I'm Moving!!

My friend Robynn and I have decided to team up and have a blog together!  See all of my posts from this point forward by visiting:

http://thesuedesofa.com/

See you on the sofa!

Get Busy, Get Happy

When I quit my job as a teacher and became a stay-at-home mom I thought my life was finally going to be everything I wanted it to be.  I could hang out in my pajamas all day, didn’t have to keep track of time, and be present for every second of my daughter’s childhood.  Sounds like a pretty great life, right?

I don’t know about you but if I have too many days where I’m not being productive or focusing on something that makes me excited I experience, what I call, THE FUNK!  I can go days maybe even weeks where I feel like I’m stuck.  I lack motivation to do anything, I’m not really excited about much, and I tend to focus on all the flaws and negative things going on in my life.  This, of course, results in being a harder wife to live with and a mom that isn’t as peppy.  There is so much truth to “Happy Wife, Happy Life!”

Even though staying busy makes your life a little more hectic, it can keep your mind from dwelling on the bad.  I always tell Doug that I currently work harder than I ever have but I’m also happier than I've ever been.  If I keep my mind busy on things that satisfy me I am less likely to struggle with self-confidence issues, negative thoughts about others and things that bother me.  This of course results in me being a better and happier mom, wife, Christian, etc.

Sound familiar?  If so, pick yourself up by finding the quickest way you can turn around your day.  Whether it is taking a bubble bath or painting your toenails a crazy color, do something to reverse "the funk" and change your way of thinking! If your outfit makes you feel fat, then go put on your skinny jeans!  If your house feels dirty start by burning your favorite candle.  If you can't kick a bad thought go turn on a fun song or something to distract your mind for a while!  You know the drill---and from there it should become contagious!

Oh Happy Day!

Lara

The Pressures of Society

So here’s the truth.  I was initially pretty nervous about doing the Women’s Life Summit video.  It was easy to let my mind wander with thoughts of what everyone was going to think about how I spoke or how I looked.  What if people thought I did a horrible job?  What if someone out there thinks I’ve gained a lot of weight in the last 10 years?  What if I look silly in front of the camera? It is easy to be influenced by the thoughts that can constantly overwhelm our mind and the pressures of society to be perfect.  The thing is, look how many of those thoughts and pressures keep us from doing what we really want to do?

I have never considered myself to be a very good writer.  Writing this blog is a bit out of my comfort zone, but I’m never going to be a good writer unless I work at it and have someone critique me.  The days I feel insecure, I remind myself of the reason for doing the Women’s Life Summit and sharing thoughts on this blog:  I want women to realize that how they think and feel is NORMAL.

We’ve talked a lot about “What would you do if you knew you could not fail?”  So many of the reasons why we never attempt to answer that question is because we are so worried about what everyone else thinks.  I was the same way when I first thought about doing the video.  The thing is, what does it really matter what others think?  Can you really call the people who don't support you friends anyway?  Why surround yourself with people that aren’t going to encourage you and ultimately get you to heaven?  This is your life.  You have the power to choose how you want to live it.  Don’t give in to society.  Follow what is in your heart.  

So whether you are making a drastic life change because you want to get out of debt, go back to college and get a different degree or become more active in your church, you have to remind yourself of WHY you are doing it.  Then remember that most of your thoughts and feelings are exactly what everyone else is feeling.  Just by knowing that, it is amazing how it can give you a boost of encouragement to pick yourself up and continue on.

Are you feeling like you’re never good enough no matter how hard you try? Wishing your husband could read your mind so you wouldn’t have to explain what you feel all the time?  Depressed with how your body is changing? I’ve been there too.  It’s okay.  It’s normal.  Now change your way of thinking and focus on something that makes you happy and excited about life.  The rest will come.  Trust me. :)

~L

Women's Life Summit - March 26, 2011

What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail? Would you go back to school? Lose weight and make healthy lifestyle changes? Start a nonprofit organization? Improve your spending habits or get out of debt? Form a new habit or overcome an addiction? Turn your hobby into a career?

We'd like to invite you to The Women's Life Summit on March 26 at the FireEscape Coffeehouse in Chanute, Kansas from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. You can RSVP by going to Women's Life Summit on Facebook. This event will focus on identifying your life's purpose and the ways to turn your dreams into a reality. We plan to "get real" with you on topics that most women rarely talk about, like confidence and self-image issues, pressures from society to be perfect, feeling overwhelmed as a parent, and addressing, head-on, that infamous feeling that you're just not good enough, pretty enough, smart enough, strong enough.

Let's face it. As women, we're in this together, but rarely are we transparent enough with the people who may be able to help us the most, people who have been where we are and have felt the same things we feel - other women.

You'll be empowered, encouraged and get a chance to connect with other women facing the same challenges that you are.

If you're feeling lost in your purpose, alone, or just need to renew your passion we hope you'll join us.

Taking the Plunge

When I graduated from college I felt like I had the rest of my life planned out.  I would be a music teacher until I had kids, be a stay-at-home mom for several years, and then go back and teach once the kids were in school.  At the time I didn't allow myself to think much beyond either of those jobs because I knew I was capable of doing both, and I was happy with that.  Plus, who was I kidding?  I didn't go to 4 1/2 years of college for nothing!

After we had our first child it was then that I realized I had a desire to do different with my life. The thought of being my own boss while raising my kids became more and more appealing to me.  Neither one of my parents ever worked outside the home and I could see the rewards of the countless hours and years of hard work to make their ranch/farm all that it has become.  The idea of that was exciting to me, which got me to thinking...

What in the world could I do to be my own boss?  Sell Mary Kay?  Start my own scrapbooking business?  Believe it or not, I tried both ideas, and needless to say, neither one worked out.  I like to call those experiences stepping stones, not failures, because looking back that really is all that they were.  Even though they didn't lead me to immediate success I knew that I was on the right track.  Being my own boss was still my goal.

It was actually 6-12 months later that I made my first block set (that looks VERY different to what I sell now) and then got my first sale on eBay.  Of course there are many other stories that got me to where I am now (3 1/2 years later), but the purpose of this post is to encourage you to take your first step and be fearless in what you are trying to accomplish!

Who knows if I will continue to grow my business for the rest of my life.  It is hard to say where life will lead me.  I may never go back and teach, and that is okay.  Those 4 1/2 years of college were just another important stepping stone to help with my success. Being the owner of Letter Block Shop is what makes me happy right now and that is all that really matters.  Don't overwhelm yourself by feeling like you have to live out this single goal forever.  We are focusing on a goal that is going to fill your heart's desire right now.  Who knows what kind of doors that will open for your future! 

In order to make "taking the plunge" a better experience, try the following:

1) Surround yourself with people that support your goal.  You are who you hang around, so make sure these people are positive!

 

2) Follow their lead. Find people that have had success in what you are trying to accomplish. These people can help get you through the hard times and give you tips on how to succeed.

3) Take baby steps. Don't set yourself up to want to quit by having unrealistic goals.  Start as small as you can and get excited with every step!  If one step doesn't work, try a different one in another direction!

4) Don't give up.  This will be an easy one to try and break.  If you can keep going back to the first 3 steps then giving up should not be an option.

What are you waiting for?  Make a list of people who are going to support you and tackle your first baby step today.  Remember the desire that is in your heart and GO FOR IT!

Good luck!

Lara