Meditation Continues

When your hair is a mess but you’re in a good mood. 🙂 Tomorrow is the last day of the meditation challenge I participated in and posted about a while ago. I must admit it took a few days—maybe more than a few to get adjusted to making the time to quiet my mind and focus and actually mediate. I would probably say that is what I am most proud about. My mind freaking wanders!!! Miles a minute. So slowing down and clearing it to focus my intentions in meditation continues to be something I am working on.

Continue reading “Meditation Continues”

Peace Sign = Cheese!!

The sheer pride and compassionate detail that was put into this little garden tucked ever so gently in the middle of the city was photo and share worthy in my opinion. So unassuming. Not to mention my outfit had me feeling extra cool too. Wearing my favorite Hiroshima Toyo Carps cap IN Hiroshima! I threw up the peace sign to contain my excitement. Otherwise I would have a big cheesy smile and my eyes would be closed. No bueno. Moral of the story?

There is always a bit of serenity within the chaos. It’s easy to overlook but it’s even easier to enjoy. Stop and smell the roses my friends.

Hidden Gems

I’ve never had the pleasure to meet such beautiful souls. These four right here….As genuine as it gets. I have learned, grown, admired, and aspired because of them. They hold a dear place in my heart. The interpersonal interactions we experience in our lives are not by coincidence. Change the channel. Look for the hidden lessons-read the context clues. Life is too short for empty exchanges.

Fearless

There’s just something about pen to paper. Physically writing something just solidifies it for me. Makes it more real. Reinforces. So much so that I still keep a weekly planner. I’m often teased about it. Who cares?! Actually writing a plan is a commitment within itself. We write a grocery list to ensure we get all the items, we sign a contract as an expression of commitment. Writing just symbolizes decisiveness-for me at least. With all of that being said, I was inspired to start a gratitude/goal journal. I’ve been keeping one for the past few weeks now and it has definitely changed my perspective, focused my intentions, and if I dare say…given me a better quality of life. Writing down memorable things that happen throughout my day has made me have a better outlook. Now, at the end of the day there’s so many things I want to write I find myself prioritizing to narrow them down! Writing down immediate goals I want to accomplish has made me feel like things are more attainable. Rather than writing down a long term goal, writing down immediate ones feel like I’m actually chipping away at something. It feels like I’m molding myself into a better sculpture. I also write down a habit that I want to develop. Writing it has helped me make it come to realization for one and also encouraged me to put momentum behind it. It’s also something great to have-a written photo album so to speak. I’m a very sentimental person so for me to be able to have something that I can reflect back to and relive my daily highlights and see the boxes I’ve checked off really means a lot to me. One day write down a goal, or something that inspires you. I feel like now a days we’re so used to typing that physically writing something seems ancient. But that’s what makes it real. Give it a try. Maybe the act itself will inspire you too.

Revolving Doors

 

We often look at our shortcomings rather than our potential. Look at our past and yearn for what “was lost.” Why is it that we feel like “how things were” is better than “what things could be?” What we are used to is sometimes what we begin to expect. Continue reading “Revolving Doors”

Tunnel Vision

 

“Mind and arrow must become one”

Regrettably, this is a concept I continually have to remind myself and be aware of. FOCUS. I’m learning to tunnel my vision and dilute my wandering mind. Soooo much easier said than done though, especially for me. Continue reading “Tunnel Vision”

face to facing

 

I haven’t always been comfortable in my own skin. These social media filters make everyone look perfect. Now a days society demands perfection and criticizes-especially virally- anything less. Why can’t I have freshly photoshopped skin in real life?!?? But. Really…. Why would that even be realistic? Why would that expectation even be acceptable, or even be honored for that matter? Continue reading “face to facing”

Growth, for me is a necessity. I would say it’s everything I strive for. Everyday is a chance to learn more and more about yourself. What are you passionate about? What do you enjoy doing? What is so intriguing to me about this subject is that even though some things will stay consistent through out your life, there are aspects that are forever changing. The person you were last year, last month, and even yesterday aren’t the same people. Enjoy the ride. Pay attention. And most importantly… Embrace the change.

Love always.

Sometimes you have to take a step back from life and enjoy the little things. It’s easy to get caught up in our day to day activities… our schedules, commitments, and even the things that cause us stress. Sometimes we don’t bask in the present. My heart has been heavy lately because I have been neglecting myself-in essence my happiness. I am often hard on myself and am rarely ever satisfied. I have realized that I’m on auto pilot. But. The beauty of the fact is that the present is only a window of time. What we are experiencing in this very moment is not a reflection of what to expect in the future. As cliche as it sounds, any complication that you come across is merely a bump in the road. The first step in progress is always evaluation. Evaluating where you are, what you want, and how you will get it. Another fact that is important to keep in mind is that some things in our surroundings are in our control and some things are not. How we react to things that are out of our control not only builds character but determines the future. Things that we DO have control over are just that… In our hands… And if things aren’t going accordingly…simply change the circumstances in your favor. It is pointless to stress over things that are not in your control-for example if you had a huge BBQ planned and it starts pouring down an hour beforehand. You can’t control the weather, but you can control how you react you it. Bring the party inside. Move forward. Don’t look back. All is not lost. With that being said, I challenge you to ask yourself “Are you happy?” Happiness means something different to everyone. To some it’s security, for some it’s love, for some it’s financial, or physical. Whatever it may be, find a way to find the bright side, do something you enjoy. Make time for what it is that makes you happy, because once you start feeling better… Your energy changes for the better, and once your energy changes you attract all the good things that you deserve.

“If not now…. When?”