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How Denial Prevents Growth

July 17, 2017 By: Miranda4 Comments

berries how denial prevents growth“So, Miranda, have you been exercising?”  Ugh! I hate that question.  If you visit a cardiologist, plan on them asking you that.  I know its coming, but I still freeze every single time.  Like a deer caught in the headlights.  What do I say? Exercising is hard for me even on my “feeling good” days.  I would rather be doing something else.  Sometimes I will get into a good routine for a couple of months, and then I start struggling physically.  I’ll have to back down on my exercise routine and before you know I’m not exercising again.  So honestly, the answer is usually, “No.” And I have found that as hard as it is for me say, “No”, that it is better to be truthful and realistic. Denial prevents growth, and I don’t want to live there. So let’s examine how denial prevent growth? [Read more…]

Creating Personal Summer Goals

June 21, 2017 By: Miranda6 Comments

creating personal summer goals wheat fieldSummer is my time “off” from homeschooling so the first week of June is always a sigh of relief.  However, around here the list of summer duties can be never ending as we plant and tend our garden and fields, can vegetables, harvest hay, make jam and get kids to summer activities while also making time to relax. Inevitably, I begin adding more and more items to my to do list. By August, I wonder where the summer went!  I’m sure you can relate! Creating personal summer goals can allow you to use the summer hours wisely, accomplishing and enjoying what is most important to you this summer.creating personal summer goals mulberries

Summer can also be a perfect time to practice creating goals if “learning how to set goals” is one of your summer goals:).  Three months is long enough to satisfy a long term goal planner but still brief enough to feel doable to a short term goal planner.  Learn more about your unique goal setting style here. [Read more…]

Understand Your Goal Setting Style

June 9, 2017 By: Miranda8 Comments

Goal setting style“Hey, Honey…I have an idea,” my husband typically starts the conversation.  “Um, you do?” I hesitantly reply.  Now, I love hearing all my Country Boy’s thoughts and dreams.  However, I have discovered that almost none of his ideas are small or short term.  His goals usually involve packing boxes or lots of late dinners and long Saturdays, whereas, I enjoy setting short term goals.  As we have comes to realize our different goal setting styles, we are able to work together more smoothly.  It is vital to understand your goal setting type as you set about accomplishing your goals.  Whether you are talking about personal goals, family goals or business goals, you will want to understand your goal setting style!

You have a secret power when it comes to setting goals.  You are naturally gifted at accomplishing certain types of goals.  As you gain understanding of your unique skill set, goal setting will become so much easier.  And people will begin to seek you out for your ability!

[Read more…]

Build Your Stress Tolerance

May 26, 2017 By: Miranda9 Comments

Build Your Stress Tolerance cornDo you struggle to maintain your equilibrium through the ups and downs of life?  Does your creativity dramatically drop when the pressures of life push in on you? Do you need to discover ways to build your stress tolerance so that you feel productive and confident even in stressful times? [Read more…]

9 Soothing Gifts for a Stressed or Weary Friend

May 17, 2017 By: Miranda5 Comments

flowers gifts stressed weary friendSummer is almost here in the Midwest!  My husband and children planted flowers, mulched and mowed Sunday making the yard around our farmhouse lovely.  Now the view out my kitchen window is even more calming and beautiful.  It made me think about those things in our lives that rejuvenate and allow us to relax and refuel.  I thought it would be fun to put together a list of 9 soothing gifts for a stressed or weary friend.

I am blessed to have many wonderful gift givers in my life.   When I feel stressed due to some big adventure we are in the middle of or weary due to needing to recover physically, inevitably a gift shows up.  I love gifts!  Love to give them and receive them.  I especially enjoy sending a gift in the mail anticipating a friends receiving it!  So what are some great soothing gifts for a stressed or weary friend.  What gift will encourage your friend to take a breathe, find a minute for themselves, or gain some calming perspective? [Read more…]

Dear Friend: A Letter of Encouragement

May 10, 2017 By: Miranda11 Comments

Dear Friend,Flowers letter of encouragement

I wanted to send you a letter of encouragement, as I was thinking about you today. Life is really hard for you right now, but I don’t want you to lose hope.  My sweet friend, as you read my letter of encouragement may you feel strengthened and comforted.

[Read more…]

Are You Trapped in Crisis Mode?

May 3, 2017 By: Miranda7 Comments

Are you Tapped in Crisis Mode Living  The woman sitting across from me was living in crisis mode.  Fifteen years ago, I was just starting out as a court and family advocate.  Part of the job I loved was talking with the clients that came into our agency.  After hearing the woman in my office speak for close to half an hour, I was greatly concerned.  She was in a very vulnerable position.  Her current relationship was abusive.    And to make matters worse she seemed trapped in crisis mode. [Read more…]

Finding Contentment: Blooming Where You Are Planted

April 26, 2017 By: Miranda12 Comments

By nature, many of us struggle to find contentment.  We tend to look backward living in our memories.  Or we want to rush forward to the next stage.  Finding contentment and blooming where you are planted is pivotal to appreciating today, practicing gratitude and growing where we are. [Read more…]

Book Review of A Mother’s Reckoning: Living in the Aftermath of Tragedy by Sue Klebold

April 7, 2017 By: Miranda4 Comments

When I first saw the book, A Mother’s Reckoning: Living in the Aftermath of Tragedy by Sue Klebold, I was both eager to read and dreading it at the same time.  Sue Klebold is the mother of Dylan Klebold, one of the teenagers who entered Columbine High School and killed 13 students and faculty.  To read the very words of one whose life and name had become synonymous with the Columbine High School shooting massacre of 1999, felt overwhelming and too dark.

However,  I truly appreciate a book showing  the human spirit’s ability to rise above tragedy.  And one of my librarians gave me her compelling review, so I decided to take the plunge and read the book. [Read more…]

Are You Ready to Date Again?

March 30, 2017 By: Miranda3 Comments

Are You Ready to Date Again

Note: This post contains affiliate links.  Read more about it here.

I almost burned our house down that day.  It all started when I was cleaning out my work desk downstairs.  Little did I realize the mess that was about to unfold.  Sometimes our dating lives can be like that, messy and nearly disastrous.  So before you decide are you ready to date again, ask yourself the four questions below. [Read more…]

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Hey Friend!

I'm Miranda. Educator, Speaker and Vibrant Life Mentor. A city girl married to a country boy! At The Reluctant Cowgirl, I share personal growth and parenting advice for busy moms of tweens and teens! Learn ways to care for yourself and cultivate an amazing family life! Welcome to Your Vibrant Life!

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