Happy New Year!!! Isn’t it amazing that 2016 is coming to an end? It has been a good year! A good year filled with ups and downs. Triumphs and failures. Joy and pains. This is life. This is my life and I am grateful for every experience because if I will allow it — it will teach me great things!
Failing at things used to cause me great embarrassment. But, honestly experiencing failures doesn’t bother me anymore because it is a sign that I tried and went for it. If I failed, I let it go.
I try to be the best mother to my children. Patience doesn’t come easy for me. I like things immediate. It doesn’t work this way when you are parenting! I need to remember to be patience with my kids. I need to remember what life was like at their age and understand that wiggle room and grace is needed to grow confident, capable and happy.
So, when I feel like I failed at motherhood — I let it go and know there is tomorrow to start a new. And, underneath it all I love my children with all my heart and this is all they need from me.
My relationship with my husband is something that I honor and cherish. It takes effort daily to give the needed attention, love, and service to my husband. The best things in life are those things that you work hard for. Keeping your marriage strong requires that you make it a priority. I am the first to admit, I haven’t always made it the case.
Photography by Rafael Guajardo
I am grateful for God’s loving wisdom to intervene to teach me how to be the best wife and companion to my loving husband. And, when I fail — I realize that that we are all imperfect and it is okay. The best thing to do is let it go. Choose love first and the rest will follow beautifully.
We often use New Year as a reset button to start NEW! A new start to personal growth and goal setting. The perfect time to focus our efforts on goals that will benefit us. And, letting go of things that don’t provide us purpose and meaning — this includes self-limiting beliefs.
I am taking the challenge from my favorite life coaches Marc & Angel Chernoff (who inspire me to live my life to my fullest potential) in letting go of the wrong things. Here are my favorite 3 out of their “30 Things to Let Go of Before the New Year:”
3 Things to Let Go of Before the New Year
- Let go of petty grudges. – Life is far too short to be spent nursing bitterness and registering wrongs. If there’s someone in your life who deserves another chance, give it to them. If you need to apologize, do it. Give your story together a happy, new beginning.
- Let go of lingering false beliefs. – Stop from time to time and ask yourself, “Is it true?” It’s funny how we can sometimes wrap our minds around things and fit them into our version of reality. But thinking something does not make it true. Wanting something does not make it real. So watch your thoughts. Be wise. When your identity is not rooted in the truth, it can lead to toxic and lonely places where we seek approval from the wrong things.
- Let go acting standoffish and unapproachable. – We all need to learn to be more human. Don’t avoid eye contact. Don’t hide behind gadgets. Smile often. Ask about people’s stories. Listen.
I invite you to read Marc & Angel’s article in full. It is life changing. We all need a dose of reality now and then. Don’t be scared of it. Subscribe to their newsletters! They speak words of wisdom with authenticity and love — just what your soul needs for growth. Love all of you! Happy New Year!!!
Rafael Painter 2017 New Year Promotion
Great post. Very true. I have some major letting go to do this year.
Thank you so much for stopping by and saying hi! God bless and Happy New Year!
This is a truly beautiful post. Thank you for the reminders and your family is beautiful!
Hi Beautiful! Thank you so much! Happy New Year! xo
This is such a great post!! It’s great to self-reflect at the end of the year.
http://www.maggiealamode.com
Hi Maggie! Thank you so much! Happy New Year!
This post is so on point and truthful. I love that you let your guard down and speak to your beliefs all the while inspiring others to do the same. I applaud you my friend. Excellent post. Happy New Year to you and your beautiful family! Blessings in the new year.
Thank you so much Pentene!
What a lovely post, love that pic of your whole family on the beach too! Happy New year Debbie, I hope it’s a fantastic one!!
Hi Nicole! Thank you so much!
You have a wonderful family! I think having pictures with our love ones is an amazing idea to keep great memories! Blessings for you and your lovely family!
Hi Belen! Thank you sooo much! xo
Such a great post! I am excited for the New Year. I love the idea of letting things go from the previous year!
Hi Kristen! Thank you so much! xo
You look absolutely AMAZING, Debbie. These photos are PRICELESS!
Thanks for sharing!
HAPPY NEW YEARRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!
Much love, Len
http://www.lenparent.com
Oh, Len! Thank you so much! Happy New Year! xo
Beautiful post honestly I really felt these words and know how much it meant to post something so deep and meaningful! Gorgeous photos as well!
Sending love for a happy new year!
Courtney Bentley || http://www.courtneyvioletbentley.com
Hi Courtney! Thank you so much! This was a very moving post for me. I am so glad you could relate to this! Happy New Year! xo
Happy 2017! This is such a great post and as always so beautifully written. I think sometimes the toughest critic is the self and if you can just let yourself live and learn and move forward then that’s something to be proud of. I also agree with the “letting go of petty grudges.” I have press end my own “restart” button and will work on “Letting Go!”. Best wishes and blessings in the New Year.
Hi Kristina! Thank you so much for reading my post. It means a lot to me. It isn’t easy to be vulnerable. I agree about letting go your inner self critic! It can be a strong voice – if you let it. Happy New Year!
Beautiful post my dear! I am with you when it comes to failure but if you never try you cannot fail so I would much rather take the risk and enjoy the potential reward. Looking forward to 2017 and plenty of new opportunities and moments of happiness.
Hi Jen! Thank you so much! Happy New Year! Thank you for reading my post and commenting! xo
Debbie this was such a beautiful blog and I enjoyed reading it! You are beautiful inside and out especially the love you have for your family! You have great tips for New Years resolution and thank you for sharing! ❤️ Xo
Hi Helena! Thank you so much! I am so glad you were touched by this. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year! You have a gorgeous family! I love your three things to let go of. That is such a great idea!
Thank you so much! Happy New Year friend! Thanks for visiting! xo
I love love love the beach pictures. The pictures of you and your husband, as well as your kids are so precious. I loved the section where you talked about things to let go. That was my favorite part!
Katelyn
You have such a stunning family Debbie! Lovely photographs!
Deepti xx | http://www.mademoisellemeetsmaquillageandmacaroons.com
Hi Deepti! Thank you so very much sweetheart! xo
[…] by Rafael the Painter. Last month’s photos were celebrating the start of a new year with the art of letting go, in case you missed it. The photos for this series communicate LOVE so perfectly which is fitting […]