I’m Working On It…
The events that took place, and the thoughts that were written as a result, on Saturday evening were a blessing. And, they were long overdue. I have avoided taking a good long look in that mirror for quite some time. I kept putting off asking myself, “Am I the person I want to be.” And, it was time…
So after I thought long and hard about all the things I need to change, I carefully tip-toed to my bedroom (that post went up around midnight) and prayed deeply, from the aching depths of my heart. And then I slept like I have never slept before – soundly and without interruption.
And on Sunday, I was deliberate.
I was intentional.
I took baby steps towards becoming that other person. That person that I see in my minds eye when I think about the person I’ve always wanted to be. The person I know I am capable of.
I woke up early and enjoyed the first smiles of my one year old daughter. I played with her bed head and watched as she welcomed the day one Cheerio at a time. And then, before I could hear the footsteps of the sleeping angels upstairs, we crept off to a locally owned donut shop and got donuts and coffee for the entire family. When we returned home, there were smiling faces and hungry bellies waiting us at the door…that is how I like to start my day.
Today, I had just one donut, when I really wanted two. And then I made some eggs and shared them with my daughter. I cleaned the house and prepared the family for church…and we arrived on time. After church I intentionally planned my lazy afternoon around some necessary chores to make my week more organized and more enjoyable. I went to the grocery, cleaned the kitchen, laid out clothing & did laundry.
And then, during nap, I went in that long lost home-gym of ours and I worked out for 45 minutes…sweating and glowing and soaking in the time to cleanse my mind and rejuvenate my body. And it worked.
And then, I called in reinforcements (aka – the grandma) and asked for 1.5 hours of toddler childcare. My wish was granted.
And during that hour and a half I prepared my son’s bedroom for the new school year. I cleaned out his closet, organized his uniforms, prepared his books bag, lined up his new tennis shoes. I cleaned out his toys, and under his bed and his dresser drawers. I cleared his desk and arranged his notebooks. Found all those miscellaneous DVD’s their rightful cases and organized some more.
And, while I was busy busting my freshly excersized hump…Mr. B cleaned and organized our master closet.
Little things like this, make me feel refreshed and renewed and pour life into my sleepy veins…
As the sun goes down on Sunday, I am thankful. I am thankful for that moment I had with my computer in the early hours. I am thankful for the gift of reflection…and being able to make deliberate and intentional changes to find a healthy mind, body and spirit.
I am doing this. And, after reading the comments, I am clearly not alone.
Will you join me in this act of living intentionally? I promise, it’s as amazing as it sounds. And maybe, just maybe, with some friends joining me in this journey, I won’t give up on myself again.
44 comments
Great post! I am so glad that your day was so great! Keep it up!!
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I am so w: you. So glad to hear your Sunday was so peaceful. YOU did that…well, and God
. I'm going to take this thought of intention w: me today.
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I'm in madame…. whole heartedly.
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momnom Reply:
August 16th, 2010 at 9:13 am
Excellent. This intentional thing is so rewarding. I pray I stick with it.
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Tiff, I am all in. So often I just go through the motions of my day and forget to be thankful for all of the amazing things that are passing me by.
Thanks for the reminder, girl. Love you. And I'll be here supporting you the whole way through.
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momnom Reply:
August 16th, 2010 at 9:14 am
Today I am going to start using MyFitnessPal.com as well, to track my food and exercise. That way, I can feel intentional in what I put into my body…and the output as well. I just really want to empower myself and be deliberate in every aspect of my life. Here's hoping…
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birdestudios Reply:
August 16th, 2010 at 9:22 am
hopefully it well help make you feel accountable so you can stick to your goals. I know that is the hardest part for me, saying things like, "after this cookie, i will eat healthy…". Which obviously leads to months of those thoughts, and me getting no where!! You can do it, mama!!
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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mom-Nom.Com and Mom-Nom.Com, Echo @ Barely Mommy. Echo @ Barely Mommy said: I'm Working On It… – http://mom-nom.com/2010/08/16/im-working-on-it/ @MomNom This is the kind of inspiration I need to do the same thing. [...]
I forget to be thankful for so many things that I just take for granted and the silly things that stand in the way of complete happiness … are just that – silly things … now if like you, I could get myself to the other side of the house and workout … what an awakening that would be
hope your week continues to keep you uplifted!
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momnom Reply:
August 16th, 2010 at 9:16 am
Thanks Nicole! I am praying nightly that this motivation and intentional living continues to motivate me throughout the week. I feel like it could become addicting and I could actually make it a lifestyle. But first, I must make it through a week. LOL. Baby steps…
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I'm in too. I need to make some major changes right now. Some because I want to, and some because I have no choice. Either way I think they'll all feel better if done with intention.
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momnom Reply:
August 17th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
I agree – get out there and just do it. It may suck (it did for me) but in the end, the relief of it being over with and the ability to move on is amazing. Good Luck!
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i so needed this post. i need to live intentionally & not half heartedly.. and live with a purpose. i was just thinking this morning, i am so tired of not being with my post-baby body.. and i really need to get motivated & workout on my elliptical. i did go to the grocery store this past weekend & bought groceries for the whole week with intentions of cooking every night.. so i think it's a step in the right direction.
i'm hoping to make some more changes. thank you!
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momnom Reply:
August 17th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
We really do choose our happiness and living intentionally is one sure way to find your happiness. I find myself doing things mindlessly way too often. If I really lived intentionally and took in the moments of my life, happiness would abound. Good Luck on your journey!
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Just READING about someone else cleaning out their closets and organizing their home motivates me to do the same. I have a mile long list that hasn't had a single thing crossed off in months – THANK YOU for the push I need!
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momnom Reply:
August 17th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
Glad to help. =) Anytime.
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YES! I am in! It is a constant struggle and I've falled off the wagon a hundred times, but I'm taking that one hundred and one attempt and not giving up! Keep the fire going! Things usually don't work out the way we imagined – it's usually better!
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momnom Reply:
August 17th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
It's all about getting back up when you fall off. Truly. No one is perfect. We are all going to have days. But, as I find myself living in the moment and doing day to day activities intentionally, I find happiness more and more.
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You rock friend!! I knew you'd pick yourself up. We made a shared "to-do" list on Google documents and busted ass on it this past weekend. And I feel good knowing we were productive, even if the list didn't include, shower. Showers are overrated!
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momnom Reply:
August 17th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
Getting things off your to -do list so you can enjoy just living is one easy way to rid yourself of stress. Seriously. XOXO
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Good Luck to you on this Journey…and I think I will join you. I'm going to sit down tonight and come up with a list of things I want to improve and then figure out how to do it. a
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momnom Reply:
August 17th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
That's a great way to start. Think of the things you need to improve on in your life and come up with ways you can actively and intentionally improve upon them. You'll be amazed how much control you have over your own happiness.
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This is exactly what I'm doing, Tiffany. I think we're channeling each other without even knowing it. I know you commented last week on my first post about changing my life. Living with more purpose, more intent. Changing my perspective on life.
It is SUCH a great feeling. Accomplishment. Power. Rest.
I didn't read the midnight post you were talking about (weekend posts tend to slip through the cracks) but I'm going back to find out what's going on.
It's great to see someone else, that I have great admiration for, too- committing to making a change similar to what I'm doing in my own life. I wish you the best and hope we can connect during this journey. =)
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momnom Reply:
August 17th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
I read your post as well, and was inspired as I nodded my head in agreement. My life needs balance- and I need to figure out what that balance is. Love to you.
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I'm down. Even if it means I'm not blogging anymore. Even if it means I get uncomfortable at times. Living with intention…what a great motto!
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momnom Reply:
August 17th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
Do it! Live with intention! I think you already realized something that was throwing off your own balance and eliminated it. We have to be our voice – no one will speak for our happiness.
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I feel the same as you. Today my family and I drove to get my official 'Navy wife' ID and in the process I flipped out several times over very ridiculous reasons. I am tired of not being the person I want to be…and constantly beating myself up because of not meeting those expectations. I will now move away from the computer (and the cookies) and take a walk to the park with my little Lovelies! Maybe just a short walk to start….
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momnom Reply:
August 17th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
I've had way too many of those moments where if I was in front of a mirror, I wouldn't be able to make eye contact with myself. It's realizing those momments and fixing them that is important though.
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I am in for this! It seems like not living life deliberately would be so much more relaxing, but it's not. It just causes stress and chaos. When we are intentional we are happy.
Rock on, momma!
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momnom Reply:
August 17th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
Glad to have you join momma! Making every moment intentional – even at work – is critical for me. I am responsible for my own demise, why not be responsible for my own happiness.
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You have inspired me so much. You don't even know.
Thank you.
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momnom Reply:
August 17th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
Oh, I'm so glad! Let's do this together!
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During the busy work week, I tend to forget who I am. I turn into someone that I'd rather not be. I become a go-go-go person. I know that becoming this person is essential to my famiky's survival. I do it. I don't always want to be on go-go-go mode. I want to be a mother and wife. Simply to enjoy my family.
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In fits and starts I am trying to do this to myself too – every time I feel like its turning around something smacks me back down that is beyond my control. I have to NOT let thos those things ruin my day – take me away from the joy of the things that ARE good.
Thanks.
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momnom Reply:
August 19th, 2010 at 2:18 pm
Not telling the small stumbles ruin your entire day is a great place to start. For me, I literally have to talk to myself. I have to remind myself that this is not life threatening, or earth-shattering. i have to remind myself of all things good and positive in my life…hope that helps.
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I just read your past three posts:
1) bubettes bday party was so adorable…you did a wonderful job and should be proud!
2) I feel like I am going through a bit of the same thing. I don't think I would call it depression exactly, but I just don't feel like myself right now and I know my 17 year-old-self would be ripping my ass apart for being chunky three months after having a baby, having a messy house, etc. (darn 17 year-olds).
3) I am with you whole-heartedly! I have always strived to live with intention and there is no better time to pick myself up and start again than now.
Thanks for the last two posts, I needed to read them!
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momnom Reply:
August 19th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
Lindsey, with a new baby, we are ALL there. =) You are very much, not alone. And, most of the problem for me was not recognizing that I didn't recognize me anymore. Once I started to really look at the person I was becoming, I instantly knew something had to change.
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Oh, it does my heart so much good to read about your intentional day!!!! I have ached with you over all the pain you've endured over the past year, and now I'm beginning to see your light switch on. I'm so proud of you.
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momnom Reply:
August 19th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
That makes me so happy to hear. I've wondered when you faithful readers were going to get sick of me waxing poetically about the trauma and all things topsy turvy. When one of you would tell me to pick myself up and move on. LOL. I just hope you all know how vital you were in these decisions to officially move on and try to recover myself.
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Awesome post! I need to be more deliberate. I need to clear the clutter (physically, mentally and spiritually) and organize. Thanks for sharing!
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momnom Reply:
August 19th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
Clearing the clutter is a great way to start. If you can't see through the clutter of your life, it's hard to see what needs to change.
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I am totally with you on this journey. I have been feeling inspired by other moms, and your post totally makes me want to get it together. I desperately need to get a better phone, organizer system, and get my meal planning in order (not to mention the dump a.k.a my house).
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momnom Reply:
August 19th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
Planning and organizing are KEY. It's a great place to start and one that will make you feel refreshed from the get -go. Remember, change doesn' happen overnight and the little things add up. We can do this together!
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[...] survived, and she is taking charge of her life and becoming a person she wants to be. She is “living intentionally,” as she calls it, and she has inspired me to do something [...]
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