Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Post #50

A new post is long overdue. I've been so consumed with school and work and trying to have a life that I've neglected to post for several months. Thankfully, the semester is drawing to a close and I want to be more dedicated to this project, starting tonight. I found a few of my post-it notes and plan on taking a couple to class tonight and leaving them around the building.

The holidays are a wonderful time to spread joy, as people are crunching numbers in their checkbooks to make sure everyone gets what they want on their Christmas list. I try to spread love on a daily basis, even if it means simply saying "hello" to a stranger. People should, however, be especially compassionate around the holiday season, as many people will likely celebrate having lost a loved one. Last Christmas was my family's first big holiday get together without my Grandmother around. While we we able to share wonderful memories, there were times when it wasn't easy. In short, be kind to everyone you encounter no matter what day it is. Love thy neighbor.

<3

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Post #49

Letting go is the beginning of a new life.

<3

Friday, September 10, 2010

Post #48

You are not a robot.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Post #47

It's never too late to smile :)

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Post #46

It always boggles my brain how calming art is. It isn't something I really forget, but I'm usually pretty surprised how quickly time can pass when I have some good music playing and a paintbrush in my hand (or some other supplies). I'm in no way trying to sound cocky. I wouldn't consider what I create to be extraordinary, but it brings an overwhelming calm to my entire being and I'm glad I have that little escape.

Summer is finally settling in. I used to really hate humidity, but I've grown to really enjoy the nighttime humidity for some reason. It can get to be pretty unbearable in the daytime (when its blazing hot AND humid), but at night it's somewhat relaxing. The moon isn't full tonight, but it's pretty bright and there were some fluffy clouds snuggling up by its light earlier and it looked pretty killer.

<3

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Post #45

Today was really one of the most spiritually enlightening days I've had in a while. A few things happened that reassured me that I'm doing exactly what I'm supposed to be doing and I feel very in tune with the world around me (and beyond). It's pretty spectacular.

I had a discussion with one of my aunts this evening and near the end of our conversation she said this to me: "I always said that the quiet ones would speak volumes." That was pretty moving.

Life is good.

Take care <3

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Post #44

A more personal blog, I suppose.

My world, as of late, has been flipped upside down in the most wonderful way(s) possible. I absolutely cannot even describe what feelings reside inside my heart, but I know it's overflowing with the most beauty I've ever been able to imagine. It's more than what I could imagine. Even the most "average" and "ordinary" things tend to look different to me recently. And I can't argue with that. I don't want to lose it, either.

I've learned that it's okay to let some things go. Sure, some things will always linger, but it's not such a bad thing to try to push them aside in order to make room for newer, more splendid opportunities.

Life is mostly about growth, I believe. We're really pretty similar to trees. We start out as a little seed and with some love, time, nourishment, etc. we can grow into something great. We can open our arms, like branches, and welcome whatever decides to reside in our shelter.

Anyway, life is good. Perspective has a lot to do with how you view your life as it is right now, and my perspective has been changing greatly recently. I've gained a greater appreciation for every person that enters my life, no matter how "insignificant" the encounter might be. Each experience changes our lives and it's our choice whether the experience changes our lives for better or worse. Being completely open to the beauty that is constantly surrounding us can really change our lives in the best way possible. I can honestly say that I even appreciate days that aren't so spectacular because they make me look forward to better things. I've always been somewhat aware of this, but I'm more acutely aware now. Nothing in life should ever be dismissed and each experience is unique and should be cherished.

I'm done rambling. The sky looks pretty stunning right now, so I think I'll sit outside and soak it in. <3

Friday, April 23, 2010

Post #43

My heart is speaking a language that I don't know how to speak. I can, however, feel it. And it is so overwhelmingly spectacular. I just wish I could SAY how it is.

<3

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Post #42

I absolutely love this time of year.

People start breaking out their spring and summer clothing and the bright colors and patterns can really light up a room. The sun stays out longer, the birds chirp from early morning to late evening, and the earth seems to come alive again. I'm never really sure when it happens--the exact date the greenery wakes from its slumber.

With springtime comes renewal. I may take a lesson from Mother Nature and follow suit. Why not?

I realized tonight that I get the itch to rearrange my bedroom a couple times a year and it usually falls around major season changes. I moved everything around in my bedroom tonight, as quietly as possible, and it's a great feeling. It's a simple change, but the ball had to get rolling somewhere, right?

It smelled like rain inside my apartment and when I stepped outside, sure enough, the sky had a great show to display. There's some stunning lightning south of the city, so I think I'll sit outside to enjoy that before I scoot off to bed.

Take care!

Monday, March 22, 2010

Post #41

I apologize for the terrible lack in posting. I lost my inspiration for a while. Found it and have been meaning to update, but I can be forgetful at times.

I'd like to dedicate this post to a guy I don't really know. All I know of him is this: he either works at the school I attend or he is also a student there. The reason I want to dedicate this to him is because he brightens my day a little. He will randomly stand in the doorway and open the door for people as they walk up to the building. It's so small, but it really does mean a lot. It really does put a smile on my face and I always thank him genuinely. He probably doesn't even know how nice it is to be caught off guard in that way. I made a mental note earlier to carry some of my post-it's around with me and the next time I see him I may give him one.

Whenever I see custodial staff working around my apartment building or the school, I make an effort to greet them and tell them to have a good morning or afternoon. We are humans and we desire to be acknowledged (even if it's just a smile). We aren't worker bees buzzing around in a specific order to accomplish tasks. I think people sometimes get too caught up in their lives that they dismiss others, especially custodial people. That may be a sweeping generalization, but I always grew up with my elders saying to appreciate custodial staff because their hard work usually goes unnoticed. Lets take that one step further and make an effort to appreciate ALL people. I can honestly say that I even appreciate people I may disagree with or can't get along with...each person I encounter, I have the great opportunity to learn from them and grow into a more well-rounded person. We can either embrace each others faults or dismiss them, ignore them, and remain stagnant. We're faced with that choice each and every day. It's when we embrace other people for who they truly are that we can learn to love.

That's all for tonight.

Take care!

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Post #40

I was told that if you sincerely compliment three people each day, by the end of one year, you will have made [more than] 1,000 people happy.

A "regular" customer at BB came in today and I noticed that her hair looked different. With intentions to compliment the color of her hair, I asked if she had dyed it. She hesitated to speak and notably became anxious about my comment. She finally said, "It's a wig. I was undergoing chemo-therapy for a while." I nearly started crying on the spot because I felt as though I had said something wrong. Instead of breaking down, I told her, "Oh, well I was going to tell you that your hair looks great!" Her face lit up at that point, but I still felt like crying. I can't even imagine having to wear a wig...trust me, I've tried. I know quite a few people who have or have had cancer and I've thought about what I would possibly be feeling if I had to deal with that.

I almost always try to see things as if I were in someone else's shoes. I try not to have a one-sided opinion on most things, and I like to be able to empathize. We aren't alone in this world, so we shouldn't have to feel like we are. It's a struggle, I know. Sometimes it's so hard to be optimistic and it can also be hard to feel like you aren't alone in your struggles. That's normal, I've learned. Life is a series of peaks and valleys.

Take care.

Friday, January 29, 2010

Post #39

Puzzles were a childhood favorite. I learned a long time ago that when you forced pieces to fit together, at least one of them ended up fragile, torn, or completely broken.

Why is that simple fact so easily forgotten?

Monday, January 25, 2010

Post #38

So, there's a free download on iTunes this week for a song called "July Flame" by Laura Veirs and it's pretty amazing.

In other news, I'll be purchasing a messenger bag shortly. Something I've wanted for quite some time. The best part is that an artist I've recently met on an art website will be personalizing it for me :)

"The best lyrics are the ones that give you goosebumps or make you cry in public or help you realize the answers." - Katy Perry

This is the point in the winter season where I start to feel a little too cooped up. I'm aching so badly to ride on the bike trails or wander around the parks of the city.

"I think I'll move to the country, somewhere you don't have to walk so far to be able to tell that the world is beautiful."

There was a point, recently, where I felt like the world was crashing down. But I have since forcefully taken control and things are slowly coming back together.

Life is, in some ways, like a puzzle...but if this were to be completely true, the puzzle pieces would have to be made out of some material that could easily be reformed. Many times, we fit with someone or something for only a short period of time and we then must be able to change and adapt so that we can fit somewhere else. But maybe that's why puzzle pieces have more than one side.

Anyway, I'll stop there. I have some homework I need to get done.

Take care.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Post #37

Two things on my mind this week: honesty and freedom.

What do they mean to you and how might your views clash with the views of the masses?