Is Silence Golden?

As I posted a last week, I have started doing Hal Elrod's Miracle Morning. I haven't been waking up early because sleep has been very strange and not restful lately. (Thanks weird pregnancy dreams!)

The first life saver is Silence, and it is something that I have been struggling to do for long periods of time. Granted, mainly it is because I've been sleeping till Rory wakes up and doing a quick 1 minute of silence before I go get him. However, I have realized something that even just 1 minute of silence has given me.

First: Silence has given me time to pray. That is one thing that I haven't realized I had really been needing to add into my life. It has really helped open my mind and heart to the blessings that I have been given as I thank my Heavenly Father for the blessings I've been given each day. It helps to focus on gratitude at the start and end of each day. Truly you are blessed with more than you think you are!!!

Second: Silence has given me...silence! As many moms of toddlers can tell you, silence is VERY hard to come by. It usually means something bad is in the process of happening, or your kid(s) are sleeping. Silence is truly something that everyone needs, even if it is just for one minute. It helps center your mind on you, your worries, your hopes, your dreams. It truly is something that has helped me so much with my depression and anxiety the past week! I have been able to focus my mind on one or two things that I want to accomplish that day and take a few deep breaths(the kind of breathing techniques my therapist told me to use before bed. In through nose for 6 seconds, hold for 6 seconds, and breath out through mouth for 6 seconds.) This breathing has caused me to instantly relax and begin my day with a low stress attitude.

And last: Silence has given me more confidence. It may seem strange to think that silence lead to confidence, but it's true! After brushing my teeth and drinking some water, silence is the first thing I focus on. It truly has given me a huge sense of accomplishment that I have done this for a week. Each day I complete I feel more and more proud of myself and completing things that I set my mind do! Silence has also, like I said before, caused me to think of just 2 things that day that I need to complete...and I've completed them all everyday! Instead of being upset at myself for not doing much all day, I feel amazing as I check of my very small to do list and know I have done something that day.

So, is silence golden? I would say yes! Silence has been an invaluable addition to my mornings and I honestly can't picture my days without just 1 minute of it. Here is a challenge for you: At the start of each day spend 1 minute in purposeful silence. Then let me know how it has changed your life!

Stay nerdy, my friends! 

Dragon Scale Prophecies Update!

Hello my nerdy friends!!! I am finally far enough along in the process of my book that I feel I can do an update!  The end is in sight...and that's Rory pointing to it....way in the distance...but it's there!!!

First: My amazing friend just gave me her edited version of DSP! 

Second: I am a little over half way done with my own edit on paper. 

Third: This is my plan.... I plan to have the second draft completed and off to an editor in June! Once they are finished, hopefully it will only take a week or so! I will work on the third, and final draft! 

Fourth: I hope to have it published and ready for purchase on Amazon by January 2019 at the latest. It all honestly depends on how cooperative my new baby--and current toddler--will be! If I can get a ton of work done faster than I anticipated it will be published sooner! 

Last: I am so excited to have character art to share in the coming months! It is going to be amazing!!! 

As always, 

Stay nerdy, my friends! 

My Miracle Morning

OK! Today marks a significant change in my life. No....the baby is not here yet. However, this week I have been thinking about my mindset and how I was one year ago.

Last year I was up at 6 everyday, even though I didn't have anywhere to go. I was doing T25 and going on a walk/run everyday with my dog and son. I wrote all the time.

This year...I sleep as long as I can, and don't do much outside of the house. I let Rory watch more television than he probably should just so I could mindlessly scroll through facebook. I told myself it was so I could get things done...but I never did anything.

So....what changed today??? Why is today so important?

I'll tell you!

I went ahead and started reading personal development books the past week or so....listening to them while I walked with Rory and Toph once or twice a week. They were the same books I read last year.

The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins and The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod.

Both of these books have combined with personal revelation, a topic I won't delve into right now, and made me realize I needed to start my days off with more purpose. I love combining the two ideas/concepts in these books.

First: 5 second rule is all about waking up in the morning and making 5 second decisions. 5 4 3 2 1 get out of bed. 5 4 3 2 1 pick up that trash that is sitting on the couch etc. A simple but profound concept that has gotten me off the couch these past two weeks!

Second: The Miracle Morning is all about starting your day with purpose and with the Life SAVERS.
Silence: Pray. Meditate. Think on your day...just do it quietly!
Affirmation: Say all those cheesy things out loud...over and over.
Visualization: Look at your vision board/goals. Visualize what it will be like to finish them.
Exercise: Endorphins make you happy....and happy people just don't kill their husbands....or children. 
Reading: Read a good book you've wanted to pick up but haven't. Read the scriptures. Read whatever!
Scribing: Write down your thoughts in a journal...I am choosing to blog.

All of this should take about an hour. This is how I spent my morning today.
I woke up and brushed my teeth. THEN--Hal says this is VERY important--I drank a cup of water. I washed my face too for good measure! I sat on my bed and said the most heartfelt prayer I have said in a long time. It felt GREAT! Then I put on some yoga pants and t-shirt and put on a beginner's yoga video....yes mom! YOGA! I was pleasantly surprised that I could actually attempt most poses really well and that the only one I could not do was because I would be laying on my stomach being 21 weeks pregnant! I took a fast shower to get rid of sweat....for the life of me I don't know how standing and sitting around and not moving makes you sweat! but it does!!!! My reading is focused on my religion. I plan on listening to and reading talks from General Conference (the general authorities of the LDS church, The Prophet and Apostles--as well as others, speak to us twice a year) or reading The Book of Mormon.

Right now it is 8:00 and I feel amazing! Rory is just starting to wiggle around and start his morning routine of not wanting to get out of bed. --He stays in bed till we come and get him...no idea why!--

As always,

Stay Nerdy my friends!!!