Category: Monday Motivation

What Comes Next?

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mhn, morgan harper nichols, i hope you can find peace while breathing deep, elaina avalos, elaina m. avalos
By Morgan Harper Nichols

“I hope
you can find
peace
while
breathing
deep
without
knowing
what
comes
next.”
– Morgan Harper Nichols

What I know for certain is that life is uncertain. Making decisions about the future is tough sometimes. As I apply for jobs in California and various other locations around the country, the unknowns are mounting. What I don’t know, far outweighs what I do know. The challenge in moments like these is to keep my eyes fixed on God. My goal throughout this journey is being at peace with whatever comes my way.

I’m always up for an adventure. It has been awhile since I’ve had one, however. I think I’m due for one. So while I don’t know where the path is leading, I’m at peace.

The First Step Toward Change

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elaina avalos, take the first step, accomplish goals, chasing dreams, nathaniel branden

My apartment is a disaster because I’m halfway through taking down the Christmas decorations. I have a second bedroom to organize & clean out {went from a 4 bedroom house to a small 2 bedroom apartment}. I have a bunch of food to meal prep for my week and I need to write. I’ve been up since 7:00 AM, but I’ve accomplished next to nothing. Nonetheless, I am reminding myself to apply liberal helpings of grace on myself. I still need to {and will} accomplish what’s in front of me {the above mentioned items are just the tip of the iceberg}. So while the day isn’t going as planned & there’s a huge mess, I also know that this year and last, were hard and exhausting. I’m getting back to normal. But after what I’ve been through, I can’t expect perfection nor should I. I am aware of my limitations and my strengths and what I need to do, to accomplish what lies ahead. That is the first step – awareness of what I need to do to change and acknowledgement of my current limitations.

In a world where we’re constantly inundated by what everyone else is doing and accomplishing – shared online in a perfect photo – it’s overwhelming and honestly, it’s discouraging. While there are many out there I am encouraged by – it’s usually those who are real about life – in their triumphs and failures, that are most encouraging to me. But I have already taken the first steps, not only to accomplish what I want to accomplish while away from the office, but in the upcoming year, too. Those are the first two steps of change – awareness and acceptance.

If you’re anything like me and you are holding yourself to standards that are based in superficial or artificial requirements or because you’re comparing yourself to others – give yourself a break. While the goals are still ahead, the Christmas mess still needs to be cleaned up, and my healthy meals still need to be made – what good is beating myself up? What do you accomplish by beating yourself up? Usually very little except keeping yourself stalled in place.

Take the first step toward change. Then take the second step. And then give yourself some grace along the way.

How do you motivate yourself when you have a goal to accomplish?

It’s Going to be Okay

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kristine-tanne-elaina-avalos-it's going to be okay

I don’t know about you – but I don’t feel super motivated today. Or since things started to get rougher last week. This COVID-19 situation is discouraging, right? It’s having an impact on all of us – though I know some are feeling it more than others.

I started telework today. But being that it’s a new job, it feels weird to not be in the office where face-to-face access is the best case scenario when adjusting to a new workplace. I know many friends are adjusting to being at home with the kids and online schooling. And I know that there are so many losing their jobs or worrying about their businesses. Or maybe you’re like me and live alone – and this isolating time feels even more . . . lonely.

It doesn’t feel okay. But it’s going to be okay. I’m not sure when. But I know it will. We’ll all get through this. Maybe on the other side, we will have learned to slow down a little. Or maybe we’ll value what we have more (like toilet paper any old time we want it). I hope and pray people will heed warnings and stay home – wherever that is. I’m not sure that message has gotten through where I live (NC).

So while I don’t have anything super motivating to say, I did want to send a quick reminder, in case you’re feeling it (as I am) – it’s going to be okay.