 Print by EvaJuliet I don't know about you, but I'm feeling pretty optimistic this morning. I've already got my workout in, breakfast in my belly and happiness in my heart. I had a really lovely Sunday too. I went on a morning trail run with a new friend, had brunch with an old friend and spent the evening with my forever friend. I feel lucky and happy today. I woke up feeling that kind of oozy, bubbly happiness that comes around in noticeable bursts every so often. When it happens, I want to share it. I wouldn't say I've been unhappy lately but, I think, the humdrum of everyday life creates a low level complacency that begins to feel too familiar, if that makes any sense, maybe even a little boring. I think we all experience that from time to time. Our routines take us through the days, weeks and months with little change in our personal landscape. I think adults call that consistency, which is certainly not a bad thing. In fact, it's essential. But...consistency begins to feel rather stagnant when steady effort has yet to yield noticeable change. I guess that's why I've been humming along at a low frequency and maybe even feeling a bit blah. Patience has never been a virtue of mine. About two weeks ago, though, my efforts began converging into something more clear. What I once considered to be a foggy wandering has started to shape itself into something more tangible. I know this post got kind of deep (and may even be a little cryptic), but this is the place from which my optimism has sprung. It's a bit of hindsight, a bit of relief and a lot of excitement for what's to come. I'm excited to arrive somewhere new on my magnificent journey. It makes me giddy and optimistic. When these happy feelings pop up, I know enough now to throw my sails up and ride it out as far and as long as they will take me. After that?Well, I'll just keep traveling on. Cheers to feeling optimistic! Oh, I almost forgot after all that rambling...isn't the above print so pretty? It's the work of Eva, a designer and illustrator based in Quebec. She's got an Etsy shop by the name of EvaJuliet, which happens to be her name and the name of her letterpress printing machine. She makes happy prints with uplifting words. Thanks, Eva!
They say all good things take time. Ain't that the truth! As a child, I would daydream of who and what I was going to be when I grew up. I was going to be a princess, the first female President, an astronaut, a TV star. I dreamt about a life filled with celebrity and spokesperson deals. In high school, I was sure I wanted to be a lawyer, the ones that TV dramas were made of. Fast forward to college and I wanted to be a psychologist. A year later, I became starstruck with the hip, twinkling allure of the advertising agency which I pursued for quite some time. I was always chasing something, looking for the BBD or, the bigger, better deal. I was sure it was waiting at the end of some dark and distant hallway, the reward at the end of a very long road paved with ambition and stick-to-it-iveness. If I could just keep going, keep pushing. Then, something funny happened to me. Instead of searching out, chasing yet another mechanical rabbit around an endless track, I turned my focus inward. I stopped running toward bright, shiny objects and began asking myself some very important questions. What is it that I like to do? What am I really passionate about? If I could be doing anything in this world, what would that be? What is my soul's longing? What makes me happy? For the longest time, I didn't know. What an uncomfortable feeling. To me, it was not okay to not know. I felt like everyone knew their path but me (a gross distortion of reality, by the way). I was falling behind in this phantom race. I needed to find out quick or else! Still, I sat with those questions, for years I sat with those questions. Then, I began learning to live the answers. I relaxed a bit, took it easy, stopped being so hard on myself. I became comfortable with trying and failing, trying and not liking, putting myself out there. I learned that it's okay to not know. It occurred to me that there is no grand timetable with milestones like sales goals that tallies my score in life. Thirty one years into this lovely journey of mine, I have finally stumbled upon the real meat and potatoes of this whole thing. It's the journey.
Those questions that I've asked myself time and again are beginning to reveal the things that live close to my heart. My only job now is to nurture those things without expectation. For me, it's not about what's up ahead, around the corner or behind door number five, it's about being attentive to my life as it is right now yet always moving forward. Not speeding. Not barreling, nor mowing down but, gently going along this way.
Cliches be damned, but I'm beginning to mildly understand this whole "journey" business. Call me a slow learner, a late bloomer or what have you...I'm enjoying the journey. Are you?
I took this photo yesterday during my most amazing Sunday full of happy adventures. I saw these pennants waving in the wind while the Mister and I enjoyed a sweet indulgence at the local yogurt shop. This happened right after a most satisfying afternoon nap. I love Sundays. I really do.
Even better is the continuation of such a happy day into this bright and delightful week. Let's keep this happy train moving, people. Have an awesome week!
Illustration by Lisa Congdon
I'm chuckling as I write this because whenever I post a Monday Mantra, it is usually because I need a reminder myself. I don't write these because I am an expert on life or because I claim to be a supremely happier person than the next. My posts are written in real time and the topics are always based on my current feelings and what's happening in my life right now.
Right now, life is whipping itself into a wonderful frenzy of activity. Where there was once three balls to keep in the air, there are now twelve. Appointments, obligations, plans and to-do's have whittled my time to an unrecognizable nub. In the meantime, our lives (that's me and the Misters) are in transition. Amidst wedding plans and life plans, the next chapter of our lives beckons. Large decisions are looming but the time is not yet right to make them. We are essentially waiting in the wings. Hanging out in the hallway, waiting for the next door to open.
Which brings me to this moment. Here & Now.
Wait a minute, I haven't thought about this moment until....this moment. Precisely why I am writing this post. When the winds of change are blowing, it is almost guaranteed that I am not thinking about the here and now. My focus is forward, upward, onward. Not here. Or now.
I'd like to take a moment, this moment, to center myself in today. Today, I have the opportunity to enjoy the day for what it is. The birds are chattering in the spring sun, the grass is greener than ever and I am home typing a post in this small window of now that has been given to me. Despite the busy week ahead, my here and now is calm. Everything is okay right now. I am rested. I am loved. I am here.
I am. Are you?
 Forecast icon by Simon Walker It doesn't take much time with me to know that I dabble in the occasional swear word. My mother says that it should have been me who was the sailor in the family instead of my brother. I say, I like to keep it real. Whatevs.
All foul-mouthed fun aside, there is still one "F" word that renders me speechless, even motionless.
Fear.
A blasted four letter word that is tough to confront, even for this potty mouth. I remember a simpler time when fear was caused only by the thought of a night creature grabbing my lone foot dangling off the side of the bed. Or the "basement monster" chasing me up the stairs. Looking back, that seemed more manageable, more rational even.
These days, fear is more tricky. It's subtle and doesn't grip me in the same way I imagined the monster under the bed would. Instead, it distracts and distorts. When I'm in fear, I can be found procrastinating at all hours. I mean, I get real deep with it. It may look like I'm cleaning the house, but what I'm really doing is avoiding the two hours of writing I should be doing. See that delicious cake? It's made with love and procrastination. Did you say you needed help with something? I'll be right over!
The funny thing about this type of fear is that it has nothing to do with the natural sensation that accompanies real danger. Rather, it comes from a strange and false worry, one that tells me I'm not going to get what I want or that I'm going to lose something I already have. It includes the fear of failure, fear of success and fear of the unknown and it almost always occurs prematurely.
I could spend hours asking myself "Why?" but then I'd only be playing right into the hands of this dirty "F" word because, remember, it distracts. Fear wants me to avoid the challenges in my life that promote growth and healthy risk. It says things like "What's the point? Nobody is going to care about it anyway." Distort, distort, distort. Blah, blah. blah.
What really eats my lunch is that when I look at my fear, there is never any sign of real danger. I won't die once I complete a certain task. I cannot seriously injure myself by following through. Still, for reasons yet obscure, I can be rendered useless when fear rears its ugly head.
It happened to me last week, which is why I am beginning the week with this mantra:
The only way out is through
To conquer fear, I must move through it, even if it means wading knee-deep in the muck. The only way out is through and the only way through is one tiny/tough/painful/agonizing/sometimes pleasant step at a time. Fear can be quite powerful if you let it. It can eat away at precious time. It can rule the decisions that shape your life. It can buy you a one-way ticket to the lonely landscape of isolation and self-pity or sail your ship right into the vast, hopeless ocean of "always" and "never". Fear is a motherfucker. It's an experience shared by every person and will repeatedly reveal itself over the course of our lives.
The bright side? We all have the power to move through it. So let's!
It's a new week, friends. One with great possibility and the opportunity to take small steps away from fear and closer to the things we love most. Who's coming with me?
Have you read the Holstee manifesto before? Chances are, if you have the internet, you probably have a time or two. It's a statement of truths that never fails to resonate with me. I've read it many times and each time, I take away a different piece of it. Today, the Holstee manifesto brought comfort to a particularly challenging day and hope because, well, my life is mine and I have the power to change it. "If you don't like something, change it." I believe every experience is an opportunity to learn and grow and, if possible, take action. I received a gentle reminder of that today. The manifesto is full of words worth repeating for a life worth living. Thank you for the inspiration, Holstee! What will you take with you this week for inspiration? What resonates with you when you read the words above? Here's wishing everyone an inspired and happy Monday!
 Camellia in the coffee shop Hello! I hope you all had a happy weekend. Mine was full of creative endeavors- a birthday project for my best friend, crafty assembly of our save-the-dates and hunting for supplies at the antique store. Speaking of antiques, I'll be posting about one of my favorite spots to find treasures later today.
Above is a photo I took with my phone yesterday. I was having coffee with a friend post-run and the morning light was gently pouring through the window. The camellia, sitting in a simple plastic cup, couldn't have looked more beautiful. It was the perfect beginning to a most wonderful day. Honestly, one of the best Sundays I've had in a while.
Since I'm feeling all relaxed and lovey-dovey (maybe a little hippy-dippy too), today's Monday Mantra is focused on finding the beauty that surrounds you everyday. Look for the small gifts from the Universe. It could be the sun hitting the trees just so, or the birds chirping merrily. Maybe it's a kind interaction you witness on the way to work or the fanciful pattern of the clouds that speak to you in passing.
Cherish these moments. Soak in their beauty. Appreciate the life around you. I find balance when I can pause and take it all in. Life doesn't seem to move as fast when I do this. It's not often that I stumble upon these moments of true peace and ease. When I do, it's something worth passing along. I hope similar small moments find their way to you.
The morning sun is starting to peek through my window, drawing lines across my desk. I can see my kitty crouching on the lawn outside, on the prowl for birds and squirrels. Coffee is made. The Mister is sound asleep and life is good.
How about you? Where does your beauty lie today? I hope you all have a wonderful and peaceful week. March is here and spring is on her way. Happy Monday!
 Property of DoinWork I couldn't let Feelgood February end without a ghetto affirmation to show yourself some love.
During this last week of Feelgood February, I propose you treat yo'self to a thought makeover. A thought wha?? A thought makeover. Like redecorating yo' mind.
It's a reinvigoration of the things you tell yourself daily and a most important part of feeling good. I don't know about you, but I find it rather easy to pay compliments to other people. Myself, not so much.
Honestly, when is the last time you paid yourself a compliment? For serious, when did you last look at yourself in the mirror and say, "My you look lovely today" and meant it. I'm not talking about narcissism. I'm talking about honest-to-goodness niceties that you should be telling yourself on the regular. It makes a difference.
What we tell ourselves silently or out loud becomes what we believe to be true. It's the tape that plays on repeat in our brain and, ultimately, contributes to how good or bad we feel about ourselves. I've spent a good chunk of my early adulthood learning how to change that tape and continue to find the need to edit or remix it every now and again.
Beginning today, and for the rest of this week, I'm going to look at myself in the mirror and tell myself three nice things. It could be anything. It just has to be kind. Can't think of anything to say?
Try these on for size and treat yo'self to a thought makeover.
- Hey you! I love you.
- You sure are looking pretty today. Pretty intelligent.
- You in the mirror, you know what? You matter. All the time.
- You are awesome. A-W-E-S-O-M-E!
Let me know how it goes and send a few lines for me try in the mirror. I'm always up for some new ones. Happy Monday!
Jessica Hische via FFFFOUND!
Happy Monday! I'm back from a fantastic girls weekend in Atlanta where I got to spend some quality time with my best friend and soul sister. That kind of girl time, full of laughs, 80's playlists, good food and real talk, is food for my soul. I hope your weekend was just as splendid.
Today's Monday Mantra is all about one simple question: How's your now?
Like, right now. This very moment. Right here and now.
As a list maker and relatively organized person, my life is often based upon making plans for the upcoming week or month ahead and managing my future time to accommodate my very full life. That's a good thing, but sometimes I can delve too far into what's happening tomorrow or the next day and forget about the right now.
My magnifying mind begins to wrestle with the particulars of upcoming events and then the real swirling and twirling begins. Before I know it, I'm predicting the future and fretting about events that have yet to happen. Has this ever happened to you?
Take for example, my upcoming nuptials. There is necessary planning that needs to happen, of course, and then there's the lying awake at night running over the details when there is absolutely nothing that can be done in that moment but fret.
I read a quote once: "Worry is like a rocking chair. It will give you something to do, but it won't get you anywhere."
So, how do you combat the nasty fretting and predicting that is bound to happen? I check myself by asking the question, "How's my now?" which refers to where my feet are planted this instant. How am I in this singular moment?
Right now, I have a full belly because I just ate lunch. I have warm socks on and and a clean house. I have a loving partner in the next room and gas in my car. Right now, everything is just fine. Right now, I have nothing to worry about. Right now, there is no trouble.
Sometimes I have to look at my feet and take stock of the goodness in that one moment. Maybe it's a cool breeze that blows in my direction or the hint of sunshine that peeks out from behind a cloud for a second. Maybe it's the fact that I can take a deep breath and pause before returning to my daily tasks.
Asking myself this question helps to ground me in the present and brings my attention back to the only place where life is truly lived; right here, right now.
So? How's your now?
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