40 Wonderful Things About You.

Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sometimes I forget that I am wonderful.

Sometimes I get busy and overwhelmed, trying to strike the unicorn balance of working and being a good mom & wife, and I easily fall prey to the lies of the world: You are not enough. And I know that it's not true, but when exhaustion intersects with circumstantial emotion, all bets are off. I usually cope with said feelings by binging on Netflix with a side of wine/ice cream/kettle corn.

Do you know that you're wonderful? If you are a living, breathing being, you are a wonder. And I want you to know that you are wonderful.

Recently I was reminded of a more restorative way to rejuvenate (than my Netflix addiction), one that I used to practice years ago and made such an immensely positive impact on me. I learned about speaking aloud positive declarations while I was in ministry school from a guest speaker, Steve Backlund. He supplied my class with a list of declarations that were scriptures from the bible. I took those scriptures and used them, but I also wrote some declarations of my own. I used to wake up and declare the scriptures and my personal declarations about my day, before the day even got started. I would usually do it in the morning when I was fixing my hair and putting on make up. The declarations were taped to my bathroom mirror, so there was no way to miss it, and I would speak each one aloud. At first it felt a little goofy, but the more I did it, the more I believed what I was saying. I want to share with you today, because I am back at this practice again and it feels so, so SO good, and I want to invite you to join me. If you need a little boost. I'm not saying you do. Here are the scriptures that I used, and here are my 40 personally-written declarations:

1. I am enough.
2. I am lovable.
3. I am a beautiful person.
4. I light up the world with my gifts.
5. The world is a gift from God and I have a meaningful place in it.
6. I am worthy.
7. Today will be a great day.
8. I cannot satisfy all of my needs, but I am responsible to see them satisfied.
9. I am enormously blessed.
10. I am capable.
11. I am moving forward.
12. It's okay to change my mind.
13. I make great decisions.
14. I don't need other people's approval.
15. I am proud of myself.
16. I make a difference in the world.
17. I am a great wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend.
18. I choose to forgive those who have hurt me.
19. My body works perfectly.
20. I have a good sense of humor about the circumstances of my life.
21. I am a selfless listener.
22. I have nothing to be afraid of.
23. I am strong and healthy.
24. I am capable.
25. I am immensely loved.
26. I am a child of God.
27. I am flexible.
28. The world is a better place because I am in it.
29. I am going to make the best out of today.
30. Nothing will stop me.
31. I am consistent and adventurous.
31. I will take time to be kind to others.
32. I am an encourager to everyone around me.
33. I have every reason to be bold.
34. I am good at managing my money, my time, my talent and my resources.
35. I walk in peace.
36. I have promise.
37. I will find opportunities to be radically generous today.
38. I am cared for.
39. I have good things to say.
40. I have a voice.

Have you ever tried this type of practice? What are some declarations that you would add to this list? I would love to hear from you!

When Two of Your Favorite People Meet.

When Two of Your Favorite People Meet.

This happened a few weeks ago. Technically there are three of my favorite people in this picture, but Stevie and my dear Aunt Shirley know each other well. But it was the greatest privilege for me to witness my son meeting the snazzy, savvy, sweetheart that is my Aunt. Somehow my heart managed to melt a bit more. I thought it had done all the melting it could possibly do.

My Aunt Shirley has been a life-long inspiration. Not only is she overly-accomplished with an impressively long resume and all the accolades of the world, she is a woman of endless compassion and unparalleled conviction. She's basically Mother Theresa, serving all her extra time for others, and encouraging her students to join her many efforts. If I could emulate her character a tiny little bit at the end of my life, I would gladly call myself blessed and be done. And her joy! I don't know anyone who is more positive! Well, she and my mother-in-law can duke it out, because they are the two most positive people I know. FYI It's a really beautiful thing to be surrounded by practically blind positivity, by the way. Makes you feel like the world is your oyster. And why wouldn't I want my darling boy to be surrounded and influenced to believe that (because it's true!) But her kind of positivity isn't blind. It's fierce, statuesque, absolute in it's hope for what is the best kind of good. I am so lucky to have this woman as my guidepost, looking out for me, correcting me, smiling her big gorgeous, mischievous smile at me. Oh that Italian broad.

I hope your holiday weekend is filled with family time that makes you feel uplifted, full of hope, and encouraged beyond measure. Because that is a treasure not to be diminished. And if you don't have family like that? Well, then BE the family that does that. We have such a few precious days on this Earth. If you have the opportunity to be a person like Aunt Shirley to a little person like Everett, DO IT. The impact will be a pulsating, rippling, life-changing kind, and really, what else matters? Not career. Not money. But a little person being shaken by absolute love, acceptance and sheer hope for the future? Well, you could say that's kind of what this holiday weekend is all about.

Happy Easter, friends.