Motivation: Being Thankful and Living Fully
Gift: Joy of a father + son - my boys
"Life is not an emergency." Such a true quote, but for me it is so hard to remember! I can get so caught up in "to-do, to-do, to-do" and completely stress myself out. This was our first week home with our new baby girl and it should have been a really hard adjustment. I had a c-section so I couldn't lift my toddler or do much to keep my house clean. I do NOT like sitting around when things need done, and I hate getting out of my routine, and I REALLY hate asking for help:)
It would have been so easy to get overwhelmed or depressed and completely unmotivated being so helpless. But I started reading the book One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp and it was exactly what I needed to hear. Ann challenged herself to write a list of 1000 gifts or things she was thankful for. Her book is about how writing the gift list transformed her life and really helped her to just slow down and give thanks in the moment - even the really hard moments.
Gift: New life - this sleeping beauty
So I decided to try it for myself. Like when every room in the house looked like a tornado hit it, I made myself notice little details that I loved and was thankful for...
Micah and his Daddy playing chase around the house...tiny newborn diapers that Ari will grow out of so quickly...new baby smells and squeaks and snuggles.
Or when I was in a lot of pain and really tired I tried to be thankful for...
A quiet house with only the sound of fans...A chance to journal and give my worries to God...my husband's help and getting time to just enjoy his company.
Being thankful and slowing down made me have such a great week. It changes the perspective from "I have to do this" to "I get to do this" and reset my priorities to what really matters. You should definitely check out the book (only $10 of Amazon) if you haven't read it. And at least for today, try to notice the little gifts around you to stay encouraged and not stressed!
Stay motivated!
