Commitments

Pure Love - Colin Hay

Ok, I am going to be real with you guys. Commitments are really difficult for me. I get really enthusiastic, almost obsessive about committing to something and then the interest begins to wane.

Well 2 hours from now (May 5th) is my birthday, and while most people make New Years Resolutions, I think this time in my life is a great time to examine and re-examine some things. I am writing this down so I can commit to it, and to have a visual reminder to come back to when that interest wanes.

While these past 24 years have been full of ups and downs, of love and grief, and so many learning experiences, I feel that now is the time to take all that I have learned. Now that I have some years under my belt, and to really, truly honor myself.

Honor myself not just with words, but with actions. To follow through with my commitments.
More than anything I want to commit to being comfortable and confident with who I am. With my body, with my views, with my strength of spirit, with my actions and with my words.
I am committing right here, right now, to radical self love. To shamelessly and lovingly embracing myself.  To get there I plan on:

committing to enjoying the simple things
taking care of my body by first identifying the underlying causes to mistreating it (by starting here)
understanding and living by The Four Agreements (trust me, this stuff is gold)
living less online (in other words, creating my own experiences instead of reading about others' experiences online. It can be so addicting, yet so unfulfilling.) When I look back years from now I don't want to regret not making more experiences.
by never again sacrificing who I am at my core for another person. (lesson learned the hard way, but maybe it needed to be that way to really stick...)
to commit to living less in my head and being more in the present. Being mindful. (practice meditation).
To look within myself and trust myself for the answers.
Above all else, just love myself, radically, freely, shamelessly, without regrets.

P.S. Here are some great, easy steps to begin radically loving yourself
1. 2.

Little Joy

Have been feeling rather uninspired recently, which is never a good feeling. Then, today, I took a deep breath, gained some perspective, and realized all of the wonderful things I am grateful for. Sometimes life can be hectic and can include hours and hours of homework on top of work. But then there will always be excuses to be unhappy if one wants to find them.  That should never veils one's eyes from the beauty of the world. It is days like these that taking a moment to watch the little sparrows jumping in the puddles, or enjoying the beauty of latte art, that really make you step back and not take things so seriously. After all, this ain't no dress rehearsal people, we only get to live this life here once. 

XXXX

Spring

First Aid Kit-The Lion's Roar

It is so refreshing to see nature coming to life all around you. The weather around here has been incredible recently. It has also left me wondering what the summer is going to be like if it is already reaching 84 degrees. No, your eyes are not deceiving you, it is in fact 84 degrees here in sunny Ohio...in March!

All of the trees are in bloom and I have been grilling out almost every day.

I am in love with spring

Have You Heard Of..

Have you heard of Freelance Whales?

They are pretty fantastic.

and they make me smile.

and remind me of Seattle.

image via: weheartit

New New Abode

As promised, more daily posts

and....

Photos of my new place!

I have had an idea of what I wanted to decorate my own place like and have finally been able to put it into action. I am inspired by southwestern, simple, natural and modern decor. It was so much fun designing and I love how simple and uncluttered it feels.

Let me know what you lovelies think!

my dream catcher collection.

no worries, the bull's head is a fake plaster. I love animals too much!

alter of all things important to me...

looking into my walk in closet

my closet/beautification station

jewelry!

XXXX

So Many Things to be Thankful For

Hi my lovelies,

No, your eyes are not deceiving you, this is a new post.

Yes it has been nearly 2 months since my last one.

But oh so much has happened. And I have so many things to be grateful for.

Sometimes seeing them written down and in front of you makes them even that more special.

I am living in a new place in a really great part of town. I have my own space and as I type this I am sitting next to my open window, watching the dogwood bloom giant white flowers in the backyard and listening to the birds singing to each other, celebrating the arrival of warm spring air. Stay tuned for pictures of the new place!

My best friend Nathan just came and visited this past week and left 2 days ago and I miss him dearly but cherish the times we get to spend together.You can read more about our adventures here, here and here

While Nate was here we decided to get tattoos! I had been planning an idea for one for a while and so had he, so when he came we decided there was no better time. I am so glad we went together and now when I look at it I will always think of him and the shared experience. What is the tattoo of you might ask? Well it's a secret until it heals....but you can check out my other tattoo I got last year here

I am getting my health back. I am starting Zumba classes with a friend. I went to my second one ever last night and loved it. For the first time working out didn't seem repetitive. Once my tattoo heals I also plan on going to some more yoga classes at the studio I belong to but have not been to in over a month (woops!) I have also started drinking these really delicious smoothies in the morning. A friend recommended them to me and you put Herbalife powder in them along with any kind of fruit and juice/milk combo you want and it covers a ton of your daily vitamins and nutrients that you might miss out on. It keeps me full until lunch and I find myself craving them in the morning. So yummy!

I am also thankful for my sight. Just watch this video, and be prepared with a box of tissues.

Finally, as an overall thought, I am thankful for finally feeling grounded, for the first time in a long time. I feel I can enjoy and experience the days as they pass. I feel connected to others and to mother nature. I feel a weight off of my chest, a mental clarity in my mind and my steps feel firm and intentional. Such an incredible feeling.

Sending out much love to you all today and many thank you's to those who have stuck around as my followers. There will be more posts to come, I promise.

For now, I will leave you with some photos that make my heart smile...

XXXX

sources:

1.2.3.4.5.6