Pea of Sweetness

Chasing the Wind

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Last night as I read my Bible Reading Plan I copied and pasted the devotional portion on a note on my phone.
(Day 118)
“Solomon summarized all his attempts at finding life’s meaning as “chasing the wind.” We feel the wind as it passes, but we can’t catch hold of it or keep it. In all our accomplishments, even the big ones, our good feelings are only temporary. Security and self-worth are not found in these accomplishments, but far beyond them in the love of God. Think about what you consider worthwhile in your life-where you place your time, energy, and money. Will you one day look back and decide that these, too, were “chasing the wind”?”
I think what Solomon was saying is a lot like what I’ve been feeling and why I’m making changes and new decisions. Honestly, some of them have been HARD. When I make a decision to start something new that’s not that hard for me. I LOVE new adventures and trying new things. When I decide to leave something behind – well, that’s challenging for me. It’s often drilled into our minds that choosing another path is the same as “quitting.” I’ve faced this scenario often in my life. Here are a few examples:

  • In high school I chose not to continue playing certain sports. Although I have a competitive nature I also like to enjoy what I’m doing, and they just weren’t FUN anymore! I got lectured by family members, teachers, coaches, etc. about “quitting.” I didn’t quit. I didn’t up and walk out in the middle of the season (and so what if I had?). I just decided it “wasn’t for me” anymore. (I hope I always remember this and never pressure our kids – or any other kids – but rather let them discover the talents with which God blesses them and encourage them to use them rather than TELLING them “you should do this.”)
  • I didn’t finish my college degree. WOW was that a hard one! I placed a lot of careful decision into this one. It’s a really long story that maybe I’ll save for another time, but to sum it up – it’s not what I wanted to do with my life! I had a lot of “background” stuff going on at the time as well. All I knew was I was very, very unhappy, and I needed to step back and figure things out! I was told “I wasted my intelligence.” Here I am now – 30 years old – a full-time mom of 3 kids. Have I really “wasted my intelligence?” I’d like to think I’m putting it to use the best way possible – homeschooling my kids! 🙂
  • Leaving a job that made me miserable. Again, it’s not worded “moving on to a new opportunity,” it’s called “quitting.” Many people spend years in a job that makes them extremely unhappy. I’m not saying that is WRONG, but I knew I didn’t want that for my life, and I knew I couldn’t live to the fullest being miserable. Many people have a wonderful gift of being able to be surrounded by the meanest of people and still have a smile on their face. Although I have been told I have a pleasant personality – it doesn’t stay pleasant when I’m constantly surrounded by negativity.
  • And my most recent choices of making certain changes to what I’m doing as far as business, etc. I’m blessed to be married to such an amazing man. When I was talking to him about everything that’s been on my heart as far as businesses, which path to take, etc. I kept saying “I just feel like I’m quitting,” to which he reminds me I’m making these decisions to do what’s best for our family so I can be committed to my calling of a wife, mother, homeschooling, etc. What really matters is how WE view the situation knowing we’ve prayed about it and are following and trusting God to guide us in the right direction. God doesn’t always ask us to stay in the same place!

Those are just a few examples, but I’m guessing at some point in time you were made to feel like you “quit” or “gave up” on something when in reality you were just moving on to something different – maybe a new job, a new business opportunity, becoming homeschooling parent or a stay at home parent or homemaker, or just moving away from something that was affecting you negatively! Like Solomon said – maybe you felt like you’re just “chasing the wind,” and you needed to take a step back and look at what REALLY matters! Here are some things to consider:

  • How are you spending your time? Is there anybody in your life that deserves more of your time? (I’m honestly raising my hand right now because I know my husband deserves more of my time!) What about spiritually? Are you devoting enough time to your spiritual life?
  • How are you spending your money? Where are you spending your money right now? Are you taking away from a more important area – debts, bills, tithes (*blush* guilty!), your health, etc.?
  • How are you using your energy? Maybe you don’t have much. I have Fibromyalgia, and with the right nutrition and a good fitness regiment my energy is much improved, but I have days where it’s still lacking. That just means all the more I have to be disciplined on how I’m using my energy. Are you wasting yours? Do you expend it on less important things to where you say you don’t have any left for your family? I know I have!

So, these are definitely things to consider, and I think this devotional came at the perfect time for me as I have been facing some other things that have been weighing me down or tugging at my heart. So often we fear what others may think of our decisions. Let’s stop and look up. As it says in the devotional above – far beyond all of this is where we find our REAL security and self-worth – in the love of God! Do you think God was “disappointed” that I didn’t get my college degree? I would have been on a much different path if I had – mostly one of danger and destruction! It was a dark time for me, and if I had solely worried about what my family, friends, etc. thought and ignored that tugging at my heart saying I needed to step back and look at the bigger picture I don’t even know where I’d be! I guarantee it wouldn’t be here – married to an amazing man who is my best friend, mother of 3 unique children that I am blessed to homeschool, and I’m not even sure I’d be seeking after God’s heart anymore. Right around that time I had fallen away from him and by His Grace He brought me back! Wow, how different things would be! I’m faced with some decisions again, but I have been reminded of what matters, where my priorities need to be in all 3 areas – time, energy, and money. I know I’m going to focus on what impression I’m leaving on my children spiritually. If I leave this world with tons of money, many worldly possessions, LOTS of acquaintances (the word “friends” wouldn’t be appropriate in this scenario), but my children (and perhaps grandchildren) are spiritually “lost,” then I totally missed the point! I want them to join me and help them build eternal rewards! I know I’ve touched on that specifically, but I can’t stress it enough!

Are you facing some tough decisions and you aren’t sure what to do? Even I KNOW what I should do but this reminder surely helped. Be encouraged! God has plans for you and maybe they’re not what you expect or what others “approve of,” but He does! Maybe you are feeling down and unsuccessful (as I have been), but remember, our definition of “success” is nothing compared to His! He may be opening a door for your right now that you can’t see because you’re stuck on the present. Or maybe He is intentionally trying to shut a door that you’re stubbornly holding open! Sometimes we just need to take a step back and see what REALLY matters! Be Blessed!
 
Linking up with a fantastic blog!

Some changes

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I’m sure you’ve seen my posts on my Facebook Page concerning decisions I’ve been trying to make as far as business concerns, etc. I have a lot on my plate. That is obvious! haha I’ve been able to balance it very well thanks to my need to be an organizer. The “problem” is I want to do something more. I want to go back to the reason I started Pea of Sweetness to begin with – homemade products! I took on Direct Sales/Network Marketing businesses because sitting at my sewing machine was not realistic while my husband was going through his chemotherapy, and I was taking care of a newborn and 2 preschoolers (with Special Needs at that!). Well, I took on A LOT of different businesses because they each had a special place in my heart or a special interest, etc. I know I wrote about that at another time, but perhaps and update will be necessary soon! Basically, though, I want to focus on my PASSION! My PASSION is offering a better alternative to chemical filled products, eco-friendly products, “natural” living, etc. Something that I’ve discovered is not my passion is the Initials, Inc. home parties. Weird, right? I’m not “bad” at them, and I actually was doing fairly well, but I again had to consider my priorities, how much I could “handle,” how I could realistically balance my time once I started adding in the sewing, projects on my Silhouette, and homemade natural products like soap, body wash, cleaners, etc. (the latter will be further down the road, but it’s a decision I’ve definitely made to pursue!) After much agony (seriously trying to make a decision was making me feel sick), talking to my husband, friends, praying, etc. I have decided I will be cancelling my Independent Contract with Initials, Inc. on the last day of the month. *Updated – my final day will be May 26th* I wanted to give everyone a fair announcement to a) order anything you would like to before I am officially done (for which I greatly appreciate your support!) and/or b) let me introduce you to one of my wonderful friends that is an Independent Creative Partner with Initials, Inc. It is such a wonderful company, and I still can’t speak highly enough for their quality, wonderful leadership, and the free personalization! I just will not have the time to dedicate to it anymore, and definitely not to the home parties needed for the sales quota as I focus more on my new endeavors as well as continue to focus on Nerium as my main direct sales/network marketing business. I do hope to, in the future, introduce embroidery to Pea of Sweetness at which point it would become a conflict of interest with Initials, Inc., and I do not want to ever be doing something in conflict of interest like that or in contradiction to any business’s Policy and Procedures. So this will be my official decision, and I will be sending in my cancellation on the last day of this month. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to serve you in the meantime or if you would like me to connect you with one of my friends who represent Initials, Inc.

So what CAN you expect from me as far as Pea of Sweetness is concerned as well as other businesses, etc.? As of now, nothing else will change. I will just not be representing Initials, Inc. anymore as of the last day of the month. I’m starting to work on preparing my “office” for sewing, and I’m learning my Silhouette Cameo more – starting with making decals. So you should plan on hearing from my updates as they come and start to see more homemade product offerings hopefully within a few months! Pea of Sweetness will still be bringing you reviews and giveaways (Check out my PR Friendly page for more information), larger giveaways, blog hops/link-ups, info on homeschooling (and homeschooling special needs children), health and fitness, military life, raising Special Needs children, Faith, natural/eco-friendly tips and living, and general small business advice and networking as well as links to the direct sales/network marketing businesses I do still (and will still represent – to differing degrees) like Nerium, Forever Green, and Pet Junkie. (I do offer another, but due to policy and procedure I won’t feature it on this website in conjunction with any other businesses, though I may offer a giveaway for it soon!) 😉 I know I desperately need to update my About page as well! I’ll add that to my to-do list this week as well! 🙂
Thank-you to all my wonderful friends and my awesome husband for listening to me as I went through my decisions/concerns with you, and for EVERYONE that has shown me love and supported me along the way as I had my ups and downs with Pea of Sweetness through my husband’s illness, my own medical concerns, etc. I love you and have been so appreciative of all of the prayers and support! I hope I can continue to show my gratefulness by offering you our Customer Loyalty program, our new social rewards program, and coupons and specials offered through our e-mail/newsletter signup, and awesome giveaways! 🙂 Have a blessed weekend, and to all the moms out there HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!!!

Getting the hang of things

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I feel like I’m finally getting the hang of things as far as multi-tasking and making sure my family has priority. Ready for the disruptor? We’re moving – VERY soon. My husband is taking his 30 days of transition leave, and the movers come on the 15th – of THIS MONTH! It’s all official and ready to go! We’re on our way down to Fort Hood, TX. I’m not sure how I’ll be able to keep up with business stuff while I’m on the move, but I’ll surely try my best! I have no doubt some things will lose some focus. It might be good for me, though, as I’m considering making some changes! I’m not sure what exactly yet, but I have LOTS of ideas going through my head! I was getting so excited to start sewing again, but we’ll be downsizing our space in TX because the houses are smaller there, but hopefully I’ll still be able to set up a sewing station! I really, really miss it! I’m still kicking around the idea of wholesaling as well. What can I say? I love to be busy I guess! LOL And I’m thankful for my smart phone and all the apps I can get to keep me organized! I don’t know what I’d do without it at this point!
Overall, things have been very productive, though! I’ve noticed sales have been going down, which is surprising considering Christmas is right around the corner!
So is it possible to balance homeschool and multiple home businesses? YES! Is it possible to do it while moving? I’ll let you know! 😉