As I glanced at my social media feeds, I only found the perfect smiles, the giggles of children, and tables adorned with the beauty of a Thanksgiving feast.

And then I looked around and thought, “How could I post something like that?”

My house was in order, but not decorated like I normally do. Only my boys were present, as my girls were with their sweethearts and their families.

The moment of not having everything as everyone else flashed in front of me.

Can you relate?

It’s that important date that just doesn’t end up the way you thought it should.

But just because things don’t end up as planned doesn’t mean it’s lacking anything.

Being a parent and wanting what’s best for your children and family is more than normal. Yet what you plan or dreamed for doesn’t come true, that doesn’t me you throw in the towel and quit.

The realness is beautiful.

So be grateful for the realness in your life.

The K.I.S.S. ~ Be grateful for the realness!

There’s no reason to pretend that everything is what you wanted for your entire life. Wearing that scarf can be exhausting and lead you to focus on what you can’t achieve. It’s hard to work backward all the time when you need to be moving forward.

Be grateful for the realness.

1. Embrace the present. – Living in the moment is the best way to savor the good, the bad, and the ugly. It’s not about hashing out what should have, would have, or could have been. Life is about where you are in the moment. So embrace the present.
2. Appreciate the unexpected. – Control is a good thing when it comes to organizing responsibilities into your day or obtaining goals that require certain steps. Yet, life happens, and that’s when you have no control. Appreciate the unexpected. God’s already paved a way for you and the family.
3. Catch the beauty in your heart. – Your heart is what keeps your love pure for the family before you. Your days may not always be roses and rainbows, but you can always find beauty if you capture it with your heart.

The realness is beautiful.

CHALLENGE: How can you find the beauty in the realness of your family?

CAUTION: Know that when things get hard, and you feel stressed, overwhelm, and anxious about what you don’t know, be careful not to retreat.

CELEBRATE:

“One step at a time leads to miles of greatness!” ~ Kristianne Wargo

The realness is beautiful.

“Be present. Be incredible. Be YOU!!!“