Do you ever feel like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders?  In my case, it came in the form of a purse.  I bought this cute, sassy little bag and before I knew it, I had stashed inside,  $13 in change.

The very thing holding me down, weighing on my shoulders was a bag of change.

As I cleaned out my purse, it hit me, of all the junk I’m throwing out, receipts, a mismatched shoe, the one thing I truly needed to keep – was the BAG OF CHANGE.  Not the endless quarters, dimes and nickels, but a BAG OF CHANGE, the unscheduled, impromptu, not sure what will happen next, change.

What an Epiphany.

We find ourselves in the Rut of Life, walking down the aisles of the SAME grocery store, looking for the same food, cooking the same meals, paying the same bills, folding the same laundry, when what we’re looking for is CHANGE.

I had replaced my own thoughts, needs, and dreams for those in my household under 4 ft. 2, allowing their emergencies to become my own.

~ I’m hungry.

~ I need help.

My days were filled with: Don’t holler, quit fighting, drink your milk, stop touching that, put it down, stay out of the road – and before I knew it, I lost myself.  I had become one of those items in my purse, weighing Me Down!

I wanted to be the “Leading Lady” of my own life, not the Best Friend next door.  So I began to give the kids more responsibilities that were appropriate for different ages and stages.  They could help prepare meals and wash laundry. They began to appreciate how much work it took to complete a task. I began to hear:  “Thanks, mom, and I appreciate what you do for us.”  It was a win win!

I began to put myself on the “To Do” list, take tennis lessons, set aside time to exercise – in PEACE.  I read an interesting book, listened to an inspiring podcast, placing me back on Top!

It’s to their detriment if they see a haggard mom who’s always unhappy, washed up and playing second string to her own life. What kind of role model of would I be? “Hey kids, this is your future you.”  I would be running for the hills.

It’s time to shake things up.  Try new recipes, visit a new grocery store, change your fashion style, volunteer at a local organization.  It’s time to clean out your “Purse of Life” and remember to Keep the Change.  Here’s to Chasing Your Dreams and Writing Your Story.