Just a Snippet

I have so many things on my mind right now and I have been burnt out in every way. I took the weekend off from exercise. No formal exercising - just playing in the park with my babies, going on a walk with my family, resting and recuperating.

It was glorious.

It was hard to get back to the normal grind this morning (early) but I managed it by the sheer goodness of God who inspired me to get to class and preserve my grade when I am so close to the end of the semester.

I will be quite swamped over the next 4 weeks trying to get lots of projects finished for the end of the semester. I am very grateful for the opportunity to be in school, however. I do enjoy so many of my classes... and some of them I will just be very grateful to see go away. :-) That is pretty much how it always is in school though, right?

We had an absolutely lovely weekend full of love, happiness and peace. I sure hope I can capture those feelings and pull them through this week with me.

What about you, dear readers? How was your weekend?

Loves...Shayla

Spring Break Recap

Last week was spring break at my college. You know what that means? 

I spent a WHOLE lotta time with these beautiful babies:

And this handsome guy:

And worked really hard on this:

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And caught up on a lot of these:

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And totally and completely ignored this:

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And it made me feel like this:

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But now it is over and I am feeling like this:

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And trying hard to focus on this:

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And although:

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I am grateful I had a break.

QUESTIONS FOR MY DEAR READERS: Did you have Spring Break last week? Did you do anything fun? Did you get to relax?

Loves...Shayla

Home Improvement

Yesterday cute hubster stayed home from work so that we could get serious about working on our house. We aren't planning on moving soon or anything but with both of us in school and working and with two little kids running around there were definitely a lot of things that had been neglected over the years that we have been living there.

We started working as soon as I finished my class at the gym. Because cute hubster was home I got to attend Multi-Step at the gym and it was a blast! I got a very good sweat in and I feel like I am getting better and better at Step in general.

We finally brought the couch we were given in from the garage (it has been sitting in there for several weeks) and that necessitated that we rearrange the furniture in our basement. We reorganized and cleaned the entire basement and then started pinpointing improvements that needed to be made - a light fixture that needed replacing, blinds that needed replacing, curtains that needed to be put up, etc.

We made a "quick" trip to Wal-mart (meaning it should've been quick but ended up being quite long) and spent a pretty penny to obtain everything that we needed to do the little improvements throughout the house. As everything started to come together I felt an immense sense of satisfaction. No longer would I need to look at the hole in my ceiling and think, "We really need to get a light to cover that." No longer would I need to go into the newly established toy room and think, "I really wish this closet had a door or at least a covering of some sort."

And that really got me thinking about the way that we live our lives. I think that we get to a point where we are comfortable in the place that we are. We realize that there are little things that we have neglected here and there but they aren't things that interfere with our day-to-day functioning in the here and now so we ignore them and put improvements off.

I am starting to realize, though, that life and change is made up of a bunch of little improvements here and there. As we take the time to recognize the improvements that need to be made in our lives and put in the extra effort to make those improvements the satisfaction that comes with it will leave us wondering why we put it off for so long.

I am of the personality that always strives for improvement. I have had to maintain a careful balance between challenging myself and pushing myself to unrealistic expectations. But, little by little, I have made improvements in my life and I have reaped the benefits of those improvements.

So I guess what I want to leave you with today is this:

QUESTIONS FOR MY DEAR READERS: Are there improvements in your life that you have neglected for too long? Are there things that you know need to be changed but you haven't done it yet? Have you recently made improvements in your life? What were they and how did you go about changing them?

Loves...Shayla

Tuesday Tidbits

Recently I had an interaction with a friend that really got me thinking about the concept of goal setting and how to become what we desire to be. I am definitely one to expect more of myself than anyone else could expect of me; however, I believe firmly in a concept that I shared with her and want to share with you now:

I think that too often too many of us see where we want to go and jump into trying to be the person that would already be there. I know that this was really hard for me to not do when I first started my fitness journey, and if we are being completely honest, it is still something that I struggle with.

When we create an image in our minds of how we should be we don't naturally desire to follow a painstaking process to become that person. We put ourselves into positions and situations which are part of the life of our future selves, but not yet maintainable by the person we are today. That doesn't mean that we won't get there someday. We absolutely will as long as we stick to it. But we must arrive there step by step. 

In completing the questionnaire sent to me by Prevention.com on, "Is This The Life You're Meant to Live?" I have realized many different things about myself... I am 1st in line of setting goals far and away above myself and then worrying about what I cannot yet achieve with the means available to me. 

So what do we do? Is there an aspect of your life that you wish to change? Is there something about your life that you want to make different?

 

It is alright that we aren't there yet. We want to be there and we will get there. So today we will set goals that we can achieve right now. 

Yesterday, I couldn't stay on top of my homework, my kids, and the housework. There was just too much to be done. The kids aren't optional and I had several homework assignments that were due by 11:55 pm. Sorry housework... where I was yesterday was not a Superwoman housewife. (Although I am sure even with a pile of laundry on our bedroom floor my amazingly cute hubster would beg to differ. How did I get so lucky?) 

This was brought into a huge light of perspective for me when I read Daring Young Mom's blog post on Drops of Awesome. Have you read it? Go and do it now. Maybe yesterday I wasn't a Superwoman housewife that could do everything that needed to be done. But by golly I started from where I was, took what I could in stride, and I even managed to put a few dishes away and a few more into the dishwasher! The kids were taken care of and fed and happy. Woohoo - drops of awesome.

So no matter where you are in any aspect of your life... start from there. Don't expect to go from the bottom of the mountain to the top just because you want to be at the top - appreciate and enjoy the climb. 

Do just one thing. Take one more small step. Don't worry about sprinting or leaping or being everything that you believe you see around you and is expected of you. Do what you can today to improve by just one small step.

The top of the mountain is coming as long as you keep climbing. 

QUESTION FOR MY DEAR READERS: What have you found that best helps you set and maintain goals? Do you have a personal niche that works for you every time?

Loves...Shayla

Is This The Life You're Meant To Live?

I got this e-mail from Prevention.com today and it really got the wheels in my head spinning. This is something that I have been reflecting a lot on lately and wondering about these questions myself. I intend to explore each entry as a private journal entry on my own - I feel like these questions are too personal to share on a public blog. But I thought I would put the questions out there in case any of you have similar questions.

Is This The Life You're Meant to Live?
From Prevention.com (Source here)

Living soulfully means going beyond looking and feeling good. It’s more than being mindful of your thoughts or transcending your ego. It’s about being able to tune in to your own inner compass and determine what feels right for you. It’s easier said than done, but the result is the ability to live abundantly and create your life as you dream it. Seriously.

So what does it take to live a soulful life? To get started, it’s important to ask the right questions, such as wondering why you’re really here and how your life could be different. It’s being willing to look at your journey through life as something much bigger and with more purpose than you could ever imagine. 

Once you open to these possibilities, it often requires a leap of faith to confidently declare that you deserve to be abundant, happy, and free. But that leap means the difference between a whole life and holding yourself back out of fear.

1. Am I Happy?


This is a very simple question but it’s also the basis for life. Find a moment of silence, pause, and ask your heart “Am I happy?” Try to feel the answer in your body. Do you feel a sense of contraction or expansion? Soulful leaving is a feeling thing not a thinking thing. Your emotions are a good measuring stick for determining the quality of your life at the soul level.

2. Do I trust my own inner guidance?

At the heart of every soulful life is the ability to ask your own questions and get your own answers, free from other’s judgment. It’s about tuning in to your own innate guidance and wisdom and trusting what comes forth. The only way to do that is to cultivate a deeper relationship with yourself and better understand your true essence, free from the filters of fear, doubt, and scarcity (meaning, not having enough—of anything). If you’re going to trust your instincts, you must also trust where your instincts come from. Allow the source of your inner guidance to lead the way.

3. Can I let the past go?

When we hold on to the past, we’re not free to create a new life in the present. We place the experience of our past into the potential of our future, leading us to repeat the same patterns. There is an incredible freedom in forgiving, letting go, and transcending the pain of the past. So, instead of reliving past drama or repeating old patterns, see how you can release yourself from the grip of past experiences, no matter how painful, and bring more power to the choices that will create your life now. Keep your focus on what you do want in life, not on what you don’t want.

4. Do I follow my heart - or listen to my head?

Your heart never lies; your head does. We can overthink, doubt, and rationalize away almost anything. The reason is that the mind is linear, logical, and rational. It likes stability and a step-by-step process. That is its function, but it serves us only so far. The heart, however, is non-linear and sensing. It aligns itself with our true essence and is connected deeply to our highest self and the ultimate potential of who we are. So while our minds often constrict us into believing that it’s best to stay put, not take risks, and avoid repeating the pain of the past, our heart always knows the way to our greatest happiness.

5. What great wounds have I healed?

When in your life have you been the most tested? Your most challenging moments also offer you tremendous gifts, no matter how deep the pain. They provide clues to what you are meant to learn in this life and how you can share the gifts of those lessons with others. They are your strength, and also your potential. When you can see your experiences for the lessons they were, you then have the power to evolve and be in greatest service to the world. To refocus your view of your wounds, think about what you learned and how it helped you grow.

6. Do I view life as abundant?

It’s one thing to want abundance—of money, of love, or of health—but it’s another thing to actually believe in abundance. We’re taught the world is full of “not enoughs.” Are you someone who complains there isn’t enough, or feels deep down that you’ll always come up short? Living from a place of abundance is an open state and expansion to life, whereas scarcity is a contraction. Where in your life can you see that you truly are abundant? You can’t have one hand out asking for abundance while the other hand is clutching on to scarcity. They are polar-opposite energies and require a soul-level commitment to viewing life in one way or the other. So choose, and trust the rest will follow.

7. How often do I take time for stillness?

It could be a few minutes, a few hours, or an entire day. Soulful living is about slowing down and developing a present-moment awareness. Our western lives have a tremendous velocity to them that pushes us—or rather hurls us—towards a certain future. It’s often not until we crash and burn or have a major crisis that we’re forced to pause, breathe, and consider the bigger picture. Returning to stillness is not necessarily about taking a week-long vacation: It can be as simple as a daily 10-second pause where you become conscious of your breathe, present to your surroundings, and tune inwards to your current state of being.

8. When in my life have I felt most alive?

Think back to a moment in your life when you felt the most alive, radiant, and happy. What was it about the way you were being that had you feel that way? Was it a sense of freedom, of adventure, of leadership, or perhaps of being in service to others?

Whatever that feeling was is a clue to where your innate gifts are. It’s what allows your soul to shine. Soulful living is about pursuing the things that come easily and effortlessly to you. Your innate gifts are your natural talents that you can harness when you allow yourself the freedom to follow your heart’s desires.

9. Do I approach life full or empty?

You can’t approach a new situation, relationship, job, or potential experience with what you think you know will happen. That is mental living, not soulful living. Soulful living is about starting from a place of “maybe I don’t know.” No matter how many times the past has proven you right, you are better off approaching life with a natural curiosity instead of thinking you already have all the answers. And when you approach life in this open way, you allow the universe to conspire on your behalf. Your soul’s path will always dream bigger than you will. But if you’re so sure of yourself and how you think things will go, you leave little room for the universe to work its magic.

10. Am I powerful to create life as I dream it?

We’ve all heard about the power of positive thinking or manifesting that which we desire. But living from the place of the soul goes beyond thinking you are powerful. It’s about truly knowing you have the power to change your life and create it as you dream. 

The path to living abundantly requires a firm belief that you are the creator of your life. Your thoughts, actions, and emotions all feed the container that is your life. When you don’t believe you are powerful, you allow others to hold the key to your happiness. To live a soulful life, its important to know that no one is more powerful, more all-knowing, and more wise about what you need than your own soul.
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A lot to ponder about on a Saturday! Maybe, if you're like me, you'll take the weekend to think about it? 

QUESTION FOR MY READERS: Have you ever asked yourself any of these questions? Have they led you into any grand adventures? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Loves... Shayla

And it was okay...

My alarm went off at 5:00 this morning. After tossing and turning most of the night, waking up almost every hour, and still being on the recovery from major stress and anxiety I thought to myself, "What is going to be better for me today?"

Yes, I love going to my classes and getting in a good sweat session. It is so invigorating to the body and to the mind.

But this morning? What did my body really need?

I said a quick prayer and pondered on it for what felt like a minute. When I turned over and looked at my clock it said "5:24." I thought that that was a pretty clear answer since my class starts at 5:30. So I cleared my mind of regret and worry and rolled back over to sleep.

And it was okay.

Sometimes we need to be at peace with accepting what our bodies can and cannot give. This is something that I particularly struggle with. Of course I need to exercise to keep myself healthy. But today? Healthy today needs to focus more on the emotional and the spiritual than the physical.

And it is okay.

On Wednesday my house was SCREAMING for my attention. After being sick there are piles of laundry, dishes, and general disorderliness everywhere. My homework was SCREAMING for my attention. Deadlines and assignments and things that needed sorting out. So what did I do?

I gathered up my babies, popped popcorn, climbed into bed and we snuggled and watched Toy Story 2.

Did the dishes get done? No. Did I get back on top of all of my homework? No.

And it was okay.

My daughter had a Valentine's party at her preschool yesterday. She went with Lifesaver rings that had little stickers on them with her name. Everything came in one box and took about 10 minutes to put together. She came home with lavish valentines, decked out with cute sayings, bags, and the every essence of perfection.

But you know what? That was okay too.

My girl [A] was perfectly content and excited about taking her little treats to her friends. Bells and whistles didn't change that for her.

Sometimes we just need to step back and assess our lives. What is truly important? What is truly worth fretting and worrying over? And what is it okay to just accept?

I doubt anyone is as bad at this as me. But for this week I am trying really hard to give myself a good hard look in the mirror with all of my flaws and everything I just didn't have the time and energy to get to and simply say...

It is okay.

QUESTION FOR MY READERS: Have you taken the time to evaluate how much you can do lately? Are you at peace with saying "no" sometimes? Leave me a comment below!

Loves...Shayla

On Sacrifice and Self Mastery

I am a Christian woman and although my personal denomination doesn't specifically celebrate the season of Lent I have been struck by its significance.

What is Lent? (Courtesy of About.com)

"Lent is the Christian season of preparation before Easter. In Western Christianity, Ash Wednesday marks the first day, or the start of the season of Lent, which begins 40 days prior to Easter (Sundays are not included in the count)."

"Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting,repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline. The purpose is to set aside time for reflection on Jesus Christ - his suffering and his sacrifice, his life, death, burial and resurrection." 

Since all of the purposes of Lent fall in line with things I believe and feel strongly about I have decided to participate in its recognition this year. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (which just happens to be tomorrow) and ends on Holy Saturday (March 30th). For that time period I have chosen to focus on the physical goal of not eating food after 7:00 pm in the evening. I do so well at being moderate and aware of what I am consuming throughout the day and then the evening hits and suddenly all self control seems to go out the window. Now, I feel like I need to add a minute exception to this... sometimes with my work and school schedule dinner is out of my control. If I have no possibility of getting dinner before 7:00 in the evening I am not just going to skip it. It is just as important to health and wellness to not skip meals as it is to be moderate within our meals. But I am going to make every effort to plan and organize so that I can commit to this goal.

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Not going to lie... this is going to be hard for me. My cute hubster and I spend our time together at night when the kiddies go to bed at 7:00 pm. Food is a way of bringing people together and bonding and we like to snack together. But I know that it is something that I could do better on and something that I believe will help me to control the urges that seem to penetrate my mind each evening.

Something else that I would like to focus on for Lent would be a subject of emotional health. Fitness and health of the body is not just physical - it is very much emotional and spiritual too. For me, that means that I need to try and clear my mind of worry. 

Photo source here

Worrying is something that I spend way too much energy on and something that robs me of peace and stability. The effects of high cortisol levels on the body have been studied extensively and I am literally doing physical damage to my body when I allow myself to get in that state of panic and distress.

So when I find myself overly worrying I am going to pray. I am going to meditate. I am going to write. I am going to do whatever I need to in order to calm myself down. And then the next time something happens I am going to work hard to not stress myself out in the first place. 

Photo source here

I believe in total body fitness. I want to incorporate health and nutrition into as many parts of my life as possible. I am grateful for Lent and for the opportunity at this time to take a look at myself and really ask, "How am I doing?"

QUESTION FOR MY READERS: Do you observe Lent? What goals are you hoping to focus on this year?

Loves...Shayla