Live a Blessed Life in Real Life

I fell for the hype.  I picked out my ‘one word’ for 2019.  I created a vision journal at a Vision Board Brunch hosted by She Flies Solo in Vegas.  When the clock struck midnight, I was ready roll with my new “blessed” life.

I celebrated the Christmas season with more than my share of Christmas cheer.  I inventoried my laundry list of items for which I had to be grateful.  I sought out and found the little girl within me who ate, slept, and breathed blessed – the girl who believed that not only was she blessed but so was everything she touched.  Yet, I still was not her.  I could not be her.

As a result, I choose now to enjoy the journey – not because I am already at my final destination but because I am on my way.  A new friend of mine, Ronda, tells me to live my best life in real life, and this year, I encourage all of us to do that with one minor change.

Each of us can and should live a blessed life in real life.  Each of us has a unique set of people and circumstances that surround us.  Each of us has the opportunity be blessed both because of and in spite of our immediate circumstances.

So for anyone looking to join me to live this blessed life in real life, here is the plan:

Do more of what you love.

I waste so much time doing dirty work.  I do more mopping, sweeping, dusting, folding, hanging, grading, and decluttering than I do of the stuff I actually love to do.  I love to write.  I love to take pictures.  I love to create.  I love to spend time with family and friends.  I love coffee dates, brunches, and park visits.  I need more of my day to consist of these things.

So do you.  Make a mental list or a physical list of all the ways you want to spend your life and start checking items off the list one by one.  The more time we spend our days immersed in what we are passionate about, the more blessed we are for ourselves and for the ones closest to us.

Put your phone down.

If you are anything like me, I am an Instagram addict.  I average 1 hour and 44 minutes daily.  (I know right!)  That is Instagram alone – no Facebook, no blog feeds, no email…just Instagram.  I feel more inclined to check on what others are doing or update others on what I am doing than living in the moment.

Maybe that is not you, but if it is, try setting the phone down for one hour.  Avoid quick text, email, or social media checks.  You will be amazed at how unrushed you feel.  You will feel more, do more and see more.  You will recognize how blessed you truly are.

Dream bigger

Your dreams should scare you a little.  Your dreams should be bigger than anything you can accomplish alone.  Your dreams should be realistic and impossible all at once.  Your dreams should require a dose of hard work and a bigger dose of Super Natural.  Maybe you dreams even necessitate a miracle.  To live a blessed life in real life, you must demand more than what you can see right now.  They are bigger than who and where you are right now.

Take away all the extra noise.  Close your eyes.  Where are you?  What are you doing day in and day out?  What is your purpose?  Why there?  Who are you there?  More important, who is there with you? …. Why is this place and this moment so special to you?  This is your dream.

Your dreams should always involve more people than you.  Your dreams should be more of a means than an end.  Cherish them.  Nurture them.  Watch them grow … as you grow.

Take care of yourself

Your blessed life needs the best you it can get.  As a working mom, sometimes my best is dark, sunken bags under my eyes, a cup of coffee, and a half listening, half comatose ear. Sometimes all I have to offer is a tired hello… and an “I’m just trying to make it.”

Yet, I am more than that.  I am more than one tired mama, or wife, or teacher, or friend.  I am smart and fun-loving.  I am beautiful and well-dressed.  I am friendly and kind, and the world needs to see it.

What does the world need to see from you?  Who are you underneath the layers and the titles?  The world needs to see you, which means that you need to take care of yourself.

Get some exercise.  Drink more water.  Go to sleep at night.  Meditate, or pray, or journal, or sing, or dance or do whatever you need to do to maintain peace of mind.

You cannot live a blessed life if you are too overwhelmed to be blessed!!  You have to have room for your blessing.

If there is no room, make room.  Kick some stuff out.  Kick out some habits.  Kick out some stuff that no longer means you well.  Kick out some people that no longer mean you well and replace them with good stuff.

Replace them with stuff that feeds your soul.

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That is the plan.  There it is in black and white.

Tomorrow it may change, and I may modify it again the next day, but for the first time in years, I am rooting for me…to win

 

I could use a winning season. We could all use a winning season.

For anyone looking for a win, for all those wishing to live a blessed life in real life, know that I am rooting for you.

“May [God] give you the desires of your heart and make all your plans succeed.”

Psalm 20:4

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What are some ways that you have learned to live a blessed life?

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