Well I rarely post on a Thursday, but two things prompted me to write a “THURSDAY THOUGHTS ” or rather a TRUTHS post –> These TWO Inspiring women (Carla and Christine) and this devotional.
So let’s talk about Healthy Bites. Let’s talk about how I haven’t promoted them much lately and took a break most of December.
You see, sometimes BIG DREAMS may be put on hold. Or maybe they don’t match up to GOD’s DREAM/PLAN for you. I am talking about me here, yes preaching to myself. And as much as I feel like a failure at not going through fully with Healthy Bites right now, I know in the end it’s for the best. I wanted to be able to do it all, but trying to do so just made me less of wife. So I’m surrendering for now. But surrendering this dream only enables me to focus on our other dream—> TRIATHLON, RACING, being a Sherpa wife to the Kiwi Cotter.
![image[9]](https://www.cottercrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/image9.jpg)
![image[14]](https://www.cottercrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/image14.jpg)
Am I making sense it all here? Ha, let me explain the “WHY and the “WHAT NOW.’’
I’m going to have to put shipping healthy bites on hold for the next few months. We’ve had some things change with our kitchen situation and we are not financially ready to invest more into fixing that situation. But I won’t give up hope, just refocusing. WHY? –> I see this as a sign. I really want to be there for my husband as he trains/races for what may be his last season.
The next six months will unveil GOD’s plan for us. If the Kiwi races well and stays injury free, then he will continue on in the sport. Maybe by then we will have saved enough money to get back into a kitchen for Healthy Bites. And maybe by then I’ll have more time to INVEST. But the reality is that might not happen. And I’m learning to be okay with whatever pans out. I’m open and ready for whatever plan unfolds.
“Where God guides, He will provide.”
The past few weeks I have wrestled with feeling like a failure. I wrestled with feeling like i should be able to do it all. I wrestled with the fact that I can’t do it all. Ouch that’s a lot of negativity, which will get me nowhere. Thankfully I had a good slap in the face and a Love tap from the kiwi and my family to realize this.
My first and foremost big dream will always be supporting my husband. And sometimes that support comes from just being fully present.
![image[13]](https://www.cottercrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/image13.jpg)
So what Am I going to do now? I’m not giving up on Healthy Bites, I’m just shifting focus… for now.
I’ll focus on making another healthy bites e-book
I’ll focus on sharing the flavor of the month and the recipe.
I’ll focus on local orders
I’ll focus on doing a once a month giveaway. Because I want to still share with you when I can.
And I’ll focus on being a Sherpa wife. More recipes, more time with my husband, more time to cheer, and more time to allow myself a what’s up rest when needed.
Thank you all for your continued support. It means more than you’ll ever know .Just wanted to give you an update. Tomorrow I’ll post the first recipe for the January’s Flavor of Month. And I’ll do a giveaway for a dozen (I will make these in my kitchen). So stay tuned for a FLAVOR FRIDAY giveaway.
Whoops there I go again with the corniness. 
Do you need a SHIFT in FOCUS?
Cheers to being TRUTHFUL!
LC
I love this. And you. And your big dreams. Keep dreaming. And praying. And He will show you the path. Hugs, friend.
I personally believe success doesn’t come without a dose of failure along the way. We all go through it, we all grapple with it, and yes as cliché as it sounds, we’re better for it in the end. I also think we label it poorly; instead of failing, we should call it a hurdling block. How sportsy of me; too bad there are no hurdles in a Triathlon…they aren’t right?
wow, well said. and I appreciate your words. they hit home. and I need to realize it’s a hurdle. and no hurdles in triathlon.. yet. haha
First of all (((((hugs))))).
I LOVE LOVE LOVE your attitude about this. (Thank you Jesus!)
One could probably tell you a million things about “failure” just google failure quotes… but here is the deal:
NONE of them would apply. Because there is 180% nothing I read here that implies failure.
It’s just a break. That’s all. A sign to re-focus as you put it.
I love me some corny Cotter! You inspire me, lady.
LOVE this! I struggle so much with wanting to do so much and be so much, but I let things fall to the wayside (like family time) when I do too much. You are such a blessing to those you reach 🙂 Praying for you!
Shifting focus is something that we all need to do occasionally in life. I can really relate to this just in the sense that, it doesn’t mean we are failing if we can’t do it all it just means it’s time to do what we can and change our priorities
you’re absolutely amazing and so true to yourself – i love you! we should have a phone chat some time? if you have time!
i have to change my focus too. i have to change it to loving myself as i am and stop thinking i need to strive to be better.
you have big plans coming your way friend. A shift in focus is needed. Chat anytime. love ya!
I think this is a good way for me to challenge myself. I feel like I’ve been behind and not succeeding after finishing my Bachelors, but that, in and of itself, is a HUGE accomplishment. I want to shift my focus on finding a job that will make me happy and just taking life as it comes until then. It will give the confidence to shift my focus onto my life.
I heard this song today and thought of you, hope you enjoy! http://youtu.be/L5qD9HOoGpQ
oh friend, this gave me goosebumps! thank YOU!
I just love your positivity and your faith! So thankful that our blogs connected us to each other. I mean it when I say that your posts always bring sunshine to my day! I’m going to keep entering these giveaways in the hopes I win one so I can try out these delicious looking bites! Happy Friday, friend <3
Thank you for sharing this with us. Your commitment to your husband and marriage is incredibly admirable, and for that I view you as a huge success. You have also reminded me/inspired me to refocus on my husband and what I can be doing to better support him.
Girl, how I wish we lived closer!! My heart hears yours loud and clear. God is lifting you up and preparing you for amazing things, no doubt whatsoever. Somehow I think everything is going to work out for Kiwi Cotter too. Marc has just been given a glimmer of hope in his injury situation and that has given him a huge amount of motivation to keep going. God is SO GOOD, He is faithful.
This year is going to be such a healing year for many… yes?! Praying and loving you from afar xoxo
Oh man, I just love this! Don’t give up – just refocus. If God put this dream in your heart, that’s what he wants you to do – keep going at it! 🙂
And James wouldn’t be James without you – and vice versa! You two are such a team unit. xo
Oh my friend, I’m so sorry you’ve felt like a failure. Sounds like you’re come around to a good place of balance. You have so many other important things to focus on! And I’ve learned that there are seasons of life for different things- you have done awesome things with Healthy Bites and hopefully it will continue to grow. But if you decide not to keep going with it, that’s not a fail. That’s a sweet memory you can hold from this stage of life and move on to the next big thing.
I bow down to you friend and honor the divine in you! Sherpa On!
You know I’m always here for you. You already know I’m in the same boat as you friend. I’m in that area where I’m everywhere all the time and too many things are suffering because of it. I’m tired all the time and I feel like I’ve lost a little piece of me in the process. I’m constantly shifting focus for whatever job I am doing every other hour. It’s not pretty. This year is a regrouping year for me and I’m moving forward purposefully. I wish we lived closer! You are truly such an inspiration to me. You are amazing! You know I’m always here for you anytime! Love you! xoxo
You are wonderful! God has a great plan for you two and this is surely a sign to step back and be present. To be a team. Love it! You and the kiwi set a wonderful example. Xoxo
What a wonderful and powerful post. You are an inspiration Lindsay, sometimes we all need to hear that, and this is a post I will refer back to. You have the courage to listen to your heart, and change your focus, that shows true strength! Keep up the good work 🙂
You continue to inspire no matter what you do. Beautiful friend! XO
You are not a failure. NEVER. We don’t fail, we just follow the ebbs and flows of life and they are different, each day.
Refocus is strong. Because it shows that you listen what life has to say and that’s not easy. YOU GO GIRL!! Dream big and I know all turns out right for you and the Kiwi Cotter.
Much Love!!
I love you for sharing this. I know that it couldn’t have been easy. You, my friend, are far far from a failure. Of course it’s disappointing but having the ability to stop, reflect and shift your focus is an incredible asset, you know? Pursuing our dreams is never easy but I have so much faith in you and Kiwi Cotter. xoxo
You are amazing in all your corny glory. That is so big of you and inspiring to put something you are so clearly passionate about on hold to see the one you love achieve their dream- YOUR shared dream rather. Here’s to continued success for the two of you- and for many more competitions to come (hopefully down under, in which case, I will source out a kitchen and make you make these bites. ;))
2013 was a very busy year for my husband and I. And as I look into this next year, I’m developing these odd fears of the unknown. We don’t have much planned, just to keep working lots of hours like we are good at! 😉 It makes me realize whether I am really busy or I have nothing planned, God is in control of it all. I’m focusing on leaving it up to Him to guide me! Which should always be my focus 🙂 Thanks for sharing and for your honesty! Your blog is always so refreshing.
love you to pieces friend. I think you are making the right decision for now, and you are exactly right with refocusing. I certainly relate to feeling like I’m failing right now, and maybe a shift in focus is exactly what I need 🙂
I just started reading “Jesus Calling” this year, and wow am I glad that I chose it for my 2014 devotional! 9 days in and it’s already had a huge impact on my thinking….I really love (and admire) that you’re *trusting fully* on HIS plan. That’s really just not an easy thing to do! I can tell that your heart is exactly where it needs to be though, and I know the Lord will guide you to whatever is going to fulfill His purpose for you!
You have no idea how much this post spoke to me today. I have really been struggling feeling like a failure. I lost my job last year (failure), I got a femoral stress fracture 3 months later (Failure), my husband is in his last year of medical school and I cannot financially support him like i want (failure) BUT those are all things that are the past. I need to focus on what I CAN to do how I can be a better wife to support him until my time comes. We will be moving in 6 months and a lot can change then and between now and then. I have faith and am hoping our plan will be revealed.
Friend, I have one thing for you to remember. When you are weak, HE is strong! He has a better plan for you. And that might just be to be a wife. Which is precious gold to your husband. Love you! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
What a wonderful, though I’m sure not easy, realization to have. To realize I have limited time and resources and cut out things I can’t focus on right now, is a never-ending lesson. Thanks for openly sharing this and I pray you see God’s guidance and provision with whatever comes next!
girl you’re amazing! just saying!!
seriously you’re such an inspiration!!
we had to refocus our dream and plan as well once before – and it is amazing how God works. As he always has a bigger plan that we can’t always understand at first. xoxo
hugs
I go back and forth with these feelings, despite working the job I LOVE. Following our dreams, comes with a rise and fall, but that doesn’t make us a failure. You are amazing, so be kind to yourself. Love you, friend!
you’re amazing Lindsay!! Such an inspiration always and so full of love. xx
Words cannot even begin to describe how much I love you! You are such an inspiration to me. I appreciate your support and friendship SO much. I have no doubt in my mind that God will provide for you and Kiwi! You both are so deserving. I cannot wait for a Healthy Bites e-book and of course your recipes! Keep on being true to you! Your faith, focus, and happiness are truly inspiring! XOXO
I think this may well be one of my very favorite posts by you. I absolutely adore your attitude!
What a great lesson here. A challenge. A chance. So many of us hold on to a failure/disappointment in life. But why?
I love that you already know how you will move forward and you’re using what you’ve learned to create a new plan. Let the past go to make room in your life for your new dreams.
Failures don’t need to feel so final; they can still feel like a twist on a path of exploration. That’s a path I’m happy to see you take. X
Big hugs my friend and all the best with the shift in focus. Things will work out in their own perfect way as they always do.
LOVE this friend, and needed this, as always, too. this message, shifting, not feeling like a failure, renewing focus, all of it. As for you, you are FAR from a failure and I am so glad you see that. I am so glad you have come to a conclusion with Healthy Bites for now and are doing right by your heart and your home. XOXO
Your healthy bites are AWESOME so I am glad you will still be making them even if you aren’t shipping out for awhile. You have a great product so you should definitely keep it up!
I’ve been focusing and refocusing a lot as of late. Stepping back, or/and simply pausing. I’ve been shifting and moving, in directions I’ve not gone in yet, or, already have (revisiting so to speak). If anything, I have FAITH that no matter how it is I move forward..each step, big or small, will lead me to where I need to go, and should be 🙂
Have you been spying on me?! That’s exactly where I am today at work. Cheers, Brother.
i have. wink wink. vent to me anytime brother!
Your healthy bites business will be there when you are ready to come back to it. And your loyal customers will still be there too! I was dead-set on doing GPP’s HELLth week this week, but God had different plans for me. I came down with a nasty bug and I am forcing myself to REST. I start training for my half marathon on Monday, so I think this rest is a blessing in disguise.
Thanks for the post! xo
love you lady! praying you feeling better soon. glad you are getting rest though.
This post was exactly what I needed to hear right now, Lindsay! I know life doesn’t always give us the path we think it will, but it sounds like you’re handling that quite well 🙂 I’m praying for you and the hubs!
I’m so inspired by your ability to recognize God’s guidance and follow through regardlessif what you *want* to do. It’s something I hope I could do when needed. Thanks for sharing this!
I admire you more than you know!!!
Your unwavering support to being the best sherpa for your husband that you can be and the positive attitude that you have about so many things!!
You are in no way failing – you are doing phenomenal at your true calling!!!
I am so impressed with you for A) sharing this and B) finding a place of peace and letting go to God. THAT’s a recipe that will only lead to the right and good ending. Big hugs and cheers to you!
praying, my lady!! 🙂 always!
Just because our plans don’t work out (right now), that doesn’t mean we are failures. And it so much easier to say this than to practice, but His plan can be murky at times but just believing can be helpful. Lots of love your way!
Hah, I know the feeling of wanting to do it all and not being able to. And the frustration that comes with it. I think it’s brave to admit that you cannot do it all and instead make a decision that might hurt right now but may be just what you need.
And remember: There’s a time and place for everything. The time for focusing on Healthy Bites again will come.
I’ll miss the healthy bites, but am a big believer that family comes first so I am glad you are doing what you need to for your family.
Thank you so much for sharing, sweet friend. I know what it’s like to have to surrender the want to do it ALL to being able to do the most important stuff WELL. I’m really proud of you for realizing that need before it turned into something even harder!
I love this post! I was just battling today with the fact that gods plan may not be what I thought my plan was but you have to trust and know that god does have the best plan for us!
You are such a generous, positive woman. I often think of you when I’m deep in a hole of negativity (too often, sadly). You always seem to have a way to pull yourself up and out. I love that. I strive to be more like you, more positive, more accepting.
Well, we’ve already discussed 😉 Love you friend.
You have the right attitude and it always feels good to get it out on the blog like that for me. I’m sure you know, but just always remember the larger plan — we just don’t have the perspective that God does, so who knows what’s coming your way? Stay encouraged, and keep it up!
Just reading this gave me chills. You know I can relate. You know I understand. I hope you have my phone number – you know you can always text me!!
i know you are always there. Just like i am always there for you. And for that, i am forever grateful. <3 YOU