We see the first flowers blooming bringing colors and life to are lives. Just seeing the flowers and hearing the birds brings joy and hope of the coming warm months. The colors of spring and summer bring joy and happiness to many people.
Soon we will see the baby animals out and running bringing new life to the world. Most everyone loves seeing baby animals even baby skunks are cute. The brand new life brings hope and joy, there is nothing like watching the baby animals playing.
Life is so precious and short we should enjoy our lives and live it to the fullest. We should enjoy the things God has given us on this earth to enjoy. Such as the animals, the flowers and nature in general. There is so much to enjoy from the certain landscapes to our family’s and our pets.
Finding landscapes that bring joy and peace places you can go to feel relaxed. Sometimes just having a hiking trail or creek to set by can help you relax and bring you some peace. There are so many beautiful places to see in this world.
Everyone seems to have there happy place for some that is: the beach, the mountains, the woods and lakes. Think of your favorite place to go on vacation or to go to relax how does it make you feel perhaps it gives you hope.
God is the one who made the flowers and birds, and the beautiful landscapes for us to enjoy which helps with our joy and happiness. When we remember that God is still with us and that means we have hope even when we are in the dark times before the colors and beauty come to brighten our way. We will have more peace.
When we have God we have hope no matter the season we are in. We can have peace at all times.
Sometimes we spend to much time thinking of the things we don’t have and the things we want instead of enjoying the things we do have. We should be thankful for all we do have even when we think of I don’t have much just look at what you do have.
You have lots to be thankful for.
Do you have
a safe and warm place to sleep
do you have food to eat even if it is not the high quality stuff or eating out all the time
do you have clothing to wear? It does not have to be name brand.
do you have a family near you
do you have a friend
do you have a job it may not be the job of your dreams but if it pays the bills your blessed
do you have pets
do you have a car that will get you from point A to point B?
do you have shoes on your feet
did you get to go to high school
See even with just those few things you are already blessed far more than maybe someone else so you should be happy. Even if it is not the brand or desired thing you want but you have it such as cloths, job or car you are blessed.
Do you have a sled for the snow?
I do and I did as a kid to but I also use to use truck hoods to sled on and inter tubes to tractor tires to go sledding on and I was just as happy than as when we got real sleds.
Sometimes simpler times are happier because you just enjoy what you have and don’t make a big deal out of what you don’t.
Enjoy Life
Enjoy life there is so much to learn and see and do you can find happiness in lots of things. It’s fun to day dream about places to go and things we want to accomplish in life and that’s fine to do just don’t forget to live and enjoy the things you have.
Making a bucket list
Make a bucket list and make sure its things that are possible. You could also make a second buck list with things that are a little more out there
My first buck list of places I want to go
yellow stone national park
the grand canon
Niagara falls
a rodeo in Texas
a few beaches I have seen in Florida
Those are all possible.
My second buck list is places I would like to go that are less likely.
Iceland
irland
Alaska
Fiji
those look like fun places to go
oh there’s tones more places I would like to go that I could add to each list but those are just a few as an example.
But in the mean time I sure do enjoy tenseness and use to be myrtle beach but not sure about that beach anymore looking for new beaches to visit that are nice and family friendly.
And there is nothing wrong with dreaming and wishing but don’t forget to live and be thankful for what you have going on right now.
So the last few weeks have been busy between Christmas and New Years and having to go to work. Just after Christmas, it leaves a mess and at that time all you see is the mess. But stop and think for a minute it is not just the mess but the memories we made. You see the wrapping paper, bows, toys everywhere and the dishes. The memories of the children opening presents with excitement and enjoyment for the season. Then the dishes think of the meal and time spent with family.
New Years the staying up late and bringing in the new year usually leaves you tired and worn out the next day. What did you do on new years? Perhaps you spent it with family and friends playing games enjoying time together. Oh, and lets not forget the New Years’ resolutions. I made some like many of you, but the real question is how long will we stick to them. Will we make it a week or two perhaps a month or two?
My New Years resolutions
1. To lose about 10 lbs I wanted to say 20 but I’m not reliable in that department so needed a more practical number.
2. Spend more time with God and study more
Those were my two resolutions I only made two because two is more workable that having 15 or 20. and the first week end I ate fast food 4 times so its going to be a work in progress, but I have a year to lose that 10 lbs. Just because you had a bad week and fell off the wagon does not mean that you should just give up, you may have to fall off a few times and get back on in order to stay on. Its when we give up that we fail, we should never stop trying to reach what we know we must do.
We must look at the fact do we fall off and stay off or stay down, or do we get up and keep trying. We tell our kids not to be quitters just because it got a little difficult, yet we take one stumble and we give up. This is the year to not be quitters but to succeed.
Here is how to be more successful with your resolutions and no it’s not too late to adjust yours if needed. It’s only early into January.
Make reasonable obtainable goals.
Set realistic time frames.
Keep in mind you may fall off and have to jump back on and it will be ok.
Perhaps have a support system or friend.
Maybe you need a way to hold your self accountable.
Weekly check in or time to think about the goal and how you are doing.
Write out steps.
Make reminders could be index cards, text reminders what works for you.
Define your goals and why you want to achieve them.
Set time line.
Track your progress.
Make lists so you can check off things as you reach them.
Create a self reward system so as you meet the mild stones of the goal you reward yourself so that you can feel accomplishment to keep you going.
Finish one thing before starting another.
Celebrate the win no matter how big or small.
Remember we are not perfect and have to work at what we want.
This time of year our focus is on Christmas and all that goes with it. Things such as presents, decorations, meals, and family.
Maybe we are thinking of having the perfect meal you know the one all the family members will be raving about and complementing. When what is the most important part of that holiday meal? The food and presentation or is it about the people we share the meal with? Our family is very important. Making and sharing memories. Because as time goes by people that were once there are no longer there. So we should enjoy the time we have together because none of us are promised tomorrow.
When decorating do we do it for ourselves or others? Is it to bring happiness to our family or others? Or is it a competition to see who has the most and can outdo others? Currently, I decorate for myself and to make my kid happy. He also enjoys the decorations. It’s something we do together to make memories. So do I need 7 or 8 boxes of Christmas stuff? I would have to say yes.
Are the presents the aspect we are focusing on? What am I going to get or what’s in it for me? Could it be what we are getting others and will they like it? Perhaps you do not have a lot of extra money this year and you are worrying if the family or friends will like and be happy with what you get them or will they be judgmental and ungrateful. and there are the people that give gifts just to get one in return.
Well, lets think about it for a minute. we give someone something and expect something in return than did we really give someone a gift. A true gift is when you give someone something and expect nothing in return.
When you receive a gift how are you? Happy to have been thought of that someone cared enough to give you something. Or do you do not like it because you feel it was not good enough? When we should be happy or grateful someone thought of us and spent their time or money on us.
It does not matter how much you spend but it’s the thought that counts.
Christmas can be full of wonderful things and greatly enjoyed. There are ways we can keep the stress out of it if we do things for the right reasons and with a joyful heart.
Time and time management are things we all have to think about. And as adults we have to think about being on time and making it places when we are supposed to.
No one likes to be late, so lots of times we end up rushing and hurrying. There for we often spend life in a rush. We rush over even the more simple things like whats for dinner. Living life in a rush leaves little time for enjoyment.
I look at my kiddo who is never in a rush for anything. Even the things he want to do. Pretty sure he is on island time.
It’s hard to decide if I should be jealous that he is so care free, or if I should be frustrated because we have to rush not to be late and he is moving so slow. He even walks at a relaxed pace, which makes trying to get to the car in a hurry fun. When we are in a hurry he is walking like he is on island time and has no where to be, you may even trip over him because he just stops right in front of you. Maybe we need to start leaving a lot earlier, which I do leave early but not for the slow putting on shoes, lost jackets and the snail pace walking to the car.
Sure there are times and places when we need to hurry or be sure we are on time: such as work or appointments. But maybe you can avoid the rush by planning ahead and starting early.
If your always rushing and hurrying through things, then your going to feel more stress and anxiety. Meaning you will get over whelmed easily.
So three things we can try to help prevent the rush feeling.
Plan Ahead
We can start pre planning for things and set aside time for certain things. Like planning meals and having everything you need ready to go. Plan what chore need to be done on what days so things do not pile up on the weekend.
You could also try making a list. Like what all needs to be done before your kid gets on the bus. Then go down the list and see if everything is ready before it is time to walk out the door.
Start Early
Maybe start the process of getting somewhere early. If it takes a lot of time to get your kid ready to go then maybe start the whole process 10 minutes earlier.
It is better to be early then to be running late.
Your can even pre lay out clothing for the next day and have lunches packed and in fridge.
Slow Down
If you have extra time and do not have to rush then you can take your time and not stress out. Life will be more enjoyable and you will have time to stop and smell the flowers or see the beautiful sites in nature around us. But if your always in the rush your not going to be able to enjoy any of that if you even notice it at all.
Time for yourself
Also make sure you set aside time for yourself. There is nothing wrong with doing hobby or being with friends. The better you manage your time the more opportunity you will have for the things you enjoy.
There is only be 24 hours in a day so the sooner we realize we have to pick and choose the better we can manage our time.
Time management is hard and may need to be adjusted all the time. But even if you get mess up from time to time it will be ok you just keep working on it. I don’t know if anyone is perfect in time management all the time for all there lives, I feel there is always room for improvement and learning during different seasons of our lives. Remember time management is a skill you must practiced.
So plan what you can and enjoy your life no matter what comes.
What is Focus. It is the center of interest, activity, or attention to something. Our focus and attention is required in so many ways. From things we have to do or things we want to do.
Prioritize your time
So that means we must pick or prioritize. What we are focused on can change depending on what is going on, what time we have or things that come up.
Sometimes you might have to pick or rotate through different activities or things and that may change day to day or week to week.
Prioritizing can be hard. There are always things you have to do. Such as work, caring for kids, paying bills, and more. Along with those things we pick to do such as extracurricular activities. TV, reading, playing games, time with friends, and other fun things
The point is time is limited so sometimes you don’t have time for everything. So we must choose how to spend our time from the things we want to do.
Spending time with God
One thing is for sure. We should always spend time with God. It could be praying, studying, spending time with fellow believers. I have noticed even a bad day is better when I spend some time with God first.
Time management
Time management is a skill we have to practice at work and at home. Along with multitasking which some are better at then others. For me it depends on what I am doing and if tat activity requires more concentration.
So what is your focus?
So what is your focus? Are you doing what matters or are you just wasting your time?
