"In the process of committing to something bigger than I had ever challenged myself to before, I have discovered more than I ever dreamed. I’ve learned to manage time more effectively, I’ve learned how to say “yes” and how to say “no”. I’ve discovered that in order to achieve a goal, you actually have to be in action at all times." - the wunder year

This girl has been blogging for the last 207 days (give or take a few) and is headed for 365. That's crazy pants. (Crazy wunder unders. Ha!) I had a difficult time with 100 days. I'm not saying it's easy for her (it's not) or that it's always interesting for me to read (it's not) but I am so impressed with her goal that I continue to check it every few days in my Feedly. Some days I skim over the words and some days I soak them all in, turn them over in my heart and share them in my own posts or conversations. 

Her words in this post were just so true - full of personal responsibility & grace - that I had to bring them over here for us all to have.

And action.

Geez. You know what's hard? Life.

And you know who it's hard for? Errybody.

Yeah. Let's be honest, here. Life is hard for everyone. You know how I've come to that conclusion? I know a lot of people who know a lot of people and everyone's having problems. Financial issues. Relationship issues. Self issues. Job issues. Eating issues. Healthy issues. So, no, it's not just you. Welcome to the club.

What do we do in this club?

Take shit one day at a time.

Smile when you can. Cry when you need.

I've been thinking a lot about the stresses I feel and how I am in control of them. Will I/Should I always be able to control them? Not always. But I have the freedom to choose how I deal with things. I have the freedom to say yes or no. I have the freedom to over/under schedule myself. I have the freedom to change my course. I have the freedom to change my pattern of behavior. I have the freedom to be free from stress & guilt that I put on myself. I have the freedom to be released from these toxic holds over my mind, my heart, my body.

I've been continuing this soul detox devotion (faithfully this week) and was able to go back to yoga. And it's also been a chocolate eating week. It's been emotional. I'm learning how to meditate this upcoming week and it will be my first week without work email on my phone. This will probably also be emotional. (Sorry, Nate!)

But I'm gonna take this shit one day at a time.
(Except for the part that needs planning.)

Because, in the long run, we're all just learning and tumbling through these days - this life - together.

Speak uplifting words.
Speak truth.
Speak love.

And when you eff it up. Give yourself some grace.

That's my rambling for the week. xo.

This afternoon's companions. Plus, Bob Dylan.

Today.

Today, I am so thankful for my job and for the challenges it has faced me with. I am so thankful to have a partner, a better half, to support me through this time of change and adjustment. I am so thankful to have grace and freedom on my side. I am so thankful for positivity. I am so thankful for sharing and caring; for not stopping, but constantly moving forward. I am so thankful for the goals I have and my ability to charge after them. I am so thankful for hard work rather than luck. I am so thankful for opportunities to fail forward and learn for myself and for others. I am so thankful for the constant reminder to speak life-giving words to those around me; to uplift and heal rather than stomp and wound. I am so thankful for all of the crabs lifting me out of the pot.

Today. I am so thankful.

From my Soul Detox devotion:

"Our words are powerful. They have the power to kill and the power to give life. Throughout the book of Proverbs, Solomon often writes about the dangers and the life-giving abilities of our words. He was very aware of the power of words. As a result, Solomon encourages us all to be aware of the types of words we speak to others and the positive and negative affects they can have.

What types of words do you tend to speak most - toxic or life-giving?"

Something for us all to think about.

xo.

July is gonna be bonkers amazing. I can feel it.