Love is not forced or demanded.
Love is not jealous or impatient.
Love is not one-sided.
Love is not fearful or insecure.
Love is not deception or mistrust.
Love is consistent and dependable.
Love is natural and safe.
Love is honest and open.
Love is uplifting.
Love is kind and compassionate.
Love is strong and deep.
Love is to be spoken and shown.
Love is giving and allowing.
Love is grateful and soulful.
Love is real and pure.
Love is the song that makes the heart dance, the wave that makes life worth the ride, and the gift that keeps on giving.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
The Sharp Knife of a Short Life
There’s no good way for someone to tell you that a loved one has passed away and these days it seems like they come in the most technological forms. When I received a text message three months ago that a very close college girlfriend had passed away, it felt as if the entire world around me, every part of the 5pm weeknight hustle and bustle all became paralyzed at the sight of the words, “Lindsey Passed Away This Morning.” As my stomach sunk and my throat became tight, my reality felt like a nightmare- only this time I was awake.
A few weeks ago, I received a similar note, this time in email form as I learned that one of my most favorite aunts had lost her very sudden battle with a disease no one knew she had, a battle that she suffered for only a month and only after 60+ years of living, thus leaving all of us who loved and continue to love her so dearly, completely stunned.
Since the passing of both of these phenomenal women, I have found myself in deep reflection. I think it’s normal when dealing with death to find yourself in a reflective state- there’s something about knowing a life/person you loved so much on Earth has come to an end that gets you wondering about a few things, but there’s something especially soul scorching about losing loved ones, both unexpectedly and too soon.
Ironically in all of this, living in 2011 has allowed me to look into the world of those who also share the same grief. Things like email, Facebook and grief websites have given me the opportunity to read the memories and love that many others also feel for these women, which leaves my heart both broken more and yet oddly relieved to know just how loved these people were and always will be.
As I’ve thought back on memories of these women, I’ve also gone through the normal, yet heart-wrenching thoughts about last conversations, wondering if they knew how much they meant to me and to everyone else in their lives here on Earth. I know they must know now, but it’s been a bit of a morbid reminder of how important it is to share with your loved ones just how much they mean to you. I even find myself humbly wondering, “Can they see Facebook wall posts? I really hope so!”
Knowing my friend Lindsey lost her life before she had the chance to experience things like marriage and children, and that my aunt lost her life just days before the celebration of 40 years of marriage to my uncle, and before having the chance to watch her grandchildren that she adored dearly grow up into adults really tears me up inside. Having to watch my uncle grieve and her children and grand children grieve, and having to imagine what Lindsey’s family must feel sends chills of sadness down my spine. But, in all of this sadness of losing people too early, it also keeps at the forefront, a few things.
These losses have shown me how deep the power of love really is. At the core of all of this loss is love. The love that everyone who mourns these deaths is what I have found to be the most inspiring part, no matter how painful the loss may feel. But, if you think about it, that’s what makes the pain so hurtful. The more love you have and feel, the harder the loss feels. But, what would our lives be like without the love? If you ask me, I’d rather have the deep love and deal with the sadness at some inevitable point, than the alternative.
There’s a song out there called, “If I Die Young”. It’s a very honest and real song and if you listen to the lyrics, it almost makes you wonder, “Why would someone write a song like this?” But, despite it’s shock factor, it reminds you that a short life lived really does hurt, just like the lyric says, “The sharp knife of a short life”. Luckily, there’s love that is stronger than any loss that can help heal the wound.
A few weeks ago, I received a similar note, this time in email form as I learned that one of my most favorite aunts had lost her very sudden battle with a disease no one knew she had, a battle that she suffered for only a month and only after 60+ years of living, thus leaving all of us who loved and continue to love her so dearly, completely stunned.
Since the passing of both of these phenomenal women, I have found myself in deep reflection. I think it’s normal when dealing with death to find yourself in a reflective state- there’s something about knowing a life/person you loved so much on Earth has come to an end that gets you wondering about a few things, but there’s something especially soul scorching about losing loved ones, both unexpectedly and too soon.
Ironically in all of this, living in 2011 has allowed me to look into the world of those who also share the same grief. Things like email, Facebook and grief websites have given me the opportunity to read the memories and love that many others also feel for these women, which leaves my heart both broken more and yet oddly relieved to know just how loved these people were and always will be.
As I’ve thought back on memories of these women, I’ve also gone through the normal, yet heart-wrenching thoughts about last conversations, wondering if they knew how much they meant to me and to everyone else in their lives here on Earth. I know they must know now, but it’s been a bit of a morbid reminder of how important it is to share with your loved ones just how much they mean to you. I even find myself humbly wondering, “Can they see Facebook wall posts? I really hope so!”
Knowing my friend Lindsey lost her life before she had the chance to experience things like marriage and children, and that my aunt lost her life just days before the celebration of 40 years of marriage to my uncle, and before having the chance to watch her grandchildren that she adored dearly grow up into adults really tears me up inside. Having to watch my uncle grieve and her children and grand children grieve, and having to imagine what Lindsey’s family must feel sends chills of sadness down my spine. But, in all of this sadness of losing people too early, it also keeps at the forefront, a few things.
These losses have shown me how deep the power of love really is. At the core of all of this loss is love. The love that everyone who mourns these deaths is what I have found to be the most inspiring part, no matter how painful the loss may feel. But, if you think about it, that’s what makes the pain so hurtful. The more love you have and feel, the harder the loss feels. But, what would our lives be like without the love? If you ask me, I’d rather have the deep love and deal with the sadness at some inevitable point, than the alternative.
There’s a song out there called, “If I Die Young”. It’s a very honest and real song and if you listen to the lyrics, it almost makes you wonder, “Why would someone write a song like this?” But, despite it’s shock factor, it reminds you that a short life lived really does hurt, just like the lyric says, “The sharp knife of a short life”. Luckily, there’s love that is stronger than any loss that can help heal the wound.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
The Comfort of Your Own Company
I’ve always thought Buddha was a wise guy. I have a book full of quotes that I love and a fair number of them come straight from the famous round bellied, wide-smiled zen master himself. But, there is one quote of his I read recently that has really been resonating with me, “You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire Universe, deserve your love and affection.”
It’s been a belief of mine for quite some time now that in order to truly give the best of your love to others, you must first learn to love yourself. I know it’s a common thing you’ll read in any book that touches on the subject of happiness and I know that for me personally, this has been true. But, I also think that in addition to loving yourself (in the non-egotistical sense of the meaning, of course) you also have to learn to not only love yourself, but also be content being alone with yourself- which is in and of itself an entirely different can of worms.
When I lived in Seattle, there were plenty of times I found solace in the stillness of, “me” time. I found myself having no trouble taking long walks alone, sitting in a coffee shop alone, eating lunch alone, going to a movie alone- you name it, I was content. But, even then, I was in a place that was home. A place where even if I was alone, I almost always found myself comforted by the run-in of a familiar face or simply the comfort of familiarity.
When I was preparing to move to San Francisco, I knew there would be plenty of times when I had to prepare myself for venturing out on my own. Hell, the move itself was one I did solo (aside from a dear friend in the passenger seat on the drive down), my entire move was done with very little aid and very little assurance of what was to come outside of the job I had waiting for me- I just did it all on the belief that whatever was meant to happen for me, would all work out, and it has- perfectly, in fact.
That being said, it was the past few weeks that really brought back to the forefront of my mind just how important it is to not only love who you are, but also be comfortable being alone with yourself. Over the last few weeks, I had the opportunity to do everything from spend a week in the beautiful North Bay, nestled inside a comfy home on the water all by myself, to taking a work trip to New York where I was going for the first time and knew very little people, to coming back to San Francisco only to find myself longing for something that I didn’t have and reaffirming to myself what a blessing everything within my life has been.
Between the nights spent in the North Bay sipping my favorite wine while immersing myself in a documentary, or jumping on my hotel bed in excitement over being a 26 year old single girl living what felt like a Sex and the City episode for two days or making the choice to eat at a nice restaurant on a Sunday night, all alone back home in San Francisco- it all had one common theme: unconditional happiness and contentment.
Would I have enjoyed doing those things with the company of a good friend or a significant other? Sure! Who doesn’t enjoy sharing an experience with someone special? But, there is something so utterly empowering and rewarding about knowing that you can have your own kind of fun without the need of someone else being there.
While I’m by no means suggesting we should all forego human interaction and do everything alone, as I still prefer to engage in fun activities with friends and still hope to find that right person to share life moments with- one thing I can say for sure, whenever that person does come around, he won’t be meeting a person who needs completing, he’ll be meeting a person who has plenty to share.
It’s been a belief of mine for quite some time now that in order to truly give the best of your love to others, you must first learn to love yourself. I know it’s a common thing you’ll read in any book that touches on the subject of happiness and I know that for me personally, this has been true. But, I also think that in addition to loving yourself (in the non-egotistical sense of the meaning, of course) you also have to learn to not only love yourself, but also be content being alone with yourself- which is in and of itself an entirely different can of worms.
When I lived in Seattle, there were plenty of times I found solace in the stillness of, “me” time. I found myself having no trouble taking long walks alone, sitting in a coffee shop alone, eating lunch alone, going to a movie alone- you name it, I was content. But, even then, I was in a place that was home. A place where even if I was alone, I almost always found myself comforted by the run-in of a familiar face or simply the comfort of familiarity.
When I was preparing to move to San Francisco, I knew there would be plenty of times when I had to prepare myself for venturing out on my own. Hell, the move itself was one I did solo (aside from a dear friend in the passenger seat on the drive down), my entire move was done with very little aid and very little assurance of what was to come outside of the job I had waiting for me- I just did it all on the belief that whatever was meant to happen for me, would all work out, and it has- perfectly, in fact.
That being said, it was the past few weeks that really brought back to the forefront of my mind just how important it is to not only love who you are, but also be comfortable being alone with yourself. Over the last few weeks, I had the opportunity to do everything from spend a week in the beautiful North Bay, nestled inside a comfy home on the water all by myself, to taking a work trip to New York where I was going for the first time and knew very little people, to coming back to San Francisco only to find myself longing for something that I didn’t have and reaffirming to myself what a blessing everything within my life has been.
Between the nights spent in the North Bay sipping my favorite wine while immersing myself in a documentary, or jumping on my hotel bed in excitement over being a 26 year old single girl living what felt like a Sex and the City episode for two days or making the choice to eat at a nice restaurant on a Sunday night, all alone back home in San Francisco- it all had one common theme: unconditional happiness and contentment.
Would I have enjoyed doing those things with the company of a good friend or a significant other? Sure! Who doesn’t enjoy sharing an experience with someone special? But, there is something so utterly empowering and rewarding about knowing that you can have your own kind of fun without the need of someone else being there.
While I’m by no means suggesting we should all forego human interaction and do everything alone, as I still prefer to engage in fun activities with friends and still hope to find that right person to share life moments with- one thing I can say for sure, whenever that person does come around, he won’t be meeting a person who needs completing, he’ll be meeting a person who has plenty to share.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
The Best Decision I've Ever Made
Do you ever have moments when you stop to take a look at the world around you- I mean really take a look at the world around you? Moments when you actually look up and notice where you are at that very moment in time. When I lived in Seattle, there was hardly ever a day that went by that I didn't appreciate, even if it was fleeting, the beauty I was immersed in and had the blessing to call home. But, since my move to San Francisco, I've found this present moment encapsulation has become not just a moment of appreciation, but a moment of validation.
The other day, I decided it to take a stroll throughout my new city to explore all the nooks and crannies my surrounding neighborhoods had to offer, which lead to a three hour expedition of hill climbing, alley way wandering, marina park bench sitting and, "Oh, I better check that place out" thinking. As I wandered along, mellow jams in my ears and smile on my face, I couldn't help but feel overcome by the feelings of both complete solace and utter contentment and then within that very moment, as I turned a corner and left what looked like China and walked into what looked like Italy only to see to my right the beauty of the Golden Gate Bridge and all it's surroundings did I realize, "I am somewhere I dreamed of living and I'm actually LIVING here. This is my HOME!"
The thought caused me to have a brief feeling of guilt as I still have a deep rooted love for my native home that will never go away, but regardless, I couldn't help but feel overcome with the happiness I felt for being where I was at that very moment, for it was only 6 months prior that I had told myself San Francisco was a city I wanted to live in.
To this day, I still have a hard time wrapping my mind around just how fast my life changed and just how big of a move this really was for me, being that it was my first real move away from a regional area that was so familiar, comfortable and loved, but regardless of how much adjusting I've subconsciously gone through and how stressful it may have been even without admitting it, I never allowed myself to think of it in that way (outside of one minor meltdown on my first trip back home...big shout out to my best friends and little brother who brought those tears to life- you are loved.) For this move has hands down been the best decision I've ever made.
In just five short months, I've learned more about myself (and trust me, I've learned quite a bit about this chick you're reading about in the last 25 years) in areas I had never really taken the time to or had never had the opportunity to learn about. I've met some of the most incredible people. People I know will leave lasting impressions on me. People I will forever call friends. People whose kindness will never be forgotten. People who's drive and ambition will always be admired. I've met all of this and MORE in just F-I-V-E M-O-N-T-H-S! Can you believe that?
Although my move to San Francisco was one that was literally a no brainer for me, I can honestly say, that moment when I sat on a train after being offered an opportunity to come to San Francisco, thinking to myself, "My whole life is about to change", was a dead on feeling. My life really has changed, in ways that I never imagined. I am still the same happy-go-lucky, look-on-the-brightside, idea obsessed person I was in Seattle, except this time with a little more insight, a little more zest and a lot more appreciation. This move was by far, the best decision I've ever made and I can't wait to see what the rest of my time here has in store.
As I close this note with a smile on my face and near tears in my eyes, I leave you this- if there's something in your life you've been wanting to do, whether it's a move to a new city, the change of a job, taking the time to travel, asking out that person you've felt you should ask out or something else- follow the thought and feeling. I promise, it will be the best decision you've ever made. TRUST ME.
The other day, I decided it to take a stroll throughout my new city to explore all the nooks and crannies my surrounding neighborhoods had to offer, which lead to a three hour expedition of hill climbing, alley way wandering, marina park bench sitting and, "Oh, I better check that place out" thinking. As I wandered along, mellow jams in my ears and smile on my face, I couldn't help but feel overcome by the feelings of both complete solace and utter contentment and then within that very moment, as I turned a corner and left what looked like China and walked into what looked like Italy only to see to my right the beauty of the Golden Gate Bridge and all it's surroundings did I realize, "I am somewhere I dreamed of living and I'm actually LIVING here. This is my HOME!"
The thought caused me to have a brief feeling of guilt as I still have a deep rooted love for my native home that will never go away, but regardless, I couldn't help but feel overcome with the happiness I felt for being where I was at that very moment, for it was only 6 months prior that I had told myself San Francisco was a city I wanted to live in.
To this day, I still have a hard time wrapping my mind around just how fast my life changed and just how big of a move this really was for me, being that it was my first real move away from a regional area that was so familiar, comfortable and loved, but regardless of how much adjusting I've subconsciously gone through and how stressful it may have been even without admitting it, I never allowed myself to think of it in that way (outside of one minor meltdown on my first trip back home...big shout out to my best friends and little brother who brought those tears to life- you are loved.) For this move has hands down been the best decision I've ever made.
In just five short months, I've learned more about myself (and trust me, I've learned quite a bit about this chick you're reading about in the last 25 years) in areas I had never really taken the time to or had never had the opportunity to learn about. I've met some of the most incredible people. People I know will leave lasting impressions on me. People I will forever call friends. People whose kindness will never be forgotten. People who's drive and ambition will always be admired. I've met all of this and MORE in just F-I-V-E M-O-N-T-H-S! Can you believe that?
Although my move to San Francisco was one that was literally a no brainer for me, I can honestly say, that moment when I sat on a train after being offered an opportunity to come to San Francisco, thinking to myself, "My whole life is about to change", was a dead on feeling. My life really has changed, in ways that I never imagined. I am still the same happy-go-lucky, look-on-the-brightside, idea obsessed person I was in Seattle, except this time with a little more insight, a little more zest and a lot more appreciation. This move was by far, the best decision I've ever made and I can't wait to see what the rest of my time here has in store.
As I close this note with a smile on my face and near tears in my eyes, I leave you this- if there's something in your life you've been wanting to do, whether it's a move to a new city, the change of a job, taking the time to travel, asking out that person you've felt you should ask out or something else- follow the thought and feeling. I promise, it will be the best decision you've ever made. TRUST ME.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
The Importance of Gratitude
Thank you. Thanks. Best Regards. Warm Wishes. Sincerely. We write these little email and letter closures nearly every day. They have been engrained into our minds as the right thing to do when sending a note to someone, and even more so if that email or letter pertains to asking for something. Sure, it makes sense- you wouldn’t ask for something without your every day manners. But, recently as I typed away at an email asking for someone’s time I thought to myself, “I wonder just how thankful this person knows I am for the request at hand.” To be quite honest, the fact that the thought of the meaning behind the ending even crossed my mind sort of took me aback and made me nudge away from the discomforts of my slouched stance in my office chair and reflect for a moment on just how many times I had said, “Thank you” without actually taking a moment to realize what it was I was thankful for.
I recently began reading a book, “365 Thank You’s”. A book about a man’s journey of taking the time to share his gratitude with all those who had done something he was thankful for. It’s by no means a book of thrill or suspense, nor is it one that leaves you staying up an extra two minutes at every turn of the page. It is however, a book that makes you take a step back and remember just how important it is to be thankful for even the smallest gestures life, people and circumstances send our way.
I’ve always known it’s important to be thankful for what you have and what you’ve been given, for anytime you feel abundance in your life, you’re setting yourself up for an even more fulfilling life, which almost sounds silly, eh? Having plenty gives you more? Such an ironic, but true way of life. But, sometimes even being a person who knows just how important gratitude is can forget when to take the time to share it with those who deserve the recognition.
As I left my office the day of the email closing awakening, I found myself thinking about all the things I was sincerely and deeply thankful for. It took less than .3 seconds to come up with the general, “Job, health, home, friends, opportunities” subjects. But, I found myself, while realizing the heavy significance of the first acts of gratitude, also needing to look beyond the basics. I then began to ponder what else in my everyday life was I truly thankful for, and so, that night I snuggled up with a notepad and pen and wrote down every “outside of the box” thing I could think of. Rather than novelize them, I figured I’d share a couple, in hopes that perhaps you too have experienced such joy in your everyday life that can sometimes easily be forgotten after the quick interaction that takes place…
A glimpse at a week of thankfulness:
-The homeless man on the street corner every morning I exchange“Looking good!” banter with.
-The barista at Peet’s who for no reason gave me a free latte, just, “because”.
-Smiles back from complete strangers of all demographics.
-Phone calls from home.
-Nostalgic thoughts that caused a smile in solace.
-The way the sky looked like it had been painted onto a canvas one day that week.
-An intense workout that left me exhilarated.
-Reaching out and opening up to someone I had disconnected with recently.
-Office laughter and light heartedness one random day.
-Going to sleep on time and waking up refreshed.
The list went on for a full page, but by the end of it I couldn’t help but realize that if I hadn’t taken the time to write it all down, I probably would’ve let all those moments of joy go by with no more than the moment they occurred. Interestingly enough, I began to think about how often I’ve let negative moments and circumstances suffocate my thoughts and realized that all of those negative moments happened almost as quickly, if not more so as the positive ones I encountered in my week. These thoughts combined made me realize one thing- daily gratitude is essential.
In world filled with a zillion (seriously, maybe even more than that) opportunities to feel bogged down by negative situations, stories or circumstances, we sometimes forget just how often positive, enriching and enlightening moments happen in our everyday lives. I sincerely believe, for every moment we are cut off while driving, delivered bad news at work, or disrupted by our daily routines, we are given smiles from strangers, a favorite song played, or a win from our favorite ball team that we oftentimes don’t give nearly the attention we give those unimportant, insignificant, negative occurrences to. So, I challenge you to take a moment each day to find at least a few things you are thankful for in the day. I promise, the more you do it, the less you’ll even be able to remember those petty things we let overcome our mindset for the day.
Thank you for reading… and I sincerely mean that with every ounce of my gratitude.
I recently began reading a book, “365 Thank You’s”. A book about a man’s journey of taking the time to share his gratitude with all those who had done something he was thankful for. It’s by no means a book of thrill or suspense, nor is it one that leaves you staying up an extra two minutes at every turn of the page. It is however, a book that makes you take a step back and remember just how important it is to be thankful for even the smallest gestures life, people and circumstances send our way.
I’ve always known it’s important to be thankful for what you have and what you’ve been given, for anytime you feel abundance in your life, you’re setting yourself up for an even more fulfilling life, which almost sounds silly, eh? Having plenty gives you more? Such an ironic, but true way of life. But, sometimes even being a person who knows just how important gratitude is can forget when to take the time to share it with those who deserve the recognition.
As I left my office the day of the email closing awakening, I found myself thinking about all the things I was sincerely and deeply thankful for. It took less than .3 seconds to come up with the general, “Job, health, home, friends, opportunities” subjects. But, I found myself, while realizing the heavy significance of the first acts of gratitude, also needing to look beyond the basics. I then began to ponder what else in my everyday life was I truly thankful for, and so, that night I snuggled up with a notepad and pen and wrote down every “outside of the box” thing I could think of. Rather than novelize them, I figured I’d share a couple, in hopes that perhaps you too have experienced such joy in your everyday life that can sometimes easily be forgotten after the quick interaction that takes place…
A glimpse at a week of thankfulness:
-The homeless man on the street corner every morning I exchange“Looking good!” banter with.
-The barista at Peet’s who for no reason gave me a free latte, just, “because”.
-Smiles back from complete strangers of all demographics.
-Phone calls from home.
-Nostalgic thoughts that caused a smile in solace.
-The way the sky looked like it had been painted onto a canvas one day that week.
-An intense workout that left me exhilarated.
-Reaching out and opening up to someone I had disconnected with recently.
-Office laughter and light heartedness one random day.
-Going to sleep on time and waking up refreshed.
The list went on for a full page, but by the end of it I couldn’t help but realize that if I hadn’t taken the time to write it all down, I probably would’ve let all those moments of joy go by with no more than the moment they occurred. Interestingly enough, I began to think about how often I’ve let negative moments and circumstances suffocate my thoughts and realized that all of those negative moments happened almost as quickly, if not more so as the positive ones I encountered in my week. These thoughts combined made me realize one thing- daily gratitude is essential.
In world filled with a zillion (seriously, maybe even more than that) opportunities to feel bogged down by negative situations, stories or circumstances, we sometimes forget just how often positive, enriching and enlightening moments happen in our everyday lives. I sincerely believe, for every moment we are cut off while driving, delivered bad news at work, or disrupted by our daily routines, we are given smiles from strangers, a favorite song played, or a win from our favorite ball team that we oftentimes don’t give nearly the attention we give those unimportant, insignificant, negative occurrences to. So, I challenge you to take a moment each day to find at least a few things you are thankful for in the day. I promise, the more you do it, the less you’ll even be able to remember those petty things we let overcome our mindset for the day.
Thank you for reading… and I sincerely mean that with every ounce of my gratitude.
Monday, January 10, 2011
What's In A Year? The Recipe For The Good Life.
Dreams. Love. Goals. Heartbreaks. Change. Trials. Happiness. Opportunities. I'm sure the list could go on and on. It's always amazing to me how fast it seems a year can come and go yet how much can occur in those 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days and if you really want to get deep 8,765 hours and some change. When I think about how many times I've said to myself, "There just aren't enough hours in the day" and then look at how many hours are in a year, I wonder if having more would really slow things down or just add to the fire of it's meteoric pace. Either which way, I've been doing some serious reflecting on the past year and after a stroll at the beach yesterday, I finally found the burst of writing drive I was searching for to share all the thoughts I've been storing away in my thought bank, which unfortunately doesn't gain interest of any kind, therefore, it's only right that I share with those who are inclined to read.
I'm sure by now it doesn't take a blog post for me to share with you what big change I went through in 2010. I'm also sure it's no surprise to anyone that within that change also lies accomplishing a major goal, jumping on an incredible opportunity that all centered around a dream. If you didn't guess my move to San Francisco for work being at the epicenter of that non-surprise, then I don't suggest going on Jeopardy.
As I wrote the intro to this post, I looked back and wondered if I really experienced all of those things. In a lot of ways yes, in some ways not quite, but at least parts of the feelings that come with those experiences. I can say for sure that 2010 was not my year for falling in love, but I can say it was the first year in several years that I sincerely felt that if it came into my life, I was ready for it, and for the right reasons. I can also most certainly say that if it finds me in 2011, I'm still just as ready and if anything, there was at least one experience in 2010 that was the tell all moment which reassured me that I was in fact ready for something special. Heartbreak? Not quite- which is good. Although, I am brought back to a time that was at minimum, confusing and in some ways disheartening, but nothing a short bit of time couldn't take care of which we should all know by now is the key to bouncing back and oftentimes, bouncing back stronger and higher. Trials? Oh sure, if there's someone reading this who doesn't have a few trials throughout their year, then please, stop reading and reveal yourself.
Sometimes I think the most ironic part of my year in 2010 was that the low points of trials, frustrations, disenchantments and pure suckage (Gosh I love when I can throw a good made up word in there that fits well and describes itself) also ended up tying right into my high moments of euphoria, thankfulness, and pure bliss which has really taught me that there's somewhat of an art of resilience that falls into it all.
You see, it was the low moments that made me realize the only person who could change those negative circumstances was myself. It was as if I suddenly saw this recipe of life all around me which consisted of a mixture of dreams and goals, bountiful days of a positive attitude, gallons and liters and barrels of personal strength and personal belief- baked at approximately 98.6 degrees for several months and viola- what once was part of a year that felt stale, dry, partially tasteless turned into the most succulent, rich, and delicious year I could've asked for. The best part about it, I made it all on my own, and so can you.
No matter how fast a year may seem to come and go and no matter how high and how low it may get, the coolest part about life is at the end of the day, we can all make our own batch of goodness- all you need to do is open your pantry of pre-stocked life ingredients and stir away.
Trust me, it's one recipe you won't dislike.
I'm sure by now it doesn't take a blog post for me to share with you what big change I went through in 2010. I'm also sure it's no surprise to anyone that within that change also lies accomplishing a major goal, jumping on an incredible opportunity that all centered around a dream. If you didn't guess my move to San Francisco for work being at the epicenter of that non-surprise, then I don't suggest going on Jeopardy.
As I wrote the intro to this post, I looked back and wondered if I really experienced all of those things. In a lot of ways yes, in some ways not quite, but at least parts of the feelings that come with those experiences. I can say for sure that 2010 was not my year for falling in love, but I can say it was the first year in several years that I sincerely felt that if it came into my life, I was ready for it, and for the right reasons. I can also most certainly say that if it finds me in 2011, I'm still just as ready and if anything, there was at least one experience in 2010 that was the tell all moment which reassured me that I was in fact ready for something special. Heartbreak? Not quite- which is good. Although, I am brought back to a time that was at minimum, confusing and in some ways disheartening, but nothing a short bit of time couldn't take care of which we should all know by now is the key to bouncing back and oftentimes, bouncing back stronger and higher. Trials? Oh sure, if there's someone reading this who doesn't have a few trials throughout their year, then please, stop reading and reveal yourself.
Sometimes I think the most ironic part of my year in 2010 was that the low points of trials, frustrations, disenchantments and pure suckage (Gosh I love when I can throw a good made up word in there that fits well and describes itself) also ended up tying right into my high moments of euphoria, thankfulness, and pure bliss which has really taught me that there's somewhat of an art of resilience that falls into it all.
You see, it was the low moments that made me realize the only person who could change those negative circumstances was myself. It was as if I suddenly saw this recipe of life all around me which consisted of a mixture of dreams and goals, bountiful days of a positive attitude, gallons and liters and barrels of personal strength and personal belief- baked at approximately 98.6 degrees for several months and viola- what once was part of a year that felt stale, dry, partially tasteless turned into the most succulent, rich, and delicious year I could've asked for. The best part about it, I made it all on my own, and so can you.
No matter how fast a year may seem to come and go and no matter how high and how low it may get, the coolest part about life is at the end of the day, we can all make our own batch of goodness- all you need to do is open your pantry of pre-stocked life ingredients and stir away.
Trust me, it's one recipe you won't dislike.
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