Over the past year, I have noticed this trend that I know is intended to inspire. People are becoming cheerleaders. Books and posts and movements have started that are encouraging people to think big. Don’t settle for small. Make an impact. Do great things.
And that is awesome, right?
Except if it’s just not what you want. And not because you don’t want to make an impact, but I just cringe at all the pressure that causes us to question if we’re enough. If we’re doing enough.
For me, I know that it was a good day if I had special moments with my kids where we connect and we really listen to each other. I know that it was a good day if I don’t feel anxiety at bed time over the piles of laundry. I love family meal time, so I know it was a good day if I cooked (and I love to cook!) and we sat down together as a family. I know it was a good day if I made time for the Lord and talked to Him throughout my day. I know it was a good day if I laughed and if I got outside for either exercise or just a walk with my family.
Those things aren’t big. But, to me, they’re not small either. And there are days when some of those things don’t happen. There are even days when none of those things happen. And on those days I don’t want to feel like I failed. But I know that I have to have the little things that light me up and ignite my spirit. So that I can give that same fire to the people I love.
I recently attended Making Things Happen and one of the things I learned is that there are some non-negotiables that fire me up in my every day. And I haven’t always given these things a place in my day. So I wanted to share the list of what fires me up.
dance parties
family walks
time with the Lord first thing in the morning
playing games with the boys
singing
laughing with Todd
fresh flowers
Dance parties around the house are the best. It was my “trick” during the witching hour when the boys were babies and it’s still my trick to distract them until Daddy gets home. They love to dance. Yesterday, a friend came over to visit and we were watching Frozen. Hayes looked like he was just dancing, but he was actually doing every movement that Elsa did. He has seen it enough to sing the song and act out the song exactly like Elsa, and it was truly the funniest thing I’ve ever seen that kid do.
When fresh flowers are in my home, my mood shifts. It sounds silly, but it’s true. So every Sunday, I buy a few inexpensive stems at Trader Joe’s and set them out on the kitchen counter. When I start my morning reading my Bible and praying, it sets the tone for the whole day and I know that I’ve put God first. I love to sing, so I love to have music playing in the house. My mood lifts. Things shift. It could be Fleetwood Mac. It could be Katy Perry. Or it could be worship music.
There are days when Todd and I don’t connect. We’re tired. He’s worked all day and we’ve gotten the boys to bed and we just zone out… and then I fall asleep on the couch. Laughing with him fires me up. He’s the funniest guy I know.
These are the essentials to having my best day. They seem simple, and they really are. But they fire me up and keep me focused on what’s most important in my life.
What’s on your list? What fires you up?
That’s so true, it’s not only about the biggies in life, but the everyday things that get you going!
I love all of your posts, but I really love this one. I am a full time working mommy, but six months ago, my world changed. I went from a high stress, time consuming position to a position that has freed up time for the truly important stuff in life. I used to spend my evenings at board meetings or civic functions, but now I get to spend them cooking dinner, going to baseball and soccer practice, playing games, watching movies, or going for a run. I’m so thankful for the changes that God laid in my lap. I’m not going to lie, I have had a bit of guilt for stepping down from various boards and taking myself off of various committees, because I felt like I was letting people down, but deep down, I know that I’m now making an impact into the lives that are the most important to me, my two precious sons and my amazing husband. It’s definitely those little things with them each day that fire me up!
I love this! It’s the little things that cause my heart to pitter patter…I usually use that term when referring to things that “fire me up”. Donations and big event that help others are always great, but family IS where it is. My list is as follows
One on one conversations with my boys
Connecting with hubby and that laughter thing is big 😉
Planning our families future fills me with excitement
Beautiful pieces of furniture
Sunday dinners
Bright fun colors
you are growing up my friend… it’s the little things that are truly the BIG things! Material things ar enice but precious time, moments with your family are an unmeasurable wealth!
Who doesn’t love fresh flowers?! Great post on hanging on to what you value most — I agree, big ideas are great, but we cannot lose sight of what we love.
and now i’ve just added fleetwood mac to my spotify…
i know i could’ve loved you but you wouldn’t leeeet meeeeeeeeeee
(that’s me you hear in west columbia.)
How’d you know that Silver Springs is my all time favorite Fleetwood Mac song?? Love!
I’LL FOLLOW YOU DOWN TIL THE SOUND OF MY VOICE WILL HAUNT YOU
last night I had one of these moments, Erin! I was playing memory with Andrew and then we were playing fetch with maggie and it was just so fun and then we had a dance party. (those are really big in our house too)
I think my favorite moments that “fire me up” but also “bring me home” are when we sit on our back porch in the afternoons, eat al fresco, and play with Andrew & Maggie. 🙂
Erin, what a beautiful post! I agree, oftentimes we are so busy rushing to “get somewhere” that we forget how wonderful right now is. There is a Chinese proverb that I try to remember each day (with varying degrees of success :)) “If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present”. Have a wonderful day!
Big family dinners (with extended family, too), hearing all about a day of kindergarten (I never knew so much went on there!), hugs first thing in the morning
Amen! And I’m really wishing you posted a video of Hayes 🙂
I love this!! And I agree 100%. I think that so many times, we are worried with making such a big impact out in the world that we miss out on making an impact in the lives of the ones we love. Making memories with the littles, connecting with our spouse, just giving the dog that belly rub that they crave so much… These seemingly little things can make more of an impact than we realize, and I’m with you – if I try to make the same impact as someone else, not only will I find myself feeling like a failure (because it’s not what I’m meant for), but I’ll also.miss out on what I AM supposed to be striving for in my everyday life right now… In the season that God has me in, now.
Thanks for the reminder, and I’m with you all the way! Now let’s go be awesome in our own little way! Whooooot!!! (Now you’ve got me all fired up. Haha)
Great words of wisdom! It truly is the little moments in life that mean the most!
So sweet what he said about Jesus in his heart! Kids have such great faith it seems! It is so hard to send your little one into surgery. I have done it several times but have always seen God’s grace through it. I’ve never done it alone though, nearly had to once, but not so far. Bless your heart for being by yourself!
Love this post so much. It’s so easy to forget those simple things that we love, right? I made a “what fires me up” list that I display on my bulletin board. For times when I want to just get back to what makes me happy.
Thanks for reminding me to take a look at that list.
Love this post! It’ all so true! Being a new mom it’s been fun to embrace what keeps me going because of my time off work. I finally have to go back next Monday so I have to remind myself about how I’m going to stay fired up for my little one. Dance parties are a must around here, walks around the block with the pup are a requirement and journaling is the best! Thanks for the reminder on remembering the little things to keep me going!