Today I THRIVED!!!!

My children are finally on the mend after a very long run of cold/flu symptoms being passed around between them over and over again.  We were oiling it up the whole time, trying to keep warm, sipping tea but this bug really held on. 

Today was just lovely.  Here's a list of what me and my children accomplished today:

• scripture study
• practicing piano
• reading lesson
• Sammy and I worked on writing his name (he likes to write BIG 'S's to fill the page)
• Eliza worked on her alphabet puzzle singing the alphabet song with Audrey and me
• We all had fun playing with Michael and making him laugh.  He loves to laugh and we love to hear him laugh.
• LOTS of puzzles
• Kids cleaned their rooms (there actually wasn't much to clean thankfully)
• My room stayed clean
• Laundry folded and put away (Audrey and Sammy put their clothes away with my direction)
• Minimal TV (we've been watching way too much TV because of illness and everyone feeling drained... I've weaning them off and it is so nice!)
• Lots of books were read
• Art Project
• Kitchen cleaned
• Dinner made
• Oh!!!  I ran 25 minutes straight on the treadmill without taking a break.  That is HUGE for me!!!  HUGE!!!
• Kids were wonderful about picking up and helping keep the house in order (it isn't perfect but nice)
• I had to make a difficult phone call that gave me a lot of stress because I was anticipating the worst.  Thankfully my prayers were heard and the conversation was actually a breeze.  I got off the phone and was just about to break down and cry from gratitude.  I knelt down and thanked my Father above for giving me strength.  The experience made me feel empowered to overcome all things.  (That is probably why I ran for so long, it was just after that phone call)

 

Story Time: The kids and I had so much fun doing this little art project.  It's called snow painting and I found the idea and recipe off a cool blog today. You just use shaving cream and glue in equal parts. The texture after it dries is really cool.  Super easy. Eliza was going crazy with the paint. It was getting all over the table.  Audrey decided to join Eliza's party as well and just started painting her hands and rubbing it on the table.  From this party I learned that snow paint cleans up very easily!!!!  Sammy was much more careful with the paint and didn't have much interest in getting messy with it like his sisters. Tomorrow we're going to string up our artwork and display it across the window for us to enjoy while it's horrifically cold outside.


Stay warm and sleep well tonight!

 

 

 

Why Practice Thriving? -- You're worth it!

There is a lovely life lesson we can learn from caterpillars. While it is in the chrysalis, it breaks down into something unrecognizable.  Miraculously, it reorganizes into a beautiful, graceful butterfly.    Similarly, life breaks you down, sometimes to the point that you don't recognize yourself or your life. In a moment of despair you may wonder if there is hope.  There is, you can choose to reorganize your life and become a person that doesn't just inch through life but soars!

That is where I feel I'm at in my life.  I feel broken down by all the surgeries and the wear and tear that came from bringing children into the world.  I see pictures of myself and am shocked by how I look. "I'm way cuter than that!" I think to myself.  It isn't just about appearances though, like the caterpillar, I know that I'm divinely capable of so much more.  The caterpillar succumbed to his potential and allowed his divine greatness to transform him.

A caterpillar's potential is to be a butterfly.  As children of God, we each have infinite potential far greater than to wistfully glide about.  What makes us unique is that we each have a specific purpose in life that can bless the lives of those in our sphere. Throughout my life, I have always been drawn to a variety of healing arts.  I feel called to it.  I read a lot and continue to be led to great sources of knowledge that can improve overall health and wellbeing.  I have been blessed to help many of my friends and family.  In recent years, I have lacked discipline to practice all that I preach and improve the quality of my own life and truly thrive.

On this blog, I plan to share with you what I learn as I practice the glorious art of thriving. Hopefully something I share will resonate with you and help you in your practice of thriving.  Life really is a practice.  In sports, we have to practice skills and plays until we get it just right and it becomes effortless to do.  There are certain skills and habits that help build the foundation for people to thrive.  It takes time to form a habit and develop skills.  We must be patient with ourselves.  I must be patient with myself.  I am worth the time it'll take, as are you because we will be more majestic than a butterfly.

Story time: This is my sister (to your left).  She is one of my inspirations of a thriver.  No matter what, she makes life wonderful, beautiful and meaningful.  She consecrates her life to be a blessing to her children, family, friends and coworkers.  I love her for the example that she has always been to me and for the woman that she is.