What do you enjoy doing in your free time or as a hobby? Comment below. (:
Today I was awoken with nothing better than a great attitude. The crazy part? I had no reason to be motivated. My day was unplanned. Nothing was listed on the agenda. Well, not like I have an agenda anyways, because come on...it's summer! But you get the idea. Basically, my brain was in a different mode. A motivated-but-no-clue-why mode. Instead of frantically calling every friend in the books to make plans with, I proceeded to transfer this motivation into making it a "me" day. What a good decision on my part! After completing a full photo album, working out to some of my favorite music, brainstorming ideas for this blog, and going for a refreshing run, I became immensely satisfied with the day. I began to realize that some times we need to take a little time and be a little selfish. Just a little ;) Although keeping busy is pleasant, and plans are exciting, I have found that it is important to occasionally pause in the middle of your plans...but don't just take a break. Complete tasks that you had previously put off. Engage in activities that excite your spirit. Ensure that you are happy. Take a "me" day!
What do you enjoy doing in your free time or as a hobby? Comment below. (:
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First of all, I would like to apologize for the past 3 months that I haven't been posting on my blog. One word: graduation. Now that I have a bit of free time on my hands, I will (hopefully!) be back up and motivated to keep up with it. I'm still in the process of brainstorming for future entries but I do, however, still want you to take away one thing from this post. That is to not push aside the little things in life but to force yourself to make time for and enjoy the things that make you happy...
...another words, I should never ever stop blogging for more than three months. I think I just set myself a record. Oh gosh. What made today extra wonderful? The beautiful sunshine, of course! You can safely say I've had my share of Vitamin D for the day. Drove home from school with the windows down, sat out on our back patio writing blog ideas into my journal, and did my homework with the sun shining through our window and onto my desk. Spring is just around the corner, and with the recent weather we have been having, I'm finally starting to believe it! How do you make the most out of sunny and crisp spring days? Comment below! :)
Since graduation is less than 3 months away, I am frequently asked the question "what are your plans for after high school?", yet I seem to struggle coming up with an answer to please. I want to reply by saying, "Well, I want to be a veterinarian, marine biologist, author, business owner, photographer, pastry chef, interior designer, architect, etc, etc." but in order for that to happen I would have to go through many years of schooling and if you know me well, you also know I hate school!
Mainly, I love photography. I love, love, love it. It's what I do in my free time and I get immense joy in pouring all my creativity into a camera. I also love writing equally as much, and love to help people out/change people in a positive way through my writings. I want to whole heartedly strive to make a career out of the two, but they are both very broad. There are endless possiblities for each of them. This makes things more complicated beacuse I am interested in so much that I'm not sure which route to take first! Or, rather, how to combine the two into one succesful career! I have no doubt that I will figure out a way eventually and be succesful at it. Plus, once I find that happy medium, I want to create my own business from it. But for now, I'm not quite sure where to start. I look at the future and it seems sort of foggy. As if my dreams and goals are lurking around but I can't seem to clear the fog to see which path to take first. Now, instead of blurting out a list of all the things I have wanted to be since I was little when others ask what my plan is, I say I would like to pursue a career that makes me happy and become succesful at it. Who knows what it will be, but it's going to be great! Who's with me on this?? In between my Sunday afternoon responsibilities (a.k.a. homework...), I have decided to make time to run a quick thought past you all. Or, more like a few questions...
Why do we wait all week for Fridays? Certain days shouldn't have certain characteristics. Mondays shouldn't be the lousy days, Thursdays shouldn't be full of anticipation. Wednesdays shouldn't make you feel as though the weekend is never going to arrive. Try to wake up on Mondays with a big smile on your face, rather than a big yawn. Why do we smile in the sunshine but become dreary during the rain? I've learned to love the people who, during a dark and rainy day, are overflowing with as much happiness as on a blue sky summer day. Dance in the rain! Why do we wait all year for summer? Plain and simple. Why not look forward to beautiful fall colors, the coziness of winter, and the fresh air to take in during spring? To find and fall in love? I'm sure many can relate to this one. We all want that cute love story. We tend to get jealous of people who have strong relationships with others because we simply would like that same feeling for ourselves. Truth is, you need to fully and completely be in love, confident, and happy with yourself before you allow someone else to do the same. Happiness can only be achieved when you stop waiting for it. So go out and make the best of each day! I'd like to start off this post with one of my favorite quotes that happens to be from the movie, We Bought a Zoo...
"You know, sometimes all you need is 20 seconds of insane courage, just literally 20 seconds of embarrassing bravery, and I promise you something great will become of it" -Benjamin Mee As simple of a message it may be, I believe this quote has a powerful meaning behind it that I, personally, have been striving to apply to my daily life. Now, you need to understand that I am one of those girls who takes forever to make a decision. I have to weigh all the odds before coming to conclusion, and picture in my head what the outcome will be. Even after I have made a choice about something, I'm typically left wondering how things would be different if I would have followed through with something else. Basically, I struggle to make up my mind and when I do I'm still not satisfied. I can also be very shy at times. Once you get to know me well, though, you would never believe it. I'm not a person who wears courage and bravery on my sleeve 24/7. So when hearing this quote for the first time, I didn't feel it fit how I was living my life. I wanted to change that. I made it a goal for myself that anything I couldn't make my mind up about, I would go for. If I was hesitant about something, I would go for it. If my shyness was kicking in, or if I was too nervous to do something, I would go for it anyways. Even adrenaline would kick in at times and that was a strong cue for me to step forward and be "insanely" courageous before it was too late. So, how did I do it? I found myself getting more involved. I signed up to work in the café as a barista at our church when I know nothing about what goes in to making coffee. I signed up to be volunteer photographer for parks and rec. I signed up to help be a server at a rehearsal dinner just last night. Main point: I signed up for a lot. I found myself making more of an effort to help people out. I began developing stronger relationships with others because I was opening up to them and allowing them to do the same. I strived to get rid of my "shy" personality, and made an effort to let my crazy side stand out with everyone I came across. So I found myself beginning to laugh a little louder because, well, why be fake? I started giving more hugs to people and making an effort to be with my friends as much as I could. Most importantly, if I thought in my head "no...don't do that. It's too random. They are going to think you're nuts!" I went for it anyways, and I would greatly recommend you to do the same. So if you are someone like me...who has difficulty with making decisions and having the courage to follow through with them, keep this quote in the back of your mind. It will change your life, and allow you to live life with no regrets or what ifs!! :) Another words, "YOLO". But seriously, though. ;) To start off this post, I am going to ask a single question; what is your therapy?
I'll leave it at that for now, but allow me to explain mine... My therapy is coffee dates with friends after school, where time seems to pass by so fast that I almost miss my afternoon Zumba class. Yes. It happened. It's big belly laughing with the people who know me best, and not caring about the people who stare at us like we're crazy. We are. It's long phone calls where I pace around the house babbling away to some of my closest friends about how exciting my day was...or wasn't. It's coming home from school every day to my dog who acts as if she hasn't seen me in a year. It's finding and listening to music that can explain my current situation to a T through its lyrics. It's Sunday mornings at church where I can refresh and get ready for the week ahead. It's nights like tonight where I can snuggle up in a blanket, write a new blog post, and hope for the best! What's your therapy? Today is the last day of 2013. Use this time now reflect on the past year. Not only look back at the good times, but be at peace with the bad times as well. For even the struggles should be appreciated. They were put in your life for a reason even if you are still unsure of what that reason was. Embrace all the new memories you created and new people that have been put into your life. Even strangers can leave an impact. Don't forget to acknowledge the little things, and take note of how much you have changed for the better...it can teach you a lot. Think of this past year as a book, as well. How did it start? How did it end? Realize that starting tomorrow you will begin a new page. The question is, will your page draw in readers? Or will it turn them away? It's up to you to decide... So although some of you might be busy thinking up new year's resolutions, also try to think back on how far you have come and what you can do to make your next "book" an awesome one! :) Enjoy your New Year's Eve everyone and I'll check back in with you all tomorrow! :D
As we move in closer to January, I wanted to give some of you a good laugh with some snowman cartoons I found on Pinterest the other day! Enjoy!!
Yes, I know. I haven't published a post in awhile...but it's for good reason! :) Christmas this year was probably one of my favorites. It was one of those years where, in the middle of all the Christmas festivities, I paused and realized just how lucky I am. Lucky to have such a wonderful family surrounding me. Lucky to have a mom that has amazing cooking/baking skills to the point where I have been full since I started winter break, and a dad who can make anyone laugh just by being his goofy self. Lucky to have both my siblings home for the holidays and still get along with them just fine (most of the time) ;) Lucky to be able to spread Christmas cheer, and lastly... Lucky to have a nephew that I can twin with on Christmas eve! :) What's one thing I'm not lucky for? The cold I just caught. Sore throat + loosing voice= I sound like a guy when I talk. So instead, I'll just write on here!! ;)
Have a good rest of the weekend and I will be sure to blog again real soon!! |