a toilet lid left up or dish undone or a squabble needing to be broken up.

 

WOW. Slow down. Listen to what you are saying.

 

That's not heavenly. That's boring. And sad. And NOT REAL LIFE! Grow up, woman.

 

For goodness sakes, take your own advice. Recognize that you cannot control anyone but yourself. You are the only one you can change. And that's how it should be.

 

As I was walking and the sun started to set- it was all so clear. I need to chill out, appreciate what I have and . . . change my own behavior. It was also then that the bugs started to enter my ears, eyes and mouth!

 

The universe was also reminding me that nothing in life is meant to be perfect. Not even a beautiful sunset. With the dusk comes the beauty- and also the bugs!

 

So I began to count the things I CAN control.

 

I CAN . . .

 

Get up 15 minutes earlier to make our morning more successful.

Start each day with a hug and kiss for each of my loved ones- starting the day on the right foot.

Model good behavior when others are not- keeping my cool & staying calm.

Believe in myself and those around me- recognizing strengths & positives.

Be healthy- putting good food into my body and getting moving.

Be the fun-loving woman that my friends and co-workers get to see (but to my family, too)!

 

My children are not puppets. My husband doesn't belong on a string. I am not a puppeteer. I CANNOT control others. Time to step it up and work on myself.

 

This week I will try to prove my husband wrong . . . I AM NOT a STICK in the MUD!

 

 

We are NOT meant to control others (though we want to)!

Time to FOCUS on what you can control #YOU #YOU #YOU

Take control & #lovewhatyousee

 

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!

 

Don't want to miss a blog? Sign up to follow by e-mail.

 

Follow on Facebook & Twitter!

 

How About a YES! Day?

Wouldn't it be something if we could say, "Yes!" to more things, yet feel less stress?

I'm not talking about taking on more 'things' - I'm talking about saying YES! to what matters most. 

Will you slow down and relax for a moment? YES!
Will you sit down, enjoy a cup of coffee with me and share endless conversation? YES!
Will you play tic tac toe? YES!
Will you call me and LISTEN to me (instead of multi-tasking)? YES!
Will you walk a long, slow and patient walk; noting all the beautiful nature & sounds? YES!

Will you lay with me ... read with me ... sit down and eat with me ... talk with me about my day ... relax ... stay calm ... talk kindly to me ... listen to me ... love me?

YES! YES! YES! YES!

Time is something that is NOT endless. There will be a day when it is gone. Too often we take for granted that the time we are given must not be wasted on a whole lot of, "NO's!"

I'm too tired. I don't have the energy. Not tonight. Maybe tomorrow. Next week I will try. Let's put something on the calendar for next month. I just don't have it in me. Let's talk later.

Here's your weekend challenge (and mine, too)! Put down your devices. Turn off your TV's. Forget all your excuses and for goodness sakes, don't worry about cleaning.

Instead, say, "YES!"

Yes, I will sit, talk and engage with you. Certainly I would love to play a game with you. I'm never to busy share my love with those I love the most. Of course I will read with you. It'd be a delight to meet you for coffee. I'd love to lay in bed with you, spoon with you and snuggle the morning away.

Yes! Yes! Yes!

This week is ending. The weekend is quickly approaching. Time to check-in on life and what REALLY matters the most. Forget the 'stuff' and the 'things' this weekend. Instead, say YES! to love. Honor your relationships by taking time; by enjoying the blessing of being together. 

Make today a YES! day! #live #love #spendtime

Forget the stuff. Forget the things.

Remember it's people that matter most. Say YES! to them.

 

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!

 

Don't want to miss a blog? Sign up to follow by e-mail.

 

Follow on Facebook & Twitter!

 

Different is GREAT!

There are no two people exactly alike on this earth.

There are no two struggles that are identical.

There really is no way around being different in one way or another (or in every way in between).

It's funny how we seem to strive to conform to the 'norm', yet I often wonder if normal even exists. Is there a right way to look? To be? To act? To talk?

Certainly when we get on our high horses, we can pretend to KNOW that there IS a RIGHT WAY and, of course, WE KNOW WHAT THAT WAY IS!

Ha!

The truth is, there are different ways of interacting, communicating, spending, working, believing . . . so many different ways. And- It's Okay!

In fact- IT'S GREAT! Different is GREAT!

I can't take all the credit for this blog post. A young man at my school this evening was chatting with me about my 'new look'! I had Lasik surgery last week and no longer have glasses. I've heard far too many times to count about how different I look. I was simply waiting for his similar response.

But, this young man made my week. "Different isn't bad- different is GREAT!"

Awe, how about that boost.

Let's all take some time to step down from our high horses. This weekend and into next week, let's try to remember how wonderful differences are.

Life would be so boring if we were all the same. Work wouldn't be as productive if we all didn't offer various strengths. Families would be bland and without excitement if everyone wanted to do the same thing at the exact same time. Food would lose the amazing spice and flavor that temps our awaiting taste buds.

Different isn't bad. Different is GREAT!

We're all different #No2AreAlike

Don't judge. Don't assume wrong. Don't think its bad.

#DifferentIsGreat

Different makes the world go round!

 

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!

 

Don't want to miss a blog? Sign up to follow by e-mail.

 

Follow on Facebook & Twitter!

Are You Fully Living Your Life?

Taken From: Life With Intent by Kerika

Where have you been?

What on earth have you been doing?

Why has it been so long?

That is what my blog keeps asking me over and over and over! Sadly, I don't have a good answer. Does this cut it . . . "I just haven't been feeling it lately!"

Hold on to your seats as life takes you on unseen twists and turns. Don't blink or you might miss years of living.

Living.

What does this word mean to you?

Surely we have to account for breathing, our beating heart- but, then what?

I've been struggling the last month with idea I might not be fully participating in my living or my life. I look around and see friends, family and people I don't even know struggling. Not like struggling because they are busy or life is hectic. But, STRUGGLING.

Cancer. Special needs. Chronic illnesses. Death of loved ones. Sick children. Unseen cures.

Now many of them are still breathing and have beating hearts- but certainly their definition of living is different than a lot of ours.

I like to have control in my life (often my children suffer from this-ha!). Lately I've questioned how much in life we really can have control of. I think I might have even given up a little on life thinking, "Why? There's so much heartache. Why?"

But- I'm back to me. I'm back to believing that we DO have control of our living. Certainly there are circumstances, illnesses and tragedy that are completely OUT of our control. Let's not focus on those things- let's take the reigns of what we CAN control!

Smiles :)
Loving words.
Listening ears.
Belief in our abilities.
Noting the strengths of others.
Giving of time, energy or money (whatever we are able).
Attitude.
Gratitude.
Being a friend.
Reaching out to those in need.
Being kind.
Sharing our gifts.
Taking care of ourselves.
Eating healthy.
Exercising.
Loving our earth.
Recycling.

I got overwhelmed the other day with the idea that I can't FIX the many chronic illnesses that are out there. I realized I don't have the pocket book to give to do research for them all. I watched the news a few times and felt that our world was full of nothing but hate and violence. I started down the negative path of thinking that there is NOTHING I can do.

I had to stop. I turned off the TV. I can do something.

I will give when I can. I will help whenever I am able. I will volunteer as often as is possible. I will smile & listen & care.

I can't fix the world. But I can LIVE my life. I can make positive changes for myself. I can eat better and exercise. I can play with my children. I can support my friends. I can focus on a better me to share with the world.

As hard times continue to happen around you, don't fret about the past. Try not to get caught up in what 'used' to be or what 'could have been'. Be present NOW. Dig deep and figure out what part of you isn't fully participating in this gift of life you have been given.

Where on earth have you been?
What have you been doing?
Why has it been so long?

LIVE YOUR LIFE TO THE FULLEST! After all, some people might not have the same opportunities you do. Take advantage with a grateful heart.

Are you living life to the fullest? #takehold

What could you do differently? #makeachange

Reach out.

Share your gifts.

Live w/ gratefulness.

 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!

 

Don't want to miss a blog? Sign up to follow by e-mail.

 

Follow on Facebook & Twitter!