Grit & Grace

I told my best friend of nearly 30 years that if I wrote a book it would be titled Confessions of a Recovering Perfectionist. 

She laughed.  Then she asked in a playful tone, “Recovering?!?”

The reality is … my struggle is real.  This same friend has been encouraging me for decades to “Let it go” – long before Elsa sang those words into popularity – and even, once upon a time, bought me a charm for my bracelet with that phrase as a gentle reminder.   

Here I am at the end of a busy week.  You honestly don’t need to see the list of responsibilities, or hear me lament about the flu bug that hit our home, or have me share an entire list of legitimate excuses.  Just know this – today is February 1 and I should be putting up Valentine’s décor, BUT we still have full-blown Christmas going on at our house.  The trees may be down by Easter, but for now … the holiday spirit lives on. 

For you, friend, who is struggling to keep up.  Sometimes we just have to let it go.  Sometimes life isn’t picture perfect. (Who am I kidding? Most of the time life isn’t picture perfect!) 

Here’s to “no judgement” for having Christmas trees at Valentine’s.

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Bookshelf

“You may have tangible wealth untold; caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be. I had a mother who read to me.”

Strickland Gillian

As children we received one of the greatest gifts a mother can bestow on her children, a love for reading. While taking Children’s Literature in college, Michelle fell deeper in love with children’s lit. Fast forward a couple decades and she found herself teaching her favorite class, and frequently being asked for book recommendations.

Life is busy. We understand the frenzy of daily life. Sharing our bookshelf is meant to help make life simpler for teachers and parents … and although most of our recommendations are for kids books, we sometimes share “grown-up” books as well.

Take a breath. Grab a book. Experience reading as a daily joy.

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Grit & Grace

Over the past couple of years there has been a lot of discussion and focus on the concepts of grit and resiliency, and how to foster those character traits, not only in our children, but ourselves. It can be, oh, so easy to beat ourselves up for the mistakes, or choices we have made. To fixate on the ways people, or social systems have hurt and wronged us. Or, to focus on the areas of our lives in which we have failed, or not quite measured up.

On the flip side, phrases like, “pick yourself up by your boot straps” and “suck it up buttercup” have also made their way into the conversation. This type of talk can be a welcomed challenge to some, while feel very condemning to others. I would propose that somewhere in between is the answer. Something we have determined takes a balance of grit and grace.

Within the lines of this space we will work through and discuss thoughts around these concepts. How do we build up and live out grit and resiliency in all areas of our lives? Mentally. Emotionally. Spiritually. Physically. How do we foster grit and resiliency in the lives of those within our circle of influence? I believe there is true joy to be experienced when an individual is able to discover and live out grit and grace. Join us on the journey.

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