A Stepping Stone to all that is Good || 11.19.14

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This was originally posted to There's Beauty in Recovery last week... jump through to the site at the end of the excerpt to read more...

... Because it’s okay if something doesn’t work the first time. It is okay when goals are met with a little obstacle. Our heart blossoms each time we shout to the full moon of our worthiness, of our desire to be alive, of our beating chests ready to take on whatever is next. So I went back to the drawing boards, more like my place of meditation, and sat long and hard about what I needed to feel larger than life and in love with myself. I’ve created a little manifesto of self-love. Something a little easier this time – a stepping stone to all that is good ... [keep reading]

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Have you ever failed at something? How did you handle and react to the situation?

xx

[look! those are my words placed beautifully by Liza Rae from There's Beauty in Recovery -- green link on the sidebar]

|| The Mermaids Mantra || 11.18.14

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"I must be a mermaid... I have no fear of depths and a great fear of shallow living." ~Anais Nin

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I have this quote hanging beside my bed as a reminder. A reminder to be myself and not settle amid the shallowness of others. A reminder to be brave and daring and willing to escape and find the depth in other humans, in animals, and in places no one has ever been before. It doesn't have to be pretty or perfect or right. It just has to be exactly what I need in that moment. I truly do have a great fear of waking up one day and regretting what I did or who I became based on timid choices I made years before. How boring would it be not to be true and authentic to myself? I think it would be terrible to wake up and keep wondering what if. What if I just did it? What if we just went on a journey. Who cares where we end up. How we tell the story is exactly how events unfolded. We can choose if something was rotten or if it was a glorious invitation to our future. Have no fear of depth.

Be adventurous. Live life expansively and lovingly and true. Be yourself.

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Plus, I've always wanted to be a mermaid. Anyone else?

 xxoo

[image]

Let the Wild Rumpus Start || 11.17.14

|| Let the Wild Rumpus Start ||

Today marks the 8 day count until I'm heading in a fancy car to the airport to kick off the holidays. Just 8 days, a to-do list that rivals any honey-do list out there, and a desire to not become a recluse. It's all going to happen with optimism and laughter at the problems that arise and hope that I remain sane. With only a little over a week until Thanksgiving, how are you all holding up? Have you felt the hustle and bustle of the holiday season? Next week I'll be posting some quick holiday survival tips, just a little cheat sheet, so you can truly enjoy the season rather than obsess. Are you busy right now, too? I find that all of my classes front load work so there isn't as much our last week before finals when we return from Turkey Day. Let the countdown begin!

||Challenge|| Now more than ever is our time to be grateful, so I thought that each day this week and next, we could all write down, think aloud, or imagine the beautiful facets of our lives for which we can give thanks. I'd love it if you would share with me some of your thoughts.
I'd love to hear how you all are doing. Are you up for the gratitude challenge? How was everyone's weekend?

|| GRATITUDE ||

I am grateful for sleeping in and no longer feeling guilty. I am grateful for roommates who make time to say hello. I am grateful for Skype that never keeps My Marsha too far away. I am grateful for my dog, Delilah, who knows how to weather any storm. I am grateful for friends who encourage me to try new things. I am grateful for spending the holidays season with loved ones. I am grateful for rain, because it makes me appreciate the sun all the more. I am grateful for my readers, because I'm only encouraged by your presence and good vibes. I am grateful for life, love, and happiness.

What are you grateful for?

xxoo

[Kula Graduation by Tree Bird Photo]