Cherish Every Moment

I've heard that Christmas doesn't end until January 6, hence the song 'The Twelve Days of Christmas." This year, I didn't allow Christmas to end on December 26th.  I continued enjoying the season up until now.  I've lit my tree every single night, and tonight I watched "The Heart of Christmas." Yes, I know today is the 8th, but it's never too late to watch an inspiring movie.  If you haven't seen that movie, it's a must see.

This movie was based on a true story about the Locke family.  Their son, Dax was diagnosed with Leukemia at the age of two.  This movie takes them through their journey and how they got so much loving support not only from St. Jude hospital, but also from their neighbors.  It helped this family cherish every moment they had with Dax.  

This movie really got me thinking about how I have lived my life up until this new year.  In all honesty, I hadn't cherished every moment that God has blessed me with.  For the longest time, I complained about everything, I was never happy, and it turned me into a person that I never want to see again.

As most of you know, I started my new year's resolutions and surprisingly have stuck to them.  I've been working out 3 days a week, reading my Bible each night, and spending more time with my wonderful husband.  I don't plan on giving up on these things either...because it keeps me positive each day, and it allows me to cherish every moment (even if my cat puked three times in the last two days and stained my comforter).  While cleaning it up, I smiled.  Weird, I know...but I'm just happy to be alive another day.

Then I sit down and watch this movie tonight.  Of course it's a tear-jeaker and my hormones have been wacko so this woman cried her eyes out.  By the end of the movie, I realized it's time to cherish every moment, no matter if they are filled with bad moments.  It took me back to a memory of my husband and I while we were dating.  It was during one of our rough patches and we were on the verge of breaking it off.  I was coming home late one night after Zumba and pulled in the driveway to see Matt's car there.  He gets out with flowers in his hand and you want to know what I did?  I got mad at him and told him to leave.  I cry now every time I think about that because all he was trying to show me was how much he loved and cherished me, even when we were at our lowest point.  No matter how mad I may get, I will pull my husband in close and tell him how much I love him and cherish him.

The point I'm trying to make in this post is... just cherish every moment you have.  Whether it's with your friends, your family, your pets, your children, or even by yourself.  

You are here on this earth for a reason.

Cherish it.   

Change someone's life by just showing them you care.

God Bless.

New Year...Better You?

How many of you out there make New Year's resolutions...to better yourself in some way?

How many of you actually follow through with them?

Not me!

2013 is going to be different, at least for me.

After Christmas service, my mom grabbed a CD and a calendar off the table in the lobby of the church.  She handed them both to me.  

Oh great, something I probably won't listen to.

I thanked her anyway and told her I would listen to it.

She suggested I listen to it on our long drive back to Texas.  After we pulled out of the driveway, Matt and I looked at each other.  We agreed to listen to the CD.

Matt popped the CD into the CD player and this guy with an Australian accent blasted through the speakers.

Are you kidding me?  I thought this was just a Christmas CD with the traditional Christmas music.  There is no way I can listen to someone speak as I drive...I will fall asleep.

We let it play for about 2 minutes before we ejected the CD and put in one of my Christmas music CDs.

The next morning, I woke up to a text from my mom saying something along these lines...

"Morning!!  I highly recommend digging that CD out I got you from church and listening to it as you drive...great message!  Has no denominational take.  It can't hurt.  It may help greatly.  Love you!  Safe travels!"

Of course I snarled but had a little tug on my heart.

As we started down the highway, I asked Matt to stick the CD back in.  He snarled too.  I read the cover of the CD.  

Be The Best Version of Yourself

Matthew Kelly

I was completely blown away with the message he gave on this CD.  As he spoke, I felt like he was speaking to me.  He talked about how God's want for us here on earth is to continue to better ourselves and become the best version of ourselves.  

I was not a very good version on myself this year (2012).  I wasn't exactly the most patient wife, I was always complaining, I didn't take care of myself like I should have....

He described four core areas that we should all work on throughout the next year.  The areas include:

Physical
Emotional
Intellectual
Spiritual

He then went into giving examples on how to better ourselves in each of this core areas.

Physical: How many of us are always low in energy?  I know I am.  I always seem to get about an hour, maybe two of full energy before I crash.  He said we should make it a goal this year to exercise at least ONCE a week, every week for the entire year.  Pick a day you will work out and stick to it.

Manageable, right?

Matt got me a yoga kit for my birthday that I plan on using as a part of my physical improvement.  The more energy we have, the happier we are.  When we exercise, we feel better about ourselves...and our bodies also release endorphins that will give us more energy.

Emotional: When a relationship with someone is great, we are happier, right?  In order to keep that happiness in our lives, we need to make an effort to spend more quality time with our significant other.  Matthew Kelly said for the next year, pick one day a month, every month, for the entire year to do something with your significant other or someone you love.  It doesn't have to be a big luxurious vacation, but something different each time. Sit down at the beginning of the month, pick a day and place.  Plan for it and follow through.  It'll make a difference in your relationship which will increase your happiness.

Intellectual: For 10 minutes a day, every day for an entire year, read a "good" book.  A "good" book is a book that will help improve yourself.  It could be a self help book, Bible, etc... something that you will take something positive from it and apply it to your every day life.  When we feel better about ourselves, we are much happier.

See a theme going on?  Happiness :)

Spiritual: Matthew Kelly was specifically talking about Catholicism.  I grew up Catholic but have not been a practicing Catholic for the last few years.  Why?  Because the Mass was too boring, too traditional, always the same thing every Sunday, etc.  Many Catholics say that, right?  Even though I'm not involved in a church as of right now, I figured this next task could still be done.

Get a journal.  Take it to church with you every Sunday (or take it with you where ever you go).  On the front, write, "Things I've learned to be a better version on myself."  Every Sunday, write down ONE thing you heard that could help you become a better version of yourself.  Not only will you find ways to improve yourself, you'll aso find church more enjoyable.

Even if you don't go to church (like me), this is a great chance to take every day life experiences and turn ONE event that happens each day or each week into something that could help you become a better version of yourself.

I'm looking forward to finally sticking to my New Year's resolution this year.  I want to be a better person, a better friend, a better sister, a better daughter, and a better wife.  I feel that focusing on these four core areas frequently throughout the year will help me become a better version of myself.

Anyone else willing to try?

Whatever your resolution may be, I hope you find happiness and become a better version of yourself this year!

God Bless!!