We all want to be the best we can be, right? Now don't misunderstand what I am saying when I use the word 'best'. I'm not talking about trying strive for perfect, I'm referring to consistently striving to do our best so we can in turn be at our best.
Growing ourselves to be at our best is an ongoing journey and I pray these 10 steps you can start taking today to be the best you will help you like they have helped me to living the best me that God intended:
STEP 1
Start your day with God. This can be done in so many different ways. When you wake up just take a moment to say good morning to Him and let Him know how thankful you are for another day. Sit and have your morning coffee acknowledging that He is right there with you and talk to Him about your hopes and plans for the day and then ask Him what He would like you to do. Read your Bible, I find even if I only have a few minutes that this is a great way for me to connect with Him. Put on some great worship music and sing out to Him. Go for a morning prayer walk.
STEP 2
Be compassionate. When someone says or does something that hurts you instead of getting angry at them, feel bad for them. When someone is mean to me I think about how hard it must be on them to carry so much anger. I try and take a moment and think, what if their dog died today, what if their child got a bad diagnosis from the doctor. People are often dealing with some really tough stuff so instead of getting angry with their bad behavior, be compassionate. It will actually bless you even more than it blesses them.
STEP 3
Stop comparing. Today a sweet 25 year woman asked me if it was hard to look at all the people leading fitness programs and not compare myself to them. I had to sit and think for a bit and realized for the most part I really don't compare. I can look at a 20-ish online fitness leaders and definitely notice we're different but not in a way that I want what she has or feel like I have to change. I am who I am and she is who she is and that's OK. Let go of comparison and be thankful for who God created you to be.
STEP 4
Acknowledge His love. Each day breathe in God's love. Let His love fill you up. Hear His Words that say you are His Beloved, His daughter whom He loves. You are His masterpiece whom He knit together in your mother's womb. He sees you, He knows you and He fully loves you. Only when we are full of His love can we go and love others well.
STEP 5
Offer yourself grace. Even when you want to be the best you, you will mess up. You will say something nasty to you husband, you will make a mistake on a project at work, you will forget things…. when you do mess up offer yourself grace. I have to say I am good at this. I mess up a lot but when I do I don't beat myself up. I acknowledge the mess up, I realize I am just doing the best I can and I move on.
STEP 6
Encourage others. Reach out to at least one person and encourage them. It may be as simple as sending a text to one of your kids saying how thankful you are that God chose you to be their mom. Maybe it's calling an old high school friend and just letting them know you were thinking of them. It could be telling someone you work with how much you appreciate them. It feels good to encourage others.
STEP 7
Laugh. Why is it that babies laugh with their whole bodies but adults rarely laugh. I think we get so caught up in the daily tasks that we forget to be silly. I find some of my best laughs are from some of my mistakes. I remember printing 100 PAZAZ shirts that were supposed to reference a Bible verse about King David dancing. I found out after they were all printed that I put the wrong verse on the shirt. The verse I added actually referenced this verse, “He took his opponent by the head and thrust a dagger in his side and they both fell down.” I have laughed so many times about this. Laugh at yourself!
STEP 8
Exercise. I'm sure you knew I would be mentioning exercise. I just KNOW that we would all feel so much better if we took time to exercise. Studies show that when we exercise chemical changes happen in our body that put us in a better mood. What's keeping your from doing what you know your body and mind need? Let's all commit to exercising today!
STEP 9
Fuel your body. Your body needs water, vitamins and nutrients to function properly. You'd never put milk into the gas tank of your car because you know it wouldn't run properly, but we will put unhealthy foods in our body. What is one healthy change you can commit to this week when it comes to what you put in your body?
STEP 10
Love yourself. I know I've already included in this list the importance of feeling God's love and being graceful to yourself, but now I am talking about straight up loving yourself. Loving yourself the way God loves you doesn't come easily but I pray you will see all the beauty that God has placed in you!
I pray you will starting taking steps TODAY to live the best version of you that you can be! With God it IS possible friend. He longs for nothing more than to see you happy, healthy and prosperous.