love what you do.

It's not an urban legend - it is possible to love your job. It would be challenging to lead a happy, fulfilling life if you're unhappy in your work situation. A third of your adult life is spent there, so find something you like, and do it. Find your God-given passions, strengths and weaknesses and put together what God's got planned for you. If you're living the life God has planned, there's no way you'll be constantly unhappy. Yes, you will have hard days - God even tells us that - but ultimately, you'll know peace.

love you.

Beyond being yourself, you've got to love who you are. God made you that way, and He will never, ever make someone like you so own it! One of my good friends from college, Alice, was a beautiful person on the inside and out - she also happened to be taller than some guys - she is 6'0. It would be easy for her to be self conscious about her height and slouch and try to appear shorter. . .not Alice. She loves her - she wears heels! And we're not talking little kitten heels, we're talking tall heels - like 3-4 inches. Own the way God made you - he made your nose that way for a reason, love it. He gave you that birthmark, own it. be you. love you.

be you.

As many of you know, I'm a huge fan of quotes and there are plenty of amazing ones out there about being yourself. But really, think about it, no one has ever been shaped, crafted, or made exactly like you. You're one of a kind. . .there will never be another you. Never. God gave you strengths, weaknesses, personality traits, character quirks, and individual circumstances to shape you into who you are supposed to be. He made you to play a specific role in His story, if you're not you, who's going to play your role? 

Excite-a-saurus Rex

Life's too short to not get excited about the little things and little victories you encounter daily. Life's compromised of little moments. These times that seem so insignificant end up shaping who you are and your attitude toward life in general by how you handle them.

Some of my favorite little things:  Watching Jadyn hula hoop. Hearing Asher laugh (preferably because of something I did). Waking up and realizing it's the weekend and I can sleep in! Coming home and having Carsen run around and jump because he's so excited to see me.

I get excited when I use a new shampoo, conditioner, or body wash. I like reading the labels because they make the product seem that much better. I like brushing my teeth with the tingly toothpaste because it makes me happy. Get excited about the little things...it makes life a lot more fun.

Meaning of Being Mean

Mean people...why? Let me be the first to tell you that I don't get you.

They confuse me, greatly. Do they not understand it's a lot better for everyone, even themselves, if they're nice?

It actually seems like a lot greater effort to be mean sometimes.  But, alas I can't change others, just the way I interact and feel about them.

Mean people make it harder to be nice to them...obviously, but try hard. A good piece of advice I heard is "everyone has good in them, you just have to wait longer to see it in some people." Be patient with them...some people just make more mistakes than others. :)

Also, another tip : pray for them. It's hard to be mad or even dislike someone when you're continually praying for them.

Life is too short to...

always want the bigger and better "new" thing. Our culture teaches us success is all about what you have. I've spent the last couple of years working so I could always have the newest thing (in some areas). And, after that purchase is made, I still feel empty. Things don't make you happy. Money can't really buy you happiness even though that's what may sometimes be easiest to believe.

It is a lot easier to fall back on the idea that if I just work hard enough, am just able to buy x, I'll be happy than to deal with what you've got to deal with to be happy. People work their entire lives trying to keep up with each other. When they're on their deathbed, I doubt they're mad the car they bought was 2 years old rather than brand new. I doubt their lonely kids at home missing mom and dad care that they just earned their company millions of dollars. Life's too short to not have balance.

At the end of the day, all it is is stuff...stuff that in 39 days I can't take with me.

....and so it begins.

Today's Ash Wednesday and hearing everyone talk about their 40 days without (insert favorite type of food, candy, soda, social networking site here) has got me thinking...40 days can seem like a really long time, but what about the opposite?

What if you went to the doctor today and she or he said, "You have 40 days to live."

Forty days would seem like the blink of an eye. As the shortness of the time frame sinks into your very core, you think of all the things you've always wanted to do and planned on "getting around to" but still haven't done and now may never get to. You just want to scream that you're not done yet. You have so much you want to do still.  

It's time to prioritize. Things that truly matter and echo for all eternity in...the other stuff, not so much. As I think of the many, many times I've tried and failed to do this, I know how much easier said than done this is. Clearly my mindset needs changed....and so it begins.