While doing some research, I came across the following quote:

“There is a purpose for you being here. Discover what that is and pursue it.” -Authow Unknown

Have you found your purpose?

If so, are you taking steps to pursue it?

If not, what is stopping you?

Just a little something to get you thinking!

I’m heading into day 8 of bronchiolitis for all four of my kids (ages 5 & under).

So far we’ve had three doctor visits, one ER visit, and countless calls with the doctor’s office. Earlier this week when I showed up at the doctor’s office, four miserable kids in tow, I had to chuckle to myself at the how crazy it is to fit all four of my kids, myself, and the doctor in one of the tiny exam rooms. A bit wild to say the least. Then the trick was to keep three of them entertained while have the doctor evaluate the fourth!

Other than having to rearrange my work schedule to become an around-the-clock nurse, I’ve had a chance to reflect on the word “peace” and that is what I’d like to share with you.

In his book, The Invisible Force, Dr. Wyane W. Dyer says:

“By feeling good throughout the day, you become an instrument of peace, and it’s through this channel that you eradicate problems.”

I recognized that if I became a cranky mama (which given the circumstances would be a very easy role to slip into), I would do nothing to ease the problem. I would simply be adding to it. If I instead chose to embrace the feeling of peace, I would have the presence needed to improve the situation.

The fastest way I have discovered to embrace peace in an otherwise overwhelming situation is to breathe. Simply noticing my breath allows me to center myself. From that place, I can conquer the world… Or at least navigate getting thrown up on and being needed in four places at once.

What do you do when you are a size 8 and in your closet you have clothes that range in size from 2 to 12? A close personal friend has suffered with weight issues most of her adult life. However, she has successfully maintained her weight for two years and is now a happy and healthy size 8! The downside to all this is now she has eight closets filled with clothes for every size, style and season.

Clothes are a huge investment for many women. It’s so difficult letting go of something especially when it carries such a huge emotional and financial attachment with it. Even if your case is not as severe as this one, there comes a time when it is necessary to purge the clothes that no longer fit or that we just don’t wear anymore.

Give your closets some room to breathe and say goodbye to the memories of what your body size used to be! It was a long and arduous process, but she went through all her clothes and donated the sizes she no longer fit into. This gave her the opportunity to see exactly what fit and from there she was able to decide what she wanted to keep, store (as far as seasonal items) and donated the rest. Check out local women’s shelters or other agencies in your community. Make sure the clothing items are in good shape too. People would be grateful to accept these donations.

Once she narrowed her eight closets down to three, her clothes were visible and easily accessible. Her clothes were better taken care of and preserved now that there was more room for her clothes to fit. Success!

If you really want to jazz up your closets once you have finished this exercise, check out Hangers and Hanger Accessories for your Closet - Best Hangers or ClosetMaid Storage Products for some interesting storage ideas.

Priority lists can be long… pages and pages long of items that you need to do, want to do, and think that someday you may finally have time to do. Most of the time, these are items that you are doing for your professional work, your family, your home, your parents, or your community. Maybe, if you are really lucky, you might include an item that is just for you.

Here’s the moment of truth… right now… stop reading this blog post… you read this correctly… stop reading this post for just one minute and take a glace and your to-do list. How many of the items listed are just for you, just because you want to do it?

Did you even make it on your own list?

I had someone ask me an interesting question recently. Instead of the typicaly question of “what do you do?”, she asked something different…

What do you do for fun?

Wow. Quite a question. I don’t think I’ve heard that question in a long time as too often our society is focused on what and how much we “do”. Luckily, I was able to answer it after I got over my amazement that someone thought to ask such a thing. I was able to share that I like to run, go to the gym, read before bed, and have date night with my husband. I’m always up for a good People magazine too!

Homework #1: Answer the question “what do you do for fun?”

Once you have that question answered, there’s two more steps. First, you need to schedule it in your calendar. Yes, right alongside your children’s soccer game and mailing the birthday present next Tuesday.

Homework #2: Schedule your fun on your calendar.

Almost done… now you need to make it a commitment that you always honor. You know what I mean… some things on your calendar are a bit “soft” and if needed, you’ll blow them off. Typically, one is more likely to blow off a commitment to themselves before they’ll decommit to someone else. You’ll need to change this habit.

When you say “I try to ______”, that leaves wiggle room for failure to achieve. Life happens, things get in the way, you tried but it just didn’t work out. When you say “I always ____”, you firmly commit, no excuses. You’re focused on success and are making it happen.

Homework #3: Get to the point that you say “I always do _____ for fun.”

At this point, you have all of the tools you need. If you are starting to think “Nice idea but there is just not enough time”, let’s try something simple to get you started. Pick something that you can do for 5 minutes each day. Just 5 minutes. A cup of tea, a bit of meditation, your choice. For me it’s always been a hot shower at the end of my day. This is not a shower to get clean, it’s more like a steam bath and it’s my sacred time. I always do this… every night… no matter what else is going on.

Pick your five minutes for you and give it a try today. You’re back on your priority list now!