Little Bird, Ready To Fly!

Every morning, my alarm goes off around 6:45 am. I usually automatically hit the snooze on that one, not even consciously hearing it. Nine minutes later, the alarm goes off again. And again, I hit the snooze and fall right back to sleep. I don't have to be up until 7:30, but I personally hate jumping out of bed immediately. Eventually, I feel awake enough to pick up my fully charged phone from my nightstand and check my e-mails and Facebook, in that order. 

A couple months ago, a friend introduced me to an organization called "The Brave Girls Club". Instead of describing it myself, here is an excerpt from the website:

     "Brave Girls Club is a worldwide community of women who want to live the best, happiest, most productive       and fabulously brave life they can possibly live…and that means something different to every single one of us.

Brave Girls Club is an online community, a portal for amazing connections, a news source for everyday heroes, a resource for great ideas, amazing endeavors, everyday problem solving, realistic recipes and unforgettable get-togethers. Brave Girls Club is a place to feel free, to feel peace, and to feel brave. Brave Girls Club is not an exclusive club…every woman is invited. Brave Girls Club is life-changing fun, life-changing truths, and life-changing friendships."

www.bravegirlsclub.com

One of the many ways The Brave Girls Club connects is with a daily e-mail, otherwise known as your daily truth. I subscribe to these e-mails and those are always waiting for me in my inbox every morning. I'll admit, I don't read them everyday. Part of the reason for this is because the text is part of an image that is difficult to read on my phone. I always have the intent of checking it out later on my computer, but honestly, my inbox is bursting at the seams with those kinds of e-mails. A few days ago I realized that there is a plain text version at the end of the e-mail that is legible on a phone. Oops!

Most of the e-mails are very uplifting and motivating, although some are more relevant to me personally than others. A couple hours ago, I received my daily truth. At almost 9 pm. This was out of the ordinary, and even though I was in the middle of (finally!) watching "The Help", something told me I needed to read this one. Something in my gut told me that it was written for me. And sure enough:

"Dear Resilient Girl,

Something that is very frustrating, very confusing and sometimes so mysterious that we often do not even know it is happening, is when we have done the brave work of walking away from things that have trapped or enslaved us, yet we sit where the cage used to be and don't venture out very far past that area even though we are completely free to, even though we walked out of the cage that held us.

Don't feel bad if this is what is happening in your life dear girl. Just take notice, take responsibility and then take action. It is scary and uncomfortable to live in brave new ways, and it's sometimes exhausting and disappointing to to realize that getting out of the cage was just the beginning of the journey. You have to fly away now too. 

It is going to be incredible....just take one little step at a time....nothing is holding you back now....don't hold yourself back. You were always meant to be free in your soul and you were always meant to fly. It is time. Fly baby, fly!!!

You are so very loved,

Xoxo"

Wow. This is such an amazing description of where I am right now. It's so much easier to stay where that cage was, rather than live in a "brave new way[s]". But what kind of life is that? There is so much more out there, just waiting to be plucked off the vine like ripe fruit. I can stand under the tree, my mouth watering, cursing the tree's height, or I can go find a ladder! While this stage of the healing process can be very frustrating, scary and difficult, it's also incredibly exciting to know that it's going to get better. Because I am not going to give up on myself. What better gift can anyone give themselves?

If you want to get your own daily truth, click here. The Brave Girls Club also offers beautiful daily e-mails for girls and teens. Click here if you want to sign up for those! 

All the best,

Rachel

Quick Thought

My blog has been a little quiet for the past or so. Studdly Hubby left Thursday for a 10 week internship in Colorado, so I was trying to spend as much time as I could with him and adjust to him being gone. I suspect it's going to be a long summer. 

I hadn't even planned on posting anything tonight, but I just stumbled on a video that totally stunned me and I had to share:

In case the video doesn't work, here's the original link. It's a dancing performance of "All the Single Ladies" by a group of little girls in black knee highs and a little red 2-piece outfit. I don't know what's worse - that this even happened, or the response from the audience. They seemed thrilled! Don't get me wrong, the girls were all very talented, but the dance is very sexual! It was bizarre to even watch it!

If your daughter was a part of this, would you put a stop to it? Or is it "performance art"? Thoughts?

Rachel

My First Award!

Dear readers, I am so excited because I have received my first ever blog award!!

TA-DA!

I would like to thank the academy and all the little people who....

Just kidding. I have to thank Aimee over at Pleasantly Demented for the award, and for the ridiculously nice things she said about me on her blog. I have been reading her blog for awhile now. She is funny, honest, and uncensored. She says things that I would only say around in private with Studdly Hubby. I think we may be soul sisters. But the thing is, she uses this biting bitter sarcasm in her writing, sometimes so that she can sneak in a more serious point, but it never gets lost. So pack up your sense of humor and visit her!

Apparently this award comes with rules. The first is to thank the person who awarded it to you. See above. The second is to share 7 secrets. Good grief, I don't know if I have 7 left after months of this blog!

1 - I hate repetitive motions. If Studdly Hubby is sitting next to me on the couch and absent-mindedly shaking his foot back and forth, I will freak out. I try to be patient, but I have learned that the longer I hold it in, the bigger the explosion will be when I let it out. This also applies to sounds. Example: At this moment, my neighbors downstairs are making some noise against the wall and I can feel my pulse quickening. 

2 - I enjoy blog feedback probably more than I should. I know you're reading it...PLEASE COMMENT!!!! Moving on...

3- I set really high standards for myself, but don't know how to meet them. Then I get upset with myself when I don't reach them.

4- I want people to like me. Of course, everyone wants people to like them, but I want everyone to like me. Completely impossible. 

5- I often have stinky feet. Ask Studdly Hubby.

6- I have an incredibly offensive sense of humor and only my husband gets to see it. Well, my brother-in-law has seen some of it as well. Really, I say dreadful things for the sake of being funny. You would think I was a horrible person if you heard it!!

7- I say excuse me if I get in my cats way. Did the same thing with Less, the family dog we had growing up. I know it's weird, but it's habit.

That was hard!! Moving on to the third rule! Sharing the love with some of my favorite blogs (in no particular order):

1- Moosh in Indy. She is a mommy to 1.5 in Indianapolis. She is another one that is funny but honest at the same time. She's shared some really dark moments and some really hilarious ones! I highly recommend her. 

2- Small Town Simplicity. Lydia is another mommy blogger who is less funny, but an amazing writer. She exudes an inner peace that I long for. She has a houseful of kids and another on the way, and is homeschooling them. I really like some of her views on parenting. Check her out!

3- Dancing in the Moonlight. Allie is a survivor of sexual assualt...a couple times over. She is amazingly strong. I am amazed at the way she keeps on keeping on, despite any setbacks. I believe in her and we have an understanding. She is an intelligent girl who I believe will go far! Proud to call her a friend. :-)

4- Bittersweet Joy. Shannon has had several recent miscarriages. She is pregnant again. If you pray, please stop and say a prayer for her now. Her blog is a very raw and very real explanation of what that experience is like. I know this is something many woman can relate to.

5- Momma Resa. A beautiful woman I had the privilege of going to school with (Concordia). She is a single mommy blogger of 2. She is an absolute delight! She is doing the best she can while not taking life too seriously. Go visit! 

I think 5 is enough. Enjoy the links!!

Rachel