Look what Elizabeth learned today

When I was a little girl, my mom kept a magnet on the fridge that said, “Look what Elizabeth learned today!” Sitting in the office at school earlier today, staring at the magnets on my desk, and making a mental list of all the ways I failed this week, I remembered that suddenly. And I thought how nice it was that that magnet never said, “Look what Elizabeth was perfect at today!” and better…”Look what Elizabeth totally screwed up today!” 

So in honor of my mom and that magnet, here are some things I learned (or re-learned) this week:

1. Sometimes it feels like the only thing keeping me upright are the breaths I take between things. Sometimes the breaths need to be extra-deep.

2. It can be difficult to reserve judgment about new things and new people. But that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t try.

3. I can look up to someone without having to become them.

4. It’s really important to be authentically, completely me.

5. I don’t have anything to prove. My worth is inherent.

6. So I can be transparent and flawed and transparent about being flawed because it’s okay for other people to see that.

7. I can give myself away without giving myself away. Know what I mean?

 

So share with me. What are you learning, re-learning, knowing in a new way as this week draws to a close?

love, elizabeth

Ever Had One Of Those Fights…

Ever have one of those fights where you and your husband scream at each other and slam doors and freak out and don’t even stop twenty minutes in when you realize you can’t remember what you’re upset about but instead continue to loudly bang pots and pans around in the kitchen and huff indignantly and roll your eyes like you’re getting paid for it?

Yeah. Me neither.

But you guys…I have discovered the SECRET to conflict resolution.

I swallowed my pride. I opened the bedroom door and I showed him…this.

 

And Kyle, bless his heart, did this.

This is why I love being married.

What silly tricks have you and your spouse/partner learned to help resolve arguments?

love, elizabeth

I Forget All the Time

Someone told me recently that we're all just steps away from our selves as children. We are all so fragile, so breakable and I think we forget that. Sometimes I make eye contact with a stranger and think, "You are seconds away from shattering."

And I want to reach out and take your hands and say, "I am so sorry."

Because for a second, I forgot. I forgot you were a human heart, pumping blood through a human chest, and I forgot.

God forgive me, I forget all the time.

love,

elizabeth

Freedom to Fail

Last night I was reading this post from Ashley over at A Recipe for Sanity. Ashley is such a kind, thoughtful, deep-well of a person and I always love reading what’s going on in her life. When she talked about feeling overwhelmed and praying honest prayers, I was reminded of the peace that comes from having an honest conversation with God.

I tend to be a perfectionist and so when it comes to the many things that take up my time, I get into this mindset: If I can’t do it perfectly, I can’t do anything, at all. I become paralyzed with my need to BE PERFECT. The problem is, and I know you’re shocked, I will never be perfect.

Last Sunday, one of the youth directors at our church spoke about living in God’s grace. It gives us room to live, “freedom to fail,” she said.

 

Source: motherlanddesign.blogspot.com via Kyle on Pinterest

 

I get pretty caught up with my desire to do things perfectly. And I am pretty unkind to myself when I don’t measure up. I have to ask myself, does this really matter? Does it matter if I get perfect grades or have a spotless home or impress every person I meet? Do I always have to know the answer? Does everyone have to like me? Can I make a mistake? Can I make a bad decision and just choose to learn from it? Will the world really end if I don’t “get it right?”

So this month, with grad school starting again and classes and work and all the pressures that come with that, I am choosing to remember I have been given the freedom to fail, to not measure up, to fall down and get up again.

 

Source: louboosandshoes.blogspot.com via Kyle on Pinterest

 

What about you? Is it difficult for you to give yourself permission to be less than perfect? Do you have a story about feeling freedom to fail?

love, elizabeth

Mad for Madigan: How to Make Mistakes

 

Dear Readers,

Today I am blogging about forgiveness. As in, i-have-not-done-a-post-a-week-like-I-promised-forgive-me-please.

Forgiveness is big in this house, specially since the ‘rents have to ask for it so often. I swear, if I hear, “Oh, Madigan, I’m so sorry I didn’t share my bean burrito with you” or “Maddy, please forgive me for not telling you how incredibly beautiful you look today” ONE MORE TIME… I kid. I’m actually extremely underappreciated. But that’s another post.

It may surprise you to know that even I, Madigan, sometimes need forgiveness. Confession time: Sometimes…I pee in the house. I know I’m not supposed to. I know that if I let Dad know, he’ll take me outside. But sometimes, darn it, those stairs just look a little steep and those rain clouds look a little gray. And hey, carpet, grass, grass, carpet. It all feels the same to me. Terrible, I know. But I have learned to forgive myself. Accidents happen…or so I keep telling Mom.

And while I have pretty much mastered this, I’ve noticed people have a much more difficult time forgiving themselves. But here’s the deal-i-o, human companions, and I realize that for most of you, this is revolutionary: You. Are. Not. Perfect. You will never BE perfect. Start thinking about mistakes like Things You’ve Eaten From the Garbage; some of them tasted pretty gnarly but hey…now you know you don’t like soggy cornbread and leftover guacamole. Scarf up those mistakes. Swallow them without chewing! Gack ‘em up on the carpet if you feel like it!

I’ll forgive you if you comment.

Stay spectacular,

Mad

 

Seriously, who WOULDN’T forgive this face?