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.

My life in three hundred and sixty-five days, twenty-four, twenty-five, and twenty six.

twenty-six

twenty-five.

twenty-four.

I just want to say I love fall weather. Pumpkin Ale. Tea time(I have a little collection going). Hazel always getting in all my pictures! And Buzz protecting the thermostat.

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

mondays are for getting inspired.

inspired by all things. sweet monday post.

ps. none of the photos above are taken by me. I lost some of my sources as well! If you want credit leave a comment! I’ll put it up, :-]

My life in three hundred and sixty-five days, twenty-three.

Twenty-three.

went to aplandia also known as filter coffee, in wicker park with my lovely friend simone. We traveled all over the city today. North side, westish side, the loop, and now I am resting in my nest on the south side.

goodnight. sleep well. dream big!

My life in three hundred and sixty-five days, twenty-one and twenty-two.

twenty-0ne.



twenty-two.

The first photo is of my Kitty aka "Hazel" aka "DJ swirls" and I have many lazy days. We just lay in bed. Watch Mad Men, read, and cuddle. He is seriously the apple of my eye right now.

The second photo is of a building in Chicago in Lincoln Park.

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!

My life in three hundred and sixty-five days, twenty.

twenty.

I didnt take this picture today-- but I did take it May this year.



This picture has significant meaning. One morning in May I was walking home. It was going to be about a five mile walk and I wasn’t really in the mood. Then I started talking to my mom (my mom when she was with me, would always try and get me to go on walks with her) I never would though. Long story short I said “mom, this is going to be our walk.. I’m with you. How are you?” Then I looked up. I saw this “I LOVE YOU”. Tears just started falling. I really believe this was her talking.



I love you. I miss you. I know youre in a better place.


rest well. 09/02/08

My life in three hundred and sixty-five days, nineteen.

nineteen.

enjoy the day to a hilt.

Today was spent with my wonderful friend Mia (Mia if youre reading this, HI!). I believe today, was a good eye opener. I'm truly thankful for everything and everyone in my life right now.

My life in three hundred and sixty-five days, eighteen.

eighteen.

forgive.

photo- taken today at halsted and lake--Chicago, IL

a little trip. actually, this was HUGE!

Twelve.

Thirteen.

Fourteen.

Fifteen.

Sixteen.

Seventeen.

I love Richmond Virginia. Richmond is seriously the cutest city I have seen—so far. It was my first trip anywhere too! I tried to take photos daily (for my life in three hundred and sixty five days project).

Highlights

Oh hello plane! (First flight ever) all I have to say this was a magical experience!
Eating delicious greasy fast food, every day. (Okay, not so much a highlight but this is a taste of how my cousin eats! Whoa!)
Walking down Monument Ave. with Jenny
Singing “home- by Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros” with Jenny to Heather and annoying her ;-]
Cinnamon Tea “RICHMOND BLEND” at night

The ARCHITECTURE.
Sleepin’ in
A late night run to McDonalds
PARK AVE. (my favorite street in thee entire world!--so far)
Of course seeing my lovely cousin HEATHER
BOATIN’ on Lake Anna!
Getting CDS from Jenny (love, love, love!)

It was sweet and short. I had a wonderful time. I really am happy to be back in Chicago though, nothing is like sweet home CHICAGO.

Richmond, VA

A journey of 1,000 miles must begin with one step.

Ancient Chinese Proverb

Here I am in Richmond. It is lovely here! (pictures to come). The 365 projects with continue too. AS SOON AS I GET BACK! It was my first time on a plane and thats why I'm using that quote up there! With this one step, I now feel like traveling is not out of reach. I guess I'm saying my journey begins here :-]. WELCOME!

photo- wikipedia and it cut it off! darn.

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.

My life in three hundred and sixty-five days, nine, ten, and eleven.

nine.



ten.




eleven.

just noticed, all food. haha. :-]]

My life in three hundred and sixty-five days, seven and eight.

sorry for missing! I am making up for it.

seven.

Last night my roommate and I made quiche! It was amazing. I really am starting to enjoy cooking and food photography a ton.

eight.

a silhouette. a shadow.