Thank Yous and Inspirational Thoughts

Happy Thursday lovies!!
I want to start by saying, thank you, lovely readers.

I am so blessed to have faithful eyes reading these posts!
Thank you for wishing me well, when I was ill.
Thank you for leaving such encouraging and helpful comments.
Thank you, for being you!

I want to share a newbie blogger I stumbled upon,

Wine and Summer.

Two of my favorite things!
She just began blogging, but I can tell already, it will be one to follow!
Stop over and say hello!

I also wanted to say I finally won a giveaway--woo hoo!

Ashley at Everyday AEM had 12 days of giveaways and I won an apron!
How 'fitting' since I live in my kitchen playing housewife!!

;)

Today's post is not Christmas related...but it's what came to mind.

It's what my fingertips tapped out on my laptop.

It's what I felt like sharing, with you...

Life is a funny thing.

We are born into a family, in which we have no choice but to accept.

Those first few years, we solely depend upon others to feed, clothe, bathe, and love us.

As we grow older, relationships change, grow, fall apart, renew, and begin.

Take a moment and look around you.
Who have you chosen to be a part of your life?

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If there are many lessons my husband has taught me, but one of the most important is to love yourself.

Love you, more than anyone else on this earth can love you.

Once you have achieved this level of self-respect, confidence, and understanding, it is only then that you are truly capable of loving another human being back.

No one teaches that in school.

Often times, we hear that it's not good to be selfish.

Which, to an extent, I do agree. 

I wouldn't say Joseph & I are selfish people by a long shot.
We love helping others and that's not what I'm trying to say.

But to really put yourself first and make sure you are healthy

emotionally,

physically, 

and mentally,

is one of the best things you can do for yourself.

If you're not happy, figure out why.

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The only thing you have complete control over, is your own mental attitude.

It's very easy to get bogged down with drama, petty behavior, and be mad all the time.

However, it is also equally as easy to find the good in each situation and just be happy.

It may take some work.
You may have to actually talk to yourself out loud {we do}

But it will be worth it.
Trust me.

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 If you've ever studied really hard for a test before and aced it, then you can change the way you think about anything in life.

I could choose to be really angry, upset and frustrated that we don't have kids yet. 

{It's certainly not due to a lack of trying!}
But I believe in timing and that everything truly does happen for reason. 

Instead, I'm channeling all of my fears, worries, and concerns into what I can control at this time in our lives.

I'm grateful for our house, Joe's job, my ability to stay home and take care of us, the dogs & the home.

I'm thankful that we are both healthy and that we have some pretty great friends in family in our lives.

So, in the midst of the holiday hustle and bustle, I figured some of you may be focusing on some of the not so great things in life. 

I am guilty of that too, but I am getting better at catching myself and trying to change my attitude.

I really want to be someone who walks the walk, not just talks the talk.

I want to do, not just say I'm going to do.

Show me, don't tell me.

I've mentioned before Joe taught me to listen to self-improvement audio books...

One of his favorites:
Napoleon Hill

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After attending calling hours Wednesday evening,

It makes me really think about life and how short it is.

I think it's so important to really cherish and enjoy this one gift of life, each of us is given.

Even if just one of my lovely readers benefits from a post like this, that's what matters.

I know I need reminders, so simply putting these thoughts into writing puts life into a better perspective.

Make today one of your best days yet.