My one piece of advice for you

Really. This should be a no-brainer.

But I have watched many people in my life struggle with this, and it's very sad to see.

So I advise you, wherever you are, to please try.

Because it makes life so much better when you do.

Oh and always carry an umbrella. That helps too.

Lighten your load

I am probably the worst example of saying no. I don't say it. I think it's really never been in my vocabulary because I am such a people pleaser! (all you people pleasers out there raise their hands!). Especially around the holidays though I thought it would be important to tell everyone to lighten their loads.

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We are all so concerned about the rush, about doing our best, making this the "best year ever" and thinking that the world is going to end if we don't find the perfect gift, have the perfect meal, or help every single person we can think of that has ever asked for a favor. I am a prime example of this. I'm always needing to stretch myself in ten million different directions, being pulled thinner and thinner and thinner every time that eventually I snap! (which is why I'm sitting here, sick with lots of Vicks Vapo Rub, orange juice, cheap Walgreen's cough drops...and OC reruns. Guilty pleasures get me every time!).

I get sick, tired, and definitely not myself.

I can't do it anymore.

We carry too much on our backs all the time, and we like to show that we can handle it, but after awhile, it just wears us down like a ton of heavy packages. I know you all know the feeling, so here's what I plan to do:

This next year, I'm letting people know that I need to care just as much about myself as I do about helping them. I want to be sure that I am getting my own needs accomplished in addition to being the best I can be for others.

What I'm saying is, lighten your load.

Recognize what's really important and embrace that to its fullest.

I'm not saying not to help others that need you. That's definitely not what I'm saying. If I didn't do favors for others and make that a priority in my life, I probably wouldn't be standing. But I know that everyone needs to lighten their loads and realize what's truly worth it.

I could name a whole slew of things that I could be lightening my load with. What would you choose? Have your ever thought about this before? Now more than ever, make  a priority for you!

Just some thoughts for your Hump Day. Hope everyone gets through it alright!

~Susan

Always Remember..

Here's a quick thought to jumpstart your Mondays! Keep your strength and believe in your best qualities. We are all beautiful in so many different ways. Weekend Highlight is coming later today and you don't want to miss it! I'll be sharing my favorite recipes from my big brunch this weekend!

~Susan

Take your own best advice

I really want to believe in myself every single day.

and I try to.

Really, I do.

But sometimes (this weekend for example) it's just been difficult and sometimes the advice that I give others is hard to give myself. I called my best friend on the phone last night because I was a tad bit sad, and no one can make you feel better like your good pal. She was telling me things that I usually would tell myself. For some reason, last night it sounded better coming from someone else than hearing it in my end from me. I told her that I know she wouldn't use this same advice that was applicable to her life. I told her that she should take her own best advice.

I should take mine too.

In fact, we all should really.

Because in our hearts, we all really know what is best for ourselves. We sometimes just don't want to hear it all the time. So here's my own best advice (that I really need to take right now):

1. Stay organized! Don't let "stuff" get the better of you. It just makes you feel better everyday if you are neat. 
2. WRITE EVERYTHING DOWN! Somewhere. Anywhere. Or virtually write it. (I'm partial to actually writing it, but still). If you write it down, and look at the places that you write things, you won't forget anything.
3. Stay on top of your work. When I mean work, I mean anything from your day job commitments to your church commitments, or even if you're a student like me and working. Stay on top of it and don't let procrastination get the better of you!
4. Have a good cry. Seriously, I think I've had my fair share this weekend and though I've felt a little down, it has made me feel a little better. Don't let your feelings bottle up inside you, because that makes you feel even worse. 
5. Vent on the phone to someone for even five minutes, even if it's just to a person's answering machine. You're getting your frustrations out vocally and that's the most important thing (you could also just do this on a sheet of paper too, or just talk out loud when no one's in the room).
6. Unwind and relax. Seriously, does this need to even be said? Take a walk, enjoy the fall colors, and know that this bit of relaxation is good for you. Don't make yourself feel guilty about it.
7. Have a pumpkin latte. Or two. 

Again, I'm no professional, but I know my faults and what has not been working for me lately, and I thought I would share that with all of you. That being said, here's something else I would say: 

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So there's my advice to take your own best advice. We all need to do that every once and awhile!

Happy Tuesday (and a four day work week!)

~Susan

I got a blogger award!

So one of my bloggy buddies, Jess from Avant-Garde Living, who has been keeping up with my blog for awhile now and (and writes awesome comments too!), got a One Lovely Blog Award. Yay for Jess! (She's got an awesome blog, so you all should go check it out too!). Anyway, she linked me for an award too, and I was so psyched! I love finding buds in the blogging community and I've loved reading and learning about Jess, so I'm happy to accept this "award" and share a little info with all of you. So thanks again, Jess!

RULES:

   

•    Link back to the person who gave you this award
   

•    Complete the form below
   

•    Share 7 random things about yourself
   

•    Award 15 bloggers this award and notify them of the award



QUESTIONS:



Name your favorite colour: Is it weird to say it changes all the time? It does! Right now, I'm loving orange. Such a fantastic pop to everything!

Name your favorite song: Life is a Highway by Rascal Flatts

Name your favorite dessert: Cake! I also love whoopie pies! and a cup of coffee to go with it

Black or white: Can't go wrong with either one

Your biggest fear: That bad things will happen to those I love most.

Best feature: Probably my positivity (at least I think so) and I'm always willing to listen to anyone at any time.

Everyday attitude: Smile! Embrace the day, no matter what happens and try to make the best out of the cards you're dealt. I'm really a glass half-full girl. 

What is perfection: People still think that exists? Maybe in scenery, but not in people. 

Guilty pleasure: The Bachelor/The Bachelorette...and risotto!


7 RANDOM THINGS ABOUT MYSELF:

• I didn't really talk till about age 6. Now you can't ever shut me up!
• I used to not know a thing about dressing well. Seriously. My family tells me that I used to look kind of matronly. Thankfully, I think I've changed that!
• I'm left handed...and most people are still surprised. Shout out to all the lefties everywhere! (and I do have legible, pretty decent writing, for all those who doubt that lefties can have good writing)
• In the past two years I've been told that I've developed both a Central Illinois twang and a heavy Chicago accent. Personally, I don't think I have much of either! (ok, maybe I have a little bit of that Chicago accent.)
• If I could live on one food forever, it would be honey nut cheerios and milk. It's always refreshing to me!
• I'm caught between wanting to be a city girl and a country girl (although I'll most likely stay a city girl). Is there a happy medium?

• Thankfully, caffeine doesn't affect me (make me go crazy or stay up too late) like some people, except give me a boost. Coffee, Diet Coke, chocolate...no problems at all!

And now I'm going to give a shout out to 15 ladies whose blogs I love (I know they're all too busy, so no need to re-post, but I thought I'd show you all love anyway!). Be sure to stop by and read all the good things they've got. They're all lovely!

The Rest is Still Unwritten...

Cornflake Dreams

Long Distance Loving

Sequins and Stripes

Delighted Momma

The Short and Sweet of It

Henning Love
Live Creating Yourself
apartment 34
Sacramento Street
Breakfast at Toast
Avant-Garde Living
Turquoise and Teale
ten scenic drive

Thanks again to Jess for giving me the shout out. Again, I hope you didn't mind learning more random stuff about 'lil ol' me! I hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend! I've been enjoying Corn Fests and late summer heat. Now everyone savor these weekends, they're going by too fast!


~Susan

What I Know for Sure--Thankful Thursday

I know lots of people who have never been/are still not fans of Oprah Winfrey, and that's completely fine with me. I have no shame in saying that I still love watching reruns of her show and occasionally turn on her network if something appealing is on. This woman is an inspiration to me. She came from nothing and worked her way up the ladder to have everything she's ever wanted and then some. We used to get her magazine at our house, but stopped quite a few years ago. However, they sent us one of those cards for subscribing in the mail the other day. On the card, she wrote a little snippet of her column called, "What I Know for Sure." She gives advice and world experience about what she can say that she knows for sure. Here's some of my favorite lines from her:

• What you put out comes back all the time, no matter what. (This is my creed.)
• You define your own life. Don't let other people write your script.
• If the only prayer you ever say is thank you, that will be enough. (From the German theologian and humanist Meister Eckhart.)
• If you make a choice that goes against what everyone else thinks, the world will not fall apart.
• The happiness you feel is in direct proportion to the love you give.
• When people show you who they are, believe them the first time. (A lesson from Maya Angelou.)

Seriously, I love reading her words. They are so wholesome, inspiring, harsh yet true, and definitely believable. The other night I was reading them and I was thinking about what I know for sure. So here's a little something that I came up with:

• I know that I will always have my family, faith and friends behind me. They may not agree with every decision I make, but they know me and my character. They know that even if I falter, I will stand right back up and many of them help me do it. They are my rock and I would not be here without them.
• I know that I am not a model. I'm not perfect. But I know that I love myself. I do, not matter the day, even when I'm having one of those "fat" days (come on, we all have them!). I know that I am worth it, everyday. No one can take that away from me.
• I know that I was made to make mistakes. We all are. But I know that my mistakes help me learn and grow each day as a person. I also know when to admit that I was wrong. I sometimes don't always like to admit it, but I know that acknowledging my faults helps me discover what I did and grow for the next time. Laughing over them is also necessary!
• I know that life is a gift and that many people are not given the experiences that I am given. I have to cherish them everyday really like it is my last day. All of our days are numbered, to an extent, but some people have less time than others. Every day has to count and I try to live them as fully as I can. We can all do the same. Live them for you, no one else, but share them with those you love. 
• Always trust yourself and your own instincts. Only I truly know what is best for me. Of course, I am going to consult other people as much as possible, but really, only I know what I really should do. Don't let those instincts go unheard.
• I know that "We can do anything we want if we stick to it long enough." Helen Keller said this and it is a quote that sticks with me every single day. If we persevere, and push ourselves far enough, we can achieve anything we want, no matter how many people tell us no. We may have a million interests and thousands of things we want to achieve, but we can always achieve those few things that we stick to for the long haul. I know that I will not ever give up on my dreams, and I know that my dreams may change a few times. I will see my dreams come true if I put the work into them, even though it's a difficult road.

And here's one more thing that I thought was perfect for this post (it really sums up everything I truly know for sure!):

What do you know for sure? It's weird to think about it in that context, but I think we all do have something that we do know for sure.

Here's hoping my kiddos are in as good of a mood as they were last week! The weekend is so so close!

~Susan