Life

December issue

InSuesShoes.com Life + Finance, Publisher's Letter

Fast and furious as Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve, the holidays are upon us. And we all have SO MUCH to do. So much planning. So much preparing. So much goodness.

With organization and a plethora of to-do lists, we’ll get ‘er done, too. From holiday events to in-home guests, travels, buying, wrapping, cleaning, decorating, and so much more… it’s the busiest of seasons.

And when the work is finished, we exhale. We pause, feel, breathe, and acknowledge the bursting goodness that surrounds.

It’s also a stressful time. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed. It’s easy to postpone self-care. But we encourage everyone to prioritize some self-love amongst the to-do list that seems as long as Santa’s ‘good’ (or naughty!) list. So, schedule some time each day for YOU. Even if 10 minutes is all you find, it’ll gift your soul + mind with much-needed replenishment. 😊🎄

It’s time to celebrate nostalgic holiday memories of yesteryear + create new moments alike. On seeing blessings. On cherishing family + friends. On keeping alive traditions unique to you + yours. And how precious is that?! 💙

Holiday travels ensue for many. Families will reunite. Stockings + tables will be full. Christmas meals, festive beverages + mistletoe will add depth, laughter + warmth to this beautiful season. So let’s slow the pace when we can to absorb with appreciation all the goodness before us.

And despite sledding forward full-throttle into holiday busyness, keep some focus on your own health. Enjoy tastes of the season (with moderation), stay active, and allow yourself grace should personal health goals veer off-track a bit. Tomorrow is a new day; jump right back in.

You’ve got this.

So in December, let’s crystallize focus on blessings before us. 💙 And if you don’t see any, look closer.

Keep checking off your to-do list, check it twice, and stay fueled with gratefulness for the holiday cozies, gut laughs, and love that surrounds.

May your December days be blessed. May the beauty of the season surround your soul + may twinkling Christmas lights remind us all of the MAGIC of this season.

Stay with us on www.InSuesShoes.com. There’s so much here. Happy December days, Merry Christmas 🎄 + warmest wishes to you + yours from the gals at InSuesShoes. We’re happy you’re here.

Finding Joy

InSuesShoes.com Life Advice

I saw what joy looks like.

And not the liquid kind that squirts from a bottle.

I believe our greatest purpose is to achieve and experience joy. The real deal. The emotion intended to fuel our spirits and propel us through life. The antidote that heals hurts and eradicates negativity.

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It’s Possible to Work Yourself Stupid

InSuesShoes.com Life Advice

When urgencies and deadlines rule your world, all else in life can float by without notice. I’ve been there. For YEARS I was there. An earthquake in Nepal? No kidding! My kid’s doctor bill is overdue? Oopsie. And, how old is my dog anyway??? I ask simply because I really don’t know. I’ve been too busy, buried within work trenches for the last decade to lift my gaze and see life passing me by.

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Dishonesty

InSuesShoes.com Life Advice

Let’s face it. There are dishonest people in our worlds.
And dishonest people suck.
Common traits include manipulative behaviors, they’re poised as forever-victims—and when layers are peeled away, intentions are virtually always self-indulgent.
With these folks, what you see is not what you get.
Yuck.
It can be a difficult journey having these characters in your life’s periphery—and worse if within your circle. Whether a family member, co-worker or neighbor too close for comfort, it’s far too easy to expend unnecessary energy, focusing on their antics instead of staying steadfast with our own growth and positivity.

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Money: Living Rich

InSuesShoes.com Life Advice, Personal Finance

Money and the mind are inextricably entwined.

What moves so many people? Money.

Why do most people work? Money.

What allows for freedom? Money.

What provides anything you’d want? Money.

Or so people think. But there’s just so much emptiness in this outlook.

Sure, if we all had more than enough money, perhaps we would have fewer worries. We’d not lack for material items. Perhaps we’d even quit our jobs.

But that’s not likely what would happen.

Consider tweaking your perception of money—then consequently, the perception of the bigger picture (that is your life). Doing so may just improve your world exponentially.

Money moves people. Indeed, it does. Physically, anyways. It can move us to accept a position, to get out of bed each morning, to produce for others so we may receive a paycheck, right? We’re moved to action, but that is not motivation. Motivation holds deeper purpose. Motivation is fueled by desire, by passion. Be motivated, not simply moved.

People work for money. Of course! We work to pay our bills. But then what? Paying bills is a completion of a necessary task. Yes, that’s good. But instead of the mindset to work for money, work for purpose. We offer most of life’s waking hours toward a job. Wouldn’t life be so much richer if we worked for purpose (and paid the bills)?

Money allows for freedom, we think. Perhaps. But then what? Move to an isolated island to exist Jimmy Buffet-style with margaritas and sunshine? Sure, sign me up. For a while. Then reality would set. For most of us this will never happen, but even if so, it’d be a temporary relief—but not a sustainable solution. Therefore, it’s not freedom. Fulfillment is a necessity. Freedom and fulfillment? They’re like peaches and cream; they just go together.

So how do we get there?

Give your perceptions an honest review. Seek out passion in your work. Create opportunities to explore more areas of interest—at work and outside of work. Make time to expand your world. Doing so, you’ll give back and grow at exponential rates—where it matters most. Within you.

Happiness truly is NOT linked to an abundance of money. Happiness is derived from what’s on your daily to-do lists. And it’s those you allow into your world.

Yes, bills exist. Mortgages must be paid. Bank accounts should grow. But in the big picture of life? It’s your personal well-being and individual growth that brings fulfillment—and a wealthy, healthy life.

That, friends, is living rich.

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Difficult People

InSuesShoes.com Life Advice

They’re just darn difficult. You know the type. He complains incessantly, then asks for direction or advice. You provide. He does the opposite of your suggestion—then comes back for more advice. It’s great to be a caring ear and voice of logic—but when the cycle is a repeated ritual of time invested, wisdom shared and then ignored, it’s tremendously deflating. Right?

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Welcome to InSuesShoes.com!

InSuesShoes.com Life Advice

I’m so happy you stopped by!
So, what the heck is InSuesShoes?
It’s a vision that took nearly three years to bring to fruition… and I couldn’t be happier to be right here, right now to share it with YOU.
So, here we are, ready to rock. Ready to provide for YOU a place of dependable positivity, smiles, encouragement—and dare we say FUN.

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