Usually I start Mondays off feeling focused and prepared. However, this morning our house is in disarray, not just because we had two cranky girls yesterday, but because our master bathroom demolition starts this week (before pictures soon!), which means stuff is everywhere. Still, it was a good weekend.
David and I had a date night on Saturday. I’m finding these are starting to be easier to come by as Kaitlyn nears a year old and it’s really exciting and refreshing for our marriage. It never ceases to amaze me how many people are out ‘after bedtime.’ I fully thought this morning’s post would be a detailed overview of a new spot we tried in downtown Davidson, Kindred.
And indeed I could write a long-winded post on this fabulous new restaurant. I could brag on their simple, delicious cocktails, I could gush over the homemade milk bread that literally melts in your mouth and I certainly could rave over their menu, full of in-season, unique selections prepared to perfection. I could highlight the duck soup or giddily share how they use spent grains from Noda brewing company in their house-made pasta with morel mushrooms, but alas, our late dinner time and lack of daylight led to terrible pictures that don’t do any of the aforementioned justice. Sigh. Guess that means I’ll just have to return another day. Oh darn.
I can say though that the detail in their cozy bathroom only hints at the detail found in their dishes.
What? You don’t snap bathroom pictures?
Well then. I basically did just write an entire post on the restaurant without a single food picture.
What I really meant to get to though was a little Monday morning food for thought.
A little background… We’ve started going to church more regularly, as I’ve found a pastor that really speaks to me. In fact, it almost feels like I’m walking out of a self-help/therapy session after each sermon (in an uplifting/motivating way) which works well for me, as I used to be a self-help section junkie. You know, when I used to have time to read. I’m always game for examining life and trying to better myself.
Anyway, yesterday he touched on struggles, and how though our struggles might take different forms, at the core we all struggle with same overall ideas- acceptance, belonging and our own insecurities. He said he was once asked once if criticism affected him and his answer really resonated with me.
He said: Any external criticism I’ve received has only affected me to the level that my internal insecurities have let it.
BAM.
I couldn’t help thinking about how true this is for me. I’ve heard my fair share of spiteful words and criticisms, as I’m sure we all have, but the only ones that get through and sting me are the ones that touch on areas I already feel vulnerable about. If I start working on healing and accepting those parts of me, then I can really be free. After all, if you truly love yourself, then who cares what anyone else thinks of you? It follows the same line of thinking as another one of my favorite quotes:
…too heavy for a Monday?
Ok, friends, I’ll wrap it up. I hope you are heading into this week feeling refreshed and confident in just being you!
…And if you aren’t, grab another cup of coffee and high-five the mirror on your way out the door 😉
Are you a quote fan?
What is your favorite motivating quote?
Why?
John J. says
“What you think of me is none of my business”
See you soon, Brittany!
Karen says
My favorite motivational quote is on the bottom of my “ABOUT” page as seen here:
https://naturalred.wordpress.com/about/
As for why….honestly, I believe life is too short to live any other way!
Liz says
Oh, that Milk bread!! And the Raviolo with soft egg inside. Making me hungry for Kindred at 7am ha! I can’t wait to go back. Thanks for a great quote to start the week!
Jessica @ myhealthypassion says
love quotes…. My favorite is from Lucille ball “Love yourself first and everything else falls into line!” It’s just so true!!!!
Lauren says
“Whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re probably right.”
“A journey of 1000 miles starts with a single step.”
I could go on all day 🙂
Happy Monday!
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
That’s awesome you’ve found a pastor you really like! It took me awhile to find a church I liked in Richmond but Alex and I love our pastor and the community at the church we’ve been going to for a couple of years know. I know what you mean about feeling like you’re walking out of a therapy session!
Hilary says
That is such a great thing to read on a Monday morning, and it is so true! I have always wanted to start a notebook taking some time each night before bed to list positive thoughts about myself, whether I had a good hair day, did something nice for someone or just did something that made me feel good about myself. It seems like it is getting harder to find self confidence with this media driven world, I think this could do us all some good.
Kate says
What wise words from your pastor. I am a self-help junkie too- but I am often reminded through church that my “self” can only help so much. Thankfully we have someone much bigger to turn too. 😀
Brynn says
We recently found a pastor that gives amazing sermons as well and it has really helped me reconnect internally at the end of the week.
Andrea says
I do love quotes. Through yoga I’ve come to learn about Baron Baptiste.
He says, “be a yes!”
It reminds me to start everything, every activity or thought with a positive “yes” attitude. It gives me energy to be confident and suceed and really puts me in the present moment.
Nadine says
Awesome quote!
My favorite from yoga is “Let go or be dragged.”
Katie says
I am a HUGE quote fan, I do a post every sunday with a quote I find on pinterest as it relates to my own little word for 2015, which is “chance”. Its a great way to find some inspiration, and dig a little deeper into what I’m doing and where I’m going.
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
This is perfect for a Monday! Thank you so much for sharing these wise thoughts!
Brittany says
Love motivational quotes. I like to write them on post-its and post around my mirror and desk
Heather says
I am definitely adding that quote to my list. It’s great food for thought on a Monday morning. I have a lot of favorite quotes, but here are a couple of my favorites.
Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same. ~Francesca Reigler
Always laugh when you can, it is cheap medicine.
Lord Byron, 1788 – 1824
Whether you think you can or think you can’t – you are right. ~Henry Ford
Lauren Brennan says
Psalm 139:14
14 I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
Nicole says
I definitely agree with what he said and I love that quote. I used to let my insecurities eat at me sub-consciously but when I started to take care of myself and truly love myself, it felt like the weight of the world had been lifted from my soul. I have so many favorite quotes… here’s one for this Monday:
“It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be.”– Albus Dumbledore (Hey, book characters have some of the best quotes!!!)
Lynn says
I can.do.all.things.through Christ which strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
Sherry says
“You will get all you want in life, if you help enough other people get what they want.”
“If you can dream it, you can achieve it” Both by Zig Ziglar
Laura @ Vegetarianesque.com says
One of my favorites:
“Prayer is not asking. It’s a longing of the soul. It is a daily admission of one’s weakness. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words and words without a heart.” -Ghandi
Ashley B. says
As I posted for my own motivational Monday, Life is a Blank Canvas. I like to switch it up though and say that “Every Morning is a Blank Canvas”. Each day is a new awakening to do things that we didn’t the day before or reflect on the great things that happened the day before and relive them!
Danica @ It's Progression says
I’m so glad to hear that you have a church that you find uplifting. And I just love it when the Sunday sermon hits right where you need it to. That response from him about criticism is spot on – I know it definitely rings true for me, too!
Heather@hungryforbalance says
“Life always offers you a second chance. It’s called tomorrow”
Rebecca says
Great post Brittany–really resonated with me too. Everyone feels insecure, and often when people criticize its because they think they see in you something they don’t like in themselves. No one else can live your life, so you have to do it for yourself–which means no one has the right to judge.
This reminded me of one of my favorite quotes:
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. — Eleanor Roosevelt
jen says
definitely not too heavy for a monday. just right and a perfect way to start the week.
definitely making the drive to kindred soon. <3
Elizabeth Evans says
Kindness matters
Laura @FitMamaLove says
Date night sounds delicious! Good luck with the bathroom remodel! We are finally moving back into our house after a huge addition/remodel project and I’m so excited. Our master bathroom isn’t even complete yet and we’ll still have the back yard to work on now, but the rest of the house is beautiful and I can’t wait to live there again–tomorrow!
Julia @ LordStillLovesMe says
Homemade milk bread? I wish you had gushed more! I love your introspective thinking. You are a great woman, Brittany!
Colette says
Definitely not too heavy for a Monday! I love that you all have found a great church with a great pastor you connect with, it is not an easy thing to find! I hope that one day I will be able to enjoy church again and listen to the sermon, gah! I spent Easter Sunday chasing our toddler in the hallway:( while i agree with the external criticism quote from your pastor, I think I have a much tougher time dealing with my internal critic! It is definitely something I am working on, day by day.
Irina says
What a lovely post, again. I just loved it. I do not have a lot of time for blogs, but every time I read yours, I feel that it makes me smile and feel more positive. Thank you 🙂