Baby Steps: Staying Motivated & Some Quote-y Pinspiration!

 

There is so much that goes into keeping myself motivated with all the goals I have. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed, sometimes I am on the opposite spectrum and feel like I haven't set myself to high enough standards. Sometimes I feel like I need to slow down some and sometimes I feel like I'm doing way less than I could be to reach my "checkpoints" for my goals, if you will.

 

All the time, though, I am inspired by quotes and pretty, meaningful words. I'm a word-y, quote-y person, what can I say? :) Below are a few of my favorite Pinterest quote-finds that inspire me daily and that illustrate what I am going for, in regards to my goals!

 

(Psst, PS: follow me on Pinterest: here, if you don't! K, thanks! :))

 

 

Source: imgfave.com via Chantal on Pinterest

This one. Oh my. It's one of the bigger things I have learned to work on in the last 6 months of 2012 and am still in progress of learning. I had some major missteps in life doing that whole "gossip" thing, y'all. And, I keep this thought in my head CONSTANTLY, now- anytime I'm tempted to say or even think anything bad about someone... I try to confront the real source of those feelings and see what is going on that makes me feel the need to get all catty!
 

Source: scoop.it via Chantal on Pinterest

I also struggle with this- the need to reciprocate perceived slights toward me or my family. I think it's that Southern stubborn pride in me that thinks I need to "get" someone if they're "getting" me, y'know? I, however, have finally come to realize (and keep reminding myself) that they are only "getting" me if I let them get me. And, I'm not letting them anymore. Never. Again. The way I see it is, if they still are putting their effort into trying to get to me, than what harm is it actually doing to me? None. And, I am not wasting the energy that needs to go to my kiddos or husband or family or good friends on getting even.

Source: sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net via Chantal on Pinterest

Other than this clearly being amazing because of Johnny Depp AND being from an amazing movie, it's a version of a quote I've been reminding myself of a lot lately- that Martha Washington quote about being cheerful despite your circumstances. It's true, and it's something I try to not just quote and let inspire me, but I try to live it daily- it's incredible how often we can make a mountain out of a molehill just because we're lookin' at it all wrong. So, sometimes, I just say  to myself (in my head, 'cause I'm not crazy enough to talk to myself out loud... yet) "Chantal, put on your big girls panties and deal." And, deal I do. If I can make myself put things into perspective than sometimes that  big ol' whale of a problem is really just an annoying little minnow. ;)

Source: emilia-jane.com via Chantal on Pinterest

Like, for real. This is MAJOR. And goes along with Captain Jack up there. Sometimes I'm all irked over something completely irrelevant to the people I'm around, yet I'll find myself letting that negative energy transfer to my current surrounding. Not cool, guys. I have to remind myself that if I'm feeling 20% capable of being the all-smiles Chantal... well, I need to give five times that in kindness because it's MY problem. Not anyone else's. And, seriously, even a little bit of kindness really does go a long way.

Source: imgfave.com via Chantal on Pinterest

This a much prettier and applicable version of two sayings that my husband ALWAYS, always says about a whole mess of things: "Ain't nothing to it but to do it." and "JAMODI" which stand for Just a Matter of Doing It! And, he's right. (That's right, babykins- soak up that "he's right" for all it's worth. ;)) As hard as somethings can be... like, biting my tongue when it's unnecesary or not seeking to right every insignificant wrong or to not exaggerate every issue or to be nice when I'm really not feelin' it... it's really just a matter of putting my mind to it and doing so. I don't want to be the kind of woman or friend that is insecure enough to judge other women... so, I won't be. I don't want to be the kind of woman that falls into the trap that others' cattiness sets... so, I won't be. I don't want to be the kind of woman that dramatically blows up everyday problems into life-changing events... so, I won't be. I don't want to be the kind of woman that lets my bad mood bring down someone else's good day... so I won't be. I want to be certain kind of woman, so I will be. I WILL be.


My hope is that eventually all these inspiring words will, with training, truly become my schools of thoughts and eventually, they won't be something I'll need to think twice about! I'll be so used to living life along these lines that I won't have to come back to my Quotes board on Pinterest or to this blog post- I can just refer to the way I have proudly been living and that will be enough. And, speaking of... that leaves me with one last one that I want to share:

Source: creatingaquietmind.tumblr.com via Chantal on Pinterest

Yes, it absolutely speaks for itself; a lesson I need to take to heart along with so many other people.

Happy Pinning, y'all!