Since I first saw this imagery and read these words, my soul was arrested. Yes, yes and more YES! This is all of my heart for this season of life in one picture and two sentences.

‘I am a lioness. I will not cringe for them.’

Do you ever just get sick of shrinking back? Settling in on fear? Submitting to insecurity? Subjecting your faith to paralyzing doubt? Overthinking yourself into a frenzy? Letting worry become a way of life? Have you ever just gotten to the point where you’re like ‘Enough is enough! I’m done!! I’m so sick of this!!’

It feels like there’s always something or someone pulling for your attention, probing at your emotions and pushing you until you reach what feels like ‘the end’ and yet, in some bittersweet phenomenon, you just keep on going. But you’re not going in the direction you want to go, you’re not doing the things you want to do, you’re not living the life God has designed for you, you’re just going- and going nowhere, fast!

It’s so easy to get wrapped up in frivolousness that this world has to offer, the bitter substitute for fruitfulness but what about daring to step out and up? What about living in the potential, fullness and greatness God has placed in your soul? What about being the #BossBabe you dream about? What about that?

A couple of weeks ago I began to lose sight of this and in a moment of frustration I heard a sweet whisper from heaven…

‘You’re thinking small. Look up, think BIG!’

To my sweet friend on the other side of this blog, I want to remind you to look up and think big. Whatever is before you, won’t be there forever. All of heaven is behind you, God is with you- He is for you! You, sweet sister, are a lioness. Do not cringe for them!

One of my favorite passages from the Message paraphrase says it best..

Dear, dear Corinthians, I can’t tell you how much I long for you to enter this wide-open, spacious life. We didn’t fence you in. The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren’t small, but you’re living them in a small way. I’m speaking as plainly as I can and with great affection. Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively! (2 Corinthians 6:11-13)

I hope as you read these words, something within you begins to stir. Something inside begins to flutter and you can’t help but get up, stretch out, put you chin up, shoulders back and face the world with a revealed confidence in Jesus.  Pray and slay, boss babe!!

xx.. Lori

Coming up to my 30^th birthday, I’ve been doing SO much reflecting. Like really- it’s almost unhealthy (LOL) but in all seriousness birthdays for me are like my own personal new year. It’s when I reflect on the last year and plan for the next year. My hopes, desires and ideas all come out like a flood and it’s a wonderful time for me personally.

This year has been a little extra because I’m changing decades! And that’s a pretty big deal. Leaving one and stepping into another I can only think to myself- My 20’s have been amazing!! What could possibly beat them? I got saved and married, began working in ministry, I bought my first house (and car), I became a mother for the 1^st and 2^nd time, I became an ordained Pastor, changed career paths (twice) and then graduated with tons of other mini victories in between. Literally so much- how could any decade compare to the last??

I literally want to know, how? How could my thirties possibly be better than my twenties? I’m not sure but I can say this- I believe that in my 30’s I will experience some aspects of my same life in a different way and from a different place. I believe that I will walk into and through my thirties from a place of full and total freedom.

Let me elaborate… The one thing I can say is through my 20’s is that although many great and wonderful things happened to me on the outside, we all have a battle and I am not except of that. My husband and I struggled early on in our marriage with employment and housing but truthfully, most of my battles weren’t external, they were internal. And for me, while things have always appeared well on the outside, I have had a waging war on the inside for quite some time now.

I cannot even begin to tell you the struggle I’ve dealt with. The anxiety, stress, fears, bouts of depression and straight up mental torment! If it wasn’t one thing, it was another but I can honestly say I have come through by the grace of God stronger on the other side. But this year, I believe will be different. This year I’m believing for grace not just to get through but to overcome.

This year, as I’m really coming into my own, I’ve realized that these attacks have been less about me and the frivolous things that flare them up, and more about the place it takes me and the way it debilitates me. The place of isolation, weariness and withdraw that keeps me from being the woman God created me to be and pursuing the destiny that he has mapped out for me. The place of frustration and fear where the enemy whispers ‘I told you so’. The place of feelings of failure that convince me quitting would be no worse than sucking this bad. The place where if I could just hide, forever, I would.

But over the course of time, I’m coming to the divine realization and internal revelation that it was never about ‘those things’. It was never about the broken relationship; it was about instilling a deep rooted fear of rejection and validating that through offenses. It wasn’t about me actually being ‘ugly’; it was about the way I would withdraw from people in order to hide that insecurity. It was never about having poor reading comprehension or being ‘stupid’, it was about silencing the voice God had put within me.  It was never about the things that caused so much guilt and shame but rather the way my shame separated me from God the Father. It was never about ‘not being good enough’ for my then boyfriend (now husband) it was about creating a divide that would attempt to stop heaven’s plan for our life together.

My 20’s has taught me that it’s not about those things, it’s about stealing the thing that Christ died for- my freedom. My 20’s have showed me that I don’t want to be free, I need to be free! It’s a matter of life and eternity, destiny and calling, influence and expression. I need to be free because if I’m not, who will be who I’m called to be? Who will do the things I am gifted to do? Who will walk in the anointing assigned to me? The answer is no one. And the last thing I want to do is leave a void on earth that heaven wanted to fill through me. I will not allow my frivolous feelings and fears do that, not to me, not to humanity because yes, I do believe I have something to offer humanity.

I have learned that God’s word is truth and all else is merely opinion. I refuse to live my life based on opinions of man over the truth of God. I have for a while, but I won’t anymore.

And can I tell you something? You don’t have to either! I’m not special, I’m not the only one chosen or the only one that God has a plan for, YOU DO TOO! And if you would realize this sobering truth, I believe you too can influence Earth for Heaven’s sake.

Over the next week or so, I will be sharing little bits and pieces of my story and what I’ve learned along the way. I encourage you to join the journey and share your own thoughts and reflections! I would love to hear from you.

xx… Lori

I’m obsessed with Pinterest. I love looking for ideas—ideas for my home, my yard, my wardrobe, my writing. You name it and I’ll find inspiration for it on Pinterest. Recently I was trying to get a certain look for my hair- I wanted a wave- a loose, effortless wave. I started looking on Pinterest for ideas. What’s the best tool? I’ve been using a flat iron to curl my hair but is a curling iron better? Maybe even a wand? All questions I really needed to know the answers to!

I started searching. Little by little, I found tools, tips and products, pictures and tutorials; basically everything I needed! Then it happened, I came across one specific post titled something like ‘Effortless Wave’. JACKPOT!! This is exactly what I needed, an effortless wave. I’m a busy woman, I have a lot going on and I don’t have a lot of time to spend on my hair so I need this! I NEEDED EFFORTLESS.

I clicked on the link and began to read through the steps.

1. Wash your hair
2. Blow dry your hair
3. Add root volumizer
4. Use a wand
5. Separate your hair into sections
6. Curl the mid-section (not the top, not the bottom, just the middle)
7. Clip, pin and lift the curl.
8. Spray the curl
9. Shake the curl

Blah, blah, blah! This isn’t a beauty post so I’ll spare you the details, but the point is once I started reading one thing was evident; the effortless curl is anything BUT effortless. This bummed me out a little. I was really looking forward to finding the key, getting that flawless Kardashian curl without the stylist, extensions or team of people working to make me look great.

I really wanted that effortless curl but what I got was far more valuable.

When I got to the bottom of that post, reading less and less as I went on, skimming more and more out of pure frustration, I found this; I found that things aren’t always what they seem and if you want to see the prize, you have to commit to the process.

When I’m searching Pinterest or Instagram for ideas or inspiration, it’s really easy to see someone’s highlights and want it for myself. Why can’t I have the effortless beach wave? Why can’t I have that slim waist and flat stomach? Why can’t I have the nice car, clean house and perfect family? Why not?!

Why? Because things are always what they seem. What you see online or on social media isn’t the whole truth, in fact it might be everything BUT the truth. That’s hard to swallow because most of us post on social media sites all the time and the assumption is not that we are liars, but think about it- that picture with your kids? How many tries did it really take? How many bribes (or threats) took place? The picture on the beach on vacation? How annoyed where you all morning? The perfect selfie? How many times did it take to get ‘the one’? It’s not that we’re all liars, it’s just that not everything is always what it seems. There’s always more to the story. There’s always more to what you see. It’s not as simple as snap and share- life is complicated! Life is messy! It’s much harder then it appears and while we love to believe things fall into place by osmosis, and everyone else has it so much easier than us, it doesn’t and they don’t. Life is just as difficult and messy for those around you as it is for you. This should be encouraging! You’re not alone in you’re struggle, you’re not alone in your dysfunction, you might feel alone- but you’re not.

This leads me to my second realization- if you want to see the prize, you must commit to the process. Quite honestly, as much as I love the effortless wave, I don’t love it that much! I’m just really not willing to invest all that time and effort into something that I believed to be ‘effortless’. Does it mean that I can’t ever? No, absolutely not! But it does mean that until I am willing to commit to the process, I’ll never see the prize at the end.

Now this example may seem trivial to you, but the concept can go to anything. When we want to reach the prize, achieve the goal, grasp the promise- we must first commit to the process. There’s simply no other way. There aren’t any short cuts in life, as a believer I hold onto hope and grace, but I surely know that prayer is not a substitute for hard work nor is hard work a substitute for prayer. When I combine the two, that’s when I find the most success, that’s when I find myself living a fruitful, meaningful life.

For a long time (and even on a bad day I’ll find myself reverting to this) I would look around and see what everyone around me was doing, achieving, receiving etc. I would wonder why it was so much easier for them or why they are more fortunate then I was. It wasn’t until I experienced some personal growth and maturity that I realized, things aren’t always what they seem and there are no easy fixes in life. Life is hard, for all of us! And when we get a grip of that, we can focus on our fight and not the one to the right or the left. When I was much more insecure and self- conscious of my body and appearance, I would look at a beautiful woman and think ‘I wish I could look like that! Why can’t I have her body? Why can’t I have her hair?’ I was constantly measuring up to other woman and comparing what I didn’t have to what they did have, in time I’ve been able to look at those women not as a threat or a sign of my weakness but a symbol of strength and encouragement that if they can do it, so can I.

Society is always telling us that we aren’t good enough but what if I told you- you are! You absolutely are!! Every thought of effortless, let it go- there is no such thing! Every thought of- I can’t, let it go! You can! Every feeling of ‘I can’t compete’ let it go!! You don’t have to!!

We are all running a race, chasing a prize- your journey might look different then mine, but we all have one nonetheless. Take courage! Be brave! Be bold! And most importantly, be confident. You are doing far better then you think you are.

Stay encouraged, you’re doing better then you think you are!

xx.. LB

My routine is far from perfect but here are the top ten things that help me to be successful and keep my sanity!!

1. WAKE UP EARLY –> There is nothing worse than rushing around & starting your day in a panic. Wake up on time & prepare to slay. If you’re a Momma like me, something that helps make my mornings a bit smoother is waking up well before the babes do. This means I’m able to shower, dress & get some coffee in my system before they’re even up! I know this means for an EARLY morning, but it also means a stress- LESS morning.

2. PRAY–> While hard work is required for success, so is grace. Never underestimate the importance of divine connection. PRAY & slay, it’s the only way to live a truly satisfying, successful AND FRUITFUL life! Prayer has made the difference in my life more times than I can count- pray about everything, worry about nothing.

3. PLAN –>After prayer comes planning. If you want to be successful, plan for it. Make room for it. Success doesn’t just fall into place. For me, this includes a planner. I write everything down. It helps me remain accountable while being realistic about my time and availability. Don’t be someone to over commit and under deliver. Be a person who DOES what they said they would do.

4. COFFEE, COFFEE AND MORE COFFEE!!–> Start your morning with a good cup of coffee at HOME! Save time, money and you’ll be certain to have the perfect cup, the first time! If you’re brave enough, ease off the sugars to prevent a crash later in the day. Invest in some cute travel mugs, this will inspire you to bring your coffee rather than always buying it.

5. GET DRESSED –> Whatever your agenda involves, dress the part & do it well. How you look effects how you feel. If you’re hitting the gym, don’t be afraid to invest in some cute workout clothes, if you’re heading to work; dress well! Be neat, clean and put together- the ‘I woke up like this’ is cute on Snapchat, not in real life, not in a place of business.

6. BELIEVE –>Believe it’s a good day, believe the best about others, believe in yourself & most importantly; believe God has a plan for you. Whether you’re an at home Mom (which let’s be honest- is a LOT of work!) or you’re working in an office, whether you’re full time ministry, or unemployed- God has a plan. If you believe that, you’ll carry on throughout the days with much more purpose.

7. ACCOMPLISH YOUR #SQUADGOALS –> Everyone wants to be surrounded by people who love, support & encourage them. Find those people. If you’re having a hard time, no worries, begin to BE that person to those around you. Set the tone & watch your relational rhythms change. One of the enemies of destiny is a distracting relationship- do not fall into that trap. Surround yourself with solid, faith filled, destiny chasing, big thinking people.

8. DON’T HATE, APPRECIATE –> This goes for every aspect of life. Stop hating your job, life & spouse, the mess your kids made, your co- worker, your car, the person you think is doing just a bit better then you, etc. Appreciate what you have. Love those around you. A grateful heart is a healthy heart. When you see success, don’t shrink back with insecurities, reach out! What’s working for the successful people around you? Remember; insecurities say ‘I can’t compete with her’ but confidence says ‘I don’t have to!’ Collaboration NOT competition is the key. Never be afraid to learn from someone else. Learning from others and asking for help has definitely made a difference in my life!

9. APPROACH OPPORTUNITY WITH OPTIMISM –> When opportunity presents its self, don’t focus on every reason it won’t work, focus on why it can! Don’t let hard work intimidate you- face it and dominate. Too many times we shy away from things because it’s ‘too hard’ or ‘too much work’, friends, let me tell you- NOTHING worth having comes easily.

10. WORK WILLINGLY –> If you’re a Christian then you know Colossians 3:23 tells us to  ^‘Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people’. Your place is your platform. Your service is the stage in which God can present himself to others, USE IT. Don’t want for the pulpit, many of us will never make it there. Embrace THIS place and work willingly as though you are always working for the Lord, because you are!

These are some of the things that work for me, what about you? What does your routine look like? What’s helping you reach your daily #goals? Or what are you struggling with? I would love to hear from you! Leave a comment or shoot me a message 🙂

xx… Lori

If you’ve been in church for any period of time it’s likely that you’ve heard of Eve. Eve was the first woman created in the Garden of Eden; I imagine her to be beautiful, bold and brilliant, full of wisdom and zeal, passionate and poised, not to mention absolutely gorgeous.  Essentially, she was the prototype for women and because of this; I can only imagine that God took His time with her, He showed off with her.

Sadly, when we think of Eve, we don’t always think of her in this way. Often times when we consider Eve, we consider her to be the reason behind the fall of mankind and the introduction of sin into humanity. We say things like ‘If she had only listened’, ‘How could she be so foolish’ or even worse, ‘It’s all your fault Eve!’

Eve isn’t always remembered for her purpose, but rather, for her shortcomings. We judge Eve based on one decision and nothing more. What I wonder is; why are we so hard on Eve?

Eve’s greatest mistake was being so fixated on what she couldn’t have that she completely missed out on everything that was right around her, at her disposal and for her pleasure. She traded God’s purpose for her own plans.

I feel for Eve, I can relate to her.

At times, I too find myself at a place where I have the choice of looking at all God has given me, all He has promised me and all He has assured me of or to look at the one thing I don’t have, the one thing that isn’t working or the one relationship that is broken. In doing so, I, like Eve, sacrifice what is for what I believe could be. On more than one occasion, I have traded all that God has given me for the one thing that I view as ‘missing’.

Eve just wanted to know! She wanted to know what she was ‘missing out on’, she wanted to know what that glorious fruit would unveil, and she wanted to know if there was anything worth having waiting for her on the other side of her Father’s no.

I’m not mad at Eve. In fact, the more I look at her, the more I realize, I am Eve. I do settle for less, I do long for the little I’m missing, I’ve often traded God’s promises for my own plans and sometimes, I JUST WANT TO KNOW. What’s on the other side of this no? What’s on the other side of this situation? What is waiting just outside of my grip? If I could talk to Eve, I would tell her that I’m not mad at her, in fact, I can totally relate.

It’s easy to point out in Eve what we’re unwilling to forgive in ourselves. We all make mistakes, we all lose focus at one time or another, we all forfeited what we want most for what feels good now but it’s ok, we will learn and we will grow. I’m not mad at you Eve, and I’m not mad at myself either. Thanks to Jesus, I get a second chance. And even a third, fourth, fifth, sixth and so on… I do not have to be subject to my mistakes forever. Everyday I’m given an opportunity to love loud and live fearlessly without condemnation. Eve is not a merely a product of her mistake and neither are you.

Whatever regret you’re holding onto, whatever failure you’re fixated on, whatever plan you’re willing to place over God’s purpose, let it go. Let go and move forward, your destiny awaits you and the Lord delights in you. What more can we ask for?

Be encouraged gorgeous lady. God loves you, He’s not mad at you! You are more than your mistakes.

Xo… Lori

I shared this on my blog in January of 2014 and when it popped up on my Timehop today, I felt like the message still resonates within me. If you’re like me and you struggle with starting and stopping before reaching the ‘finish line’, this is a blog for you! Enjoy 🙂

xx… Lori

Have you ever set a goal? Began a pursuit for something more? Searched for a life of meaning? Something deeper? Something greater? Something better?

If you’re like me, the answer is yes. Absolutely. Over and over again I’ve begun a relentless pursuit for something, and over and over I’ve found myself stuck and stagnant. I start off with the best of intentions and yet over and over again, it all falls apart. Sometimes in days, sometimes in weeks, sometimes even months but my plans inevitably come crashing down to a fast finish.

Why does this happen? What is the big looming issue? Why can’t I just finish what I started? Why can’t I just stick to the plan? Why can’t I see it to completion? What is standing in my way? Is it the devil? Is it God wanting to “save me for something better”? Is it my family? My friends? My responsibilities? What is it??

I’ve thought about this over and over again. I’ve talked about it, I’ve prayed about it, I’ve read about what could be the problem, I’ve sought out a solution, I’ve asked for advice and encouragement and still, nothing. Nothing seems to help, nothing until now at least.

Recently I’ve felt so strong in my heart that the problem is me. I am the only thing standing between me and my destiny. It’s not my situation or circumstance, it’s not my availability, it’s not my support system or lack thereof, it’s not the devil, it’s not a test or trial, it’s simply me.

I forgot to say no.

I’ve come to the conclusion that a lack of self-control is the leading issue in my failure, or better yet lack of success. I don’t believe I’m technically a failure, I mean I live a pretty decent life, I’m doing well by most standards but deep down inside I know there is so much more and I stand in my own way daily.

I forgot to say no,

• No, I won’t do that
• No, I won’t go there
• No, I won’t watch that
• No, I won’t eat that
• No, I won’t say that
• No, I won’t listen to that
• No, I won’t snooze one more time
• No, I won’t take a nap
• No, I won’t skip this
• No, I won’t answer that call
• No, I won’t reply to that text
• No, I don’t have time
• No, I won’t post that
• No, I won’t respond to that
• No, I won’t buy that
• No, I won’t spend that
• No, I don’t need that

No, I can’t and I won’t.

In a desperate attempt to make everyone happy (including and primarily myself), I forgot to say no. I forgot what that even means. I forgot what boundaries were. I forgot that it is healthy and appropriate to place limitations on my lifestyle. I forgot that just because I can, doesn’t mean that I should.

I can blame everyone and everything around me for why I fail daily to complete even the most miniscule of tasks, or I can realize that it is MY responsibility to have self- control and discipline. That is not anyone else’s responsibility. There is a reason it’s called self– control and self– discipline.

A life without limits will be a life without legacy.

Do you want to see a change in your life? The way you eat? The way you work? The way you spend? The way you live? Get out of your own way. Let God be God. Do what you need to do, not what you want to do. Develop healthy habits, biblical boundaries and learn the art of saying NO once again.

Having two toddlers, I can tell you one of the most challenging points in parenting is trying to deal with an overtired child who will not go to sleep.

A tired child cries over EVERYTHING, is bothered by ANYTHING and blows ALL THINGS out of proportion. There’s no logic or reasoning with a tired child, there is no resolve for a tired child and there is no peace for the poor soul who’s dealing with that tired child.

There have been times when dealing with a really out of control, tired toddler that I literally want to scream ‘Just go to sleep!!! Why are you fighting it?? Just lay your head down, close your eyes and take a nap!’

The struggle of an overtired child is SO real (along with SO frustrating and SO exhausting) and if you’re like me, it’s the last thing you want to deal with.

You might find this imagery comical but how many of you know that sometimes it’s much easier to point out (and even laugh at) the dysfunction in a tired toddler then it is to see the dysfunction in ourselves.

Over the past several weeks I’ve come to the sobering realization that I am that tired toddler. I am that kid who needs a nap! I am that child who’s crying over everything, bothered by anything and blowing it all out of proportion because my tired mind can’t process any issue effectively.

I am that tired toddler and here are some of the warning signs I’ve learned to identify.

Working for longer and longer periods of time without a break (or ‘nap time’) in between. This was my first warning sign. When the breaks in your days turn into breaks in your weeks and then into months, you have a problem. We can’t live for vacation. Vacation is great, but there should be regularly scheduled breaks along the way. If you find yourself living for the next vacation, it’s a good indication that you are falling out of a rhythmic routine that balances work and rest.

I’m very goal oriented but that can also manifest itself in the form of being a workaholic. There are times where I’m just going, going and going, without any signs of stopping and that’s just not good! Rest is good, rest is NECESSARY, rest is not for the weary or weak, rest is for the wise. When we rest before the work is done, that’s called laziness but resting AFTER you’ve put in work, that’s called wisdom. As productive adults, we must be aware of the difference.

Being bothered by essentially anything and everything. Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you’re absolutely irritated by anything and everything that is said, done or implied? Or better yet, you’re irritated by anything and everything that is NOT said, done or implied? Yeah, this is a sign of being overtired. You can’t think or reason well (or at all for that matter) so you just take things much further then they belong going, all the time! I’m not talking about the occasional, stress induced freak out. I’m talking about the days that are filled with more irritation than anything else. That is a problem.

Being resentful towards the things I once loved. My daughters love certain things. Savannah loves lip gloss and tutu’s, Rylee loves the drums and her blanket, they both love Mommy and Daddy, but when they are tired… FORGET IT… They despise the things they normally love. ‘Ry you want your blankie?’.. WAHHHHHHHHHH! (INSERT CRYING BABY HERE!) You might as well have offered her a thorn bush.

When you’re tired; you hate the things you love, you resent the things you once enjoyed and you find frustration in the thing you once felt passionate about. Being tired totally skews your perspective so badly, that it’s almost impossible to see how far off you really are. You think that everything and everyone around you is out to get you, but the reality is, it’s just you! Don’t assume everyone is out to destroy you when you’re simply witnessing the effects of your self-destructive behavior.

Being overtired is an equal opportunity offender. Did I mention EVERYTHING bothers you? When I’m tired, it’s never isolated to one or two areas of my life. It will manifest in my marriage, my parenting, my friendship, my job and dare I say it, even in my ministry! Being tired leaves you open for offense anywhere and everywhere you go. You’re constantly thinking people are against you, the world is conspiring to destroy you, your friends hate you, your family doesn’t support you.. Blah, blah, blah. While many of these things could be true, it’s unlikely they are in this scenario. It’s all in your tired mind. You’ve past the point of functioning and you’ve entered into the land of delusions where nothing makes sense but it all seems real and valid to you.

So now what? What do you do when you realize you are that overtired child? How do you fix it? What makes it better? Well, the answer is simple. Take a nap.

No, seriously! Take a nap, have a break, rest, relax, recharge!!

For me personally, it’s usually a trifold ‘break’ that I require to get back on track.

1.) My soul needs a break, possibly even a detox and definitely some TLC. Whatever’s happening on the outside is a manifestation of what’s going on on the inside. If you’re feeling tired in your body, your soul is probably exhausted. Stop. Take a break. Read a book or a devotional, listen to a preaching or maybe just play some worship music but whatever you do, make sure it’s something that will feed your soul and not drain it. This isn’t a time where you stop and binge on Netflix, this is a time to feed your soul with something sustainable.

2.) I need a mental purge. Clear your mind & l let it go. Whatever it is, it has to go. Carrying excess mental baggage is enough to weigh anyone down. Take a few minutes to empty your brain of all the extra nonsense you’ve been carrying.

 

• The way they looked at you.

• The dishes that weren’t done.

• The laundry that isn’t folded.

• The report that wasn’t finished.

• The apology you never received.

• The friendship that ended.

The list could go on and on, but you get my point. Let it go. Just do it. Carrying it around doesn’t change anything, it just drains you of all the mental and emotional strength you need to function as a decent human!

3.) My body needs a break. If you’re like me, my ‘resting place’ is not a familiar place, it’s not a peaceful place and it’s not a comfortable place. Why? Because I rarely go there. This past weekend it took me nearly 45 minutes to take a nap. I just couldn’t do it. My mind was thinking of all the things I could be doing, my body was feeling weird, I wanted to get up and GO! But I knew I couldn’t. On my journey to total balance and well-being, I knew I needed to stay in this restful place, even if it felt uncomfortable in the moment. Your body needs rest, it craves rest and it should get to a place where it welcomes rest.

Being tired is exhausting (DUH) but dealing with tired, is even worse. Your spouse, your friends, your family, they need you to be well rested because whether or not they are willing to tell you, they are exhausted by dealing with you in this state. I’m thankful that my husband will tell me when things are getting out of hand, kindly and lovingly he’ll point me in the right direction and help me get back on track. I love this! But I’ve also realized, now matter what he say, if I don’t actually do something about doing nothing, I won’t see change.

Are you tired? Drained? Desperate for a break and becoming difficult to deal with? Well, you know what to do. Stop, rest, relax.

You know what the best part of my nap was this weekend was? Waking up and realizing the world didn’t end in the process of me napping. Life goes on, but it goes on better when you’re rested enough to enjoy it!

I hope you take some time this week to nap, rest, relax and enjoy life just a little more.

xx.. Lori

A few weeks ago I made a hair appointment. I haven’t colored my hair since May & I haven’t cut it since June!! Needless to say, it was time.

I scheduled my appointment, I started searching Pinterest for inspiration and I was totally ready and excited for a fresh look. I wasn’t unhappy with my hair, but it was time, you know?.. 

So the week or so leading up to my appointment the strangest things started happening. I had the BEST hair days, my color looked amazing, I was loving my length and I started to wonder ‘Do I really want to do this?’

I mean of course I did! And it was definitely time but for whatever reason, I felt like ‘maybe it’s not time’ or ‘maybe it’s not what I really want’. 

I almost considered cancelling my appointment until I was able to identifying the common denominator. Anytime I’m on the the brink of change (no matter how big or small) my mind goes wild. I over think, I over analyze and I almost always try to talk myself out of whatever I was doing. This could be for anything on a scale from hair colors to career changes. The pattern was enough to make me ask myself; Why is this always the case when I face an opportunity for change?.. 

My example might seem shallow but think about it; how often do you approach the threshold of change only to look back and think; 

‘Is this really necessary?’

‘Do I really want to do this?’

‘Maybe it wasn’t so bad to begin with.’

‘I know I haven’t grown in this position, but they are really flexible with my schedule!’ 

‘This relationship isn’t going anywhere, but do I really want to start over?’ 

‘I wanted to start working out this week, but do I really need to? I kind of like how I look a little thicker.’ 

‘I’ve always wanted a big family, but maybe it’s just not realistic for me.’

‘I would love to go back to school, but am I really the book smart type?..’ 

There’s something about being on the brink of change that makes you look back and focus on the past rather then looking forward to the possibilities.

It’s not until you give your two week notice that you remember all the good memories you’ve made at your job. 

It’s not until you’re ready to walk out of that relationship that you remember that one special night. 

It’s not until you’re ready to buy a home that you appreciate the convenience of renting. 

It’s not until you’re ready to move across the country that you realize you have more friends then you thought. 

There’s something about the fear of the unknown that makes you look back frantically for something familiar to hold on to. 

I’ve done this so many times in my life. Sometimes the fear merely intimidated me, but other times it immobilized me and kept me stuck in a places I had no business being. I’ve found that when I am most afraid of letting go, my fear isn’t based on what I’m leaving, but that where I’m going won’t be better. 

It’s scary to look into the unknown with uncertainty but we have to become uncomfortable with looking back to the once was when we have the opportunity to look forward to the what could be. 

I can’t be the only one who faces change with fear. I can’t be the only one who looks forward with excitement but inevitable shrinks back from intimidation. But I also know that I can’t be the only one desperate to break free of the chains of my past and more forward into the possibilities of my future. 

It’s one thing to talk about it, it’s another thing to plan for it, it’s quite a different thing to actually do it! I’ve come to the point where if it scares me, I’m going to face it. If it intimidates me, I’m going to do it. It might start off small, but I refuse to live in the false security that mediocrity provides. If I can commit to doing even one thing everyday that makes me even a little nervous, I know I can find growth. 

What can you face today? Maybe it’s as simple as cleaning our your closet, but maybe it’s as difficult as ending a long time relationship. Maybe it’s cleaning out your cell phone contacts or maybe it’s finally commuting to that job, that relationship or that move you’ve been procrastinating. Whatever it looks like for you, commit to being brave today. 

Push past the petty & step into purpose. Change doesn’t just happen, sometimes you need to chase it down. 

Make the appointment.

Plan the dinner. 

Set up ‘the talk’. 

Seek the help. 

Cancel the subscription. 

Skip the gossip. 

Make yourself accountable. 

Do what you need to do to get where you’re trying to go. One small change can be the catalyst to living the life you’ve always dreamt of. 

What change will you chase down today? 

Xo.. Lori