Thursday, July 28, 2011

The Thursday Push!

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So, back in the day (think some high school and some college - some meaning it depended on the day), I was a brat.  I wasn't nice to my friends, I wasn't nice to strangers, I wasn't nice to my family, and I wasn't very nice to myself. 

I know it sounds weird, but I literally woke up one day about 3 years ago and thought, "why am I so mean?"  I decided that day that I didn't want to be that way anymore, so I worked pretty hard to change it.  The reasons to why I was that way slowly started to show; I was incredibly insecure.  When someone had something good happen to them, all I could think about was why it didn't happen to me  - being happy for them was simply not an option.  Complimenting pretty girls was out of the question; it was much easier to call them nasty names.  The ease with which I cursed 'the other woman' in multiple situations was astounding considering the direct fault of the man.

Then I got pregnant and the only thing I could think about was what kind of example I want to be to my son and how I could raise him to be a kind, honest, loving man.  Kids learn by example and are a product of their homes, so I needed to do some more shaping up before he arrived.

It has taken a while, but my heart has honestly changed.  Though I am human and still say some mean things, I am able to recognize when something I say isn't productive or kind.  Though I've exchanged hurtful words with people, I've learned to remove myself from the situation even when it's a pretty tough move.  I still have to tame the occasional potty mouth before my son picks up on any more words ('boobs' is the most recent...), but I'm workin' on it.

I learned some profound life lessons during this time; I learned that it makes me feel good to make others feel good and I learned that behind a mean and nasty person probably lies a soul that's a little bit lost.  It's amazing what sharing kindness can do to people.  It's incredible how much more productive a compliment can be than an insult.

It's never too late to be a better person.

In the words of the brilliant Led Zeppelin,

"Yes there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run
There's still time to change the road you're on."

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Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Oh, there you are...

After taking a much needed break to focus on 'things,' I'm happy to say that I feel okay re-entering the blog world.

It's been a trying and exhausting time for me mentally, physically, and emotionally; the detes of which I will not bore you.  I am happy to say that my little family has come out intact and stronger than before.  My blessings stretch far beyond anything I could possibly ever earn in this lifetime.

Things have changed these last few weeks, which will probably reflect in my writing and the direction of my blog, but I'm still me.  My passion is still about cooking/baking, saving money, and being creative.  I've found many different outlets that have simply broadened my horizons, so to speak, and I am looking forward to sharing them with you.

In the past few weeks, I've...

...started working from home.
...become motivated by fitness.
....made a personal goal to read more.
...taken a much needed family vacation.
...called on God many times to lead me.
...spent way to much money.
...studied my butt off for school.
....learned some new easy peasy recipes that are totes worth sharing.

I'll expand on each at another point.  For now, I'll leave you with this:



Nothing about the last few weeks made me want to quit being happy, and I am glad for that.  Nothing about the last few weeks made me question God's authority, and I am grateful for that.  Lastly, nothing about the last few weeks made me feel defeated, and I am proud of that.

Be happy in this moment, for this moment is your life.

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