Get up and Try Again!

"Never let a stumble on your road be the end of your journey." Get up and try again! 🚧🚸🛣️ 

~JS~🌞
#SacredSunday

 #goals #journey #repentance #mercy #forgiveness

Becoming Your Very Best Self! 💙

Imagine your very BEST SELF! 😊 Not your perfect self, because no one's perfect, but your BEST self...

What does this person look like? A person who's your best friend and is with you everyday,  every step of the way. 🤼‍♀️ A person who forgives you no matter what mistakes you've made. A person who cheers you on and helps you become the best that you can be.  📣

Do you believe it could be possible to become such a person? If not (to quote a loved and hated song) just "Let It Go!" 💙

Let go of negativity towards yourself and others and focus on the positive. ➕ Be your own best friend because you're the only person in the world who will always be there for yourself until the very end. 🔚

Let go of any part of yourself that doesn't believe it. 💖

I believe in you!!!
~JS~🌞
#MotivationMonday

#selfrespect
#letitgo #beyourownbestfriend #motivation #abundance

Parenting with Random Intentionality - IDP009 Podcast with Shownotes and Links

How imperfect best efforts yield results over time

Today's podcast ended up being a huge boost to my day as I considered the long-range effects of random best efforts, consistently applied over time. If you're frustrated with the daily "drudge" of parenting and feel like your efforts aren't making any difference, this message is for you!

Shownotes

Here's what I was listening to this morning that sparked today's thoughts about random intentionality (such a fun concept!): A Slob Comes Clean 014 Husbands and Decluttering Podcast

Here's a related blog post by Dana White that I referred to in today's podcast:

Family Pick-Up Time (Or The Benefits of Random Intentionality)

Definitions from today's podcast:

"Randomness is the lack of pattern or predictability in events.[1] A random sequence of events, symbols or steps has no order and does not follow an intelligible pattern or combination." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randomness

"Intention is a mental state that represents a commitment to carrying out an action or actions in the future. Intention involves mental activities such as planning and forethought." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intention

"Intentionality is a philosophical concept and is defined by the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy as "the power of minds to be about, to represent, or to stand for, things, properties and states of affairs." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intentionality

My definition of random intentionality as it relates to parenting:
Random intentionality in parenting is having a long-range view of the values you want to teach your children, and striving to teach those consistently over time in a variety of fun and ever-changing ways. Remember that inconsistent intentionality is ever so much better than no intentionality at all.

Having fun with my kids while teaching about using cleansing face masks for healthy skin!

----

I love this poem that I heard when I was a child, and many times over the years.

"The Race" by D.H. Groberg

“Quit! Give up! You’re beaten!” they shout at me, and plead. 

“There’s just too much against you now, this time you can’t succeed.”

And as I start to hang my head in front of failure’s face, 

My downward fall is broken by the memory of a race. 

And hope refills my weakened will, as I recall that scene, 

For just the thought of that short race rejuvenates my being.

They all lined up so full of hope, each thought to win that race. 

Or tie for first, or if not that, at least take second place. 

And fathers watched from off the side, each cheering for his son, 

And each boy hoped to show his dad, that he would be the one.

The whistle blew, and off they went, young hearts and hopes afire, 

To win and be the hero there was each young boy’s desire. 

And one boy in particular, whose dad was in the crowd, 

Was running near the head, and thought, “My dad will be so proud!”

But as he fell, his dad stood up, and showed his anxious face, 

Which to the boy so clearly said, “Get up and win the race.” 

He quickly rose, no damage done, behind a bit, that’s all, 

And ran with all his mind and might to make up for his fall.

So anxious to restore himself, to catch up and to win, 

His mind went faster than his legs; he slipped and fell again!

He wished then he had quit before with only one disgrace. 

“I’m hopeless as a runner now, I shouldn’t try to race.”

But in the laughing crowd he searched, and found his father’s face, 

that steady look that said again, “Get up and win the race!”

So up he jumped to try again, ten yards behind the last, 

“If I’m to gain those yards,” he thought, “I’ve got to move real fast.”

Exceeding everything he had he gained back eight or ten, 

But trying so to catch the lead, he slipped and fell again.

Defeat! He lay there silently, a tear dropped from his eye. 

“There is no sense in running more. Three strikes, I’m out, why try?”

The will to rise had disappeared, all hope had fled away. 

So far behind, so error prone, a loser all the way.

“I’ve lost, so what’s the use,” he thought, “I’ll live with my disgrace.” 

But then he thought about his dad, who soon he’d have to face.

“Get up!” an echo sounded low, “Get up, and take your place. 

You were not meant for failure here, get up and win the race.”

“With borrowed will, get up,” it said, “You have not lost at all. 

For winning is no more than this: to rise each time you fall.”

So up he rose to run once more, and with a new commit, 

He resolved that win or lose, at least he wouldn’t quit.

So far behind the others now, the most he’d ever been, 

Still he gave it all he had, and ran as though to win.

Three times he’d fallen stumbling, three times he’d rose again, 

Too far behind to hope to win he still ran to the end. 

They cheered the winning runner, as he crossed the line first place. 

Head high and proud and happy, no falling, no disgrace. 

But when the fallen youngster crossed the finish line last place, 

The crowd gave him the greater cheer for finishing the race.

And even though he came in last, with head bowed low, unproud, 

You would have thought he won the race to listen to the crowd.

And to his dad, he sadly said, “I didn’t do so well.” 

“To me you won!” his father said, “You rose each time you fell.”

And when things seem dark and hard, and difficult to face, 

The memory of that little boy helps me to win my race. 

For all of life is like that race, with ups and downs and all, 

And all you have to do to win is rise each time you fall.

“Quit! Give up! You’re beaten!” they still shout in my face. 

But another voice within me says: “GET UP AND WIN THE RACE!”

----------------------------

Here's a fun dramatized video based on "The Race":

Love it!!! 😍😍😍


Have a wonderful weekend!
~JS~ 🌞
#FamilyFriday

Strategy for a Happy Life

Here is today's #StrategySaturday post,  a reminder to look for happiness in whatever life brings. Reprinted with permission from: https://happinessisajourney.com
~JS~ 

*****

Happiness is a Journey, by Crystal Boyd

We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we’re frustrated that the kids aren’t old enough and we’ll be more content when they are. After that, we’re frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We’ll certainly be happy when they’re out of that stage.

We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, are able to go on a nice vacation, when we retire.

The truth is, there’s no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when?

Your life will always be filled with challenges. It’s best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway.

One of my favorite quotes comes from Alfred D. Souza. He said, “For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin – real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, or a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life.”

This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So, treasure every moment that you have and treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time with…and remember that time waits for no one.

So, stop waiting until you finish school, until you go back to school, until you lose ten pounds, until you gain ten pounds, until you have kids, until your kids leave the house, until you start work, until you retire, until you get married, until you get divorced, until Friday night, until Sunday morning, until you get a new car or home, until your car or home is paid off, until spring, until summer, until fall, until winter, until you’re off welfare, until the first or fifteenth, until your song comes on, until you’ve had a drink, until you’ve sobered up, until you die, until you’re born again to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy.

Happiness is a journey, not a destination.

*My youngest son holding my first grandson.*

Personal Kanban - Keeping it Simple!

You'll never believe what I'm doing. . . I'm working on time organization - again!

I know. . .shocking, huh?

I tend to go in spurts, and the cycle goes like this:

1. Get schedule & tasks organized.
2. Follow it, get things moving smoothly, get lots done.
3. Get burned out or tired of the system, or dissastisfied with how it's working.
4. Wing it for awhile (FREEDOM!!)
5. Become overwhelmed. (PRISON...)
6. Start over!

And on and on it goes. Anyone else in this boat?

Pinterest Stress? Really?

So, I came across this article today and was flabbergasted that this is even an issue. Maybe because I've reached a certain age and experience level and I forget that others aren't there too. Not that I'm any smarter or better than anyone else, I am seriously challenged, as you all know by now! But it really saddened me that people are basing their self-esteem on external things like what they perceive others can do that they can't? Honestly, if you think about it, that's just a form of coveting. . . but I jump ahead of myself. How 'bout I share the article? Then you can go read it and see what you think.

Today Show Report:
'Pinterest stress' afflicts nearly half of moms, survey says

http://www.today.com/moms/pinterest-stress-afflicts-nearly-half-moms-survey-says-1C9850275

Here's my grade of this whole line of reasoning: 

I honestly could go on and on about this and re-post the entire thing, and write in my comments after all the little places where these women are saying things that hurt them inside. I feel so sad for them. That said, I do admire the principle that when something affects you negatively, you should remove it from your life. Very true.

But even better, how about remove the cause of the negativity? I don't think it's the website itself, it's the person's perception of what the website is about. It doesn't matter if it's in the form of a website or a magazine, or a church congregation or gym class. Wherever you are, if you spend your time comparing yourself to others and expecting yourself to live up to "being like everyone else", you will most certainly fail. Your job is to be the best YOU that you can be. At least that's how I see it.

I will say that I *love* the idea of "pinterest fail" - to show how *real* projects turn out. Sometimes they are really great, but most of the time, crafts and dinners and other things like that turn out mediocre or good at best. Not picture perfect. And guess what. . . that's okay! That's real life! That's why I posted pictures of my messy home at the end of that one weekend. . . it's just the way it is, my jumbled friends, it's real life, and guess what - it's okay! Be happy anyway!

But why am I going on about this anyway? I already wrote a comment responding to the article on the Today Show website. I hope that it's helpful to someone. I am re-posting it here for your convenience. I'd love to hear what each of you thinks about this topic!

Talk to you soon!
~ JS ~

Read the comment that I left on the Today Show article by clicking "read more" below:

When Disaster Strikes. . . Or Does It?

I've decided to write a post today to make everyone feel better about their lives and homes. This is going to take a lot of courage, because we all go through this life trying to put our "best foot forward" and keep our struggles and weaknesses to ourselves. That is a good strategy in many ways. It is helpful for forming relationships, getting a job, "keeping up with the Joneses" and many other things. But it has a destructive side too.

When we think that everyone around us has a "perfect" life, and only see the parts of other people's lives that make them look amazing, we can get quite discouraged. And it's especially destructive because what we are seeing from the "outside" is not usually the truth at all. In fact, it very seldom is the entire story.

I was having a discussion about this the other day with a couple of friends, and it was very therapeutic for everyone in the conversation to realize that we were all "normal", and that we didn't need to hide behind this wall of perfection just so others would accept us.

That said, there is a time and place for everything. No one wants to hang around someone who brings them down or makes them feel sorry for them. No one likes to hear someone complain all the time. At the same time, no one wants to be around someone who is always bragging either. In fact, as in many many things in this life, there is one extreme on the right and one extreme on the left, and the truth lies somewhere in between.

And so, for the sake of truth and encouragement, I am going to show you some pictures of what my house looks like this morning, after a very fun weekend (gulp). Yeah. I am. Everyone knows that a picture is worth a thousand words, right? And after all, I'm short on time this morning, so here goes. . .

The Den. . . 

The Family Bathroom. . .

It Runs in the Family. . .

Conversation between my 19yo daughter and I at midnight . . .

ugh! you're still awake too! tsk tsk!

hee hee....I was just trying to post this "Little Shop of Horrors" story I'd written awhile ago onto FB....

but I had to quickly edit/add some errors....

it took longer than I thought....

Yeah, I was doing the same thing. . . on jumbled sunshine

haha! It runs in the family!

There's your post for later.

Huh?? It's my post for right now. . .
OH. . . I get it. . . this needs to be on Jumbled Sunshine!

I don't think this needs too much more explanation. :D



To check out my daughter Jessica's current blog, visit: healthyhabitsjourneyofalifetime.blogspot.com

[Update 10/29/14 - Visit Jessica's newest role-playing site (still in progress) here: http://roleplaycafe.blogspot.com/]

Time Management for the Jumbled Mind

So I've spent the last several weeks experimenting with various different time management apps for my new HTC Inspire phone. Ironically, I wanted to do this so I could keep better track of the project I've been working on, which is Hannah Keeley's 30-Day Power Purge. It's ironic because I've spent so much time setting up various systems and experimenting with their various features & etc, that I didn't do the power purge challenge for a couple of days now. OUCH! Is that crazy or what?

Image Courtesy of  clipsahoy.com

For the past couple of days I've gotten so hyper-focused getting my day organized, that it was suddenly noon before I had gotten much done! Don't get me wrong, I did accomplish things, but I let my intense focus on getting my time organized distract me from my main project right now, which is getting my home organized! So crazy. Do you ever find yourself doing something like that? I have a very strong feeling that I am NOT alone! Haha.

It's been a really interesting ride, not just this past few weeks, but over the years. You see, when I choose a new time management app, program, or system, I am really picky about wanting to understand it completely, apply it to my own scheduling needs, learn how everything works in theory as well as in practice, and of course I have to make sure it does everything that I need it to do for me. So not only do I have to completely immerse myself in learning how to use the tool, I have to also "live with it" for at least a  day or two before I know if it will work for me. Seriously, I have reviewed so many different time management systems over the years that I am probably an expert on what works and what doesn't and why! My husband has gotten smart and he never starts implementing something new I'm trying until I've done it for at least a few weeks. Otherwise, he will find himself just getting used to it when I abandon it. haha!

Day 2: Declutter the Pantry!

I was sooooo excited about this challenge (and not so excited, depending on the moment's thoughts!) because my food storage room has been badly in need of fixing for months. No wait, I have to be honest and say YEARS! Ever since our move to California and back in 2008-2009, I have not had my food storage organized and it drives me NUTS!

Here's what I wish my food storage room looked like!
Hey - quit laughing! It's possible.
For at least a few days. . . right?

I think it all started because of my health issues that pretty much limited me for a very long time to hardly ever going downstairs. It sounds really crazy now that I'm in a high-energy time of my life, but for months, no years, going down the stairs was just too hard so I avoided it much of the time. And so you can imagine what happened to my downstairs - especially since it's mainly the kid-zone! Yeah.

Now I will give some credit here to my wonderful children. They are all jumbled like me, so that means that while they are perfectly capable of making messes and making them well, they are also extremely good at digging in and getting a job done well when the mood hits them. So the downstairs has gone through it's up's and downs over the years. Right now it's teetering somewhere in the middle. The public rooms are doing fairly well considering that I don't spend a lot of time cleaning and organizing down there, but the bedrooms - well, they are pretty much unmentionable!! 

SO - now to get back on the topic. . . Food Storage Room, Day Two, right.