Can we chat about Lies for a second?  I have spent a lifetime telling myself SO many lies.  Lies that have guided my life and held me back from finding my Joy.  Lies that have kept me SMALL.

These are just a few of the lies that I was living with for the last 34 years.

“I could never financially support my family.”

Since the day I found out I was pregnant, my husband has provided the sole income for our family.  I have a Montessori Teaching Certificate, and while I loved that job, I happily gave it up to focus on being a Mom full time.  Fast forward a few years, I just couldn’t justify going back to work.  My paycheck would almost fully go to daycare.

That was all changed over the last 18 months.  This year I took my family on a week long Disney vacation.  I pay for riding lessons for my girls, braces for 3 members of the family, and many other non essential things that take the edge off my husbands paycheck.  This also provides a sense of security for me.  I know now, that if anything were to happen to my husband.  I can provide for my children.

“I have Too many lumps and bumps to wear cute clothes.”

Let’s face it!  All women feel this at some point in their lives.  I like to eat, and I hate to exercise.  I had resigned myself to a life of Spanx.  I did everything I could to blend in and not stand out.  But once I realized that cute comes in all sizes, my whole sense of fashion changed.  I no longer feel the need to blend, I wear clothes that make me feel beautiful with out sacrificing comfort or modesty.

“I can’t do hard things.”

I do not know where this lie started.  I come from a long line of strong independent women.  In fact every other women in my family, from my grandmothers all the way down to my sister, are examples of strength and determination.  But me, I lived inside my little box.  I didn’t drive big trucks.  I didn’t fix things.  I could never travel on my own.

2017 is the year I am determined to change this lie.  In fact my motto this year is “I can do hard things.”  Every time I jump out of our huge F150 with my trailer on the back I feel proud.  I can do hard things, and I am capable of achieving my goals.

“Compliments from others is the only way to boost my self esteem”

Just ask my husband.  I was DESPERATE for compliments.  And this was at the core of most of our fights.  I craved his approval, and was crushed with I didn’t get it.  My self worth was only defined by the things others said about me.

This is such a huge lie! Maybe the biggest of all.  I still struggle with this.  But as I am learning my own strength, My confidence is growing from the inside.  And our marriage has never been stronger.

 

These are my girls.  And I hope by living a life of joy they will learn to live a life without these lies.

 

XOXO

~Sarah K