Realizations

Some realizations I've had over the past week:

Sleep can wait until I die, friends and family and yoga and running and volunteering and reading and celebrating and cooking (you get the point) cannot.

Hot yoga is a little too hot for me.

I love Dallas for so many reasons, but currently most of all for the fact that I just had the BEST Saturday doing all things outdoors in the lovely 70 degree temperatures on January 29th :-)

God's timing is always perfect.

5k's, although they are short, can be very exciting, especially if your running partner gets 1st :-)

I love waking up early on the weekends.

It's probably about time for me to take down my Christmas decorations.

Although I've always been afraid to cut the birthday cake for fear of messing up, it really isn't that stressful and you don't have to be a mom to do it.

Regardless of what day of the week it is or what is or isn't on the agenda, life. is. goooood.

Thanks, Jason Castro :-)

2011 has been a year of dramatic change for me already.  I have never been more at peace, more happy, more content, and more fulfilled in all my life.  Every single day is such a joy.

Jason Castro took the words right from my mouth:  "You are life, more beautiful; You are love, more powerful; You are the light that shines...And I will never move on from You."

Here's to what I know will be the best year yet, regardless of the events that transpire.  :-)

Expressing Gratitude 24/7

Last Monday I had just left the Children's hospital where I had the most amazing, yet bittersweet experience.  I had the honor of holding the cutest, chubbiest little 19 month old baby there ever was.  As soon as I scooped him up, he fell limp in my arms and remained that way for the three hours I held him.  As I kissed him goodbye on the top of his head, I experienced an overwhelming moment of sheer gratitude.  Gratitude for the three hours I got to spend with him; gratitude for the sweet, hard working doctors and nurses taking such good care of this baby; gratitude that I never had to experience what this baby is experiencing; gratitude for this life I lead and the fact that I am able to volunteer at a hospital where young children have such a lasting impact on my life.  It was heartbreaking to leave this sweet, little boy, but the night was growing late and I had dear friends to meet for some fro yo (I admit it, I'm addicted.  What?!  It could be much worse.)

One of my New Years resolutions (not listed in my previous post.  See, I told you the list would continue to grow!) is to read more books and watch less TV - my brother would be proud.  I had a few minutes to spare before meeting my friends so I wandered into Barnes and Noble to spend money that I do not have.  I stumbled on a book which was on sale for $5!  Yes, $5 (it's unplanned purchases like these that my bank account does not like)!  Entitled "Living Life as a Thank You," this poweful little book consists of brief stories that remind us to look at this life through a lense of gratitude.  It's amazing how great each day is and how happy you are when you allow yourself to think only positive thoughts and express gratitude through all you do.  This book is a constant reminder for me to view ALL things through a lense of gratitude all of the time, not just in select moments such as my night at the hospital.  Remember: "Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn, or consumed.  Happiness is a spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude."

Just one of my many resolutions.

Wow.  It has been a while to say the least!  I recently realized something about myself: I put so much pressure on myself to do everything perfectly and am so scared that I will fail that I end up just not trying because I know perfection cannot be attained.  I've decided to say, "To heck with it!"  I quit blogging because I wanted each entry to be perfect and knew that was impossible so I just thought it best not to try at all.  Well, how am I going to grow and improve myself with that attitude in life?  From here on out, I will consistently remind myself that it is better to try for perfection and not achieve it than not try at all. 

Okay, so with that said, here is a list of New Year's Resolutions that i WILL keep and attain:

*Overall resolution: treat every single day like it is New Year's Day.  Never stop making goals/resolutions.  Have as much energy and excitement about the year as I do January 1.*

Now for the specifics, in no particular order of importance:

1) Take a ballet class once a week
2) Cook at least once a week
3) Run a marathon!!  My heart is racing just thinking about this one.
4) Write one letter a week to long distance friends or family
5) Be more patient with everyone, including myself
6) Eat breakfast every morning
7) Find a church that is right for me
8) Start grad school
9) Be more open to adventure
10) Always smile at everyone
11) Blog at least once a week

As it has for three days now, I'm sure the list will continue to grow, as it should.  What about you?  Have you set any resolutions?  I encourage you to make a list of moments you are most grateful for in 2010 and a list of resolutions/goals for 2011 and tape it on your bathroom mirror :-) 

Happy 2011 friends!  Make every day the best day for you AND for others :-)  Hugs!

Therapy

                                             4 day weekend...
                                             4 girls...
                                             4,000 questions to be answered...
                                             Let the laughter begin!
                                                              

I Love Lists

If you're like me, lists just make you feel better.  So, yes, I'm going to make a list of things I'm thankful for, especially today.  This list has the potential to go on for pages and pages and pages, but I'll try to limit the length :)

The undying support of my friends and family
Glasses on days my eyes cannot possibly handle contacts
Bobby pins for days like these when I don't want to mess with my hair.  Wait, that's everyday :)
Good smelling shampoo
T Swift songs
Sunshine
Victories over bugs (it's the little things in life)
New music
Sex and the City
Memories
My health
Sweet pictures of my nieces and nephew
Hugs
Lunchtime with Shmegina, guaranteed to make even the brightest days brighter
Gchat
The fact that I'm going to the beach in THREE days!
And the undying support of my friends and family (yup, I'm really thankful for this one)

The Power of Girlfriends

So this weekend was all about girl time.  It's amazing what just a little time spent with girlfriends can do for one's soul.  It had been quite a while since Nae Nae, Peanut, and Pookie had all been together (long story on the ghetto nicknames, but all you really need to know is that we took some silly facebook quiz and the names have stuck with us for over a year now).  Regardless of all the time that had passed, we picked up right where we left off.  We laughed til we cried, we dodged popping champagne corks (Peanut took cover in the bathroom and Pookie was in fetal position with a pillow over her head in the corner because they were both so terrified of the flying corks), we were hit on by a group of 50 year old men, and most importantly, we made memories that will last a lifetime. 

I realize this post does not directly relate to what I promised this blog would be about: struggles.  But I was reminded this weekend that when I am struggling with something in life, be it big or small, my girlfriends are ALWAYS there for me, even if we haven't talked in months.  There is no better food for the soul than time spent with girlfriends, and I am so thankful for the irreplaceable ones in my life.