It had been one of those days around this house. One where I was the only one around here with the ability to see something not picked up and the only one who was able to actually bend over, pick it up, and put it where belongs. I must have superpowers because out of five people, I am the only one who can consistently do this without being yelled at asked.
I must be amazing!
Then after I throw my fit sweetly ask my kids to help because I don’t think it is fair that only I have this ability, my son turns to me and says, “Mom, keep your socks on.”
I look at him and give him this look like I am not in the mood for whatever he is about to say to me.
“Why do I need to keep my socks on?” Exasperated at this point.
“Cuz I’m about to knock your socks off with my cleaning.”
Just when I’m about to lose it with this kid, he has the ability to turn my mood and make me laugh.
He, too, must have a superpower. Nice one, kid. You live for another day.
The entire reason I started this blog was so I could learn to be more intentional with my days. I’m excited for a new year, new decade to start.
So, because it is January, it is the perfect time to start thinking about the things I want to do I made a list of things I want to do more of and things I want to do less of so that I can begin to live my days as intentional as I can.
- More Creating/ Less Scrolling
This is a big one for me so I guess that is why it is first on my list. In 2020, I want to create more things rather than mindlessly scroll through my phone wasting time. I want to choose to create blogs, a yummy dessert with my kids, plant a few pretty plants in the back yard, or a note to a friend. At the end of my day, I want to know that I created something that makes me happy rather than got lost on my phone for too many minutes
2. More Slower Meals/Less Hurry Through and Get to The Next Things
Ronald Reagan has one of my favorite quotes about the dinner table: “All great change in America begins at the dinner table.” Growing up, we stayed for hours sitting around the dinner table talking, laughing, and sharing old stories. This year, I want to make sure we linger a little longer on the days that we can. The table is where I want to choose to lean in, listen, and really hear what the people around it are saying. Clean up and bath time can wait a little bit on those days.
3. More Gratefulness/Less Complaining or Looking For the Negative
I never thought of myself as much of a negative person, but I can sure get into those moods where I see nothing but the negative. I recently heard the brain will always find what you are looking for…so when I am in those negative moods, sure enough my brain will find all the evidence to support my ugly mood. Why would I want to continue to feed the beast of negativity? How is this serving me exactly? I want to choose to practice or train my brain to look for the positive, look for things that I am grateful for. Our thoughts can be a powerful tool…I will choose to use them for my good and others around me.
4. More Music/Less Grumbling
This kind of ties in with number 3, but I wanted to write it down anyway. This year, I want more music playing while we are working as a family. Whether that be cleaning up the kitchen, cleaning our rooms, clearing out the garage…I want more music playing. Happy, pump you up music helps our brains release serotonin and domaine which makes us feel happy. And the Lord loves a cheerful worker!
Growing up, we always had music playing and when I think back to cleaning up the kitchen, we danced the whole time! When we finally got rid of the most hideous wallpaper, we happily tore it down to Phil Collins Sussudio! And when we painted the whole exterior of the house, we had Enya on our scaffold the whole time. Not the most upbeat music, but maybe it helped keep pour strokes smooth and even?
Music just makes all things better and also way more memorable!
5. More Full Fatigue/Less Exhaustion
Let’s face it, at the end of the day we are all tired. But this year, I want my tired to be full fatigue rather than empty exhaustion. At the end of most days, I want to know that I chose my people rather than my tasks on my to-do lists. I want to know I took the time to stop and hear about their day or asked what they needed from me. I want to choose to serve and love my people as best as I can each day.
So there you have it. Five little things I am choosing to do a little more or less of in 2020. Five simple things that will help keep me and my days a little more intentional and maybe knock the socks right off of 2020!
