Letting Go

   Hi there! I've been thinking a lot lately about expectations. Expectations are things we hold on to, both good and bad, and often times they tend to result in frustration, disappointment and anger. We expect things to go a certain way or people to behave in a manner we've imagined for them, and when they don't, then we feel let down. But the truth is, if we didn't hold onto expectations so tightly, we could live a lot more freely and lightly. Not only that, but we could give a lot more grace to those around us. 

  The scripture reminds us in James 4:13-15 that despite all the plans we make, we "do not even know what will happen tomorrow." The truth is, we all want to be in control. We want our children and coworkers to behave in the manner we expect will work best for us. We want our days to go according to our set pattern. But often, that's not the case. If there's anything this last several years should have taught us, it's that we are not in control. And in fact, while that may sound disheartening, we can take heart if we know the One who is in control. 

  We can plan for our days, and I believe we should. But we must teach ourselves not to be so attached to our plans and ideas. When we're willing to change, to bend, and to go where the moment takes us, we just might find a better more beautiful plan than the one we could have imagined. I'm not saying we shouldn't expect the best, but we need let go of things that don't meet our expectations and realize everyone is on their own journey, and their timeline may not line up with ours. When the disruptions happen, we need to learn to take a deep breath and go with the flow. Don't let a change of direction throw you off course. 

  One of my favorite things my yoga instructors say is, "Let go of all that no longer serves you." It's a reminder not to hold onto things which aren't working for us, and that includes our expectations. Today, be willing to live more flexibly and more gracefully. It makes the journey more enjoyable. Enjoy the bends in the path and look forward with joy to what lies ahead. I can't wait to see you succeed!

~K.L.W.  

Spring Cleaning

   Hello Friends, spring is finally in the air. The sun is shining; the birds are chirping, and it seems as if the clutches of winter are loosening. Now, don't get me wrong, I know there is still cold snowy days and a few rainy months ahead, but this break from the frigid temperatures and darkness of the past few months always gives me a boost of energy. And I was reminded recently that it's time to start spring cleaning. I know, often times the thought of cleaning can be a bit arduous, and if you're like me, you probably have a basement full of stuff you've been piling up for when the weather gets nicer, but there's just something about spring cleaning that puts a little life in my step. 

    Spring cleaning carries with it the promise of fresh newness, like that first breath of outside air when the flowers start to bloom. And with that thought in mind, I want to give you a few spring cleaning tips. Now, spoiler alert, we are almost a quarter of the way through 2022, and if that frightens you to think about, join the club. It seems to have snuck up on us. But this quarterly mark is a great time to hit refresh. And on that note, here are the three best ways I know to refresh from the inside out. 

1.  Detox your schedule

    Take some time to sit down and really analyze how you're spending your time. Are you doing the things you want? Or are you coasting through on auto pilot, turning on the tv after dinner, trying to forget the long day of work, and dreaming of the weekend when you can maybe get caught up? The truth is, most of us have more time in our schedules than we realize, and most of us aren't doing the things we really want to be doing with our time. We say we want to take a walk outside after dinner, but instead we hit the couch. We say we want to get coffee with friends, but we don't seem to make it happen. Doing a time audit and refreshing your calendar can help you see what things you're spending time on that you don't want to be, and what things you can replace those with. Toss the things on your calendar that weigh you down, and make a little room for some fresh habits that will bring you more joy. 

2.  Detox your body

    Most of us set some type of new year's goal to be healthier, but truthfully, for a lot of us, after a few weeks that goes out the window and we return to our same old, poor eating habits. Take the time now to hit refresh on your health. Ask yourself if you are eating, moving, and feeling the way you should, and if not, make a plan to change it. Set a goal to get back to the gym or make that healthier grocery list. Or pick a date and do a full reset. Eat only fruits, veggies and meats for a week and see how you feel. You just might be surprised at all the junk food that snuck it's way back into your life. Seasonal markers are a great time to reevaluate our goals and our calendar, so make the most of this reminder and get back on the healthy train. After all, summer is just around the corner, and you know everyone will be talking beach bodies then. Why not beat them to the punch and get healthy now?

3. Detox your home

    Now that the cold weather has broken, it's a great time to start cleaning out all the winter clutter that seems to build up. Fill up a box of clothes you aren't wearing and donate it. Clean out the garage or the basement. Eliminate all the extra appliances in your kitchen and (Gasp!) get rid of those Christmas gifts you didn't really want and haven't used yet. Don't be offended. You know you have some. If you're looking for a mood boost, find someone who can appreciate the things you aren't using and make their day by giving to them. Or, if you need some extra cash to fund your new calendar or health habits, post those items for sale and see how much you can make from your unused stuff. 

  As spring approaches, now is a great time to refresh our habits, our bodies, and our homes. Do some spring cleaning this week, and see if it doesn't just put you in a better mood. Don't let the seasons just pass you by. Make the most of every opportunity to hit reset. I can't wait to see you succeed!

~K.L.W. 

Where to Start

   Hello Friends. I’ve been thinking about the world lately, about life, about struggle, about the constant overwhelm and fatigue that seems to be plaguing so many of us right now. Life was already hard, and then we added two years of a pandemic, and now a war. It’s difficult not to feel overrun by it all. Maybe you’re looking at your life, at your days, at the world, at all your goals and dreams and wondering where to even start. So much is different now than we all imagined it. But don’t lose hope. 

  If you know anything about me and my journey over the last decade, you probably know that I was a person who was overwhelmed, frustrated, wanting more, but having no idea how to get it. I went to bed every night thinking, “Tomorrow, I’ll figure it out.” I was waiting for that one big cataclysmic moment that would change everything. And day after day it didn’t happen. 

  But something changed all that for me. And that something was learning about the power of small consistent steps compounded over time. I learned from a book called The Slight Edge that change doesn’t happen overnight. Instead, it’s in the little, tiny actions we take each day. This was a great relief to me, because while I had struggled and failed over and over to make some big crazy change and fix everything in my life, I could take one small step, and another, and another. And ya know what? It worked. The person I am today has changed so much for the better and accomplished so many goals and dreams I never imagined would happen. 

  So that brings me to today, to the frustration and overwhelm we’re all facing. Too many of us are looking around at the world and wondering how to fix everything. And the truth is, we can’t. At least not all at once. But I was reminded recently of something we can do. And it goes back to that one simple principle I learned almost ten years ago. Arthur Ashe said it this way, “Start where you are with what you have.” 

  If you're struggling, overwhelmed, and frustrated by trying to solve it all, just start with one step, right where you are, with what you have. You might not have the time energy and money to change everything, but can you change one tiny thing? Because one thing is all you need to do right now, from right where you are, using just what you have. Take the step. I can't wait to see you succeed. 

~K. L. W.

P.S. If you need a little help knowing which step to take, come join me on Patreon!