My life seems to be rapidly changing. I know it has not been sudden, but it feels sudden. “Suddenly” I have no children in elementary school, they are now all 7th graders and above. As well, my “baby” Madison, left for basic training today. Yes, basic training, you heard me right! She is now in the Air Force; this is unbelievable since it was just yesterday that I brought her home from the hospital in her car seat. She slept in that car seat for 3 months because I was paranoid about her sleeping in the crib. In the car seat, she could be belted in and sleep right next to me so I could keep her safe.
I had postpartum depression after having Madison and for a while I wanted to kill myself. I literally would rock her in the rocking chair and my tears would fall onto her sleeping body. With each rock, forward and back, I would see myself jumping out of the window with Madison in my arms, killing us both. It was a scary time and Madison was the only one there for me. She didn’t know it, she was only weeks old, but it was her little face that got me through one of the toughest times in my life. I never told anyone what was going on with me back then, so I was isolated, but Madison was always there. She cried, she was fussy and demanding and it was her needs that kept me from focusing on how badly I was feeling. I sat with Madison for hours each day, talking, reading, and playing classical music. It is no wonder she said her first word “mama” at only 5 1/2 months and was walking by 9 months. I put all my energy into raising this amazing kid, and somehow, the postpartum depression eventually left me. It wasn’t until many years later that I realized what had been wrong with me.
Madison was (and still is) brilliant and now she has gone off to basic training. She willingly signed up to protect and serve our country. Though completely choked up and still in shock at how time flies, I could not be more proud.
This “soldier” is still my baby. Still the fearless little girl who once screamed “I LOVE YOU MOMMY” at the top of her lungs in the center of a quieted riding arena during a horse show. Still the crazy little girl who made her cousin cry when she scratched the eyes off of his painted pumpkin. Still the innocent and excited little birthday girl who couldn’t believe that “Barney the dinosaur” came to her party. Still my little girl who cried after her first broken heart. Still my sweet helper who always took care of her friends. Oh, I could go on forever with this but with tears in my eyes, I must remember that she is NOW a young woman, creating her own amazing life and I am deeply proud. I am proud that she is kind, loving, willing to take some risks, and that no matter how grown up she is, she is still my little girl.
Today, hug your babies, before you know it, they are off on their amazing lives! Focus on building good relationships with your kids now, instead of thinking about what they will do when they grow up. Enjoy life and Live Inspired Now!
Heather Paris inspires people all over the world to create happier lives through talks, workshops, blog posts, and her book, Live Inspired Now; A Field Guide For Happiness. For more information about transforming your relationship, family, or your life, contact Heather today!
Have you ever been so frustrated that you go behind closed doors just to catch your breath? Or maybe you go there to cry, yell, or swear?
There is nothing wrong with taking a moment to “discharge” your negative emotions, in fact, it’s healthy to do so! It is healthy, but not always practical; especially if you are at work, or with young people. So what do you do?
Go into a room, close the door, then let it all out! Cry, scream, swear, make obscene gestures, make faces or even punch a pillow, but get that frustration out. You will be surprised at how good it feels and then you can go on with your day. This is a great stress reliever, especially for Moms! We all love our kids but let’s face it, sometimes you really want to research boarding schools!
Or if you are at work and your boss is very demanding, you can always go to the restroom to get a moment. While there, text your spouse, or give your boss the middle finger behind the closed stall door. Whatever it takes, but get those frustrations out in a non confrontational way. This will alleviate your own stress, help you maintain your composure when you simply can’t blow up, and it might even make you laugh some!
The last time I flipped the bird to someone behind closed doors, I ended up laughing hysterically and felt much better all day! So if you find yourself completely irritated by bored kids, obnoxious bosses, or any other Frustrating Franks, go behind closed doors, take a deep breath, flip them off, make faces, and Live Inspired Now!
Heather Paris inspires people all over the world to create happier lives through talks, workshops, blog posts, and her book, Live Inspired Now; A Field Guide For Happiness. For more information about transforming your relationship, family, or your life, contact Heather today!
Join me today at 11:00am for a FREE sneak peak to the upcoming “Killing The Soccer Mom….. Creating The Goddess” workshop beginning soon! Life Coach and friend Jodi Brichta-Coyne and I have put together this amazing 6 week journey to help other women get their groove back!
Most of you know my stories of inspiration but join us today to hear HOW I got here and how YOU can start living and loving your purpose filled life again too!
Please join us today, August 29th at 11:00am eastern at:
http://www.spreecast.com/
See you there! 🙂
Heather Paris inspires people all over the world to create happier lives through talks, workshops, blog posts, and her book, Live Inspired Now; A Field Guide For Happiness. For more information about transforming your relationship, family, or your life, contact Heather today!
Role models should not be fictional television characters. Choose role models from the billions of real people all over the globe, from past and present, who have done amazing things to contribute to the well being of society or the planet as a whole. Even better, BE the role model you want your kids to emulate, and Live Inspired Now!
Heather Paris inspires people all over the world to create happier lives through talks, workshops, blog posts, and her book, Live Inspired Now; A Field Guide For Happiness. For more information about transforming your relationship, family, or your life, contact Heather today!
Once upon a time there was an inspired princess. She was the most beautiful princess of all time, with long red curly locks of hair that often overwhelmed her freckled, fair skin. The princess had an incredibly compassionate heart and always prioritized the needs of her people above her own; they loved her very much.
The princess herself had but one wish. She wished for true love. As a child she had heard a story of another princess in a far away land that kissed a frog and released a prince charming so she vowed to kiss frogs until her prince emerged.
The princess occupied her days with helping everyone and making other people very happy. In her spare time, she “kissed” every frog she came across, looking for the man of her dreams. Magnificent princes rode gallantly into her kingdom to court the inspired princess but she quickly sent them away; after all, they were not frogs and she knew that she was to rescue an ugly old frog from his tortured existence. So on she went, helping everyone, kissing frogs, and avoiding princes; and she did this for years.
One day, she woke and didn’t feel as inspired. She wondered why she was spending her days sharing her wealth and helping others, and still had not been rewarded with the one thing she truly wanted. How much longer would she have to give unselfishly only to return to her castle each night, lonely. It seemed as if she had lost her inspiration. She stopped leaving her castle and helping the people, and vowed to never kiss another frog.
One day, a knock came upon the large castle door. The sad, uninspired princess opened the door to see a very handsome prince standing before her with a large basket overflowing with baked goods, fresh fruit, vegetables, and hand made crafts. The charming prince told her that the townspeople missed her and had put together their finest offerings and had asked him to kindly deliver them to her with their love. The princess was moved to tears and invited the prince in to the castle. They shared baked goods from the basket and swapped stories for hours. Later, as the prince was preparing for his departure, she kissed his cheek and thanked him for the best day she had in years.
The princess returned to town after that and continued her work: caring for the sick, feeding the poor, and generously sharing what she had with her people. Eventually, she and the prince fell in love and on the day they were to be married the princess thanked the towns people for sending the prince to her. She also thanked the prince for helping her to see things clearly. She had been so busy trying to save frogs, she forgot to save herself.
The Inspired Princess and Prince Charming were married. They presided happily over an abundant and joyous kingdom, and lived inspired and happily ever after!
Heather Paris inspires people all over the world to create happier lives through talks, workshops, blog posts, and her book, Live Inspired Now; A Field Guide For Happiness. For more information about transforming your relationship, family, or your life, contact Heather today!
