In today’s fast-paced world, where self-improvement and productivity hacks dominate conversations, it’s easy to lose sight of the present. Miranda Von Frickin, host of the “Own Your Awesome” podcast, brings this critical issue to light in her latest episode titled “Are You Missing It?” This blog post explores her wisdom on embracing our current selves and appreciating the journey, while still striving for personal growth.

Embracing Your True Self

Miranda opens by describing the dualities in her life: the vibrant, extra persona she portrays on stage and social media and the comfortable, serene individual she is at home. Whether she’s in pink tutus and sparkly glasses or chilling in yoga pants and a hoodie, both aspects are essential parts of who she is. Miranda emphasizes that owning every part of ourselves, without pretense or shame, is the first step towards true contentment.

The Illusion of Perfection

For many years, like most of us, Miranda battled with her insecurities—be it about her body, finances, or societal standards of beauty and success. This cycle of constant dissatisfaction prevented her from realizing that she was already complete and perfect in her unique way. By looking for societal or external validations, she forgot to acknowledge the inherent worth she possessed.

The Power of Thought

Our thoughts are incredibly potent; they shape who we become. If we’re always fixated on what we lack or the next best thing, we implicitly tell ourselves that we’re not enough. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Our current selves are the culmination of years of hard work, prayers, and dreams. It is essential to frequently pause and take stock of our accomplishments instead of continually adjusting the goalpost.

A Mindset of Gratitude

Miranda reminds us that many aspects of our lives, which we may take for granted today, were once fervent prayers and dreams. From financial stability and a loving family to the house we live in and the job we have, most of us have worked tirelessly to attain these blessings. In our relentless pursuit of the next milestone, we often neglect to appreciate what we already have.

The Present is a Gift

The essence of Miranda’s message is encapsulated in the phrase, “The present is called the present for a reason; it’s a gift.” No matter how chaotic or imperfect our current lives may seem, they are the fruits of our past labor and dreams. By being eternally focused on the future, we miss the beautiful moments and achievements of today.

Balancing Aspiration and Contentment

There is no harm in aspiring for more, to grow and improve continually. However, this aspiration should not come at the cost of appreciating our current selves. Miranda advocates for a balanced approach—continue to strive but also take moments to acknowledge and celebrate the present.

It’s a tricky path to tread, especially in a world that glorifies the hustle and grind culture. However, it’s a path that promises more fulfillment and happiness. After all, what is the point of achieving future goals if we cannot enjoy the present?

Practical Steps to Embrace the Present

1. Daily Gratitude: Start each day by noting three things you’re grateful for. It could be as simple as a good cup of coffee or as significant as your health and family.

2. Celebrate Small Wins: Big achievements are few and far between. By celebrating small victories, you acknowledge and appreciate the journey.

3. Mindfulness Practices: Mindfulness and meditation can significantly improve your focus on the present, reducing anxiety about the future.

4. Limit Comparisons: It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing your life to others’. Remember that everyone has their own unique journey.

5. Reflect on Past Achievements: Take time regularly to reflect on how far you’ve come. Acknowledge and appreciate your growth and resilience.

Conclusion

Miranda Von Frickin’s heartfelt narrative on “Own Your Awesome” serves as a timely reminder: while it’s essential to dream and aspire, it’s equally important not to lose sight of the present. As we set our intentions and resolutions for the coming year, let’s vow to cherish our current selves and surroundings. By doing so, we not only live more fulfilling lives today but also build a more grounded and content future.

So, are you missing it? Hopefully, not anymore. Take a moment, breathe, and appreciate the magnificent being you already are.

Embrace your awesome today.

Transcript:

Miranda [00:00:01]:
Hello. Hello. And welcome to another edition of Own Your Awesome. I’m your host, Miranda Von Frickin. Today’s topic is very near and dear to my heart. It’s something I’ve been thinking about for years, and it came up again very recently At a conference I spoke at, I brought up a visual to the audience, And everyone had a nice laugh, but when it came down to it, that visual is pretty much who I am in real life. You may see me on stage or on social media wearing pink tutus or, you know, my flashy glasses or just being, like, completely extra, which is definitely who I am. But at my core, I am really a Dream sports mom, if you will, and just someone who loves to chill.

Miranda [00:00:56]:
I love to be in yoga pants. I love to be in hoodies that Say some type of biblical truth on it. I love reading a book Near the fireplace, near a window watching the rainfall, I am both parts of those sides of me quite equally. When did I can be here just chilling on my special spot on the couch, and 2 hours later, I could be on stage bouncing up and down in my sparkly pink heels? That is me completely owning every part of me and who I am. And this weekend or last weekend at the conference, this weekend at church, This topic of being completely who we are and embracing it and loving it, and as I say, owning it, has come up multiple times, which made me think it’s time for this conversation. So we’re all out there trying to be our best selves, One upping the competition, biohacking our way to the top, but what if we’re already our best and we’re missing it? For years, mostly high school and maybe college age, I would complain about my hair, my body, my lack of money, or whatever else was driving me nuts those days. For years, I’d Google ways to drop 20 pounds in 2 days, which I know is not even a thing, or buy into the latest Fashion craze, protein shake, workout video. Yes.

Miranda [00:02:23]:
I had the shake weight. Little did I know, I was already perfect. Maybe not in society’s standards. I mean, nobody really today is hyping up the messy bun and p j’s on the couch trend, But in God’s eyes, in my heart, in where it actually counts most in my mind because we all know What we think in our mind is who we actually become in real life because in our mind is where it all starts. So that’s a little bit of what I wanna talk to you about today is embracing exactly who you are. Not stressing so much about who you’re trying to be, your highest version of yourself. I mean, I’m all for striving for bigger and better, But I also need us to not miss what’s actually happening today. Really quickly, things can turn in our life at the drop of a hat or whatever that saying is.

Miranda [00:03:25]:
But I need I need us all to really focus on what our thoughts are doing to who we are today. If we’re always striving for more, aren’t we telling ourselves we’re not enough? If we’re always striving for more money, then we must think we’re broke today. And you know what? Maybe maybe we’re a little broke, But we could do something about that. Right? Every time we think we’re to this, we’re to that, We’re not enough this. We need more of that. Whether it’s our how we look, our clothes, our finances, the car we drive, the house we’re in, whatever. It’s sometimes saying it’s not enough, a, will stop us to getting to where we actually wanna be, but it really negates All the work we’ve done to get to where we are. Do we really need more or different, or do we really already have exactly What we need to be exactly who we are.

Miranda [00:04:28]:
I think that may be my word for next year. Exactly. I’m exactly enough. I have exactly what I need. I love exactly who I am today. Not if this happens, when that happens, today. As is, messy bun, CVS mascara, don’t come for me, and so are you. But my question is, are you too distracted to see it? Are you missing who you are today because you’re always fighting for that future version of you.

Miranda [00:05:05]:
I think I fall into this trap myself sometimes. I’m often praying or wishing and hoping or taking a class to elevate and expand who I am, And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. I’ve made it a complete livelihood off of helping women expand who they are, reaching their highest self. But really when we’re doing that, it’s becoming exactly who we are. It’s coming back to ourselves. So there is a little twist on how I work with women. It’s not just more, more, more of what’s outside of us. It’s more, more, more of what’s inside of us.

Miranda [00:05:42]:
And I think that’s what’s made me so successful over the last 10 years, helping women to become their best self. It’s It’s really helping them realize they’re already their best self. I mean, let’s think about it. The body we have today, she’s carrying you. She’s carrying you to work. She’s carrying you to, you know, your kids’ sporting events. She’s carrying you to any the gyms you go to, any workout program. Like, This body is carrying you, and she may not be the body that you’re you were praying for, but she gave you babies or, You know, she saved your child one day.

Miranda [00:06:19]:
Like, there’s so many different things this body has done for us, and we pooh pooh it Too much. Right? So think of it that way. The money we have now, oh my gosh. I remember going to grocery stores And, like, praying really quick that the card wouldn’t decline. Like, at the grocery store, we used to be so tight when we were younger. It’s like money wise, like, after college and before we are where we are today in the ideal job making, you know, the 6 figure salary, like, There were times we couldn’t buy something because we had to eat. There were times where we were brokered than we are today. Yes.

Miranda [00:07:02]:
We can still strive for more. However, let’s acknowledge Where we are today and own it and and embrace it and really just be grateful for it. Think about it. Our car, our house, our friends, our lifestyle, We once prayed for all the things we have today. We once wished for it. We at one point, This was the highest self we were striving to get to. Whatever you’ve done in your life, you’ve fought to get here. You did the work.

Miranda [00:07:33]:
You did everything you needed to do to get you in the position you are today. And back years ago when that person, that version of you was praying for today’s version of you, she’d be so mad at you. She’d be like, what the hell, girl? Like, That’s what we prayed for. That house with the multiple bathrooms in the backyard that the kids could run around in, the trampoline, the air condition. Oh my god. I remember I prayed for central air for years, and here I am complaining when, like, the furnace breaks down or something like, I wanted this. This is a part of it. Homeownership.

Miranda [00:08:07]:
Right? Like, there’s so many things that I prayed for when I was younger that I have today that I maybe complain about. Right? Because it’s not. The house isn’t big enough or, you know, the the floor isn’t the perfect flooring or I really do need to get some better curtains. You know? Like, or something you know? Like, just so many things that I complain about in my home that I would have killed for 10 years ago. And and my husband and I did pray for this house, and now we complain about it. So it cracks me up because I’m just as full as anyone else. When I talk about things on this podcast, A lot of the times, I just went through it myself, and I’ve seen the light on the other side. And I often come to these realizations that, You know, this is what I prayed for.

Miranda [00:08:53]:
And so I need to really start to stop and be grateful for what I have today because I’m missing it. Right? And I wanna make sure you’re not missing it too. So that that’s really where I’m going at today. Like, I’m all about pushing and working and expanding, but not at the Hence of being exactly who we are today, seeing the fruits of our labor from the past version of ourselves, Feeling the love and the gifts that we have today, knowing who I am is who I dreamed about becoming 10 years ago or so. I remember sitting in the corporate cubicle just praying. Oh, man. Almost into tears that I could one day get up when I wanted to, do what I wanted in the morning, go to work when I wanted to, not have to track my bathroom breaks. Are you kidding me? Like, yes.

Miranda [00:09:44]:
I had a job that tracked our brakes. It was the worst. And I remember thinking like, oh, man. When that day comes, I’m gonna be so happy. And I am so happy. It’s just now 10 or so years later, I’m thinking, oh, man. I got so much to do. I’m busy.

Miranda [00:09:59]:
I have so many clients, blah blah blah blah blah, but I don’t wanna hire somebody. It’s like, girl, get over yourself. You prayed for this. So This is where I’m going here. As we set our intentions for 2024 or resolutions or whatever you do in the new year, As we think about what we want for 2024, let’s add 1 more bit to it to not miss today while we’re working on tomorrow Because it is okay to want more for ourselves to expand, to grow, to elevate our standards. I’m a 100% all about it, but it’s not okay to do it in spite of what we’ve already done, what we’ve already accomplished, to not miss what’s going on in our world today. Today is called the present for a reason. It truly is a gift, and I don’t want you to miss all that you have today while fighting for tomorrow.

Miranda [00:10:54]:
So are you missing it? Friends, are you missing what’s right in front of you? Everything you once prayed for, once wished For, are we wishing it away? Are we, you know, fighting so hard to get rid of something we fought so hard to get? This is such a tough question. You’re not alone if if this is something you’ve done, if this is something you do constantly. There’s nothing wrong with absolutely loving the messy bun version of you even though you feel like Society says you should be in high heels, leather pants, and out, like, clubbing. When I was on stage Last week, I talked about they actually the woman asked me a question. I was on a panel, and she asked me a question and said, what do we think The biggest problem is with not posting on LinkedIn. A lot of people hold back. They’re on the platform, but they’re not creating content. What was the What’s the biggest thing I think is happening? And I said it’s because, a, there’s a little bit of fear, of course, but the only reason there is fear is because we’re worried about being judged for what we say.

Miranda [00:12:04]:
But when we say exactly who we are, Who cares what they say? This is who we are. If you don’t like it, beat it. Scroll on by. Right? Like, unfollow. Peace. So I said to her, it’s it’s not because we’re worried in our most fabulous version of ourselves that someone will say something. We’re worried that they’ll see the actual version of us. And that part’s a little scary to be completely authentic, To be exactly who you are, messy bonds on the couch, yoga pants with a hole in it because your dog just jumped on you, Cheerios in the car.

Miranda [00:12:42]:
Who cares? That’s the part we need to embrace the most. Not saying that’s we just have to be sloppy and not give a crap because that is not at all what I’m saying. But when we embrace The real version, the everyday version of who we are, it makes us more apt to Put our most fabulous self out there or even the middle of the road self out there and to completely embrace her, to love her for who she is, and grow from there. So don’t spend so much time worrying about what others think, worrying about What the competition’s doing, shine a light on who you are today because who you are is perfect. God does not make mistakes. He knew you when you’re messy bun phase. He knew you in your I wear yoga pants every day because I do Zoom calls phase, and he still loves you, which means you need to love you too. Don’t spend so much time trying to be this perfect version of you when this version of you is already perfect.

Miranda [00:13:48]:
Are you missing it? I hope not because she’s fabulous. Thank you so much, friends, for joining me on another episode of own your awesome. I’m your host, Miranda Von Frickin. If you wanna dive more into this conversation, I would absolutely welcome that. I would love, love, love to talk to you. Shoot me a DM. On Instagram, I’m at Miranda dot Von Frickin. On LinkedIn, I’m Miranda Von Frickin.

Miranda [00:14:13]:
Grab a spot on my calendar In my link in bio, in all the places, lots of options for us to connect, continue this conversation. And if you wouldn’t mind reading 5 star reviewing, Telling me how much you love listening to this podcast, I would appreciate it. Thank you so much. And until next time, keep being awesome.