Last weekend I went to Time Out For Women. It was wonderful! The theme this year was Infinite Hope.
Sometimes I feel like my life is so overwhelming and busy. I get so wrapped up in life that I forget about what's really important and I get lazy when it comes to taking care of my own needs. Then I wonder why I feel so overwhelmed! This is a state I find myself in all too often. Time Out For Women was my chance to refuel and recharge. I needed to reset my priorities. Not that I was off track all that much, but when things aren't in balance life just feels more frustrating than it should. Anyways, the speakers were fantastic. They inspired me to make some positive changes. They reminded me that I am a daughter of my Heavenly Father and that I am loved! I was reminded that I have much to offer. I am good. I am doing a sacred and important job of raising my sweet kiddos. I can reach out and be a good friend. That I am worthy of love and friendship. I think we all need reminders such as this at some point in our journey of life.
Sometimes I am just not nice to myself. I pick on myself and remember all of my weak qualities. Like how I sometimes lose patience with my kids and yell. Like how sometimes I wait until the last minute and then get grumpy because I'm in a rush. Like how sometimes I let the laundry sit for too long in the washer and it comes out with a musty stench and then I have to wash that same load over again. And I am slow to recognize the great things I do each day. Like how I wake up every morning and make my kids lunch and then walk them to school. Like how I love to volunteer at Errol Hassell every Tuesday. Like how I get my kids a band-aid whenever they get an ouchie, because a band-aid and a kiss from Mom makes everything better. Down talking myself is one of my weaknesses. And one that I am trying to turn around. I know I need to love myself better.
My sweet husband wonders why I am so hard on myself and constantly lets me know how much he loves and appreciates all my efforts. I can always count on him to lift me up. I am a LUCKY, LUCKY girl that I married my very best friend.
Geesh, this is sounding really negative! My life is actually so full of joy. I am just mean to myself. So mean to myself! One thing I have been trying to do is whenever I think something negative I have to replace it with a positive. Positives~ Eli running back up the path from school to give me another hug goodbye. Reaching out to hold Sophia's hand while driving home from school and her saying, " I love it when you do that!". Eating lunch with good friends. Matt and I watching 'The Office' together almost every night so we can finally get to season 7. Listening to Ivy sound out words during our reading time each day. Watching Rylie sing with the Mountain View Choir. Staying at the Red Lion Hotel on Friday night with three awesome women and talking until 4:00 in the morning. SO MUCH FUN! These are things that make me smile!
One of the things we were asked to do over the weekend was to make a hope list. A list of things we hope for ourselves. I hope that I will reflect upon these things and figure out how I can better implement them into my life. For some, I am well on my way. For others, I will need to take a baby steps approach. One I know I will struggle with is making sure my life is not too crowded. I like to stay busy! But there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. I did let cooking club go awhile back...baby steps, baby steps.
Tonya's Hope List
*I can TRULY love others
*My children will be good friends and have good friends
*More patience with my kids
*Think kindly about myself
*Charity in place of contention
*Use the scriptures as my personal letter from Home
*Make sure my life is not so crowded that I am forgetting what really matters
*Be on a mission to be HAPPY. Don't wait for happiness to come to me. I can choose it for myself now
*Find the magic in everyday
*Be sincere
*Know my Savior can heal my wounds
*Don't hold grudges
*Look for the best in others
*Remember that I am worth loving
*Be that friend that builds others up
*Find JOY with each of my kids everyday
*Pray to be guided. Listen for His promptings. Then obey.
*Cease to find fault in others
*Focus in on the good I do each day
*Accept my trials. It is through them that my heart and soul are purified.
*Be grateful
*Let loose. Laugh. Life is to be enjoyed!
8 comments:
Nice Post Tonya- I love your hope list. I love you. Thanks for sharing. :o)
Every time I read your post, I am so uplifted. Even when you write about your struggles, you have such a good perspective. I always find myself wishing we lived closer and were "everyday" friends again, cause you are such a good person, and a positive force in the world! I'm glad you're allowing yourself to see how good you really are.
Our Time Out is this weekend, and I'm sooooo excited!!
I went to TOFW too! It was amazing. I was so ready to jump back into my role as mother when I got home. So glad you got to go and enjoy it!
I love your list!!! It was fun getting to see you for a few mintues at TOFW!! I love your blog entries because they are both uplifting and real. And they always bring a smile to my face. You are one of my FAVORITE people!
This whole post is awesome. Hey, i haven't heard back from you. Are we on for Monday?
Ditto on all the negative self talk...I do it, too. And one of my hopes is to learn to be less harsh with myself, not so critical. It's a tough road. I am HOPING HE will have the power to make this weak thing strong in me if I turn to HIM often.
I absolutely LOVED seeing you at TOFW and wish we could have had longer to sit and chat. I just love you and your energy.
Sending love,
Jodi
Tonya, i have never gone to Time out for Women..that is something I need to do someone time. I am glad you had the chance to go and reap so much from it!
I love your list too!
I totally leave the clothes in the washer too long sometimes. ugh! I hate when I do that. I wish I could have gone to TOFW on Saturday and stayed with you gals that night. Oh and wish you hadn't cut out cooking club. We miss you!
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