A More Abundant Life – 21 Day Series

I have a somewhat unique identity in my blended family. I am half youngest child, and half only child. My brother, who is 10 years older than me, and one of my best friends and most genuine supporters, is from my mother’s first marriage. So, I am a proud and joyful little sister. However, because he moved out of the house (got married and joined the military) when I was 7 years old, I grew up with this odd mixture of “youngest” and “only” lifestyles.

I feel the urge to explain this, because I have a natural tendency to live up to every stereotype these labels suggest. I am impatient. I am arguably spoiled, and I often make the only-child-millenial mistake of believing I deserve more than I am willing to work for.

You may be wondering why I am sharing all of this. So, like Elle Woods, in Legally Blonde explains,

I have a point, I promise

– Elle Woods

So, stick with me!

I love my life. I wake up in the morning buzzing with energy and optimism. I feel healthy. I feel capable. I feel loved. I feel supported. I feel like I have a hope and a peace that surpasses all understanding.

Do things go wrong? Of course.

Do I have frustrations? Uh, yeah.

Do I have great financial wealth? Ha, Nope! (Although, this is arguable, being that the majority of Americans live FAR above the poverty line)

Do I have a steady paycheck? Or good insurance? Or the ability to spend/travel recklessly? Nope.

But, I feel like I have the education, wisdom and resources to enjoy every day I am given….no matter what my external situation.

In permaculture, we talk about establishing a healthy environment for plants and vegetation to grow in abundance. We use symbiotic relationships, soil nutrition, sunlight, water and strategic design to create the best possible growing environment.

I started this blog with the hopes of sharing our holistic lifestyle, with an environmental, physical, and spiritual focus. However, I have decided that I am no longer content sharing my life and my experiences, if my words and pictures are not translating into practical changes in the lives around me. Far too many people have said things like, “that might work for you, but….” Or “Well, of course you’re happy, look at….” Or “I wish I could do that, but…”

My family loves discovering health and abundance on our property, and I will absolutely continue to share our wisdom and experience regarding swales, composting and rain barrels. But more important than our sustainable planting practices, I want to help YOU find that same sort of healthy abundance. I want you to wake up in the morning ready to face the world. I want you to wake up feeling healthy and purposeful. In short, I want to help you “landscape” your life!!

How?

By sharing a lifestyle design plan.

This is where my “spoiled” and “greedy” tendencies that I spoke of above, are about to get humbled.

I have been a personal trainer for almost 6 years. And I literally cannot tell you how many times people have said to me, “Oh, you’re a trainer? Can you just design/write up a quick workout for me?!” or, “Can you give me some sort of meal plan general idea….maybe some of your favorite recipes?” or, “I just need to switch up my routine, can you just give me some ideas?”

And usually, I smile, one of those here-we-go-again smiles, and give some half-hearted ideas/tips, all the while, thinking to myself…I should be getting paid for this. But recently, God made me reassess what “enough” looks like, and what it means to be sincerely generous. I don’t have a lot of money, or a ton of time, to be generous with. But I do have some really amazing lifestyle habits and resources, and I can share those.

So, I am creating this lifestyle design plan. It will be a 21 day plan that includes a general “day in my life”. It will map out a broad outline of my food, fitness, and faith practices in an easy to follow format. You will be able to take my tried and true principles and apply them in a way that fits your life! And the best part? It will be totally FREE. What?!

Yes, It will be totally free. You can take it or leave it. Of course, I hope you take it, and that it creates the same sort of abundance in your life, as it has in mine!

I have worked with amazing clients over the last 6 years, and they have lost weight, gained muscle or confidence, and gotten much healthier! However great these outside goals are, fitness/exercise is not the ONLY change a person needs to make for a lasting transformation. Recently, I have been working with a client that has gone further than just physical fitness. He dedicated a full year to training with me, and I have been inspired by his committment. Most people come to me wanting to make aesthetic changes, which is good, and I can help with that. However, I often ask people to dig deeper. I want more substantial goals. Are you wanting to be there for your grandchildren? Are you wanting to be an example to your family? Are you wanting to experience greater quality of life? I am drawn to those people who self analyze and set longterm goals. This particular client wanted to lose weight and gain muscle, but he also wanted to find wellness. He was ready and willing to change the way he eats, the way he sleeps, the way he interacts with his family, and even the way he thinks, in order to fully uncover the best possible version of himself. He had goals much beyond the number on the scale.

Another client of mine is a young girl who is overcoming her second concussion, with hopes of playing sports again. This individual is a beautiful soul, and at only 15 years old, her dedication to fitness and wellness (even having green smoothies!) has been an example of health to her entire family! These clients are truly making brilliant lifestyle changes, and it is a blessing to witness!!

The sort of dedication seen in these clients, and others, has helped me realize that I want to influence much more than a quick mile time, and a smaller pant size. I want to share the health and wellness that comes only from our Father, in heaven, and the principles He has outlined for us, through inspiration, science and nature.

So, stay tuned, my friends. My 21-day lifestyle challenge is coming your way. It will add a new concept or goal everyday, and walk you through specific additions and changes from the moment you wake up, to the moment you go back to sleep.

OH, and did I mention it includes a full workout plan? A 21-day work out plan, alone, is an $100 value!! I know, I can’t believe it, either. The only/youngest child, almost spoiled-rotten side of me, that makes arguments about the money line, and offering “too much”, is literally staring at this post in utter disbelief. But God’s Holy Spirit of kindness and generosity has been doing a number on me (more to come on that), and so, I pray this project will be a blessing. I am putting a ton of energy and love into this program, and I am offering it FREE to ANYONE who is desiring a change, anyone who desires a MORE abundant life.

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

John 10:10