You’ve Come a Long Way Baby
When you think about your past, do you often think, “I should have” or “I wish I had done things differently” or “If only…”? If so, it is high time you stop dwelling on the “what ifs” and celebrate your achievements. Think of all the amazing things you have done in the past 10 years, 5 years, or just in the last month. In case you haven’t said it yourself, let me be the first to say, “You’ve come a long way baby!” Through your bad decisions, your lack of better judgment, your pain, heartbreak and victories, came the person you are today.
Be more with less is all about simplifying and living with less, but it also very much about being more, doing meaningful work and creating an abundant life. Sometimes we are so focused on the “less” part, that we forget to celebrate the “more” part. We also have a natural tendency to hold back when talking about ourselves, to avoid sounding too proud or arrogant. If presented in the right way with the right intention, the message will be one of inspiring confidence, instead of conceit.
My you’ve come a long way baby celebration
In the past 5 years I…
stopped eating beef, pork and poultry
told hundreds of people my MS story in an effort to help them live better with MS. In the end, it helped me live better with MS.
rode 100 KM on my bike…through cold rain and wind
had my first photography show
planted a garden with my husband
adopted two cats, Wilbur & Ella and my baby dog, Guinness
In the past year I…
launched therideproject.com, selling my fine art photography to raise money for MS research
stopped eating seafood and became a vegetarian
canceled the cable and quit TV
started a 40 day dairy free challenge (today is day 26)
joined the A-List Blogger Club to learn new skills and explore my passion for writing
started a cooking project, kind of like the Julie and Julia project but different
created a website to display daily snapshots
wrote a letter to my past and my future
paid off a 5 year car loan in less than two years (The last payment went out last week!)
started my first e-book – simple ways to be more with less
These are only some of the things I want to celebrate, and I didn’t accomplish any of them alone. I learned to ask for help, and it didn’t hurt that I had a team of highly trained professionals (husband, daughter, friends and family) supporting me on my journey. I hope they will be there for me to create more of these you’ve come a long way baby celebrations, and they will let me help them celebrate their victories (big or small). Isn’t that really what it’s all about?
Remember, the journey is the reward. You don’t need to treat yourself with food because you lost 10 pounds, or a shopping spree at the mall because you earned extra money. The journey, and living your life in the best possible way is your reward.
Ok, now it’s your turn. You’ve come a long way baby! What do you want to celebrate?
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23 Responses to “You’ve Come a Long Way Baby”
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Good for you! I really enjoyed this post – what a positive thing to do! Someone important to me also has MS and it means a lot to me to hear your story – thanks so much for sharing it.
Hi Courtney – Congrats on your achievements, big and small.
I have a dog named Guinness, too – a boxer. Cool coincidence.
In the past year, I:
- Started a blog.
- Quit my day job.
- Started a novel.
- Ran my first and second 5K.
- Cancelled cable.
- Became debt-free (except for the house).
- Learned how to listen to myself.
- Savored life more than any other time in my life.
Thank you for this post.
Melissa
Melissa,
Wow! Sounds like a very positive year for you (and it’s not over yet!!)
Thanks for commenting,
Courtney
Hi Courtney. I found you via GoodLifeZen – enjoyed reading your blog. This was a helpful post, as I am definitely guilty of looking backward with regret when I should be celebrating the ride and looking forward with anticipation. Thanks for the reminder.
Ami, So glad you found me. I love goodlifezen.com and was so honored to write for Mary’s blog. There is such a fine line between learning from our mistakes and beating ourselves up for them, so shifting the focus to the all of the amazing things we’ve done is the simplest way to start enjoying life!
Courtney, I have a friend with MS (will be visiting her this fall–yay!) and I look forward to reading more of your blog about that, but also just more of your blog. You have a lot of important things to say.
Jean,
It is really rare that I meet someone that doesn’t know someone else with MS. I think it is much more prevalent that the statistics lead people to believe. I hope your friend is well (and so are you!) and so glad you found my blog. Welcome!
What a joyful and positive post! I love celebrations and this will be a fun exercise to journal…with crayons and glitter even. *lol* Bravo on all your success…past and future.
Thank you! Be careful with the glitter!!
Courtney you are becoming the master of the short but profoundly powerful post. What a great question and massive observation. In my last year I’ve started my blog, buried a parent, ended a relationship, lost some friends, had a serious sports injury needing 16 months treatment and had money troubles but also started following my dream, feel healthier and younger, found out who matters, had a holiday of a lifetime and discovered who I am. Such is life but we always experience and learn and grow and your post simply helped remind me (and all of us) of the road we have trodden and how we got there.Nothing, not even time, stands still. More of this stuff, please, more!!!
John, Thanks for your insightful comment and compliment! It sounds like your challenges really made you appreciate your health and wellness. Sounds like you have taken charge and decided to appreciate your life and make it all that you want. Once we discover that we have that power, there is no stopping us! Congrats John.