when you plant yourself in this moment and make the most of it, you are free. 

If this winter really sent you into a deep slump, then now is your time to rejuvenate yourself! As the tulips and daisies wake up remind yourself that life is good! Because life gives us so many chances to grow and become more beautiful and strong. Here is your chance. Another clean slate, to start fresh…you and the daisies.

3 simple ways to spring forward

Think positive thoughts– the more happy thoughts that consume your mind, the more happy you will feel. Keep the negativity out!

Surround yourself with joyful people– spend your time with people who are happy with life and like doing the things you like doing.

Get outside!– April is “earth month,” a perfect time to party with nature. So hop on your bicycle and catch some rays. Staying indoors will only make you feel more depressed, you gotta get movin!

Spring is nature’s way of saying, “Let’s party!”  ~Robin Williams

#thinkpositive #spring #april #getoutside #flowers

Food for your relationships

Sometimes in relationships we can become complacent and comfortable that we forget to give compliments! This goes for all relationships. Your brother needs compliments just as much as your boyfriend and so does your mother and father and best friend and coworker. Don’t ever assume they don’t need your compliments any more.

For example, I feel like I have said “you look pretty today” to my sister a billion times. She always looks pretty so I think sheesh she knows by now that I think she is pretty. But that’s not the point! Just because I have been giving her compliments for 20 years does not mean I should stop now. She needs my kind words now more than ever!

Often in relationships, you find yourself praising your partner for every little thing. “You are so cute. Oh hunny, you sing so well. You are such a hard worker. I am so proud of you. You are great at doing the dishes. I love the way you open my door.” And the list goes on… But as the relationship goes on, the kind words slow down to a trickle. We get stuck in a kind-word-rut. So if you find yourself in a relationship that is shy of the lovey dovey feeling, then speak a kind word or two. If that seems like too much for you shy folks like myself, then write some kind words! Surprise your loved one with a hidden note…maybe in his shoe??

Perfect the art of compliment

Ok so now that I have reminded you of a simple joy, go and take delight! Speak kind words today. Let love grow.

Be Sincere.

Be specific.

Smile at strangers.

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”- Mother Teresa

#giving #smile #kindwords #compliments #relationships

Don't be afraid to goof off.

I may only be 22 but I have lived long enough to know that age is just a number! [And I hope I never forget that.] So, maybe my imagination is not like it used to be… I can’t transform a tree into a time machine or my bicycle into a horse named Ichabod. But I’m still a kid at heart. I still watch cartoons,  play with chalk, and color outside the lines. I still get excited about Easter egg hunts, and I still eat dessert with every meal. I still feel like a kid, that’s what counts, right?

What does it mean to be a kid at heart?

I think a kid at heart is someone who can still dream. Someone who can still imagine. Someone who can still play carefree. A kid at heart does not mean being immature. As you grow you become wiser, use that wisdom! For example, as a kid I might have ignored my mother’s advice, thinking “she has no idea what 8th grade is like nowadays.” Now, I know better because she is ALWAYS right. Never fails. A kid at heart is being able to be mature and still have a young spirit. Here are some ways to channel your inner kid:

Never loose your sense of wonder.

Did you ever go exploring as a kid? Oh boy, I did! I think me, my sister, and the neighborhood crew went everyday. We usually explored the same places; however, to us it was always a new experience. I can remember being so curious and intrigued by this field behind our house. Exploring was like an itch we just had to scratch. We were determined to discover something- an old bone, a pond, animals, anything we could pretend with. We would spend hours together just wandering around, thinking and planning new adventures. And that my friends, is what being a kid is all about! Exploring the world together. Believing in endless possibilities.

Pay attention to detail.

When is the last time you stopped and took in every second of a moment? I mean really took the the time to inhale life- the people, the smell, the colors, the sky, the noise, the feel, every detail going on around you. Kids are like sponges soaking up every single little thing they see and hear. (remember to always set a good example) Never stop learning. Treat everyone that comes into your life as a teacher. If you get caught up in the hustle and bustle in life, you may miss some valuable guidance! Slow down & pay attention to detail, kiddos.

Think like a Kid.

Adults see things complicated, where as, kids see things in an innocent light. Kids believe inpossibility, when adults grow to believe things as impossible. Adults are fast to assume the worst. Yeah sure, adults have more worries. Heck, kids have relatively zero worries, but most of our worries are not even worth worrying about. Not every thing is easy, but before you go and complicate things, think like a kid would. Think simple.

Oh please note: This does not mean to abandon all responsibility & sit on the couch in your pj’s. Thinking like an adult is not a bad thing, yet sometimes it is good to channel our inner child for guidance.

Live life to the fullest. Everyday. Go! Start a band with pots and pans. Jump in puddles. Get messy. Dream big. Run. Play. Play with your dog. Play with your brother. Play with your food. Use your imagination. Everyday.

Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none- Shakespeare

What is Love?

Possibly the most difficult question to ever answer. I think love is the answer. Love just might be the answer to everything, but what is it? When I got to thinking about what love is, I couldn’t define it in one sentence. Heck I couldn’t define it in 2 or 3 or even 4. Come to find out, love is many things and it comes in many different forms. So is there a universal definition of love that everyone can agree on? This required extensive research…Here is what I found:

Love According To:

Webster-

1. a (1) : strong affection for another  (2) : attraction based on sexual desire (3) : affection based on admiration, benevolence, or common interests b : an assurance of affection 

2 warm attachment, enthusiasm, or devotion 

3 a: the object of attachment, devotion, or admiration

4 a: unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another

5 a god or personification of love

6 an amorous episode :love affair

7 the sexual embrace :copulation

8 a score of zero (as in tennis)

Google-

a 1993 song by Haddaway

The Bible- Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.Love never ends.

Psychologists–

intimacy, commitment, and passion

My 15 Year Old Brother-

a fairytale

Ancient Proverb-

a high form of tolerance

Alice (me)-

the stuff that comes from your heart, travels through your soul, convinces your mind, and motivates your body.

3 Types of Love

Friendship Love– This is the type of love between yourself and someone you can be completely honest, open, and comfortable with. (your best friends) You may have many friends, but I’m talking about the love you share with your best friends. You will probably only have this bond with a few people.

Romantic Love– This love covers everything from warm fuzzies to a deep emotional attachment. It is the most anticipated kind of love! You may experience romantic love many times in your life.

Unconditional Love– Also known as agape love. This love is above all love. It is love that is selfless and sacrificial. It is the love you give someone even when it doesn’t benefit you. It is the love that can never be destroyed no matter what goes wrong. (a mother’s unconditional love) Although the highest form of unconditional love is only found in God. It is divine unconditional love.

In essence, this makes up of the three fundamental elements of man: mental (friendship), physical (romantic) and spiritual (unconditional).

Note: These are just my personal views. You may may have many more different types and definitions. ��

Conclusion

What I can conclude from this mini session on what love is? Well I think it is safe to say love is simple. Love is not complicated. People complicate love. Love simply is.

Now it’s your turn. What is your definition of love?

#meaningoflove #typesoflove