How in the world is it already January? Of 2018?
I have been remiss in blogging, although my heart is passionate about it. I have this expectation (put on myself, by myself) of finding the perfect topic, the perfect images, and putting together the perfect post. So instead this year, I am just going to write. I was struck by something I heard tonight.
The smallest steps of progress are better than the greatest of intentions.
In my health, in my marriage, in my goals, in this blog. So here I am, with a small step of progress.
January is not yet over, but I feel as though I have more than enough when it comes to areas to reflect on already. I have made my goals for 2018, both personally and professionally. I have started making progress on some of those goals, and I have undergone yet another small procedure to remove more skin cancer.
This year, I am focused on continuing to simplify, to scale back, and to be present. To eat more meals prepared in my kitchen. To spend time outside with my kids, in the fresh air and away from technology. To love my husband better, in ways that are more meaningful to him. And to have more date nights. To love my friends better, and spend more time connecting in person. To take my health seriously, and to make significant improvements there. To continue improving my home, simplifying, decluttering, and loving it more. Taking my life, right where I am, and digging in. I was given one life, one body, and this year is about caring more deeply for what I've been given.
I have spent all of my adult life chasing more. Chasing the next promotion, chasing the ideals I see around me, chasing progress forward, and this year it has hit me like a ton of bricks. It's time to start chasing those things closest to me, those already here. To love harder, to care more deeply, and to turn my focus inward. In to my tribe, in to my home, and in to my life, just as it exists today. To simplify my life and my environment to allow me to do this.
To dig into each member of my sweet family, spending more time with each of them individually, and collectively together as a family. Building my children's sense of self, sense of confidence, and helping them explore new interests. Helping them discover their gifts and nurture their unique talents. And spending quality time with my husband. It's so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life and not carve out time for each other.
And myself. My health needs my attention. And it deserves my attention. And my kids and my husband need a healthy wife and mother. Nurturing my body with food created in my own kitchen. Reducing the amount of fast food I consume. Moving my body more. Resuming my Pilates practice. Resuming walks. Taking bike rides with the kids. And caring for my skin. Having my 8th spot of skin cancer removed this week reminds me that it's time to take this seriously. Having to take 2 days of PTO (waste 2 days of PTO!) to have it removed, then repaired, is NOT how I want to spend my precious days off. So this year, I am digging in, right where I am, right in the life God has given me, and embracing every piece of that. And taking care of it, nurturing it, and loving it better than I have before. Not letting the beauty of what I have been given go unnoticed for chasing more. Not this year.
Thank you to the talented Joanna Dawn Photography for capturing my sweet family up in the mountains on my birthday this past year!