The new year is upon us!I love the sense of hope that comes with a new beginning. Anything is possible. However, as exciting as it is to dream of all the ways we want to improve, it's also so easy to fall back into old habits. Change is difficult and lefts face it, it doesn't happen as quickly as we like. This year I made a goal to slow down, to take the time to simply be present with my family, my husband and friends. In a society that is so success and money driven, the concept of  taking a step back isn't always the popular choice. I'm okay with that. You know, I barely remember Christmas 2013. I don't remember the looks on my kids faces on Christmas morning, I don't remember all the family outings we had.. nothing. I was too busy planning my next business move and focusing on myself. Scary huh? It's so easy to get caught up in the lies that success and money will make us happy. Now, don't get me wrong.. I love accomplishment and money just as much as the next girl, but I'm slowly learning (the hard way) that at the end of the day there are more important things. I love what is said in Ecclesiastes on this topic: " Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart rejoiced in all my labor; and this was my reward from all my labor. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done. And on the labor in which I had toiled; and indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun." (Ecc 2:10-11)

You know, I used to think I'd be happy when I reached a certain point of success. When my bank account had a certain amount in it, I would have the FREEDOM to do what I wanted and be happy. To live life by my design. It made complete sense to sacrifice the here and now for later. Every success driven book will tell you that it's okay; sacrifice now for the life you want later. I'm questioning this logic these days. These days I'm counting the cost of my sacrifice. Is it truly worth it? In some instances, I say absolutely! It's worth the sacrifice of tasty foods to have good health or the sacrifice of shopping trips to be debt free. In some instances, sacrifice is necessary in order to reach our goals. Each day I sacrifice a few hours of extra sleep in the morning to read and invest in myself. It's worth it. I just encourage you to weigh the costs before you dig in. Not all sacrifices are created equal.

I truly believe there is a time and season for everything. As much as I would love to have everything I want on my schedule, it doesn't always happen that way. As moms it's so hard to find the balance between our inner desires and those of the little people in our lives. My desire for success can so easily become my main focus that I forget about my greatest calling, and that is the title of mom and wife. These days I'm reminding myself that God makes everything beautiful in His time (Ecc 3:11), that God has an incredible plan for me, it's just on his timeline and not mine. So my dear success driven friends, as the new year kicks off and you are pursuing your awesome goals, don't forget to slow down. Don't forget to make time for the things that matter the most and don't be discouraged if things don't unfold as quickly or as smoothly as you'd like. Embrace the season you are in and continue moving forward. When we surrender to God's perfect timing, we will truly be blessed.