I just finished one of the most amazing books yet. Right now, if you haven’t read it already, go and get Mel Robbins’ book “The 5 Second Rule.” Like NOW! Go ahead, I’ll wait . . . The audio version is great because it is Mel reading the book – her passion and dedication to the 5 Second Rule absolutely come through in the audio book. So go ahead. I’ll wait . . .

There were many parts of the book that spoke to me, but one hit me square in the gut. Mel says when you wake up looking at Facebook and other stuff on your phone, you are starting your day with other people’s drama. You really don’t need to look at that first thing in the morning. Take time to wake up, plan your day, enjoy your first cup of coffee, and take time for you (exercise, read, etc.) In fact, she leaves her phone in the bathroom where it stays overnight. My phone sits on my nightstand and is my alarm, but I don’t usually lay in bed and read email or Facebook. No, I wait until I am in the bathroom and spend a ridiculous amount of time reading Facebook. Do I get anything out of spending 30 or 45 or 60 minutes scrolling Facebook? Not really. Some days it lifts me up because I see posts from friends who are doing something good or making a difference, and some days it makes me angry because of pity posts where people hint at things but don’t come right out and say it looking for some kind of validation, and some days it puts me in a really bad mood when I see how people are treating other people. So really, starting my day on Facebook isn’t doing a lot of good for me. I typically start my day checking for birthdays so I can wish my friends a happy birthday and then looking at my “On This Day” history. Those things give me the good feels, so I may keep up with that. But after that? I really don’t need to scroll, scroll, scroll through all the drama. I have so many things on my plate that my time is far better spent finishing some of those things. So today, for the first time in a very long time, I didn’t read Facebook’s feed first thing this morning. Instead, I spent 20 minutes working on a PowerPoint I need to use in a couple of weeks for a class and 5 minutes planning my to do tasks for this evening. And you know what? My ride to work was really better. I felt more awake (even though I did not get more sleep than usual –that’s next), more accomplished, and more ready for my day. You can bet I will try that again tomorrow.

That is just one simple thing Mel talks about in her book that has already made a huge difference in my life. ONE. THING! She talks about many, many more. Did you get that book yet?

One thing really touched my heart. At the end of the book (and I really hated for it to end!), Mel says “When your heart speaks, honor it. . . . One moment of courage can change your day, one day can change your life, and YOUR life can change the world.” Oh yes it can! What will YOU do today in one moment of courage? 5-4-3-2-1-GO!