I used to wake up in the morning feeling tired. Already bored with the day in front of me. Bitter that life was not moving in the “right direction.” Waiting in anticipation for Friday to appear, only to be disappointed that nothing inspiring was on my agenda.
The days all blurred together. The weeks turned into months. The seasons changed. Another year went by.
Planned vacations were always something to look forward to, but, in general, life was uneventful.
And I was not at peace.
When you are not at peace with yourself, it is difficult to relate to anyone around you. Relationships suffer. Marriages fall apart. Friendships go by the wayside. You feel alone. Miserable.
It’s often hard to smile.
At certain moments, you see a sparkle of light, but it may not hang around as long as you’d like it to.
Sometimes, you get lucky. Something will “happen” in your life that forces you to wake up. Take notice. Make a change. And sometimes, you must go in deep and take action all by yourself.
For me, it was a combination of both.
On the evening of August 26, 2009, at 9:19 p.m., I gave birth to my little baby Madeline.
I remember waking up in the middle of that night with her laying by my side thinking, “OMG, there is someone that needs me in order to thrive.” Although she was growing inside of me for nine months, nothing really prepares you for that moment. All of a sudden, I was a mother, and it was not longer about me. There was another life for which I was responsible.
And what a beauty she was.
She became my shining light.
The days were no longer boring. Every minute had a purpose. And as she grew, she became my most influential teacher.
The days were not boring to her. She was in awe of everything she encountered.
Elmo getting potty trained was absolutely the most hilarious thing she had ever seen.
And at three years old, she knew exactly what she wanted at any given moment of the day. The glory of being a child.
I decided to be a child again. I decided I was going to wake up beaming with joy every morning and go to sleep feeling content with myself and with my life.
I don’t keep track of the days anymore. Mondays feel like Saturdays. Thursdays feel like Fridays. Every day is special. Every day has purpose.
I eat nourishing food my body needs in order to thrive. I make sure I find time to myself every week.
I love what I do.
I see beauty in everything.
- The smile on my daughter’s face when I pick her up from school.
- The way my older dog stumbles down the stairs.
- The glory on my stepdaughter’s face when she wins her first running race.
- The tranquility of the mountains in my backyard.
- The flowers blooming in our yard each spring.
- And the uniqueness of every human being on this planet.
What did it take or what will it take for you to wake up? What makes you feel inspired? I’d love to know. Please leave a comment in the box below.
XO, Hayley
Hayley Hobson is an author, speaker, business coach, yogi, Pilates instructor, and holistic nutritional expert based in Boulder, CO. Her unique and intelligent style promotes strengthening while softening—empowering her clients to heal not only their physical bodies but their hearts and minds as well. To learn more about her nutritional courses, events, and custom programs, visit hayleyhobson.com or follow her on Facebook or Twitter.
