2011 : One step at a time

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" -Lao-tzu


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Our heater broke the other night and I had to make an emergency trip to Wal-mart to pick up some space heaters. As I walked in, I saw carts full of leftover Christmas candy on sale. Just past the junk food, I saw aisles full of Slim-Fast, diet pills, and workout gear all on sale for new years. Sigh. It just makes me sad. People stuff themselves with "forbidden" food over the holidays and think that they have to start some drastic, unsustainable diet on January 1st.

Dear women of the world, do not subject yourself to such self-torture.

You are beautiful, just the way you are. (Yes, you)

You are allowed to eat anything you want, anytime.

You have all the power you need to change your world.

Stop chasing after the "perfect life/diet/etc" and enjoy where you are right now on the journey.

Stop worrying about your face, your behind, your tummy, your double chin. Spend your time loving your children, loving your husband, enjoying the fresh air, loving the beautiful earth, and loving your double chin.

We are all at different places, on different paths.....and that is ok.


Is my diet perfect? No.
Are my kids well behaved angels? No.
Is my house clean and organized just the way I want it? No.

Am I going to eat chocolate in 2011? Yes.
Am I going to raise my voice and not be a perfect mom in 2011? Yes.
Is my house still going to not be straight from a Pottery Barn catalog in 2011? Yes.


I try not to get too wrapped up in making resolutions. Over the years, I've found that the more rules I make for myself, the more disappointed I am with my life. I'm ok with where I am right now, today. Our food choices aren't always what I wish they were, but we are leap years ahead of where we were 4 years ago. Sometimes I get down on myself for not being the perfect Weston A. Price/natural parenting/hippie chick wife and mom. But, then I look back and realize how far I've come. Our health has improved, our son has healed, our family is happier, and we've made huge life changes towards our end goals.

Real change happens when you decide it is what is best for you, not because someone told you so. I don't eat at McDonald's because it makes me feel like a bucket of poo, not because everyone says I shouldn't. Each change should come naturally and gradually to have true staying power. Please don't join a gym, buy up your Wal-Mart's supply of Slim Fast, starve yourself, and then binge into old habits all within the first few days of 2011. How about you just make a green smoothie next week? Eat an apple? Drink an extra glass of water? Buy some real butter? Sit down and enjoy your meal, instead of eating in front of the TV? Start Small.

I sat down this week and made a list of health/parenting/money/household goals for the next 6 months. I wrote out small steps that I can take each month to achieve those goals. That way, by June (not January 2nd) our family may have made more huge strides.

So, women of the world, pat yourself on the back instead of beating yourself up. You are where you are, and it's a great place to be. Please do not subject yourself to short-lived, unsustainable resolutions. Enjoy the journey, and take it one step at a time.


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