Ready for the New Year: Living in the Bigger Picture Moment

Imagine that it's already tomorrow.

You roll out of bed with the hope that today will be a super fantastic day.

But then you are running late, the four year old has a meltdown over wearing jeans instead of sweatpants, you spill coffee down your shirt, you forget your gym clothes, you forget to buy milk at the store, you are trying to make dinner with a one year old in arms and four year old yelling at you about yogurt. Sounds like a "normal" day, and one that you would just gladly walk away from and start over again right?

But what if ... what if ... on your way to work you heard your favorite song on the radio and it made you smile, or you received a much needed "what's up" text from a friend or your four year old said the funniest joke at the dinner table...would it make your day better? Would you even notice?

Yeah. That was my problem. I didn't even notice. I let the bad {or what I thought was bad} change my perspective on the rest of the day. If one thing went badly, boom day was done no do overs.

But something has changed over the past year I've REALLY been trying to live in the moment.

If you have noticed the millions of sunrise and sky photos I've posted over the year it's because I'm FINALLY taking the time to see the beauty around me.

If you have read my Sound Bytes each Friday you will notice that I've FINALLY taken the time to listen. And if you've read my Bigger Picture Moments you will notice that I'm FINALLY noticing these everyday moments.

The concept of a Bigger Picture Moment resonated with me. I have a hard {very, super duper hard} time living in the moment. I dwell in the past, I look too far forward. Never once just listening to what life around me is trying to say. Even if it's yelling! Many of my BPM posts include phrases like "wake-up call", "slap in the face", "Blamo" or "I cried".

By living in the moment and living with intention each day, I have begun a journey of self-growth. An examination of who I am, cherishing the pieces that bring me joy, and changing those that don't.

I know I'm a work in progress, but I also know I'm a much happier person when I take the time breathe and soak in the every day moments.

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Bigger Picture Blogs is looking for our favorite moment of 2011 {cherish the past} and repost it today. This is one of those "wake up call", "slap in the face", "blamo", "I cried" type of moments. Enjoy... and here's to living in the moment each day!

Moms Need Timeouts Too: Bigger Picture Moment 
{originally posted in August 2011}

If I could change one thing about myself (other than my lack of cleavage) I'd ask for more patience. This past weekend I needed more than ever. Let me lay out the scenario for you...

I'm alone with the boys, and both are clamoring for something to eat. It's already 6 p.m. and I'm trying to fix a damn doorknob, pick up toys and figure out what to have for dinner.

"Mommy what are we having for dinner."

"How about Mac and Cheese?" I ask with trepidation, wondering if today will be the day he actually likes Mac and Cheese.

"Sure, that sounds tasty," he smiles. "But only the kind on the stove."

Ugh...no short cut Easy Mac for my connoisseur. Fine, but the baby needs more protein so I decide to make Old School Mac and Cheese (you know with tuna in it). I dish up E's first sans tuna, making sure he has plenty, and get everyone settled down to eat.

In a split second E is finished.

"Can I have more Mac and Cheese?"

"I have some, but it has tuna in it." I say nervously, knowing this will lead to a pouty face.

"I don't like tuna." Enter said pouty face.

"I know. I can make you something else like oatmeal, chicken nuggets, cereal...what do you want?"

"I WANT MAC AND CHEESE."

"I don't have Mac and Cheese. I have oatmeal, chicken nuggets, cereal. I can make you any of those."

"Just go to the store and get me some MAC AND CHEESE."

"Umm, not happening. I can make you anything else."

"I WANT MAC AND CHEESE." Insert grouchy face and tears.

"I already told you I don't have Mac and Cheese." I say my voice rising. "Why don't you go to your room and settle down. When you can talk normal you can come out."

E stomps out of the room. I take a deep breath and look at G who has a perplexed look on his face, and seems to be saying "WTH, big brother."

In less time that it took to exhale that deep breath E was back.

"Mom, may I please have some Mac and Cheese."

I think at that point my brain separated from my body, and I lost it.

"HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU I DON'T HAVE ANY MAC AND CHEESE. THIS IS IT. THERE'S NO MORE. NOW EITHER DECIDE IF YOU WANT SOMETHING ELSE OR GO CLEAN UP."

Ugh...was that just me yelling about Mac and Cheese. Shit...

"Fine."

More stomping.

Later while I'm cleaning up the kitchen, G starts fussing a bit (past his bedtime.)

"Just give me a minute G I just need to finish this up."

Then I hear it the words that snapped me out of my stressed, grouchy and frustrated mood.

"It's Ok G, sometimes Mom gets upset. She just needs a timeout."

Ugh...that's right E. Now it's my turn in the timeout chair.

New Year's Resolutions!

It's the new year and according to social conformity I'm supposed create a list of resolutions. Well, that's a pretty long list - lose the baby weight, be more optimistic, eat better, organize my house - the list goes on and on and on...

Pretty much what happens is a I make a bunch of resolutions and by January 15 the honeymoon phase wears off and I just give up and feel like a HUGE failure. This year is different though, I feel it in the air. I'm inspired, driven and maybe even a little angry at myself for not trying harder.

So here are my goals for 2011 and some of my inspiration...


1. Eat better, and be stronger
With the help of Your Daily Dose of F.I.T (Fitness, Ideas, Tips) I'll get tips on meal planning, including recipes and even be able to squeeze some mini workouts in here and there. It will also help that I'm starting Farrell's eXtreme Bodyshaping on Monday (exercise 6 days a week for 10 weeks and a nutrition plan) Trust me I'll blog as I go, because I'm sure I'll be bitching about how sore I am. Oh and I can't forget the one person who gave me such a nice transversus, Marcie at Serenity Yoga and Pilates. With all this support who wouldn't be able to be stronger and eat better...Go TEAM!!!

2. Document our time together
This year I realized life is short and you need to capture every moment together before it slips away. So I've been CRAZY about photos! I found two photographers that I ABSOLUTELY love -

Luella B Photography

and

Mebraldy Photography

Thanks ladies for being my personal paparazzi.

3. Make our house a homeWhen I was first married I loved putting kitchy things together to decorate our home. Once we had kids that all ended, breakables in boxes or high on shelves, bookcases that held books now hold toys. Oh and cost was always an issue, why spend so much on something when formula and diapers are needed. Well as luck would have it I found this blog Thrifty Decor Chick and boom inspiration struck! My Christmas decor this year is much better than the 1980's rejects I had before.

Thanks Sarah! You've inspired me to get a glue gun and a table saw.
So there's my top three goals of 2011. Maybe I have a chance this year...with all this inspiration and support the sky's the limit...who knows what may happen!


I've shared mine now it's your turn!
resolutions
resolutions