excellence

"We are what we repeatedly do; excellence, then, is not an act but a habit."
~Aristotle

"magic skills"

To sit patiently with a yearning that has not yet been fulfilled, and to trust that that fulfillment will come, is quite possibly one of the most powerful ‘magic skills’ that human beings are capable of. -Elizabeth Gilbert

series of experiences

What I know for sure is that your life is a multipart series of all your experiences- and each experience is created by your thoughts, intentions, and actions to teach you what you need to know. Your life is a journey of learning to love yourself first and then extending that love to others in every encounter. -Oprah Winfrey

intuition

Intuition is far more than a hunch. It is guidance. It is God speaking through you. And this inner insight should never be taken lightly or ignored.

the newest addition to my family...

I am SO happy. This weekend I drove up to Michigan to meet the newest addition to my family...my nephew, Camden. He is such a good baby. I loved listening to his cues and little baby noises. I am a very proud Auntie and can't wait to see him again.

Infinite possibilities

When you live your life with an appreciation of coincidences and their meanings, you connect with the underlying field of infinite possibilities. - Deepak Chopra

life's questions & answers

There are years in our lives that ask questions and years that answer. ~Zora Neale Hurston

This is so true.

There have been times when I have asked God, "Why? Why me? What's next?", and didn't receive (or realize) the answers until some time later.

God has plans for us all. We just have to be patient and wait for the answers.

"I would challenge anybody in their darkest moment to write what they're grateful for, even stupid little things like the green grass that made them feel good, the friendly conversation they had with somebody on an elevator. You start to realize how rich you are." - Jim Carrey

I sure needed this today.

I am grateful for...

-a roof over my head
-food on the table
-my health
-my family, especially my mama
-God
-The opportunity to achieve my masters degree
-Love
-my amazing students
-Matthew

Perfection

Let go of the illusion of perfection; hold fast to the unrelenting intention and pursuit of progress. (thanks J.Penn)

Too often we frustrate ourselves when things in life are not perfect.

Didn't your mother ever tell you, "life is not perfect?" Mine sure did.

However, I am still a perfectionist.

I really needed to read this quote today posted by a good friend.

I hope it makes you stop and appreciate the imperfect things in life.

Because for me, if everything in my past had been perfect, I wouldn't be where I am today and that is...happy.

MORE baby news!

My brother, Jerry, and his girlfriend, Kayla, announced they are having a baby girl due February 19, 2011 (just a day before my birthday).

At the rate my siblings are having children, I am going to have a truckload of nieces and nephews.

I LOVE being an Auntie.

It melts my heart when I see those little hands and feet.

And when I hold them for the first time, gosh, I'm a goner. I'm in love.

I am so ecstatic for my brothers and the lovely women in their lives.

God has truly blessed my family.

Confucius

Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles. ~Confucius

Happiness

Happiness comes only when we push our brains and hearts to the farthest reaches of which we are capable. The purpose of life is to matter, to count, to stand for something, to have it make so difference that we lived at all. ~Leo Buscaglia

Camden William

My nephew, Camden William, was born today.

10lbs, 6oz, 21in

I am so excited to meet him and see my family this weekend.

All smiles today.

I love him already.

Prague or bust!

My mom and I have started this family/girls trip thing.

Two years ago we visited my brother in Vegas (my mom's first flight ever!).

I wrote her about planning our next trip....

She left me a message today about going to Prague in 2012.

Our family is from Prague, so we've always wanted to go and have talked about it.

I'm so excited that we're finally going to start planning (and saving) for this dream trip.

the always changing road called "life"

So many roads, so many detours. So many choices, so many mistakes. As we drive along this road called 'life,' occasionally a gal will find herself a little lost. And when that happens, I guess she has to let go of the "coulda, shoulda, woulda," buckle up, and just keep going. - Sex & the City

Interest vs. Commitment

There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when it's convenient. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses; only results.

(thanks J.Penn for posting this)

Cinderella

Just tell yourself to wait, because Cinderella didn't find her Prince until the end.

regret

We only regret the chances we didn't take, the relationships we were afraid to have, and the decisions we waited too long to make.

Words of wisdom from Oprah...

The whole point of being alive is to evolve into the complete person you were intended to be. Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you. The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is to celebrate. I know for sure that what we dwell on is who we become. Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure. - Oprah

Looking forward...

Do not look forward in fear to the changes of life; rather look to them with full hope that as they arise. God, whose very own you are, will lead you safely through all things; And when you cannot stand it, God will carry you in His arms. - Saint Frances de Sales

baby baby

Being a woman and unmarried...there is a lot of pressure.

Pressure...to get married and have babies.

Last week in my Marriage & Sexuality class, the professor posed the question:

Does not being a mother make a female feel less of a woman?

Wow! It was a hot topic in class. Every female in the class jumped at the question.

I wouldn't say that I feel like less of a woman, but I do feel like my life is not quite complete yet.

Many women long to experience motherhood.

There is just something so special about becoming a mother for women.

Every week it seems like friends and family members are announcing they're expecting, trying or just had a baby.

I am sincerely happy for them.

At some point though, you begin to feel like the kid who's going to be picked last for kickball.

I know God has a plan for me.

I am extremely grateful for everything in my life now...a great job, graduate school, and people who love me.

Matthew 6:25-26

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. ...Are you not much more valuable than they?" -- Matthew 6:25-26

The man who goes above & beyond...

Every woman wants (and deserves) a man who goes above and beyond for her.

Not saying that women should be treated like spoiled "brats."

Giving a woman a little TLC when she's down or taking care of her when she's sick goes a long way guys.

Women remember these sweet things you do for them.

Keep it up and they will return the favor twofold.

I've been sick, in bed, a total mess, feeling gosh awful all weekend and he has taken care of me the entire time.

Brownie points.

I am so grateful.

A woman's worth

She can deal with stress and carry heavy burdens. She smiles when she feels like screaming and she sings when she feels like crying, she cries when she's happy,and laughs when she's afraid and her love is unconditional. There's just one thing wrong with her......she just forgets what she's worth.

I needed this quote after today. Every woman needs a reminder of her worth and to feel good about herself.

Moving forward: finding humor and romance

A few quotes from the movie, The Wedding Date....

Close your eyes. Close your eyes. Close... your... eyes. You're safe. You can relax. I'm not going to kiss you. He's gonna be so sorry he lost you, so stop worrying. Forget the past. Forget the pain. And remember what an incredible woman you are. You do that and he'll realize what he lost. - Nick

Darling, why spend anymore time on that horse's ass when Mr. Tie-Me-Up-Tie-Me-Down is standing right over there? - TJ

Here's to the husbands who've won you, the losers who've lost you, and the lucky bastards who've yet to meet you.- Nick

Meredith Grey's little girl fairy tale

You know how when you were a little kid and you believed in fairy tales? That fantasy of what your life would be, the white dress, prince charming who would carry you away to a castle on a hill. You would lie in bed at night and close your eyes and you had complete and utter faith ... but eventually you grew up: one day you opened your eyes and the fairy tale disappeared. - Meredith Grey "Grey's Anatomy"

I still have faith. I still believe.

Dead Flowers

Bad memories from the past seem to occur in two's for me. I feel like I can never escape.

It is not my intention to rehash what has been done to me...the hurt and the betrayal. I want to forget it all...even the happy, good memories. Why? Because they were all lies.

Once things seem to be getting better, my life is moving forward and I've forgotten about my past, it pops up out of nowhere to bring back the flood of awful memories.

One might say, "Just get over it already." Those people have never experienced the pain, dishonesty, and disloyalty that I did. I would never wish that kind of hurt on anyone.

Tomorrow's a new day...I pray that it's better.

Perception

We can always choose to perceive things differently. You can focus on what's wrong in your life, or you can focus on what's right. - Williamson

I needed this quote. Thanks to J.Penn for posting. :)

Risks...

If it's still in your mind, it is worth taking the risk. (Cuehlo)

My entire life, I have played it safe.

I was never that kid climbing to the top of trees or jumping off bridges into the lake.

I wasn't a "prissy" girl growing up, I was a safe little girl.

I didn't want to get hurt.

I was afraid.

Today, I am still afraid.

Terrified.

....of heights, bridges, bats, and getting my heart broken.

No matter what you do....

No matter how hard you work at something...

No matter how much of your heart, your love, yourself you give to someone...

...your heart can still be broken.

So, I have protected my heart.

But I can't run away forever, right?

Love can be risky, but if you feel it, then jump.

Dive head first.

If it's real...love will be there to catch you.

Ready for the weekend...

I am so ready for the weekend....Labor Day weekend at that. Too bad the University doesn't give us Labor day off. Oh well. My weekend plans include relaxing, reading for grad classes, baking, then church, BBQ and bags with friends on Sunday.

My weekends lately have consisted of spending time here in Valpo with friends and M.M. I have started to really miss my family back in Michigan. It has been awhile (since July!) that I last saw them. I won't see them again until October because of the University events I am planning to attend and be involved in this month. B-U-S-Y! I'm ready to see them. I know my mama is going crazy not seeing me. October 8-10 will be a great weekend. :)

A few holes in the road...

"I just think that some things are meant to be broken. Imperfect. Chaotic. It's the universe's way of providing contrast, you know? There has to be a few holes in the road. It's how life is." - Sarah Dessen, The Truth About Forever

'Make You Feel My Love'

Be an example...

‎"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12