Dear Reader:

The other day Kaitlyn shared with me a new author (new to me) that has become one of her favorites, along with Brene Brown. I love Brene Brown’s writings so I looked up the other author Glennon Doyle Melton and realized quickly why she was so popular…particularly with young people today. Her outlook on life and down-to-earth observations of it make readers connect to her thoughts instantly…thinking “That’s right…she nailed it.”

Glennon Doyle Melton is best known for her two New York bestsellers, Love Warrior, and Carry On Warrior...she is also a popular speaker and philanthropist.

I decided to read some of her well-recognized quotes and choose some that spoke to me…that I have written and talked about in general on my blogs… but include her nutshell insights that welcome our own additional observations. Here are some of my personal observations connecting her quotes and thoughts.

1. Don’t we waste so much of life waiting for something good to happen, not realizing we are that “good” that has already happened? We are the one we’ve been waiting for. And yet we still wait?  Wednesday I was reminded of this when I spent the day enjoying myself (while waiting on the predicted rain that never came) playing childhood games and opening up my world to imagination. It was the most relaxing, fun day I have spent in awhile. I was  being good to my mind, my body, and most importantly…my spirit.

2. “You are not a mess. You are a feeling person in a messy world.”

This is such an important concept that we all must embrace. It follows one of Brene Brown’s famous quotes: “Want to be happy? Stop trying to be perfect.” Or as Melton adds, “We can choose to be perfect and admired or to be real and loved.” From my own experiences in life…the two thoughts should be one and the same. If we are being true to ourselves…then we will be admired for being real and loving. Not perfect…just caring and loving. We are doing the best we can and we never stop trying.

…And that takes us to the next Melton quote:

As soon as I read this I knew instantly why I feel sometimes that I keep circling the same path over and over. It is because I keep getting ahead of myself and trying to take ‘leaps and bounds’ (to get ahead of the ‘game’) instead of walking down my own path one step at a time at my own pace. All I have to do is one “right thing one thing at a time.” Melton is right…it will “take us all the way home.”

This reminded me of my epiphany I shared with you Christmas a year ago while storytelling at the annual Summerville MS Chapter Christmas luncheon. As I looked around the room (before I started that year’s Christmas story) I suddenly realized the time and effort it took many of the participants in the room to simply “show up” …to get out of bed, get dressed, eat breakfast…for many get helped into the car..it was nothing short of miraculous to see the size of the crowd. It was a great act of courage and bravery that the audience performed each day of their lives. I have never forgotten it.

Showing up for life each and every day is the bravest act we can perform because life is “messy and complicated and sometimes we are afraid, but in spite of it all, we manage to show up.” A pat on the back for everyone!

So until tomorrow…on that high note…Be kind to yourself today. Life is messy, not you; quit waiting for the right moment…it is the right moment for you right now to live life to the fullest; do one right thing each day to help you down your own path; and then just show up for life each day…the world is a better place for you doing so!

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

*Mollie sent me this photo of Rutledge and Lachlan sharing a little “Sissy” time with Eloise! Eloise showed off her new moves yesterday…she rolled over for the first time and then she rolled back with her head up grinning…so proud of herself. Now the fun starts for Boo…I won’t be able to leave her alone for a moment…the pace is picking up!

*My garden let me know it was happy yesterday (even though it was sad too about the lack of rain) with a big yellow smiley face and purple flowers…such a beautiful combination.