2017
What a year!

Favorite shirt!



I didn’t think when 2017 started that it would wind up being one of the hardest years of my life. When looking back on 2017 I learned a few lessons I plan on taking with me into 2018.  I’d like to share a few of those lessons with you now.

With the right attitude you will soar to great heights!


1.  Attitude is everything

I told our daughters this phrase so many times when they were growing up. It is so true that our attitude is key to dealing with what life throws our way. Attitude is where you set your intentions. It’s where you decide how you are going to tackle a problem. It’s where you decide if you are going to throw a pity party or if you're going to strategize victory and overcome obstacles hindering your best life. 

This past March, when I received my cancer diagnosis and after I had a quick pity party, I began to ask myself, “What good can come out of this? How can I help other women going through this?”  Now let me be clear; a positive Polly I am not. It takes real effort to be positive, but knowing the God I serve and knowing my family (especially my daughters) would be watching how I handle my diagnosis was my motivation.   
I made a decision that I will be as positive and as encouraging to others that I could. I would educate myself and others on my breast cancer journey. And so out of my darkest hour came my greatest victory. Hundreds of women have gotten mammograms done through the information they received during my cancer fighting journey.

I love this picture! It's my peaceful, happy place!


2.  Drama be gone!

I realized in 2017 I was fretting and worrying over things and people that were beyond my control. I realized that taking on other's problems was robbing me of my joy and my time. Time is so precious and once it is gone it is never going to come back: it’s gone forever. So when I get worked up or start to become consumed by the drama in life, I ask myself these questions....
  • Is this something that I can change?
  • Is this even my problem? 
  • Is worrying about this going to change anything? 
I needed to learn to let go of other people’s problems and to stop making them my own. Of course, I will listen and help when I can, but if that person chooses a different path and doesn't follow my advice/life experience then I'm learning to let it go. I am learning to love them where they are at.

Friday mornings are my time each week
to practice self care


3.  Focus and Self Care 

After 3 major surgeries in 5 months you learn what is truly important. A lot of people are picking a word to set their goals around this year. My friend Aldara said hers is JOY. I saw another person say HABITS. In 2018 my theme words will be FOCUS & SELF CARE. In 2018 I will focus on making my health, my relationships, and my purpose (helping women live their best life possible) a priority.   Focusing in these 3 things makes for a more balanced life bettering my mind, body, and spirit.
On my Instagram @reallifewithlar I posted a picture with my 2018 goals. Go over there and checkout my specifics and leave me a comment about your 2018 goals. 

There is so much more I could go into but really my take away from 2017 is life is a one-time shot. Work hard to focus on what matters most. Don’t let anyone or anything steal your joy. 

Life is never going to be perfect. Life is definitely full of seasons; good and bad.  However, in every season if you look and focus hard enough, you will always find blessing to be grateful for.

30 years married to the love of my life!


Speaking of being grateful I would like to thank my family for their support during this challenging year, especially Smokin Hot Hubby. We celebrated 30 years married and I can honestly say I am the luckiest woman alive to be sharing my life with such an amazing man.

I'm also so appreciative of you and your support. I hope you continue to enjoy the blog and find the content presented useful.

Until the next post take care of yourself!

Lar

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