Good Morning Beautiful (How was your night?)

The birds are a chirpin', the rain is out...ahhh it's lovely. Actually the rain is pretty lovely LoL it's making the air smell super fresh. It's a nice little break from the sauna feeling my room had yesterday. 

So, how was my night? Oddly I probably slept in every humanly position possible. My head was even where my feet were suppose to be at one point. I just couldn't get comfortable! I was tossin' and turning, movin the pillows around, trying to sleep on my tummy, back...yeah I tried it all. Guess you can say it was pretty restless. BuT I feel very energized this morning and the gears are a turnin strong. So strong that the first thing I felt inspired to do was write this blog and release some of the things I've been stewin on. 

Where am I right now? Hawaii! The most beautiful, amazing place in the world and yet I still some how find a way to focus on the negative or troublesome things in my life. Hello? Talk about ruining a good thing...

What is all this drama and why have I allowed it to hang out with me for so long? It's like this back and forth battle between healthy and sick. Well ya know what? No more! Life is WaY too precious to waist any time honing in on the lame parts. Starting now I am living my life as an adventure. I am going to experiment with different things, explore, learn and just get down and dirty with the livin. No more planning out my next move. I'm just going to go with the ideas that are flowing through my head and take each one as a chance to grow. 

I'm going to get to know myself. Strip down to the bare minimum and be openly honest with who I am. I am treating myself as a stranger and taking the chance to become friends with the person that truly lies within. I want to learn new things about me everyday. I want to discover my limits and push them. I want to become my own best friend and support myself in whatever it is I choose to do. Wow talking like that just made me realize that I may be leading myself into some type of bi-polar, mulit-personality situation here. LoL. Nah no multi-personality....just becoming my own support system. If you can't count on yourself than who can ya count on? 

I'm going to take this life I've created and filter out all the things that aren't me. Stuff gets stuck to us sometimes. Whether it be through TV, the radio, or from other people...stuff just gets stuck. Ever hung out with someone for like a week then noticed yourself saying certain things that they say? 

We are like sponges...we take in and soak everything up, and once in a while we gotta be rung out and washed or we'll burst and start smelling like the bottom of the sink ;)

So this is my ringing out. I'm gunna twist myself on every level and squeeze out whatever it is that doesn't resonate with my heart. There just isn't room for it in my life anymore. Each day is going to be an experiment, and I'm going to experience this life for all that it can be. 

Watch out world - here I come!

HoT, HoT, HoT!!! It's like a sauna in here...

So here I am sitting in my room, hot as heck and wondering what to do with myself. Again I am thinking about all the things I want to accomplish in my life, and I haven't a clue where to begin. There are just SO many things to choose from! 

Thankfully I had amazing parents growing up who were always whispering in my ear that I could do anything I set my mind to. Well...they had no idea that my mind would end up changing daily!! I can blame everything on my parents, can't I? LoL. But, no seriously...there must be this fear of commitment that I have packed away inside my head somewhere, cuz I swear the second I agree to something is the second I start thinking about all the other things I want to do. I drive myself nuts! I know I'm a good multi-tasker, but this is starting to get ridiculous. How in the world am I suppose to make sense out of all this stuff in my head?

I know that I definitely want to follow a healthy path geared toward nutrition and fitness, but there are SO many people out there doing the same thing, and I want to be original. This is where my dilemma comes in...

How can I take all these things I've learned from others and make it into something of my own? Can I even be an example of health that others would want to follow? I've tried so many different things when It comes to health...healthy eating, different types of fitness, and lets not mention all the crazy cleanses I've experimented with. Oh yeah people...I was obsessed! In all honesty I did like trying out different things though. It was fun to see what worked and what didn't work with my body. I totally believe we are all different, but I also believe we are alike in many ways. When it comes down to it we all just wanna be happy. We wanna find that thing that puts a smile on our face.

So0o0o what's that thing that puts a smile on my face? Haha this may sound super lame, but this is the honest to God truth....what makes me happy is seeing other people happy. When people are happy and smiling it's almost impossible to take your eyes off them. They are contagious. They glow. People are drawn to happiness, and I think the way to be truly happy is to become your authentic self. I absolutely love seeing people who stand out from the crowd. People who go against the mold and don't let society make them into something they're not. It's super attractive to me. People who tat themselves up from head to toe or style their hair all crazy. People with an unusual sense of style that could not have come from any magazine spread. The people that are just themselves and are happy and comfortable about it. They are a walking billboard of everything they love and are constantly expressing themselves openly for the world to see. (My Mom may not like that tattoo reference...haha don't worry Mom I'm not going to come home covered in ink.)

Maybe the reason why I am so attracted to theses people is because I lack the courage to step out of the box. I wouldn't dare do something I thought others may judge me on. I am scared shitless to stand out. I would rather hide in a corner or blend in with the wall than be the center of attention. I have never liked to get noticed, yet there have been dreams and talents placed within me that scream everything but mediocrity. I'll tell ya the truth - I have no idea why I have been blessed with certain things. I truly don't believe that I deserve any of it, and I think that's why I'm scared. When you feel undeserving it can ruin everything. Great things can pass you by, and instead of thriving you're left feeling empty. Each and every one of us has talent. There is no one in this world who wasn't put here for a reason. All I can do is do the best I can. If I have a dream in my heart it's there for a reason.

It's time to throw aside all the doubts and fear and start appreciating everything for what it is. Appreciate the fact that I'm human and make mistakes. Appreciate the fact that I can learn from those mistakes, and turn each and every disappointment into a triumph. Good things are waiting for all of us. It's our given right to be happy, and we deserve it. Don't let the world cloud your vision. Use your common sense and ask yourself what it is you truly want to do in life. There are no wrong answers, and the answer could even change from day to day...but just keep asking and following what it is your heart is saying - not what the media is saying, and not even what your friends and family are saying. Go with what you are saying. Let things fall into place. Be present and love everything about yourself. Never feel disappointed. Everything happens for a reason, whether or not you understand that reason doesn't matter. It's how you react to a situation that determines if you're going to learn something from it or not. 

Sing or dance or do whatever leaves you feelin tingly inside. The road won't always be smooth, and temptations will most certainly arise...but just remember to lead with your heart and strength will never run out.

I got my mind on my money (and I ain't goin nowhere)

Happy Friday the 13th! Today's inspiration? Good ol' T.I. and Rhianna - Live Your Life.

I was listening to Pandora and this T.I. song came on. I was all into it - don't worry I wasn't dancing...just a little head bobbin LoL and then toward the end I heard the line, "I got my mind on my money, and I ain't goin nowhere." 

Light bulb! 

Money. Money. Money. Doesn't it seem to be the topic of almost every conversation? People are so dependent on this greenness that it consumes them. Instead of waking up everyday being happy the majority wake up dreading their trip into work. And why do we work? For money right? And why do we want that money? So we can be happy and enjoy life, right? So the question I had to ask myself was this...do we really need money to be happy? I certainly like having money. I love buying things, and I enjoy being able to do things that cost money...but when the want of money overrides the need for money that's when problems arise. 

When our mind is constantly fixated on money it's hard to think about other things, and it is definitely tougher to enjoy life. I have noticed that people who are always worrying about money tend to think that everyone owes them something. They are always thinking of ways to get money out of others and doing favors for people becomes almost non-existent. If you feel that money is more important than personal relationships then why on earth would the idea of just doing something out of the kindness of your heart even cross your mind? What ever happened to the days of neighbors helping neighbors? Or even strangers helping strangers? It seems like we have all replaced our hearts with an ATM and are always expecting things in return for good deeds. The second you expect something in return for a favor - that's when the favor loses its value. 

I am having the toughest time with this because it makes sense that we should be rewarded for things that we do. Money is a great way to show appreciation. This totally leaves me feeling stuck. What if I want to open a business someday? Am I suppose to just offer my services for free? I gotta live too. I can't just go around being this big ol' charity doer. As humans we for sure have needs, and in that same sentence we have wants. Wants need to be satisfied too. Can you see me trying to work through this as I go along? LoL. Okay common sense, come in and do your part...

Duh! There is nothing wrong with money. Money is not evil. It is the obsession with money that is evil. Money can do a lot of damage to a person if they're not careful. It's all about balance. It is so easy to become selfish and self-centered when money is involved. The need for more, more, more can consume the mind. Material possessions are definitely not the most important thing in the world, yet many feel that they just can't live without certain stuff. If you feel like you can't live without material things, maybe it's time to take a step back and ask yourself how important that material possession actually is. 

One day I want to be able to say that I am perfectly happy buck naked with nothing! LoL okay maybe not...gotta be careful what I wish for here...but do you get what I'm saying? We need to be happy no matter what. If our car breaks, it's not the end of the world. Stuff just gets in the way of life. It may enhance your happiness for a while, but the second that new phone or computer comes out you will lose interest in what you have and always want the next best thing. There is no end. Unless you end it, and decide to be happy no matter what. The nastiest words in the world are so often used in relation to money...greed, jealousy, stealing, lying, cheating. Do your best to remember what is actually important in life. Cuz if ya got your mind on only your money - you ain't going no where! Cha-ching! :)

I'll Be Your Parachute (Can't remember the rest of the lyrics LoL)

Hi! I am finally back online and SO ready to start posting again. I've been in Hawaii for about a month now - and it's been truly the most amazing experience of my life. I'm glad that I stepped out of my comfort zone and took a chance. I miss my family so much, but love how supportive and understanding everyone has been about my move. Thank you :)

Anywho0o back to the real deal...this parachute song that I heard on the radio the other day has been stuck in my head for like a week. It's a super good song, but I think it's time to get it out of my head and onto my blog.

In all honesty I can't really understand what the chick is saying in the song other than I'll be your parachute lol but that must be all I needed to hear from it cuz it send my mind through a whirlwind of thoughts. A parachute is what? Well...lets see what Webster has to say...parachute : a folding, umbrellalike, fabric device with cords supporting a harness or straps for allowing a person, object, package, etc., to float down safely through the air from a great height. So basically it's a safety net that makes landing on your feet easier and ultimately saves you from being smashed into the ground like a pumpkin. Any arguments on that? Good, lets move on then :)

SoOo considering that I gain inspiration from music and have become comfortable in saying that God somehow speaks to me through this music, it's pretty safe to assume that the lesson here is that we all have a safety net and no matter how high we fall from we will always land safely on the ground with our legs underneath us. Now, I know what you're thinking, "but parachutes don't aLwAyS work." Well wanna know the good thing about the parachute I'm referring to? It ALWAYS works. God doesn't make mistakes and will never let us fall. The only way we can be defeated in anything is if we ourselves allow that defeat. If in everything we do we remember that we have the most powerful safety device backing us up there really is no end to what we can achieve. 

I have learned that many people are always looking for outside support to accomplish things. This is a losing battle. Yes, support from others is wonderful...but unless you can believe in yourself and turn to God for support you will always be falling short. No one can measure up to the love and encouragement that comes from God. No matter what kind of craziness is going on in our outside lives it's so important to keep our inside lives (our thoughts) on a happy/balanced track. This is definitely one of those easier said than done things - since I am still very much working on this myself, but it is possible and it can be done. Look inside yourself for the answers to any question you have - that's where you'll find the right answer. It can't come from anyone else. We are all different, and if you are constantly putting your life into the hands of others you will never be happy. No one but yourself knows what you truly want. Quit blaming other people for your misery...it's not their fault - it's yours. If you are unhappy it's because you are choosing to make yourself that way. Turn things around and start to depend on that parachute we each have. Be strong knowing that your landing will be smooth as long as you pull the cord and trust that the parachute will open and take care of you. Here comes a bible verse LoL : 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

No matter what it is you choose to believe in - just believe. Believing in something can make all the difference.

Just a Little Inspiration

I love this picture and thought it matched the quote perfectly!

 

"Freedom is the oxygen of the soul." - Moshe Dayan

I'm Gunna Let Him Fly, Fly OoOh (I'm...gunna let him fly)

So, it's 8:30am...I'm fresh out of the shower and feeling majorly inspired! I don't know what it is (well...ya I do) but I am bursting at the seams with energy! I almost feel crazy. I want to run around and jump and hug everyone in sight. It's creepin' me out a bit lol. 

So, here's what I want to get out today....

It is no mystery that God speaks to me through music. While I was taking a shower I couldn't get the Let Him Fly song by the Dixie Chicks out of my head. In all honesty this song has been haunting me for like the past month (lol I actually like the song, but for the context of this blog we will use the word haunting).

There is a particular person in my life that causes me a lot of...what's the word...discomfort. I love this person, but at the same time I find it almost impossible to love them. No matter how hard I try to accept them, they seem to do everything in their power to bug the hell out of me. I don't understand hardly anything they do, and wonder if they actually like making people feel bad. Talking to them is like talking to a brick wall. Nothing I say or do is right in their eyes, and lie after lie seems to spill from their mouth. It's extremely frustrating! Especially since they don't see, or at least don't seem to see, what it is they are doing. 

Now, I'm a firm believer in karma and know that whatever it is this person is doing has nothing to do with me. It's not my job to change this person, and it certainly is not my job to punish them. Yes, they bring out the worst in me...but when it comes down to it, they can't actually make me act a certain way. It is my own choice to react the way I do.

So, here's the major question: How do I love someone I can't stand? How am I suppose to accept the things they are doing when I feel so strongly against them? 

Praise the Lord, because I have been given (yet again) a simple answer... 

Just do it. Accept them for everything they are, and let them live their life the way they want to. Let go of the ties I feel I have to this person. There is no rule book that says just because someone is in your family you have to hang out with them. Love them from a distance. Do all you can to be happy in their presence, and don't allow them to bring their negativity down on you.

I know that every weakness I am faced with is actually a blessing in disguise. If I can truly accept that weakness then I will be made stronger for it. It's like when you work out...you feel that burn, that pain in your muscle...all that pain represents is the building of strength. 

It goes the same for any problem we are faced with. God wouldn't put you through something you couldn't handle. So, and I know this seems silly, but be thankful for the problem! God is showing the problem to you so that you can move up and away from it. Where you are weak, He is strong. Whether you see it or not, everything in your life is a blessing. Nothing is there by accident. The world is this great design, and all we have to do is live the best we can. 

As for me, yes I am having this "problem," but in the midst of it I honestly feel joyful. Right now I really don't think anything could bring me down. What I am going to do is just go out into my day and do all the things that make me happy. Yoga, here I come! 

Here is the main part of that song that really spoke to me:

Ain't no talking to this man

Ain't no pretty other side

Ain't no way to understand, the stupid words of pride.

Cuz it would take an acrobat, and I already tried all that

I'm gunna let him fly....

I am no longer going to try and figure this person out. The reasons behind their actions are unimportant. What they do is on them. I love them, and in loving them I am going to let them go...because the relationship we have as of now is not a healthy one. I am leaving it in the hands of God, and I pray that I am given the strength to accept this situation. (And, in praying that, I already know that I have the strength...ah...relief!)

Okay nOw - Yoga here I come! :)

I Don't Know Who I Am, Who I Am Without You....

The you I am referring to in this case is the person of my past. As much as I want to move on and let go of all the things that have previously given me trouble in my life, they still seem to pop up and cause me discomfort every now and again.

I know that right now I am taking huge strides in the right direction, but occasionally I still have things happen that like to bring me down and make me feel like I'm incapable of achieving all the things I want to in my life. With any type of change I think this is always a major factor. 

Moving on means leaving something behind...and lets face it...detachment is tough. Even if you know the thing you are detaching yourself from is horrible, for some reason it's still hard to let go of. Maybe letting go feels like giving up? Or losing? I dont' know, but what I do know is that it's super important to figure out the reasons behind the feeling of wanting to let go.

If you are having negative feelings about something, there is most likely a good reason for them. Feelings are our guiding force...they let us know when we are on the right track, or off it. When we feel bad we're blocking all the great things that are wanting to pour themselves into our lives. It's so easy to get stuck in a rut of negativity. One bad day brings on another bad day...and so on...

It's time to turn those bad days around. Whatever has happened in the past has already happened, and guess what?!? There's nothing you can do about it! Move on. Let go - and get on with your life. 

I just went through  my inbox and realized that I was subscribed to like ten different positive thinking websites, while there is nothing wrong with this, it just made me think - why in the world do I need to get e-mails from people telling me how to be happy, or how to bring great things into my life when I already know to do this?! I'm keeping myself stuck at the place of obtaining knowledge when I'm clearly already past that point. I know that I will never stop learning and there will always be new things to take in, but I also know that the secrets to living my own personal life have already been uncovered. I just want to be happy, and smile. I want to laugh at everything. If I trip and fall on my face, I want to get up and laugh. If I drop a coffee and splatter it all over the place in the middle of a rush - I want to laugh. 

Life is not meant to be taken so seriously!! Life is meant to be fun, and it's up to us to make it that way. Why on earth would you want to walk around with a sour look on your face? Don't you understand what you're putting out into the world by way of your actions? I truly can't believe that someone would choose a boring life. Yes, I understand that people have bad things happen to them...but how long are you going to let those things affect you? 

Guess what? All those bad things have already happened...which means you can get over them! That is, unless you like being confined by your problems...and common sense is telling me that you surely don't. 

Everyone has or has once had problems, there really is no getting around that. Making mistakes and learning from them is a part of life, but it's our choice to either brush the problem off or blow it up. How long do you want to hold on to your problems? Yes, letting go may feel awkward at first, but just think about how liberated you will feel once you're freed!

And you only have to let go once. Just give the problem to whatever it is out there that's bigger than us, (I like to refer to it as God) and be done with it. Stop talking about it and continuing to make it a problem. Let it go. Leave it up to God to fix it. 

So many times I think we feel like we have to undo our past, or make up for the bad things we may have done in life. It's really not that way...at least I don't feel that it is. We have already been forgiven. God doesn't even see our flaws. God only sees our triumphs, it is only us who hold on and judge ourselves. There is no hell. We confine ourselves to what is known as hell by judging and putting down who and what we are. It only takes one prayer, and it only takes one thought to turn things around. 

We don't need to ask for forgiveness multiple times for the same things over and over. We have already been forgiven, we are already healed. Just get up and walk with your head held high - knowing that you are loved and blessed beyond measure. Put a spring in your step. Smile at a stranger. Laugh so loud that you attract attention. Love is contagious. Let's spread a little around, cuz we are filled with an endless supply.