words to heart

"It matters not what a person is born but who they choose to be."

-J.K Rowling

I haven't read all the Harry Potter books (they are on my list). But, this is me bringing back the '365 Ways to Start Your Day Positive' book. It's a great book and each time I pick it up to read that days little message, I feel a little lighter. A little bit happier. I guess I'm for the little things in life. It doesn't take much to get me happy and it really doesn't take much to get me sad (working on that). The wonderful book goes on to say, a single parent receiving financial assistance from the state, Joanne pursued her writing dream in every spare moment she had. And of course, the rest is history. Did you grow up in a family without money and thus feel that financial security is not within your reach? Did adults around you discourage your dreams until you forgot how to dream them?

I cannot tell you how much I can relate to someone (family member) telling me time and time again that my dreams were too big, that I should just find a good man and let him support me. Because of that, I have struggled with getting an education. I have no financial support, making it kind of hard to pursue my dreams. I have never really gave up on my dreams and never really forgot how to dream, but, I did loose hope. I know that this journey has only made me stronger. I know what I want and I know that one day, I will get there, eventually. I also know that no dream is too big or too small. So, take the words of J.K to heart- choose to be more. I know I am.

I know a story

Monday

A little date with a friend.

Tuesday

Another little date with a friend.

Wednesday

AND another date with a friend and then later that night more friends.

Thursday

Spent almost two hours reading in borders, one of my favorite spots to just relax and think and of course read a little. It was so cold but I think I still managed to have a wonderful day. Lost in so many thoughts. I was then greeted by the most heartwarming smile, it was kind of nice and refreshing. A cup of coffee. A walk around the city of Chicago. It was a good day.

Friday

….

Saturday

…..

Sunday

…....

Monday

I've been waiting for you!

Tuesday

.....

Wednesday

Welcome, June! Last month I had these feelings. I just want to say the month of May came and passed faster than the month of April. When I felt lonely I did have the month of May.. Oh but the month of June. The month of June looks promising, just wait and see!

Thursday

Well, well, well.. Hello today! The story I wanted to share here, is just something I wanted to point out. I feel behind. I am behind. But, I haven't been more excited.

“Time is amazingly forgiving. No matter how much time you've wasted in the past, you still have an entire today. Success depends on using it wisely- by planning and setting priorities.

-Dennis Waitley

I haven't done an inspiration message post in forever. I was thinking about my blog the other day (actually, I think about my blog all day.. everyday). This blog has been mostly about inspiration. Although, in my mind it's so much more. I think time will only tell where this blog will go, I'm not trying to rush to make this a masterpiece in one day or even in a year. It's going to take time. So the wonderful book goes on to say, how wonderful to realize that today is “ours” – no matter what yesterday held. When we greet each morning with that willingness to use the day wisely, plan, and set priorities, we achieve our full potential. Write down three things that will make this day matter, make today count.

Take a moment today to revisit your dreams and aspirations. Don't let them out of your sight. Make every day count.

Priority this month: Blog every single day. Yes. I am going to do it. AND that is why I wanted to catch you up on some wasted days and some not so wasted days because hello June! You're about to get really interesting.

Above photos are not mine. Want credit? Please let me know!

within yourself

“When we can't access our inner resources, we come to the flawed conclusion that happiness and fulfillment come only from external events.”

--Sarah Ban Breathnach, Simple Abundance

Reading on..

The problem with that search is that our happiness becomes codependent. Instead of having a well to draw on from within, we require external events to “lift us up.” Not only is that unfair to the events or people we are relying upon, it is unfair to ourselves, because the happiness we create is conditional.

We all deserve unconditional joy and happiness within our own hearts. We deserve to have a sense of internal peace, regardless of what is happening around us. The intensity of that happiness might fluctuate with what our external world offers, but it is there nonetheless.

To break out of that mold, we have to access our inner resources. We have to learn the skills to turn our questions inward instead of outward. We have to accept responsibility that happiness begins right where we are, not somewhere outside ourselves.

There are many things in life we can't or don't control, but we do control our attitude and our perceptions. Once we accept this fact, we create a space in our life to access those inner resources. We engage in activities that promote self-awareness, self-discovery, and self-reflection. We feed out souls with positive affirmations and positive people. We turn away and don't accept the negative into our thoughts and perceptions. We embrace that which nutures us, and reject the rest.

Not often do I put word for word of this book on my blog. Today I think I needed to type it all out. Really engrave these words in my mind. In my thoughts. For far too long, I have been filling myself up with worries that are not really important in the end. For far too long I've been avoiding my thoughts. My thoughts about my mom. About being alone. Avoiding living and just existing. I think it might be time to stop for life is too short. I have far too many goals to just exist. I'm quiting Argo tomorrow. It's going to be a good day. Oh happy day.

a simple life

“My formula for living is quite simple. I get up in the morning and I go to bed at night. In between, I occupy myself as best I can.”

--Cary Grant

What does she have to say? Grant's quote makes life seem so simple, doesn't it? Confucius said, “Life is simple, it is we who insist on making it complicated.”

I would like to believe I try to make my life simple like this quote. At times, I often find myself over analyzing everything. I want the simple things in life though. I think I might be getting better at just letting things go, but, that takes time. And patience.

But, for, at the end of the day, if we have done the best in all things we have touched, we can ask nothing more. Just keep it simple.

shine and glisten.

“Never let yesterday use up too much of today.”
—John L. Mason

I really struggle with anxiety, so, this quote really made me smile. Just let go. Sometime things come your way that you cannot control. Walk away, take a step back.. and know that better things are to come.

This wonderful book says:
Learning to break the cycle of anxiousness and worry isn’t simple. Its takes time, practice, and persistence. Worries about finances follow many of us throughout the day. We feel guilt over “not getting anything done.” Household commitments sometimes seem endless. We worry about our children; we worry about our loved ones. And that worry and preoccupation end up robbing the joy from the magic of today. There is nothing more freeing than finally “letting go.” You will recognize the feeling, because the little things you have been missing will begin to shine and glisten like never before.

collection of friends.

“Unselfish and noble actions are the most radiant pages in the biography of souls.”
—David Thomas

She says gratitude is one of the soul’s greatest riches. Tomorrow say thank you! Contact ten people by phone or email, and express a heartfelt thank you.

I know I need to do this more often. I am truly so thankful for my little collection of friends. I frequently say “my little collection” because I have friends from all over and most don’t know each other. I really wish I could spend more time with some of you! (cough cough): Letty, Dana, Katie, Simone, Rachael, Becky, Mia, Heather … to name a few. Life is wonderful and we have so many things to be grateful for. I know, without you ladies, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. I love you, I really do!


Repeated:
Thank you, world, for all my blessings.

letting go.

“Some think it’s the holding on that makes one strong; sometimes it’s the letting go!”
-Sylvia Robinson

My heart kind of sank when I opened this wonderful book and read this quote today. I’m kind of speechless. I’ll leave you to think about this quote and deal with it because the truth is, I can’t today.

But, she does say. Oh, what a lesson today’s quote holds! I cant tell you how many times I thought holding on would make me stronger, when in reality it was the letting go that helped me grow. I have learned that life is fluid—each moment is a gift.

Just let go, move forward, and grow.





ps: I’ll be posting what I “created” on thanksgiving. It will tell a little story, which has last week’s inspiration and this week’s inspiration combined. Sorry for the wait!

a bumpy sea.

“A smooth sea never made a skillful mariner.”
--unknown

A little somethin’ somethin’ on this quote. She goes on to say becoming “good” or an “expert” on whatever mission we choose is never an easy path. To truly be an expert, we have to be able to take the good and the bad. Our ability to deal with what we are served will be the predominating factor in our level of happiness. So, just welcome the challenging times as a chance to sharpen your skills.

I really want to meet new people. Really listen to their stories. I know at times, I won’t know what to say, but I feel like all my life I have talked too much, it’s my time to listen.

a little prayer.

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference.”
--The serenity prayer

I have read this quote twice this week; I think it’s a great quote for this week. Since, I am going through a lot with work, school, and friendships. Although I read this quote and understand it, I still see myself slipping and sometimes not accepting things at work. So, I’ll be working on that next week, along with finding the courage to change some things I know I can.

The extended version of the prayer

God, grant us the...
Serenity to accept things we cannot change,
Courage to change the things we can, and the
Wisdom to know the difference
Patience for the things that take time
Appreciation for all that we have, and
Tolerance for those with different struggles
Freedom to live beyond the limitations of our past ways, the
Ability to feel your love for us and our love for each other and the
Strength to get up and try again even when we feel it is hopeless.

ps.
I haven’t done a 365 ways to start your day positive so I wanted to get back into the groove of things. When this book is finished, I think I want to start my own. With the positive and silly thoughts that are on my mind daily.

no judgment.

“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.”
-Eleanor Roosevelt

How many times do we back down because of fear? People daily are faced with making big life decisions. The book tells a story about ‘a very big life decision’. He had already made his decision, committed to it, and committed to many other people as well—all that was left was “to dot his I’s and cross his T’s.” The change he was challenging himself to make wasn’t one done on a whim. He had spent many months preparing and talking with others to make sure it was for the best. Yet the final steps to make this change would require him to come face-to-face with a deep-rooted fear he had since childhood. In the end he ended up baking down. I know I have had the same kind of decisions to make. I know I have also backed down when I looked fear in the eye. It goes on to say (I truly believe this) No one.. NO ONE can pass judgment on anyone, for each of us has to fight our own battles, and we can only truly understand the battles when we are in the shoes of the battler. I know judgment is something that comes naturally. I also have been completely 'trying' to cut judgment out of my life completely.

It goes on to say what became abundantly clear that many people have the struggle: seeking the truth, finding it, and then letting fear take it away. Is that right or wrong? It’s up to you. If we do not change, we will not get different results than we already have.

We can only overcome fear when we embrace it.

Acknowledge we are scared and terrified, but we should look from all angles, make the best decision we can, and then take a deep breath and go forward.

Fear is a calling to grow.

something rich and rewarding.

“Well, ‘said Pooh, what I like best,’ and then he had to stop and think. Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn’t know what it was called.”
-A.A. Milne

How many times have you said “I just want to to complete all my goals—and be done!” I know I have. But! “Life is a journey, not a destination,” is a quote we often see on inspirational posters. We have to create a day-to-day life that fosters the feelings Pooh describes. Our day-today journey has to become the joy and richness in our life. She goes on to say after all, what do you do when you get to a destination? You usually don’t stay there, but instead chart another course. We can’t link good feelings to our destination, or we would never have as many good feelings as we deserve in our lifetime.

The journey is a lot of fun. Enjoy!

finding passion.

“Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it’s always your choice.”
-Wayne Dyer

Hello there! Today this wonderful book of inspiration says


We naturally want the best for those with whom we are friends, our acquaintances—as woman, we are natural nurturers. It’s important to realize that our views and attitudes about our world are the single biggest influence we can give to those around us—either positive or negative.

I would like to believe I’m a positive person. I always find something good about each down fall that comes my way. Although, I can slowly feel my positive energy (that was at full force, at the beginning of the summer) fading, fast, lately I have been feeling a little wore out and not “good” enough (many reasons). I know, I know, so silly. So, this week! I am going back to the beginning of summer. Except its fall! This is an even better reason, to be excited, thankful, and happy. I love this season. It’s indeed my favorite.

Keep on moving. We are almost there.

key ingredients.

"Success is often the result of taking a misstep in the right direction.”
--Al Bernstein

Most success stories are journeys that include obstacles, “failures,” detours, roadblocks, and road bumps. But obstacles, “failures,” roadblocks, and road bumps are key ingredients to success. We can’t get to success in a personal or professional endeavor without these ingredients. Roadblocks teach us to stretch our thinking, reframe our situations, and expand our possibilities. Goes on to say—there is no such thing as a setback. A setback is a necessary ingredient in the recipe of success.

Detours—two that have been on my mind a ton.

Not being able to afford school.
Going to Cosmetology school.
BUT! I learned so much—not only about hair but many many life lessons. (I’ll save this for another post)

Bumps—ill stick with a goofy one.

My closet going bananas, twice
BUT! I now have to come up with a better design, which will possibly make me organize all my things! And I got a new inspiration board out of it. (this will come later, too!)

This post can probably get drawn out and boring! So ill keep it short and sweet. Goodnight.

I walk through fear.

“All I know is that you can get there from here. You can. Walk through fear.”
-Mary Anne Radmacher


How often do we turn away from something out of fear? It might be something on a large scale, like a hidden dream in our heart. Or it might be on a smaller scale, like not making a phone call because a conversation makes us nervous. This book is intsense (in tents) :-], mia. (sorry, back to business) Oh, how many times. I don’t even know. Too many to count. If we don’t take a step forward, we will never get “there”. Each time we take steps, we will build our internal confidence and belief system.


It says
Take a step today toward “there”—wherever your “there” may be.

learning to dance with life.

“There are no guarantees. From the viewpoint of fear, none are strong enough. From the viewpoint of love, none are necessary.”
-Emmanuel


So often in life we want a guarantee. We want something new, but we are fearful. We long to know that our energy will not be wasted. We want to try a new career or implement a new idea, but we need reassurance to warrant the risk. We seek some reassurance it is easy to withdraw and not take a chance. It goes on to say we must learn to dance with life, even without a guarantee. We have to reach past out fears and embrace risk to discover the path to fulfillment. For the greatest things in life aren’t backed by guarantee, but by risk and courage. Really? What do we have to lose? Nothing.



I am behind on my “my life in three hundred and sixty-five days project” BUT! I have a real treat coming up! Or I’m pretty excited about it anyway.

give the best of yourself

“One of the most tragic things about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our window today.”
--Dale Carnegie

I have taken a few days for living (actually working)! Anywho, how do you do! : D. She goes on to say if you were to gather 100 people in a room and ask them to write down their happiest times, you would likely find that the list had one thing in common. Our happiest times come when we connect with others and give the best of ourselves. Yet, these happy time can be hard to come by because human nature is to acquire “this or that,” or accomplish “this or that,” before taking time to connect.

long stories short:
I couldn’t agree more with this quote. For so long I have always put off connecting with people. I have always felt I needed to do something more and become someone better. This year I think I have grown so much. I believe I put part of that self away.

focusing on what matters.

“Pick battles big enough to matter, small enough to win.”
--Jonathan Kozol

She says we need to challenge our routines, instead of doing them on autopilot, and we need to choose to focus on what really matters. Life isn’t about getting everything done—life is about completing what matters. Do not fill up your to-do list with so much “clutter” that you cant complete the tasks that give life meaning.

Focus on what matters. ((Dont make your goals too small though.)) because you might end up forgetting that they are there! and not seeing them.

THIS BOOK speaks to me so closely. I feel like it may do that for everyone. I have to-do lists that are seriously never ending. I know this may be everyone.. so lets focus on what matters. :-]. If you’re reading.. leave a comment. What are you going to focus on this coming week? I would love to know.

one day at a time. all we can do.

dont ever forget to live.

“At some point during your search for the meaning of life, don’t forget to do a little living.”
- Quoted from A Thousand Paths to Tranquility


Lately I have been doing a lot of learning, discovering, and searching. This quote makes me think.. maybe I should slow down. Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. I am here! Okay! I need to remember to not get lost in finding but really start living. She goes on to say as many people search for their passion or for the meaning of life, they are wrapped up in “tomorrows.” The goal is to get to that “special tomorrow” where fullness and meaning is discovered, and problems lessen.

It goes on to say in order to find the meaning in life we must live. We can’t live for tomorrow, next week, next month or even next year. If we spend our time wrapped up in thoughts of what’s next, then we actually end up losing the gifts of today. Which, is actually moving, self-discovery further away from us.

Something to think about

Another one of my favorite Audrey quote that goes with this

"Pick the day. Enjoy it - to the hilt. The day as it comes. People as they come... The past, I think, has helped me appreciate the present, and I don't want to spoil any of it by fretting about the future." — Audrey Hepburn

helping others and learning to help yourself.

“It was on my fifth birthday that Papa put his hand on my shoulder and said, ‘Remember, my son, if you ever need a helping hand, you’ll find one at the end of your arm.”
Sam Levenson

For what is going on in my life right now this post couldn’t be more on point with what’s happening/going on in my life right now. I actually talked to a friend about this subject—relatively. It says ‘the successful person heeds this quote and understands that in order to move forward, she needs to use her own helping hand.
We cannot put the responsibility for moving forward on another, or wait for someone to help us. We have to live every day, helping ourselves down the road of our dreams. I have always (sad to say) that person that has many goals. Yet, I rarely accomplished them. It goes on to say 10% of people actually live that way. This is a sad thought.

I believe in myself now. Something I didn’t have a few years ago. In the past two years I have learned SO MUCH. It truly amazes me.
It goes on to say (again, I know, I say this a lot!)
What area of your life are you waiting for help in? Instead of spending time waiting, spend time generating a list of what you need to know, and then get to where you want to be.
Easier said than done? Yes. I think so too. Just take it day by day, that’s all we can do. We no longer stall in life; instead I seek solutions— ill get there.

I already posted this a while back in my blog. This is the full poem..(of the quote). I read this poem EVERYDAY.

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge you'll never walk alone. People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; Never throw out anybody. Remember, If you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

ps. if youre reading. Thank you!

envision and we shall go!

“You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through.”
--Rosalynn Smith Carter

I would like to say I thought it would be a little easier doing this project but yet again I have stumbled upon a bump in the road. I decided sometimes things happen and I am not going to put myself down for random things happening. I have hightlighted a few entrys I didnt update on and we shall stumble upon them next year.


I have a good one today! Everyone always says confidence is key. This statement is so very true! The books says envisioning the target goal is a great tool while implementing new ideas into your personal improvement plan. It’s so easy to do so… actually getting there is the problem. Change requires energy. Yet, today’s world doesn’t often leave us with an overflow of energy. To help choose change instead of familiar, envision the result of the goal you are working toward. Imagine yourself or your life as you want it to be—then choose a route to get you there. I always have done this, although I fully never get to where I want to be.. I know I’m inching toward the right direction, everyday.