Give yourself a pat on the back...

I mean it. Do it now. Do it....... there ya go! Great job! You deserved that pat! For what? Something. I'm sure of it.

Over the last few days, I've been trying to be more mindful of how I'm nourishing my body. I am not on a certain plan or system and don't intend to be. I'm simply making better choices. Well, in the last 3 days, I've weighed in...3 times. 😆 You're not supposed to do that, but I can't help myself. We already know I have issues, right?
Anyway, today when I got on the scale (mid afternoon mind you), I was down 5 lbs.  I don't care if it's water weight, it's 5 pounds people! I turned around, smiled big and gave myself a big ole' pat on the back and said "you're awesome!" No lie. I did...and it felt great! And I'll tell ya, it's made making good choices this afternoon much easier, cause I want to be able to do that more. It felt good to tell myself I did a good job... and really hear it.

Listen- you deserve to know when you've done something awesome. Even better, you deserve to give yourself some credit and say, "yeah I did!" and give yourself a proud pat on the back!

I don't care whether it's something super ginormous like a promotion at work or something itty bitty like not freaking out when a spider crawls across the floor, be proud of yourself!


If you helped your kids with their homework and didn't say a bad word

For doing the chore you  hate that no one notices anyway.

If you cooked dinner tonight and 3/4 of your family members ate it

If you made a phone call you were scared to make

If you stepped on the scale and were down even just 1 pound

If you managed not to strangle someone (which means you also stayed out of jail today)

PAT THAT BACK!

YOU DID THAT! No one else...YOU! That's awesome!

We cheat ourselves out of this a lot. We are told not to be prideful, but I really feel like there is a difference in feeling pride in something we've done and being prideful. Prideful is an attitude of arrogance or "being better than", but have pride in your work simply means you are proud of what you've accomplished. What you do matters!

Today, I want to do something a little different. After you read this blog, I want you to share it on Facebook. Then, in your share, I want you to give yourself a high five for something you've done today. If you're not on Facebook, add it to our comments section below.
 Shout it out! Let us hear it! Show yourself some love! You don't have to wait for someone else to give you the credit. Sometimes, just being able to really give it to ourselves means more anyway.

So...what did you do today?

Proverbs 31:25

Resolution. Blech. Even the word makes me want to break it.

Hi there! My name is Amanda. Sworn resolution non-maker (is that even a thing?) 

 I mean, I get it. I get the desire to start things when a new year begins.

It's freshness, purity, a blank canvas waiting for us to make our mark.  The idea that we have a brand new set of 365 days waiting for us to own them, but what is it about "making a resolution" that immediately makes our guts want to turn into rebellious little children being asked to clean up our rooms. "NO!" "NEVER!" (said in a gravely pirate voice waving my sword high into the sky in revolt).

So resolutions aren't my thing. 

Last year, I tried the trend of choosing a focus word. Can I tell you a secret? Come close.....I don't even remember what it was. #focuswordfail

Listen, life happens. Words come into my head and then other words fall out. It's how my brain works. 

This year, I have big goals though and for big goals to be reached, there has to be a plan of action, right? Now, I could make a resolution to achieve these things, but let's go back to paragraph 1 of this post...ain't happening. 

Focus word? Nope. We've also discovered that won't work. 

So what do I need to do to be able to walk boldly into 2017 with my head high, shoulders back and a list of things on my "Let's Rock This Year" to-do list?

I look to the Word.

This year, I chose to find a scripture that best not only spoke to my heart, but also desires I have for this year. Some of those desires will be simple. Easy to grab a hold of and own. Some, eh, not so much, but how important it is to have a little of both.

Today, in my first official blog post, I want to share it with you. Whomever it is that decided to click and read this while taking a bathroom break. (I won't tell anyone)

See, this blog, in itself, is part of one of those goals. To write again. To share my heart in a way that isn't translated as well on social media. To encourage, to bring laughter, to bring joy and to let you know, on the days where you feel like you've gone absolutely bonkers, that there is that blogger gal who's crazier than you. In that, I hope you find comfort. 

With that being said, I give you now, my life verse for 2017. 

May we take this walk together with strength, dignity and laughter...    

Do you have a resolution, focus word or life verse for this new year? Share it with us!