6 months in to 2020

Here are 10 things that I have learned 6 months in to 2020:

1. Things DO NOT go as planned (You are probably thinking “no $&it Sherlock”) – clearly this year did not go as any of us would have predicted, but with the crazy comes opportunity. I have always been accused of wearing rose colored glasses and I find it better to look for the silver lining. What silver do you see?
2. Exercise and my morning routine are my saving grace-I’m not athletic, I don’t sport, I have jazz hands. That being said, getting up early to exercise for 30-35 minutes helps my mood, my patience, and my mental and physical health. After I workout I like to do my favorite yoga pose, it is called corpse pose (you should look it up, it is great), and just be still. Some days I lie there in silence, others I say a Rosary, write in my prayer journal or read my bible. I live for those 10-15 minutes. Do you find time for movement and stillness in your day?
3. Uncertain times help me to prioritize and realize what is most important- I literally sat and wrote down all the activities and obligations that I had prior to the shutdown and decided which of them I would like to continue and which of them I need to move on from. It felt great to realize I don’t need to be so busy and would rather focus on doing what is most important to me and to do it to the best of my ability. What are your top priorities?
4. When the world falls apart there is no shame in revising my goals and vision for 2020- I met with a friend the other day for coffee and she challenged me to think about my goals for 2020 and revise them since the world has been turned on its head. We sipped our mochas and discussed that instead of making our goals for the year smaller we would do the opposite and go for broke, if we fail GREAT at least we tried. Our goals included things like learning new skills and doing something that scares us each week. Which brings me to #5
5. Fear is both paralyzing and a total LIAR- I refuse to listen to the dark voices of fear and live my life or make decisions based on fear. I love the song “Fear Is a Liar” by Zach Williams The refrain says, “Fear, he is a liar/he will take your breath/stop you in your steps/fear, he is a liar/he will rob your rest/steal your happiness/cast your fear in the fire/’cause fear he is a liar.” I can’t help how I feel, but I can help how I react to my feelings. Push fear away and I ask you, what are your goals and vision for 2020?
6. Relationships matter and should be my focus- being away from people has been hard and has made me realize how much more time and effort I need to spend on my relationships. I am horrible at remembering birthdays, anniversaries etc. I’m the girl who remembers the day after your birthday not the day of and I never send a card on time. This needs to improve, because I know that my friends and family are the most important part of my life. How are your relationships?
7. I am meant to be WITH my people- I will make a greater effort to BE with people. Often times money and time get in the way, but I can’t take any of those things with me and I don’t want to regret not spending time with those I love. Do you miss being WITH others?
8. I know what I can live without- I have realized the things I don’t need and that a simple slower paced life is good with me. Are there things you are surprised you can live without?
9. Acts of kindness big and small matter- little things matter. A note, a compliment to a stranger, holding open a door, making a phone call, etc. MATTER. I am working to do more of this myself and with my kiddos. Have there been any acts of kindness during this time that surprised you?
10. If I want to change anything, I should start within myself and my home. My favorite quote from Mother Theresa says, “If you want to change the world, go home and love your family!” I could not agree more. Believe me I have gone psycho on my kids and family 5,476 times during all this together time, but I know at the end of the day that if I serve them and love them during the day I have fulfilled my purpose as their wife and mother. Too often the outside world uses words like “global impact” and “influencer” and tells us that we were “made for greater things” and I have found myself comparing with others and feeling bogged down by the magnitude of all of that BIG talk, but…what if I were made to be exactly where I am, doing exactly what I am doing. Trying my best every day to love those around me. I believe it is in the daily, often mundane tasks of life that I can do my biggest work and so can you!

I would challenge you to reflect and jot down 10 things you learned in these past 6 months!

All my love,

Kelly