Live Your Life
Tag: decisions
Follow Your Heart
My daughter left me a note of advice.
Reading this part makes me feel like I did something right. How many 19-year-old’s say this?
“Take this time while I’m gone to do things that fill you up and make your heart smile.”
This morning, I woke up feeling guilty about recent purchases. Does that ever happen to you?
I’m over it now because without even realizing it, I took her advice and acted on it.
As you see in A Doggo’s Life, our doggo’s are sharing a dog bed. I wanted our new puppo to have her own bed, so went in search of the perfect dog bed. In my mind I pictured exactly what it should look like, but 4 stores later didn’t result in that bed.
That was my mind, but what did my heart say?
Step One.
Back before Thanksgiving, my daughter and I were in a store where everything is pretty, but reasonably priced. I saw a rug that made my heart smile. My daughter saw my face light up, but she also knew we were setting aside all extra money for England.
Guess what? She’s in England and I still have money. Glory to God!
Yesterday, I went back to that store see if the rug was still there. It had been months, so what were the odds? Would it be on sale after Christmas?
It was in the rug bin along with one other rug.
It wasn’t on sale, but I had a price in mind that I was willing to pay. I found a sales lady, and inquired about the price of the rug. Full price was too much, but I’d walk out of there with it if she took $50 off.
Step Two.
The sales lady found an online coupon she could apply to meet my price! Then it became confusing.
She asked, “Is that the color you want? We have another one in the back that’s grey.”
The rug standing in the bin is a light color, which I gravitate toward, and it has pale gold shimmers running through it, but my daughter loves grey!
They grey one was equally pretty, and I knew my daughter would love it. What did I do? Like any good Mother, I loaded the grey one in my truck.
Score one for the mind.
Step Three.
I sat in front of the store staring at the rug laying across the backseat. The sales lady told me if it wasn’t right, to bring it back and get the other one, but I wanted to know in my heart what to do.
I found myself walking back into the store swapping the grey for the one I wanted. I followed my heart all the way through. My daughter will be happy.
Looks like we found the perfect dog bed after all.
How To Have A Beautiful Life
I woke up this morning pondering how different my life is today, compared to a few years ago. Why is it so beautiful now? Why was it so miserable before? Here is what came to mind.
I believe we all have a beautiful life, filled with God’s goodness. Now, whether or not we can see it, is the question. I couldn’t see mine. The marriage I was in for 25 years, had taken a sharp turn after 15 years. I was sober. By taking the drink away, I was able to unbecome. Staying for 10 more years was a struggle between where I was, and where I knew I could be.
Many of you have asked about the book I am writing. This is what it will be about. How to have a beautiful life. It took me until I was 50 to figure this out, so hopefully, some of you younger readers can get a clue quick. You already have a beautiful life. It’s just covered up.
Change your thinking and change your life. I thought I was doing what I was supposed to be doing. Staying in a marriage for the sake of the children. Well…hello…When your kids know you are miserable, and watch you live in sadness, does that give them a spectacular life? No.
I’ve listened to a lot of motivational CD’s over my lifetime. One day, some things I had heard over the years came to the forefront of my mind. Tony Robbins was one of them.
Tony said, “Get disturbed. You’re not going to stand it any longer”
“What disturbs you in your life?”
“What are you going to do about it today?”
I wasn’t disturbed anymore, even though my life was very disturbing! We become complacent, like it’s okay to live with the hand we are dealt. Well, I’m here to tell you, it’s not okay. I pondered if this was the very best God had planned for me. Where was God?
Oh, He was there, watching and waiting. This was not the life He had planned. This was the life I had created. Then Joyce Meyer’s words came to mind, right after Tony’s. I had heard on one of her CD’s, “Make a decision, so God can get in line and help you.” That was all I needed to hear. I needed to let my disturbing life actually disturb me, and make a decision.
A Beautiful Soul sent me this Meme this morning. Thank you Danielle. It reminded me of the book, and being willing to admit what I went through to uncover the beauty in my life. It wasn’t pretty, but digging through the mess allows space for the beauty to breakthrough.
Get disturbed, and make a decision.
I had stopped getting angry. My husband was so angry about everything, you could feel it a mile away. So, I stayed calm because anger fuels more anger. He was miserable too, but didn’t know how to fix it. I did us both a favor the day I left even though he didn’t see it at first. Sometimes things do have to fall apart completely, so they can fall back together.
I believe we both have a beautiful life today, even though we’re apart. When Tony asked, “What disturbs you in your life?”, it was my whole life. I had to blow it up, and start all over again. It felt like I had lost everything that made life worth living, but I was still standing there, so, what was it time to do? Get disturbed, make a decision, and light the fuses.
Barbara is a God follower, a Writer, and Mom to her 17-year-old daughter. When she started this Blog in 2014 Letitgocoach was the name that stuck. She enjoys helping people Let Go of what is holding them back from having a beautiful life. Part of her mission is to show people they can start over at 50. Her life is beautiful, and an example of Letting Go and Letting God. You may connect with her via email. Letitgocoach@gmail.com
Stork and Me
Three years ago, I told God I wanted nothingness. Just put me in nothingness. Well, it’s true when they say, “Be careful what you ask for. You just might get it!” He plopped me on 40 acres, with my daughter, and a new beginning.
When I knew it was past time for me to leave my marriage of 25 years, I prayed the God would show us where to go. At first, I was hoping my daughter and I would be able to stay in our home, and that my husband would leave. He wasn’t leaving, and I guess he thought I wouldn’t either. He had another thing coming.
I was so hungry for more. Beauty, peace, joy, happiness, and a life reflecting His very best. I couldn’t really fathom what that would look like, because He is God, but I knew it had to be better than where I had allowed myself to be. It was that faithful day, I was standing outside, and my daughter walked up to me and said, “Mama? Are you ever gonna smile again?” It was time for a huge leap of faith.
If you want to read all about Stork, and what He’s meant in my life, you can do so here. I believe God will give us signs we are on the right path. Stork has been mine.
I didn’t know where to go. Where would be our new home? My daughter started looking, and found a house an hour away from where we were. We looked at several houses, but none of them seemed quite right. When she found this one, I asked, “Where the heck is McDade, TX?” We drove to find out.
After looking at numerous houses, I was ready for a sign. I asked God to make it crystal clear, if this was going to be our new home. Make it obscenely obvious, because sometimes I need that. We met the man that owned the little house, at the house, and he showed us around. I knew it was when Mr. Rick said the exact same words as I had asked God. He said, “What do you think? Is this your new home?” Knocked me over.
It was still a scary process, waking up out in the middle of nowhere. We were surrounded by 40 acres, and lots of wildlife. Mr. Rick, and his wife, Patricia, lived across the pond from us, so we weren’t completely alone. God has His Angels firmly planted. I still laugh when I think back at the first time I called them at 2:00 am, after hearing footsteps on the porch.
No honey, those were hooves, not feet. We had our first encounter with wild boar. “Stay inside”, she said. “They are just as afraid of you, as you are of them.” I wasn’t so sure. We bought a shotgun, but never had to use it. God had our backs.
Stepping out onto the front porch of that little house for the first time, coffee in hand, it looked just like nothingness. I asked God, “If this is where we’re supposed to be…If we are on Your path, You gotta show me something please.”
My eyes were drawn down to the left, where a pond and a pier stood still. At the end of that pier, was the most beautiful Great Blue Heron! He was just standing there majestically, with complete confidence, which at the time I didn’t have. He looked at me as if to say, “Good morning Dear. God sent me to tell you. Welcome home.” It was absolutely beautiful!
That was years ago, but Stork is still in my life today. While visiting Mr. Smith, and his lake was newly recovering from the drought, I gazed out my writing room window, and spotted him. Same stance, same message as before.
He is still here today, and I love watching him fly in to catch his breakfast. He doesn’t stay long, but just a glimpse is all I desire. Jeremiah 29:11 says it all Beautiful Souls. He has a good plan. If you are sitting in nothingness, it just might be your new home. That house is where God healed me from all the hurt from my past. That is where I became a Letting Go Coach.
That leap of faith was the first step of a new life, and a life of beauty. I don’t know if I will ever know what God’s very best looks like, but I’m going to enjoy the journey, and the little glimpses He gives. I’m obviously on the right path.
Change In Seasons
As I sit here, eating the last of the candy corn with my coffee, I’m noticing the change in season. Candy corn will not be available in stores until next October. I don’t hunt it down and hoard it, but enjoy it while it’s here and in a season.
Now is the last bloom of the season for my trusty Bougainvillea. This plant has been a teacher. Being tempted many times to give up on it and circumstances, it showed me with the proper watering and food, it will be spectacular. Throw in time and patience and beauty abounds. When it has everything it needs and the timing is just right, every branch blooms.
Soon, I will cut it back and tuck it away in the barn for a season of rest. I learned from last year, to cut it back more. Last summer was it’s first full blooming season, and I was leery of cutting it too much last fall. It’s getting cut way back this year, so I can get it out of the hanging basket. Maybe next year I’ll plant it firmly in the ground so that it can take root.
My initial reaction to the thought of planting it in the ground was to make sure I was going to be in this same house. To be able to enjoy it, I would need to be here, but it’s not always about me. This time, it’s what is best for this faithful plant. God moves swiftly in my life, so He will let me know where I am to be. The lease is up April 3rd, right before planting time.
At first glance, you may think this Blog is about a plant. My hope is you received more than Bougainvillea tips. Read it again, and make yourself the plant. When we are ready, the teacher will appear and it is not always in human form.
Barbara is a writer and loves being a Mom to her 16 year old daughter. It’s a dream come true for her to be a Letitgocoach and help others enjoy their lives. She hosts Workshops, does one on one Coaching and is writing her first book. You may connect with her via email. Letitgocoach@gmail.com
Time and Patience
I typed in the title for this Blog three days ago. That is when God gave it to me. It has taken me until today for it to fully form in my heart. Was I busy? Did I get distracted? Was He testing me to see if I knew anything about the title?
I went over to my laptop desktop for a picture to use. I try and keep my desktop neat and somewhat clean, so I clicked on the oldest one there. The first one downloaded after the last cleanup. This one caught my eye a month ago.
I am learning time takes patience and patience takes time. This has been a big deal for me this year, coming from a woman that was once known as Ms. Ready, Fire, Aim. All year I’ve been waiting on God.
I have found the less I do, the richer my life becomes.
Doing less does not mean being lazy. There are three things I wanted to learn about and grow myself into this year, and by His grace, I am still focused. Writing, teaching how to Let It Go, and encouraging others on my Letitgocoach Facebook page. Magnificent things happen over time.
Has any of these three things happened in my timetable? No. Have they happened quickly? No. Have I felt like giving up and caving in? Yes. 
When you keep your eyes and heart fixed on God, you cannot worry about tomorrow. To me, that is not trusting God, and thinking He is going to make a mistake. I’m pretty sure He is incapable of that. God doesn’t make mistakes; we do.
I enjoy calling it, ‘Moments of minding my own business.’ When I least expect it, God will encourage me and let me know, I’m on the right path. He works through people to say, “You doing good Barb! Stay strong!” He will send someone to my Facebook page, or this Blog to encourage me.
November is coming up quick, and am I where I want to be? I don’t think so, but God must have me right where He thinks I should be. It’s going to be His timing and my patience. Now if we can get that ‘like’ button to become ‘love.’
Barbara is a writer and loves being a Mom to her 16 year old daughter. It’s a dream come true for her to be a Letitgocoach and help others enjoy their lives. She hosts Workshops, does one on one Coaching and is writing her first book. You may connect with her via email. Letitgocoach@gmail.com
Just Trust Me
I’m sitting here before I retire for the evening and just wanted to write. People ask me what I do and I tell them about my jobs and then add, “I’m a writer.” They find my job status interesting enough. Helping people with their businesses is a stretch and grow for me, but they always look up at me with a smile when I add the ‘writer’ part. They want to ask a million questions, but are hesitant. It’s fun.
I found myself coming full circle today on trusting God. There was a season in my life, not that long ago, that I trusted Him just to wake me up the next day. He always did. Not knowing what direction my new life should go, I trusted Him for every step and sometimes every breath.
Making decisions with business throughout the day, it’s easy to play decision maker in my life too frequently. I trust my choices. My life has been calm and peaceful for almost 2 years now, however, a part of my long ago past that I didn’t use my voice on is coming back to haunt me. I didn’t have a voice back then and wasn’t given any options, but guess what? Today, I have a voice and my God is BIG.
When I first moved here God told me, “Just trust me.” That is all I heard and all I knew to do. He has blessed me beyond belief just for trusting Him and being the best I can be. So, with this too I will trust Him. I can trust Him with the big things when they roar up like a giant sea serpent, all the way to the things I take for granted like waking up tomorrow. Walking from my desk to the fridge to refill my glass is a handful of miracles right there.
The hardest thing I had to learn was to wait. It took years, but don’t get too good at waiting because He wants quick obedience. I’m still not as good as I should be waiting on people, but I will wait on God. My morning meditation said, “I am with you and for you. You face nothing alone~nothing!” Little did I know this morning that I would need to be pouring this on me tonight. Thank you God. I’ll just trust You.
