48 is great! I’ve learned so much about myself and continue to do so every day. I can look over my past and see how I’ve grown. I make myself proud all the time, something that didn’t happen when I was younger. I am healthy and still capable of physically doing all of the things I like to do in life. And I love surprising people when I tell them how old I am! A guy I started working with recently thought I was the same age as him (39) which was a huge compliment! I’m grateful I learned how to take better care of myself before it was too late. I love being in my 40s. I’m about to marry my soulmate, one of the biggest joys for sure! Life is good!

So many instances, but the biggest one was when I finally forgave myself after my first marriage ended. I knew it was toxic and needed to end, but I struggled with being a failure, with having made such a poor choice in staying so long, with all of the mistakes that led me to marry that person, and how I never opened up to anyone about how awful it truly was. But part of that was the lack of love for myself, and turning that page in my life helped me in more ways than I ever expected. I forgave myself, and in doing so, I knew that God had forgiven me as well.

Oh, I just expressed gratitude for my past stories. How I made it thru them with a little bit of grace and was able to start again. I do find that I limit myself with old stories – mostly those of not being good enough. I have been working on building up my confidence over the years. This does limit me at work, and sometimes at home. But it’s getting better. I have to remind myself to be patient, to take in the lessons of each moment, to trust myself, to trust that I am on the right path, doing the right things.

…the past is over, and I am free…

Reflecting on experience and growth and blessings and miracles – these things motivate me to keep doing the work to see what else God has in store for me. I was relfecting after my meditation, and part of what I wrote in my journal was that I was grateful for the change I’ve grown through. I didn’t like change in the past. It made me very fearful. But when I found myself in a place of stagnant depression, I knew I had to do something different. And then all of these cool things started happening, and I learned that God wants me to live a life of joy, so how could I not be motivated by all of this wonderful stuff? The quote for today in my gratitude journal is pertinent to this –
“It’s never too late to redefine self-control,to change long ingrained habits, and to do the work you’re capable of.” ~Seth Godin

Have a joyful day, all!

Work is better when I collaborate with my team. It’s easier for all of us when we work together to get our tasks done efficiently. And for just myself workwise, I have recently asked for help from a Team Leader at another store close by since my own TL will be on leave soon. Reaching out for the guidance and backup has already made me feel more confident in running my department when his leave starts.

Collaborating with my fiance has made life in general better, too! He is my partner, my best friend, and I have never felt so safe, so loved, and so in tune with another human being. It’s one of the greatest gifts God has given me.

Be grateful for another day to live.
Love myself.
Be gentle with myself.
Nourish my body with healthy food and lots of water (after coffee, of course).
Get some exercise.
Talk about the future. Immediate plans and further out plans. I’m getting married soon, so there are things to plan with that, and my fiance and I have a business that we need to put more thought into so we can really get it going.
Then at the end of the day, I will be grateful again for all of my accomplishments and connections, and get the rest I need to hopefully wake up again tomorrow!