A Simple Reminder to Maintain Balance in Our Lives

If you are a longtime reader, then you may have noticed that things have slowed down here on 3G2S.  This blog will be turning 6 years old in March and this is post number 3,838!  Until 2014 rolled around, I could barely bring myself to go a whole 24 hours without publishing a post.  In fact, I was often publishing multiple blog posts daily and getting by on 4 hours of sleep per night just to make my deadlines.  The truth is that I had burnt out nearly a year ago, but kept going at the same pace.  Why?  Well, partially because I had set a standard and did not want to let my readers down.  The other part was needing to contribute to our household finances as much as possible.

I have shared a few inspirational quotes I've come across in the past, but this is the first and only quote I have displayed in our home (well . . . aside from a few refrigerator magnets).  It reads . . .

"Never get so busy making a living, that you forget to make a life."

I have this wooden sign displayed where my husband and I can see it multiple times per day.  We both work more than we would like because it's necessary, but we need to remember why we are doing it.  It's not so we can buy a larger television or a nicer car.  It's so we can provide for our children, whom we want to be happy and well-rounded.  Part of that is having parents who aren't exhausted and grouchy all the time, who have just enough time and energy to help them with their homework and prepare the meals, but little else.

When I put my mind to it, I am able to make some lasting fond memories for our children.  So, if you don't see a new post from me for 2 or 3 (or 5) days, it doesn't mean I've deserted you.  I'm talking with my children, playing games with them, surprising them with freshly baked cookies,  . . . or taking a much-needed nap.

I haven't quite achieved the perfect balance in my life yet, but I think I'm on the right track by accepting the fact that I cannot have so many full time jobs at once.  It is impossible to be successful at all of them.

What do you do to help maintain balance in your life?

Words To Live By (No. 4): Quote From Audrey Hepburn on Beauty

One of the things I am very conscious about as a parent of a girl is teaching our daughter what true beauty really is.  My husband and I take every opportunity that presents itself to tell all our children that inner beauty is what's most important and that someone can be beautiful on the outside, but be very ugly on the inside.  I think it is natural to be a little vain and I do not necessarily think that vanity has to go hand-in-hand with being shallow.

Even though my children probably do not know who Audrey Hepburn was, I'm sure they would think she was exquisite if they saw a picture of her.  Then I would explain to them that she was a great humanitarian who was also very beautiful on the inside.

I just love this quote by Audrey Hepburn.  I think it is a formula for true beauty that should be shared with every young girl.

For further inspiration, read more Words to Live By.

Words to Live By (No. 3): Before You Speak . . . THINK

At first glance, this piece of wall art seemed plain and ordinary to me.  After I read it, however, I realized that it embodies much of what I would like to teach my children about being a person in this world.  They may think that words cannot hurt, but they can.  They also may think that the words from one little person cannot make any impact in this world, but that is not true at all.

The fact is that these words go beyond the old saying "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."  It is saying to, not just avoid making a negative impact on someone else's day, but to make every effort to make a positive one.  I know my 6 year old daughter has experienced the wonderful feeling of offering comfort, reassurance, and kindness through her words multiple times and I hope her brothers will too someday soon.    I know that our daughter has inspired me to choose my words more carefully and to try to show more kindness to others, even though it is my natural instinct to not get involved in other people's affairs.

Has anyone in your life inspired you to be more kind, inspiring, and helpful?


For further inspiration, read more Words to Live By.

Words to Live By (List No. 2)

I came across a few inspirational quotes about courage I would like to share.  These are all things I would say to my own children (if they'd only slow down and really listen to me).  My list today is short, but the last words of wisdom is quite long.  It is a different take on the concept of house rules.  Instead of concentrating on what those living in the house should not do, it lists out what they should do, thus putting a more positive spin on it.

The first quote, which says "Courage does not always roar.  Sometimes it's the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, 'I will try again tomorrow.'"  This is something I would love for my children to learn.  Courage is often thought of as strong, bold, and obvious, but that is not always the case.  Even the smallest, quietest child can be strong and filled with more courage than an adult 10 times their size who can bellow loudly.

"You are far too smart to be the one thing standing in your way."

"Make today amazing.  Say I love you . . . then say it again.  Keep an open mind.  Keep an open heart.  Failure is not fatal, try again.  Embrace different.  Try something new.  Be grateful.  Be happy.  Be fearless.  Apologize and mean it.  The book is always better, read one.  Remember how much we love you."

For further inspiration, read more Words to Live By.

Words to Live By (List No. 1)

When I was younger, I thought inspirational quotes were a little corny and just something employers would hang on the walls around the office.  Now that I'm almost 40 . . . well, I do still think many of them are corny, but I can also see the wisdom behind some of them.  As a parent, I read these messages and hope that someday my children will be this wise.  I also hope that it doesn't take them 39.5 years to appreciate the meaning behind them.

As I come across words that speak to me, I will be sharing them and hopefully there will be one or two that will speak to you.  The one above that reads "Collect moments, not things" is my favorite from this list.  Which one is your favorite?

"Believe you can and you're half the way there."

"If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly want.  And all that is left is compromise." - Robert Fritz

"Breathe in the future, breathe out the past."

"Small acts transform the world."

For further inspiration, read more Words to Live By.

My New Favorite Quote About Happiness . . .

You may have noticed that I rarely share quotes on 3G2S.  In fact, this might be my very first time.  I saw this happiness quote on a print while shopping on Zulily this past weekend and just fell in love with it.  Although I have seen many similar quotes referring to happiness as a "journey", I have never seen it worded as in this Roy Goodman quote . . .

"Remember happiness is a way of travel . . . not a destination"

I think this happiness quote print would be perfect for a child's bedroom or playroom, especially if there was a transportation theme in the decor.  I'm still working out what I'd need to move to fit this print somewhere in the children's bedroom . . .