SPRING CLEAN YOUR LIFE

          Yet another challenge for myself!

So, I'm taking a break from completing my list of 45 in 45 (why I haven't finished it???? Good grief). I know I continually put way too many irons in the fire and it leaves me an unbalanced, high anxiety HOT MESS!  As I was reading my email from LIVING WELL, SPENDING LESS there was a link for a new 3 week challenge "Spring Clean Your Life".  I thought this was totally for me.  I am all about purging and who doesn't need a little spring cleaning.  The challenge here is will three weeks be a REAL three weeks or a "STACEY 3 weeks" that might stretch into winter?  Totally can't answer that right now, but in my mind it's about completion.  

Day 1:  

• Reserve a night this week
  Take out your calendar and determine a night that you will say no to something that doesn’t bring you joy and yes to something that does. Take time to be still.

When I looked at the calendar --- there was no time like the present!  I took tonight off.  It's not that I said no to something that DIDN'T bring me joy, I just decided that tonight was the night I needed to be still - I'm not sure if going running is considered being "still" but it does bring me joy and a little less guilt for eating 1/2 a piece of chocolate pie today (IT WAS A BIG PIECE).  Total side bar--- there is this little pie shop in Greenville, TX called "Ain't Just Pie".   Why have I not heard of this place before today?  They have PIE HAPPY HOUR?  Who doesn't like pie--- that's all I'm sayin'!  Back on track now....I have sat in the quiet of my living room.  I can only hear the tapping of the keyboard and the air conditioning running (moment of thanks for that!).  It is complete peace.  There was a point in my life that I would have NEVER embraced this much quiet and would have thrown me into a dark place, but I have learned to embrace these moments when I can just be still and KNOW.

• Reign in your spending
  Track and balance your spending (try setting up a budget using the 50/30/20 method). Take an active role in understanding not just what finances are coming in and going out, but why. Are the items your money is going to reflect what you truly value?  

THIS....THIS.... is what I hate but find it totally necessary.  I really can make a budget work on paper.  I mean it is beautiful, balanced and perfect.  Put into action--- not so much!  I don't use the exact budget form listed above.  I purchased the organizer from Living Well, Spending Less and it is AMAZING.  I mean even the least organized person can be organized with this calendar. I am getting better and realizing what I am spending my money on and why.  That's really the question for me.  I will be totally transparent and say that I did some heavy retail therapy in the not so distant past and now it's all catching up with me.   Having something new felt good and I wanted to feel good because my heart did not.   However, I do have a possible opportunity for a side gig so if you're a praying person, please say a prayer for me that this door will open and I will be a better steward of the money I have and be mindful of the future story that I want.

• Practice an attitude of gratitude
  It’s easy to compare yourself to others, especially when your financial situation may seem “not enough.” Practicing an attitude of gratitude can help build wealth. When you stop comparing yourself to the Joneses, you allow yourself to be happy with what you have and not give in to mindless consumerism. 

If you don't know me well, you may not know that I am an assistant principal at an elementary school.  Let's face it, we all know that the end of the year is pretty much complete survival mode.  Everyone is tired and has little tolerance for children and co-workers.  I sent an email asking the staff to make a list of 10 things they are grateful for and keep it close at all times.  I asked that when they felt negativity creep in to take this out and read it.  It's a fact that one can't be negative in the midst of feeling grateful.  I shared my list and encouraged them to share their list with me as well.  The staff that did share their list made me know their hearts a little bit deeper and appreciate them for who they truly are.  Here are my 10 things that I still look at regularly.

1.  I am thankful for my family who loves me unconditionally and are my biggest fans.

2.  I am thankful that I know Jesus.

3.  I am thankful for the incredible role models and mentors that have taught me to be the woman I am today.

4.  I am thankful for my job and the lessons I learn from the staff (and the kids) daily.

5.  I am thankful for those who give me grace, even undeserved.

6.  I am thankful  that I have a circle of friends who love me beyond measure.

7.  I am thankful for the difference I have been able to make in the lives of kiddos (and hopefully adults) in my 13 years in education.

8.  I am thankful for my education and the GRIT that it took to obtain it.

9.  I am thankful for my community theater that gives me a creative outlet that my wound up tight self needs.

10.  I am thankful for my community group at church who help me grow and learn in all areas of my life.

My cup runneth over even as I read this list again.  How could I ask for more?

One thing that I would ask any prayer warriors..... my heart is heavy as I have learned that one of my sweet theater kiddos is having some serious medical issues.  Tests are being run.  She has baffled the pediatric doctors (she kind of rolls like that anyway).  Please lift this sweet family up.  I would rather not share their name as I hadn't planned on writing this and didn't ask her mom but God knows every hair on her precious head.  Thank you in advance!