Before I introduce you to a new project I’m working on, I want to tell you a very sweet story…
When I was studying theater in London during my junior year in college my parents came to visit for a long weekend. That Saturday, we set off to Portobello Road market to scout rare finds through the windy paths of loud merchants and tangled jewelry. My mother had brought me up antiquing at the Brimfield Antique Show every year since I was 6, so this activity was a welcomed familiarity.
About three quarters through the day my mother stumbled upon a collection of red antique cricket balls, that I’m sure a thousand people had passed by without a second thought.
“These would look incredible in a glass bowl on our coffee table in the living room!” she exclaimed as she clapped wildly. My mom always knows exactly how to turn random objects into unique home decor. But when she checked the price of buying 12, it seemed too extravagant for balls… So we kept walking.
We then bumped into a man who was selling cameos, those sweet pendants with a porcelain profile of a woman on a pale pink background. I was so taken with one in particular, it had an intricate gold border. When I asked the price, it was way out of my student budget, so we moved on.
After 3 hours of picking through chipped tea cups and 100 year old Christmas ornaments, you could tell my dad was losing interest. He told us that he was going to slip away to smoke a cigar and recoup. Mom and I kept rummaging.
That evening, as we were sitting at dinner chatting about my time in London, my dad pulled out a large bag, which he passed to my mom, and a small box and gave it to me.
It was a dozen red cricket balls and the cameo. What a sneak. It was no one’s birthday or special occasion, but just because he loves us.
Here’s a photo of me and my dad from that night.
I was particularly touched by my Dad’s thoughtfulness because I was at a time in my life when I didn’t fully understand the concept of “doing things just because it makes you or someone else happy”.
I had just gotten out of a particularly lame relationship with a man who didn’t believe in flowers, dates or surprises. “Our love was enough” he said, and I believed him. As a result, any act of care, for others or myself completely fell away and my life revolved around school work, partying and sleeping in.
In a recent guest post by my parents my dad said,
“Lots of little things are better than a few big things. While a surprise trip to Paris for Valentine’s Day can certainly be memorable, more frequent actions that show you’re thinking of your spouse are better for building and maintaining a long, loving relationship. It’s truly “the thought that counts” when you come home with a red rose on a random Tuesday or play her favorite music on Pandora. It’s an everyday thing, not a once a year thing.”
Jonathan and I make this sentiment a priority. Every morning he leaves me a note to wake up to before he walks out the door at 5am and I leave him a telegram on his voicemail once I wake up for him to listen to when he gets out of surgery. We plan surprise dates, cook nice dinners for each other or do the dishes without being asked.
Some people think that they need to be swept off to Paris on a moment’s notice or wake up to a diamond necklace on their pillow, but I really do believe that it’s the little things that make the biggest difference.
Jonathan truly does treat me like a princess, but only because I act like one. As much as he does for me, and I do for him, I do for myself. Because I know that I can’t expect anyone to treat me better than I already treat myself. Tweet it.
Everyday I try to give myself a small gift. For no reason in particular, just because it makes me happy. And isn’t that the whole point of living anyways? What’s been amazing is that these small gifts are the things that prevent me from eating all the ice cream in my freezer on a daily basis.
I understand that moving from putting yourself last, to doting on yourself daily can be a stretch, which is why I’ve created a fun and easy way to help you ease into this new way of life without needing to try.
Starting on September 3rd, the day after labor day and the unofficial beginning of fall, I’m hosting a Live More Weigh Less 28-Challenge and it’s completely free. Everyday you’ll be getting an invitation to give yourself a little gift like fresh flowers, wearing an amazing dress, eating your favorite food or going on a long walk. The challenges are simple, but let’s face it, even though we have the best intentions to make things happen, we rarely do.
I know that with the structure of a program, someone fabulous 
leading the way and an amazing group of women doing it with you and cheering you on, you can’t help but change everything, one small, simple gift at a time. You can sign up for free here.
I also know this challenge could be the thing that starts you on the path to your ideal weight, because when we’re happy, taken care of and emotionally full, we no longer need food to make us happy and the extra weight naturally falls off.
I’d love to have you join us, you can sign up for free here:
LMWL Challenge.com
Why am I doing this? Just because I think it will be fun and make me happy:).
Love,
Sarah