Hi friends! How are things going in your world? Hanging in there or thriving? Either one I just want to remind you that you are alive, your heart is beating and there is something to gain from today whether you are having a good day or a bad day. You have a purpose here and the people around you need you. So put a pretty smile on that face and do you boo! K?

I feel like all I write about are my struggles and where I have been. It was a life altering couple of years that really molded me into the person I am today. I am proud of myself for how I acted during those character building years and where I am now. I believe to my core that my story is supposed to be told to help others in similar situations or any hard situation. I believe it is so important to have grace and show grace when life is throwing lemons at you. Regardless of how low and terrible I felt during those years, the joy, strength, and confidence I feel today… wow! It should be celebrated! I am survivor. I am a fighter. I also life to keep it simple. Today let’s chat about a few things I like to call the glue that helps keep me together.

I do not have a victim mentality. I never have. I hate when people feel sorry for me or pity me. Whatever happened, happened for a reason. It sucked and it was a learning lesson. I didn’t fail. I just failed forward. Now it’s time to pull up my big girl panties, put one foot in front of the other and get to truckin’. You can stay down or you can get moving. I always choose to get moving. Life happens. It is all how you react. I am stubborn, determined and resilient. I know I can get through anything. So can you, my friend!

I live a very boring and routine life. Boring is good. I will take boring all day long. Matt does keep things fun and I always say life is an adventure with him. In all reality, I work, hang out with friends and family, exercise, cook and take trips here and there. I know social media paints the picture you have to have a grand life to be living. Which is so false on so many levels!! Just remember everything comes at a price. You are the only one that can decide if you are willing to pay the price. I just choose the simple life!

I am a very direct person unless I am tired or hangry and then I get passive. It’s real cute. Not. Hangry is a real emotion and I will be the first to admit I am a bitch when I am hungry. 99% of the time though I have snacks with me because I don’t like when I get in those moods. Matt calls them my hulk moments – haha! Other than that, I am a straight shooter. If you ask my opinion, I will give it to you in the most genuine way. I will never intentionally say things to be mean or hateful. Not my nature. If you are one of my people, I will love you like family. If there is an issue or I think there is an issue, I will say something. I genuinely care a lot about the people in my life and I believe being direct and not being afraid to ask the hard questions falls under that category. I want to know about your life and be involved in it! It’s really important to me. Now there are some people that are direct, but can’t handle when people are direct with them. Not the case here my friends! It is a safe space for my people to call me out/say something if I am doing something they don’t like. I definitely take accountability when I am in the wrong and I will apologize. My dad always tells us, “Lead with honesty and you can never go wrong.” That is how I live my life!

I have very good friends and family that support me, but do not enable me. They are my rocks through and through. They are there when I need them and sometimes when I don’t even know I need them they are there. We know I love my people BIG around here! They support me and encourage me to make my own decisions. They will definitely give me their opinion. They just let me decide what is best for me and whatever I decide, whether they agree or not, they support with no judgement. That is the key. No body has anytime for a Judgy Judy in their life.

I am a happy person 99.9% of the time. I smile a lot! I will laugh at all your cheesy jokes and see my cup half full. Happiness is a choice and every day I wake up thankful I opened my eyes. Thankful I have a bed to sleep in. Thankful Matt and the fur babes are snuggled up next to me. Thankful I have A/C or heat, a roof over my head, food in my belly, clean running water, a job to go to, a car to get me there, and clothes on my back. I am appreciative and thankful for everything or at least try really hard to be. Sometimes I need a reminder when I am having a tough day, but when I stop for a second and look around I can’t help but smile. Choose your happy and if you can’t choose it, be it. Work those face muscles and smile with your teeth… my mom is definitely giggling at that comment. I always tell her smile with your teeth when she takes a picture! You too!

I make time for things that bring me joy and fill my cup. I learned how to say no when I went through my divorce and no as in it’s a full sentence. Friends, you. don’t. have. to. explain. yourself. If you don’t want to go or do it, just say no. If you aren’t feeling someone’s vibe, don’t spend time with them. I have a hard time with this. I give people the benefit of the doubt and give people so much grace. I always say you will know when it is time to walk away when you have a peace about it and no emotions. As long as they are in your life, you are learning something from it. Go where you are welcomed and cherished. Time is such a precious commodity and something you will never get back. Trust me when I say, you are an answer to someone’s prayers just the way you are. They are praying and searching for a friend just like you and chances are you are praying for a friend just like them. On that note here’s a little PSA. Be yourself. Be your goofy, intriguing, loving self. The world is a better place because of it. You have no idea the impact you are making and have made on people’s lives just by being you. Again, you are an answer to people’s prayers just the way you are.

Most importantly, I am a women of faith. I believe in God and his plan for my life. I trust in his plan and purpose. I trust he has my back 100% and loves me unconditionally. I look for God in my life and seek him daily. I have a relationship with God and work to make it better. I don’t always understand what he is doing and there are definitely times I have cussed him. One thing is no matter how mad I was at him, I have never questioned his ultimate plan. I have never questioned his abilities. I have never questioned my love for him. I am a child of God and am eternally thankful for all he has done in my life. I will leave you with this… things I have prayed years for, God can change in a second. When it is time, it will happen. Until then trust him, keep your faith and be a good one.

Until next time my friends! Thank you for spending some of your day with me!

Amanda