Warning. Heavy post ahead. I debated getting into this in a blog post, but when I have such things running through my head it is in my nature to share. So share I will.
Do you ever feel like the world (or, in my opinion, God) is just speaking to you? You can’t seem to escape a particular message no matter which way you turn? Everything points to one direction and no matter how you fight it or think otherwise, you eventually recognize that you have to follow? That it’s the only way?
So. Happening. Now.
The message for me?
Slow down. Re-prioritize. Re-focus.
“Walk with me by my path and not your own”.
In other words, stop being so stubborn and thick-headed and let God lead me to the life of JOY I said I wanted. To that peace and hope and love that I so desire but always let slip through my fingers because I pile more and more pressure on myself. To stop letting the things that deeply matter not receive the attention they so deserve. To give myself the respect I also need.
I love the many things I do. They are all good things. But sometimes life, even the good things, grows bigger than we can handle. Bigger than I can handle. And I don’t want to half live my life.
I don’t want to be somewhat present with my kids. I want to be all the way present. I don’t want to spend time with my mom in passing or give her a call as an afterthought as I hustle to do XYZ, while she battles Multiple Sclerosis with some fierce relapses lately and tries to care for my grandfather. I don’t want to do a half-assed job at one or the other with the quality and attention I give to certain aspects of my work. I want to live fully and live well.
The things I have done all bring joy individually, but collectively I was backing myself into a very dark place with too many pressures, unrealistic expectations, and way too much stress. I was pushing myself to the edge of a cliff of emotional collapse. I was feeling the wispy curls of depression and anxiety graze my thoughts in an effort to eventually cloak them completely. I pressed on and ignored the warning signs.
This is a lesson I seem to have to learn numerous times. We all have them, don’t we? I tried to avoid the messages but they kept coming louder and clearer. And recently a few things really stuck out to me.
From the messages in my current small group study that touch about worry, fear, and doubt…
quote from book I needed to hear – “We can’t do it all. We aren’t even supposed to try to do it all. That is not God’s will for our lives.” Uhh, hello?!
…to the sermons in church about overloaded schedules and excess pressure we place in our lives.
Seriously watch this no matter your beliefs. It applies to everyone and number 4 hit me like a ton of bricks!
I guess eventually it sunk in that if I want to live that resolution of JOY and not allow the anxiety and emotional pains to worsen, then I have to change things. I’m human and I make mistakes. The only way I can make these changes is to align my daily steps with His will.
In this, I’m having to rework my schedule and the time I give things. A large portion of that including changes to the time I give my personal passions in this blog and the fitness portion of my site. I’m going to cut back on how often I blog and focus solely on Best Body Bootcamp instead of it and personal plans as I had done before. The changes scare me, but mostly it pains me because I love it all so much. Of course, though, I love my family more. And myself. I have to find that balance to be there for my family when they need me most and also to give my mind the peace it needs.
It may have taken a few solid months of the same message time and time again…but I’m listening now. I’m yours, God. You lead the way.
And just because…a few positive messages on life.
Source: mealsandmovesblog.com via Tina on Pinterest
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Mother. Wife. Personal Trainer. Exercise lover. Blogger. Woman of faith. Striving for fitness inside and out. 
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{ 54 comments… read them below or add one }
You are strong and amazing. I loved every word of this post. My heart is with you, your family, and your mother as she goes through this time – much love!
I love this. I needed this post today. Thank you.
Tina, we are in the same place. Both my father and younger sister are undergoing cancer-related surgeries today. I am over-extended and on the brink of exhaustion. You are doing the right thing for yourself and your family! Thanks for sharing today and I’ll be adding you to my list of prayers. xo
P.S. I just unsubscribed to about 100 email lists. Talk about lightening your load!
I’ve done that before too! Felt so liberating…although I still think half of them keep coming anyway. Grr. Ha!
Big hugs to you Tina! I’m so glad you shared this with us. I admire your willingness to listen to God and pursue that joy that you’re wanting this year.
Such a great post, thanks for keeping it real! Life sometime just gets hard & crazy, you need to step back and say “I can’t do it all”. No shame in that, just hard to remember sometimes
Isn’t it great that He takes the time to tell us what we need to hear – even if that’s time and time again?
So glad you were able to hear Him so clearly and know what you need to do <3
Sometimes it takes a while for His wants and His messages to sink in, but at least you’re listening.
thinking of you and your family! This post was beautifully written
Good for you for putting yourself and your family first! I hate all the expectations for busyness that our culture seems to insist on. I truly don’t think that is how God intended us to live our lives.
Awesome to taking a step back when realizing how you were feeling. I get that way sometimes & can feel myself shutting down when I do. It’s so much better to treat yourself with respect & do what’s best for you. Sending positive vibes your way
Tina,
I am almost finished reading the Christian book titled Boundaries – you must read it….It hits on so many of the items you listed above and ties back to Mary vs Martha, if you’dl ike to borrow my copy I can send when finished…definitely a must read for me and pushing every woman I know to read it!
Sarah
Thanks Sarah! I think I’ve heard of that book and thought it sounded like a really good read. Thanks for the offer to send it. I would love to read it. Don’t feel like you need to send it though unless you really wanted to. I’m sure I can find it.
I love those quotes. I honestly think that its a life-long journey trying to figure out how to live truly in the present. Its easy to get caught up in all of the pressures and “have-to’s” in life and forget that our happiness is paramount. I know that none of your readers will blame you if you need to take less time writing posts and more time focusing on your family and your BBBC business. I love posts like this, they’re inspiring and honest. Thanks.
God always knows when you’re not really learning the lessons that He’s trying to show you, so He usually finds a way to smack you upside the head with it. Often times in weird coincidence ways. I went to a retreat once where the speaker talked about how there is really no such thing as a coincidence. It is really a GOD-incidence. He puts things in the right place and the right time so that we CAN’T miss them. Great post, as always, and it’s so inspiring to see when people really listen and follow what God is trying to call them to do.
Love that. “God-incidence”. I agree that’s 100% what it is.
Beautiful post Tina! Fearless and true. You are such a strong person with a big heart…it’s tough to surrender to Him but it’s the only way in the end, isn’t it? As a reader and Bootcamper I support you, wherever the road takes you. Blessings and hugs!
I know just how hard it can be to be emotionally honest, but thank you for always sharing with your readers! It helps to remind me that I am not alone with my feelings, because I too want to live a life that is full and that is focused on the right and important things! I needed this today
Tina, you are amazing! God’s nudges can be difficult to take in, but they always make your life so much better when you listen and follow His path. Praying that you will find the balance you need (I’ve been there SO many times myself) and can’t wait to see the plans He has for you and your family!
The Lord has been pulling me in and my heart has been convicted. Such similar feelings as you friend. We are not Martha’s, we’re made to be Marys. To be still, to serve with loving hands, not on an agenda, but willingly and freely. Thank you for sharing this! You know i am here to pray. Email me. Let’s walk together done the road of UNGLORIFYING BUSYNESS
wow, this post really hit home for me. I was JUST talking about this with my mentor and truly have felt that this year, I’ve given myself full permission to just let go! It has been one of the most freeing and amazing feelings. Beautiful post my dear!
Yes. So so needed. (And I have been directed to the Mary/Martha book many times, so maybe this was MY sign!) This is exactly how I have felt lately, missing out on living life. Haven’t been giving my family, or, more importantly, God the time and focus deserved. Balance is such a hard thing! I so admire your honesty and strength in listening and obeying. Praying for continued wisdom, obedience, and JOY!
Wow, these are some powerful messages and reminders, my friend (I am off to watch that video next, I promiise), but I completely agree and think you are making the wisest choice you can right now. It may bring some sadness as you choose some personal and some business focus right now, but you will adjust again as your journey continues to evolve. Your Faith gives me chills, Tina, because I know mine always needs more strengthening and yours…blows me away. Thank you for always ALWAYS inspiring me to trust more, have more faith and believe in Him more than ever.
I really admire your strength, maturity, and priority setting! Good for you. I hope that these changes leave you feel happy and at peace.
I love reading your blog for so many reasons. I have a passion towards fitness as well and have found the struggles of “wanting to do more” while being a stay at home mom. I also admire how you put your faith out there. I wish more people did because it does make a difference. Last year my 1 word resolution was “fullfilled”. I tell you that because I can relate to wanting to be in the moment of raising kids, cherishing time with my parents and being a good wife. But I also have a desire to do more. I kept searching & searching for what the more was…all along God was telling me to be fullfilled in the season of life I am in. I pray that you find the same fullfillment. Its hard when we are go getters and have a passion like fitness. But let God lead you & he probably has even bigger plans for you! You are in my prayers!
Thanks so much, Melanie! I can tell you know just what I’m talking about.
And I pray the same continued fulfillment for you. I like htat word fulfilled. I’ll think of it now often with my aim for joy. Because fulfilled in Him is the best way to joy after all. Right?
I’m so glad you are seeing what needs to change and doing it! Sometimes it’s the fun things we have to scale back on to find balance in the important things, not an easy change at all. But as I’ve been working to shift my priorities over the past few months, I find that it makes like so much richer (which is why we’re supposed to do it, right?). And sometimes I have more time to blog, sometimes not. And that’s okay.
Thank you for sharing! It’s so hard to let go even a bit of things you love doing but it just means when you do blog you’ll appreciate it even more and you’ll have even more to share. We’ll all still be here..take some time off completely if needs be to simply reflect and think things through!
Thinking of you xxx
I have really enjoyed reading your blog after just finding it at the end of last year. Sometimes is is not the decision that is hard to make as it may have always been in your heart what you needed to do, but sharing it with so many takes a lot of courage and strength. Keeping you in my prayers as you move forward in the new path that has been set for you.
Wonderful message as always, Tina. I’ll be praying for you and hoping that He’ll continue to give you clear messages of what direction you need to go in. I’m going through some similar life changes at the moment and I need to make my relationship stronger with Him…thank you for the reminder.
I love that you wrote about this on your blog. I, too, have trouble balancing all of the things I love in my life. I had to step back and re-prioritize and it was hard, so I completely understand. I wish you all the best!
What a great post. It’s been a really weird week over here too and I’m really feeling pulled to chill out and enjoy the journey a lot more than I have been. Big hugs. XOXO
I know, just with everything else in your life, you made this decision with care, with lots of thought and lots of prayer. I am glad you got ‘here’ with all of that thinking and praying — even though it means tough choices right now, it’ll ultimately make for a happier YOU and that makes ME very happy my friend. Love YOU
I have so been where you are now Tina. I found myself back there again this year, and forcing yourself to slow down, to say “no” sometimes is so okay. There are so many seasons in life. You do so many things so well! I hope you find great peace in your new decisions and great joy. That’s what it is all about! I congratulate you on learning and listening earlier in your life rather than later! I so enjoy your posts and your sharing!
I really respect your honesty with this post, Tina. Thank you for sharing it with all of us.
As I got to the end of your post, I stopped and read each of the positive messages slowly and carefully. I usually read these quickly and think “Aw, so true!” But I actually really absorbed what each said, and realized that each applied to me and my life in some way. It STAYED with me. Sometimes, I believe you are in a position where you are READY to appreciate positive words.
I too seem to have to learn the same lessons over and over until I find a comfortable place. It’s way better to do a really good job of the few things that matter the most than a half-ass job of many things
I tried going back to my teaching job full time after my first child was born. I spent two miserable years trying to balance being the best classroom teacher and the best mother and I felt like I was failing at both, it was tough financially but after my son was born I only went back part time (mornings) and now am just subbing. Although I miss the gratification I got from teaching I know when I look back I will be glad that I had this time with my kids instead. Some people seem to manage full time jobs and parenting but it sure wasn’t for me.
This is a really powerful post Tina and totally resonates with me. I’ve been feeling like I’ve been pushing too much and too hard and need to slow down. And having physically broken down this past week because of illness, I realized that I do need to re-prioritize and re-group. I really do admire your strength and how you are living your priorities. Thank you for inspiring me.
Great post! And kudos to you for listening up to what you feel is best <3 Great example.
Thinking of you and your family, Tina! Sometimes it’s hard to find balance; I know I struggle with it on a daily basis but I’m working on finding the right balance and get my footing straight. Sometimes it’s hard but I think when we recognize where we need to work and focus more of our attention and energy, we’re setting ourselves up to be in a better place for our future.
Oh no! Don’t stretch yourself too thin! Your family deserves your attention far more than we do, and I’m sure that everyone understands that.
Hmm. Between this and Carla’s post about “margins” I am being forced to faced that which is burning me out. Your comment about it being hard because you “love it all” caught my attention. I always thought that it was ok to be frazzled and burn the candles at both ends (and in the middle?) because I love everything that I am doing ….
I shared the message with Carla too (even though we have slightly differing faiths) becasue Andy talked all about MARGIN. That’s what he calls breathing room and finding margin in our limits and our current pace. I knew she would love it (and you will too). It spoke so much to me!
That challenge to slow down and refocus priorities can be so difficult in this crazy, fast-paced, rushing world we live in…You should be so proud of yourself for choosing to do what God is asking you to.
I can totally relate! I am going to watch all of that series. I have cut back on blogging big time, among other things. I hope you find your balance! We tend to think we can do it all, and we can’t.
I sure have been feeling faith lately. I got a lot going on (like most people) and I am trying to find my way! Thanks for sharing the video, watching now.
It sounds like you know what the right thing for you to do is. Spreading yourself too thin, even with things you love, can be difficult and maybe those joys seem not so joyous and you don’t want that.
You are doing what is right for you! And I sure hope you reach out if you need help. There are a lot of us here willing to help at any time.
Hugs my friend, this will help us all step back and look at our personal priorities.
Thank you for your post. Just watched the link. So powerful. Thanks for sharing.
You do what you’ve got to do.
We will still be here for you! x
I love this post, Tina, and I fully support you. It sounds like I need to get that book actually. I’m such a Martha, and I feel God tugging on my heartstrings about it all the time.
Fantastic post Tina! God has been speaking this very thing to me as well. I have been letting things and “to do’s” run my day instead of letting God guide me. Thanks for this beautiful reminder
I’m having the same feeling right now, but the reoccurring message for me is to focus on prayer! I love knowing that God is trying to speak to me, and I guess it’s time I start listening!
I think you are taking the right approach. You only have these years once – celebrate them with your family!
So glad you’re listening to what you need. I’m sure once you hit publish a weight was lifted off your shoulders. It’s a high speed world and it will run you down if you don’t take control every now and then. Excited for you to have less stress and enjoy the moments with M and B! Enjoy, my friend!
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