Momtrepreneur in the making- a lesson in Discipline

My word for 2019 has been Discipline. I read a great quote from Augusta F Kantra:

“Discipline is choosing between what you want now and what you want most”

Discipline teaches us the benefits of delayed gratification. You can read more about its magic HERE. If we pay attention, the patterns are all around us. As we weave discipline into every facet of our lives, we reap the benefits. Conversely, the things we do impulsively are not always the most rewarding or the best for us, like that credit card shopping spree or acting out in anger. When we take a deep breath, slow down, and work to live within our means, save money for that greater desire, excercise consistently or sacrifice our impulsive desires to live God’s way we experience greater freedom and happiness.

Yep, that sounds odd, but it is so true! One weekend at work, I met 2 patients who could not be more opposite. On one hand was a beautiful and bright woman in her 80’s who was being hospitalized for the first time since birthing her babies years ago. She was sharp witted, able to move with ease, and being treated for a minor issue. I could not believe her age when I looked at her, as she looked years younger! I asked her what her secret was and she relayed that she ate well, drank plenty of water, and was outside working in her yard and garden, as often as time would allow. On the other hand, I also met a woman in her 20’s that had made poor choices in her diet and other habits, led a sedentary lifestyle, and had great difficulty moving. She had been in and out of the hospital multiple times in her young adult life and was extremely limited in her ability to work and needed assistance for basic tasks. It was such a stark contrast. My heart was broken for this young woman, as not only was her body suffering, but her mind also. While restricting ones diet to whole foods, cutting out sugar, drinking mostly water and staying active could seem to some as too restrictive, it surely provided the freedom to have health, vibrance, and autonomy well into the later years of life!

The same has been true for me in my faith. Because of my desire to live my life according to my understanding of God’s will, I have sacrificed what others would deem the pleasures of life. I don’t drink much besides water and my favorite kefir Kombucha, I don’t smoke, I pay 10% of my earnings in tithing (that can feel SUPER scary sometimes), I try to fast prayerfully with a purpose at least once a month, I try not to allow myself to get on social media until I’ve read and studied scripture, I write regularly in a journal, I do genealogy here and there, and yet I still just want to crash at the end of the day and binge watch the Bachelor! I’m not perfect at any of those things, but the more diligently I try to follow God’s will for me, the more I’ve seen an outpouring of blessings.

People ask me how I do what I do. How do I raise 5 tiny humans, work crazy long overnight shifts at the hospital every weekend, keep a house in order, support a husband in his growing business, while growing my business etc, etc, etc… I can only say with Heavenly help. Because with discipline comes added blessings, inspiration, energy, focus and productivity. Ezra Taft Benson taught, “ Men and women who turn their lives over to God will find out that he can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends and pout out peace. Whoever will lose his life to God will find he has eternal life”

Since embarking on this journey to become the “Wholemade Mama” and share my truths in hopes of helping others, I have learned how incredibly important discipline and balance are. I’m striving to maintain both in my family life, eating habits, care of my home, and even in self care. Because, how often do we forget to take care of ourselves as we are raising a family? Who else eats their kids crumbs, goes hours without drinking a sip of water, and sacrifices sleep to get the house in order… sneaking into sleeping children’s bedrooms to finally get the laundry folded and put away at midnight?

I am so thankful for the opportunity I do have to speak up and out and for the miracle of the internet (I remember when it didn’t exist and my pager was the only thing keeping me connected to friends and family)! I’m so thankful to have been led to an amazing business opportunity that allows me to improve my family’s health and life, helping others do the same, and work with a team of AMAZING like minded women! We are learning that the work we put in today, consistently and authentically will lead to true financial and time freedom. We don’t have to be unicorns. We don’t all have to be bloggers or social media stars… we just have to have Discipline.

Today we might sacrifice a quick buck, but we are building something here! We are building something so worth the delayed gratification with babies in our laps and toddlers on our hips! It won’t be long until I’m home with my family each weekend and sleeping again… can I get a HALLELUJAH! And this thing I’m building… well, it doesn’t have a ceiling. I’ve worked 18 years in my profession and I’ve hit the ceiling. In 4 years of Momtrepreneurship, I will have replaced that income and the sky is the limit! Its personal development with a paycheck! I’ve grown in ways I never imagined. I listened to that still small voice that said…. it’s time to step out of your comfort zone Tammie. Here I am! Heaven help me…. literally. But, I feel it in my bones. God is making so much more of me than I could ever make of myself.

Have you felt a nudge like that? Have you heard that quiet whisper? What is it telling you?

*** because I mentioned $$ I’m obligated to share this… Income disclosure statement and HERE***