Craizies!

Is that even a word? We'll that's how I feel this morning as I sit here trying to get a post off, since it's been almost a week. My kiddos are fighting, trying to finish their chores, my 5 month old is squirming on my lap as I type, and I'm hacking with a cough I can't seem to beat. Ah....life.

Anyone else ever get like this?

I have to admit that start of days like these (especially Saturday's) can tend to make me frustrated and down. We have some decisions to make today, plus I have a trip I'm leaving for in the next few days, and I need to get ready for that. Also, I haven't worked out in 3 days due to this cold. All in all, this usually makes me quite overwhelmed. Do you ever feel this way?

But in the theme of trying to turn over a new leaf and stay motivated, I'm trying to think positive. So what are suggestions you have to pick yourself up after a less then best start to a day, or the past few days? How do we stay focused on what we are shooting for when we don't feel the best and things are looming out in front of us? I post these questions to you as someone who doesn't have all the answers. For me, I know a lot has to do with attitude and not sweating the small stuff.

OK, got to run now, baby's freaking out.....thoughts??

Vocation

I had a great prayer time the other day, where God really spoke to me about vocation. I was very encouraged while reading a meditation that I enjoy.

"Do we thank God for the gift of our vocation? Do we realize that we have been called from all eternity to fulfill a divine vocation? We have been given all we need to be and to live out our vocation."


I don't think that I do this well. For me, I believe, that this is a good summary of a way to stay focused on what is true. I can choose to be thankful and know that I have been chosen and given the gifts I need to carry out what God have divinely called me to. If that isn't encouraging, I don't know what is!

So be focused, be motivated, hang on to the truth and know that His grace surrounds you!

Balance

This seems to be a theme of my life: Seeking balance. I don't think I do it very well. Do you? I seem to be one of those people who either swings one way too far, or the other. Either I don't care that things are clean and organized, or I can't relax because they are not. I'm trying to learn how to prioritize better so that things get done, but I'm not hyper about when things aren't always done. Does this make sense?

I find this hard to do when my normal routine gets thrown out of wack. For instance, my kids have been off since Tues. due to illness that has closed our school. Talk about what to do! My husband has been under the weather and home, and I'm fighting something myself. So I'm striving for some balance.

I actually did pretty well today. I got some ironing done, took the kids, with my mom, to the cider mill, and still managed to work in a workout while at the park for the kids soccer practices. When I type it all out like this it looks good. But in my head, I still have yesterday, where I didn't do anything. It was nice to sit around and drink tea and talk to my husband, but the bathrooms didn't get clean, and the laundry didn't get done. So today I was swinging the other way, and now I'm exhausted!

But I guess the key is to keep pushing forward, right? The balance may not come in the same day, but in two, or within the week. I guess I just have to be patient and not give up.

I'm training for a triathlon. Yes, really! I've had many the mixed reaction from those I've shared with, which now are many, since I've noticed that sharing keeps me motivated and focused, but also inspires others as well!

I've really loving it, too. I'm surprised at that part. You see, I'm not a runner, or a biker, or a swimmer, for that matter. I'm athletic and always have been involved with sports growing up. But since I've had kids, exercising has become a chore. But through a friend who has really encouraged me, and challenged me, I'm setting new goals and changing me attitude.

Aside from the "good for you" things about exercise, I'm discovering something the "good" in a different way as well. The bible teaches us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and rightfully so. We are called to glorify God with our bodies. What better way to do this then to exercise and take care of our body in this healthy way? I'm truly experiencing this. I feel better, have more energy, and just seem overall, more happy. Why should I be surprised, isn't that what we always here about what exercise will do for us?

It is not only that. I'm seeing how blessed I am. I can walk, run, bike, swim, enjoy nature and enjoy friendship in a way that I haven't really experienced before. I am thankful and try to take the time when I'm out enjoying the use of my body to let God know that, to glorify Him through the gift He has given me! In doing this, it motivates me more to keep going.

So maybe this is where I get the "Motivated with Meaning" theme. I want to not just doing things in my life, but carry them through with a purpose. Let God be praised!

"I silently resolved to have a humbler, more grateful heart. I am everything God intends for me to be. This place where He put me offers me all the intellectual affirmation I need, I told myself."

I read this quote today in an email that my husband sent me. The email was quite funny; about hardware stores and the differences between men and women. It ended with this quote, more or less. I read it and reread it again, realizing that this really sums up what I need to think like.

I have a tendency to feel inadequate as I go about my life wearing different hats. There is always more to do, something is not finished, I'm not getting enough of something else done. I have a hard time finding the balance between feeling that I can enjoy my life and doing all the "chores" of life that need to be done. Anyone else struggle with this?

Yet, as I read this quote, I realize that as I seek God's will for my life, I am in His plan, living out the vocation that He has intended for me to live. I can always improve and strive for balance, but in the end, I need to humble myself and know that I am everything that God intends for me to be.