For my 40th Birthday, which was (eh-hum) a little while ago, I was incredibly fortunate to gather with some friends at the beach to celebrate. Unfortunately, somehow in the days leading up to the trip I picked up something like the flu virus to take along. I felt pretty darn miserable the entire time. While everyone else was laughing, playing and interacting, I often found myself resting quietly to the side. (which is totally NOT my jam) But over the years I’ve discovered that life keeps moving, whether you’re in “your zone” or not.
It’s up to you to find your peace right in the middle of it.
This year, and in particular these last few months, have been some of the craziest of my life. Trying to build a house, sell a house and move on top of all the normal wife & mama things, plus building a growing business, has tested ALL my limits. It’s pushed me past limits I really wasn’t sure I’d survive. (and it’s not over yet people!) But it’s also taught me something really beautiful about peace.
It’s mine for the taking.
The chaos? It’s all in my mind. I mean, don’t get me wrong, it’s here, right in front of me. There are problems to solve and deadlines to meet, but how they affect my sanity and my peace?
That part is up to me.
This became very clear to me one day while I was still frantically mopping my house just minutes before a showing appointment was about to start. The dogs were loaded in the running car, the house was pristine, every countertop shined, the flowers arranged, “mental detox” music was even playing in the background. But I was anything but mentally detoxed. I was dripping sweat from head to toe and literally caught myself thinking “This process is going to kill me”.
And it wasn’t figurative.
I’d been having that thought often while mopping and I was starting to believe it. I’d even said it out loud several times. But in that moment, I realized what I was saying. I realized what I was telling my body and what I was convincing my mind.
I decided, in that moment, to change the script.
I created some conscious one-liners to have on the ready when I caught myself in my moments of highest stress: “I’m going to live through this.” “No matter what happens, it’s going to be alright.” “I have my family.” “God is my hope.” And then, the lyrics to this song that I hear on the radio often came into my mind and I’m telling you they haven’t left yet. I can be found singing it at the top of my lungs while mopping, driving, or doing dishes.
I even wake up with it in my head a lot these days.
Here’s a little excerpt from Mercy Me – Even If:
It’s easy to sing
When there’s nothing to bring me down
But what will I say
When I’m held to the flame
Like I am right nowI know You’re able and I know You can
Save through the fire with Your mighty hand
But even if You don’t
My hope is You alone
I know you’re going through some stuff today.
Life is hard. It just is. Our world is busy. We bring some of it on ourselves (finger pointing right at me) and some of it is just the way life is. But when it comes down to it, the moment-by-moment choice to find peace, is entirely up to you.
Decide right now what you’re going to tell yourself to replace your stress-narrative with a peaceful one.
Is there a song that encourages your heart? Is there a verse that reminds you of your hope?
Write it down.
Have it on the ready.
You never know when the chaos is going to kick up.
Peace is yours for the embracing.
to more love,
Crystal
P.S. It’s a pretty packed house, but we still have a spot for you if you want to embrace a little peace for yourself tonight at our Surprise Spa Party GNO. This girls night out birthday party celebration will give you all sorts of space to embrace a little peace for yourself, right in the middle of the chaos that is swirling around you. Come join us.
