What makes you feel alive? What thrills you? What topics do you get lost talking about? What we decide to listen to matters. Do you want that to be your truth? Or other people’s opinions and expectations?
If you want to have a rewarding life, you need to listen to your truth. Only you know what’s going to bring a life that’s true and authentic for you. This year has brought a lot of light to our vision and purpose.
Brooke-
After spending so many years getting a degree and landing their first job, a lot of people find out that it’s not what they thought it would be. How are you supposed to know what you want to do at 18? You haven’t lived. Some people know exactly what they want to do and it’s easy to get caught up in the comparison game thinking others have it together. We have to remember that they’re posting their highlight reel on social media and it’s not a full, honest depiction of their story.
I always thought that God had my purpose and he was just waiting for me to find it. I find myself thinking about my health struggles and wondering if this is really my purpose. Over time, I’ve learned that there is a message in the mess and I can choose how to look at my experience. Maybe my purpose isn’t living with these issues but it’s making me stronger so that I can help others. I can move people to take action based on what I’ve learned through my struggles.
Each day I’m taking time to slow down, quiet my mind, and listen to my truth. This looks like meditation, prayer, yoga, and/or journaling. I’m also expanding my knowledge on health topics by reading the research and putting it into action. By pairing my truth with actionable steps, I’m paving my own path to feeling better and helping others.
Andrea –
2020 has been a wild ride and we’re still riding that wave. I started off the year, making a commitment to getting up earlier than my kiddos and reading a book each week. That morning time has included reading motivational and inspiring books and reflecting and centering myself. It’s crazy what a few hours a week can do to your life. Looking back on all that’s happened since I’ve made those commitments, I’d recommend them for everyone.
I’ve reflected on my life since birth, journaled about it, set some exciting goals, and really connected my actions into what I want for my future. I know that I am here to connect with other people, learn from them, and build a business that helps people. I’m not sure that would have happened if I wouldn’t have prioritized time for myself this year. I would still be happy, I’d still be finding time here or there for a run, but I feel like I have way more clarity on what the vision is for my future and it’s so much brighter when purpose is weaved into it.
Now I’m asking myself more questions and a lot of time, hard questions about how I’m spending my time, what brings me joy, and utilizing every resource I can get my hands on. I picked up an incredible health coach (shout out to episode 4 with Cara) and an awesome therapist for me and my marriage and reading a book a week has been additional support. When you prioritize time that helps you center on your faith and healthy relationships with others and yourself, magic happens. It doesn’t have to be in the morning but make sure you’re finding time to connect with your vision and purpose. Listen to what speaks to you, any messages you’re hearing from God or the universe, and don’t ignore it.
Living intentionally and being present looks different based on what season of life you’re in. Especially during Covid times when you’re working and have kids at home, it’s just impossible to give your full attention to one or the other all the time. However, there are some opportunities we’ve found as a family to stay full present. We make no-phone zones in hopes of having intentional conversations and making each other feel listened to. Our biggest area we focus on is the dinner table. No phone zone at the dinner table and we bought a Connection book where we have a question of the night at the table that everyone answers. It’s nice to hear everyone’s answer and the only distractions are us 5 talking over each other. It’s chaotic having 3 kiddos at the table so it’s a great place to remove any extra distractions and have a point of connection and get to know more about each other.
There’s no shame in checking out social media. Sometimes we just want to scroll and see what’s going on in the world. Social media is also built to be addicting. So when we feel pulled into scrolling an extra 10 min, you are not alone. Setting limits on your phone for time on apps is a good way to get an idea of how much time you’re spending and get a little reminder of setting it down and actually becoming more present in your life.
I participated in this amazing activity once and it was really powerful. We sat and thought of people we love as a whole, like you really really care about and what you wish for them. I had 5 minutes to write anything I wished for them and make a long list- faith, respect, acceptance, adventure, happiness, strength, freedom, love, passion, etc. Then you Using a pen and paper, make a list of your top 5, then narrow down to your top 3 and really really think hard about how one might be more important than the other or one might encompass the other but get specific on the 3 that you wish for the person you love the most or the group of you top 5 people, what you wish the most for them. Those are YOUR 3 Noble Qualities. Turns out, those are the most important qualities you hope for yourself too. Sometimes we don’t love ourselves as much as we love others and need to think of their wellbeing in order to turn that love for ourselves. When you pick those 3 qualities so for me they are faith, adventure, and connection you write down what is required in those qualities and determine how much time they need in your week and where they fall. For example, faith for me at a minimum needs to be checking in my Bible app every morning to start the day, prayer throughout the day, devotional with my kids at night, and church on Sunday. If that minimum amount is not happening, I’m off and not myself. When we take the time to center in on our noble qualities or values, it is so much easier to align our time with what gives us purpose.
Healing Food of the Week-
Did you know?
Green beans have incredible healing power!
Green beans are a great source of folate, vitamin A, and vitamin C. The iron and folate in green beans are great for pregnant mothers as they help with the development of their growing baby.
𝐅𝐮𝐧 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭: There are two types of green beans- pole beans that grow like a climbing vine and bush beans that can spread up to two feet and they grow super fast!
𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐫𝐲:
https://marisamoore.com/green-beans-caramelized-onions-almonds
Don’t forget to tag us in your pictures and let us know how you’re incorporating carrots into your cooking!
IVY UNLEASHED
Behind-the-Scenes Video
3 Gold Stars
1. Carve out 10 minutes to center yourself through meditation or journaling
2. List 3 people that uplift and support you, regardless of the season of life
3. Determine 3 values that are most important to you and audit your calendar to see how much time you are truly giving them.
Ivy Reflections
- What makes you feel alive?
- What 3 qualities do you wish for the people you love (joy, connections, adventure, respect, etc.) and how can you translate them into your week?
- What topics do you get lost talking about?
Piece of Gold
Do whatever brings you to life, then. Follow your own fascinations, obsessions, and compulsions. Trust them. Create whatever causes a revolution in your heart. The rest will take care of itself.
Elizabeth Gilbert
RESOURCES
- 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘺𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘢 𝘰𝘧 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘍𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘴 𝘣𝘺 𝘔𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘦𝘭 𝘔𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘢𝘺 𝘔.𝘋. 𝘑𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘱𝘩 𝘗𝘪𝘻𝘻𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘰 𝘕.𝘋. 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘓𝘢𝘶𝘳𝘢 𝘗𝘪𝘻𝘻𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘰 𝘔.𝘈., 𝘓.𝘔.𝘛.
DON’T MISS OUT!
Please and Thank You Granola Bars – 10% off when you use the code “GOLDIVY” – http://pleasethankyougranolabars.com/
Instagram – @pleasethankyougranolabars
Don’t forget to join the Ivy League and get access to our weekly newsletter for inspiring stories, strategic wellness tips, and to stay caught up with our journey. We thank you for joining us in the fearless pursuit of self-discovery and growth and hope that you transform our lessons into your gold.
Listen to your truth and go chase your gold.
– Gold Ivy Health Co.
Stay connected!
goldivyhealthco.com
