When one woman chooses to cultivate what matters, do you know what happens?
Let me tell you about April (the month, not a person 🙂 ).
I decided to make room.
I didn’t know exactly what making room would look like; I just knew I needed it! I sometimes felt emotionally overwhelmed. Too much to process. Not enough space to sort it all out, or help the little hearts in this home do the same.
But, making room would require a radical shift, right? I thought the radical shift would be my schedule. My schedule did change in some ways, but what changed the most in April was me.
Let me set the scene for you: April was full. From training two new team members, to leading our team summit, to our summer product shoot, to podcast interviews and live webinars, interviewing potential candidates, homeschool, family fun, and right into our summer launch at the end of the month, it all could have been too much.
At times it was a lot. But in the midst of it, something started to change…
This may sound funny at first, but I started thinking about thinking.
How what we tell ourselves about our circumstances or situations or people or ourselves informs our actions.
Here’s what I discovered:
Thoughts > Emotions > Actions > Results
Our thoughts about any given circumstance influence our hearts, which results in emotions.
Our emotions directly inform our actions.
And our actions inform our results—our future.
Hmmm.
If I could chase down my thoughts, perhaps I could expose the holes in my thinking that were causing me to feel overwhelmed, even in the times my schedule was just fine!
It sounds simple in theory, and, well… it is. The challenging part is having the courage to stop and get curious about our feelings long enough to see where they come from–and let ourselves feel them first in order to do something with them.
What was I telling myself (thinking) about each situation that led to my emotions?
And this led to the golden question that changed my life: Were my thoughts facts or stories?
Truth or lies?
Because there is no half-truth. It’s either truth or not.
(A great book that talks about Stories vs. Facts: Crucial Conversations. Kaylee, Emily, and I just completed the two-day training today too and it was AWESOME!)
I started noticing when lies crept into my head and heart that were directly influencing my emotions and therefore my actions:I’m not good at xyz. I feel like so-and-so doesn’t like me. I’ll never xyz, etc., etc.
These thoughts suck the life out of me (you too?) and can leave me emotionally drained and overwhelmed. I had often blamed circumstances, but it was more what I thought about my circumstances.
Making room isn’t about empty space; it’s about intentional truth-filled space. This kind of space has given my heart and soul room to flourish!
In choosing less noise, less distractions, less control, less believing every thought that entered my mind, the truth finally got a word in! Day by day, decision by decision, it has continued to add up even when it seemed like it never would.
Over the last five weeks, I have wasted far much less time and emotional energy fighting battles that were all about stories I was telling myself. Replacing time lost in comparison, fear and narrow thinking—THIS has given me so much time and heart-space back.
If I just focus on the weeds in my garden, I miss the garden itself.
If I focus on stories instead of facts, fear instead of faith, I miss my life.
I saw in April how believing the truth brought near-immediate joy. And my joy sets off a domino effect in those around me. I saw how wasting emotional energy believing stories I’ve told myself about people or circumstances can distract me from cultivating what matters. And I’m just getting started!
My sweet boy bringing me handfuls of sunshine. If you have read Cultivate, you know dandelions are extra special to me!
I had two “thinking choices” in April:
Choice 1: “My schedule is too full and it’s impossible for anything to be cut or changed. If I do, everything will fall apart! This is impossible! Life is chaotic! Nothing will ever change and I feel hopeless. I will do nothing because I can’t.”
Choice 2: “My schedule is full and I can make some decisions to change it—even if they are hard! I can say yes or no. I may disappoint people and some things may not get done. But, I am hopeful that the hard decisions I make will be worth it. And there are many circumstances I cannot change, but I can change how I think about them. I can pray through them and let God’s truth illuminate the path forward. I am taking the first step to ignite this change, even if I don’t know what the second step will be yet. I’m stepping out on faith to make room!”
I chose option 2. And then I chose it again. And again. And I got up the next day and chose it again. And when Option 1 would try to creep back up, I chased it away again. And now I’m here in May and life is, in fact, different in many ways. Was it easy? No. I’m still learning! Changing our thinking is like trying to untangle a necklace chain. If you just yank it and pull it real quick, hoping for instant results, you’ll end up worse than when you started. Take it slowly and intentionally, and little by little you will untangle that mess.
There is great value in small things done over time.
What about you? What have you been telling yourself lately about a circumstance or relationship or challenge? Is it truth or a story you’ve told yourself about that situation?
My encouragement for you this month: Tell yourself the truth.
Plant it. Plant it everywhere!
Tend it. Tend it often. Nurture it. Enjoy it.
And consistently pull the weeds around it.
In Cultivate, I confront 10 common lies we believe (sometimes unknowingly). Life is too short and too valuable to waste it telling ourselves (or listening to) lies about who we are, or what we can or cannot do. Let’s expose them and bring them into the light where we can do something about them!
As you read each one, mark in your mind which stands out to you the most:
Lie 1: I have to do it all.
Truth: I can’t do it all and do it well.
Cultivators pay attention to what matters.
Lie 2: I have to be perfect.
Truth: It’s in the imperfect that things grow.
Cultivators dig into the season they’re in.
Lie 3: My life needs to look like everyone else’s.
Truth: I have a life to grow that is as unique as I am.
Cultivators think big picture to uncover their unique path.
Lie 4: It’s impossible to start fresh or move forward.
Truth: I can move forward by digging in and breaking up the lies.
Cultivators nourish their soil with truth and let God redeem their dirt.
Lie 5: I have to know all the details of the path ahead.
Truth: Forethought is important, but faith is essential.
Cultivators have faith, believing in what they can’t yet see.
Lie 6: Waiting is not good or productive.
Truth: Waiting is a time of ripening.
Cultivators ripen in the wait.
Lie 7: Small steps don’t make a difference.
Truth: Little-by-little progress adds up.
Cultivators tend to what matters, embracing little-by-little progress.
Lie 8: I will be content when I have it all.
Truth: I will be content when I live grateful.
Cultivators intentionally savor the fruit.
Lie 9: I can do life by myself.
Truth: I need meaningful relationships.
Cultivators embrace awkward and grow in community.
Lie 10: The past isn’t valuable; it’s all about the future.
Truth: Remembering God’s faithfulness helps us cultivate a meaningful legacy.
Cultivators preserve what matters for future seasons, and future generations.
I’d love to hear from you! Which lie and which truth stood out to you the most?
It’s hard work to let go and make room for the truth to flourish. To turn down the noise to even be able to hear it. But it will be worth it. Fighting fear or negative self-talk will help you make room for new things to grow!
This month, I’m keeping this thought-chasing going, and I’m inviting you to join me.
Lord, help us make room. Help us choose less to make room for life. Help us to number our days that we might gain a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:10). Help us to let go so we can hear Your life-giving truth and walk by faith this month and always. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
And now, a look back at my April goal progress (read April’s goal post here):
— Choose less. A radical move to less so there’s room for life. As I wrote about here, there are inevitable times of overload that will creep up in our lives. These times are not cause for guilt or worry; they are opportunities. I’ve found myself in one of those little-margin seasons and my top priority in April is pruning. Choosing less to make room for life! — Well, as you can see above. Yes. Progress has been made here. The photo below was taken a few days before our summer launch.
— Read Emotionally Healthy Spirituality — Yes! I am half-way through and excited to finish in May. This book has been so instrumental in me changing my thinking!
— Plant the garden. — Yes! We finished planting this weekend! Hooray!!!
— Decide on office space. — No movement here, but we have bigger fish to fry right now and there has been no clear leading from the Lord here yet. I’ll wait on Him.
— Lead a prayerful summit and shoot. — It was the best week! Lots of prayer, digging into our vision, and helping each other cultivate what matters so we can give the same to you.
— Lead a prayerful summer launch. — What a JOY this has been! See a recap of the launch here.
Our new Write the Word for Kids journal is here!!! See any familiar faces above? : )
April Weekly Goals:
— Praise + rejoice! — Yes! I practiced this often as a way to chase my thoughts and bring them back to Him!
— Prayer journal dates — Yes.
April Daily Goals:
— Bible — Yes!
— Pray over the kids — Yes!
— Exercise hard — Yes!
Also in April, I taught two live webinars that you can see for free:
How to Cultivate Faith with Kids
On to May!
May brings warmer weather and I am soaking up the garden and the back porch! My encouraging words this month are: Walk by faith in the Spirit. I’m stretching myself to pray big and a lot and to beleive in the “impossible!”
These goals make me so excited and grateful!
May Monthly Goals:
— Be a Woman of the Word instead of the world
— Set our summer homeschool plan
— Finish and implement Emotionally Healthy Spirituality
— Q2 rocks prayer time (we call our quarterly work goals “rocks”)
— Prayer journal date
— Start Write the Word Wednesdays (I know this should be a Weekly goal. I messed up and wrote it in the monthly section—ah well!)
We enjoyed a round of Twister the day before our summer launch. It all came down to Grace and Kaylee. Grace won! : )
May Weekly Goals:
— Praise! with the kiddos. At first, I just wrote “Praise!” but after reading back through my Quarterly Goal Refresh, I realized I needed to tend this area with the kiddos too. I LOVE MY POWERSHEETS!!!
— Worship + church in the garden
— Celebrate others!
May Daily Goals:
— Bible
— Pray over the kids
— Exercise hard
I already love this month!
Your turn! Do you have goals for May? What are you cultivating in this new month? I’ll pick one of you to send a special surprise box of goodies to from the Cultivate What Matters shop. I love sending real mail, and I love hearing your thoughts! Congrats to April’s winner, Bess!
keep reading
78 Comments
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on May 1, 2018 at 8:49 pm
My goal is “cultivated wellness to serve and love well!”
My encouraging words are from Amia: ” One better decision at a time ” – that webinar was so refreshing !
Monthly goals include: cultivating soul care, complete my cultivated wellness guide, plant our garden , make a list of “good things”-productive, refreshing ways to invest my “free time ,”, and prepare well for my daughters first birthday.
I also put emotionally healthy spirituality on hold through our library-excited to explore it!
Weekly goals are to do a weekly check in with my powers sheets and follow through on counseling and homework.
My daily goals are To read aloud with my children, write the word, and praise dance to at least one song!thank you so much for your example of the power of the ripple effect. All of us grateful powersheets users are carrying on that ripple effect in our own families… Isn’t that amazing? All the praise hands !!! 🙌🙌😉🙌🙌🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
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on May 2, 2018 at 5:42 pm
YES!!! All the praise hands for the ripple effect!!! It gets me so excited!!
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on May 1, 2018 at 8:53 pm
My goal this month is to finish the prep work and goals sections in the 6 month powersheets. In doing this I’m trying to remind myself that it doesn’t have to be done all at once, it doesn’t have to be perfect, and if I’m feeling overwhelmed I can pause and come back to it with a refreshed spirit.
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on May 2, 2018 at 5:43 pm
Yes! I’m excited for you! It generally takes people 2 weeks or more to really go through well. You can do it in a shorter time or whatever works for you! A tip: when you get stuck, do just ONE MORE step. Sometimes we get stuck because we don’t want to write down the truth. I’m cheering you on, Sarah!!
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on May 1, 2018 at 8:55 pm
One of my goals for May is for me and my family to enjoy the time with my youngest daughter who is returning from studying abroad this semester. She was truly missed although it was great to see her prosper in both her studies and her travels across Europe.
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on May 2, 2018 at 5:43 pm
Oh how exciting for you all! I hope the homecoming is wonderful!
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on May 1, 2018 at 9:05 pm
I’m cultivating new routines at home to get things picked up, put away, and cleaned more regularly. That will help me cultivate friendships because my house won’t be a barrier to inviting others over!
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on May 2, 2018 at 5:44 pm
Hooray for inviting others into our mess! : ) I love going to people’s houses that aren’t perfectly clean–makes me feel better about my house being filled with life (and mess on occasion too!).
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on May 1, 2018 at 9:18 pm
Hiiii Lara!!! I say it over and over again but you sharing your heart and your stories helps to keep me moving in mine!! I’ve been using the “cultivate” language a lot and slowly it’s making an impact! This month I want to cultivate time with my kids. Similar to what you said, I have a fear that if i slow down, things will fall apart. So I have a choice! 3x a week I am logging off my work email at 3p and will pick the kids up early from school. I get anxious being overwhelmed with all 3 of them, but how will I ever lead if I don’t take little leaps of faith! I miss you friend and just know all that MTH work is moving in my life! 💛🍋
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on May 2, 2018 at 5:45 pm
I love you SO MUCH my friend!!!
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on May 1, 2018 at 9:24 pm
Ohh I forgot to add another goal of mine is that I feel the lord stirring in my heart about my job. I keep thinking about how we won’t know step 3 if we don’t take step 1 first. I watch the cultivatewhatmatters and your instastories and I’m moved that there are working environments out there where there is an encouraging team
All working for a mission they believe in. It Causes me to question…where is god calling me and how can I be best used? This month I’m taking the little steps to explore my stirring (time with the lord) and will start taking the little steps that the lord guides me to in this work area. I honestly have NO idea even where to start and usually I’d be so ovehelmed! But one little step at a time…. -
on May 1, 2018 at 9:27 pm
What an amazing post! So thought provoking! I feel like I need to go back and reread your post 10 times to soak in all of the goodness, and think about how to apply this to my life! This has given me so much food for thought – THANK YOU!
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on May 2, 2018 at 5:44 pm
I’m so grateful this was helpful, Lisa!!
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on May 1, 2018 at 9:28 pm
My goal for May is to continue to learn and grow in developing my new genealogy/tell your family story business. I hope also to start a plan of how to continue this growth for when my girls are home from school over this summer months.
Thanks for the chance to win some goodies! 💜 -
on May 1, 2018 at 9:30 pm
I love how God talks to so many of his daughters about the same things! I’m facing lies and struggles and saying, no more! I’m ready to move beyond and experience truth and contentment. I identified with 3 & 8 above. They’re so shallow! Maybe it’s tine for me to pray for big things, too. This month I’m getting ready for a fun summer with my little girls. I want to prepare us for a good first year of homeschooling come fall.
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on May 1, 2018 at 9:30 pm
My goals for May:
Plant Dahlias
Practice Guitar
Practice Hula Hoop
Work in my Cultivate Prayer book -
on May 1, 2018 at 9:43 pm
My goal for May is to begin the prep work in my new set of Powersheets. Other monthly goals are to cultivate a morning and evening routine. Weekly goals are to meal plan, meal prep, and exercise once per week. Ultimately, I’d like to work out 3 times/week, but once per week is progress from none. Daily, I’d like to use my Write the Word journal as part of my morning routine to get into God’s word and only eat when I am hungry.
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on May 1, 2018 at 9:53 pm
I want to cultivate rest and connecting with each person in my family individually this month. Rest in the sense that I slow down and listen. I clear out my schedule to make uninterrupted time for each person. Also rest from this very busy season of homeschooling and serving at church and to friends. Just need some time off to take in the good stuff, and time unrushed to spend in prayer and reading God’s word.
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on May 1, 2018 at 10:00 pm
I loved this Laura and your cultivate products have changed my life as a single mom. I was emailing one of your staff expressing my story and appreciation and y’all are true women of the lord. In May I am trying to not believe some lies I have put in my head over the last few months. I was put on fmla due to a medical condition and than only released to work part time. As a single mom I thought this meant I failed As a mom, to provide for her and my bills. My goal for May is to find the joy in my good health days ( especially in a row ), take my daughter to the park and let her play and watch her laugh with my extra non working time and instead of beating myself up for not being able to money provide a lot – I will provide in love, joy, laughs, hugs, kisses , and showing Gods love!
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on May 1, 2018 at 10:05 pm
One of my goals this month is to choose not to spend any money on planner related things: stickers, planners, pens, notebooks, etc. We are trying really hard to focus on building up our Emergency Fund so we can start attacking our debt and I know by making this decision not to spend money on these things, we’ll be able to accomplish what we need to this month!
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on May 1, 2018 at 10:08 pm
Ahhhhh! So many praise hands <3 May is a month of working my tale off (joyfully, and for some major product additions) so we can tend to some big scary awesome changes in June and prep for homeschool conventions in July. We finished up official homeschool last week (we start in July) and are doing "light school" with lots of gardening time and giggles for the next few weeks. Have a fantastic May!
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on May 2, 2018 at 5:45 pm
Hooray for May, my friend!!!
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on May 1, 2018 at 10:09 pm
My May goals are a bit more intense than previous months this year. I’ve been slacking on so many goals I set for 2018, so I had to dig deeper and get more specific to make it happen. Instead of just “exercise”, I want to ride my bike five days a week and stretch once a day. Instead of “pray more” and “read my Bible” I chose 10 minutes each morning to be still without my phone, and evening Bible reading over TV. If I truly want to change my life, I just have to take these baby steps. My Powersheets are such a huge help!
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on May 1, 2018 at 10:11 pm
Lie 8 stood out to me…I will be content when I have it all. But the truth is I will be content when I live grateful. This is a lesson God keeps bringing to my attention this year. Thank you for reminding me of it again. I love your goal to make room to think so you can capture your thoughts and replace lies with truth. I think I’ll have to add this to my tending list for May as it would help me with one of my yearly goals to cultivate mental health. Another May goal is to complete the prep work in my new Powersheets!
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on May 1, 2018 at 10:33 pm
I’m so grateful that Sally Clarkson has you in her podcast. I am often inspired by so much of what she writes about, but implementing the principles can be overwhelming. Your products are such a gift for making my desires a reality!
In May I’d like to cultivate fun. I want to say yes to my children more, choose experiences with them over completely tasks, and remind them daily that they are unique and valued. -
on May 1, 2018 at 10:35 pm
Lies 4, 6, 9 really spoke to me.
My May word is RESTORE. My goals are towards rest and moving forward in restoring what’s been “lost” in a couple of hard, busy months. Much like your post–peace to me, my family, my home.
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on May 1, 2018 at 10:48 pm
This month I’m going to listen to my thoughts more and decide if they are coming from something I don’t actually know to be true. I know my reactions are often based in fear. I’m hoping to make some progress as far as being more aware of my thoughts and how I can replace them with truths. This will make me a better me, wife, mom, etc.
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on May 1, 2018 at 10:50 pm
After reading this one of my May goals is to make room. May gets pretty busy at our house with two littles and a hubby who is a teacher. There are summer plans to make, teacher gifts, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations …. the list is endless. I have been going real slow on prepping my May tending sheet. Now I know why … I needed this post for guidance. Hooray and praise you Jesus. You are in the details Lord!!
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on May 1, 2018 at 10:52 pm
Favorite Monthly goal for me is: celebrating 8 Moms that I know as a way to celebrate my mom’s life. May 8th is her 10th mother’s day in heaven.
Weekly goals: pray big specific prayers with my husband, have a $0 spending day, serve someone unexpected in a tangible way
Daily goals: Read the Word, walk away from my phone and have grace filled mornings with my kids before school.Love powersheets so much! Grateful for all you do Lara!
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on May 1, 2018 at 11:16 pm
The first section of the post is EXACTLY what I am thinking through right now (plus one more point) I am praying about right now. One answer that I have received from God that we (women) are multifaceted and we do well when we handle a lot of things in a day/week. I just need to figure out/pray through things in more details. Such good post! Thank you!
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on May 2, 2018 at 5:40 pm
I’m so grateful this was helpful, Yana!
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on May 2, 2018 at 12:21 am
Cultivate gratitude and enjoy this season right now. Pray and discover current ways to serve at church in my season (encouraging staff wives, hosting small group, helping with a new class to help others discover purpose and spiritual gifts and ways to serve, love my family well) , pick a summer Bible study, and pick a weekly way to exercise (walk, bike, dance!)
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on May 2, 2018 at 2:10 am
May is going to be pivotal for me. I need to change a lot and I’m a bit overwhelmed as there are some big habits to change that are meaning I’m wasting my life at present. I’m going to re-read your book, follow the tasks and hope for some clarity. Ok here goes nothing x
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on May 2, 2018 at 6:41 am
A follow on post from my earlier comment.
Well I’ve just spent most of the day re-doing the goal setting series. I now have three simple goals scribbled out on scrap paper and 6 pages of notes to help start the second part of this year better. My new word is PERSONAL. Here goes nothing. Thanks for the post today and for the encouragement x -
on May 2, 2018 at 7:13 am
I downloaded an app on iOS called “Oh” that sends customized, random reminders, so now, I see “Check yourself before you wreck yourself” pop up on my screen intermittently throughout the day. It has been oddly wonderful. My word for May is “posture”—body posture and mental posture. Left unchecked, both my body and my mind will cling to tension as a natural, go-to response. I’m trying to rewire that tendency through regular reminders (and lots of prayer :)). Thanks for sharing this post, Lara!
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on May 2, 2018 at 5:39 pm
I love that so much, Beka!!!
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on May 2, 2018 at 7:30 am
One of my big goals is trusting God through the fertility testing process. I like being in control of the process and this last year and a half has been a major test of that. Step one is just to call the insurance company. I can do that. 😉
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on May 2, 2018 at 8:11 am
My focal goal for the month is to embrace rhythms. Too often, I tend to idolize the finished product which does not mesh well with having four children who constantly make messes. I’ve been encouraged by Ecc. 3 that there is a time for everything, and in Christ there is purpose in the mundane rather than the futility and hopelessness I often feel. So, I am trying to steep myself in this truth for May, and embrace the mundane instead of trying to escape from it!
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on May 2, 2018 at 8:29 am
I desperately need to make more time for Jesus in my life. I know that I cannot pour from an empty cup and I forget that spiritual care is included in self care. It’s actually the more important form of self care! I look back on times when I spent the early morning hours in prayer and reading God’s word. I need to get that back. I NEED to make time for that again!
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on May 2, 2018 at 8:41 am
Hi there! I’m new to your website and IG as of this week and I’m sort of overwhelmed in the best possible way by God’s timing. May is going to be about letting certain projects end – and doing the hard work of not saying yes to new ones!- so that there is margin this summer to find rest.
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on May 2, 2018 at 10:02 am
For a long time I have suppressed my own voice, I have lived in the lie that I am in the constant flux of either not being nearly enough or simply being way too much. All year I’ve been trying to break these thought patterns and this month I feel like I’m ready to take the step of using my voice again, whether spoken or written I am allowing myself to take the first steps to reclaiming my voice and deeper even than that, reclaiming the belief that there is enough room for me and I don’t have to keep shrinking and hiding myself. In some ways this doesn’t seem like a goal that has productivity attached to it, but ultimately I feel that changing these thought patterns, allowing God to walk with me as I step through this door, will actually help free me from this spinning of my wheels that I have felt trapped in for so long. So this May, I am cultivating my voice, allowing the seedlings to see the light of day, watering them with the truth of God’s word, and blooming and flourishing for His glory.
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on May 2, 2018 at 10:28 am
May is the last month of my twenties and there are a lot of big decisions on the horizon for me and my husband. One of the personal goals I have is to take concrete action steps towards starting my own business. In this particular season, choosing what gets my “yes” is super important and your post really spoke to me. Thank you for the encouragement as always!!
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on May 2, 2018 at 5:39 pm
How exciting, Sarah!!!
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on May 2, 2018 at 11:57 am
Love this post! I always look forward to your monthly progress and new months goal posts because they are so inspirational and filled with goal-setting wisdom!
The lie that resonated with me the most is lie #5: I have to know all the details of the path ahead. This is something that I struggle with. I have been working towards letting God guide me down the path he has set for me but sometimes the uncertainty is uncomfortable! This month I am going to lean in and embrace the uncomfortable 🙂
I have been working towards starting a women’s ministry at my church so one of my new goals this month is plan the first event for the Women’s Ministry!! I want to make it a big event and encourage all of the women of our congregation to come as well as community members! This is a big goal so I plan to break it down into smaller steps (pick event type, pick event day, launch event invites, plan details like food and decorations). So excited for the month ahead!
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on May 2, 2018 at 11:58 am
May 1st was my new January 1st – I received my PowerSheets yesterday and am cultivating a purposeful life for myself , my husband and our son with Autism.
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on May 2, 2018 at 5:38 pm
Hooray for new starts!!!
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on May 2, 2018 at 12:30 pm
One of my goals is to do the refresh section of my powersheets (I started a bit late!) I’ve made huge progress on a few goals and hardly any on others, so I need a reboot!
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on May 2, 2018 at 5:38 pm
It’s never too late for a reboot–so exciting!!!
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on May 2, 2018 at 1:08 pm
My goal for May is to cultivate consistency in our family -being in the Word each day together as a family, in our homeschool and daily routines, serving in our church, serving our neighbors and spending quality time as family. I am looking forward to breaking in my new power sheets to help me with this goal!
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on May 2, 2018 at 5:38 pm
We are so similar, Jessie! I love your goals!!
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on May 2, 2018 at 1:40 pm
Lie 8 – ouch! We are living in an apartment and my husband and I say at least once a week “we’ll do that when we have a house.” One of my goals for May is to pray about feeling settled and content in our current circumstances and not just sit around waiting for the next season. In other words, my goal is to “bloom where I’m planted.” Thanks for sharing your heart, Lara!
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on May 2, 2018 at 5:37 pm
Love that, Laurie! Yes to blooming right where you are with what you have! : )
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on May 2, 2018 at 2:44 pm
One of my main goals for this month is to be a better steward with me time.. I’ve told myself over and over that I’m not a morning person, and have therefore let a lot of important tasks and goals slide because I wasn’t getting up earlier and getting them done. But these past two weeks, we’ve had construction in our home requiring me to be up and ready to go before 7am. And I’ve seen how much smoother my day goes and how my tasks are getting done better and easier. So now I know I can do it and I’m motivated and excited to make that change this month, and develop a better habit!
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on May 2, 2018 at 5:37 pm
This is wonderful, Melanie! I am cheering you on!
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on May 2, 2018 at 4:19 pm
My goal is to start making little-by-little progress on my long-term goals that usually just sit there getting bumped forward into the future to do someday. No more. Thank you for your words of encouragement! ❤️
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on May 2, 2018 at 5:36 pm
Yay, Chris! I’m excited for you!
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on May 2, 2018 at 4:56 pm
My goals for May are to cultivate my marriage, rise with Jesus, and set up my podcast! ♥️ Love love my powersheets! I took them to open gym with my girls this morning and got to tell the instructor about how great they are!!
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on May 2, 2018 at 5:36 pm
How exciting, Katie!
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on May 2, 2018 at 5:42 pm
Thank you for this post. It was definitely encouraging.
I tend to listen to the lie that I am a failure because I can’t change. I am growing in so many different areas and when I stumble I have a hard time getting back up. I am going to take your advice and try and not focus on the weeds in my garden but the flowers!
I just got my first Write the Word journal in the mail Monday. I am excited to dive into this and use this as a tool to reflect on the good and meditate on His word. Because of you, Laura, I am on track reading the Chronological One Year Bible. Thank you for saying that you listen to it sometimes through the Bible App. I have been doing that on my 30 minute drive to work.
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on May 2, 2018 at 6:05 pm
Your comment makes me SO EXCITED!!! I’m so happy you are in the Word alongside me–that is amazing!!!
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on May 3, 2018 at 4:12 am
I am in LOVE with this blogpost! Thank you so much for sharing it. I was sitting at my kitchen table this morning, jottting down thoughts and notes and began to think about how my life looks like right now and what I miss. I couldn’t really put a finger on it but as i was reading your post I believe I understood wat i am missing: intention. It is the intention that I am missing. And a story I am telling myself? The one that I can’t live an intentional life and still do it all and reach my dreams. Ahhh your words gabe me hope! So much of it, because your words are telling me that i can! Live an intentional life. Thank you thank you thank you. I will keep you updated on how I created an intentional may in your next monthly update ♥️ Sending you lots of love!
xx Ronja
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on May 3, 2018 at 7:21 am
My daily goals are heavy on health: run the driveway, get 10K steps, drink water. Also, homeschooling kids (9th and 5th). New weekly goal of speaking affirmations and getting in a game night with the family. Would love to do a bonfire this month and finally get a playlist made. My main focus areas are health, home and happiness. (Just coming out of a year of grief after many losses in our family. My health, home and happiness paid a high cost.)
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on May 3, 2018 at 9:27 am
I am having such a hard time getting past my perceived need for immediate results. Cultivating and tending, and little-by-little progress is a huge struggle for me.
I have yet to create my May goals and tending list most likely because of my perceived failure of achieving my April goals.
Thank you for sharing, friend. <3
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on May 3, 2018 at 9:32 am
The lies v truth in ourselves is so crucial! It’s been a huge part of my anxiety therapy. HUGE lifechanging perspective shift. I haven’t had a panic attack since starting that.
This month I’m working on putting myself at the top of my list in terms of self-care. I found out through the Wellness Guide that my first step is making myself CARE more about myself!! This is huge. So I’m working on that. We’re also focusing on being outside and taking God’s pace as our own 🙂
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on May 3, 2018 at 10:17 am
I just got my six-month undated planner and I was uncertain where to start so this blog came at the perfect time for me. Life has been feeling very hectic as I am planning for a wedding and planning the move after the wedding, so filling in the planner was starting to feel like one more thing I just had to check off. But now I feel encouraged to do it!
This month, I want to work on consistently working out and pushing myself to work out harder! I also want to drink more water and focus on eating things that are good for my body. ☺️
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on May 3, 2018 at 11:28 am
I’ve realized I need to let go of some things in order to move forward on my goals. I’m doing no social media for this month to release the chains it has on me and free me to focus on God as my first priority. I don’t have a lot of goals this month because my husband is having surgery today so I’ll be focused on caring for him well this month. Also, intentional time with my kids and time for write the word daily and reading.
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on May 3, 2018 at 2:33 pm
This is so great! Thanks for sharing! Seeing other people’s goals is definitely motivating for me!
My goals:
I’ve finally gotten into a rhythm with my daily quiet times (which has been notoriously difficult because I often gig late nights). So I’m planning on continuing this habit through May to really get it established.I’m also committing to doing focused work on my blog each weekday morning between 6:30-8am at my local cafe before I start our homeschool (working in my house is full of distractions!).
So I’m REALLY excited about this coming month and getting closer to my bigger goals!
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on May 3, 2018 at 4:17 pm
My primary goals for the month are to tend to my health in preparation to give birth! Trying to prioritize healthy eating, workouts, and prenatal stretching. Along with spiritual health, which is my main yearly goal 🙂
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on May 3, 2018 at 6:21 pm
This line from the email that links your blog post struck me: “Truth: I’ve gotten stuck with my goals several times, but I have, in fact, made progress! This matters to me, so I’m getting back up and taking the next best step forward!” So many stories I tell myself…..One of my primary goals is wellness for myself – the Lord is leading me to that one for sure. And to listen more closely to myself, and kick the stories to the curb, replacing them with TRUTH! Thanks, Lara.
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on May 4, 2018 at 4:38 pm
I’m so grateful that encouraged you, Angela!
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on May 3, 2018 at 10:05 pm
Oh, I love this, Lara! And choice number 2! Goodness gracious. My soul needed to read that and remind myself that I have permission to choose that. I have been in such a full season (with lovely new things like an upcoming job transfer and dating a sweet guy from my church) but it’s been easy to react out of emotion rather than respond from a place of truth.
In May I’m trying to get back to the three core goals/themes of the year: strength, dignity, and laughter.
Strength: in the Word daily + back to Orange Theory 3x’s weekly
Dignity: start snowballing debt + finish the school year well
Laughter: read 5+ books for fun + date with joy + invest in my gal pals with intentionAlways grateful for your honesty and encouragement!
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on May 4, 2018 at 4:37 pm
I am grateful for YOU!!
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on May 4, 2018 at 12:09 pm
Thank you so much for your honesty in sharing truth! The Lord has been sharing a very similar message to me lately. I have been trying to be more intentional about speaking OUT LOUD/praying scripture over myself and my family. There is too much noise in my mind that isn’t helpful or true. BUT GOD. He gives us ALL. THE. TRUTH. in His word. So grateful for His faithfulness in repeating the things we really need to hear several times over various unrelated sources. Thanks for being faithful to share what He is teaching you because it was a confirmation for me of what He is teaching me as well.
Jess Connolly posted that one of her May goals is to pray too much and so I adopted that as my own. Pray scripture “too much”. Take it “too far”. BELIEVE the truth He’s given us.
Love it so much. Let’s go May!
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on May 4, 2018 at 1:51 pm
I love Peter and Geri Scazzero’s books on Emotionally Healthy Spirituality! The EHS for Women is also transforming! Another author that is along the same vein is Alicia Britt Chole, The Sacred Slow and Anonymous! Love her work on intentional relationship with God!
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on May 5, 2018 at 1:21 am
I love what you wrote. THANK YOU, Lara. In autumn I was in a deep season of feeling a lot of overwhelm – I felt I was in waters of overwhelm that were almost up to my neck. While it did have some roots in reality (a lot on my plate) a big, maybe the major part was a feeling I had learned in the past – mostly in childhood. In prayer seeking comfort for the old experiences of true overwhelm did a lot to my soul. I felt it decreased the “water level” of overwhelm in my soul. Now when challenging things do happen it feels like having water up to my feet or knees. No longer up to my neck. In May I will be cultivating TRUST in my ability to be led by my father in Heaven and to be able to do my tasks well.
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on May 5, 2018 at 8:32 pm
Definitely Lie #2 got me down sometimes. I don’t even realize I’m trying to be perfect or waiting for the perfect time or opportunity. So it’s been a constant struggle but that little by little adds up and I have been making progress. I just have to accept I will always be imperfect in this system of things, but I can still cultivate what matters. My theme for May is found in Ps 94:18-19 to keep relying on God to keep me balanced and comforted. It has been a relief to do so in such busy/overwhelming times for me!
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on May 6, 2018 at 9:24 pm
For the month of May I Am really trying to finally nail down the best time of day to get my bible reading/writing in and not letting the craziness off Life be in charge!
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on May 8, 2018 at 6:08 am
Lara, this post has BLOWN MY MIND!! Something I try to live by each day and so often tried to share and teach with others (it comes naturally when I’m an eternal optimist) but it’s so hard for many women to grasp and understand x