A Recipe For Parenting

Parenting is TOUGH! This picture should read, every “Parent” should remember … when you become a parent, you are held to a higher standard! Everything you do “COUNTS” every decision you make is important, someone’s life is literally depending on you! Parenting is difficult to navigate. Some things are clear cut, some things you just don’t know. You literally have to pray diligently, then sit and wait until you have peace. Once you have your peace about the matter, then you make your move! Parenting shouldn’t be rushed, it requires time and many talents. A parent should be informed, “study to show yourself approved.” It requires diligence and mental toughness, it is not for the weak. But the most important ingredient in this recipe is GRACE! Parenting requires so much grace, you have to love when you aren’t loved. Stand up and support even if there is a possibility of error. Sacrifice, turn offenses into teaching moments and a true parent, can look past facial expressions, body motions and words and see a pure heart! Parenting isn’t for the weak, but the reward is great and the impact you make on your children will be passed on for generations to come!  

I dedicate this post to all parents out there trying! I see you and I’m here to remind you that your work is not in vain!  

-One Proud Momma

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What Fills Your Cup?

I hear so many women saying, I’m going to be a better mom this year or a better wife.  As I listen to this statement, I think to myself, what does that look like?  Cooking more, keeping the house cleaner, spending more time with the kids? 

As women we give so much.  I love that about us, we have huge hearts and we will give and give and give until we have nothing left.  We will build others up while we are falling apart.  We will give so others can prosper, even if it means we go without.  We continuously pour into others, but we forget to fill our own cup!

My thought is, what happens when everyone elses cup is full and your cup is empty?  We become tired, burned out and irritable.  We ALL KNOW what a women with an empty cup looks like!  

Why, because we’ve trained everyone around us to constantly take, but now, we have nothing else to give!

This does not have to be the case!  We should continue to pour into others, that’s pure genetics.  Caring, loving, giving and building is what we do! And NO ONE does it like we do.  

But there must be balance?  Why are we so good at caring for others and terrible at caring for ourselves?  Who takes care of us while we take care of everyone else?

I believe if we as women would learn to care for ourselves WHILE we care for others, then we would automatically be better wives, mothers and honestly our BEST selves!  

So my question to you ladies is, what fills your cup?  What do you like, what relaxes you? What do you do that’s just for you?  What gives you your “win?”  For me, it’s baking and decorating, an hour of uninterrupted TV with my favorite cup of hot tea and my favorite dessert or time to write this blog in peace.  Even something as simple as an hour of silence, time for me to sit with my feelings, listen to my bible, sort through some of the madness that is my life, or read a book.  All these things are what I call my “WIN.” The items listed above may seem insignificant to you, but this is what fills my cup and honestly,  the reason I can keep going!  

COJ Challenge: Dedicate some time to discovering what may fill your cup.  What gives you value?  What makes you smile?  It may be painting, writing, reading, cooking or time to do absolutely nothing.  This may take a bit of trial and error, but it’s important, YOU MUST FIND YOUR “WIN.”

I’d like to suggest that consistently scheduling  time to fill your own cup is how you become a better you!  

Make it a priority, put yourself on your calendar and do what’s necessary to make this happen.  Let’s go ahead and deal with the guilt factor that we all face.  Taking time for yourself may seem selfish, but trust me when your cup is full, everyone around you will notice.  Same result if your cup is empty, people will notice.  So tell yourself, “I’m a better wife and mother WHEN I TAKE BREAKS!  I’m taking this time for me now, so that I can be what I need to be for everyone else later! It will be weird at first, but when you see the difference, you’ll get over it!

I love you family, take some time for you, it’s best for everyone! 💕

I dedicate this blog post to Dr. Inaia Phoenix, a bold, brave, beautiful soul!  
P.S.  Filling your own cup is step 1 in the COJ “Be Your Best You” program.  Step 2 is training the takers around you to help you … but that’s a whole other blog post.  💜

Celebrate YOU!

Anyone that knows me knows that I LOVE BIRTHDAYS!!! I begin to plan my birthday months in advance, I talk about it all the time, when the day finally arrives I’m flooded with birthday love from all those important to me.  

I may get a few rolled eyes and some heavy breathing at the constant mention of my special day, but no one EVER forgets my birthday.  Why, becuase I don’t allow them to! 

Here’s my point, IF YOU DO NOT CELEBRATE YOU NO ONE ELSE WILL!  If there is something happening in your life that’s important to you and you haven’t mentioned it to anyone around you, don’t be upset when the day comes and no one remembers. 

As I always say, YOU ARE IMPORTANT, YOU MATTER! Celebrate others, but don’t forget to celebrate you!  I have random “Gwen Days” throughout the year where I just treat myself to whatever I want to.  I’ll take the day off work and enjoy being in my space and not having to consider anyone else.  Even if it’s only for a few hours, it’s my time to do whatever it is that I want to do!  It makes a difference in my attitude, lowers my level of  frustration and irritation, increases my energy level, and supports my ability to listen and pour into others.  I’m a better wife, friend and mother when I take a moment to celebrate me! 

You can’t keep pouring into others without refilling your own cup! So plan your day off, find 30 minutes to just do whatever it is you want to do.  If you need to, put the kids to bed early, sit in your PJs, in your own bed, right by yourself and enjoy! You deserve it!  

And when it’s your birthday .. don’t let anyone forget!  You are not a shadow! It’s your time to SHINE! And you know what, IT’S OK FOR YOU TO SHINE! 

So Shine On Sista!  I’m excited for you!  

A tribute to Path Creators

I went to see the movie “Hidden Figures” today, I was both convicted and inspired! I didn’t live through segregation and I take so much for granted. The freedom to choose where I pursue my education, the ability to use a bathroom based on my gender and not the color of my skin and the choice to become whomever I choose to, regardless of my gender or ethnicity. There are hero’s that sacrificed their lives to make these luxuries available to my generation. There are so many opportunities available to us now that we have yet to take advantage of, when there are people that endured so much to make them available to us.

 After watching the strength, patience, perseverance & tenacity of the women displayed in this movie, I thought, WOW THESE ARE MY ROOTS, and I walked out of that theater with my head held high. Then I thought, what path am I creating for future generations to walk upon? We have a responsibility to ensure that our next generation has even more opportunities than we have today. This shouldn’t be a problem, we have excellent examples to follow. 

 So today, I appreciate those that created the path that gave me a chance, by setting the standard and fulfilling my obligation to those coming behind me. It’s a huge responsibility that I do not take for granted! So work hard. Pave the way .. the next generation is counting on US!

Accepting the challenge of Parenting. Great Sacrifice, Great Reward!

Here is a photo of my sister and I, we still look the same, just taller.  Funny thing is, our kids look just like the two children pictured in this photo! Little mini versions of us.  

What a great challenge we have before us as parents. But what an amazing opportunity we have to make a difference in the lives of our children and the generations that will remain. As mothers, our children are our greatest investment, our greatest challenge, our greatest sacrifice and our most significant reward! 

 Every time I look at this photo I smile and take a moment to appreciate my Parents. My mother isn’t here but her sacrifices of love made us great! I’ll always honor and treasure that. Now that I am walking in her shoes, I realize how much I took her for granted. 

As parents it is our responsibility to cover them in love and prayer. To sacrifice ourselves, our time and our finances to create and provide an environment in which they can learn, fail, grow and ultimatly discover and begin to walk in their purpose.

As I continue to press towards my mark, strive to reach my goals and work to fulfill my purpose, I know their little eyes are watching my every move and their little ears hear my every word. 

My goal as a mother is to do what I can to raise confident, healthy, well balanced children. We lay down our lives for our children, but we do so knowing that the cycle of love and protection will continue as they follow our example and become good parents to their children. When we do our jobs correctly, the circle will not be broken and generations will be blessed. Simply because we accepted the call to be parents! 

So thank you mother, I walk in your footsteps daily, I still pass on your wisdom and I know that if I can be HALF the mother you were, my children will be better than ok, they will be greater than great because you made me great!! 

I know it’s not easy, but it’s so much bigger then you.  Your investment today will affect someone’s tomorrow.  We should take our charge to be mothers seriously! We should honor, love and protect our babies at all cost!  There is no short cut, there are no excuses.  WE ARE MOMS!

A Cup of Positive Thinking

Choosing to train my brain this year. This devotional/training is my first step. I needed this and I had to share this with you guys.

“Your life will move in the direction of your strongest thought. Are you excited about the direction your thoughts are taking you”
-Craig G.

Change your thoughts, change your life.

Enjoy!

Life.Church | Words to Live By
http://www.life.church/watch/words-to-live-by/