Moving Past the Negative Thoughts & Words of Others: I'm Back

Hey, friends! It's been a long time since I've written a post like this.

Honestly, I've been MIA for a few months - only recently sharing a post from other social media platforms. My absence hasn't been entirely without good reason. In the past 4+ weeks, we've shipped our entire life to Guam, moved out of our home from the past three years, moved into a small local rental & are coordinating the final pieces of our overseas move next month. BUT, that's not the only reason I've been away.

I've gotta be honest with all of you.. Like I always am here.

While I consider myself to have some fairly thick skin when it comes to the thoughts & words of other people regarding myself, I have STRUGGLED this year with negative comments on my blog posts. While I know that 99% of my readers truly enjoy the content I share here & my heart behind the words I write, the majority of the comments I actually receive on my blog posts are from the 1% of people who don't.

Here's what I've had to really remember as I've prepared myself to come back here & write again.

And I hope that these thoughts will speak to you if you need to hear them for your own reasons!

1. Your life, mess & message is a GIFT to others!

This is MY blog. This is MY place to share my heart. To speak from my own experience. ALWAYS in the hopes of it inspiring, encouraging, empowering & even ministering to the women who need it -- MY people. It's not "self absorbed" to write about my journey here, right? Because the blog name is Lindsey Ghoens. And if I wrote about everyone else's opinions or journeys, it just wouldn't be genuine.

If YOU have a platform in which you've felt compelled or called to share very personal pieces of your life, thoughts or experiences - don't you DARE stop. You have a MESSAGE & story so important to share. Because only YOU have lived your life. And you have NO clue who you are meant to encourage.

So be brave.

Speak & share with purpose.

Even if you don't know yet what it is.

God has given me the amateur gift of writing.

He has loved, redeemed & provided for me.

He's walked me through the many mountains & valleys of my young but full life.

I believe deep in my heart that part of my purpose is to love on & connect with women here.

I'm clinging to that!

2. It's actually about THEM, forgive & see the need

People who have something negative to say here have clearly read something that struck a cord or a nerve.

Ever heard the phrase "hurting people hurt people?"

Well it's true, but here's what I think has happened here..

Hurting or yearning people usually try to knock others down - UNintentionally.

I don't think the people who have come here to criticize me are malicious in any way.

I just think they're have some sort of need in their life. And that's okay. We've ALL been there in some way, at one point or another!

So if you're one of the people who has taken time out of your day in 2018 to write something less than edifying here, know that I'm not angry or upset with you. If you're aching for an inspiring community to be part of, a greater platform to connect with & serve others in your field of health/fitness/nutrition, a way to get consistent in your wellness journey or WHATEVER the case may be -- I am here for YOU.

I remember being in a place a long time ago where I saw the negative & felt overly critical, too. It's not a fun place to be. I'd love to help you brighten that light from within.

3. Check your heart, remember your calling & use it as fuel

There's nothing wrong with a little self reflection.. it's important, actually.

While we should always evaluate the weight of our words & let them leave our mouth (or fingertips) with peace, that's not always the case.

When we receive negative feedback from other, it's important to do a little heart check. Be critical of yourself only for a moment to be sure your motives & intentions are in the right place.

If they are, remember your calling.

Which is to share your life & testimony for the glory of God.

Be resolved.

And let that feedback be your fuel to keep going.

People are giving you feedback, negative included, because they're SEARCHING for something & they FOUND you.

Keep. Going.

Someone needs what you offer!

Okay, that's all for this morning.

My heart is lighter & my fingers are moving swiftly again.

I'd love to know what you'd like to see here on the blog.

Or even about an experience you've had in the past as you moved through hurt & come out the other side amazed at the purpose of it!!

Thanks for reading & for your support,

Monday's Reminder: Your FIGHT

A little reminder for your Monday..

“You’re not in control of what life throws at you..

But you ARE in control of your fight..”

-Rachel Hollis 

Not fighting AGAINST what God ultimately is allowing.. but fighting THROUGH it.

Fighting with your daily effort.

Fighting past human, sinful & self limiting thoughts.

Fighting the lies the devil tells you.

Fighting your way to victory.

Because here’s the deal..

If God’s going to allow storms & trials & challenges & uncomfortable circumstances in your life..

{which, He does! Being a Christian certainly does NOT steer ya clear of “suffering”}

He IS going to equip you.

And He can guide you through it.

Be fuel and comforted by that today.

You can do ALL things because of Him!

So control the effort of your fight.

#gracefullybalanced

Working the Pockets : My Tip for Online Business Success

My team & I .. we talk OFTEN about how we work in the POCKETS of of our lives.

Your pockets?

You know.. Little windows of time we all have that we {my team & I} choose to use productively towards business growth.

You see, nearly ALL of us have:

Careers, families or a million other responsibilities that we juggle.

Some of even enjoy & thrive when being super busy, yet purposeful!

At the moment I was writing this, I was actually sending emails while nursing my baby to sleep. Time that I could have been mindlessly scrolling Pinterest or IG stories. This is a POCKET. And I’m werkin‘ it.

I can’t believe it’s been four years now of figuring out this business & how it fits with my life - through ALL the seasons & transitions we’ve been through. 

What a BLESSING that it’s been a constant for me!

I remember feeling stressed & stunted at my old job.

I remember feeling stuck in my schedule, without the freedom I craved.

I remember going through the motions & dreading Mondays.

I remember being 20+ pounds heavier, self conscious & discouraged that I wasn’t living up to my potential.

I remember thinking “I wish there was another way..” but not knowing exactly what that looked like for a young 20 something who hadn’t completed her degree yet.

And then this..

I stumbled upon this..

I took a giant leap.

NOT knowing what I was doing.

But full of faith that I'd figure it out.

Because I needed so desperately what it could offer me on so many levels. 

The fear of staying put was bigger than the fear of failing forward!

So hear me with this.

Because maybe you’re intrigued.

Or maybe you’re an eye rolling skeptic, reading for a “punch line” to joke or poke at.

if you are still someone that SCOFFS at working a business online, or recommending products that you love --- you truly gotta make a mindset shift, friend.

As cheesy as it sounds.. times have CHANGED.

Things are not what they once were.

And the opportunity in network marktingn& social commerce is REAL.

And I’m so glad I made the leap when I did!

I knew absolutely ZILCH about managing /growing my own business - or social media for that matter - four years ago when I said YES.

Simply put — I cared MORE about finding a wellness solution for myself and helping other along the way.

And like I remember the tough times in my past before I took this leap, I equally remember now the INCREDIBLE provision we’ve experienced (more than just financially) because of this coaching gig I started.

•coming home from my part time office job to spend time with my husband who was back from his third deployment

•helping pay off several debts

•being home with my daughter her ENTIRE first year + of life.. because of learning to WORK THE POCKETS

Four years

Loads of failing

But refusal to quit

And resilience to keep on

RESIDUAL INCOME. 

FREEDOM OF TIME.

CHOICE.

That’s what i have to show for.. & I’m so grateful!

You may still think “you do you, boo..” but at least do your research before you make a conclusive decision.

This opportunity - what we offer - the mission we’ve set out to tackle .. it’s not going anywhere. It’s GROWING.

So this is a great time to jump in.

I know this isn't for everyone. But, I BELIEVE it’s worth your consideration because of what’s possible!

What if you could _______.

Wouldn’t it be worth it!?

And could you afford NOT to try?

My job is more than helping people! Helping people get healthy andddd helping people build their version of success. I get to teach my team how to create opportunity!

My coach mentorship is open now & I’d love to chat with you about joining me! 

You have nothing to lose & so much to gain by giving this an honest shot.

So let’s TALK!  

Email me via lindseykollar@yahoo.com OR complete this form & I'll contact YOU!

( PS : you will be successful if you do the daily work, stay teachable & implement training.. AND focusing on helping people!! Kapeesh!?)

Banana Oat Cookie Recipe: Healthy & Baby Led Weaning Friendly

When our daughter Rae was about 6 months old, we decided to begin introducing her to solid foods. We did so using the "Baby Led Weaning" technique. If you haven't heard of it before, give it a quick google. It's really fascinating!

In a nutshell, baby led weaning is intended to be a more "natural" approach to food introduction that skips purees/baby foods entirely & goes straight to solid foods from milk. All while following your baby's lead through the process & trusting their bodies/instincts. I could go on, but I won't. Ha.

After a few months of BLW, we had 3 structured meals built into Rae's day {in addition to breastfeeding}. But I was needing some snack ideas for those in between times or on-the-go days. So I began looking for healthy "snack" options that weren't puffs.

PS, we love us some puffs, but just like to have options.

No judgement here, fellow mamas!

Okay, on to the cookies..

Anyone else struggle with healthy snacks for their kiddos?

Well, that's how I was feeling when my older sister shared THIS recipe with me.

This recipe is a slight variation of the original recipe from TastingPage.com. Be sure to hop over there for some other awesome, healthy recipes!

Healthy Banana Oat Cookies

Ingredients:

2 ripe bananas

1 cup of oats

(whatever oats you prefer, just not instant oats)

3 tablespoons of nut butter

*any other adds in you might want - such as dried fruit, nuts, spices, etc.

This will likely depend on the age of your child if you are making the cookies for them! Always consider the safety of your ingredients*

NOTE: you can make these without nut butter!

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 350.

Mash the bananas in a bowl.

Then fold in the oats & nut butter.

And stir in any other add-in ingredients to the mixture.

 

I personally used chunky natural peanut butter & added chopped, dried blueberries & cinnamon in our cookies.

Drop mixture onto a cookie sheet or baking stone & bake for about 15 minutes. This recipe should make roughly 12 small cookies.

Cool after baking so they "set" before eating.

Store in the refrigerator.

They should keep for a few days!

We LOVED this recipe - not just for Raegan, but for ourselves too!

These are a PERFECT snack when you're on the go, needing something light pre/post workout or even as a healthy dessert alternative!

Also, the #frugalfelicia side of me really appreciates that you (1) use those bananas that are overly brown/soft/border line bad (2) can basically adjust the recipe to use whatever you have currently in your pantry.

Need a little more convincing to whip these up?

Picture this:

Double the recipe.

Split the banana/oat/nut butter mixture in half.

Stir in add ins of choice to each separate mixture.

meaning: make a selfish batch!!!!

Make 12 cookies for the kids with whatever THEY like..

& 12 cookies for mama with some gooey dark chocolate chips!!

Even better - make a batch of these & freeze them for the future!

I hope you enjoy these as much as we have.

And be sure to share in the comments whatever you try!!

Happy baking, friends!