How will "BELIEVE" Shape Your New Year?

Happy Holidays, Friends!

What a month it's been! After wrapping up the Christmas holiday at home, I found that our "low key / low stress", spend less / do more, time together Christmas was just what the doctor ordered!

While part of me still laments that our tree wasn't bursting at the seams with presents wrapped with care (or hurriedly slapped on paper on Christmas Eve after everyone went to bed), I don't miss the stress, the money struggle, the crowds, or the mess on Christmas Morning.

I can remember many holidays where gifts were played with for 1 or 2 days, items left unused for months (even til the next year) or added to a pile or similar items, with no special memory tied to it, no reason to sit back and say, "remember the year I got THIS". We were slipping into the gift for the sake of gifts habit, and the giving was losing it's meaning.  Sure, sure, some of that comes when your children get older and you just don't know where their spark of interest lies on any given day, or they are of the age where they just buy for themselves the things they truly want.  Our goal has been to make an impact - an experience or items that they will look at/use and think of us.

This year, well, we didn't plan our workshop time very well and our gifts weren't ready on Christmas morning. Note to self - making gifts (cutting, sanding, painting or staining, assembling, etc) takes time and care. No rushing next year!!

But truly the items and the stories that accompany them are really what I hoped to accomplish!  "Remember that time I made THIS and ... "  It may seem like it happened to the Griswolds, but it's the memory and the story that make it special! 

I BELIEVE that this is the feeling I want for the holidays - I want more time with my family (this year, 7 of 8 of my siblings were together on Christmas as my place!), more silly games (I got spanked in Mario Cart AND Monopoly), yummy food (baking breakfast casseroles and sharing the recipes), and watching our favorite movies together.

As we approach the new year, the final year of the decade (remember you count 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10, so 2020 is the final year, not 2019), I find myself making lists, building plans, setting my calendar... all while considering if these tasks bring me closer to the life I choose.  Will it bring me closer to my goals and dreams? Will it add value to my life? Will it make me feel good about myself, my family, and be good for my health - physical, emotional, and mental?

If the answer is no - to any of those - I need to move away from that activity. Life is too short to start working backwards.

So, next up on the to do list - my 2020 Blogger Challenge. I'll be writing up a 2019 One Word Challenge finale to discuss an reflect on all that we've been through this year. There have been challenges and changes, victories and set backs. I'm excited for the review and a chance to look back on where we started on this journey! 

But what's next? What focus should I narrow in on? Should I keep it to all things Jen? Or set my sights on a task designed for growth - personal or professional? I'd love to hear your ideas and thoughts in the comments!

BELIEVE me, it's going to be an amazing year - and I can't wait to share it with all of you!

With love and cheer this holiday season~
<3 Jen

December One Word Challenge: Celebrate & Believe!

Hello Friends!

We've wrapped up November, and even though Birthday Month and Thanksgiving are over, my plan to CELEBRATE continues! December is a great time to celebrate the little things and reevaluate WHY we celebrate. 

I hope you'll join me in celebrating (finding gratitude) daily!

Moving on in my One Word Challenge, I've decided that BELIEVE is a great way to finish out the year.

In what ways will I BELIEVE this month?

I'm a little past the point of believing in Santa, but...

• I believe in the generosity of myself and others!
  I love to see Giving Tuesday posts on social media, and am excited to be part of several events and non-profits who have a positive impact on our community. Without a generous spirit, our community wouldn't be such an amazing place!
  Also - I've done some fundraising and plan to ride in an event called SPIN4 to raise money and awareness for the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation. Learn more and donate  HERE.
  
• I believe in spending time with those that we love.
  It doesn't have to involve expensive gifts, or fancy trips. Sometimes it's playing in the wood shop building something together. Sometimes it's coffee or lunch. Other times it's just a long phone call catching up. While opening a thoughtful gift is always fun, it's the person giving the gift that we love!
  
• I believe in myself and my abilities.
  Sure, I have moments of doubt (uh, almost daily), but then I'm reminded that my track record for getting through tough sh!t is about 100%. That's legit. So... F.I.L.D.I.!! (Thanks to my pal Joey for sharing the video linked - it's a great kick in the butt!)
  
• I believe that the work I do is valuable. 
  As I navigate the M3Living & Events life - I'm realizing that we all have gifts that contribute to the work we do. I'm starting to give myself credit for what I bring to the table, and placing a value on those skills. No one can live on "exposure" or good karma. Sometimes you HAVE to strike a deal that involves money. It is what it is. It doesn't make you a bad person, or greedy, or whatever your brain may be saying to you.
  
• I believe that I'm one lucky girl. 
  I've been practicing gratitude and recognition in my daily meditations - and man, the list of things I'm thankful for just goes on for miles. Considering the basics (food, shelter, family, my health) and the myriad of "extras" in my life that I never dreamt were possible. The people I get to work with - in the gym, at events, and through my creative outlets are amazing. And my family, though certifiably crazy, is everything.
  
• I believe that I have to take care of myself before I can take care of others!
  My physical, mental, and emotional health has to be my priority. Things like getting the right nutrition, moving every day, getting my meditation in daily, and taking the time to read and listen to information that helps me learn or be informed all help keep my healthy scales balanced!
  
  If you'd like to discuss how nutrition and functional movements can improve your life DAILY, I'd love to visit with you! Simple solutions for our complex lives, schedules and budgets are where it's at! Reach out to me HERE. 

That's not all I believe, but you get the idea. I believe in the good things in life, that they can't all be wrapped up, and yet they are some of the most profound gifts there are. Belief in myself and all of the amazing moments in this life. Even the challenging days, the budget crunch, and the feeling of being lost ... they all disappear when I remember to BELIEVE.



In what ways do you BELIEVE? Tell me about it in the comments!

Here's to a Holiday Season and a New Year filled with believing in all the most wonderful things!

All my best to you and yours,

<3 Jen