There are weeks when motivation feels like a whisper you can barely hear over the noise of life—family tension, triple-digit heat, overloaded circuits (both literal and emotional), and the weight of being the one who holds everything together.
But today, I want to talk about something that’s been rising up inside me lately. It’s not loud or flashy.
It’s something solid. Steady. Sure.
Sometimes, standing your ground means standing in the fire.
Not to be burned.
But to prove (to yourself and to the world) that you can walk through it without backing down.
I used to think being strong meant being agreeable. Saying yes to keep the peace.
Smiling and nodding even when my gut told me something wasn’t right.
I’ve done it with people I love, with decisions that didn’t sit well, and yes—even with things like home repairs and survival plans in the summer heat.
But life (and a few near-meltdowns, both mechanical and emotional) has taught me that real peace doesn’t come from going along with everything.
Real peace comes from choosing to protect what matters, even when it’s inconvenient.
Even when someone disagrees.
Even when your voice shakes and you’re tired of explaining yourself for the fifth time.
This week, it was about an air conditioner.
Now I know that doesn’t sound like an epic life lesson, but hear me out.
We’ve got central air. It works… most of the time. But when Arkansas starts simmering in triple digits, the system strains, and the house climbs into the 80s.
It gets too hot – especially for the pets, the people, and the peace.
So we made the logical decision to supplement it with a window unit. Simple, right?
Well, not quite.
Suddenly it turned into a debate about how much is “too much,” how many amps a circuit can handle, and whether “it’ll probably be fine” is a good enough plan when your house, your business, and the lives inside it are all on the line.
Here’s the truth: I love my husband.
He is kind, loyal, and full of good intentions.
But I’ve lived enough of his “we’ve got enough gas to make it” moments.
I’ve sat in a car on the side of the road enough times to know that probably doesn’t cut it when lives, livelihoods, and literal walls are involved.
This isn’t about being stranded waiting for AAA.
This is about our home.
This is about our animals, our people, and the shop I’ve built with my heart and grit.
This is about not risking everything because “it’ll be okay.”
So I put my foot down.
No unit over 12,000 BTUs. No overloading the system just because the wires are new.
Not because I wanted a fight.
But because I know the cost of not listening to that voice in my gut that says,
“This could go wrong.”
And I’ve finally learned to trust her.
If you’re reading this and there’s something in your life right now that feels like a fire, a hard conversation, a boundary you’re afraid to set, a decision you know will shake things up, this is your reminder:
You’re not alone.
Stand in the fire, not to burn, but to prove you’re still standing.
Not to win an argument, but to say: “This matters, and I’m going to protect it.”
Whether it’s your peace, your energy, your family, or your electrical panel—draw the line where it needs to be drawn.
It won’t always be easy.
But it will be worth it.
With love, sweat, and untripped breakers,
Tonya
