Forget Perfect~

Guess it is kind of silly... 

I have spent so many years trying to be perfect...

Tonight, I had an "awaking"...

I was at Zumba class and I started looking around.

Know what I saw?

I saw a place that there was no 

Race, Age, Gender, or Perfection.

It was a room filled with Women & Men 

that only had one desire, at that moment...

To become a healthier version of them self.

If you have ever been to a Zumba class 

you know that it is a fast paced environment. 

It is not a place where you can mentally "check out".

You have to be there, present not only in body but in mind.

For you see... 

If you don't... 

You will most likely, be bumping into someone.

That is when it happened...

I started thinking... 

When I should have been in the moment...

I took a minute to realize, 

that there was not one of us 

in that room that is perfect...

What really is "Perfect"?!?

It is an unrealistic idea.

What I mean by that, 

is that nothing is or will ever be perfect.

It may be amazing, wonderful and incredible, 

but it can never be perfect.

Perfect, leaves no room for growth, 

working harder or for the desire to do better.

If everything is perfect...

What is left to do & why bother?!?

So, starting today...

I no longer strive to be perfect...

Today,

I start living to enjoy myself...

To be a healthier version of myself 

&

to be kinder to myself...

XoXo

<3

Motivational Monday~ New Start

Sorry for not writing for the last week.

Sometimes, we have to take a break...

To recharge & to reflect about where we are.

This is what I have done for the last week.

Preparing the house to sell, 

packing 

& 

getting ready to go look for a new house.

All of it, quite frankly is... 

Draining...

With all that said,

I am excited, but also quite exhausted.

This month has also been emotional taxing, 

with the loss of a few friends.

I have had to deal with more deaths in one month, 

than I have in the last few years.

It has taken it's toll on me, 

while also making me reflect upon my life.

I know that I am getting ready to start a new chapter.

As with every new adventure there is 

excitement & uncertainty,

while wrestling with 

how to close out the current one.

Taking a deep breath,

praying a lot 

&

moving forward...

Can't wait to turn the page,

 so I can spend a little time 

relaxing & enjoying the Sunsets...

XoXo

<3

Motivational Monday~ Just Do It...

Every day motivate yourself to 

get moving!

Doesn't matter if it is taking a walk

going for a bike ride,

Zumba

or 

any other form of working out...

When you are going to do it,

give it 100%.

After all...

Aren't you worth it?

Get out there and get it done!

XoXo

<3

Be the Change You want to See~

Carry out a Random Act of Kindness, 

with 

No Expectation of Reward, 

safe in the knowledge 

that one day 

someone might do the same for you.
~Princess Diana~

This weekend, one of my Sisters in the 3-Day Family

had an event in Honor of her Mother.

The event challenged us to do a 

RAK

"Random Act of Kindness"

We were left to use our own imagination 

how we wanted to carry out this mission.

Some mowed lawns for people in need,

others paid a toll for someone behind them

as they headed down the road.

Others bought coffee or a meal for a stranger.

This one simple request,

 reached far & wide.

For one moment...

Just imagine if every day,

every person,

did just one

RAK...

Just think how much different this world 

would be...

Can you vision it?

Now, I am going to challenge you...

It doesn't have to cost a lot of money,

or even be an over the top gesture...

It could be as simple as giving a kind word

to a stranger.

Helping someone get their groceries to the car.

or 

Reaching out to someone that needs 

a person to listen to them.

Starting tomorrow,

let's each work towards 

bringing about a positive difference...

XoXo

<3

Song Saturday~Zac Brown Band~ Chicken Fried

You know I like my chicken friedA cold beer on a Friday nightA pair of jeans that fit just rightAnd the radio up
Well, I was raised upBeneath the shade of a Georgia pineAnd that’s home you knowSweet tea, pecan pie and homemade wineWhere the peaches grow

And my house it’s not much to talk aboutBut it’s filled with loveThat’s grown in southern ground

And a little bit of chicken friedCold beer on a Friday nightA pair of jeans that fit just rightAnd the radio up

Well, I’ve seen the sunriseSee the love in my woman’s eyesFeel the touch of a precious childAnd know a mother’s love

It's funny how it’s the little things in lifeThat mean the mostNot where you live or what you driveOr the price tag on your clothesThere’s no dollar sign on a piece of mindThis I’ve come to know

So if you agree, have a drink with meRaise your glasses for a toast

To a little bit of chicken friedCold beer on a Friday nightA pair of jeans that fit just rightAnd the radio up

Well, I’ve seen the sunriseSee the love in my woman’s eyesFeel the touch of a precious childAnd know a mother’s love

I thank God for my lifeAnd for the stars and stripesMay freedom forever flyLet it ring

Salute the ones who diedThe ones that give their livesSo we don’t have to sacrificeAll the things we love

Like our chicken friedAnd cold beer on a Friday nightA pair of jeans that fit just rightAnd the radio up

Well, I’ve seen the sunriseSee the love in my woman’s eyesFeel the touch of a precious childAnd know a mother’s love

Yes, a little chicken friedCold beer on a Friday nightA pair of jeans that fit just rightAnd the radio up

Well, I’ve seen the sunriseSee the love in my woman’s eyesFeel the touch of a precious childAnd know a mother’s love

 

Fantastic Foodie Friday~Banana & Peanut Butter Flaxseed Cookies

If you need to get a sweet fix, but you don't want to ruin all of your hard work.

Try these... 

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cups whole-wheat pastry flour
• 2 tbsp ground flaxseed
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1 medium banana, mashed
• 3/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 1 cup unsalted natural peanut butter
• 2 tsp pure vanilla
• 1/4 cup mini dark chocolate chips, optional

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, flaxseed, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, mash banana with a fork. Stir in maple syrup, peanut butter and vanilla until well combined.
4. Add flour mixture to banana mixture, stirring just to combine; do not over-mix. Fold in chocolate chips, if desired. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until lightly browned. Transfer sheet to a wire rack to cool slightly, about 2 minutes. Remove cookies from sheet and let cool directly on rack.

Nutrients per cookie: Calories: 115, Total Fat: 5 g, Sat. Fat: 0.5 g, Carbs: 15 g, Fiber: 2 g, Sugars: 6 g, Protein: 3 g, Sodium: 80 mg, Cholesterol: 0 mg

Sending Love~

This was made by my Dear Friend Lisa.

I wanted to share it with you...

Somehow in the throws of this week I missed a post ?!?

Not sure how or where, 
but I think we can all agree this has been a tough week...

Events that will resonate long after this

comes to an end.

We all have been tested.

Our Thoughts, Faith and Security...

Tonight, I just want to say that I am sending my 

Love to Boston.

XoXo

<3

24 Hours... Later~

So, last Friday... 

Both of the boys had Ear Infections 

and Strep...

Last night,

guess who got a scratchy throat 

& 

was starting to feel achy...

Yup, this kid...

So, after I got Tristin off to school I 

went to the Dr.'s...

So they think that I have Strep 

and a side order of the Flu...

Yea...

Not.

So, going to try to get everyone here 

healthy again so we can keep 

moving forward...

Fingers Crossed & Prayers up...

Night

XoXo

<3

Bring about a Change~

Lately it seems like the world is going mad...

People coming unglued.

Coaches who are losing it on their players.

Road rage happening more and more.

Parents who are beating 

& 

some end up killing their children.

People just spewing hate towards others,

and the list goes on...

Are the frustrations in life really leading us down 

this darkened road?

Many are struggling with cancer 

and 

other illnesses.

Bills piling up,

Frustrations mounting,

Marriages crumbling...

How have we gotten this far off the path?

What happened to the Peace,

Love

and 

Good Will towards our fellow man?

I don't have all the answers...

Lately,

I just have to keep telling myself, 

that I have to be the change I want to see...

We can't fix all that is broken,

but we can fix ourselves...

Challenge yourself,

 to be a better version of you...

If each of us did this,

imagine how the world would change.

I know that we can never go back 

to what was...

However, each of us has the Power 

to bring about a brighter future.

I challenge you today...

Keep Hope in your Heart,

Peace in your Mind,

and Believe that you can Be the Change...

XoXo

<3

Motivational Monday~ Challenge Yourself

In this fast paced world that we live in...

We sometimes forget to take each moment as it comes.

We get so wrapped up in what we will be 

doing tomorrow, 

next week 

&

 so on...

That we forget to be present,
 in the moment we are in...
Try, 
today to take each moment as it comes,

live in that moment.

Forget what lies ahead...

Cherish the moment you are in,

the people that are with you

&

the time that you have...

Challenge youself 

to 

be where you are today.

100%

XoXo

<3

Heartfelt Thank You~

This Birthday was special for me...

Not for the presents that I recieved,

or how old I turned this year.

but in quiet reflection,

for the time that I have been given.

Given the chance to meet so many 

in my life's journey...

The opportunity to make so many 

wonderful connections.

The best gift,

just having the time to make 

more memories...

I am humbled by the out pouring 

of love that I got for my special day.

Hearing from people that I have met 

in all different stages of my life.

It truly has been a beautiful gift.

Thank you for your gifts of 

Friendship

Love 

and 

for all of the special moments 

we have shared...

They are my most cherished gifts.

XoXo

<3