For the last several months, I have picked one of the Fishful Thinking ingredients to focus on for the month. Last month, when I found out that my dad has cancer, I was grateful to be concentrating on hope and goal setting. The timing was perfect. And now, as I took a huge step (for me!) and spoke -Friday and Saturday- at a blogging conference, my current focus on empowerment couldn’t be more appropriate.
Me and Vanessa Brown of I Never Grew Up speaking!
I am constantly encouraging my kids to get out of their comfort zone and try new things. Children are so often underestimated in what they can do and what they can understand. My kids surprize me all the time. I love the Mastery Moments activity within the Empowerment section of the Fishful Thinking website. The activity encourages parents to find two simple activities or tasks each day that fit within their normal day. Have them help return books at the library or make or keep track of the shopping list when you go to the grocery store. They feel accomplished, you get a little help, and you are teaching them great life skills.
Me with fellow Fishful Thinking Faculty member, Cecily, of My Chaos, My Bliss
But what about Us? How often do we stretch ourselves and try new things? How often are we willing to to step outside of our own comfort zones? The answer to that question has typically been “not very often.” But how important is it for us as parents to continue to stretch and learn? I think it’s incredibly important!
This past year has offered me many opportunities to leave my comfort zone and stretch. Like being able to participate as a faculty mom in the Fishful Thinking program, and this latest opportunity to speak at a blogging conference. I never would have pictured these kinds of opportunities for me a few years ago, but I am loving it. I am taking the challenge. I am stepping out of my comfort zone. I am feeling empowered.
It’s a great feeling.
Me with Blog Frog Founders Rustin and Holly and fellow bloggers
PS–I am featured on Vanessa’s blog today as her Monday’s Maven. Go check out my interview!
PPS–This is only one of many posts that will recap my fantastic experience at the Casual Blogger Conference. Stay tuned for more!
© 2010, Food Fun Family. All rights reserved.
Hope you made it home safe! Your dinner pic is better than mine. I should have stole yours! haha. Oh well! Talk to you soon.
.-= Brandie´s last blog ..Reasons You Should Attend a Blogging Conference =-.
First, I am so sorry to hear about your dad but I love that your focus is on hope! And what an amazing opportunity to inspire others in the process!
You are so adorable, love the pictures and can’t wait to meet you this summer!!!
.-= Theta Mom´s last blog ..Just Because =-.
You were as amazing in person as on your blog. You did a great job speaking – you owned it!
.-= Rustin´s last blog ..How big and powerful is mom blogging? =-.
Way to go Laura. I can’t wait to hear more. Lucky you got to meet Cecily!
.-= angie´s last blog ..Making a Systemic Change-{Guest Post} =-.
Awesome post, Lolli! Sounds like it was a great experience. And so fun to see a picture of you and Cecily together – two of my favorite Fishful Thinking mamas!
.-= Kelli @ writing the waves´s last blog ..Fishful Thinking Thursday – Making a difference… =-.
This is so true. The older I get the more I’m convinced the only thing that is stopping us from fulfilling our life’s purpose is fear. And this usually means pushing ourselves into unfamiliar waters. Keep pushing those boundries.
Congratulations to your kids—and to you, too! What a cool accomplishment!
Thanks! I need to get a few more pictures and thoughts organized so that I can write up another post. Ugh!
I am so glad to hear that! I love to think that I may be inspiring other moms like me to stretch. :)
Thanks! :) It’s pretty cool for me to recognize what an accomlishment this weekend was for me.
That is wonderful to hear! I am so glad we could connect finally at the CBC. It was a wild and crazy weekend, but I loved it!!
You should check it out for next year–you’d love it!
Thank you so much! I was thrilled to meet you, too!
How wonderful. I am always telling my kids to step out of their comfort zone. They auditioned for Les Mis at the community theatre and made it. It means a lot more running around for me though, ha ha!
.-= Laura´s last blog ..Sweet Freedom =-.
That’s awesome! What a huge accomplishment. Can’t wait to hear more about the conference.
.-= Allison´s last blog ..Homemade Poptarts & Meal Plan =-.
Congratulations Lolli! It is amazing what we can and are able to accomplish when we step out of our comfort zones. You have inspired me to give opportunities I would normally disregarded a second thought!
Congratulations! What a terrific step forward. *Smile*
Great pictures of you, You are just as warm and genuine in person as online! :) I am glad I met you! Someday, when money allows, I am GOING to one of the bIGGER blog conferences, blogher, Blissdom and any other conference I might NOT know about.
I want to learn more about blogging.
I LOVE meeting other bloggers.
Getting out of my comfort zone is hard, but so worth it.
It would be so sweeet to speak at a conference i think.
But I’ll work on my own blog, and seeing the growth there first.
baby steps, babysteps…Right?
i got featured on someone else’s blog today because I mentioned on my blog that I love myself.
It is true, I do love myself. :)
Not being proud or anything but I think that is the first step to loving others. :)
I am So excited! :)
Anyhoo, thanks for the picture and maybe next time we could eat together or something like that. :)
.-= one cluttered brain´s last blog ..Monday Mingle: Memorial Day weekend and WHEW! I’m tired edition. =-.
This looks like an amazing conference. I would like to check it out some time.
.-= Jen´s last blog ..Happy Memorial Day! =-.
You did a FANTASTIC job presenting with Vanessa. I am so glad we got to know one another during CBC.
.-= Amy´s last blog ..The Reign of the Judges =-.