Tuesday, October 28, 2014

On Reflection



To some of you, this photograph looks like just another typical, yet blurry, selfie that I would post, coupled with an intriguing, inspirational quote about autumn or fashion. Or possibly, it might not have a quote at all, leaving you to decode the mystery behind my elusive bathroom-break vanity.

But this photograph was taken, yes, of me, by myself, in a bathroom, but it wasn’t taken with the intention of posting on Instagram or Facebook for people to hit “like” or make cute comments on. I took the picture because I was realized on that particular day, that I’m proud of myself. I feel proud that I’m truly comfortable in my own skin, proud that I’ve been working really hard at my new job, proud that I’ve been kicking ass in in the gym, gaining the body I want, proud to have received a good raise in pay after being laid off from the job I was at for four years, and pictured myself in for at least another four. I feel proud that I can wear a messy bun on top of my head, little makeup and still feel beautiful. I’m proud that I have built my credit up enough to buy the vehicle that I’ve always wanted. I’m proud that in the mirror’s reflection, I see a girl who has overcome battles in that past year that might seem so minute to some people, but at one point seemed next to impossible to me.


I’m proud that I can post this picture now, and not really care about the inevitable criticism that will surely accompany it. I’m happy that I can truthfully say I’m happy. Happy with what life has given me - the way life has tested me and built my strength, made me work for what I want. I’m happy with the way I feel when I open my eyes each morning, and happy that at 27, I’m not in a huge house with a white picket fence and three children six cats screaming at me when I walk through the door, because even though that’s what I had pictured for my life at 27, I am perfectly content with my trendy little apartment, my hardworking boyfriend, my beautiful group of friends, a family that will never let me down, and a heart that loves so much it hurts.

Friday, October 24, 2014

October 24, 2014

“I want to say something so embarrassing about October 
that even the leaves start blushing and turning red.” 

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

On Giving, Not Getting…

There is something to be said about helping people out – in the simplest or most complex of ways - when you tell them not to worry, that you’ve got their back this time. It’s the reassuring sound in their sigh of relief, when you hear the crashing of the weight dropping from their shoulders, the colliding of the “what am I going to do?” with the “thank you so much!” It’s when you know that they are truly grateful, and that you’ve made a difference in their world.

It’s not so you can wake up and tell the world, “if I do this one good thing, ten good things will happen to me!”…And it’s certainly not because karma is your best friend who will shower you with riches and sunny days with no traffic and perfect tasting coffee.

It’s because there’s a beautiful little flame that some people keep tucked away inside their hearts, flames belonging to candles that have faded and melted and can’t find a way to shine – candles that can quickly ignite when you share your oxygen… and if you’re someone lucky enough to have the power to light someone else’s flame, do it, and do everything you can to never let it burn out…. Why? Because the world is a cold place, and without the warmth of some people, and without these little candles, we’d all be sitting in the dark....


And when you can give without the chance of getting, you're not the only person who will sleep better at night.