Do more of what you love.

Foster this in your children, in yourself, in your friends, your co-workers!

Notice the fire behind someone’s eyes, the way they come alive, or the care they take when doing something. Notice it in yourself!

And who cares what it is, maybe it’s nothing you would prioritize, think exciting or fun, or important, maybe it’s something you don’t even agree with. Who can say what speaks to each of us, as long as we listen!

For as long as I can remember, my daughter has been drawing on her skin. Yes, I had looks from parents, comments from her teachers, even coaches on her teams. But she loved it, worked hard at it, and it was an outlet for her creativity. She has become quite the budding artist, and has found art as a way to escape and express herself. Who was I to tell her she shouldn’t draw on her skin, to stamp out that fire?

How about you? Is there a “shouldn’t do” in your life, that calls to you? Maybe you say to yourself that you don’t deserve it, that you should be doing other things with your time, that you need to be focusing on other things like your family, your kids, your job?

I challenge you to step back, take a moment to describe yourself, what respecting your wants and needs looks like, what priorities or habits are taking up your time now, your mental space, your energy. Are all of these positive, do they add to your life, your well-being, your fun? Or do some of them take away, feel negative, lead to other negative actions or feelings?

Find a way to remove the negative, energy-sucking aspects to your time, your workday, your family life. Does alcohol take up space in your life, your head, cause more stress than happiness? How about television, does this add to your life or take away from it? Drugs, fast food, certain friends... What could you be doing with your time and energy that is spent elsewhere, are you letting these less important things steal the opportunity to live a life you love? Why are you not using this time and energy to fulfill those wants and needs?

Ask yourself. What does your life look like when you do the things you love? Then let the negative go, and use that renewed energy to pursue the fire inside! Go get that tattoo! 😆