Dash of Sass: One Small Change Can Lead to a Better Life

Quotes of the Day:

“If you try anything, if you try to lose weight, or to improve yourself, or to love, or to make the world a better place, you have already achieved something wonderful, before you even begin.” ~Sarah Dessen

“People who really want to make a difference in the world usually do it, in one way or another. And I’ve noticed something about people who make a difference in the world: They hold the unshakable conviction that individuals are extremely important, that every life matters. They get excited over one smile. They are willing to feed one stomach, educate one mind, and treat one wound. They aren’t determined to revolutionize the world all at once; they’re satisfied with small changes. Over time, though, the small changes add up. Sometimes they even transform cities and nations, and yes, the world.” ~Beth Clark

“Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare.” ~Muhammad Ali

The Single Woman Says:

Today I gave up sugar.

It’s a small thing…something that might seem like it won’t impact anyone but me…but for me, it’s monumental. You see, I am a Cookie Monster of the worst kind. I love sweets and do not discriminate – cookies, pie, ice cream, cake – it’s all equally irresistible to me. If stranded on a deserted island and given only one food to eat for the rest of my life, I would, without hesitation, pick chocolate. So while giving up sugar might be a cake walk (pun intended) for some people, for me, it’s like saying farewell to a much-loved friend.

The problem is, this “friend” is bad for me. This friend causes me to feel sluggish and tired and even sick sometimes, causes me to gain weight, and if I continue to allow this friend to stay in my life, could cause me all sorts of health issues down the road. It could even eventually cost me my life. So it’s just not worth it to me, as much as I love it, to allow a friend like this to stay in my life.

My point to all of this? Eliminating sugar from my diet is just ONE very small change I am currently making to make my life better. But as the quote above by Beth Clark says, those small changes add up. If you make one small change, every day, before you know it, you’ll look up and have a different and better LIFE. I think people have the mistaken idea that change has to be great and drastic and monumental to be change, but that’s not true at all. Change starts small, and like a snowball rolling down a hill, eventually gathers steam and takes over everything else in its path. Every BIG change started with one SMALL decision. As I told you last week, three years ago I made one very minor decision to start a Twitter page called “The Single Woman.” It took me ten seconds to send out my first tweet. One small change…TEN seconds of time. And three years later, my life is radically different because of it. So don’t let anyone tell you that the small changes don’t matter, because they do. You are capable of change this day, this hour, this instant! You don’t have to wait until you’re ready to make the big, drastic change…you can start now, with one small decision to eat better or exercise more or include someone who’s lonely or forgive someone who hurt you or call up an old friend just to say hello or join a new church or volunteer or stop beating yourself up for a past mistake. Whether it’s getting something out of your life, like I am, or adding something to your life – every change matters, and every positive step, no matter how slight, eventually adds up to a positive life.

What small change can you make today?

 

 

 

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Something wonderful is on the horizon
Life doesn’t always look the way we want it to look. In Mandy’s upcoming book, Turn Toward the Sun: Releasing What If and Embracing What Is, you’ll find encouragement to live in the moment, sit with your experiences, and trust God with the unknown.
Preorder from Baker Book House for 40% off and free shipping!*
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Something wonderful is on the horizon
Turn Toward the Sun CoverLife doesn’t always look the way we want it to look. In Mandy’s upcoming book, Turn Toward the Sun: Releasing What If and Embracing What Is, you’ll find encouragement to live in the moment, sit with your experiences, and trust God with the unknown.
Preorder from Baker Book House for 40% off and free shipping!*
*US shipping only