Be still and know ⋒

One of my favorite texts from the Bible. It’s so simple, yet so powerful. And just the words I’ve needed lately to anchor into the present moment (where the magic happens). Be still and know that other forces are at play. Be still and know that you are healing. Be still and know that you are light, love, darkness, formless and everything in between. Be still and know that you are not alone. Be still and know that what you are feeling is truth. ⋒
May you take some time to enter into the deep, divine feeling place and know whatever comes up for you is exactly what you need. Trust it.

U-N-F-O-L-D-I-N-G. 🌸

Adding layers, peeling them back, letting them go or tucking some away for another day. We all contain so much wisdom in our layers of life experiences. Today, I let one go. Today I choose not to feel bad about wearing lipstick and mascara. Somewhere (probably while hiking the AT) I picked up a story that wearing makeup was dishonest and not “natural” enough. 〰️〰️〰️ Jeeeee-wiz, amber. Loosen up, girl. You can be so rigid and serious sometimes. Right?? Hmmmm, so today’s wisdom seems to be coming through as : if it feels good, don’t suppress or resist it. Do it! Be it! Love it! And maybe, find some time to be a little silly. 💋💄💁‍♀️💃🏻 #rejoice in #femininity !!! #hershelterpoetry

🔸Sometimes you have to take steps back in order to move forward. 🔸

I'm not sure where I first heard that, but it's been my mantra for the past 9 months. If you are stuck, hurting, fed up, lost, feeling hopeless and tired of trying to make it work, I feel you. 🙏🏻 It sucks.
But just because you feel the heaviness does not mean you are weak. Heaviness leads to healing. And healing requires bravery and strength. You are at the cusp of transformation, my friend. Do not be scared to let go. Let the tears of vulnerability fall. Let the walls down. Let your heart break open and feel everything. No matter how long it takes.

I'm grateful for all my friends and family who held space for me to do just that. No judgement. Just unconditional, pure love. 💛 Let's remember that everyone is going through something. Let's open our hurts and minds and allow more vulnerability to shine. 🌟

This piece from Elle Luna is what it's all about, folks. It's easy to keep avoiding, masking, ignoring and suppressing all the things we don't want to feel in the moment. But if we don't allow ourselves to move through them, all sorts of things get stuck in our bodies. These emotions that we neglect to feel causes blocks, illness and more problems. This keeps us from doing what we were put on this earth to do! And we just can't accept that. Give yourself and others permission to feel- to cry, to be angry, to be sad, to be blissfully happy.
Feel it. Feel all of it.

You know what is completely and utterly amazing about life? Choice, the freedom to choose between things every minute of every day. You choose what to wear each day and what to have for breakfast. You decide who you spend your time with, whom you share your body, your life, your money and energy with. You select where you will go to school, eat, and shop. You can choose the music you listen to and the books you read. You can choose how you will view unexpected things in life— will they be challenges or opportunities? You can choose the words you use and the tone of voice in which you speak to others. Most of all, you can choose your thoughts.

With beautiful thoughts you can turn your world into a magical place. Learn to control your mind. Learn to select your thoughts like you select your clothes every morning.  Feed your head with happy thoughts, because remember—  you have the power to your happiness.There are many things that are out of our control, but my goodness, there are also so many things we can control!

a favorite happy thought

My favorite “happy thoughts” exercise is writing down all the things that bring a smile to my face. I have countless papers, napkins and post-its covered with themes of words and phrases. Whatever mood I’m in at the moment usually inspires the theme. I’m a romantic, so most of them go something like this: Lace. Paris. Sundresses. Audrey Hepburn. Pastels. Taking pictures at dusk. E. E. Cummings. Fresh fruit. Sun-kissed skin. Napping in hammocks. English tea. Matinee movies. Girl nights. Ingrid Michealson. Peonies. Forehead kisses. Night time runs.

Ok..I think you can get the point.

#Happiness #thinkbeautifulthoughts

Got it?

Lovely.

Get to it then.

Get out of bed even when you don’t want to.

Have faith in yourself to get through the rough patches.

Repel people you don’t click with.

And the most important thing about being your own hero: Trust yourself. Believe in what you think is right and stop looking for answers from the outside. Take responsibility for your emotions and your actions. Soon, you will realize your life is in your hands.

Every great hero has faced challenges. Overcoming the challenges is what makes them a hero! So remember through your challenges you will get stronger and you will become your own hero.

Stop waiting.

Take action.

Don’t give up.

Be brave.

“Always do what you are afraid to do.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

#bebrave #emersonquote #hero

Spring is finally here and man o man doesn’t it feel great! It’s time to get outside. Its time to enjoy the fresh air and plant colorful flowers. It’s time to eat  sweet, juicy strawberries. It’s time to feel the sun on our skin. It’s time to wake up from hibernation and get a bounce in our step.  It’s time to grow with the daisies.

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

Today is the day to laugh until your stomach hurts, drink coffee, think of new ideas,  get lost in a book, turn off the t.v., compliment your mom, take a walk, stare at the clouds, kiss your boyfriend, believe in more, let go, pick wild flowers, plan a road trip, rock out, take Polaroids, dream of trips to Greece, eat fresh fruit, taste wine with your girlfriends, listen to the Beatles, try yoga, practice patience, paint your nails, feel great, finish something unfinished, doodle, buy new shoes, believe you can, make saturday cupcakes, do it all.

#cupcakes #Inspire #saturday #todolist

We all like getting compliments so give out some today. A few kind words can go a far way. I think we underestimate the power of kind words. Not only are you giving someone else a self esteem boost, but giving can make YOU feel better!

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.

#kidatheart #play #youth

Make a to-do list every monday morning of all the things you want to accomplish through the week. It is a great way to get yourself motivated! Hold your friends accountable.

Have a great week ladies!!

#mondays #totolist

What is a comfort zone?

A comfort zone is the working, living and social environments you are used to. It is the place where you feel secure and well, comfortable. Your comfort zone determines the types of people you hang out with and the places you may go. I guess you can say that your comfort zone determines your lifestyle.

Is your comfort zone holding you back?

Our dreams and goals are tied directly to our comfort zone; therefore, in order to change or grow we must be brave enough to venture outside our comfort zone and experience new environments. We can not turn our daydreams into reality without taking that scary first step! For example, you may be stuck daydreaming (fantasizing) about living in New York while working for Vogue, because you are afraid of what might happen if you leave a community where you are well known or quit a well established job. But until you shake your fears loose, you will be stuck daydreaming.

Do you feel discontent with life right now? Maybe you need to do something that scares you…

Step Outside Your Comfort Zone

It all comes down to fear…

The thought of trying something new can cause our heart to race. At the threshold of every new experience looms the possibility of failure and rejection, leaving you wrestling with (or simply giving in to) a healthy dose of fear.

The simple truth– fear robs us of our happiness, causing us to settle for far less than we’re capable of.

Fear, the reason why so many of us stop believing in ourselves, stop pursuing our dreams and stop love from growing. And none of us are immune to it.

It all comes down to the Comfort Zone. It all comes down to Fear.

Find your strength. Step outside your comfort zone. Take a risk.

Note: It does not have to be a HUGE step, for instance, overcoming your fear of heights by bungee jumping. Baby steps can get your heart racing. Go ahead, tell your crush you like him before it’s too. late.

#believe #comfortzone #dreamsandgoals #fear

Find Your Phrase

Everyone has one…just not everyone has found it yet.

Your Phrase: (n.) A small group of words that you identify with.

This could be through symbolism or events in your past.

It could be spiritual or lyrical. Or both. Or neither.

It could be surface-ish and fun or deep (and still fun).

It can take some explaining or be quite obvious.

It might inspire you or it might remind you.

The one rule is to keep it short! No mission statements or mottos allowed. This is simply a phrase.

The second part to that one rule is BE ORIGINAL. There is a place for “Live Laugh Love” etc. but not in your phrase.

What’s my phrase you ask? It is: Desert Bread and Vineyard Wine.

My reasoning: Hosea 2:14-15 “So I am going to attract her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her. There I will give her back her vineyards, and I will make  the Valley of trouble a door of hope.” There is just something about the image of being lead out to a place  that seems so deserted and painful only to be given vineyards and hope that connects so deep in my heart and helps me trust when all I see is blowing sand and geckos.

(Other reasons include: Manna in the desert, water to wine,  the temptation of Jesus, He is the Bread of Life, He is the vine, and we are the branches, The Lord’s supper,  wine is used as a healing balm in the story of the good Samaritan,  I personally like bread and wine, and I also have a thing for deserts and vineyards.)

Phrases may take time, or they may come to you all of the sudden. Good Luck!

(Phrases are not to be glorified in themselves, they are to remind us of that which we want to embody.)

Anyone can give up. It’s the easiest thing in the world to do … but to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, now that’s true strength. Push through the rough and do what you have to do. Choose to be strong.

“You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.” -Jon Kabat-Zinn

#choice #strength

guess that’s why cats have 9 lives...

the only way to begin

is to let love in

from head to toe

love from your core

give all you’ve got

and then give a little more

love until your high on love

and butterflies live inside you

love until you are love-drunk

and your head is spinning with emotion

love until you become lovesick

and you are unable to act normally

love until you feel like you are riding the tea cups

yeah…kinda like that.

because it is a phenomenon

to be able to feel that intensity.

The more you give the more you live.

I like living by this philosophy. Not only does it stand true for love, but also the other areas of life. You can give in sooo many ways. For example, you can give your time, your money, a helping hand, you can even give compliments! I don’t know about you, but giving makes me feel more alive. And that is the whole idea! Give, Give, Give!

Live a life of meaning

Let’s live, not exist. We are on this planet together. Let’s help each other, give a little and take a little. Or maybe give A LOT and take as it comes 🙂

I need to work on giving more love even when I don’t have the stomach for it. I forget that the people who are hardest to love usually need it most. I could also give way more compassion than I do now. Sometimes I underestimate people’s misfortunes and neglect their feelings.

We all need compassion when we are fighting our dragons. [gotta make a mental note of that]

Hope you ladies are having a lovely week so far! We’ve got some good stuff coming soon, stay tuned!

#livelife #philosophy #themoreyougive

Summer Sun Is On The Way

Ok Christmas is over, the New Year is here, school has started so that means one thing…it’s time for Spring Break to consume our thoughts!! Haha, no I’m kidding. Really though, it is just right round the corner! So in order to prevent crash dieting and splurging on new swim suits, flip flops, tanning bed visits and pedicures let’s talk.

If you are anything like me, you let your body “rest” through the winter. I mean who doesn’t like a good 3 months of laziness and indulging in bad food. Big sweat shirts hide that extra weight gain, right? BUT then you hit panic mode as soon as it starts to get warm and you see the 1st girl in shorts. This is what we want to avoid this year.

There are things you can always be doing to make you feel comfortable in your skin.

Get Off the Couch

Get off your lazy butt and hit the gym. I know it is hard to find that ounce of motivation in the winter time; you feel heavy, lethargic and its cold outside. The couch and a cup of hot chocolate is a much more inviting- TRUE but, exercise is a must ladies! Not just for looking great, but also for feeling great and most importantly your health! So dig deep for that motivation! Get your girlfriends motivated and go burn some calories! Or you will be starring at your summer wardrobe thinking why, why, why didn’t I start exercising earlier…

Eat Your Vegetables

Here’s the thing- we all know we need to eat healthy. So let’s do it.

1. Break Away from fast food- Anytime I want fast food I weigh the pros and cons. Pros: cheap, fast, sometimes yummy. Cons- the amount of fat content (yahoo cellulite), the amount of grease (yahoo pimples), the possibility of unclean hands touching my food (yahoo germs), the amount of preservatives (yahoo feeling like 50 at age 22). Cons outweigh Pros every time. Sorry, if you know me, then you know thats a soap box of mine. Don’t get me wrong though, I treat myself to some Taco Bell from time to time. Just please do yourself and limit your fast food runs.

1. Don’t Forget breakfast- Everyday this meal seems to become more important. Breakfast jump starts your metabolism and wakes your brain up!
2. Eat Your Vegetables– this reminds me of my boyfriend’s Mom. She is always encouraging her sons to eat their vegetables. I think vegetables are a food that require encouragement. I mean who eats vegetables in college? No one. (excluding vegetarians and my roommate) Here’s the skinny, veggies are low cal and packed with nutrients! So there is no reason we should forget them. Load your plates with them! Have veggie parties in the dorm! Encourage your friends to eat their vegetables. If you are like my sister and don’t like the taste, drink V8.
3. Cut Back on the sweets- oh how I dislike those 5 words. Trust me though, you gotta do it. Sugar gives us instant gratification but we seem to always forget about the crash after a sweet sugar high. Save your teeth!

Take Care of Your Skin

Winter skin is the worst- itchy, dry, and pale. Is yours screaming for some vitamin D like mine?

A few things for healthy skin:

1. Dry Skin Brushing- removes cellulite, removes dead skin, tightens the skin preventing premature aging, and cleanses the lymphatic system.
2. Moisturize- repairs dry skin, restores elasticity.
3. Take Vitamins & Eat Your Veggies
4. Avoid Tanning Beds- everyone is pale in the winter there is no reason for you to buy a fake tan and destroy your elasticity. If you want some color try Jergens bronzing lotion, works for me. And if you are brave enough- spray tan.
5. Drink Lots of Water

Note: Although Spring Break is a great inspiration to make changes, you need to remember taking care of your body year-round is important. Exercise and eating healthy should be a lifestyle, not just something you do to lose your winter coat or your freshman 15. Sometimes we just need a little pep talk, this is yours.

Got it?

Lovely.

Get to it. Spring Break is on the way!

Do not wait; the time will never be “just right’. Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along.- Napolean Hill

#fastfood #SpringBreak #eatinghealthy #skin #exercise #lifestyle