Recently I joined a Facebook group called “The Best Month Ever” based on the book The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod. The premise of the book (and the group) is that by implementing a specific morning routine, we can be much more successful at achieving our goals. Step one for members of The Best Month Ever group was to set a goal for the month. Step two was to begin posting on the Facebook group page about how your goal and “Miracle Mornings” were going.
I was more of a silent observer in the group, and it was fun to read along as people set some pretty lofty goals: lose 15 pounds, start a business, write a book, etc. However, I struggled to come up with my Best Month Ever goal as I couldn’t quite figure out what big thing I needed to be reaching for. Here’s what the entire endeavor taught me:
I like my life.
I like being a mom. I like the mundane (except cooking—never cooking). I like waking up in the morning and planning what I’m going to organize, what errands I’ll run, whom I will talk to, how I will serve. I find joy in my 15 minutes of religious study and my half hour of morning yoga.
I like making a cup of hot chocolate for my daughter and handing it to her as she walks out the door. I like morning prayers and a kiss with my husband and the sound of my boys coming home from school. I like calls from my college sons and lunch with my mom. I like good talks with friends, the chance to serve with good people, and meaningful worship every Sunday.
Sure, I have hard times and worry and stress. There are stages in life I’m not eager to repeat, and I spend my fair share of sleepless nights trying to solve the world’s (or the marching band’s) problems. It’s not that I don’t have big aspirations of my own. Someday I would like to be a speaker and a writer, go on a religious or humanitarian trip, and travel the world. Someday.
But for now, these “small” things are enough. Not everyone has to be striving for a big life change. Our dreams can be small, such as focusing more on our children or enjoying the everyday of life. We can make small changes that help us see and appreciate the life that we are already living.
I spent my month focusing on gratitude for my simple—some may say boring—life and appreciating my blessings and relationships. I may not have had the loftiest goals, but I can honestly say, I did have The Best Month Ever.
QUESTION: Take time to consider your overall life satisfaction. Is there something big you could accomplish that would bring you more happiness? Or could focusing more on gratitude for the good things in your life increase that satisfaction?
CHALLENGE: Set a goal to change something that will bring you more happiness OR set a goal to deliberately feel and express gratitude for the good things in your life.
Originally published on September 1, 2016.
Edited by Lisa Hoelzer and Amanda Lewis
My experience is similar to yours. Being a mother is more than enough for me. There are ample opportunities for creativity, problem-solving and joy. Which is not to say that it doesn’t have its moments of frustration or boredom. But there is much beauty in the mundane.
This is such a lovely and needed reminder! Thank you! I am a board member for Power of Moms, and I submit some of our best content to the Deseret News in Utah for publication on their Family Life blog–would you mind if I submitted this for consideration? Let me know!
Thanks!
I would love if you did!
I appreciate this! I have friends with these amazing goals and ambitions and I always felt a little odd that I just love my life the way it is!
I think there are such great blessings in feeling content with our lives:)
I love this! This really resonated with me. I’m an avid podcast listener/reader and sometimes I wonder if there’s something wrong with me because I’m not trying to start a business/solve world hunger/do something awesome. But then in quiet moments with God I’m reminded that I’m where I need to be, doing what I need to do and it is SUCH relief. Having goals and aspirations is wonderful, and I firmly believe that it’s good to always be striving towards some form of self improvement. But I’d venture to say that more often than not, that striving looks like simple “boring” steps taken daily. Honestly, I think the most effective, positive change comes in the form of dedicated parents loving their children. It may not be glamorous but my peanut butter/spit up stained mom-uniform wouldn’t be appropriate for anything glamorous anyways 😉 Thanks for encouraging us “simple” gals.
Oh thank you! I also listen to a lot of pod casts while I like the idea of improving, I don’t know that improving always looks like grandiose things. Sometimes sure–but usually it’s the everyday things that make the biggest impact. I remind myself of that daily when I’m making lunches, waiting up for teenagers, and writing up Saturday chore lists.
Thanks for sharing these wonderful thoughts! It’s nice to enjoy the simple and mundane things, isn’t it! I’m starting to get this concept better as I get older.