No More Holding Back

When I was trying out new running shoes last night the salesman said, “Take this the right way. You are a fast runner. There is no way it should have taken you five hours to run a marathon.” I was looking for a sign to no longer hold myself back, and I don’t think it could have come any clearer. I felt every ounce of pain during the last seven miles of that marathon, but deep down I knew he was right. I just didn’t see it until he said it.

I, like many other women, tend to hold myself back. No matter how confident I want to feel in my decision or my ability, there’s always a piece of me that wants to put myself down.

When I heard his comment about my running I thought about the fears I had while training for that race. I had never run a marathon before, and was certain it would take me hours on end to finish it. I would brag about my brother who is capable of doing the same distance in three and a half hours and then say how amazing he was in wanting to run my pace with me. I never once acknowledged that what I was doing was a big deal and that I was more than capable of it.

Every time I finished a long training run I was amazed at what I had accomplished. I didn’t expect to enjoy a long run or to finish so capably. It was like I surprised myself every time. Not once did I really work to be faster during my long runs. I just wanted to finish, but finishing isn’t what races are for. Challenging yourself and testing your limits are why most people run.

Today I made a decision to stop holding myself back in running and in life. I am going to recognize my strength and truly “run with it.”

How are you going to test your limits today?

Until next time,

Kaycee

P.S. My favorite song today is Hello, My Name Is by Matthew West

What I Learned

What I’ve learned during the Living Well Spending Zero Challenge is I don’t need near as much as I think I do. I don’t need as many conveniences, meals out, and I certainly don’t need more clothes. I realized my previous “cutting back” wasn’t cutting it enough. Although I missed the dinners and the drinks, I felt better about my spending than I had in a long time.

This month I was more aware of every item that went into my cart. I realized I was buying extra tea, when I have a mound of it in my cabinet. I realized how many times I pick up a random DVD from Target. I realized how many dinners a month I actually schedule with friends. Although none of these things are bad, I just don’t need as much of them. I want a simpler life and these purchases don’t always contribute.

This is what I do “need,” a healthy life, a healthy mind, and a healthy pet. The rest are just details.

Until next time,

Kaycee

P.S. My favorite song today is Little Bit of Everything by Keith Urban

Living Well Spending Zero Challenge

Fourteen days ago I started the Living Well Spending Zero Challenge. Yes Zero. Over the past six years I’ve gone from extreme saving, to not spending wisely, to learning to save again. I’m finally getting better at balance, but definitely still feel the repercussions of the between years. Right now Jimmy and I are planning our wedding, paying for regular maintenance on our older cars, and trying to save for a house, which we would love to be near the beach. With so many financial balls in the air there are many days I feel behind. I get frustrated with my spending or lack of resources, and am constantly reworking my goals as unexpected expenses come up.

A few months ago I stumbled on a blog called Living Well Spending Less. I read Ruth’s story and immediately identified with her struggles. When the Living Well Spending Zero Challenge showed up, it fit in perfectly with my happiness project and I was excited for some help and accountability.

The challenge itself is fairly simple, no spending on extras. Extras of course include everything from going out to clothing to prepackaged meals. If you don’t need it to survive, then it’s out. Minimalism is key and the challenge is exactly what I needed to make my “finance month” a success.

My goal with this challenge is to prove to myself that I can save more, live simpler, and want less. I have a nice head start, but I think this is the push I need to keep getting better.

Until next time,

Kaycee

P.S. My favorite song today is Money, Money, Money by ABBA

An Amazing Life

There are two things that make me seriously reconsider how I’m living my day-to-day life, one is a great vacation and the other is death. Last weekend I experienced both. Saturday I returned from Oahu, one of my new favorite places. Several hours later I heard that one of Jimmy’s college roommates died tragically in a car accident. I felt like I had experienced life at its finest while he had the last moments of his. All I could think is what would I do differently if I knew I had only a little time left? If I died tomorrow would I be satisfied with how I lived?

Although there are many goals I haven’t accomplished and places I have yet to visit, this morning I had some clarity. As I sat on the beach watching Jimmy surf I realized my life is amazing. God has blessed me immensely. Yes I have things that I would love to change, but this truly is the life. I have a palm tree out my window, sand on my feet, and somebody that I love. What more do I really need?

Until next time,

Kaycee

P.S. My favorite song today is Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole

Lifestyle Reset

Along with the pool time I mentioned yesterday, this Happiness Project journey has helped make other much needed changes in my life. I have set a goal to go to bed at ten every night, and so far with the exception of my weekend nights I’ve made it there. I have started cleaning at least ten to fifteen minutes everyday, and it’s amazing how much better the apartment can feel. I have also decided this September I will be focusing on my health and in October I will be focusing on my finances. I will be using this lovely blog to regularly document my progress, and hopefully inspire others to improve their lives as well. Today I am starting a fantastic nutrition program by my friend and nutritionist Dawn Hutchins! It’s called the Cleansing Life Diet Reset Program. If you are interested in getting your weight, diet, and lifestyle in check while learning a ton about nutrition along the way, this is the program!

Dawn is a fantastic teacher and I am so excited for some accountability with my healthy eating! After reviewing her program I couldn’t wait to participate. Today is the first day and so far I’ve started with a green smoothie and my usual green tea. If you are interested in a little nutrition help hop over to http://www.floridacoastalcooking.com/cleansinglifeprogram and sign up for her free three-day program or email to join the next twenty-one day challenge!

Until next time,

Kaycee

P.S. My favorite song today is Thrive by Casting Crowns

Pool Time

My apartment complex has a resort worthy pool and I'm going to start using it more than four times a year. In the spirit of my happiness project I have been thinking about the things in life that make me happy. Spending time by the water in the sun rejuvenates me in a way that nothing else can. Forty-five minutes by the ocean or the pool makes me a better person for the rest of the day. I write better, think better, and overall feel better.

I’ve decided while it is warm the pool will be my thinking spot at least three days a week. It’s hard to argue with when you don’t have to drive there and the relaxation makes you more productive.

What will you do for your sanity today?

Until next time,

Kaycee

P.S. My favorite song today is Day One by Matthew West

My Happiness Project

My maid of honor broke up with me a few weeks ago. This has definitely been the hardest break up of my life, but it has also brought me some clarity. People come and go in your life for different reasons. Every relationship has a purpose, although it may take a while for us to understand it. Margaret and I were friends for thirteen years. That’s a lot of memories, which is the main reason this has been difficult. We don’t usually miss the current relationship, just the good memories we had associated with it. I would like to understand why she decided to cut off our relationship, but at the end of the day it’s not important. Overall our relationship was bringing more stress than joy into my life, and this change has made me want to remove other things that may be causing the same problem.

Over the past few months a book called The Happiness Project has been gnawing at my consciousness. I started it over a year ago on a flight, and then for some reason didn’t get to finish it. It keeps showing up in magazines I read (even though it was published in 2009), Pinterest, and of course on my bookshelf. I have decided not only to take the time to finally read it, but also to work on a happiness project myself. I’m learning life is too short to be miserable for so much of it.

I read a quote recently that I love, “We all have two lives. The second one starts when we realize we only have one.” I think I’m finally ready to start my second one.

Until next time,

Kaycee

P.S. My favorite song today is Right Where I Need to Be by Gary Allan

In Charge of Happiness

A few days ago I made a decision. I was tired of letting other people’s actions and reactions control my emotions, so I decided to be in charge of them instead. I knew this would be a difficult process, but I was tired of other people making or breaking my day. I knew this was something only I could change. I can’t control how other people may react to me only how I think and react to them.

One of the things that surprises me the most is how much better I feel even only after a few days. I’m not anywhere near bulletproof, but for the first time ever I am able to take a hurtful situation and separate it from myself. Rather than dwelling on the pain and what I could have done differently, I am seeing it for what it is. I am able to be happy even though I don’t like what is happening around me.

I plan to continue choosing to be happy. I’m sure there will be times when I will fail, but I think overall this will lead to a great life.

Until next time,

Kaycee

P.S. My favorite song today is Save It for a Rainy Day by Kenny Chesney