Love the life you live

Happy Monday everyone!! I went to the toilet this morning (gross overshare I know, but it is pertinent to the story) and young Elliott came in to join me. He always does and is very routine about it...he walks in, whinges at my feet until he can successfully climb up and sit on my lap, then he happily chats away and uses empty toilet rolls as trumpets. When this was going on today, I thought to myself "Geez my life has changed, a lot, since I had children" and then I realised, I think I kind of love my life right now! My happiness levels were also elevated because I collected my belated Mother's Day gift from Sophie's Kindy this morning. She had made me a sweet little necklace and written a card saying "I love Mummy because I just love her so much I could burst!". How gorgeous!

So all in all, I am feeling great and making a choice each morning to be happy about what the day brings. I thought then, that for today's Motivational Monday piece, I might focus on a few hints and tips to encourage us to love our lives. Sure there will always be ups and downs, but with some tools in our belts to love our life, perhaps we can quickly bounce back from our downs and get on with the all important job of being happy...worth a try isn't it?!?!

Make a list of things in your life that you are thankful for and that make you happy. My gorgeous Sister-in-Law keeps a gratitude journal and reports that it is a really fantastic way to stay focused on the positive things in life. Great idea!

Write your own life script. There is no sense in dancing to someone elses tune and following a life path that you think you "should". Life isn't about pleasing other people and living in such a way that makes them happy. Your life is actually about you. Take being a SAHM (stay-at-home-Mum) for example. I absolutely love this part of my life, even with all its ups and downs. Changing nappies, singing nursery rhymes, playing games, reading books, baking from scratch and digging playdough out of the carpet are all things I enjoy doing as part of being a SAHM. Some other Mums, however, can't stand the idea of being a SAHM and doing all of those things. They return to the workforce as soon as possible after having their children and that's perfectly OK too. You need to know yourself well enough to recognise what the best decision is for your happiness and consequently the happiness of your family.  

Define success. This is a biggy. There is no "one size fits all" definition of success. For some people it's money, for others it's advancing up the corporate ladder but for me it's all about my family. Yes it would be nice to have loads of money or a great career but they are not my idea of success. Looking after my family and raising the two best possible children I can is success to me. Teaching them life lessons, manners, empathy, strength and most of all, showing them unconditional love and letting them know they are valued and treasured is what I call success. I want my children to grow up feeling anchored in this World and having the confidence to achieve anything and everything they want to. I want them to understand the real value of life, that it's not about money and possessions, and enrich the lives of everyone they meet. My job as Mum is to raise the best possible versions of Sophie and Elliott that I can...that is how I define success.  

Love yourself. Easier said than done, especially when we look in the mirror and focus on our faults, or reflect on past mistakes and focus on the negatives of these rather than the lessons learned. But making an effort to love yourself genuinely, unconditionally and wholeheartedly will have a profound positive impact on your life. It will make it easier for you to give love and also to receive love. So start thinking about the things you love about yourself and think of the wonderful contribution you make to this World...it simply wouldn't be the same without you xox