What do you do to unwind?

Pool side

Do you ever find yourself stressed and overwhelmed? Maybe by work, forever list of things to do, over piled baskets of laundry, and you just need a time a space to unwind? Where do you go and what do you do to unwind?

We are all at different stages and places in life. Students, newlyweds, mothers but we all need moments to catch our breath, be refilled, and take care of ourselves so we can do the tasks and things we are needing to do in running this race and pursuing our dreams. 

Whether you're a mom, wife, or single chick like me...... Sometimes we feel selfish in taking time for ourselves. There is always something or someone who needs our attention. But what I'm finding by listening to your stories is that in order to be the best us, we need to make sure and carve out that time for unwinding.

There are many ways I unwind and create space and time to allow my body, soul, and mind to be rested and encouraged. It changes with seasons and what I'm particularly needing at the moment. 

Spending time with family and friends, a chat poolside with my best friend, or like today.... Being at the pool solo. Reading, praying, and soaking up the sun.

Read some of this today and helped remind me why I'm doing what I'm doing!

There are some things to remember:

1. You are worth it to find time to rest.

2. Plan and carve out time so you're not tempted to decide you don't have time to "rest"

3. Taking care of you makes you a better person for others.

Sometimes it's the small things that can soothe a tired mind.

5 things I've been up to!

I'm back!! Thank you for your patience. I've missed being able to share with you and encourage you through this blog.

As most of you know I took some time off to focus on the women's conference I was a part of putting together and it's been hard knowing how to put into words all that's been going on. This week I plan to share some tidbits of what I'm processing.

So here is in a nutshell what I've been up to these last few weeks.

1. The Worthy of the Dream conference: our first event couldn't have gone any smoother. God showed up and showed out. I felt His spirit all around. The things our team prayed for that the women would enter knowing they had been prepared and prayed for, that every detail they would feel special, and they would be encouraged and reminded that their role in this story matters all were answered. I am still getting phone calls, text messages, or comments of amazing things Gods doing from this conference. We already have next years date set and working on our next event which I'll share later this week.

2. I've started a whole new adventure by taking foster care classes. I've just started and lots to process. I'll also be sharing more about this in the coming days. But one thing I do want to say is you never know until you move forward at what God has in store for you.

3. Preparing for end of school year and beginning of summer!! Every teacher knows these last few weeks are the hardest. One thing God is trying to remind me right now is: the kids are the point!! Not the paperwork, testing, meetings, frustrating parents, or stressed co-workers. It's the kids!!! I desire to spend these last two weeks loving on my kids and making sure they know WHOSE they are. It's easy to get stressed and frustrated! I did today!! But I hope I can remind myself to stay focused and that the kids are the point.

4. I went to a conference a few weeks ago and met the most amazing people. It encouraged me and taught me a lot about writing and this blog.  Stephanie May is the author of The Lipstick Gospel blog and learned so much from her. Her obedience in doing the conference gave me courage and helped remind to be brave as a walked forward in our own conference coming up.

ore to share this week!:)

5. While at the conference in Atlanta I was able to do a photo shoot to use for my blog and other 

events coming up! Lacee Peloquin is a great photographer and made me feel so comfortable in front 

of the camera. So thankful for these pictures to use in the future.

Blinders

It's the thing you should already know to be on the lookout when you're moving forward in doing something with God. Sometimes the excitement of walking in your passions you don't think ahead until its hit you right in the face! There is another force pushing, trying to derail us, and doesn't want us to succeed. The devil wants to crush our dreams.

This past few weeks I've had one distraction after another. It wasn't until this past week while talking with a friend and she said, "Breeze I don't want you to allow these distractions to consume you. You know the devil is going to send anything he can to distract you as we get closer to the conference. I couldn't believe I hadn't recognized it. He will use many methods.

Friends we need your prayers as we continue to run towards this dream, ministry, and conference! Thank goodness there is a force much stronger. God is on our side and we know He's already won.

He gives us life so we can live for Him and bring Him glory. So I'm strapping on my blinders that they use on horses to discipline and learn to focus on what's up ahead.

A calming presence

Do you have that friend or several who bring a calmness to your heart? Those who no matter the circumstances or time of day, you can be sitting with them and a calmness breezes in and takes over. I have several who have this affect on me. I love being around them because it lowers my anxiety, fill my heart, and gives me the encouragement that everything will be ok.

 I hope I bring that calmness too others. Some days I feel like the craziness that's in my mind comes out and spills onto others. I want to be a fresh breath of air for others. A "breeze" blowing away the hurt, frustration, and stress off others and leaving a calmness in their hearts.

In the busy of your day are you breathing life or stress?

Unrealistic expectations

This week has been crazy and busy! Thank you for being patient as I balance all the tasks in preparing for the conference. I also have a lot going on at school with us coming down to the last 36 days left, there are meetings, evaluations, and lots to cover before I send my kids to 3rd grade.

One thing that has really been hitting me a lot is expectations. Expectations of others. With teaching it comes in from parents, our administration, the state, and myself. I want to be the best teacher I can for my students. But let's face it, with teachers being evaluated by their test scores..... Does anybody care if I love my students, truly care for their well being. I'll never forget my first year teaching and was at a first year teacher meeting. One of the speakers was employed at our central office. He said, " I want you all to remember something. Good teachers have good test scores!" I remember getting in my car and crying!! Unrealistic expectations..... I could be the best teacher ever and still have a group of students who don't pass.

Performance.... How I'm a friend, sister, daughter, aunt. How many times do we go above and beyond helping others and it never fails that someone needed us to bend two notches more.

When you perform a task.....cleaning, singing, making something, putting an outfit together. When you've done your absolute best...... And you get no praise but what you should have done better.

I think it's being used right now to distract me. A dear friend reminded me of this today. The devil is shooting targets. Distracting me as we get closer and closer to the conference.

So tonight after I've had a day where I've not met many unrealistic expectations..... I am enough.

You are enough!!

Busy Busy

Hello!! I've missed you all! I really enjoyed my break and I can't wait to share and tell you all about it! It's another late night post! This week I've hit the ground running trying to get a lot accomplished in preparing for our conference.

Yesterday was so exciting seeing our website go live. She Dreams Ministries

We've already had a lot of feedback and more excited about registering. In the next few weeks leading up to the conference, you will be reading a lot of my thoughts and more info about the conference. Also, I'm going to do my best to continue to post each week day, but as my to do list gets longer, there may be a day or two I don't. So be patient with me as I'm learning to balance my schedule and put a lot of my energy towards this dream. Thank you for all your support and prayers.

Exciting News

Our website is up!! Go check it out! More on the blog this week! Can't wait to catch up and share more about conference!

She Dreams Ministries