Complicated Simplicity

dear rachie (no. 05)

dear rachie,

you are doing so well on living up to your one little word for 2011-strong. some examples: 

• you have lost over 12 pounds since June 1
• you are getting in some form of exercise at least every other day, sometimes more
• you have resisted the tempataion to fall back into your pop-drinking addiction
• you have been aware of what you're eating and taking care to make more nutricious choices
• you have achieved 40 of your goals for 2011 already
• you are keeping the house functional and organized and clean
• you are intentionally putting yourself out there and make friends
• you are spending more intentional time with p each day
• you are making an effort to read a chapter with p each day as well
• you are trying to plan out your weeks more effectively
• you are working small adventures into your week
• you walked down almost every single beach and trail that p asked you to on vacation
• you are tracking your steps and moving more
• you are making summer as full as you can
• you are taking time to be present in each moment
• you are a participant in life and not just an onlooker

see how strong you are/have become? pretty amazing, if i do say so myself!!! there are still so many things you want to do/become, and you are on your way. don't get discouraged if the progress is slow, just remember to look at how far you've come and keep moving forward. you will get there, and if you don't...well, at least you tried and will have lots of stories to prove it! ;-)

keep it up! keep being strong and keep growing stronger!

rachie, xoxo

dear rachie (no. 04)...

dear rachie,

this week was a bit rough as far as making progress. you felt (and continue to feel) that you have so far to go and how in the heck are you going to get there and is it even worth it?!!! forget that. forget the endgame. the result. just look at the here and now. step by step is the only way to get there. just take the first step and once you've taken that, then you can take the next. don't worry about how long it takes you to get to the end. as long as you are making progress, you are doing just fine. just keep moving forward. pressing on. each day/hour/minute/second/moment is a brand new chance to get going or re-start. just move forward and you will see results. you will see the progress you are making. journal about where you're at right now so you can "see" the progress and change even when you can't see it with your heart and head. just hang in there. keep moving forward. and when you fail and are feeling down or are feeling like you're just not making enough progress or moving fast enough...keep moving forward. watch meet the robinsons. remember your verse of the year (from the Message joshua 1:9-Haven't I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don't be timid; don't get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take.) and just keep moving forward. you'll get there. they say life is a journey not a destination. so it is with all you are trying to do. it's a journey. and step by step you are becoming more "you". you are getting there.

keep moving forward

xoxoxoxoxo

dear rachie (no. 03)...

dear rachie,

• you have been killing your to-do lists each day and it's been awesome! keep it up-you always feel so accomplished at the end of each day.
• you have an insatiable thirst and hunger for documentaries this week. especially anything and everything concerning the corps of discovery and the oregon trail. that is one of the coolest things about you-you love to learn. never lose that.
• you are moving more!!! that's a huge thing for you. you've been getting on the wii and doing your biggest loser workouts a few times each week-AND, you got out there and hiked around Mt. Tabor (even though you had a poor night of sleep and a killer headache). it's one step closer to being the you you want to be physically.
• you had a very good week this week-they're not all going to bring so much *wonderful*, just remember this feeling and hang in there throughout the year. 2011 is a good one.

xoxoxo rachie

dear rachie (no. 02)...

dear rachie,

• don't stress too much about meeting/doing all of your goals for 2011-just live with intention and do what you can, the rest will work itself out.
• re-read your mission statement every week or so for encouragement and inspiration-it will help you remember what's important and what isn't.
• you are learning so very much about who you are and who you want to be and it's awesome! it isn't going to always feel this way so enjoy the process and write it down.
• don't get hung up on the "gotta dos" of life-they will be there tomorrow. enjoy the time you have with paul and with wawa and cherish each and every special moment.
• this is your year to become strong-physically, emotionally, relationally with paul, spiritually-go get em!
• you love to create and you love adventure-do a little of both every single day and you'll feel so much better when you lay your head down at night. :-)
• it's a big task, but once you get the apt in order you can create it into such an inspiring and relaxing space for both you and paul. keep that in mind as you sort through and organize everything (and the task gets overwhelming)
• paul won't work the saturday graveyard shift very often, so don't stress or get anxious about the times that he does (like last night)
• just live-with intention. enjoy every moment of 2011 and learn all you can in the process. keep your attitude positive and your focus straight and you'll be fine.

xoxo, rachie

dear rachie (no. 01)...

 

dear rachie,

• one of these days, your sleeping schedule will get back to normal.
• remember the way you feel is only temporary...this "out of sync" feeling will go away eventually and the contentment and peace will set in once again, just hold on.
• take Paul's advice and get some new acne stuff for your face...if even he is noticing it, it's a problem. (note: it is also the reason that this photo is of a tiny sliver of me...my face looks like i have some kind of pox)
• you have so many great ideas in your head and on lists in your notebooks...just do them.
• remember that when paul is cranky when woken, it's just because he's still half asleep and he doesn't mean any of it...he won't even remember it in the morning.
• write down the funny things paul says, you will not remember them in ten minutes.
• take more photos of you + p...you don't take nearly enough.
• get healthy...you deserve to live life to the fullest, and your family would like to see you stick around for awhile (not to mention the four beautiful littles in your life who will soon be looking up to you...set a good example).
• be fierce...slowly add nicer pieces of clothing into your wardrobe, you'll feel much better about yourself when you're looking your best.
• just do it...have the adventures you dream of, don't keep waiting for the "perfect" time...now *is* the perfect time.
• start walking more...a daily walk and talk with p and the waby baby will make you feel so much better...healthier...loved.
• quit being so afraid of being you and sharing your heart with p and the world.
• with a little more planning *and* a little more doing, you can become the wife you so want to be.
• remember...don't give up on something you can't go a day without thinking about...even when it would be easier to abandon the dream.

xoxo, rachie