Happy Birthday To Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

I have been thinking about that it was that I was going to blog about ever since I signed up for the 31 day blog challenge over a month ago.  Today marks Day 29 of that challenge.  It also marks my 33rd birthday.

I have scratched out pages and pages of notes...all to get to this point today where I will completely disregard everything.  What I wanted to do this year is take time to write birthday letters to my loved ones.  And I have managed to on some of them and others I did not.  But I will use this platform to write a birthday letter to myself.  It may sound a bit odd but I am far from "normal".






Dear Elizabeth,

I am using your given name as you are finally growing into it.  Over the past year you have began to understand kindness and compassion.  You are showing some whispers of wisdom.  Therefore you can represent this name with some of the Grace that your namesake possessed.

This past year was a big one for you.  And I know that you have struggled to determine whether it was a successful one or not.  You may not have became a big time life coach or motivational teacher but you have taken great strides in personal growth.  You have learned the value in following your dreams.  You were able to push past the fear and begin a journey that has allowed you to touch the lives of others.

Along the way you have learned some valuable lessons.
1) There is a great amount of freedom in finally choosing to follow your dreams.
2) Lessons exist all around you.  It is up to you to find the lesson and apply it to your life.
3) Netflix can be a major distraction.  So can your cell phone, email, facebook and pinterest.
4) All situations have better outcomes when you approach them with love and kindness.
5) Forgiveness is valuable.  You forgive because you are deserving of the the freedom that comes with it.  It opens the door to healing.
6) Life is fleeting. Time is valuable.  Do not waste it. Make today count.
7) Football brings out the competitive side in you.
8) Being brave enough to try new things brings great rewards.
9) You write better in the early morning hours
10) Look within to see more of the lessons.  They are there.

You have tried new things in the past 365 days.  Some of which include:
1) Surfing
2) Women's Touch Football
3) Lobster, Crab, Sea Bass, Cerviche, Dim Sum, Octopus, Calamari, Shrimp
4) Writing daily
5) Mimosa's for breakfast every day for a week
6) Meditation on the beach
7) Hiking in West Glacier National Park
8) Running the Mud Hero and the Spartan Sprint
9) Competing in a Ranch Rodeo with your Dad

You have traveled more in the past year than ever before.
1) Playa Del Carmen, Mexico
2) Farallon, Panama
3) Whitefish, Montana
4) Fairmont Hot Springs, BC

You have had the following hairstyles:
1) Bald
2) Black Mohawk
3) Faux Hawk
4) Pink Hair
5) Bald
6) Black Hair
7) Blonde
8) and Currently...Blonde with Roots.


You have spent time in reflection.  Learned to let go of some of the things that have been weighing you down.  You have faced one of your greatest fears and came out the other side stronger than when you went in.

You have given of yourself to others.  Touched lives.  Made new friends.  Learned to let go of relationships that no longer served you even though it was hard.  You have laughed and loved more in this past year than some years combined.

Moving forward into the year and years ahead my wish for you is:  That you be blessed with more health, love and happiness than your heart and hands can hold.

Stay focused in the direction you are headed.  Read and write every day.  Never pass up an opportunity to help someone.  Do all things with love and kindness.  Learn something new every day.  Remember to laugh and play.  Cherish the time with the ones that you love.  Delaney will never be this age again. Include trips to the farm as part of your travel.  Lead Life Joyfully.

Much Love,
Lisa

What Did You Love? And What Did You Learn?

I know that I have blogged about this before but I can't help it.  I am going to write about it yet again.

In May my Husband and I were super blessed to be in the audience of John C. Maxwell.  He spoke about many things and if you have read my blog more than twice you will realize that I am a huge fan of his.  I love what he has to say on many topics.  One thing that he said that I often reflect on is:

What did you Love? And what did you learn?

He asks this question of his children and grandchildren after they have spent a day together.  I found that this has really stuck with me.  I like to reflect on my day and ask myself those questions.

What did I Love?

What did I learn?

How will I apply the lessons?

I have started keeping a word document that I can keep all of these lessons in.  So that I can look back and reflect on such things.  It also gives me a good sense of whether or not I made good use of my day.  Am I grasping the lessons that are laid out before me?  Did I take the steps to make a difference in not only my life and that of my family but the lives of others?

Each day I strive to make an impact.  Each day I hope that the ripple grows wider and reaches more people. That is my goal each morning when I wake up.  To actively make use of my talents, skills and blessings.  To live my purpose or at least journey closer to further defining my purpose.  And I have noticed that since I have been getting intentional about doing this.  And (more) consistent about doing this.  It is paying off.

What is it that you do in the morning?  What are your first thoughts before your eyes even begin to open? Are they ones of love and kindness?  Are you thinking about your day and how you can grow and help others to grow?  Or are you smashing down on the snooze button, pulling your blanket over your head and burying your face in the pillow for another nine minutes of rest? Do you welcome the potential of the day?  Or drag your feet unwillingly into the morning?

I am blessed with being a morning person.  One of those incredibly energetic and enthusiastic (aka annoying) people.  Watching me in the morning is like watching a puppy greet you with enthusiasm after you have been gone all day or even just five minutes.  I love my mornings.  My husband on the other hand, is a snooze slapper.  He would hit snooze for hours if he could.  And I actually feel bad for him when he does crawl out of bed because I am there bursting with energy.  It must be like how Beastly and Dark Heart feel when they are trapped in the rainbow of the care bear stare.  LOL.

As you go about your day look for the lessons.  In all that you do ask yourself...what did I love about this experience?  And what did I learn?  How will you apply those lessons to your life?  Some of the answers may not seem like they are life changers but it all adds up.

I wish you a day as Beautiful as you.

Much Love,

Lisa

Lead Life Joyfully