Seven years ago this month, I took a chance and ran off to
the sheriff to get married. After tirelessly caring for everyone else, I
finally decided to grab some happiness for myself. Things couldn’t have worked
out more wonderfully. If I had to make the same choice today, I’d take that
leap again – without a doubt.
January is such a great month for new beginnings. It’s also
a time to challenge ourselves by thinking of taking chances. It doesn’t have to
be now or next month even, but I’m hoping that sometime during this year, we’ll
all take a chance by doing something special for ourselves. When you’re in the
role of mother, caretaker, partner or helpmate, it can be hard to focus on
anything other than giving. Though it’s important to recall that we often have
more to give when we’ve stepped back and taken
a little for ourselves.
When considering New Year’s goals, don’t neglect to think of
yourself. If you’ve always wanted to
paint, sign up for a class. If you’ve yearned for a session at a spa, book one
and make it happen! If you’d like just one
day to yourself to shop, have lunch, or see a movie, explain to your family
that this is what you need to help revitalize you. Then, rinse, lather, repeat…
as often as needed throughout the year to keep your batteries charged and help
maintain a healthy outlook that balances self-care with caring for others. For
when we give to ourselves, we increase the wealth of what we can contribute by
being happier, and more deeply enriched, people.
So, what will it be? What will you take a chance on in 2015?
If there’s something you’ve always wanted to do, or hoped to learn, you know
what they say… There’s no time like the present!
~ * ~
New York Times and
USA Today Bestselling Author Ginny Baird
writes short contemporary romance and romantic comedy. Her latest release is The Calendar Brides, a story in which
twelve granddaughters plan to send their dear grandma back to Italy to reunite
with her long-lost love. Find The Calendar
Brides online at iBooks,
Amazon, Barnes
& Noble and Kobo.
This is such great advice, Ginny! Happy anniversary, and thank you for sharing your story.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Magdalena! And, you're welcome. I think we all need to take a chance and do something special for ourselves once in a while. Sometimes self-care is a little too easy to forget. :)
DeleteHappy anniversary, Ginny. I'm so glad you've found such happiness. Great suggestion for 2015, to do something we've always wanted to do. My plan is to take a painting or drawing class and I plan to sign up soon. I'm a terrible artist, but I love art, and my motto this year is 'Be Fearless'.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful goal, Patricia! Have fun with it, and happy painting!
DeleteStepping out and taking a chance on something that you've always wanted to do can make all the difference in the world. I quit my job a year ago and started writing full-time. No regrets here!
ReplyDeleteKudos on your success, Denise. It pays to be daring! :)
DeleteHappy Anniversary. Thanks for the reminder. At my age, I sometime forget that that option is still open to me; life is far from over.
ReplyDeleteWow, what great advice. Happy Anniversary and here's to another 7!
ReplyDeleteLovely, inspiring post, Ginny! Happy Anniversary to you. May your year be filled with wonderful opportunities to "step out" and take a chance.
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary. An elopement? Sounds perfect!
ReplyDeleteI'm considering the Ph.D...
ReplyDeleteThank you Ginny for giving the nudge I needed. I am taking a chance and publishing solo again. Happy Anniversary. I love January. My son, husband and me have birthdays in January.
ReplyDelete