Day 23 of the #40daysto40 #Birthdaychallenge Madness

Day 23: May 4, 2017

Challenge: Take a voice lesson

One of the things that my mother always taught me was that the talents that God gave me aren't for me, they are meant for me to share, and to build up His Kingdom. However, because of my anxiety with people, I have a hard time sharing my talents. Because I have a hard time sharing, I have a hard time working to improve my talents. After all, why should I work on improving something if nobody is going to see or hear it, right? Singing is something that I've always loved doing. I don't think I have a fabulous voice, but I can generally hit the right notes, and I love how singing makes me feel. I even enjoy singing in front of others. But again, I don't think I have a fabulous voice. So, I decided to work on improving this talent that God gave me by taking voice lessons! I have a great friend who teaches, so I asked him to help me out. I have some natural talent, but having an expert give me advice made me much more confident in presenting myself to others.

I learned from this challenge that I need to work on developing my talents in all areas of my life, music, writing, teaching, baking. When I do things that are creative, I can be closer to my creator.

Take a voice lesson! #40daysto40 #birthdaychallenge #musicislife #musicalfriends 🎶🎶🎶

— Stacy Mayren (@StacyLeeSnider) May 5, 2017

Day 22 of the #40daysto40 #Birthdaychallenge Madness

Day 22: May 3, 2017

Challenge: Have a backyard picnic

This challenge was fun! First of all, I usually enjoy being outside (as long as it isn't too hot or cold, so May is generally perfect), but I forget that when I'm on the couch watching Netflix. Being in the out of doors is good for a person: vitamin D, connection with nature, time unplugged, etc. I always feel better after I've spent some time outside, but I have a hard time remembering that I actually like doing it because I don't like doing things outside that most people do: I hate gardening, don't ever ask me to go camping, and I only enjoy hiking if by hiking you mean walking at a snail's pace along a paved path. I don't like getting dirty, so my time outside is limited to activities that I can do without getting in the actual dirt. Enter the ever versatile picnic blanket! It's soft and comfortable, but also it keeps me off of the grass (itchy) and dirt (ewww) and keeps (most of) the bugs away from me. Then I can have my outside time without getting any of the outside on me!

What I learned from this, as from many of my other challenges, is that I need to make time and create ways to do the things that bring me joy. I need to spend more time outside. Since this challenge, I've made it a point to always have a blanket in my car, as well as a couple of protein bars, just in case.

Have a backyard picnic! #40daysto40 #birthdaychallenge pic.twitter.com/BrBOkCVd8H

— Stacy Mayren (@StacyLeeSnider) May 4, 2017