lifelessons – The Great Kaysby

But I Want It!

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10:44 at night and I find myself thinking about sushi. Makes me think that maybe I shouldn’t have already declared tomorrow an “at home day.” It would be so fun to have a sushi lunch! Maybe a bento box with it… If not tomorrow, then what about the next day? I start to think things like maybe sushi after church on Thursday morning would be good. After all, I’ll already be out. It’s just 30 minutes in the wrong direction to get sushi.

I’ll sleep on it.

Spoiler, I’m 95% most likely not going to get sushi either day.

It’s not that I don’t really want the sushi. Trust me, if there is an opportunity to eat sushi, I’m going to have at least a Tuna Roll. Perhaps even a California Roll, Cucumber Roll, or Thai Roll too! But I don’t need the sushi.

If we are always giving into our wants – like if we really go get sushi each time we want it – what are we illustrating about our willpower and want versus need to our children? Mr Kisby and I have really been attempting to stress to LilKsby the importance of whether a want for something is fleeting (aka forgotten by morning) or an actual want that is worth waiting for. We’ve tried to stress this to him when it comes to things like picking out toys and food to eat (especially going out versus staying in). What we’ve found is that often times the things we want are only wants for a brief time period. Then after we get it we find ourselves thinking “Why did we put money, time, energy, effort, etc into said item?”

With LilKsby we often discuss how much joy something will bring him along with a need versus a want. Oftentimes when I talk about these things with him, I reflect on my own things that I sometimes mislabel as a need like the sushi. Like I tell him, I need water, food (see maybe I do need sushi), oxygen, shelter, clothes, exercise, and good hygiene. Pretty much everything else is a want. Of course wants have their place! If someone offered me a legit free trip to the Bahamas just because I don’t need it doesn’t mean I wouldn’t go. Plus wanting things gives us goals, and our wants don’t have to be materialistic. For example, this month I want to complete a Digital Marketing course to help improve our businesses. I also want to be able to do 15 in-person skin care consults. These wants are not bad at all, and they have the possibility to be way more beneficial than wanting something like a box of crayons when I already have some!

Like anything with parenting, discussing wants versus needs is a work in progress. It also takes a lot of strength because I believe all of us would 100% get everything our kids ever asked for if it possible and reasonable. No offense, I’m never buying LilKsby his own pony. I barely like scooping cat litter. I am not cleaning pony poop!

11:00…maybe I should go to bed and see if I still want sushi in the morning!

XOXO,
The Great Kaysby

Spoiler: It’s Not All About the Benjamins

I just finished a book where some of the characters were “richer than God.” Their words. Not mine. One of the lessons taken from the book was that while money can provide choices, it does not bring you love and happiness. I think this is a very true and often overlooked sentiment. Unfortunately we live in a society that seems to equate the experiences you can afford with your ability to have a good life. Seriously, look at social media. It can 100% give off the vibe of “Oh, you can’t afford to go to Paris randomly on a Tuesday with no planning? Wow…your life must be sad.” Frankly, I’ve never been to Paris, and I think I’m doing just fine thank you very much.

Now, I know some people are going to get their panties in a bunch, but I’m here to deliver a gut punch. If you are a loving, genuine, caring person, then you should NEVER assume someone’s level of happiness or their lifestyle based on how much money they appear or do not appear to have. Likewise, you should never make prejudgments about what people can or cannot do based on how much money you think they do or do not have. Unless you are them or their accountant that has access to their accounts, then the truth is you have NO CLUE about another person’s financial situation.

Okay…I’ll put my soapbox away. I realize that those two paragraphs were a little brash, but sometimes I can’t help it. I get so tired of seeing people marginalized because of preconceived notions about their financial status. My grandmother never had a lot of money in my lifetime, but she was one of the most courageous, giving, and caring people that I have ever encountered. Could she be a pistol? Absolutely! She was a survivor of The Great Depression, had a husband and a son who fought for our country, and combatted a variety of health issues. She would also tell you exactly what she thought usually with Southern Charm (if you know what I’m talking about then I’m sure you’ve said “Bless your heart” to someone). Also, she never went to Paris on Tuesday, but she had more adventures than I can count! She also knew what it was like to scrimp and save, and little things that she saved all year to buy me at Christmas are a 1000% times more valuable than diamonds, pearls, or any other extravagance. Why? They came from the heart.

Guess what? That’s the real thing that determines happiness and love: the heart. If you live in accordance with what brings joy to your heart, then I think you’re golden. I would rather be penniless and live with joy, laughter, love, and happiness than to be rich and miserable like a character from The Great Gatsby. I hope and pray that you are leading your life with your heart and not some misguided idea of needing money and living opulently to be happy.

Because spoiler: it’s not all about the Benjamins.

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

We All Have 💩

We all have 💩.

We all have baggage.

We all have things happening in our personal lives.

That just might be the one thing that everyone on this 🌍 has in common. What sets us apart from one another is how we react to what’s happening. Some people take to social media and air all their dirty laundry; some people only post a glimpse of their private lives on social media. Some people turn to prayer; some people turn to a vice. Some people will never tell you everything going on behind closed doors; some people will tell you way more than you want to know. We all react in different ways because (spoiler) we are all different.

The other thing that sets us apart is how we react to the things that others tell us (or the social media world). Some people are quick to offer advice even when what the other person really just needed was someone to listen. Side note, Mary Kay Ash used to say that God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason. Some people are quick to offer a hug or shoulder to cry on. Some are good at offering a distraction. Some will say, “What do you need me to do?” before anything else.

Imagine if instead of jumping to conclusions or doing what we think is best for someone else we took more time to ask, “What can I do to help you?” By making the question focused on the other person, we could show that we truly care about what is happening and how we can best meet their needs. Could the world be a better place by focusing more on the need of others than ourselves? Could we experience a Butterfly Effect just by showing others they matter?

I often think of the Story of the Starfish and the little boy tossing them back in the ocean. I recommend Googling it. The littlest things can have the biggest impact.

My challenge to you is simple. Next time you see someone struggling, ask them, “What can I do to help you?”

You just might help them begin to flush the 💩 and unpack the baggage.

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

To the Class of 2026…

Once again graduation season is upon us. Whether you are graduating from high school, college, or something else, I’ve got some free advice. Feel free to pretend I’m your celebrity commencement speaker. In fact, you’re welcome to read my words in the celebrity voice of your choosing…

First and foremost, congratulations on your accomplishment! There may have been people who helped you along the way, but the majority of this you have accomplished yourself. It took hard work; it took dedication. It may have even involved some blood, sweat, and tears. Yet you did it! You persevered even when it was difficult, and now you have (or will be mailed) the diploma to prove it. Well done!

Secondly, it’s okay if you’re not feeling completely okay about the future. Change – even when it is good – is scary. There’s always unknown factors that are out of your sphere of control, and that can be overwhelming. The good news? You’re not alone in your feelings, and without trying something new, you will never know what you’re capable of achieving.

Along the same line, it is okay if the job you thought was your dream career turns out to not be it. You can always change career paths, get more education, etc. It’s okay to start over in your 30s. Some of my closest friends started again in their 40s. It’s also okay if your career goals change as you do. You do not have to stay in a miserable job for the next 40 years just because it matches your degree.

With this it is important that your timeline is unique to you. Just because it seems like the societal expectation is graduate, find a job, get married, buy a house, have kids, etc does not mean you have to follow that order. It’s okay if you never want to marry, have kids, etc. Likewise, the age at which you do these things does not matter. I’m thankful that I was 29 before getting married and 36 before having a kid. I wasn’t mature enough for such adult things in my early 20s.

If the timeline you thought you were on doesn’t pan out, you can always go home again. If you find yourself living out on your own, with roommates, with an SO, and it doesn’t go as planned, you can always move back with parents or other family members. This is also true for jobs, additional schooling, and financial planning not going as planned. This is another area where I speak from A LOT of experience. I had living situations, educational plans, and job searches not go in my favor at various times. Thankfully, I was welcome at home until I figured it all out again.

Finally, it is okay if you make mistakes. Making a mistake does not make you a bad person. Likewise, if you find yourself doing something that goes against your values, you are not a bad person. Part of being human is erring and on occasion doing things we know we shouldn’t. The real test is in how we get through these crucibles, and if we use them to become better people with a desire to reaffirm and stick to our morals or continue doing what we know we shouldn’t. With this remember that you are uniquely you, and you are not what/who others say you are. They don’t know the full story because they aren’t you.

Wishing you a bright future where all your dreams come true!

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

Resilience

As I was reflecting over another year around the sun, one word came to mind: resilience. Last year, exactly one week after my birthday, the crushing blows to our “normal” existence began. Our lives quickly started to feel like a country song, and the title would have been “Everything Gets F’ed Up On a Thursday.”

With everything happening, it would have been super easy to put all life goals on hold. It would have been super easy to wallow in self pity and do nothing. However, in life you have two choices when things are not going well. One, you can do nothing. Two, you can exhibit bounce back ability!

Through a lot of prayer, tears, emotional roller coasters, and open discussion as a family, we chose bounce back ability. Was it easy? No. Was it worth it? YES! Did we learn from it? ABSOLUTELY! Were there days when it was hard? Of course there were!

But we persevered, and now almost a year later, I can say…

We can survive the storm because we have each other.
My faith is stronger.
My drive and resolve to be successful are stronger.
Even on tough days (because let’s be real, some days I still miss my cat terribly!), I can do one thing to move forward.
I have learned to focus on what I can and cannot control.

As I start this next year, I’m not going to say it’s going to be all sunshine and rainbows. I can’t know what the future will bring, but I can know that I’ve learned resilience.

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

It’s More Than One Day…

I have been thinking of the right words to describe Easter 2026. All day yesterday, I felt like I was supposed to post something like, “Hallelujah, He is Risen!” or “Happy Easter!” However, I found myself struggling to express those sentiments, and today, as I was doing my daily devotion, I figured out why. Easter is more than one day.

For Catholics like me, Easter begins with the preparation period of Lent starting with Ash Wednesday. I look at Lent as the warm-up, the pre-game show, or self-reflection that comes before a big game, performance, or period of self-growth. It is a time to prepare for what is to come by revisiting the miracles that Jesus performed, the obstacles and temptations he encountered, and his humanity; it is a time that gets us ready mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and physically (we do a lot of sit, kneel, stand Catholic Cardio) for Holy Week.

Holy Week is like the final countdown to Easter. Beginning on Holy Thursday, we remember the washing of the feet and The Last Supper. This year I experienced the most beautiful recreation of these events. At the Mass we attended, some of those who had their feet washed were then the Eucharistic Ministers. I could not think of a more perfect way to show being like one of the Apostles tasked with spreading the Good News of Jesus. Then on Good Friday, we returned to Mass. Our Good Friday service is very different than a typical Mass as it consists of the Liturgy of the Word, Adoration of the Cross, and a Communion Service. Hearing the Passion on Good Friday is always moving as it is an eloquent portrayal of the humanity and divinity that Jesus experienced in his final hours. Also, having just a moment to personally reflect at the foot of the cross is always moving. If you open your heart to adoration and kneeling before the cross, then the Holy Spirit will fill your heart with the love and light of Jesus. Even if you have committed the darkest sin, you can ask God for forgiveness in your final moments and experience all that He has to offer. Not sure? Look up Saint Dismas. Dark Saturday as it is sometimes called follows Good Friday. On this night we celebrate the Easter Vigil, and even if you are not Catholic (or even religious for that matter), I recommend you attend this Mass. It covers everything from the beginning and encompasses the promises of the Resurrection beautifully. The Mass even begins in the dark and slowly transitions to light as the Mass progresses much like the return of the King.

Obviously Easter Sunday follows, and most people are familiar with what happened on the Third Day. Hence all of the “He Is Risen” posts that were made yesterday. But what happens after? In the Catholic Church (and some other Western Churches), the celebration of Easter has just begun. The week following is called The Octave of Easter, and each day celebrates a portion of the Resurrection and subsequent events. As an example, today highlighted Mary Magdalene and how she ran to spread the joyous news after seeing that Jesus was alive. While I read tonight, my attention kept being drawn to the “she ran” portion. When is the last time that you literally ran to tell someone about Jesus? Me? Never. I only run if I’m being chased. Along the same line, when is the last time you symbolically ran to tell someone about Jesus? There was a time when I never would have blogged, posted, or talked to others about my faith. Yet here I am, laying it all out on the line. Could it lose me followers? Maybe. But is an earthly loss worth being honest about who I am? Absolutely! I look forward to the remainder of the events chronicled during the Octave of Easter and on through Pentecost as that is truly the conclusion of Easter.

What is the meaning of sharing how Easter is more than one day? One, I would love to see more people (myself included) attest to the power of the Resurrection all of the time. Two, I want people to realize that Easter starts with a day, but it is actually a full season of rejoicing. Go forth to love and serve the Lord all year long!

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

PS…for those who are like me and have experienced periods of doubt, questions that others may not ask about the Gospels, and an opportunity of judgement free reflection on the works of Jesus, checkout the following titles on Amazon by yours truly: Matthew & Me, Making Your Mark, Life Lessons with Luke, and Journeying with John.

Can You Help Me?

“Can you help me?” It should be such a simple question to ask; it should be a judgment free question ask. Yet how many of us as children/teenagers preferred to do bad on a homework assignment instead of ask for help? If I wasn’t typing my hand would be raised. For a plethora of misguided reasons, I never wanted to ask for help in school. Likewise – unless it was to read something aloud – I didn’t want to be called on in class either.

Fast forward to today, those of us who were afraid to ask for help in our youth are now adults who are trying to break free of the toxic habit that is not asking for help. Yes, I said toxic habit. Why? Because not being comfortable asking for help has caused many people I know to be over stressed, over committed, and feeling as though they are doing something wrong because they cannot figure out everything on their own. Spoiler, I used to be (and sometimes relapse into) one of those people!

What changed? The realization that we as people are not meant to be strong, independent, and capable of doing every single thing ourselves. We are not meant to do every single thing alone. In fact, people were created to need other people. We learn from one another. We all have different talents that can compliment one another’s skills. We are designed to need assistance from other people so that we can in turn assist others! It is human nature!

Along with the realization, I knew that from the time LilKsby started learning that I never wanted him to be afraid to ask for help. Mr. Kisby and I tell him all the time that you learn by asking questions and asking for help. I want LiLKsby to grow up with the understanding that we have the potential to be better as people because we help one another.

So today I am giving you permission to ask “Can you help me?” You may just find that doing so will change your life!

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

Twister Tips

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With all of the advances in technology when it comes to the field of meteorology, the area where I live is already discussing a supremely elevated risk for tornadoes three days from now. The fact that they can do this now is astounding to me given I grew up with a weather radio that basically said, “TAKE COVER NOW!” I’m not that old; we just lived that much in the middle of nowhere. Given my years of experience with tornadoes, I thought I would provide some practical advice to others to help them prepare for Sunday.

If the chance of tornadoes is at night, it is in your best interest to either sleep in clothes or keep them nearby. This includes bras, pants, and shirts. Should you happen to end up on the news or having to go outside after the storm, then you want to be dressed in a way that you won’t get arrested for public indecency. If you don’t have on your underwear, that’s between you and Jesus. Besides, I fully get that if the tornado did directly hit you, then your underwear may no longer be clean.
Take your false teeth to the storm shelter! One, tornado warnings can get extended and reoccur in the same night. Sometimes you need snacks while you are in the basement! Also, again should you end up on the news or having to call for help, you want whoever you are talking to with to be able to understand you. Teeth in folks!
If the sky turns green and you see a tree get uprooted outside the window, it is time to go to the basement! Been there and done that! My parents were on vacation, and I was like twenty and home by myself. As fascinating as it all looked, I figured I should go to the basement. Of course I also should have stayed in the safe area the time I was working and a tornado came through, but how many opportunities do you have to see trees flying by windows? Hmm…I may need to err on the side of caution more.
Have a “Basement Bag” packed! When there is a chance of storms, we keep bags with extra clothes, snacks, and activities. I also bring my Bible. Why? The Bible has important records and dates in it should documentation be lost. It also has some family history. We also bring important things like wallets, keys, and chargers. The bag is also a good place for the bra and teeth if need be!
Think about things you would need if the power goes out. If you’re taking candles, be sure to take something to light them! Also, make sure lanterns and flashlights have working batteries. You’re stressed out enough when the sirens go off. Watching the last bit of battery in a lantern die out does not make it easier.
If you’re in a restaurant and the tornado sirens go off, they are probably going to cram everyone into the freezer. Yes, the freezer. It’s actually the sturdiest, safest area of most restaurants. Seriously, that tornado with the trees flying by the window? There WAS a gas station next to the building where I worked, and ALL that was left standing (with the people safely inside) was the walk-in freezer. Side note, you might experience some really odd way restaurants store stuff when you’re hanging out in the freezer. Also, take your food and drink with you. You might be there for a while.
If you’re driving and your passenger says, “Have you ever seen a tornado while driving?” then it is not advisable to do what I did which was look at the sky, see the funnel, and proceed to drive a little faster in the opposite direction. That’s not a good idea. I repeat that IS NOT a good idea! What you should do is try to drive to a nearby shelter, or if absolutely necessary pull over in a low lying area. Contrary to popular belief, you are not safe under bridges and overpasses during tornadoes.

What are your best twister tips?

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

A Fine Line…

Are you superstitious?

There’s a fine line between superstitious and thriving on routines. I realize that sounds like a bold statement, but follow me for a second. As a teenager, for a brief bit, I thought that the outcome of my day could be predicted by whether or not I won a game of solitaire on the computer while waiting for the bus to arrive. Did I really believe that a Windows 95 game could determine my day? No. However, it gave me an excuse to play on the computer every morning before school, and I liked that routine!

I no longer play solitaire every morning. In fact, I’m not sure what version of Windows was the last one to have it be automatically included. That said, I do still like routines, and breaking a routine can be hard for me. In fact, some have even heard me say “I can’t do that. It’s bad luck” about things that may seem silly. Yet the reality is, I’m not really being superstitious about the thing, I just don’t want to change it. I really like to always take the same entrance into places, check things on the computer in a certain order, and have schedules for certain activities like what chores go on which day. I’m a creature of routine, and I am a lot more focused and less anxious with them.

Like I said, it’s a fine line…

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

We Wear the Mask

I just finished an amazing book by Elle McNicoll called “Wish You Were Her.” The two main characters in the book – Jonah and Allegra – are autistic. One of the recurring themes in the book is how they feel they have to wear figurative masks around other people. Thinking about that theme got me thinking about the poem “We Wear the Mask” by Paul Laurence Dunbar. Both pieces are brilliant with similar themes though the aforementioned masks referred to different situations. Then I started thinking about how many of us at one point or another in our lives have worn figurative masks.

Figurative masks are like a security blanket. They keep us feeling protected when we are actually feeling intense vulnerability yet do not want the world to see it. Perhaps a mask is worn during a time of intense emotions like the loss of a loved one, a relationship ending, or losing a job. Maybe a mask is worn during times of disappointment like not getting a role you auditioned for or not getting a job you interviewed for, or maybe a mask is worn when you are anxious about a situation and trying to blend in with all the other people around you who seem to not have anxiety. I’m learning as I get older that more and more of us have anxiety…I assure you that you are not alone.

Sometimes you might even wear masks when trying to make friends. With this mask you might pretend to like things you could care less about or do things that you normally would not do. I spent a good chunk from nineteen to thirty-three involved with a Live Action Role-Playing Game where everyone had a “persona.” At times, it was difficult to know the real person from the persona. I would care to wager that some of them even lost themselves in the persona for a hot minute. Talk about wearing masks! It’s understandable why you might wear a mask when socializing, but trust me, if you take off the mask, you may be surprised by how many people will love you for who you truly are. In fact, they may even like the real you better. Having friends is a basic human need just as much as shelter, food, and water, and I assure you that true friends will allow you to remove the mask. These days social media even provides us all with a mask as we only post the parts that we want the world to see. Many find it difficult to be truly transparent on social media for a plethora of reasons. Me? My social media mask is because I do not like to start arguments, and I like to keep certain things private. I think these social media masks are why so many people have a hard time with what is real and what is not any more. The final mask that I think of is that of “the social butterfly.” I have often been mislabeled as a social butterfly as I am really good at talking to a variety of people across various settings. People assume that I am an extrovert, but the reality is that I am only extroverted in certain settings. I can also be very introverted and more of an observer in situations. I promise, I’m not mad or trying to be rude during these times. I would almost wager that for most “social butterflies” it is more of a mask than who they truly are. Ha ha once again I could circle back to thinking about the LARP days. A lot of life lessons came from that time period…maybe I should write a book about what I learned from LARPing. On the other hand…maybe not.

Perhaps you are wearing a mask right now. If you are, I am giving you permission to remove it. I am giving you permission to be yourself. As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

Proverbs

“…Stupid people have no respect for wisdom and refuse to learn.” Proverbs 1:7

Seven lines into Proverbs 1, and I think I may have a new favorite quote from the Old Testament (though I do love Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 and Psalm 23). It is easy for this quote to be attention grabbing given the state of the world. How often are we quick to judge and think the actions of others are indeed stupid and lacking wisdom? This is a rhetorical question, please don’t start trying to count. Quotes like this are easy to look at and immediately think of others. But what about ourselves? Are we free from stupidity?

As someone who has done their fair share of stupid things, I will be the first to attest that no one is free from the enticing allure of stupidity. I can also assure you that in my moments of stupidity wisdom is often so far out the window that is more minute than a blur on the horizon. But based on my experiences (some of which are still humorous), I can testify that the stupidity can stop, and you can learn from the past and become who you are meant to be. That is the most beautiful thing about faith. At any given point while there is still breath in your lungs, you CAN change for the better! Look at Peter; look at Paul! They had a plethora of moments of stupidity, yet they were entrusted to be the cornerstone (Peter) and spread the gospels to the known world (Paul).

My mission today is simple. I may not have the eloquent speech of Proverbs, but here is what it boils down to. You can make the choice right now and change the trajectory of your future. So…stupidity or wisdom?

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

February Fireworks

The other day, LilKsby and I were over at my parents’ house, and one of the things we did was light fireworks in February. The ones we used were nothing big – just some poppers, smoke bombs, snakes, and spinners – and were nothing that required waiting until dark. It was seventy degrees and sunny between rain storms which was a welcome juxtaposition to most of the weather we’ve had lately. We laughed and laughed as we lit fireworks. It was perfect fun!

After the experience, I got to thinking, “What if doing things just for fun, like February fireworks, even if it’s ‘not the season’ became the norm?” Yearning to dye eggs in September? Go for it! Want to create Christmas crafts in June? Go for it! Want to eat “Holiday Foods” in May? Go for it! Life is too short to not do fun things just because “it’s not the season”!

So my challenge to you as you plan the upcoming week is for you to include something fun. Even if it is completely out of season, do it anyway! The fun it will bring is worth it!

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

Purposeful Direction

“I have direction.”

“Yeah, towards the mall.”

Who else remembers that exchange between Cher and Josh in Clueless? Iconic, right? I was thinking about that line tonight after reading St Paul’s First Letter to Timothy. I know you’re thinking, “How does a movie that defined the mid-90s tie to the Bible?” In verse 1:5, Paul specifically states the purpose of his letter. That made me think about people and how many know their purpose in life and can explicitly say it without wavering. Then I wondered if there are more people like Cher early in the movie who know they have a purpose yet haven’t figured out what it is. Along with this, how many of us have – like Josh – assumed we know someone’s purpose when we truly know them very little and have no clue?

The good news is if you do not yet know your purpose, you can figure it out, and as long as there is breath in your lungs, you have time to begin living it. So how can you find your purpose? It starts with a little self reflection. If you need some guiding questions try these:

What drives you to get out of bed in the morning even when you don’t want to get up?
What do you hope people remember about you after you meet them?
What pulls at your heartstrings and will move you to tears even if you aren’t a crier?
What do you enjoy doing that blesses others?
What gifts and talents have you been given?

Something else to consider as you reflect is what are your love languages. Understanding these can help you determine the purposeful direction you need to follow. Finally, remember that your purpose is unique to you and should not be exactly the same as anyone else’s.

Good luck finding direction to somewhere besides the mall!

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

Let Them Be…

If I could only ever share one piece of advice when it comes to raising children, it would be this: LET THEM BE BORED! As a parent myself, I know that this tidbit is going to be met with protest, complaining, perhaps a little crying (from both of you lol), and grumpiness. However, it is important to stay strong and provide your child(ren) the opportunity to be bored.

Why?

Think back to your own childhood when you were bored. Those times of boredom taught you a lot of lessons. One, they taught you independence. Times of boredom allowed you to figure out on your own how to find things to do and learn what you were interested in. Two, they taught you how to be creative. The moments you are bored are the moments that a paper bag becomes a toy or a cardboard box becomes a house! Finally, the moments of boredom taught us how to survive without being entertained 24/7. Kids (even my own) struggle with learning to entertain themselves because they never have to. All of this is why I’m working on allowing LilKsby to be bored. It’ll benefit him in the long run!

So let them be bored!

What would your one tip of parenting advice be?

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby

It’s Up To You

“If it is to be, it is up to me.”

That’s it. That’s the post.

Just kidding.

“If it is to be, it is up to me.” Some might hear this quote and dismiss it as sounding self-absorbed. They might think, “Well, this person thinks it’s all about them!” I can see where it would be easy to make this interpretation with the “Me, me, me!” mentality that is so precedented. However, others might look at this quote and think, “That’s a great point. If I want to succeed, I have to put in the work.”

Often times people (myself included) fall into the trap of “it will happen if it is meant to be” as though we expect things to happen magically. Along the same lines we might think, “Well, I hope this happens.” Then we find ourselves in a loop of disappointment when things do not progress like we want.

But wait! Was action ever taken?

No.

So what if we listened to the quote? What change might we see if we started doing the work to get to where we want to be? How quickly could we start to see progress? How quickly could we be where we wanted to be?

I know where I could be with just a little bit of action and growth sprinkled with pinch of consistency! Now, should I go for it and make it happen or keep hoping without action?

What will you choose?

XOXO,

The Great Kaysby