Change...

Ahhhh...the one word that can spark fear in one person and bring pure joy to another....change! Change can be good and change can sure as heck be bad. Trust me I have been on the receiving end of both types of change (that is another blog post for another day!). Change is what I am trying to navigate for myself in 2013. I want to break free from the funk I have been experiencing for the last several months and focus on the positive. I want to make changes in my life that make me feel better physically, mentally, and emotionally.  So far 15 days into 2013 and I am doing good. I am blogging more, enjoying the chatter the 365 of kindness and gratefulness is creating on Facebook, and working to stay in the present more.

Now can I improve on more things yes, but hey change does not have to happen overnight. The change I am looking to make to my life will take time and it will be something that should continue to evolve over time. I am looking forward to some changes I will be encountering in the near future and to find the good in the changes that occur. Wasn't it Sheryl Crow that sang about how, "That change will do you good?"

Today was a day full of ups and downs and I think as I sit here typing this, I simply needed to get my thoughts down from the day. I needed to remind myself that all days won't be calm and harmonious. Change is inevitable but if you take the time to sit down and reflect on the events from a given day typically you can find something good. Maybe you will learn something new, maybe you will find something about yourself you want to work on, maybe someone will surprise you. We should not focus always on the negative. It seems that when a day does not go exactly as planned people immediately focus on the negative and in doing this an individual can be missing out on a life lesson that could turn into a positive.

Now I have got all my thoughts from this day out and I have reflected on my day, I am at peace. Time for some shut eye and then we shall see what new adventure awaits me tomorrow.

Until next time I hope you embrace changes in your life with an open mind and kindness in your heart to others! :)

Living in the Present...

I am sure I am not alone in what I am about to say...many times I catch myself running from one event, household chore, child activity to the next and while doing all of this my mind is racing ahead thinking about what I have to do the next day, the next week, the next month, etc.....you get the picture. Of course, there are the other times when I am trying to turn my mind off (yes, go to sleep, just relax) and during those times I start to think about how I handled a work situation, dealt with disciplining the girls, how I could have used my time better at home last weekend, etc.....once again you get the picture. Many times I catch myself thinking and trying to live in the past or the future, when really I need to be focused on the PRESENT!!!

Entering 2013 I told myself that no matter what I need to find a way this year to joyfully live in the present.

1. I need to learn to enjoy the moments with my girls more because well, they aren't going to be little forever.
2. I also have to find more time to enjoy my husband.
3. I need to find time to do things for me (this one receives MAJOR neglect)
4. I need to find the things in my life that give me joy and make me feel alive (this being one of them). I have a lot to say and if others want to read great, if not that is fine too. Plus this blog is like a diary to me, my way of putting my thoughts down.

So those four items above are fairly all encompassing, but that is ok, I have 365 days to work on all of them (well actually 360 since today is January 5th).  How am I doing so far?

1. I am focusing on listening to my girls and be very present when they talk to me. I make it point to read and play with them as much as I can. Is it enough, not quite yet, but I am working on it.
2. I am working on being present with my husband, not just listening to him as I dart off to the washing machine or out the front door to go to work. I am trying to work in the time at some point each day for him and I to connect, just us, no girls.
3. I am blogging 2 entries in 5 days is not too shabby considering my past track record (2 or 3 entries at most in one year. Wow, one or two more entries and I will have a new yearly blog record...WHOA!)
4. Finding joy, last year was rough, heck the latter part of 2011 was rough too, there is no other word to describe it. Things are turning around now and I am finding joy in writing this, I am finding joy in others being kind to others, for the first time in a long time, I am smiling and it feels good, really good, almost joyful!

I hope all of my readers can live in the present in 2013, enjoy the moment, and be kind and nice to others!

Till next time!

Bye Bye 2012....Hello 2013!

2013...ahhh it has a nice ring to it doesn't it? See 13 is lucky in the Walker house for many reasons:

• Brad and I went on our first date on a Friday the 13th (everyone said that this would never last...NO ONE goes on a first date on a Friday the 13th)
• Brad and I were married on the 13th of May (It will be 13 years of marriage this year! :)

2012 had it's ups and it certainly had it's downs. (Obviously there were some downs I did not blog once during 2012 what the heck is wrong with that picture??) Was I angry about the down moments, yes at times I was mad and sad, but I still believe that everything in each person's life happens for a reason. I also believe that every action, event, and moment helps each of us grow to be a stronger better person in life. Now let's not dwell and live in the past let's forge head first into 2013 and live in the present. Seems I am always so busy rushing from one thing to the next, worrying about consequences of various activities that I really do not do a good job of living in the present. Often times I find myself dwelling on the past which is not good as you can't change the past nor should I want to or else I am worrying about what is going to happen in the future which we all know we can't control the future!

This has lead me to do the following for 2013:

1. Each day on Facebook I am going to post the 365 days of kindness and gratefulness. I will post a question or comment each day and if anyone has anything positive or kind I am asking all to feel free to share their thoughts with the rest of us.

2. Each morning I am going to wake up and keep myself focused on the present. What can I do to stay positive? Also hopefully my actions will shed a little positive light or energy on someone else's day. Remember you don't need to have lots of money or material things to make someone else's day a little better or brighter! :)

It's a new day, a new year and I want to embrace the positive, goodness, and kindness that is out there. I hope you come along on this journey with me as I am very much looking forward to it.

Now for day 1 of the 365 days of kindness and gratefulness I shared,

"Today I am grateful for the love my children and husband give me each and every day! Today my girls made pictures for me and my husband made both lunch and breakfast for me. It's the little things that make this girl happy! What are you grateful for today?"

Don't be shy it is ok to say something good!

Until my next blog (which I promise will not be 1.5 years from now!)

Blessings and kindness to all!
M