Areas for improvement:

1. Learn how to use a curling iron and styling products so your hair will look more updated.
2. Watch makeup tutorials and buy the appropriate makeup so you don't look so dated.
3. Get the doctor changed and find out what you should be doing health-wise.  Too many meds and still feel like crap.....that's getting old.
4. Go through my closet and update.  Long shirts, skinny pants, cute shoes, lots of accessories.
5. Get this house updated.....it's ridiculous how crappy it looks.  Take some time and spend some money.
6.  Get a system down for demos:  put holds on calendars, check on the holds once a week, book travel once you get confirmation, send list of questions before the prep call, go over all emails prior to the demo, practice, send slide deck to sales exec, log the demo, blog the demo, map the demo, file expense report.
7. Get this stupid device connectivity presentation down.  I'm ready to certify and be done with it.
8.  Figure out a way to touch base with friends once a week at least.  Happy hour is best.
9. Talk to the kids whenever they need it.  Move any obligations that you need to.  Once a month at least with Max.  Talk when he needs to.  Same with Tucker....also come up with a date once a week.
10.  A date night with Rich once a week.  Talk about stuff other than kids.
11.  Take waxing off the calendar and just buy a suit that has a little skirt with it.
12.  A huge family vacation at Christmas.  A weekend trip with each kid.  A trip with Rich in the summer.  A trip for our anniversary.  And a trip for Rich's birthday.  Plan something fun for my birthday every year.
13.  Make a wish list for the boys.  Tell them you want something off of it for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day,anniversary, birthday, and Christmas.
14.  Call mom and dad once a week.  When they're in town, try to see them every 2 weeks at least.
15. Go to church religiously.  Haha  No, but seriously, it makes you centered.
16.  7 hours of sleep a night.  Not less.
17. Figure out some healthy choices for eating and stick with it!!
18.  Up, worked out, and showered before a decent breakfast. EVERY DAY.

Reminders

This is Your Year

JANUARY 7, 2015 ~ KSPEOPLES

It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you have nothing on your agenda for four weeks.  Christmas break has given me a chance to relish in my own thoughts, read a couple of motivating books and evaluate my life–Where I was this last year, and where I would love to see myself headed in the next.

I have realized the importance of “self”: self care, self love, self worth, self knowledge.  I’m not sure where we got the wild idea that we should fill our schedules up so much that we don’t leave time just to be.  And that when we do find a spare moment to ourselves, we feel guilty about it because we should be doing something for others.  I’m going to let you in on a little secret: Self care is essential and necessary for an abundant life.  Do not feel guilty about it.  Be good to yourself, not just others.Have you ever tried to give to others when you have nothing left to give?  You must refill your cup so that you may overflow into others.

This last semester, I neglected to do that and I got pretty burnt out.  I was draining myself day in and day out trying to keep up with all of life’s demands.  Being a three year accounting major, an RA, a mentor, a friend, a sister, a daughter, a club member, a church goer, a school event attendee, and a perfectionist left me feeling empty by the time December came around.  I never gave myself time to reflect on my own wants and desires, and most importantly, I was finding that my days were slipping away before I sat back to bask in the presence of the Lord and thank Him for the good days and the things He was teaching me on the hard days.  I was more concerned with filling everyone else’s demands, than with surrendering my days before my Father and asking Him for the wisdom on how to most efficiently use my time that day.

I’ve been reading some books over break about simplifying life, being content, and maintaining a full cup.  As a result, I have a few things that I want to set in front of myself & anyone else– simple focuses that I believe will lead to a happy and content life.

1. Journal Everyday. It can be funny, it can be stupid, it can be heart wrenching.  It doesn’t matter.  Just write.  There’s something powerful in the release of emotions through writing.
2. Love yourself. Inside and Out. Learn to be comfortable in your skin, and love every inch of it.  Loving yourself is actually a beautiful thing.
3. Take Criticism.  Don’t get bent out of shape when people give you advice and voice their opinions.  Especially your mom.  Chances are, they only have your best interest in mind.
4. Speak sweet words. Some days it’s going to be hard to do this– do it anyways.  A sweet word can change a person’s day; you know this because you’ve experienced it yourself.  Oh, and smile. Angry faces are intimidating.
5. Be content. Don’t compare, don’t complain. You’re exactly where you’re meant to be in this moment.  Trust that the Lord is holding your hand and guiding you along the way.
6. Be HERE.  I don’t think there is anything sweeter than truly being present in the moment.  Someone caught you in the hallway?  Give them 5 minutes to tell you how their day is going and don’t be wishing you could just get where you were headed.  Going to coffee with a friend?  Get off your phone.
7. Be intentional.  Love on those that are in your life–they need it just as much as you do.  Go out of your way for them to show them that you are there for them, and you’re in their back corner cheering them on.
8. Commit to being healthy.  Eat well (Proteins & Veggies daily) and exercise.  Don’t beat yourself up if you miss the gym all weekend.  Get back at it on Monday.  Your goal is to be healthy, not skinny.
9. Give of your time and love.  See a homeless man standing on the corner? Go ask him about his story. A friend needs help with a project?  Give them your assistance.  A friend needs someone to listen?  Give them a shoulder to cry on and a listening ear. Give anything you have to offer, no one ever became poor from giving.
10. Listen.  Sometimes just stop talking and listen: to nature, to the Lord, to your friends, to yourself. Truly listen.
11. Stay Positive.  You’re going to want to throw some days in the bucket, but there is something good in every day and there is a silver lining to every situation.  Your attitude changes everything.  Will you choose to see mud or will you choose to see stars?
12. Explore.  There is something so sweet in finding new places, or finding new things in old places.  Experience the fullness of life by taking in your surroundings.  Go on a hike. Venture to a close by town.  Take a road trip.  Get lost.  There is so much to see, just open your eyes.
13. Put your words to actions.  You’re passionate about a certain social issue? You want to help a certain cause?  Great.  Now do something about it.  Go out and raise money for it.  Go tell the world about it.  Please do anything but just keep thinking about it.
14. Throw perfectionism out the window. The Lord doesn’t want you to be perfect, He wants you to be faithful.  Seek to glorify Him in all that you do, and forget about pleasing everyone else.
15. Be a fountain not a drain.  It’s cheesy, but so true.  Be someone that can fill a friend up on a tough day, not someone people dread being around because they only bring their problems to the table.
16. Offer grace. You’re probably going to get your feelings hurt a time or two and that’s okay because you’ve hurt others too.  The Lord offers you grace and forgiveness everyday, so extend that to others as well.

This is your year.  Your year to stop saying and start doing.  Here’s to a year of living simply, loving easy, and being happy.

More Lives Please

It makes truly sad that I don't have enough time in this life to live all the places I would like to live.  There is something very special about saying that I primarily lived my whole life in Kansas City....it's such an awesome town, all my friends and most of my family are here,.....I'm a Kansas City girl through and through.  HOWEVER, I know there are other places that are special too...Aspen, Malibu, Carmel, Seaside, Breckenridge.  I would love the chance to explore those places as a resident...not just a visitor.  Be there on a daily basis, meet the people who call those places home, go to church there, be part of their community.  I do all that here in Kansas City; I just wish I had enough life to do that in all sorts of places.