Try It On (...and the "YOLO GIVE-A-WAY" Winner Announced!)

Submitted by Priscilla on July 2, 2012 - 12:30am

 

 

This is Bridget.

 

This is Bridget’s 8th child.

 

These are the shoes that Bridget likes.

 

I’m intrigued by Bridget. She’s a wife, mother, pastor’s wife, sister and friend. Her days are filled to the brim with demands and details as she seeks to manage her home, teach her children and assist her husband in ministry. But all of those things are not what amaze me most.

I. Am. In. Awe. Of. The. Shoes.

I mean, aren’t you?

Sure, they are a cute pair of sassy pumps that deserve their own personal cheering section but it’s what they represent that is so much more fascinating to me.

I’ve not only long admired Bridget’s commitment to family but also the commitment she has to herself. Now, in her mid forties, she is diligent in her workouts, consistent in her healthy eating habits, attentive to current events and interested in her attire and appearance (Did you notice her gorgeous skin?). In the midst of her busy life, she hasn’t lost the importance of caring for herself, doing the things that she loves and taking time to flame the passion in her marriage. She has hobbies and interests and friendships . . . in addition to having a family.

She’ll be the first to tell you that things don’t happen perfectly and that she can’t give everything equal amounts of her attention. Don’t be fooled for one second into thinking that her plan for a 6am workout always happens without a hitch, unhindered by the sleepless nights before. Her clothes are sometimes stained by baby blow-outs gone haywire and the latest fashions are almost always too expensive for consideration. And as awesome as those heels are, she’d choose a cute but far more reasonable pair of flats any day in her laundry filled life. But she still tries them on.

Hear that again: She still tries on the shoes she likes.

Do you?

Have you stopped trying to enjoy or to do the things that are important to you and your own well-being. Has your health taken a back seat or your desires and interests gone unattended? Have your passions been MIA for quite some time and your interests abandoned? Have you lost yourself in the midst of the joyful chaos of motherhood?

Go stand in front of the mirror and take a good look.

Do you recognize the woman staring back at you?

If not, I want you to know that it’s understandable

...even logical.

But, Bridget is showing us that discovering ourselves again is not impossible.

I know it seems to be. There just aren’t enough minutes in the day to care for everyone else much less yourself. I totally get it. (With my children out of school for the summer I feel like I’ll never have a quiet time ever again. Half the time, I don’t even know where my Bible is!) But today, I’m just asking you – and even challenging myself - to consider trying. Choose something you can do for yourself for at least 15-30 minutes each day for the next 7 days. Doing so will recharge your battery and make you the best mom that you can be.

Here are some ideas:

  • Take a warm bath 
  • Read that novel on your nightstand 
  • Go to a coffee shop alone or meet a friend for a movie after the kids go to sleep 
  • Wake up early and go out for a walk 
  • Ride your bike 
  • Put the kids in their room and sit quietly in front of an old episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show
  • Have your quiet time outdoors with your favorite morning beverage 
  • Get a skin care product, manicure or pedicure set and use it 
  • Style your hair differently 
  • Put on the lingerie that’s at the bottom of your pajama drawer 
  • While you’re out running errands, pick up your favorite dessert from a restaurant and save it for the evening when the house is quiet. 

OR...

  • Go try on a pair of sassy high heels. 

I challenge you to join me in this 7-day venture. If your plans are dashed and/or interrupted one day don’t let this derail you off of your week-long mission. Make a commitment to do it. . .or at least try it. My hope is that this week will build a healthy habit in your life and mine of doing some of the things we enjoy or that are beneficial for our wellbeing. Even if it’s just in small increments at a time, these moment of self-care will benefit us and ultimately those we love.

Post your initials below if you are up for the challenge and then leave a few thoughts about some of the things you might do for your 7-day-challenge.

 

You are Loved,

Priscilla

PS. . . Have you joined in our “Sizzling, Sassy, Summer, GRAND PRIZE Give-A-Way”? There’s still time. CLICK HERE.

 

PSS...Single gals-Thank ALL OF YOU for your response to Friday's "YOLO" Give-A-Way!  We are excited to present the award to a great woman who shared a little bit of her "single-mom" life with us.  We hope you you will enjoy your cute earrings and fabulous polishes, sister!

Congratulations to NICOLE! Pamper yourself a bit my friend! 

Email us at info@goingbeyond.com so that we can get your gifts to you!

Enjoy!