Life is Not a ‘Race’

(Image:https://www.eydecals.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/life-is-not-a-race.jpg)

  

Hey all,

I know it’s been a while since I last posted a blog post. A lot has happened since I’ve last posted. I have graduated college and gotten a job as a kindergarten teacher (two pretty big things). 

As a kindergarten teacher, I have found myself repeating a certain phrase a lot lately. I have found myself saying, “It is not a race,” numerous times (typically many, many times throughout a single school day) to my students and it’s got me thinking...

I’ve come to the conclusion that this phrase isn’t something that five year olds alone need to here. Just let those five words sink in and speak to your heart/soul for a second, “it is not a race.”

If you’re like me, you’ll agree that it’s so easy at times to look at other people’s lives and be envious of the life they appear to have. It’s so easy to be tempted to compare our lives to theirs. You may think to yourself, “Wow, I wish I had....[insert object here] like they do,” or “I wish I looked like she/he does,” or “I wish my life was as great as his/hers.”

This temptation comes and is made easy, especially in today’s world where we’re immersed in technology and surrounded by all things social media. As a result, the above thoughts easily creep in and lead us to believe (even for a split second) that we are missing out and desire more than what we have for our own lives. 

Let’s take another second to speak words of affirmation to our own heart/soul that beauty is found in our own lives just the way they are. Everyone is at different stages in life and that is okay. Just because something in particular is happening in someone else’s life at the moment that you may desire, doesn’t mean that your life doesn’t measure up to theirs. Beauty can be found in our own lives when we stop to count our blessings, choose to look at all the good, and give thanks to God for our precious life that we live.

On a final note, I challenge you. Next time you’re scrolling through Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, remember that life is not a race, but rather a journey to be enjoyed and a gift from God.

Let us find peace and contentment, in that we are exactly where we need to be at this moment in our lives. God has placed us where we are at this point in time and beauty can be found here.

I wish you the best and many blessings in this crazy endeavor we call ‘life.’

Until next time, 

Lauren 

DIY EASY Peppermint Body Sugar Scrub

On a rainy Monday afternoon, I decided to get on Pinterest and I got inspired to make a homemade sugar body scrub! Surprisingly, I was able to use things I already had on hand and didn't even have to make a trip to the store. The finished product looks and smells great; I can't wait to try it out! :)
(Pinterest creds: https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/u-create-2122944/diy-sugar-scrub-recipes-2770048123) 

You will need:

• 1 jar with lid
• 1 c. brown sugar (or white granulated sugar)
• 1/4 c. olive oil 
• peppermint essential oil 
• honey (optional) 
• jute twine (optional) 
• cute label (optional; I created one on Word)

Instructions:

1. Take your jar and combine brown sugar, olive oil, and honey. Stir thoroughly and then add in about 6 drops of essential oil. Mix again. (and you're all done...it's super simple!) 
2. If you'd like, you can tie the jute twine around the rim of the jar lid and add the label to the top of the jar to dress it up a bit! (I also added a mini candy cane underneath the twine because I thought it was cute.) 
3. Enjoy! You can use this scrub while in the shower or taking a bath to exfoliate and moisturize your skin. All you do is massage the scrub on your skin (arms and legs) and then rinse it off with warm water!

finished product--side view

finished product--top view

until next time,
Lauren