40 Tips to Find Balance in the Chaos

At fall conference, this guy named Jason Stein (www.JasonStein.com) gave a presentation.  Unfortunately, I didn't attend it.  I was in the next room trying to pay attention to a much more serious (I mean dull) session that kept being interrupted by the roaring laughter of the the folks on the other side of the wall.  It sounded like a pretty entertaining presentation.  I picked up the materials later because I was interested in what he had to say about "Mind/Body Health at Work".  One of this handouts was entitled "40 Tips to Find Balance in the Chaos".  I want to embrace these tips and make them apart of my life.

40 Tips to Find Balance in the Chaos 

The following are tips that promote a lifestyle of balance.  As you review this list, be kind to yourself. Building balance is a process.  Move forward, one day at a time, to reach a higher level of balance in your life. 

1. I accept love over fear. 
2. I do not depress my feelings; I am self expressed. 
3. I take a deep breath, pause, and remember what is really important. 
4. I use positive language to acknowledge others and myself. 
5. I set and achieve goals according to who I am and what I value. 
6. I spend quiet time finding my own answers to bring myself into balance. 
7. I discipline myself through managing my thoughts, desires, and expectations. 
8. If and when I need assistance, I find good resources and support. 
9. I monitor what I put into my body (pills, food, beverages). 
10. I find ways to unplug from technology (cell phones, computers, televisions). 
11. I allow myself the freedom to make mistakes, learn, and grow. 
12. I look for solutions and possibilities when I encounter a problem. 
13. I find purpose in my work and commit to being fully present. 
14. I refuse to accept condemnation, blame, shame, guilt, or judgment. 
15. I train my mind by reading, attending classes, and studying to improve myself. 
16. I set boundaries and learn how to say “No” to others. 
17. I choose to not procrastinate or drift; I learn how to self-motivate. 
18. I identify habits that do not serve me and I take steps to change them. 
19. I eat when I am hungry, drink when I am thirsty, and rest when I am tired. 
20. I choose my occupation, my living environment, and my companions. 
21. I am authentic and true to my word. 
22. I invest in my relationships and I express gratitude and kindness towards others. 
23. I set uninterrupted time where I can focus on the task at hand. 
24. I envision myself living a long and productive life. 
25. I face reality honestly and do not resist what I cannot change. 
26. I do first things first, one at a time, and I do not fret about what I have yet to do. 
27. I do not let others talk me into things that are against my better judgment. 
28. I affirm that good things are happening to me. 
29. I avoid self-indulgence and set structures to maintain balance. 
30. I find things that give me energy and things I love to do. 
31. I volunteer with causes that influence the community positively. 
32. I do not deny my needs, feelings, and opinions to please others. 
33. I distinguish between too much and too little to find my own zone. 
34. I do not try to impress people with my status, worth, or achievements. 
35. I clear the clutter in my mind and my environment. 
36. I get into nature and remember I am a part of something greater. 
37. I release worries of the past and future, and keep my life in the present. 
38. I keep my body fit, my mind clear, and my spirit vibrant. 
39. I share my love with my family, friends, and community. 
40. I practice quieting my mind daily. 

We wish you a

Sometimes a song says it all

Today is not a good day
Stranded in the heartache
Watching all the world race and pass me by
Like a wave on the ocean
Comes a flood of emotion
And it can't go unspoken
No it can't go unspoken one more time


We fall apart just to come alive
A broken heart can shatter all the lies
A brand new start and a goodbye
We fall apart just to come alive

Yeah, but this is still a good life
Standing in the sunlight
Scattering the long line of fear and shame
Cause underneath the surface there's a heart and a purpose
And I swear that it's worth it
Yeah I swear that it's worth it
It's not in vain

You save me, You save me
I'm alive, I'm alive
Cause You save me


We Fall Apart |  Bebo Norman

Kitchen Inspiraton

It's approaching house project season again.  Last year we tackled our master bedroom, living room and hallway, my office, and the hall bath.  We are in the midst of a guestroom makeover.  But the project I've been most anticipating is.... the kitchen!  I've been trying to figure out for a long time what I really want.  I've gone back and forth with different solutions for countertops, cabinet colors - paint or not to paint, dining solutions, storage ideas, backsplash options.  After much research I think I finally have a game plan.

Here is a tour of the different corners of my kitchen as exists today, peppered with the design inspiration I've been gathering over the last several months.  My goal is to fix it up from brown blob boring to a fresh and airy country yet modern place to stack my dirty dishes - ha!

Dining Area

One thing about our house is that it does not have a true dining room.  We have a small eat in "dinette" of sorts in our kitchen.  This has been fine for our needs, but the drab brown wall and hideous light fixture need to go!


Here is what I'd like to do with that wall.  Build a picture ledge like this:

the lettered cottage

It seems like a simple weekend DIY project that my husband and I could tackle together.  And I've already begun collecting an assortment of frames to display.

Storage Nook

Here is what I like to call the trash can wall.  It's a little corner nook in the kitchen that really needs a purpose.  I would love to add a storage solution here.  Not sure where the trashcan will end up, but I can deal with that later.


 Here are a couple ideas I found in the 2011 Ikea Catalog.  This shelving cabinet with glass doors would be a great place to store china, dishware, and keepsakes.  I really love the warm tone to the wood.


 I also really love the open rustic feel of this shelving unit.  I love how a functional storage place can look so pretty!  My nook is much smaller than the space featured here.  But the shelving, which comes unfinished, is available in an assortment of widths and is pretty versatile in how you can position the shelves.  I wonder, is it very sturdy? 


Finally, I love these old antique looking cabinets.

the lettered cottage

Finding one in good shape that fits in my space might be more challenging than one of the Ikea solutions above, but it has such character.  I also like that it provides concealed storage as well as open shelving.


Main Kitchen

My kitchen is totally functional.... and brown.  And today, it just so happens to be clean, so I snapped a shot. I've been dying to add some contrast, and color!

  
This kitchen redesign really sealed the deal for me in terms of my kitchen makeover plans.  I fell in love with this kitchen and it also happens to be very affordable.

young house love

I wasn't sure about painting my natural wood cabinets, but I'm totally doing it now.  Especially with the butcherblock countertops, it looks amazing!
I can't wait to get started on this project.  I'll hopefully be back soon with some after shots!

My new toy

So, I've realized blogging is hard to do when you have a camera that takes washed out, fuzzy photos with little bubbles all over them.  No joke!  I've been wanting to learn photography for a while now.  I have some family members who are self-taught and amazing... see here for example.  I'll never measure up to that.  However, I would love to learn to take some photos to display in my home, archive my years of existence on this planet, and provide some good bloggy material!

So here's the new toy:

Source


I plan to take a class so I can actually develop some basic skills in photography.  The class starts in January, so until then, I need to learn how to use this bad boy.  As a good wife should, I plan to share with my hubby because he has a love for photography also.  However his masterpieces have been take 20-80 feet below sea level.  Check him out here.  I won't be letting him take this camera for a swim, but he can use it for above ground photos when he wants; assuming he can get me to put it down.  That's community property folks!

I'll endure the rain

It seems like the rain just will not cease.  This weather is so out of season for the Walla Walla Valley.  Usually we are drenched in scorching sun by this time of year.  I don't mind the cooler temperatures, I just miss the sun!  I've planted most of my vegetable garden and several flowers and I'm so eager to see them grow and produce.  They are definitely not lacking moisture right now.

I sponsor a child through Compassion International.  Her name is Gisella, she's in the 10th grade and she's from Ecuador.  I've been her sponsor since she was 5 years old.  I received a letter from her this week and on the back was a beautiful sketch and the most inspiring quote written in Spanish:

It says:  Tras una tormenta fuerte, el sol harĂ¡ florecer la esperanza.  Translation:  After a severe storm the sun will emerge in hope.

I'm so inspired by this.  I will endure this rain and the sun will shine again.

Some inspiration through music:


Endure
by Plumb
(listen here)

Questions drip from my umbrella
Shadows hang over me
Stand here waiting
I know the sky will break
And bleed its light
And kiss my face with mercy

I'll endure the rain
I will wait an hour more
Not sure if I'll see anything
Can I wait here anymore
I'll endure the rain
I will wait an hour more
Not sure if I'll see anything
Can I wait here any longer

Teardrops vanish in a moment
Rainbows hang over me
Darkness fading
I know the sky will break
And bleed its light
And kiss my face with mercy

Can I wait here any longer
Wait here any longer

Random

I have this vision of being a hippie mom living in a little cottage house in a costal town.  I'm dressed in overalls and braids, tending to my herb garden.  The laundry is drying on the clothesline and my little children, dressed in tye-dye, are playing in the sandbox.

And so ends the holidays...

In my family, of my husband and I, the holdiays go from Thanksgiving to the Super Bowl.  Didn't you know that the Super Bowl was a national holiday?  (I didn't either until I met my husband!) So this weekend we will travel to see my family - my parents, brother, and nephew Jackson to celebrate the conclusion of this wonderful holiday season.  I'm particularly happy since my favorite team is playing in the championship game.  I really hope they win!



Who dat.




Awesome gift

My mom is one of the most practically creative people I know.  At Christmastime, her craftiness really goes into overdrive.  This year she made probably 10 fleece blankets as gifts for various family members and friends.  She also made giftbaskets loaded with her homemade canned salsa, jam, and hot mustard as well as a variety of other goodies.  Her gift to me this year was some original artwork, and I absolutely love it. She painted three canvases with cherry branches on them - inspired by my livingroom rug.

Here's how it looks hung up in my livingroom:







Thanks, Mom, for the awesome gift!
Meet my old desk:




Old desk and I met several years ago at a flea market put on by students at my University.  I paid about $15 for old desk from a student and it had been living in the basement of my old house, storing crafting supplies up until a few months ago.  A few months ago, I bought a house.  I decided I would like to have old desk become a dressing table/vanity for my bedroom.  But it needed a serious makeover.

Here's how old desk looks today: 




I painted it a deliciously creamy white "Cozy Cottage" by Behr.  I lined it's drawers and desk top with a pretty patterned contact paper in 2 shades of blue.  My husband helped me cut a piece of plastic the size of the desktop to cover the contact paper and protect if from spills and scratches.

I think it looks lovely in my bedroom:





Now the chair just needs a little makeover.....



Welcome to your life

There is a line to a song by Switchfoot that I ponder often:  "This is your life.  Are you who you want to be?"  I can't honestly answer this question with yes.  Yet I am so blessed in this life.  God has provided me with so much and yet I still find myself longing for something more.  I can't seem to be content with the way things are in the present, I'm always looking ahead for something better.  I love the new year for a chance at a fresh start.  I suppose any day of the year can be a new beginning but this is definitely the case with a new year.  I have a laundry list of resolutions this year.  For the most part I don't like to list them out because I'm so afraid of failure.  Yet there is something about keeping a list of your goals that keeps them fresh in your mind so they don't get lost by the wayside.  This year in twenty ten, I would like to: take a real vacation, cook more, bake bread, get to work on time, read through the Bible, keep my house clean, start a blog, get fit, walk my dog, become a member of a church, play my guitar, prepare for motherhood, make a friend, walk to work, renovate my house, landscape my yard, plant an herb garden, find my faith again...

This is going to be a good year.

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