Is the cup half full or half empty? I try to be the person who sees things as half full. But then there is a whole other set of people, whose cup is overflowing.

Lately I have been reminded that self-care is key to filling the cup. It is best to help others by overflowing our cup into theirs, not draining yours to fill theirs. And this goes for our children as well.

Well admittedly I am not the best at self-care. I do it well for a while once my cup gets drained to critical levels and then once it is feeling full I tend to let it slip out of the routine again. 

As I stood in a stairwell feeling overwhelmed and letting a few tears slide down my face I realized something. First, every time I take a parenting class or ask a great parent their "trick", the answer has to do with self-care. Second, I am focusing on the challenges instead of seeing the opportunities. Third, maybe I just have an unrealistic size cup.

Another mom was walking passed and noticed my overwhelm last night in the stairwell. She could have kept walking but she did not. We talked for several minutes and she gave me a hug. 

Most of my friends' self-care happens by trading with their husbands. They are home during the day and when their husbands get home they take a little time for themselves to go to the gym or whatever, at least a few days a week. When my husband gets home, I go to work. If he is lucky he will get a few minutes of downtime before our daughter wakes from her nap. When I get home it is not uncommon for our daughter to fight for my attention as I wolf down a few bites of dinner before getting her ready for bed. 

The short time I have between my daughter crashing and my heading to bed myself is usually spent with my husband catching up on the day or watching a short show while we snuggle to get some time to connect. It is our only time to see each other and while it is important to me, it does usually leave me feeling like I just had "me time". It fills a different cup.

But last night I had a thought. Maybe my perspective is skewed because I want to fill an oversized cup. What if I shift my view to a smaller cup? And what if I choose to use the time I already have to myself for "me time"?

On my drive home last night I reached out to a cd case that sits in my car unused. It holds cds from when I was in high school and I don't even know why it is in my car. I pulled out a random cd and traded it for the kids cd that was in the player. "...Oh my G*d, Becky...look at her butt..." Of all the country cds in that case there was also a cd called Monster Booty. 

Needless to say I laughed all the way home at the ridiculousness of myself listening to these booty songs. As I laughed it reminded me two things. One, I have a long commute each day all to myself to enjoy as I choose. Two, laughter is so healing and being trained in Laughter Yoga means I have a whole bucketful of tricks for laughing. 

There will still be times I need a long soak in the tub or to get our for a run. But my cup can overflow in a million other ways that are available to me each day through my conscious choice and perspective.

I'm so grateful for the mom who stopped in the stairwell. I'm grateful for her taking the time to talk and for the reminder it gave me that we are all still figuring it out. I'm grateful to know that there were a lot of factors in my overwhelm last night and to shed the ones that were not mine. I'm grateful for my daughter and all the joy she brings to my life. I'm grateful to see how I can add self-care into my day just by focusing on the time I already have and slowing down to consciously enjoy it. I'm grateful for the Universe's humor in letting me pick the one cd that was bound to get a laugh. I'm grateful to laugh and to feel my cup fill. I'm grateful to change my perspective.

What fills your cup? What overflows your cup? What size cup are you trying to fill? 

May today remind us that half full is good but we can reach for more. May our cup overflow and may our perspectives support us in accepting that abundance. Have a beautiful day!

I have known for a while that I needed to purge the house of some of the clutter that was building up. I mean do we really need seven coolers? But I didn't realize just how energized it would make me until my mom said the magic words, "garage sale".

The news of my mom's neighborhood having a garage sale has spurred me into action. Yes, our neighborhood has an annual garage sale but with our super steep driveway and my work schedule it did not lend itself to participating this year. At my parents' house the driveway is spacious and there is a fenced play set to occupy my toddler.

The clearing started with going through some old boxes that were still at my parents' house from when I sold my house many years ago. Going through the boxes was not as tiring as I thought it might be, especially since most of the boxes were books. Instead it energized me to start digging through my own basement and garage for all the things we don't use or don't need multiples!

It is so refreshing clearing space. Seeing the pile grow is exhilarating! 

I have read about how good it is for the mind and soul to clear out periodically. Well it took me a while but now I see and FEEL the truth in it. My only question is, "what else can I add to the pile?!"

I'm grateful to clear out the house. I'm grateful to finally go through the boxes at my parents' house. I'm grateful for all the great memories that get attached to things and I'm equally grateful to see I can keep the memory with out the physical stuff. I'm grateful to clear out. I'm grateful to gain space. I'm grateful my husband and I are on the same page as we clear.

What do you want to clear out? How can you give yourself the space you need?

​May today allow us to let go. May we find energy and comfort in not holding on. Have a beautiful day!

There is something about the relationship with a brother that can not be rivaled in any other relationship. There is the frustration of torment overshadowed by adoration. A brother can get away with things no one else can.

Growing up my memories float between being pinned down with dangling loogies, playing sports where he occasionally let me win, and the security of knowing no one in the neighborhood would mess with me because he had my back. There is a rule with big brothers; they are the only ones allowed to torment their sisters. 

Recently my brother was sharing the memory of celebrating my birthday in high school. He would forge a note and get me out of class and we would go out to lunch. I was so straight-laced that it was quite an adventure each year to know I was skipping school, even if just for a short lunch. 

I had simple tastes so each year we would go to Taco Via to celebrate and occasionally stopped for ice cream too. 

As he recounts the story he says it was his way of influencing where I picked for birthday dinner with our parents. Taco Via taken care of the options were open and I was amendable. But the trick is on him because I probably would have let him pick even without the lunch. I just enjoyed getting to spend the time with my big brother.

Today is my brother's birthday. Perhaps I will forge a note to get him out of work for lunch (a little harder to pull off since he IS the boss) or maybe I'll just bring him some Taco Via. After all, he will get to pick dinner.

I'm grateful to be blessed with a big brother. I'm grateful for the ways he made me into a stronger person. I'm grateful for the ways he protected me. I'm grateful to still be close and see him a few times a week. I'm grateful for the relationship we have now as adults. I'm grateful for all the memories we created growing up. I'm grateful my daughter has a great uncle that she loves to spend time with and the feeling is mutual. I'm grateful to get to celebrate another year with an awesome brother.

What memories do you have growing up with a brother? 

May today mature us passed the loogie stage. May we celebrate the relationship of siblings and the funny memories we've created. Have  a beautiful day!

I have known for a while that I needed to purge the house of some of the clutter that was building up. I mean, do we really need seven coolers? But I didn't realize just how energized it would make me until my mom said the magic words, "garage sale."

The news of my mom's neighborhood having a garage sale has spurred me into action. Yes, our neighborhood has an annual garage sale but with our super steep driveway and my work schedule it did not lend itself to participating this year. At my parents' house the driveway is spacious and there is a fenced play set to occupy my toddler.

The clearing started with some boxes that were still at my parents' house from when I sold my house many years ago. Going through the boxes was not as tiring as I thought it might be, especially since most of the boxes were books. Instead it energized me to come home and start digging through my own basement and garage for all the things we don't use or don't need multiples! 

It is so refreshing clearing space. Seeing the pile grow is exhilarating! 

I have read about how it is good for the mind and soul to clear out periodically. Well it took me a while but now I see and FEEL the truth in it. My only question is, "what else can I add to the pile?"

I'm grateful to clear out the house. I'm grateful to finally go through the boxes at my parents'. I'm grateful for all the great memories that get attached to things and I'm equally grateful to see I can keep the memory without the physical stuff. I'm grateful to clear out. I'm grateful to gain space. And I'm grateful my husband and I are on the same page as we clear.

What do you want to clear out? How can you give yourself the space you need?

May today allow us to let go. May we find energy and comfort in not holding on. Have a beautiful day!

Today would be my Grandpa's birthday. Although he has been gone a little over two years now, he still lives vibrantly in my memories.

If he were here today we would probably be having chili for dinner tonight followed by angel food cake. He would have several ornery jokes as long as the news wasn't on tv and he would act like it was a challenge to blow out all the candles even though there would only be a few.

Celebrating today is more than celebrating the day a loved one joined the world. It is celebrating the memories we created and building new happy memories with those that are still here to celebrate.

So many times we wait for a special occasion to celebrate. What if the only occasion we needed was being together? What if the only occasion we needed was simply being alive? 

I have different ideas on afterlife than most of the people I love. But if heaven is a place I just can't imagine it being anything but a big afterparty. 

So today I propose a celebration! I propose an afterparty, not for those who have passed but for all of us who live to celebrate their memories. I propose embracing the gift we have in today and making new, fun memories.

I'm so grateful for all the memories made with Grandpa. I'm grateful to have taken the time to get to know him better in my adult life. I'm grateful for his sense of humor and all the silly songs he taught me. I'm grateful for his wisdom even when it bordered on conspiracy. I'm grateful for all the Tuesday night dinners and even more grateful for just popping in on occasion and getting some one on one time. I'm grateful for the stories he shared and the memories of my Grandma. I'm grateful for their love and that their hearts are together again. I'm grateful to celebrate in his honor today!

How can you celebrate life today? How can you honor the memories of those you love? 

May today remind us the present is a present in itself. May we celebrate each day we are here and may whatever comes next be one big, happy after party! Have a beautiful day!

This weekend my family and I took a short escape to Arkansas. I love Arkansas and though the trees have not begun showing their fall foliage the beauty was still abundant.

We partly went to celebrate my husband and my five year dating anniversary. We partly went as an early birthday present to me. But we went with a purpose, to reach another high point together.

My husband and my goal is to reach the highest point of each state together. Some of those will be more challenging than others and require more commitment than this weekends short hike. But then, that is a good reflection of marriage.

Sometimes marriage is a beautiful and easy walk. Other times it takes more effort and teamwork to climb the path. Either way, when the hike is done as a team, everyone wins.

I'm grateful to "get high" on life with my husband. I'm grateful to know that the same strength and determination that helps me reach high points will help me build and strengthen our marriage. I'm grateful to have a partner along for the adventure. I'm grateful to have reached several high points together already and to add one more to the list this weekend. I'm grateful for an easy one this time as my daughter gets heavier in the backpack carrier. I'm grateful to include her in the journey and for her budding interest in hiking herself.

How does the path you choose reflect your life? What symbolism shows up in the challenges and adventures we choose to accept?

​May today remind us that life is a grand adventure. May we say yes to the things that build not only ourselves but our relationships. And may we pause to enjoy the beauty along the way. Have a beautiful day!

When my husband and I were planning our wedding we picked a beautiful outdoor venue. As the day of our wedding approached the weatherman called for rain. I had several people ask me, "What is Plan B?". My response, "Plan B is we get wet."

It seemed silly to me to wait out the rain, set up tents, or move into a barn which would all require major changes such as a different venue. We were walking into a marriage that would have its rainy says along with its sunshine. We were preparing to build a life together not just a happy moments highlight reel. 

We got a little wet that day. We laughed. Everyone survived. And it made for a great memory, especially since the rain mostly stopped from the time my entrance song was cued until right as we walked down the "aisle" as husband and wife.

Rain has been a part of our relationship since the beginning. We love to camp and on every camping trip we have been on together it has rained. Sometimes it was a light drizzle that lasted only a short time while other times we have literally had our tent floating as water lapse at the seems and the campground floods. 

It is part of our adventure, part of our story. So it comes as no surprise as we prepare to celebrate our five year dating anniversary this weekend as well as my birthday, early, that the weatherman has forecast rain. At this point I'm not sure we would know what to do without it. We will still get out and celebrate and I'm sure we will get a few laughs and great memories as well.

I'm grateful for the rain. I'm grateful for the fun we have had riding out the storms. I'm grateful to throw out having a plan B and just commit to being present with each other. I'm grateful for the love we have built and grown over the five years we've been together. I'm grateful for the fifty more years to come whether they bring rain or shine. I'm just grateful to be traveling together.

Do you have any funny rain stories? What areas of life to you give yourself a plan B and what areas do you just enjoy the ride? 

May today bring what it brings and may we have fun anyway. May our hearts be filled with enough warmth and love to get us through anything. Have a beautiful day!

There is a commonly recognized sign for love where the middle and ring fingers are folded down and the other fingers are out. It is the combination of the sign language letters I, L, and Y. 

In my family it is also common to simply hold up four fingers to show love. A simple gesture, a simple number to represent a big feeling.

I love numbers so it may come as no surprise to you that I love finding symbolism in numbers. The number 5, to me, represents gratitude. My hand is open and accepting and yet overflowing with abundance at the same time, gratitude.

Well today marks five years since my first date with my husband. Some people say the dating anniversary doesn't matter after you get married but I disagree. They say it is when you chose to commit your lives to each other that matters most but to reach that step there has to be a lot of connection, growth, and love. And all of that started because of the courage to go on a first date. It all starts because two people said, "let's try." 

In the last five years a lot has changed. We've traveled, married, had a child, experienced job changes, lost loved ones, grown our love, and gone through plenty of bumps. We're still here. We love stronger, learn more each day, and choose commitment. 

We started dating in 2013. Some may say the number 13 is jinxed but for me that year brought great things. 

Marriage came in '15 and '16 brought a little miracle into this world. All the while my heart swells with 4's and 5's.

Love is a large feeling. It is hard to capture in words and perhaps giving it one number is too simplified. But when you add all the numbers that make the love and memories that fill my heart, it is enough.

I'm so grateful for my husband. I'm grateful for the bumps we have weathered together, the losses and the challenges that make us stronger. I'm grateful to choose commitment each day. I'm grateful for all the beautiful memories we have created. I'm grateful for all the ones to come as we build our life. I'm grateful for our beautiful little family that is all my dreams come true. And I'm grateful that five years ago both of us said, "let's try." and went on our first date.

What numbers mean love to you? Who do you hold in your heart? What are you grateful for today?

May today remind us of all the love around us. May we remember it is not so complicated as we may fear and yet more complex than the simple terms we have for expressing. Have a beautiful day!

I found myself in the depths of awesome dreams again last night. From learning lessons from my dad about just going for it and letting go of all the worry to being in school with my best friend and telling a group of people all about this amazing sci-fi book I read, that I have never read, it was an amazing adventurous night.

I got to rely on my brain and trust that I knew the steps to hook myself up and rappel down a large. The whole time my dad was right there following my direction and trusting me with full faith as we prepared to leap. Every time I would question the safety or if I remembered every step he would remind me to trust myself as much as he does.

The second dream was about this amazing science fiction book series.  I showed my friends a few clips of the movie but told them it was no where near as in depth as the three books the movie was based. I told them about scenes and the interwoven connections of the people in the story. I woke up wanting to read the books again, trying to remember if my husband had read the books yet when full consciousness returned and I realized I had never read nor heard of these books.

My imagination has been sparked as it often is by dreams. I have a whole notebook of dreams I wish to make into books someday and this series is probably top of that list since I saw the whole outline. And yet that is usually where it stays, imagination contained in a notebook.

I will write my notes today and I vow to continue to imagine on it. I will create something from this incredible dream. 

I'm grateful for my imagination and the beauty of dreamland. I'm grateful for the powerful messages in my dreams last night. I'm grateful for the time with my dad even if it was in a different realm. I'm grateful to be inspired, once again, to write. I'm grateful for it being paired with the reminder to believe in myself. And I'm grateful for the fascinating storyline.

Where does your imagination take you? What can you create with your inspiration today? 

May today help us to explore our imagination. May we celebrate the beauty of the mind. Have a beautiful day!

In one of my many, short dreams last night I was walking down the sidewalk and noticed a boy. He was maybe eight years old and he was sitting on an old wall next to a creek. He appeared to be alone and looked distraught.

I asked him if everything was ok and he shook his head slowly and whispered, "there is a bobcat over there and it is going to get me." I looked to the area of brush he pointed too opposite the creek, next tot he sidewalk. We would have to walk right past it to continue on our way.

Looking back to the boy I said, "the thing about bobcats is they are scared of music. So if we just sing like there is nothing to be afraid of then we can walk right passed." He took my hand and I started to sing the first song that came to my mind as I walked him passed the brush. 

Once we were a block beyond the area he turned to me and said, "I didn't think you would hear me, I was only whispering." He began to fade as I began to wake but it brought a wave of memories and emotions as I recalled being a child. When I was young I often spoke in a whisper. People were constantly asking me to repeat myself or not hearing me all together. I tried to tell the boy that I had heard him with my heart but when I turned my head there was only pillow and the darkness of my room.

Dreams carry so many symbols. They help us process old baggage or see where we may be going off course today. Dreams can help give clarity or closure. For me, this dream not only speaks to an old sore and the fears of childhood but awaken me to my ability to tune in to my daughter. I know her energy. I know in my heart when things are off if I pause in the busy day enough to listen. 

There is so much more to be gained from this dream that I will embrace over the day as I have time to reflect. For now it steadies my feeling that my daughter is needing extra love and attention these days as she continues to make a lot of "big girl" transitions.

I'm grateful for this dream. I'm grateful to stop and listen to the boy. I'm grateful to know that fears can be conquered with faith, especially together. I'm grateful for the scene of the dream that held so much symbolism of its own. I'm grateful for dreams that stir emotions and reflection. I'm grateful to slow things down as best I can and be there for my daughter. I'm grateful for the ability to put myself in others' shoes.

Do you remember your dreams? Are there any whispers that have been calling to you that you need to pause and listen? 

May today embrace the whisper of our hearts. May we connect with our loved ones through our hearts first and then our ears. May we give love and support to those in need. Have a beautiful day!