A Year for Change

There are few things as constant in life as change. No matter how we try to avoid it, life throws curve balls, lemons, and the occasional rotten tomato. But not all changes are bad. In fact change is the pathway to greatness, if you embrace it with optimist and wisdom.

This is definitely not how I handle change! I like to go down kicking and screaming, but I don’t recommend it. So with the beginning of a New Year approaching and many impending changes on the horizon (known and unknown), my number one resolution is to accept change with grace.

5 Ways to Embrace Change

1 – Slow Down

Speed is the number one factor for most car accidents, and burn outs. Change is stressful and should be handled with care. Slowing down allows you to take the time to work change into your life and adjust in a healthy manner.

2 – Prioritize

There are some things that are necessary to maintain life and others to maintain sanity. Figure out which things make it so you can face the day with power. For me that means reading scriptures, saying prayers, taking a shower, and exercising. If I get even a few of those in I seem to be able to accomplish more than I could without them.

3 – Say No

We all fall into the trap of overestimating what we can do. We say yes to things and then overdo it. There are good things to do, better things to do and the best things to do. Only say yes to the best. If it’s in line with your highest priority, that is a yes, if its just a good thing that seems fun then its OK to say no.

4 – Accept Your Best

One of the myths of humanity is that our “best efforts” are static or simply increase with practice. My best effort today is not the same as when I only had one kid at home, and it went down when my husband went to boot camp, and I certainly takes a nose dive while I pregnant. Does it mean we’re failing? No, it means we are human and entering a different season of our lives. Don’t beat yourself up for doing your best, even if it’s different than it was yesterday.

5 – Stay Positive

Outlook is destructive or constructive. Sometimes staying positive can be a challenge, but it’s always a life saver. A negative perspective sucks energy, especially the energy that you need to use to embrace change and make it a constructive part of who you are becoming. Keep a gratitude journal, happy quotes, surround yourself with positive people, or simply make a list of all the positive outcomes that will come to help you stay positive and motivated.

Embarking on a New Year and Another Journey

As I’ve looked over this last year and the huge changes our family has faced, I’m amazed at how we’ve changed and all we’ve become. We had a baby, endured boot camp, moved, and had a new kindergartner. As I look forward to 2014, I know we have even more changes to come: our 1^st deployment, baby #6 (consider this an official announcement) and another child entering kindergarten. Instead of dreading and kicking against the bricks, I am determined to embrace the change!

This means making some difficult changes. With that being said, I’m sorry to say that this is my farewell post for Preparedness Mama. I have loved every minute of it and am so grateful for amazing readers and all that I’ve learned! But I after careful prayer and consideration, my family needs me and I need to slow down. My best has changed again and that’s OK.

I hope you all have a wonderful year of change and growth. I hope the end of 2013 finds you better than you started and that 2014 is full of hope and joy.

Happy New Year!