Tag: motivational

Be The CUP

Published on by Kimberly NovakLeave a comment

Is your CUP 1/2 full or 1/2 empty?

We have all uttered that phrase on one or more occasion and I’m sure you have also been asked to answer it.  The rule is that if someone says their cup is half full they are a positive person and if someone says their cup is half empty they are a negative person.  Let’s think about the person who says ” I Am The Cup”.

I will be totally honest and tell you that during my time of trial I was the half empty girl.  I was constantly focused on the negative aspects of what I was going through never realizing that I am the cup and therefore I can control its contents.  In fact, I didn’t realize that until today.  The last few years have been full of negativity which I assumed was brought on by the situation when in fact I could have decided to handle that trial with a totally different outlook.

One of the reasons I developed this blog is because I don’t want others to be where I was when I went through my struggle.  I want to be able to reach out to others and tell them what I didn’t see until now.  I think being able to be in control of your feelings during your struggle and being the one to choose if your glass is half empty, half full or if in fact you can become the glass is HUGE!  I was so focused on the “bad” because I could not find good in my situation.  Had I taken a moment to realize that even though what I was going through was not what I wanted or chose, it was happening.  It was a fact of life I could not stop and I was the only one with the power to make the best of it.  

We all have the power to be the CUP.  We control the contents and we have the power to decide how we will react, how we will feel and how we will let it affect our lives.  When I realized this today I felt empowered!  I feel like I can make real changes in my life that will be beneficial to me and others around me.  I know things turned out the way they did for a reason, it was God’s plan, however I also know that had I used this knowledge two years ago my outlook on my new life would have been 100% better.  I would have been more confident in knowing that I made my choices because I was the one in control of what was in my CUP.

Take the time to reflect and ask yourself  “can you be the CUP”?  Once you decide you are the CUP, only you hold its contents.  Do not let what is going on in your life control what is in your cup.  Instead, control your reaction to what it is you are dealing with.

Kimberly

Courageous Butterfly

4/17/12

X Marks The Spot

Published on by Kimberly Novak4 Comments

We’ve all heard the phrase “buyer’s remorse”.    It is described as a feeling one get’s shortly after a large purchase is made.  A feeling comes over you and you begin to second guess your decision.    I haven’t made a large purchase lately but I did make a big decision that gave me that same type of feeling.  I felt relieved, satisfied and  happy.  I had no regrets I knew I was doing what I needed to do for ME; which is something that I usually do not do.  Up until this point in my life  I’ve always considered other’s before considering what I need.  So for the first time in my life I made this decision based on what Kimberly needs.

When I divorced I moved from my family home into an adorable little condo.    I knew being in something smaller would be a perfect backdrop for getting used my new life.  It has proved to be true.  The surroundings are beautiful, the amenities are perfect for me and the location could not be better.   Recently it came time to decide where to “plant my feet”.  At this point  I don’t feel that I am ready to make a major life changing decision like that.  I am still growing into this newer version of myself as well as healing and I  do not know where it is going to lead me.  My mind and body need to take some time away from more stress and we all know how stressful moving can be.  So what’s the problem?  Well the only issue is the size of my cute little space.  This is where my decision got difficult and I had mixed emotions over choosing a bigger place for my family when they are with me, or making the decision based on only my needs.  My mom hormones were quickly out numbering Kimberly’s and for a while I was convinced I had to move.  If I were to describe how I was feeling when I realized that this decision needed to be made solely on what I needed  some of the words would be:  heartbroken, confused, nervous, sad, anxious.  It was painful for me to make a decision only for what I wanted, so I had to make the decision based on what I needed in order to continue healing, growing and making a positive transition in my life.

I know that if I am going to continue on a positive path  I cannot keep putting additional stress on top of what is already there.  I need to make sure that I am content, happy, and somewhat stress free in order to make a healthy progression in my healing.  Therefore  as hard as it was to do,  I made a decision for ME this time.

The weather was beautiful yesterday and I decided to take a walk around my complex and in doing so I was looking around and again second guessing my decision.  I was trying to put the negative thoughts about it out of my head when a song called Blue Sky came on my I pod.  Hearing those words immediately forced me to look up and to my surprise…in the big blue sky…. was an X!  I stopped in my tracks and just smiled and said “X marks the spot”.   This was my relief that I have made the right decision; and it was a wonderful sight to see.  I know that I am right where I am supposed to be in my journey and I’m grateful that I have the opportunity to remain in a place where I can be happy, confident and content.  I’m sure we will have a few adjustments to make but what is most important is that the surroundings and the situation make it possible for continued healing and positive transition for all of us.

Wherever you are in your journey do not second guess your decisions.  I am learning that the ones that are the hardest to make usually are the ones that will make a positive effect on your life.

here is a link to the song Blue Sky http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUUTDcIvC9o&feature=fvst

Kimberly

Courageous Butterfly

4/14/12

Getting Out Of The FUNK!

Published on by Kimberly Novak5 Comments

Feeling blue?  Not sure how to get out of that “funky feeling”?  I hear ya!  No matter what may be going on in your life, big or small, it sometimes is very hard to get yourself up and out of  feeling down.  I have to share a quote with you that came from a very good friend of mine this week.    I had been stating how I was feeling at the beginning of this week and my friend said “it’s time to pull yourself up by the bra-straps and let the transformed Kimberly back in”.  Over the past couple of weeks the way I was feeling was allowing my old self, the defeated self to creep back into my life.  I was becoming depressed and very unhappy. My friend knew not to sugar coat the words and tell me point-blank to get out of this mood and continue on the path to renewing who Kimberly is.

I explained that I needed to take a little time just to process the feelings I was having, but I also did need that reminder that if I stay in the “funk” for too long, it could move me backwards.  It’s not easy to think about when we are dealing with emotions that are upsetting but it is so  important that we do.  I was reminded that I have become a stronger person and I cannot let these emotions take that away from me.     Ignoring the emotions we are feeling will not work,  it is important to move through them no matter what the situation is and the key is to know when enough is enough and put that emotion behind you.  If you are dealing with a loss of a loved one,  a marriage, or a relationship you will have many emotions to deal with and you never know when they will pop up.

I’ve been divorced for more than a year and I still have these emotions that pop up and I’m learning how to process them.  The fact that I know I need to process them and move forward is what matters the most.  When you find yourself struggling over an issue, emotion or fear remember to feel it, let it go and move forward.   I made a promise to myself and I encourage you to do so as well.  

“Do NOT let what you have been through defeat you, for if we remain confident in ourselves we will continue to be lifted up”

Kimberly

Courageous Butterfly

4/4/12