comfort zones.

have you ever thought: "no, i'm not going to do that. someone might see me and make fun of me."

i admit it.
i catch myself multiple times a week thinking that thought.

my husband often jokingly tells me that i worry too much. and most of the time... he's right.

some things i worry about are just small, stupid things that i should let fly.

what will people think of my hair piled on top of my head with no makeup on?
is that person looking at me funny? why?
what are people thinking as they stare at me?


there have been some things i don't even attempt fearing someone may see me and have a negative thought or have the opportunity to make fun of me.


but you know what? most of the time, PEOPLE AREN'T EVEN WATCHING YOU.
when you think all eyes are on you, they most likely are not.


so, i am going to make a decision.
i am going to go out of my comfort zone and wear that messy ponytail with no make-up.

i am going to try the new activity my hubby wants me to try with him without having the thought that all eyes will be on me.



that's it.
live out of your comfort zone.

people need happy people.

people need happy people.

this topic is something very near and dear to my heart.


have you ever walked into a room and said, "really people? get a smile, would ya??" (haha.)


recently, i have been learning even more that positive attitudes can bring lots of happiness and
negative words just don't make the cut.

this being-an-adult stuff is H A R D. it can be easy to tell yourself that you're not going to be positive today.
as a matter of fact, it takes effort to be positive.


don't get me wrong...i have lots of negative moments.

BUT, i would really like to strive to be a happy person.
a positive person.
a person that people would want to hang out with.
a person who is constantly giving compliments instead of negative, tearing-down words.


we never know who needs that positive vibe....everyone needs it!

and once we have that happy and positive spirit, mostly everyone around us will have a happy and positive spirit. happiness is contagious.


so.
here's a challenge.

let us all make an effort to wear a smile and maybe throw out a few compliments here and there and see how the people around us change. i would love to hear your results!

via

enjoy it.

                                                                                   //Source via Pinterest//

it has been hard.

hard to realize that my sister is now married and is living in her own house with her new hubby.
hard to realize that she is an 1 1/2 hours away and i am not able to see her everyday.
hard because when she comes to visit, it's just that, a visit. her bronco drives away at the end.
hard because i'm the only one listening to taylor swift pandora now. instead of hers playing just as loud across the hall.
hard because we aren't walking into sunday school together or sitting side by side in worship anymore.


yes, it's been hard. and yes, my mom and i both have shed tears.

but.

it's also easy.

it's easy to know that she is married to one of the best Christian men out there.
it's easy to know that that 1 1/2 hour long drive is manageable and we can visit as often as she invites us.
*wink wink*
it's easy because now, it's a treat to see that bronco pull up in the yard and it's something we can look forward to.
it's easy because now, i'm hooked on bluegrass radio instead of tay-tay.
it's easy knowing that she has a manly man who will lead her in the paths of righteousness and who will be her spiritual provider. she has a husband who will make sure that they are both at church every time the doors are open.


that's what makes it easy.


yup, i still have my "missing my sister a lot days," but, i have chosen to embrace it.

to enjoy it.

because it is happening.

life happens.

things change.

here's to being happy with life and change.

in the middle of my little mess, i'm blessed.

the day was yesterday.

i slipped my new dress over my head and snapped my yellow necklace. my yellow earrings added the perfect touch.

putting the finishing touches to my makeup and hair, i softly sung to walt disney's tarzan pandora station. 

i tip-toed downstairs knowing that the sis was catching some extra snoozes.

i could feel it. it was going to be a good day.

telling mom goodbye, i was off.

it was a day spent in the workplace at my job at the university.

the day was filled with busy work running all over the building delivering paper to certain individuals.

i smiled to myself knowing that this was my life and how much i loved my life.

i was giddy thinking about what the future might hold.

   
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some days, we may be tempted to look at all the negative things in life.

certain decisions that national leaders may make.

prayer being looked down upon in the schools.

poverty in the world.

crimes in the cities.

families who are being broken.

these are all sickening to think about.

and to think of where our nation is heading--farther and farther away from God--is even more saddening.

but,

we have a God that is much bigger than all the messy little things in life.

when we pour our hearts out to Him and let him know our pleas, He is willing to hear our cries.

so, next time i or you think of all the messes in life, just think about how we are truly blessed.

blessed to have a God that is on our side when we're faithful to Him.

blessed to have a new dress to wear.

blessed to have a SUV to get into and drive to work.

blessed to have older men and women as mentors and those we can look up to.

blessed to have the ability to go running at night time with fireflies all around.

blessed with these last few weeks hanging out with the sis, laying on her bed in the dark, trying to find the perfect bridesmaid shoe on the internet.

blessed with family and friends that love.

yes,

we are big and blessed.

be happy.

                                   
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I pray that you find all the happy things in life today.

<3

hold to Him.

                                                                                                                                                                                                          
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Sometimes, for me, it can be easy to lean on worldly things for support.

To cling to the ways of the world instead of bringing my problems to Him.

God is our ultimate protector and provider.

May we all choose Him first.

May we all hold to Him tightly.

<3

kinder than you feel.

                    
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Ever just have "one of those days?" 

one of those days where you want to be grumpy and snap back at everyone who talks to you.

one of those days where you were late for work and you had to stop at all the red lights because they turned red making you even later.

one of those days where somebody decided to pull out right in front of you so you had to slam on the breaks.

one of those days where your family just wasn't acting the way you wanted them to act.

one of those days where it rained just when you had the perfect day planned.

I can definitely say that I have had "one of those days" before.

But, I tell myself everyday just how blessed I am.

That the smile and kind words that I share might just be the only positive thing she/he hears that day.

Let's have a "one of those days" that is happy and one that we can talk positively about for days to come.

Happy day, everybody.

fear.

                                  
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God is on our side. He is with us.

she loved life.

              

Isn't life just great?

Let's find the blessings in the little things and love life.

Have a happy day.

<3

sing your song.

             

via Pinterest

I whistle alot.

Like, every day.

Used to, I couldn't whistle. I was only a pro at blowing air when I tried.

Today, sing your song.

Or whistle.

Be happy and content knowing that God has blessed you with another fabulous day to enjoy.

<3

let it go.

                              
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What a simple truth. 

Having a bad day?

School woes getting to you?

Wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?

Take a deep breath....and just let go.

Carry on.

<3

Happy May Day, friends.

loving your life.

                                
                                                                               //via Pinterest//

today.

                                
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good morning.

    
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beautiful.

 
                               
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Happy first day of spring everybody!

This weather is making me so happy.

Smile, your day is filled with great things. :)

My day will be filled with school, chiro appointment, cleaning my SUV, and Bible study at church tonight.

What are you doing the first day of spring?

(whoops, this post was totally supposed to post today, Wednesday March 20. Not yesterday, Tuesday the 19th. Today (Wednesday) is the first day of spring... ;)

youer than you.

                                                                                                                                                       
                                             
                                                                            //Source via Pinterest//

---------------------------------

Did anybody notice the date of today?

It's 03-13-13.

Pretty cool, huh?

bored.

                                       
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timing.

                               
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life is better.

                           

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influencing the world.

                       

//Source via Pinterest//