About a month ago, I was having one of those (seems to be daily) talks with my teenage son about getting things done,  picked up, put away…etc….

You know the kind of daily “talks” we as moms seem to have oh so often with our kids.  In the middle of the conversation he told me to “Stop right there”.  I was caught off gaurd and asked him why.  He then shocked me into full awake mode – soul awakening – what Oprah calls an AHA MOMENT.

My sweet 13 year old son pushed me to a place I hadn’t known I was not in.

What did he say, you ask.

He said, “stop there, because you just said something nice to me, so let’s end the conversation there.”  - stop I did, and inserted a big punch into my gut…

“Do you think I don’t say nice things to you regularly, bud”?  I asked him.   “..no..” he said.

OOOOOOH   EMMMMM  GEEEEEE!

Me, the nicest lady I know! (Haha) was just told by the boy I love the most, that my words have not equaled what my heart feels.

Thank you for the wake up call.

We proceeded to have a really great conversation later on the way to school.  I told him how much I do love him and how many things he does do right, etc.  I told him that as his mom it’s important for me to push him forward into becoming a kind, responsible, giving, caring man (which he is on his way to being).  I apologized that he didn’t hear me say those kind things enough and told him for the month of February, EVERY morning I am going to write something nice about him and put it on his bedroom door.  He had a small smile.

He asked me why I was writing it down and not saying it to him… so I showed him why.

I sincerely looked him in the eyes and said “Bud, I love how creative you are!” he then laughed and called me cheesy!  haha, and that, my friend, is why I said I would write it down.  I told him, I wanted him to see the words every day.  (I still did tell him each morning at breakfast) but I loved that he could read and re-read the love notes daily.

28 days of love

My point to this post is that how often are we not living the way we think we are.  Here is this sweet, sensitive, strong, kind, super funny boy who only heard mom harping on him.  He taught me a lesson so valuable.  Although I do believe actions speak loud, I was reminded that kind words also speak volumes.

I asked him if he would miss his daily notes, and my boy said…. “yes”.  I’m so glad we found our way to this point of parenting.  I will work hard to speak the words I feel in my heart to him.  I will tell him that I am proud of him.  That I love to cheer him on at his football, basketball, track, swim, flag football events!  I am impressed with his creative spirit, I love to laugh at his humor.  He is a good kid, no, a GREAT kid!  and I’ll make sure to tell him that more often!

I love how many days the sun shines in Texas, far more than it did in the Chicago and Milwaukee areas I grew up and went to college in.  I remember moving to Texas in 1990 and loving how big and blue the sky was… daily… ok, yes, it’s so hot and humid in the summer you want to shower 3 times a day ~ however, it’s also the most air conditioned city, so you can be wearing your twin sweater set inside and looking outside at the glorious sun and blue skies.

So here I am in the mid-winter blahs…  I just feel bleck.  Kind of in a funk, I guess.  Plus this weather has my head banging for the last 3 or 4 days.  Sooooo, what’s the point of this whiny blog post?

My point is this.  We have to move past blah.  We have to push hard to get through it.  Last night I had my monthly meeting for National Charity League.  It starts at 7:30 p.m. and usually only lasts an hour or so… I so debated on staying home and putting the pj’s on and calling it a night.  But something deeper in me said “go”.  So go I did.  And I had a wonderful night.  I got to visit with new friends.  I got to laugh at fun stories and I got to watch a touching video of our NCL girls serving in the community.  I left 90 minutes later feeling better than I have in a while.

I later told my husband I was so glad I made the effort and went.  It got me out of my head.  It got me thinking this morning.  How when the weather is like this or I’m feeling blah, I often choose bed, movies, and pajamas.  I choose warm blankets, hot cocoa and snuggle time.  All of these things are good for sure, but they don’t get me out of this blah.  It’s the pushing through and getting out and getting moving that usually does it.  Or as I often talk about, a BALANCE of the two.  There is a lot to be said for pj days!  But really, after a few of those it’s time to push through.

So how do you push through BLAH?  One way I do that is get dressed for success.  Pull out the power heels, the great slacks and a cute top.  Do my hair and makeup, use a favorite perfume scent, wear fun jewelry and head out the door.

I also love to put on some great old tunes ~ Fleetwood Mac, The Iguanas, Shall We Dance soundtrack.  Driving around with my head bobbing to the music.

I try and increase the fruits and veggies ~ even though my head is screaming for bread, pasta and chocolate lol.

Most importantly, I call in a Girlfriend chip.  Next week I head to Austin with one of my favorite people.  We will sneak away from everyday life for a quick 24 hours together.  We will laugh, we will cry, we will pamper ourselves, we will rest, we will laugh some more.  I can’t wait to be on the other side of blah.  It’s just such a better place to be.  Come on Sun, shine through for me.  I’m ready to put this mood behind me!

I love that my research is studying more on joy, gratitude, inner strength, simplicity…  I am not the kind of girl who reads the newspapers… I’m not so “up to date” on current events, politics, or sports… but if there is a new story out there on living a better life, you bet I”ve read it.  If there is a blog on finding joy, if there is a video on gratitude, if there is a news story on sharing love… these are the articles I find myself drawn to.  So that means every time I book a talk, I get to flood my being with “news” that only brings me more joy.

Today, I am glad you stopped by to read this and had a 6 minute moment to share this wonderful gem of a video I found.

I hope it brings you peace and helps you see “a good day”.

If you know me, or have heard me speak, you know that one of the top 3 topics I specialize in, is Gratitude (The other 2 being JOY and Simplifying).  I have seen the power that true gratitude has on life first hand.  Every day, every night I find myself reflecting on the GOOD that I found that day.  And no matter the day, good or bad, I ALWAYS seem to find something (often, many things) to be grateful for.

So I was thrilled to give myself this challenge.  Every day I snapped a photo, whether it was on my Canon DSLR, Ipod or cell phone I took my mission seriously.  Then each night I would upload it onto my private facebook page that I created.  I did not publish this page until 366 days & photos later, which took me to January 1, 2013.  Then I went live.

You can check out my project by clicking here.  Yep!  366 pictures (leap day included!!).  A few things I noticed as I reflected back on the year was the following…

~I would say the majority of my photos of thankfulness had reflected various relationships in my life – family, friends & coworkers

~We are surrounded by the amount of love we ALLOW in.  I am so blessed to know I allow a lot of love in my life.

~I also noticed I am grateful for a lot of things/people that make me laugh…whether it was silly moments with my kids or funny things I stumbled upon that day.  Obviously, laughter is important to me.

~I also noticed the amount of happiness that my pets bring me.  There were many photos of cute kitties, dog and hamster from the McCracken household.

~My favorite observation is that although this was a daily project and focus, and took some effort, the rewards FAR outweighed the process!  Every time I go back and look at these photos ~ I have exploding warmth in my heart.  My life is so blessed!

If you feel up to the challenge, I say GO FOR IT!  You won’t be disappointed and you’ll have an official record of a small portion of what you have to be grateful on a daily basis!

Happy 2013!

I will do this too.  I am going to turn to each month and just free think.  Whatever word pops in my mind first, I will write.  I have the feeling some of my monthly words will include:

believe, passion, love, pause, friendship, craft, enJOY….

What will some of your words be??? Share with us on our facebook page.

I wish you a year where the blessings overflow and the stressings fall to the side.  It’s your turn.  You choose.  You decide.  You love.  You give.  You make 2013 awesome!!

See you in November for our 5th annual challenge!

~fill your wallet with 20 one dollar bills, then every time you pass a Salvation Army Bell Ringer, you have money ready to give

~Fill a few quart size zip lock bags with a few goodies, like a granola bar, juice box, small Kleenex  nuts, Pb crackers etc… Then when you are rushing around with your holiday list, if you see a person down on their luck looking for help, you can roll down your window, and share a little bag of goodies.

~Grab a few Starbucks cards and as you drive by the school crossing guards, pass them out

As you can see, this list folds easily into your daily hustle & bustle…. BUT it allows you to make a small shift from ME to YOU.  Give it a try.  I’d love for you to share some other ideas on our facebook page.

This week try to stop and reflect.  Pause… and ponder… and realize just what a WONDERFUL life you have.

Just simply answer these questions.

1. What is ONE thing you are grateful right now at this moment?

2. What is ONE thing that bring you comfort?

3. Who is ONE person you can “SEE” this week and let them know they are important in your life?

4. What is ONE success you are proud of that you have accomplished recently?

5. What is ONE favorite Christmas song that brings you JOY?

6. What is ONE thing you can NOT do this week that will lighten your load?

7. Who is ONE person you can schedule a “date” with this next week that will bring laughter into your life?

8. What is ONE thing you have taken for granted, that this week you will recognize and celebrate?

9.  Who is ONE person you are thankful for?

10.  What is ONE thing you LOVE about YOU?

There.  We did it. We just wrapped up ten weeks of lists that when we take the time to re-read, probably puts a smile on your face and joy in your heart.  That is the whole purpose of this weekly journey.  I am glad to be doing this together.  enJOY your week and share some of your answers on our facebook page if you’d like.