Galatians 5 talks about the fruits of the spirit.  Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self control.  Today, we’re talking about how to have self control.

We live in a time where we have SO much available to us.  There are endless things to occupy our time and our attention.  Also, endless things to distract us from the things in life that are better.  The things that are CALLED to.

First, we’ll define ‘what is self control.’  We’ll talk about the importance of self control, and how to have self control and grow in it.

Here’s some truth.  I didn’t think I would fit into the homeschool world.  I had pre-conceived ideas about what a “homeschool mom” would be like… or should be like.  And I really didn’t think I fit that mold.  I didn’t think that I could STAND being home with my kids all day.  Don’t get me wrong.  I love them like crazy.  But I’m not really a kid person.  Like, at all.  So how did I end up being a homeschooling mom?  Well.  It’s time for the confessions of a homeschool mom, who never thought she’d be a homeschool mom.

You want to know how to escape the rat race.  This means you already know what the rat race is.  But let’s just make it really clear.  The ‘rat race’ is a race that no matter how fast or hard you run… you don’t get anywhere.  EXHAUSTING.

Here’s what I’ve learned: Apparently the life of rats can echo the life of people… but the rats are smarter.

In 3 days, I’m hopping on a plane and flying for 6.5 hours to the beautiful island of Maui.  That’s all pretty exciting.  But you know what I’m most excited for?  6.5 hours on an airplane to PLAN.  Yea, I’m fully aware that I’m a nerd.  I’ve been researching the best planners for busy moms, and I finally decided.  So, I went and bought a brand new planner, a fresh notebook, and a whole bunch of nice pens… and I can’t wait for the uninterrupted time to make some plans & set some goals.

I love social media.  But I also hate social media.  Relationship status = COMPLICATED.  When done right, social media is a huge blessing.  It’s a way to connect with friends and family who are far away.  For me, it has also led me to some of my best friendships!  And clearly, as a blogger, I do rely on social media as part of my job.  But when social media is done wrong, it adds all sort of clutter, stress, and unhealthy habits to life.  Sometimes, knowing how to limit social media use is exactly what we all need in our lives.

I want to help you to say ‘adios’ to the days that you feel like you’ve accomplished nothing. I hate that feeling, and I know that I can’t be alone in that.  When we learn how to be more productive in life, our joy increases, our health increases, and the amount that we can engage with our family and friends in a healthy manner increases.  So let’s talk productivity tips.

My husband is patient with the kids, fun, and always ready to help them.  Even when it’s the middle of the night, and I’m way too tired to get up.  He’s the one that makes me and the kids feel safe, protected, and loved.  As much as people say a mom is the heart of the home… I think Dad is the rock.  And because of that, his Father’s Day should rock.  Here is a list of the best father’s day gift ideas.

I really wish low self esteem and insecurities were uncommon.  Unfortunately, though, it seems to be a very common, nearly universal struggle.  Here’s the thing about common, though: Common doesn’t mean it’s God’s design.  God calls us to abundant life, and that is not a life lived in fear with low self worth.  That’s why I wanted to write this post on how to overcome low self esteem and insecurities.