Things I Am Leaving Behind

Less IS More

I heard my doorbell ring and voices downstairs.  I stood up and looked out the window to see a couple carrying my beautiful white chest down the street.  I ran for my phone to take a picture, but they were too far away to get a photo by the time I got back.  I am working through a workbook to review 2019 and plan 2020 called Design Your Destiny by Kim Job and suggested to me by my friend, Shaun Roney, and totally worth $10.  I hurried through the reflecting on 2019 pages so that I could get to work on planning 2020. Now I am going back because I couldn’t build a strong foundation for the next year without taking a good look at this year. 

One of the prompts is “Things I am leaving behind”.  I struggled with this prompt.  2019 was a good year.  I did so many things this year, many good, and others that I tried but didn’t reach the goal I planned on.  What parts do I want to leave behind?  I sat and looked at the page and jotted down a couple of things (I need 10) but couldn’t relate to giving up things as I leave 2019 – that’s when I heard the doorbell and saw my chest being carried down the street.  It was the perfect example of something that I am letting go of in 2020.

Two weeks ago, my daughter moved in with us and put her son in the school right behind our house.  Our downstairs has had our adult kids living in it off and on for 10 years.  It needed a lot of updating.  Popcorn ceilings, lighting, molding, painting, carpeting, and that’s just the family room and bedroom. The bathroom needs to be updated too. This daughter volunteered to do the work to remodel it so she can live comfortably downstairs.   My husband and I were not wild about tearing up the downstairs. I didn’t want to get dragged into a project when I had enough of my own projects.  While in the caulking aisle of Lowe’s she ran into someone, who does this for a living and who is looking for side jobs.  The day after Christmas, he takes a look at the job, we all agree on the job description and a price, and he and my daughter get to work.  I am excited to have the downstairs updated but not excited to be living in the middle of a remodel. 

Over the past few days dear daughter has been asking me to look over some of the stuff I have in that room.  I didn’t want to – I had to be asked a couple of times.  Today she volunteered to carry out the garbage and the donations if I would just come and decide what I want to keep and what I can let go of.  That’s how we came to list my chest on our local Facebook Buy Nothing group.  I got rid of boxes of books, furniture, toys, all kinds of things that I don’t need and don’t use any more.  It feels amazing to let go of so much stuff that I have been dragging around for years.  I don’t need it and it just weighs me down.

After this great example of giving up physical things, I was able to generate a great list of emotional baggage I’ve been dragging around:
o Waiting for permission
o Excuses
o Being afraid of what others think of me
o Emotional eating
o And more . . .

It turns out that I had plenty of things I am willing to leave behind – less really is more.

What is something you want to leave behind as we enter 2020?

Best Christmas Ever! – Day 12 of 12

Today day 12 of my 12 day Best Christmas Ever series, or how your Christmas can go from hurry and worry to joy and peace. Tomorrow is Christmas Day and you have everything needed to create the exact day you want to live tomorrow.  In fact, the things you have learned over the past 12 days apply to your entire life.

Today I don’t have any questions for you, I just want to leave you with a thought:

Yes I can!
I can create the thoughts, feelings and the life I want.

I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and leave you with a Christmas blessing. 
May you feel all the peace, joy and love that can fill your life tomorrow and all the days after!

Best Christmas Ever!

Best Christmas Ever! – Day 11 of 12

Today is day 11 of my 12 day Best Christmas Ever series, or how your Christmas can go from hurry and worry to joy and peace.  We only have 1 day left after today!

Just 2 days from now we will celebrate Christmas, and when we think about any activity – we always have choices.  So this Christmas season the best way you can make it your best Christmas ever is by choosing to believe it is. 
The question to ponder today is:

What do I want to believe today?

When you are ready, click on the image below and view my day 11 video on having your Best Christmas Ever.

Best Christmas Ever!

Best Christmas Ever! – Day 10 of 12

Today is day 10 of my 12 day Best Christmas Ever series, or how your Christmas can go from hurry and worry to joy and peace.  We only have 2 days left after today!

We read in the scriptures that all things will work together for our good. Do you believe that only applies to others?  What if everything we experience will work together for our good – how would we see what is going on in our life?

How are events in my life working out best for me?

When you are ready, click on the image below and view my day 10 video on having your Best Christmas Ever.

Best Christmas Ever!

Best Christmas Ever! – Day 9 of 12

Today is day 9 of my 12 day Best Christmas Ever series, or how your Christmas can go from hurry and worry to joy and peace.  We only have 3 days left after today!

Today I have a fun exercise that will really make you think.  We are all really good at thinking of others during this season of giving.  Today I would like you to think about a gift you could give “your future self”.  As you view the video this concept will make much more sense.

What gift can I give my future self on Christmas day?

When you are ready, click on the image below and view my day 9 video on having your Best Christmas Ever.

Best Christmas Ever!

Best Christmas Ever! – Day 8 of 12

Today is day 8 of my 12 day Best Christmas Ever series, or how your Christmas can go from hurry and worry to joy and peace.  We only have 4 days left after today!

Today I have a wonderful exercise planned, and it’s all about you!  Ask yourself this question:

What do I need?

After you have answered the above question – actually do this for yourself.

When you are ready, click on the image below and view my day 8 video on having your Best Christmas Ever.

Today it’s all about YOU!

Best Christmas Ever! – Day 7 of 12

Today is day 7 of my 12 day Best Christmas Ever series, or how your Christmas can go from hurry and worry to joy and peace.  You’re over half way and we have worked on lots of concepts!

Today I have a very simple but profound exercise.  When you are someplace not moving, draw an imaginary 3-foot circle around you.  Now ask yourself this question:

What are the things that I am grateful for inside this circle?

As you might of guessed, the theme for today is gratitude. Try this exercise as often as you like, and you feel the difference.

When you are ready, click on the image below and view my day 7 video on having your Best Christmas Ever.

Best Christmas Ever!
Best Christmas Ever!

Best Christmas Ever! – Day 6 of 12

Today is day 6 of my 12 day Best Christmas Ever series, or how your Christmas can go from hurry and worry to joy and peace.  You’re half way – and we have covered a lot of ground!

So far you imagined yourself looking around on Christmas Day and thinking the thought – This has been the Best Christmas Ever!  Then you identified the feelings that you wanted to have of joy, peace and love, and you’ve been practicing those feelings.  You identified all the reasons or obstacles that prevent you from having the best Christmas ever – and you came up with strategies to overcome each of those obstacles.  Next you came up with a script or a blueprint for Christmas day that you are reviewing regularly.  You are also being careful to avoid falling into “perfectionist fantasy” syndrome, and you are allowing yourself the grace of being human.

Today I am requesting you to do something quite counter-intuitive:

Slow down…

Before you watch my next video, take a moment and think about these questions:
Where can you slow down a little? What would happen if you did? Do you believe that you can get more done when you go slower? How would that be possible?

When you are ready, click on the image below and view my day 6 video on having your Best Christmas Ever.

Day 6
Best Christmas Ever!

Best Christmas Ever! – Day 5 of 12

Today is day 5 of my 12 day Best Christmas Ever series, or how your Christmas can go from hurry and worry to joy and peace. Today I discuss something that many of us may feel we suffer from, “perfectionist fantasy”.

I share with you that “perfectionist fantasy” is not a “fact” but a lifestyle choice. It’s ok to make mistakes.
Mistakes are not failures, mistakes are part of learning. Your Christmas may not live up to everything you imagined, and that’s just fine, it can still be your best Christmas ever.

When you are ready, click on the image below and view my day 5 video on having your Best Christmas Ever.

Best Christmas Day 4
Best Christmas Ever!

Best Christmas Ever! – Day 4 of 12

Today is day 4 of my 12 day Best Christmas Ever series, or how your Christmas can go from hurry and worry to joy and peace.

Today I will discuss finding your “why” and writing a detailed script about what your Christmas will be like.

The reasons “why” you identify for wanting a wonderful Christmas will help you understand your motives, clarify your vision and strengthen your commitment. Developing a script will help you plan and visualize your day.

When you are ready, click on the image below and view my day 4 video on having your Best Christmas ever.

Best Christmas Day 4
Best Christmas Ever Day4!