Are You the Best Version of Yourself?

What I mean is…are you who you want to be? Do you like what you see in the mirror? Do you like what others think of you?

I have been thinking about this a lot about myself.

Am I kind or am I mean? Do I judge others just because they are different from me? Do I hold a grudge? Am I impatient? Do I get frustrated or angry a lot? Am I boastful or prideful? Do I think that it’s my way or the highway?

I asked myself…do my children want to be around me? How about my friends? What do people say about me behind my back?

You see, my husband retired almost 4 years ago and he was NOT the best version of himself. Without going into all of the dirty details…let it suffice to say that he was not a pleasant person to be around. For anyone. And he lived that unpleasant life for quite some time…until recently.

This past Spring he went on a 10 week ‘Out West Adventure'. He rented a camper van and did what he wanted…when he wanted. Yes, he wanted to see the national parks…but he also wanted to reconnect with himself and see who he really was.

Because working and having a career were no longer the anchors that kept him steady. He had to find something else to steady himself. He had to find a way to live with himself and with others. He had to learn how to ‘play nice’. He had to find the best version of himself.

As he was going through this difficult period of his life it really made me take a step back and look at me…and who I am.

Was I the best version of myself…really? Or was I just fooling myself. As I was reflecting on me an my life, I realized that I really did not engage in negative conversations or comments…I knew how to take 3 mental steps back and not engage. I knew that engaging did not serve me or the other person well…so why engage at all? Just rise above it and move on.

I realized that I love to serve others in tasks; like cooking fave foods, making sure that favorite drinks or toys are ready. To make sure that bedrooms are clean and welcoming.

I realized that it was not the size of the house or what we did that mattered…it was us all being together.

I realized that the best version of me was the me who laughed a lot, had fun, and did not take herself seriously. 

I also realized that I did not need to have a thick skin to get through life…I just needed to live and enjoy life. And that my skin was perfect just the way it was.

When my husband came home, he told me that he had come to terms with this new phase of his life and that he was no longer the angry and bitter man who had left a short time ago. He wanted to be the best version of himself. One who could enjoy his last years on this Earth. A person who his family loved to be around.

As a follower of Jesus, he dug into scripture. He wanted to be the man that God designed him to be. He needed to be the man God designed him to be…for himself and for God.

So, let me ask you again? Are you the best version of yourself? Do you succumb to the circumstances of your life or do you rise above them and live a life of joy? A life of contentment?

For almost 4 years now, as a blogger, I have been encouraging women to choose joy…every single day. Why? So that you can look in the mirror and like what you see.

I would like to encourage you to find out what ‘sets you off’, what steals your joy, what turns you into someone you don’t even like…and make changes. Changes that will benefit everyone around you…but most importantly yourself.

If you have any questions or need any help…just ask. I am standing by waiting to help.

And as always, I encourage you to find the joy in your life…including your money and finances. Choose to live your best life…starting today.

What is Joyful Living all about?

Joyful Living is ALL about not letting let the circumstances of YOUR life determine who you really are. You learn to choose YOU instead! Not sure how to do that? Let me help! 

To begin, go ahead and read:

• What is Joyful Living?
• 5 Simple Steps to Choosing Joy
• Finding Joy in All Things
• What Does God Say About Joy?
• Difference Between Happiness and Joy