A few days ago I posted this quote on Facebook that I read from a devotional.
Why this quote? Because it hit me like a ton of bricks, happy bricks that is. I saw this and thought WOW, just WOW! If I sit here and look at all the things we WENT for this past year, all the things we TRIED, all the things we RISKED, then I all I have let to do is PRAISE.
Sure we had some minor set backs with injuries, health, and finances, but through each experience (both good and bad) we learned to hold tight to what we is good. We learned to expand our FAITH. We learned to TRUST. That my friends is victory in itself.
Praise. Joy. Victory. All of what I feeling now because sometimes when you are broken (physically and or mentally), God can put you back together even stronger.
Trials. Risks. Trust. All three are part of a plan. A plan to Dream Big. To breed more Passion. Healthy Bites and Hard Yards. Hard Yards is my husband’s new coaching/training program and half the reason we went to New Zealand. So he could get his Tri New Zealand Coaching certification.
Others. Yes others. Without the encouragement, the support, and the love of others, there is no JOY, VICTORY, or PRAISE. We are meant to SHARE in LIFE together, to lean on each other, to sharpen each other, laugh with each other, to just be there for each other. It’s our humanness. It’s REAL life.
Let’s not let it slip by this year. Let’s not focus on the doing. Let’s focus on what we are becoming, because dang….. it’s just too good not to PRAISE.
What’s your focus this Holiday/Christmas season?
Cheers,
Corny Cotter
p.s.
Don’t forget that the Virtual Race For Recovery is this Saturday.
p.p.s
Stay tuned this weekend for the December Healthy Bite flavor of the month announcement.
yes! having faith 😉
so happy for the both of you!!! wishing you all the best
thank you friend. We’re continuing down that road and trusting the dream, yes?
Thanks to you…my focus is going to be 100% on becoming.
Gosh that word just pierced through me when I read it.
Off to dictionary and thesaurus and the bible to do what I do with words.
focusing on what’s becoming of US through GOD’s work. humbly woven into HIS spirit…. whoa, does that make sense?
now I’m going all tangenty on how you wrote becoming of…as in what is attractive or befitting of us as God’s children when we hornor Him with us…and to be honest? I have been a very naughty girl. #mindingmywordsandtime
Santa may bring me coal.
we’re all a bit naughty.
😉
After a rocky past year, I am holding onto this season a little tighter. Making a point to slow down and enjoy it. Focusing on the REASON for it and giving praise for all that it represents. Bravo on this post! A wonderful reminder.
AMen amanda! Praise the GOOD, reflect and then forget the bad. yes?!
Love this!! God has given us so much to praise Him for!! I’m holding my family very close this holiday season and focusing on spending quality time and living in the moment!
yes, embrace it. Try not to worry about everything else, just simple JOY to embrace each day.
Hey Lindsay,
I’ve got an award for you over at my blog http://www.skinny-vegan-food.com/2012/12/one-lovely-blog-award.html
Feel free to play along or ignore it if you want!
Love & smiles xxx
thank you claire! loved your facts
“focus on what we are becoming” LOVE that!!!
You always inspire me with your insightful posts! Focusing on the good this year is so important! Why dwell on negatives when we can focus on all the beauty in our lives!!
girl, i feel the same about you! so hugs!
You are my go to blog when I’m feeling a bit flat you always put things in perspective and remind me to celebrate today! And love the name hard yards! You two rock!
thank you JESS. I HOPE That we can continue to INFLATE each other. 😉
Continue to DREAM BIG; stay positive; and never let anyone dully my SPARKLE! Sometimes easier said then done, but it’s out there in the universe, so it’s time for me to do it! XOXO
no one could dull your sparkle friend. It’s like diamond, shines forever! and so valuable!
I have been thinking about this a LOT lately. What is God doing in my life. I know He is doing something, but I just haven’t figured it out yet. And I think that is OK. Even though exactly where I am at right now isn’t really my preference or what I would like to be doing, I know He has a purpose in it and I need to trust that and PRAISE Him for whatever it is, even though I don’t know it yet! <3
I'm doing some fun giveaways this week on my blog in celebration of 1 year blogging….I would be honored if you would check some of them out. 😉
oh He does have plans for YOU, BIG plans. Just working on the minor details now.
<3
Great post, as always! Exciting about James’ new coaching/training business!
My focus is recovery/health and embrace time with family!
i think that will cure you too! rest, recovery, family.. you’ll be good as new in 2013!
What’s that thing I always say about you and perspective? Oh that’s right. Ya gots it 😉
Honestly? I’m just trying to make it through this holiday season. So much else going on, I forget Christmas is this month!
i forget too, but we should always remember what GOd has given us. He has definitely given you such strength this year. AMAZING!
Great message, Lindsay!!! And I LOVE that hubs has his own company – the name is awesome!
thank you friend. Praying that this can be our plan B if he can’t race this year. Still a passion too!
You never fail to inspire me Linds. My focus this holiday season is to stay centered on the what we have, not what we don’t. It would easy for me to dwell on the fact that we have so little money (because things are tighter for us than ever before… ultra skinny jean tight) but the fact is, we have so much more than most. I could feel myself starting to worried about my kids not receiving the things they want, but this is a learning opportunity for all of us. We don’t get or give unlimited material gifts, we must get creative and give from our hearts… these gifts have so much more meaning for the giver and recipient. Life is good!
Rejoice and give thanks. I love this message. Focus on the good, not the not-so-good from the past year. Completely agree!
and there is sooooooo much good this year, amen!?!
Amen, sister! I feel like sometimes I get so down on myself for not doing or being (fill in the blank). Times like that, I just have to sit back and remember that I can and do do things, and more importantly, I can share whatever I am with others! Congratulations to you both for being entrepreneurs – so cool!
that’s the most important too! to share! so valuable. Love that Addy!
I LOVEEE reading your posts in the morning, always a great dose of inspiration and exactly what I need this Friday morning… Feeling in a funk but gotta shake it before Saturday. Can and will do it!
i hope it helped Allison. And get yourself some pancakes tomorrow. should cure all!
i love it when things jump out at you and just really make you think. HOW COOL for your husband!!! Can’t wait to hear all about hard yards!
oh thank you Amanda. Very proud of him! This is his plan B if he can’t race, but still a passion.
On a similar line — this blog really hit me (and I don’t have kids): http://shaungroves.com/2012/12/how-to-make-a-christmas-list/
It talks about a REAL Christmas list … reminds me of what you’ve listed above! Blessings fall down on us so often, and it’s awesome to see you taking note of them 🙂
thank you Jenny! I am saving that read. <3
You two are simply incredible. What a team. I mean really…what a team!
Lots of love
xo
thank YOU Ms. FU> my dream BIG inspiration!
Ooo.. Hard Yards! I am going to check this out right now! Thanks for the quote from the devotional… this (and every season) is a time for thanks and praise and reflection!
so true! tis the season EVERY season! hugs.
family and friends for me 🙂
and i bet they are amazing family and friends, yes? xxoo
great message! we’ve had a lot of family issues recently, but I will focus on the positive and the pulling together of our core family
i hope the family issues get resolved friend. But yes, enjoy the GOOD
LOVE!
My focus this holiday is to have lots of family time since Mike is off for a little after christmas and to be thankful for all the blessings! <3
oh yea! more hubby time. More walk and then cuddling up, right?
Can I get an amen?!
He’s the reason for the season!
Hard Yards – amazefest!! SO much to be thankful for this year.
I think you know what I’m thankful for this season;)
yes, and i can’t wait to “meet” your thankful little one.
What an inspiring post! I think I could always use a little more trust in my life, trust in myself and those who are around me! Thank you for sharing this.
yes, trust more and give more. Such balance yes?
LOVE it!! Praise is what we were made to do!
Amen amen! Praise HIM!
i love it. every bit of it. trials, risk, trust…so needed to read this today. 🙂
yes, we are so on the same page!
‘Happy Bricks’ I love it hahah! Your blog never ceases to put me in the best mood ever. So cool about the certification!
Well you put me in a great mood with brooke’s wild hair and cuteness so we’re even. 😉
To choose hope 🙂 It’s so easy to lose sight of the fact that God’s got it, and my hope is in HIM!
My focus is in relaxation and recovery before school and everything starts again!
That’s awesome that he started HardYards… so excited for you both in your ventures! Yes, reflecting on what went well, and sharing those joys with others. Great reminder!
and i am sure your joylist is ongoing!
you know Hard Yards has an actual website now 😉
thanks to YOU!
What a lovely post! This year has been a BIG one for me and I took risks that I am so glad I did. I hope your 2013 is an amazing one with even more things to praise.
Cant wait for the new healthy bite flaaaava! Xo
so proud of YOU! Risk taking and all Siobhan!
I love corny Cotter too. Seriously, you two are so amazing and inspiring, can I just tell you that? You always help me shift my perspective and focus on the important things – the ones that really matter.
you can tell me that as long as I can say the same thing to you! Inspiring!
Praise and gratitude and sharing life with others – love it! That’s what every single day should be about. And can I just say how inspired I am by your passion in creating a vision and pursuing your dreams? You two are seriously the epitome of ‘let nothing stand in your way.’
Ohhh girl, praise! Such a beautiful, warm and uplifting concept — to praise, to lift eachother up in His glory that way. This gave me SUCH a warm feeling in my heart…and that’s how I know He was speaking to me through your words tonight. Incredible. Love you.
I love your perspective and how you enlighten me. I just read this post out loud to my husband. Thank you. We both needed the reminder of the message to PRAISE and SHARE.
XOXO
I love Corny Cotter. 🙂
You guys rock! I continue to be amazed and inspired.
You two are awesome and SO inspiring!! Congrats to both of you on your accomplishments – well, well deserved!
Thank you Cait. Inspiration comes from others like you
I am so happy for you two. No, we don’t have a map with a start to finish, but it’s coming up with the great adventure along the way that makes the trip fun! It’s not always fun, but we definitely learn a lot along the way. 😉 I LOVE how you two think! I’m focusing on my family this season. Finding a healthy happy balance and filling every minute I have with love for my men!
gosh, that’s the truth! Live and learn. and then REJOICE!
You are always so inspiring to me. I love how you guys go for it, just follow your hearts and dreams. So excited for James and his new venture too!
I agree! They go for it and succeed-so happy xoxoxox
and it’s because of you all that we are going for it. True motivation and encouragement!
Thank you for this!! What an amazing quote and just what I needed to fuel my optimism!
I am so glad Marlow. Keeping fueling it! <3