Thriving Where Planted

The purpose of this blog is to inspire you to live fully in the moment. In this day and age, many of us struggle with contentment and finding peace with where we are in life. There is always a longing for the next step and “I’ll be happy if’s." But when we switch our focus on the positive, we are able to find joy in whatever stage of life we're in. This notion is easier said than done. It’s not something we’ve mastered but here are some things we have learned through the process of finding joy in this present season. 

Focus on the Present
Dwell in the moment you are in and make the most of it. One warm afternoon I was basking in the sunny glow of a Florida vacation, it was a beautiful beach day and I should not have had a care in the world. But I did, I was surprised at how my thoughts turned towards worries on a peaceful beach. I reassured myself that as soon as the situation was resolved I would be able to relax. However, the next year I went to Florida for vacation and the same thing happened, I started to fret about different things in life. That’s when I realized that no one arrives at a place in life where they are free of worry. We need to take ownership of our thoughts and shift our focus to the present, not borrow from tomorrows' worries. - Ruthie Pollard

Face Adversity with Resolve
Sometimes I fear the worst. "What if" creeps in my mind and I try to avoid bad situations at all cost. But then I remember that every time I'm presented with a tough situation, I end up being so thankful for it. It's because living a safe life doesn't really bring growth. Sometimes the ones who are faced with the most harrowing circumstances are then pushed to do the most beautiful things. They rise up and push for beauty to combat the ugly they've just faced. You can still live a fantastic life in the face of adversity. We can't control what will happen to us. We can control how we handle the situation and what we make of it. - Becky Sizelove

Be Open to Opportunities
Is there a business you have been wanting to start? Is there a place you have been wanting to visit? Jumping into a new opportunity might be the open door to the very thing you have been waiting for. You never know what might pop up, be open to new possibilities that are presently available in your life. - Ruthie Pollard

Attitude Determines Altitude
My dad always said this phrase to me and as I've gotten older, it has become a compass to my soul. On my semester abroad, my roommate was an architect major. Mid-semenster, she hung one of her assignments up on the wall. It was filled with different geometric shapes. When I asked her about it, she told me that it was one of the beach fronts in Wellington. To me, I did not see how the shapes added up to the little beach area. She said that their assignment was to draw the beachfront from their perspective - how they saw it from an architects point of view. She told me every student had a different take on it and that each person's drawing was unique because they all had a different perspective. I was hit with this epiphany "perspective is everything" when she said that and it's always stuck with me. This is how life is. A car full of people could get into an inconvenient fender bender. One person might see it as the ruin to their whole day, while another could embrace the situation and make the most of it - finding the silver lining and realizing it's not the end of the world. Our attitude - our perspective - will surely determine what path our life becomes. It also determines how much you enjoy the journey of life. I find that when I choose happiness, because I truly do need to choose it, that things are so much better. It's sometimes hard to shift our focus to the positive and choose to find the good in each situation. But when you do, it makes your life so beautiful. - Becky Sizelove

Value Friendship and Serve Others
Surround yourself with people who inspire and uplift you. Invest in people and friendships that are in your life right now and be a friend who’s truly there for people. Also, look to meet the needs of those around you. When we think of helping others the first things that come to mind is often giving to a large organization or going on a missions trip. There are people in your community that simply need help moving. Your willingness to serve and to use your God-given gifts can be a great blessings to someone in your circle. - Ruthie Pollard

Choose an Outlet for Joy
It's extremely important to make time to do things that bring us joy. In the hustle and bustle of work, taking care of our homes, animals, cars, etc., we can get caught up in the work and never partake in the joy. Make self-care a priority. For me, nature walks, longboarding, yoga and creating are activities that fill up my cup. If I do not make time for these things, I notice a significant difference in my state of mind. Wherever you are in life, doing things that bring you joy will make that season thrive. - Becky Sizelove

Trust the Process
I read a great book called “Rooted” by Banning Liebscher. The premise of the book was that there are seasons in life when we think we are being buried but we are actually being planted. God knows while we are wrapped up in all our visions and goals, it is the condition of our heart that matters most. There is a process happening that we might not be aware of in the moment. Our character is being shaped and refined in preparation for the future so that we will be ready when the time comes. - Ruthie Pollard

Be Kind
Kindness is key! The happiest times in my life are when I've brightened someone's day. In turn, when someone shows me kindness during a dark time, it brings me light. One particular day, I was at the Dollar Store getting some much needed items. I was having a bad day and not handling it well. There was a long line and the cashier made such kind conversation with each patron. I noticed how the people in front of me went from being stressed, sad or bored to having a huge smile on their face. She found something in common with each customer and was so sweet! When it came my turn to be rung out, she made conversation with me and it just totally turned my day around. It helped me realize life is short, the start of the day was difficult, but there's still a chance for greatness in it. Spreading kindness is mutually beneficial and it makes the world go 'round! :) - Becky Sizelove

Be Thankful
It’s amazing how much more content we are in life when we are thankful for what we already have. It takes discipline to stop and reflect on all the blessings in life big and small. Gratitude is scientifically proven to promote happiness, and it’s something we can choose every day. - Ruthie Pollard