Saturday, March 31, 2012

good reminders for stressful times



I don't know about you, but I am usually under a great deal of stress.

It also seems the world around me is just becoming more difficult and life isn't getting any easier.  I tend to let things bother me way too much, and I hate it, but that's also how I'm made.  
I worry incessantly about everything.

Below is a list of ideas to assist in handling those hard times that come our way and I really need to focus on them more.  I ran across this site that has the best inspirational pieces. 

So when times are tough or you're feeling stressed, think about this.. .. .




1) Happiness is never constant, and it’s not supposed to be. – You have to fight through some bad days to earn the best days of your life.  Happiness is simply a series of moments that come and go and add sweetness to our lives.  Learn to accept this, and the more happy moments you will have. 


2)  Failures are temporary situations that teach us necessary lessons. – Life’s best lessons are usually learned at the worst times and from the worst mistakes.  So yes, you will fail sometimes.  The faster you accept this, the faster you can get on with being brilliant. You’ll never be 100% sure it will work, but you can always be 100% sure doing nothing won’t work.  Doing something and getting it wrong is at least ten times more productive than doing nothing.  So get out there and try!  Either you succeed or you learn a vital lesson.  Win – Win.  

3) Even if you can’t see it now, you are making progress. – You may not be where you want to be yet, but if you think about it, you’re no longer where you once were either.  You have good reason to believe that you can trust yourself going forward.  Not because you’ve always made the right choices, but because you survived the bad ones, and taken small steps in the right direction.  So cry for a moment if you have to, and get it out of your system.  Crying doesn’t indicate that you’re weak; since birth, it has always been a sign that you’re alive and full of potential.  Once you’re done, keep going!  You’re undoubtedly getting closer to where you want to be.


4) How you feel when you’re stressed is not a true measure of reality. – Just because you’re afraid, doesn’t mean you’re in danger.  Just because you feel alone, doesn’t mean nobody loves you.  Just because you think you might fail, doesn’t mean you will.  Look beyond your doubts and keep searching for the truth.  Be aware of your mental self-talk.  We all talk silently to ourselves in our heads, but we aren’t always conscious of what we’re saying or how it’s affecting us.  The way to overcome negative thoughts and destructive emotions is to develop opposing, positive emotions that are stronger and more powerful.  Listen to your self-talk and replace negative thoughts with positive ones.  The sun is always shining on some part of your life.  Sometimes you just have to forget how you feel, remember what you deserve, and keep pushing forward.

  
5) You cannot change what you refuse to confront. – You can learn great things from your failures and mistakes when you aren’t busy denying them.  If you’ve been asking the same questions for months or even years, yet are still stuck, it’s probably not that you haven’t been given the answers, but that you don’t like the answers you were given.  It takes a lot of courage to admit that something needs to change, and a lot more courage still, to accept the responsibility for actually changing it.  The most important step forward is taking the first step.  The simple act of getting started and doing something will give you the momentum you need, and soon you’ll find yourself in a positive spiral of positive changes – one building on the other. 


6) You are not what happened to you in the past. – No matter how chaotic the past has been, the future is a clean, fresh, wide open slate. You are not your past habits. You are not your past failures. You are not how others have at one time treated you. You are only who you think you are right now in this moment. You are only what you do right now in this moment. 

7) Not getting what you want can be a blessing. – Not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of good luck, because it forces you reevaluate things, opening new doors to opportunities and information you would have otherwise overlooked.  Remember, some things in life fall apart so that better things can fall together. 


8) Being a ‘work in progress’ is a great state to be in. – Stop berating yourself for being a work in progress.  Start embracing it!  Because being a work in progress doesn’t mean you’re not good enough today; it means you want a better tomorrow, and you wish to love yourself completely, so you can live your life fully.  It means you’re determined to heal your heart, expand your mind and cultivate the gifts you know you’re meant to share.  May we all be works in progress forever, and celebrate the fact that we are! 


9) Nobody else can do it for you. – Keep doing what you know in your heart is right for YOU.  Let your dreams be bigger than your fears and your actions louder than your words.  Live by choice, not by chance.  Make changes, not excuses.  Choose to listen to your inner voice, not the jumbled opinions of everyone else.  It’s your road, and yours alone.  Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you. 


10) Life is not easy, but it’s worth it. – If you expect it to be, you will perpetually disappoint yourself.  Achieving anything worthwhile in life takes effort.  So start every morning ready to run farther than you did yesterday and fight harder than you ever have before.  Above all, make sure you properly align your efforts with your goals.  It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it in the end.

Friday, March 30, 2012

happy friday!


I am so excited to have the day off!

Although I'm up later than usual, it's beautiful out, Eric has the day off, and we have a date to go see Hunger Games today, along with some light shopping sprinkled in.

I'm linking up with Lauren and Angela this week.  I haven't done one of these posts for a while, so I'm kinda excited.

These are my top 5 favorite things from my yard. {I have to admit, these photos were taken a few weeks ago so things are a bit greener now, but I've been wanting to post them} It feels like June so my mind has somewhat been brainwashed into thinking summer is here.  Not so, but it looks like it with all the green popping up.


I love to see new growth on plants.  It's such a happy time because it means warm weather is on the way!



Isn't the little fishy cute?  



 I took this from my parent's house when we moved and I love the way it looks in our landscaping.



My sweet boy, Dutch.



I got these awesome lights for my birthday one year.  They are solar, colored lights that look so neat at nite.


Happy Friday, guys!

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

wednesday is for pinterest.



Hey guys!

Here are my favs for the week!




 this is such a cute idea whether you make it for yourself or give as a gift.



I definitely need to follow this baby.




 now I know what to do with all my dried leaves I have stuffed in my bible.





 who wouldn't want let in on this little secret!




 

 home sweet home.  Illinois.




 simple + stunning.



this is one of the cutest outfits I have seen lately! 
too bad the dress is $225.


summer fun!


all pictures are from pinterest




Sunday, March 25, 2012

where i'm happiest.



 The beach.

That's the place that brings me complete solace, peace, and happiness.

I have loved the beach for as long as I can remember.  Maybe just not loved, but I guess you could say obsessed.

I breathe and dream the sand, the water, the salty taste, the smell of ocean air. . .

 Living a good 12 hour car ride away doesn't make for frequent visits. Even though I go every year, I cry each time I leave because I know I'll miss it so.

I have always had family that lives in Florida, so I have been fortunate to have a places to vacation to, and we have always gone to the gulf for family vacations each year as well. But that's not good enough. I want to be there more than that.

 I knew I always wanted to get married on the beach and my dream was fulfilled in '08 when I got married in Jamaica.  I have also always wanted to live by the beach. 

We want to move to the beach soon and when everything works out, but since I have signed a 2 year contract with the hospital I'm working at, it won't be for at least that amount of time.  
Big bummer.  But, oh well...things happen for a reason.

So anyway, I was sending my cousin a message earlier on facebook asking for her phone number, as I lost all my contacts recently, and that's when I realized that about exactly a year ago, we were messaging back and forth about my upcoming trip to Florida.  

Eric and I made our way there for my spring break and a much needed getaway.  We stayed with my Uncle, who lives in Tampa, and also visited my cousin and her husband who live there, also. It was an awesome trip and we had so much fun.  I didn't get to visit the beach as much as I liked, but I fell in love with the area.  We knew we wanted to move there as fast as possible and even looked at places to live. 

Even though moving isn't an option right this moment, I know we'll get there soon.  I guess we can put it in our 5 year plan.  

Until that time, I'll keep dreaming, planning, and vacationing.

These are some photos of our trip from last year.  I mean really, who wouldn't want to live here.  And for those that do, please don't take it for granted!

To me the beach is such a magical place.  









What place makes you the happiest?

Thursday, March 22, 2012

welcome, spring.



I know the first day of spring happened a few days ago.
I don't want to be rude it not welcoming her, so better late than never.

I welcomed spring with a nice case of strep.  
It hasn't been too awful, just a sore throat really, but
that's ok because I'm on the mend and luckily my days off fell perfectly and I enjoyed some family time and
 the sunshine.
 
I was just thinking of a few things I have that I'm excited to wear with this crazy warm weather we've been having.  Sure, I am a warm weather girl and love it wholeheartedly, but come on...
spring just arrived and we're having summer weather already.
I know this can't last long, but the forecasts prove me wrong each time I watch...
 
So, until it goes back to highs in the 50s, I'm going to pretend we're already in the swing of things and bust out these few pieces.
 
 
one.

This is one of my favorite perfumes.  It's Greenify by MAC and unfortunately they don't make it anymore.  [They luckily brought back my other favorite, Turquatic, though....yay!!!]  As you can see, this is almost gone and it makes me so sad, that's why I use it sparingly and save it for spring.  It smells just like a warm, sunny, green day.  I love earthy, nature smells and this one is pretty amazing.  I used it once last week and I'll probably save it for a weekend nite out for next time.  It pairs perfectly with my staple, patchouli, as well.  Blessed to have this bottle!



two.

Normally the only pink I like is bright, neon pink which looks perfect on summery, tanned skin.  These, however, will look alright with my still pasty white, wintery skin.  These are relatively old.  I never wear them (maybe even just once), but I saw them the other day and decided to give them a try in the next few days or week.  The one on the left is called Conquistadorable and the right one is Party in My Cabana.  Suitable names, I suppose.  I prefer bare nails and have an abundance of expensive polish, so I guess for the next couple of weeks, I'll have to adjust to having pink on them.  I will manage.



three.

My feet and toenails are in no shape for sandals yet, so until then I think I'm going to resort to these cuties.  I have had them for a few months and never had the chance to wear them.  I think they are just the cutest and will look good with so many different outfits, well except my work scrubs.  I hope these bad boys aren't worn out by the end of summer because I can see myself wearing them quite a bit over the next several months!



four.

The last few weeks my yard has been exploding with daffodils.  It's a shame that they come and go so quickly, but I have enjoyed seeing them stick around for as long as they have.  I think this one just looks so beautiful.  My yard is happy to have them around. 



So there you go.  A few things I am excited to put to use.  

What are you looking forward to??

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

i love wednesdays for pinterest...



I can't believe that I haven't posted in a week!  
 Sorry for my absence, but life happens and I get too busy sometimes.  That's all. 

But, here we are again for another round of our favorite finds from Pinterest and I love my selections for the week.

Enjoy and see you again, soon!


Yum, blueberry bread pudding!


 
Capri, Italy.  I want to be there NOW!
 
 

With the summer weather we've been having, I wish I had one of these to lay in.  Ahhh....
 



This is so funny!  I love these.
 




I want this dress!  It's beautiful.




So cute!
 



I am obsessed with braids!
 



Such a cute outfit.  
 




I have always loved sand dollars.






Beautiful tattoo, however with different names, of course.
 



all pictures [via]


Wednesday, March 14, 2012

it's wednesday - time for pinterest!



I leave for work when it's dark and get home when it's dark today and tomorrow, but...
At least it's Wednesday and the week is getting shorter!

On to one of my favorite posts of the week.

___________________________________________________________

This is some sort of chicken parmesan stuffed something or other...looks good!



I can dream, right?!




 This is one amazing master bathroom. WOW.




 Natural mosquito repellant. 
 I am going to make this and see if it works because I attract and they bites turn into welts.  Let me tell you, my legs look real sexy!




 The side bun is beautiful and so is the girl....



 Cute indie look.


 Love this two piece.




 Friendship bracelets with a twist!




 Puppy cuteness!




 Definitely ready for summer!



Source of all pics