Super Angie...the power of winning

 Recently I saw a great quote.

DON'T WORRY ABOUT TOMORROW. JUST WIN TOAY.  THEN WIN THE NEXT DAY AND THE DAY AFTER THAT.  THAT'S HOW YOU WIN THE FUTURE. DAY BY DAY.  - Jon Gordon

This quote opened up some awesome private conversations about WINNING THE DAY. 

Society will tell you- Winning is about doing, going, having a side hustle.  But every single therapist will tell you that will not bring you closer to winning. That actually brings you to exhaustion. I work with a few therapists and life coaches, as well as religious/spiritual leaders/counselors.  Each one praises REST.  But again, our society will shouts loud and long about GO GO GOOOOOO.  Volunteer more.  Clean more.  Make more $$$$. 

But God has something different to say. 

BE STILL

So how does Super Angie find a balance between BE STILL and being, well SUPER ANGIE.  EASY! (in concept and after much practice...it is in fact easy).

1. Set aside distractions.  There are good things in the world. There are better things in the world. There are BEST things in the world.  When I set aside lesser things, I automatically have MORE TIME for the best things. 
* For example: the news.  I don't want the news. I am educated in other ways as to what is happening in the world. But watching the news has been proven to be a DOWNER.  Don't believe me? Give it a try. Go 30 days without watching the news of any kind. See how you feel.  So I get rid of watching the news, and suddenly I have more time for meditation, prayer, quiet time. I also have more time for cuddles with the dog, conversations at breakfast with my kids (about things that are happening in OUR LIFE, not just national and world news).  Giving up watching the news allows me to focus on things that lift me and elevate my life.  

In my eyes...this leads to WINNING THE DAY.

* another example of giving up distractions....  Long ago I gave up the idea of having a "perfect" home, yard, life, body.  Now I can honestly say I LOVE myself...right now.  Clutter, extra lbs and all. When I look back on those times when I was so consumed by weighing myself, or cleaning, or striving for perfection, I wasn't happy. I was stressed. Overwhelmed. Exhausted.   Now that I GIVE MYSELF GRACE, I am more at ease.  I am not tired. I'm not overwhelmed. 

2. BE PICKY. I'm extremely picky on who I share my life with.  In the past year, I have removed over 1K followers and friends from my associations.  Not that I HATE THEM.  Nope. Not at all. But they don't bring the energy, vibe and flow into my daily interactions that I choose to have with me.  I also am picky with what events I go to.  Just because I get an invite, doesn't mean I MUST GO. If I try to please a ton of people, I get anxious.  I've learned I must recharge, and recharge often. 

Maybe it's because I've had so many brain injuries....I have noticed that when I surround myself with people who don't swear, don't make fun, and who are uplifting in word and deed, I will be motivated to do the same. 

3. BE HEATHY- I take vitamins, supplements, teas, herbs. I mediate multiple times a day.  I go to bed early and get up early.  I read uplifting books and listen to uplifting music.  I try to bring MORE ZEN into my life.

What can this look like? 
Sitting in the yard, with my bare feet in the grass for five minutes. 
Having only Christian radio on in the car. 
Listening to podcasts instead of stressful news radio.
Leaving early for appointments and work- so I don't stress if traffic is bad
Drinking ONLY water and a lot of it. (Sure, once in a while I enjoy a soda, but that's not a common, daily occurrence.) 
Making time for exercise. 
Finding JOY in simple things--like walking the dog.
Sit in the sunshine for a few minutes.
Take a moment to look at the stars, or sun rise, or sun set or clouds.  
Be present- limit online time. 

Again, with my brain injuries, I realized that more time spent "OFF GRID" is better for my brain. I bet it's the same for you!
I try to bring as much ZEN into my life...most of which is simply- BEING STILL. BEING QUIET.

4. Lastly.... WINNING BY FOCUSING ON THE SMALL THINGS

Here is my list of winnings today:
Took a moment to see the sunrise. Loved how pretty it was.
Read my scriptures.
Saw each one of my kids this morning...for like ten minutes! whoa!
Started some laundry

I didn't do anything LIFE SHATTERING.  But I did WIN.  I got out of bed (and even made my bed).  THAT IS WINNING.

Stop seeing winning and success as how the world dictates.  Instead seeing winning as how GOD directs!

I'm not blind or ignorant of the horrible stresses, events and things happening in our world.  I know they are there.  But I have a greater faith that GOD is in charge. I take my questions to him (rather than to science, a politician or an influencer). I find out FOR MYSELF what God wants ANGIE to do.  Can I run to another country to help with refuges? Nope. I can't. But I can donate money. And I can pray.  There are some people who feel God has CALLED THEM to help in ways that aren't the same as ways I can help. That's awesome.  But because I took my questions to God, I don't lay awake stressing about these events.  I can sleep, knowing that my God is incharge.