Crazy in Spoonerland

Well, things continue to be crazy in Spoonerland! Rick's job didn't work out because it was too much emotionally and physically. Going from nothing to full-time retail in a day doesn't work out very well! However, with him home and my writing going very well, we're the happiest we've been since we married.

Rick is brushing up on computer skills and looking for new work, and I'm continuing to work on my copywriting career. There are a lot of possibilities, and it's very exciting! The best part is that my daily work can look like the picture above if I choose. Well, except that it's fall now. But you know what I mean.

They say we may not get much snow this winter - that would be a bummer for me and my snowshoes. However, we'll see - the weather forecasters don't always know what they are talking about. Case in point - I got a pop-up that there would be showers in my area around 1pm, and it had been raining all morning. LOL!

Still no cat, but I'm seriously considering it...

Until next time!

Anna

I'm back!!

Well, I know it's been awhile, but I'm back! In the meantime, I've gotten married to my wonderful boyfriend, left my full-time job, and chosen to focus on my business. I'm committed to maintaining this as my personal blog, where I share my thoughts on home, life, marriage, and joy.

I recently found a great picture on Facebook that showed a mug with the phrase, "Due to the confidentiality of my job, I don't know what I'm doing." That would pretty much describe Rick and I right now! Rick has taken on a full-time job with Sleep Number that has great potential. Unfortunately, due to his disability, he's never worked before. As a result, he's overwhelmed and stressed.

For my part, I'm focusing on growing my business but have found it harder than anticipated to focus my time. It's getting better, though! I'm slowly working out a good schedule that meets all of my needs.

Is it just me, or is it really hard to share life online? Maybe it's because I don't have any kids to put pictures of. Perhaps I'll get a cat...

Until next time!

Being Authentic

Courtesy of Freedigitalphotos.net

What does it mean to be authentic?

It seems the common formula for success online is as follows:

       1) Find your dream

       2) Set goals to reach your dream

       3) Follow through, meet your goals, and achieve your dream

Only it doesn't always work.

Maybe my problem is that I don't know my dream. Maybe I have too many dreams. But I really think my issue is that I don't know how to be ME.

I've spent many dollars and many hours buying and reading all kinds of materials on how to be successful. How to write the best blog post to grab readers. How to create landing pages that encourage customers to sign-up and buy. And over and over, I find myself trying to be someone else, to emulate someone else's method and success.

And the only thing I am now is TIRED. 

So I'm going to try a new experiment. I'm just going to be me and have fun on this blog. I'll write about girly stuff, spiritual stuff, sporty fun and adventures, art and music, home and nurturing, and even some whimsical fun. 

I hope some folks will come along for the ride. I won't be thinking about how to frame my posts to include all the right keywords. I won't be worried about how many subscribers I have. I won't even worry if I get no comments. I just want to be REAL. 

Here's to authenticity!! 

Do you have trouble knowing how to be yourself, or is it easy for you to find your own way? Share in the comments! 

Anna

What It Means to Have Purpose

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Today I had a bit of a crisis. I realized I had no idea what my purpose is.

Purpose. It's a big idea, thrown around by many, especially in the blogosphere. It's treated as if purpose is a big, world-changing reason for being. And if you don't know your purpose, you better find out. Fast.

I didn't feel like I had a big world-changing reason for being. Honestly, the thought of changing the world just makes me tired anyway. I felt like I was stuck in a mundane rut of work, meals, and sleep, with no change in sight. I wanted some kind of lightening bolt: a bold, magnificent, huge purpose to come and strike me and make me feel worthwhile.

As a Christian, I did what I often do in these situations - I prayed. More accurately, I shouted at heaven from my heart. "What is my purpose? Why am I here? Is life just a routine, over and over and over? Isn't there more?" 

I have to admit I felt a bit ashamed. As a Christian, I'm supposed to have all these pat answers, these 'reasons for being' pulled straight from scripture. But it wasn't working for me. I needed something deeper than my memorized catechism. So I prayed. 

And I got an answer. An answer that changed how I felt and how I looked at my world. It will do the same for you.

The Key to Succeeding at Your New Year's Resolutions

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Sorry I haven't posted in so long! I'll be sure to be around more in 2013.

I have a lot of friends that are very jaded about New Year's resolutions. No one keeps them, they're too ambitious, it's silly. Honestly I think one reason folks don't like resolutions is that it's easier to be cynical than it is to change!

I agree, however, that many people are too ambitious in their goals. Someone who hasn't worked out in two years can't just start with a 40 minute workout on Jan 1 and expect it to last. So I've taken a different approach with my New Year's goals. Hearkening to Leo Babauta at Zenhabits.net, I've taken a habit-forming approach to developing a fitness routine.

Keep in mind my starting point - I am easily 45 pound heavier than my previous 'heaviest' weight, and haven't exercised much in the last year and a half. My diet is worse than it was two years ago for a variety of reasons, most of which are emotional. Here's my plan:

Cheap and Easy Meal Planning Solution

Courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I think I found my meal planning solution. 

Many people do themes to help with meal planning - Monday might be 'Meatless Monday' or Friday might be pizza, or Wednesday might be Italian. I used to do that, but it takes a lot of time and creativity for me to match those themes each week. 

However, I did find a different way to use themes that is incredibly helpful. I use 'main meat' themes.

Inspiration Boards

While I'm talking about inspiration today, I'd like to share another thing I love - inspiration boards. It's just a simple board where you pin pictures and quotes that inspire you. Here's a look at mine:

It doesn't have to be fancy, it just has to be INSPIRING! :-)

How do you keep yourself inspired to follow your goals? Let me know in the comments!