As a woman and as a mom, I know I always would help others before I helped myself. I would not take time to rest or heal or feed my soul.... I did feed my belly. That is how I got through a lot of stress. That does not work.. it feels good in the moment,but then it backfires.I would feel bad about myself for overeating and for not dealing with issues. 

I finally took time for me and I was able to find myself and who I am and who I wanted to be, other than a deaf/ed teacher, wife, mother and friend. I want to inspire and motivate people. I want to help others see that they are ENOUGH, just as they are. They can always improve and make themselves a better version of themselves. Just because we want to improve on the current model of ourselves does not mean that we are not enough, we are not good , or we are not worthy. It means that there is SO much life to live and we deserve ALL the goodness.

Take time today-write down three areas of your life that you want to improve.. it can be spiritually, physically, emotionally, financially,etc.. Whatever speaks to you. Don't over think it..just write. 

I am here to help you improve your motivation, your inspiration, your finances, your mental happiness and your physical well being. Please reach out. Send me a message here or connect on Facebook at  Allison Brooks Schley.

Have a beautiful week and remember you can always #AskAllisAdvice.
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There is so much beauty around us, that I think we often forget to look around us. I had the blessing to go to Europe last week. It was beyond amazing. To see things I only dreamed of, with my daughter who has a chronic illness, is a dream come true. 

I wanted to see puffins SO badly.. It was rainy and cold and we were not sure we were up for a boat ride. Then I heard the cost and I realized I would just be looking at them through binoculars, not  having them walk next to me, so why bother.. I chose not to see them. I was sad..then I realized there was so much more beauty in Iceland that I was seeing... looking at the faces of the Icelandic people was beauty. Listening to the accents of their voices was beauty. Seeing the old harbor, the tiny cobblestone  roads (that seemed to go up both ways), seeing the tiny cafes filled with delicious scents, and trying a magical fish dish (did I mention I HATE fish) and loving it...that was beauty! 

I realized it was important to not over focus on what I wanted to do,but enjoy what I was doing. Let the time I had there be the beauty-seeing my daughter visit with a friend  she hadn't seen in two years was beauty. Seeing my daughter get a  Norske rune tattoo was beauty. Seeing ancient buildings in  Europe was beauty. 

As we toured Europe, I was struck by the beauty of the details of the carvings of the  buildings and statues. I was  in awe of the  glory of the palaces. I loved the details in the old clothing.

When we returned home to the USA, I had to take my daughter and her dog back to Minnesota, so we had about a 5 hour drive through rural Wisconsin. I smiled. I saw so much beauty HERE in the farms, the rolling hills, the green grass and the cows. 

There truly is beauty everywhere -in my opinion, none is better than the other, just different. What are your eyes opening to today that you never noticed? 

Where are my "Mom So Hard" Mamas or my "Dad So Hard" Dads at ? Yes, you! You know you want to raise your hand..but you feel like," Well, that' s my job.. my choice.. I can't be bitter about it!" I am not asking you to be bitter... just honest.

If you are like I am, you do so much for others.. what about YOU? When is the last time you treated yourself to a movie, a spa day, a dessert that you didn't  share? When did you get your hair dyed, buy new makeup, or grab some yummy bathroom  products? 

I am here to tell you that TODAY is the day. No more waiting.. no more guilt. Ya know the   flight attendant always tells you to take the oxygen FIRST in an emergency, and THEN take care of your kids?! Same thing applies-you gotta take care of YOU, before you can take care of others fully. So, I challenge you TODAY to do something special, just for YOU...and  to NOT feel guilty!