 A
Note From Mary
Last month, I
encouraged you to start 2008 with a
clean slate. I also asked you to share
what’s up with you for this year. I
thought it would be fun to hear from
others as to what they are doing. Karen
wrote:
I have decided to
go back to college. It has been 15
years now since I have been in
school...15 years, one husband, and four
kids later! I did attend community
college for two years right after high
school with the intention of being a
teacher...but met my husband and life
happened! After giving birth four
times, and after numerous trips to the
hospital with the kids (nothing too
serious, thank God) I realize that I
want to be a nurse. It was
something I pondered growing up, but I
always thought I wasn't smart enough for
it. (I don't know where those thoughts
came from!). My self-doubt is
gone--I am empowered by my ability to
multi-task as a "professional mother,"
and feel in my heart this is something I
must do. My youngest will be in
all-day kindergarten in the fall, so I
am going part-time for now. It is
intense, but I am loving being around
other adults, loving to learn, and
excited about caring for others as a
nurse. I know I am setting a good
example for my kids, too, by being a
committed student, and feel that the
Holy Spirit is guiding my steps…
And Becky wrote:
A year ago my girlfriend set me up
with a blog because she believed people
should be reading what I was saying.
Since I've had it, I've written a lot
more. Now I feel that by the end
of this year I should have stuff out
there looking for publication...Thank
you for the encouragement I needed...to
make 2008 a year for the realization of
a dream.
You go girls! I
love it when moms find a way to follow
their own heart and passion in addition
to caring for their families. It’s theme
I address in
The
Mother Load: How to Meet Your Own Needs
While Caring for Your Family.
Though it may be tricky, I believe we
can find a way to meet our own needs in
the midst of mothering. And when our
needs are met, it’s easier to meet
others’ needs as well.
If you haven’t
taken the time to decide what YOU want
to do in 2008, now’s the time. Your
goals don’t have to be ambitious or
lofty. They don’t have to be
well-developed. They don’t even have to
be realistic. They just have to reflect
your heart in a way that will affirm and
encourage you.
Many of us never
realize our dreams because we are afraid
to speak them out loud. Now’s the time.
And if you’re afraid to speak the words
to your friends and family, e-mail me at
mbyers@marybyers.com
with “Heart’s Desire” in the subject
line. I’ll hold your words as the sacred
reflection of who you are at your very
core—the beautiful, hopeful woman God
created you to be.
Strengthening
families by encouraging moms,
Mary Byers
Bear With Me
This month, I’m only
sending one edition of my e-zines—and
this is it! If you usually get The
No Zine from me, don’t despair! You can
read on to learn more about no-saying in
this issue.
As you may know,
I’m transitioning to one e-zine a month.
And though I don’t have the new design
ready yet, it’s in process. In the
meantime, I’ll continue to use this
design until we’re ready to launch the
new look. Thanks for bearing with me as
we make the transition.
Time's Up!
Did you know that
on average, we have about two free hours
a day after we meet our work, hygiene,
meal, and family commitments? That’s not
very much time, is it?
Knowing this has
made it easier for me to say no to
projects that don’t reflect my skills
and passion at this time in my life.
With just 120 precious free minutes a
day, I want to be sure I spend it
wisely. When I’m asked to add something
to my schedule, I take a look and see
how well it will fit into the free time
I have each day. And if I see that it
will exceed the time I have, I ask
myself what I’ll have to sacrifice in
order to be able to say yes. More than
anything, this practice has made it
easier for me to determine what I want
to say yes to, and what I should say no
to.
Remember, you have
just 120 “free” minutes a day. How are
you going to spend them? You get to
choose, but choose wisely.
Food for
Thought
“If you think your time is limitless,
you may say yes to everything.”
--Drs. Henry Cloud and John
Townsend, Boundaries
Recommended Reading
 Fat
Proof Your Family
By J. Ron Eaker, M.D.
Retail Price: $14.99
Our Price: $11.99
If you’re looking
for a healthy read as we start the New
Year, consider Dr. Ron Eaker’s Fat
Proof Your Family. This book is
jam-packed with statistics, practical
suggestions, and interesting notes
designed to promote family health. More
than anything, it helped me realize that
the decisions I make in the grocery
store are laying the foundation for my
kids’ eating habits long after they
leave home. That thought would terrify
me if it weren’t for the array of
helpful ideas and the encouraging tone
in this book. Dr. Eaker is passionate
about health and his enthusiasm for the
subject is contagious and makes family
wholeness and wellness seem to be
doable.
Sanity Saver
2008 is a leap
year, which means we have an “extra” day
this month. Consider crossing the day
off on your calendar and making it
either a vacation day or a
hang-around-the-house-and-do-nothing
day. Since February 29 th
only comes around every four
years, take advantage of it!
Add Lightening the Load to Your Address
Book
We want to
make sure you receive our e-zine each
month without any problems. To insure
receiving your copy, please add the
following email address to your address
book:
mload@pcpublications.org. Thanks!
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February 2008
Lightening the Load
eZine published by Mary Byers, Author of
The Mother Load
Table of Contents
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