Kids are the worst. Everything I tell them, they are thrilled when they get the opportunity to dish the advice right back. Okay, maybe clients are worse, they love to tell me things that I have been telling them for months. It feels terrible at the time but is much needed when my brain goes psycho.
Case in point, my daughter and I love to get the paints out and paint whatever for hours. When she does not like what she has done or is upset that it does not look just right I am always telling her, “Stop, it does not have to be perfect. It is the thought that counts. People will appreciate your effort and that you did it for them out of love.” Sometimes she rolls her eyes, sometimes she hears me and moves on to acceptance or pitches it in the trash.
Boy, two days later, did I get it right back. I was making little motivational magnets for my clients and a giveaway. I had a perfect plan. I could see in my head just what they were going to look like. Not one of them turned out as I thought they should. I was huffing and puffing and acting all disgusted when my precious, Candace, said, “Mom, remember it is the thought that counts. Don’t be so hard on yourself. They don’t have to be perfect. People will appreciate your effort.”
Contest Magnets
At that moment, besides the fact I wanted to poke my eye out, (and hers if I am honest), I knew what she said was true! I did want it to be just right and I did want each one to be perfect. Perfect has been the name of the game in the past, all or nothing. I had to be perfect with my diet, my exercise, my motherhood, my spirituality or I gave up and did nothing at all. Those days are over. Baby steps, day by day, moving forward, and leaving the past behind are the new way of thinking.
Soooo, I am swallowing my pride and having a give away.
How to win a magnet: Pick the magnet you want to win and tell what it means to you.
Four magnets-four winners. Contest ends Thursday night at midnight and winners announced Friday. (Candace will chose four numbers)
Okay, Ruth. Here’s why I like, “You Can Do This.” For many years this has been my inner voice. I tell myself, “You Can Do This” when it comes to anything tough that I’ve had to endure or get through. When I first went back to school when McKenzie was only 7 months old, I told myself, “You Can Do This” as I sat in a class full of 18 year old kids! When Paul had to go away for 3 months while he was in the military, I told myself, “You Can Do This.” When I had to raise a step-daughter that was not so-let’s see, how can I say this nicely, appreciative? I told myself, “You Can Do This.” Most recently, my inner voice has started telling me, “You Can Do This” as I force myself through one of Matt’s tough WOD’s. So, the phrase, “You Can Do This” is part of who I am. It’s often how I get through my day.
By the way, you did a great job on the magnets and have such a gift for writing! You really are inspirational for so many people and I am so glad we’re friends…not just neighbors
Sonia, you made my heart swell with joy for you. What a wonderful way to think (the only way) I am proud of who you are and all you have done and are doing in the wonderful Crossfit workouts. Your inner voice is strong and it radiates in all you do!
I am glad you are my friend, not just my neighbor. I am blessed to call you friend!
The magnet that jumped out at me is “Find Balance”, something I have struggled with my entire adult life. Does the term “Super Mom” come to anyone’s mind. Always working hard to meet everyone else’s needs before my own has been my mantra for years. My kids are now grown, & happy. I still struggle to balance my life. Your magnet certainly reminds me I need to seek balance each and every day. Emotionally, physically and spiritually!! :0)
Toni we are on our way. Just recognizing our place in this world is a great place. Look forward to that coffee!!
i think the magnet made for me is find balance. i think it is so true that your mind sometimes thinks in an all or nothing capacity – mine did for many years. but if you can find that inbetween space between sanity and insanity, i think true happiness lies there. i am getting to that point, and so excited i am on my way
Holly I am so excited you are on your way! I love the “inbetween space” that is a great way to express where I am trying to live each day!
Hey Mrs Ruth!
These magnets are great and so encouraging. It is a small gesture but really makes a huge difference.
My very favorite of these 4 is ” i chose”
i think that is where i am at right now. I am choosing to be healthy just a little bit here and there, like water instead of soda or no fast food. I am on a road of trying to make right healthy choices. You have really been a big part of me making those choices and helping me to learn that it doesn’t have to be extreme to work. You just have to find balance
love you Mrs Ruth!
Jess,
You are precious and I love your sweet spirit. I see it growing strong each time I am with you. Baby steps keep us moving. A little here and a little there will soon grow closer and closer together. I will support you any which way I can. Love love, Miss Ruth
These are all gorgeous and so inspiring! The magnet that speaks to me is “you can do this.” I’ve had to go through some challenges that really tested my inner strength. I had to learn that if I believe in myself, I actually have more inner fortitude than I ever thought I did! This is a wonderful reminder that I can do whatever I set my mind (and heart) to do.
Faith it is amazing what we can do when we take the boundaries in our mind down. The world is waiting for each of us to find that inner strength and find who we are meant to be.
My favorite is the magnet that says “I Chose”…
I didn’t choose to get pregnant a week after I got married…
I didn’t choose to get moody and huge and get stretchmarks…
I didn’t choose to lose years of sleep after my son was born…
I didn’t choose to have permanent under-eye bags from lack of sleep all the time…
All these things brought down my self-esteem…
Then “I Chose” to have joy…
“I Chose” to accept the fact that my husband still thinks I’m the most beautiful woman on the planet.
“I Chose” to accept my role as the nurturer of my, now, two sons and love and teach them.
“I Chose” to die to myself and live for something greater than myself and my wants.
To have joy was a choice not based on my circumstances…so that’s why “I Chose” joy.
Jessica it sounds like the things you are choosing are and will continue to bring you great joy. I am learning joy usually comes as I live out my healthy choices. THank you for sharing!
Find Balance.
Because I am a mother, wife, yoga teacher, food blogger, and human being independent of any of those things and every day I struggle for balance (and meaning) in my life.
Thanks for the give away!
I’ve got one going right now, too, just to LYK.
xoxo
Averie things for your comment, I am coming over to read your blog. Finding balance and inner peace in this busy world is a daily and sometimes hourly struggle for me.
I love the “I Chose” magnet. So many times in my life I have let the world and negative people/thoughts bring me down. I have recently discovered that I have the power to CHOSE to be happy and strong. This choice gives me hope and optimism. All the magnets are beautiful by the way
Steph when I found out I could chose to be healthy inside and out and that the negative people in my life did not need to dictate mine, a whole new world opened up for me. thank you!
those magnets are so cute!
i would love to win the FIND BALANCE magnet because i believe life, exercise, and food is all about finding a healthy balance
jenna
I have peace and joy when I am balanced in my food, exercise and lifestyle! Glad you came by.
“Love You-Mind, Body & Spirit”
That one sums it up for me! I must learn to love all 3! I also must work on all 3! But there will be no rewards if I do not love them during the process… You are an Inspiration to me Ruth…Thanks!
I’m gonna give the “Love You Mind, Body, & Spirit” some love.
As I was growing up, I hated my body. As I’ve said before, I took alot of care making sure no one could see my shape. My shirts were all large enough for two of me in them. My spirit was stunted from a variety of factors such as not having good friends and becoming bitter. I retreated into my mind and stayed for a very long time. Now I am changing, those experiences are past and its time to go into the future.
Plus I like the blue..and how the words are laid out.
Hey, I just found your blog – thank you for writing. As an FYI that it’s not displaying properly on the BlackBerry Browser (I have a Storm). Anyway, I am now subscribed to the RSS feed on my home PC, so thank you!