Tag: Hold the vision

Protect Your Sobriety

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Every morning I open my eyes, my first thought and words spoken are, “Thank you God for waking me up sober.”

I’ve been thinking about sobriety, which is normal for me this time of year. On November 10th, I’ll be 22 years sober. There’s a twinge of embarrassment when I say that to someone newly sober. They usually ask, “How’d you do it Barb?” I respond with, “With God one day at a time.”

When I was newly sober, my then husband flew me to Canada with him for business. We were to meet his clients at a French restaurant for dinner. I recall walking into our private dining room and seeing the table set with what seemed like a million wine glasses. I was 2 weeks sober.

Photo by Fabio Sangregorio on Unsplash

It broke my heart to take a seat at that table.

My then husband didn’t understand the alcoholic. He thought maybe I’d have a glass of wine and be a part of the evening’s festivities, but when the waiter came to my glass with the bottle, I laid my hand over the top so he wouldn’t pour. He felt my trepidation and took the glass away.

Then I just got angry. Being the lady I am, I sat quietly at the table holding my composure, but wanted to scream. That was the last time I sat at a table like that.

Back then, I looked at drinking as something I couldn’t have and it felt like I was missing out. What I didn’t realize it was actually the beginning of a whole new life.

Almost 22 years later, I’m still thinking about sobriety. It’s not that I can’t drink. I could and the life I have today would quickly dissipate. I’m not willing to let that go. When it comes to one more day sober, here’s your permission slip to choose your table wisely, and protect your sobriety.

Worth the View

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A Blogger friend commented on the photo in A New View.

When my daughter and I walked out of the newly built house mentioned in that post, she glanced my way, as if trying to read my thoughts. The house was nice enough, but the view was no better than where I am now. My next house is all about the view.

I don’t want more, but I do want better.

In response to my friend’s comment, I let her know these photos are a part of my vision board. My vision board began a year ago, and these photos are popping up in my FB memories. They are reminding me why I’m in a season of work.

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Time Out Chair

Hold the vision. Trust the process.

I’ve been working from home for years, but last year was my season for learning to work with discipline and consistency. It’s paying off, but my work is seven days a week. It becomes difficult to discern a weekday from the weekend. Relatable?

Another Blogger friend had left a comment on the post, Enjoy the Good. He admires my coffee gadgets, and reminded me of one I haven’t used in a while. The French press. I took it down from the shelf, and rinsed it off. It has been so long since I used it, I pulled up the Blue Bottle Coffee site to refresh my memory.

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Bodum Chambord 17oz French Press

While on the Blue Bottle site, I saw their debut coffee Spring Blend, and ordered a bag. You see, I had responded to my fellow Blogger with, “Why do you think I work so much? To be able to buy really good coffee.” That was the goal when I began this journey, and I’ve been buying really good coffee all year.

Don’t lose sight of why you work.

I’m grateful at this stage of life to have fulfilling work, and to be continually learning, but it’s not easy. My experience has been, no path worth taking is ever easy, so it’s vital to hold the vision.

Some paths are easier than others. Some journey’s take longer than others, but I’m convinced, it will be worth the view.

Your Beautiful Life

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This morning, my daughter and I are sitting in one of our favorite shops. The owners are taking a much needed break and we are here for them. It’s a Vintage shop full of goodness, and we love being here. It’s a blessing in our lives.

I love walking though the shop and seeing everything that’s been added since my last visit. It’s one of those places you stroll through and look carefully in every nook and corner. Otherwise, you might miss something really sweet.

One of the first things I noticed was a book that looked very similar to what I have in mind. The size and how it feels in your hand, not the actual book. God has revealed what He wants me to write, but I didn’t have a feel until now.

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This was on my Facebook page this morning. Simple elegance is what I see and it resonated as a possible book cover. I love the acronym for SWEN, but what caught my attention foremost was the bottom left hand corner. It simply says, ‘Your Beautiful Life.’

I have been pondering this for most of this week. How beautiful life is. Going through the different phases of life, I am sitting in a sweet one. That doesn’t mean everything is perfect. I want everyone to see the beauty in life and relax into the knowing, it’s all God.

There is nothing I physically did to have what I have. God spent many years giving me a beautiful life, but it took time for me to see it. The more grateful I am, the more beautiful it becomes. Earning less money than ever before, and happier than I could ever imagine.

As people walk into the shop, I smile and ask them about their day. Encouraging people is what I love to do. God will use us to bless others, and that is what makes a beautiful life.

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