Celebrate (And a giveaway)

Part of me is incredibly sad that it is September.  My daughter is turning five in a few short weeks and that just seems too old.  Between that and the fact that she started preschool a few weeks ago, its clear she isn't a baby anymore.

But they are so, SO many things to celebrate right now.   Sometimes, when you celebrate your victories, people are quick to judge.  They might think that you are bragging.  Or that you think you are better than them.  Or perhaps you may not feel you have something to celebrate.  You may think that your accomplishments mean less because you didn't do as much/run as far/run as fast/insert-unfair-comparison-of-your-chosing here. 

FORGET about the comparison.  Own your own story.  CELEBRATE those victories.

Things we are celebrating in our house this week:

-I didn't kill anyone during our first week of homeschooling--Yay! And the kids seemed relatively happy.

-Brad and I managed to slide away for a bike ride together.  It was nice to sweat together, its been awhile since we did that.  And I won't mention how he easily kept up with me on his mountain bike, when he hasn't been on it ALL summer . . . because that would be a comparison and that's what we AREN'T doing.  (But I will say DARN HIM for being so speedy!!)  And we are doing our first tri together next weekend!

-I logged a ton of bike miles over the long weekend -- 73!

-First double digit run is in the books for the fall distance season.  It wasn't fast and it wasn't pretty, but its done and its all mine and I will celebrate it!  Its also worth noting that for the first 10+ run of the season, I was in a happy headspace based from all the things I've learned in the past year.  Mind > Matter always seems to factor in on the long run.

-Still on cloud nine about being chosen as a Team Tough Chik ambassador.  I love my team, and what I've learned about myself since joining them. 

-We reached 200 followers on our facebook page.

-I'm two months out from my first International Distance Triathlon.  Instead of being scared to death ALL THE TIME, I oscillate between being scared to death and being stoked because I know I could COMPLETE it today if I had to.  So that's something. 

Those are the big things.  As a family, we have little celebrations all the time.  Yay, we made it through that lesson without any complaints!  Yay, we made it to school on time!  Etc. etc. etc.

The point is, don't be afraid to celebrate things.  No matter how big or how small, each and EVERY victory is worth celebrating. Because it is a part of your story.

Which brings me to the fun part of this post.  I'm notorious for comparing myself to others. Heck, I even did it in this post by stating hubby was just as fast as me on his mountain bike.  I often feel like I'm slower than I should be, bigger than I should be, weaker than I should be, etc. etc. etc.

But, as Roosevelt said, "Comparison is the thief of joy."  I love this quote.  I say it to myself whenever I find myself getting wrapped up in the "I should be faster/stronger/thinner/blah blah blah" warp.  A few weeks ago a fellow Tough Chik posted a link to a leather bracelet that has a metal plate with this saying on it from Michelle V Custom Jewelery on Etsy.  I'm not a big fan of leather and I'm not much of a jewelry wearer, but I had to have one.

I love this thing.  Its original and beautiful and every time I look at it, it reminds me to be proud of where I am and how far I've come.  It reminds me to celebrate every small victory.  So I want you to have one too!!   We're giving away one Comparison Is the Thief of Joy custom leather cuff bracelet from Michelle V Custom Jewelery. (Mine is pictured below with my RoadID slim)

You can earn an entries in the following ways:
-Like Michelle V's Facebook Page (2 entries)
-Like Michelle V's Page on Etsy (2 entries)
-Follow Life Beyond the Chaos on Twitter (1 entry)
-Follow Life Beyond the Chaos of Facebook (1 entry)
- Link up this giveaway on your facebook page, twitter page, or blog (2 entries EACH)
-Post a comment below letting me know what YOU are celebrating this week/weekend (1 entry) and also let me know how many entries you have in total.

If you just can't wait, or you find something else you love in Michelle V's Etsy store, she has generously offered the coupon code LIFEBEYOND2259, good for 20% off to Life Beyond the Chaos readers.  Happy shopping--I must say I love her stuff :-)


This giveaway will be open from now until 9:30am, Friday September 13th.  At that time, Random Number Generator will be used to chose a winner.


Good luck!!