30 Things You Should Do (At Least) Once A Year

Taken from Thought Catalog, written by Ella Ceron

1. Clean your closet, and get rid of anything you haven’t worn, anything that doesn’t fit you, anything that is too worn or ripped to repair, or anything you haven’t worn in at least a year (save for your one “interview” suit or dress, etc). Other than that, start fresh.

2. Visit your hometown, even if everybody else has moved away. Visit the last town you lived in if it’s close enough or you’re going to be passing by anyway. Remember why you don’t live there anymore. Feel grateful for what you have in comparison to what you had.

3. Go somewhere you’ve never been before, whether that’s a foreign country or a part of your own country you’ve always wanted to see but never did. It can be an hour away or a three-day road trip away. Regardless, plan to just see something you’ve never seen before — just once.

4. Get a massage. It’s good for your body, helps you realign muscles and joints that might have shifted, and puts you back in tune with how your body is supposed to feel.

5. Drink cheap wine to keep you humble and hungry. Remind yourself why you ought to work hard for the good stuff but if you do this with friends on a roof somewhere, it’s a good memory on its own. (Just drink a lot of water so your hangover doesn’t hurt too badly tomorrow. But really, only do this one once. Life is too short for bad booze.)

6. Volunteer somewhere. Do this one especially more than once a year. It’s good for your soul, your mind, your heart, and your community.

7. Make a new friend — a real friend, not just an acquaintance you friended on Facebook after a party and never spoke to again — or five.

8. Challenge yourself physically in some slightly crazy, I-can’t-believe-I-did-that kind of way, whether that’s a marathon, a class at the gym you’ve always been too intimidated to try, finally lose those last 10 pounds, or even a baby if this is that year and that’s what you’re ready for. (That last one is the hardest and biggest challenge of them all.)

9. Actually make (and go to) all the doctor, dentist, and whatever other appointments that are so easy to blow off.

10. Rewatch your favorite movie, or reread your favorite book — and see if there’s now something else that jumps out at you with either age, experience, or simply new eyes.

11. Go somewhere really nice to eat. Like, more forks than you think you’ll use nice. Dress up for it. It doesn’t have to be a date. Go with your best friend and make a night of it.

12. Call in sick to work. Play hooky because you can, for your mental health. (Only do this once, though. Your boss might grow suspicious otherwise.)

13. Have champagne and cake for dinner for no other reason than this: Because. You. Can.

14. Try something you’ve sworn all your life that you absolutely hate — but maybe just never really gave a chance.

15. Ask for a raise, or ask what you can do to improve if you don’t yet deserve one. Work towards that.

16. Make a conscious effort to thank all the people you might be taking for granted in your day-to-day life (like your building’s super, the man who runs the laundromat, your barista, even the kid who checks you in at the gym every morning).

17. Go up to your roof if you can, and get a new perspective on the world, and on your place in it.

18. Spend a whole day walking everywhere to run your errands. No cars, no bikes, no public transportation, just walking. See what you notice when the world isn’t whizzing by you at dozens of miles an hour.

19. Go without (or with less of) a favorite vice — whether that’s smoking, drinking, sugar, or even something as seemingly innocuous as that morning coffee — for a week. See how you feel.

20. Get fitted by a professional tailor so you know what size you are (and if you’re a woman, get your bra fitted, too).

21. Learn how to cook a new meal. Invite people over to share it with you.

22. Leave your phone at home for an afternoon. See what happens when you unplug.

23. Spend time in nature, whether that’s on a day hike on a nearby trail, or a few days camping with your family and friends.

24. Go to a museum, see a band or a sports game live, or watch a play or a musical. Experience culture without the help of an illuminated screen.

25. Spend a Friday night in. Order takeout, dance around to guilty pleasure music in your underwear, take a really long bath, whatever speaks to you in that moment.

26. Stare your naked body in a mirror. Make peace — and offer love — to every little inch of you that stares back.

27. Buy flowers for someone you love and appreciate. (That someone can even be yourself.)

28. Reach out to someone whose career you admire. Build a connection. See what you might be able to learn from them — and even how you might be able to help them, too.

29. Try to make amends with someone with whom you might have drifted or had a falling out. If you can’t fix the relationship, at least let that wound heal as healthfully as possible.

30. Ask yourself if you’re happy. And if you’re not, ask yourself what might help you work towards getting there. And then make it happen. Because, yes, you deserve to be happy.

Be Intentional With Your Transition

6 Questions To Ask When Your Life's About To Change

Article found here

In Miami, fall and winter are foreign concepts.

It’s pretty much summer all year round, with the occasional day or two when the temperatures dip below 70 degrees. (Only in Miami will you see people sporting fur boots and coats when that day’s high temperature is a “frigid” 68 degrees. Seriously.)

A trip to Nashville several years ago gave me my first taste of fall. The oranges and yellows and reds that enveloped the countryside as my flight descended into the city made me feel like Kevin McAllister entering Duncan’s Toy Store for the first time in Home Alone 2.

The transition from summer to fall is clear: The days grow shorter, the temperatures begin to cool, and pumpkin spice lattes are available at every Starbucks (hallelujah!).

In life, we go through similar transitions. New opportunities. New locations. New friends. New everything.

Whether we’re entering the spring of a new job or relationship or the winter of loss or disappointment, we need to be prepared and ready take on whatever comes our way.

Here are some questions to ask as you transition into a new season:

1. Where Am I?

Before you can move forward, you have to know where you stand. Being able to humbly and honestly evaluate where you are is the first step toward a season of growth. Maybe ask a trusted friend or family member to help you process.

Being able to humbly and honestly evaluate where you are is the first step toward a season of growth.

Ask yourself: Where am I emotionally? Where am I physically? Financially? Relationally? Spiritually?

2. What Do I Need to Leave Behind?

Let’s face it: Things change. And as changes swirl around us, we need to be willing to make changes ourselves. We might need to let go of some old things to make room for the new.

New seasons rarely come without the need to make some sacrifices and difficult decisions. Maybe it’s cutting down on binge-watching The Walking Dead with a pint of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream cradled in your arm. Or it could be a toxic relationship that needs to be axed.

Whatever it is, do it. Now. Nothing will change if you’re not willing to make changes yourself.

3. Who Do I Want to Be and How am I Going to Get There?

Some seasons can last a few months and others can last years, but they all have one thing in common: They end. Who do you see yourself becoming at the end of your new season?

Sitting around doing nothing while things change around you won’t make things better—it’ll just leave you falling further behind.

Bridging the gap between where you are the beginning of a season and where you want to be at the end of it requires a plan of action. Make a game plan and then go out and execute.

4. Where is There Room For Growth?

There is always room for growth. God wants to shape us, mold us and prepare us for what He has lined up for us. You are where you are for a reason. Ask Him to show you what areas you need help in and commit to grow in those areas.

Don’t waste the season of change you’re in. Find ways to learn, serve and grow.

5. Who Do I Want By My Side?

Take an inventory of the people around you. Who are the friends and family members sticking with you as you enter your new season? Who is drifting away? Who is investing in you and who are you investing in?

Look for people who will build you up, encourage you and challenge you—people that aren’t just for you, but with you.

Look for people who will build you up, encourage you and challenge you—people that aren’t just for you, but with you. The difference? The “for-you’s” will cheer you on from the sidelines, but the “with-you’s” will put on a jersey and help you get the ball down the court.

6. What Are My Motivations?

Your deep-seated motivations are the fuel that will keep you running as you endure the hardships of the season you’re in—and make no mistake, you will face them.

Your “why” will keep you committed when you don’t feel like getting up half an hour earlier in the morning. It will help you to say “no” when you really, really want to text your ex, even though you know you shouldn’t.

Your “why” is what will keep your eyes forward when you’re tempted to look to the left or to the right. It will keep your legs moving when you feel like giving up completely.

Transitions are not easy, but they can be times of immense growth and learning to trust God. Be intentional with your transition.

Montana

Well my time in Montana is rapidly coming to a close.  I've really loved it here, even more than I thought I would.  Billings may not have been the most bumpin' city of all time, but I could dig it.  What I really fell in love with though was having the mountains visible from the balcony.  Seeing the Rockies on a daily basis, even from far away, was something that I won't soon forget.  It was crazy because I was here long enough to start to take it for granted, and then as soon as I realized that I would shake it off and try and really process what I was doing out here.  I love my job.  Did I learn a lot working full time in an office? Yeah, but I've worked in an office before.  What I appreciated was learning to work with different types of people.  At UNT I was surrounded by very similar people, but here in Montana I met lots of different personalities and various work ethics.  I'm thankful for this summer and the new friends I've made, but I've also learned that home is still a damn good place to be and if I don't immediately rush off to the ends of the world then I will still be okay. They say home is where the heart is, and I'm willing to leave bits and pieces of my heart where ever I go.  So here's to you Montana and your little piece of me.

10 Habits Of People Who Follow Their Dreams

1. They see challenges as opportunities

Most people interpret fears as obstacles and tend to run away from them. People who live their purpose successfully have developed the capacity to see fear as a sign of what they really need to go for and put all their courage and energy into it.

2. They see life as a game.

Having this vision of life opens up space for playfulness and creativity instead of limitation. This also cultivates qualities of resilience, problem solving and confidence that helps them take risks to get to the next big place.

3. Living the life they want is the only option.

They’re so committed to making their dreams a reality that they banish any possibility of a backup plan whatsoever from their mind. They don’t think things like, “If it doesn’t work, I’ll just go get a job.”

4. They always speak their truth.

They’re able to speak it because they make a conscious effort to connect to their truest desires, their inner voice, and their spirituality without fear of judgment. This connection is typically fostered through meditation, journaling, being mentored and being surrounded by like minded-people.

5. They aren’t just dreamers: they act on their desires.

Instead of getting stuck in their dreams, they snap right into action, no matter what it takes. Whether it’s quitting a job, getting out of a relationship that holds them back, investing in themselves or moving to a new location, they have the courage to do it. They do this by listening to, and then acting on, their intuition.

6. They expect and know that they deserve the best.

They expect that what they want is going to happen as if it were an inner-knowing. They expect and feel they deserve to earn well, do what they love, serve others using their gifts. The secret is that they still expect the best even when they don’t have all the answers as to how it’s going to happen.

7. They have no fear or guilt when asking for what they want.

Because they’re so connected to their passions, they aren’t afraid to ask for what they want. In fact, they understand that their success depends on others, so asking for what they want is part of the deal. They set their boundaries and express their needs without fear, guilt or shame. Best of all, this is a trait that earns them respect from others.

8. They create their own rules.

They create their own rules instead of fitting into society’s norms. They make decisions from a place of what they want to have instead of what they think they can have. This gives them the freedom to design their destiny.

9. They’ve learned to be comfortable being uncomfortable.

They don’t get stuck in having all the answers, making things perfect or trying to gain comfort by controlling everything. Instead, they’re aware that they’re not going to see the next step until they make the decision to move forward despite the discomfort.

10. They have teachers, mentors and role models.

Having teachers increases their awareness. They clearly understand that each time they’re getting ready to pursue their dreams all their limitations are going to come up to the surface so that they can let go of them. Having role models and mentors helps them quickly identify where they’re stuck so that they can immediately change their results.

Article found here

Roadtripping.

This summer I will be in Billings, MT serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer.  I have to drive from Denton, TX to Billings, MT.  1,300 miles.  Bring it on.

Mile 0- Well,  here it goes.

Mile 150- I'm not sure why, but while driving and singing at the top of my lungs I broke down crying during Say Something. Not sure why, I'm not getting over anyone. I think it's from nerves as excitement for the trip. Near Vera, Texas. No one in sight.

Mile 180- Almost hit a turtle. Don't worry. He's okay. Near 6666 ranch in King County

Mile 227- Just passed an abandoned building with at least 8 cats chillin' outside. It was kind of a cute house. I could live there. I hope someone feeds those cats. Near Dickens, TX.

Mile 252- Saw a blue heeler chasing a red truck down the middle of the road, and then I saw a Yorkie running in circles across 4 lanes of traffic. It was terrifying to watch. Near Crosbyton , TX

Mile 297- Pit stop for a day and a half to stay with family. In Lubbock, TX

Mile 332-  My first real fear that I was going to be pulled over. I wonder what cops are like in other states. Near some random small town in Texas

Mile 470- What kind of a city doesn't have a gas station?! Near Channing Texas.

Mile 471- I guess the kind of town that takes less than half a mile to drive through. Also, this looks like the road in Brudesmaids where she crashes into that car.

Mile 485- Pretty sure the whole town smells like manure. Near Dalhart, TX

Mile 519- I see these big beautiful clouds on the horizon, and it gives me hope that NM might be close. I haven't seen clouds all morning. Near nothing in TX.

Mile 539- Saw a dog hanging his head out of the window. Really made me miss Finley. Also, just crossed into NM and they had a sign warning against hitchhikers. This state looks promising. Finally in NM.

Mile 603- Although I've seen big hills so far, I think I can spot my first view of actual mountains. Super far away. They are either snow capped or this dirt is really starting to mess with my vision.

Mile 665- Ears just popped because of the altitude change. Colorado is beautiful. I'm in love.

Mile 682- These mountains are breathtaking. I feel humbled and so insignificant to something so large and powerful

Mile 759- second cop scare but at least I've figured out my hotel for the night.

Mile 800- Mountains are too pretty.  I'm gonna end this now while I'm still ahead

Mile 920- Just kidding, had to update and say that there is pretty much nothing in Wyoming but rolling hills over and over

Don't Date A Girl Who Travels

Visit Adi's blog www.lovethesearch.com for over 20 translated versions of this post, and more writing like this.


She's the one with the messy, unkempt hair colored by the sun. Her skin is now far from fair like it once was. Not even sun kissed. It's burnt with multiple tan lines, wounds and bites here and there. But for every flaw on her skin, she has an interesting story to tell.


Don't date a girl who travels. She is hard to please. The usual dinner-movie date at the mall will suck the life out of her. Her soul craves for new experiences and adventures. She will be unimpressed with your new car and your expensive watch. She would rather climb a rock or jump out of an airplane than hear you brag about it.


Don't date a girl who travels because she will bug you to book a flight every time there's an airline seat sale. She won't party at Republiq. And she will never pay over $100 for Avicii because she knows that one weekend of clubbing is equivalent to one week somewhere far more exciting.


Chances are, she can't hold a steady job. Or she's probably daydreaming about quitting. She doesn't want to keep working her ass off for someone else's dream. She has her own and is working towards it. She is a freelancer. She makes money from designing, writing, photography or something that requires creativity and imagination. Don't waste her time complaining about your boring job.


Don't date a girl who travels. She might have wasted her college degree and switched careers entirely. She is now a dive instructor or a yoga teacher. She's not sure when the next paycheck is coming. But she doesn't work like a robot all day, she goes out and takes what life has to offer and challenges you to do the same.


Don't date a girl who travels for she has chosen a life of uncertainty. She doesn't have a plan or a permanent address. She goes with the flow and follows her heart. She dances to the beat of her own drum. She doesn't wear a watch. Her days are ruled by the sun and the moon. When the waves are calling, life stops and she will be oblivious to everything else for a moment. But she has learned that the most important thing in life isn't surfing.


Don't date a girl who travels as she tends to speak her mind. She will never try to impress your parents or friends. She knows respect, but isn't afraid to hold a debate about global issues or social responsibility.


She will never need you. She knows how to pitch a tent and screw her own fins without your help. She cooks well and doesn't need you to pay for her meals. She is too independent and wont care whether you travel with her or not. She will forget to check in with you when she arrives at her destination. She's busy living in the present. She talks to strangers. She will meet many interesting, like-minded people from around the world who share her passion and dreams. She will be bored with you.


So never date a girl who travels unless you can keep up with her. And if you unintentionally fall in love with one, don't you dare keep her. Let her go.

When I'm a mom I'm going to read "The Princess Bride" to my kids when they are sick

National Geographic

"Today photography has become a global cacophony of freeze-frames. Millions of pictures are uploaded every minute. Correspondingly, everyone is a subject, and knows it- any day now we will be adding the unguarded moment to the endangered species list" -Robert Draper, October 2013

Bocce Ball

My dad was just shocked when I said I didn't know what Bocce Ball is. He then prefaced his explanation with "It's a game that old Italian men play..." 

No wonder I don't know what it is. 

Post Grad

Well,  I did it.  I graduated from college, and maybe you're supposed to have all of these huge overwhelming feelings, but in the two months that have passed since the "big day" I've realized it's all of the small moments that have been showing me how my life is changing..  People keep on asking me what I'm doing with my time, how do I spend my days, and what I'm going to do next.  I am so tired of answering that question, but I have to remind myself of something I learned this summer.  Just because it's your thousandth time to answer a question, it's still the first time this specific person has asked you.  You can't give them your frustrations and worries that have built up over time.  Answer it with grace and humor and remember that connections between people always matter most.
So, what am I doing, you ask? Good question.  I've moved home, and I'm taking care of my dad.  Now, some people know about my dad and others don't.  He has multiple sclerosis and has progressed to the point that he's essentially a quadriplegic.  He has nurses who get him out of bed every morning, and then my sister and I will take care of him throughout the rest of the day.  It isn't glamorous, but I am incredibly glad I am here spending time with him.  It's something I haven't done in a long time.  I got a Kindle as a graduation gift, so I've been doing a lot of reading and watching a lot of Netflix.  I'm ready to have a bit of a challenge.
I'm still not entirely what I'm going to be doing next.  Right now, it seems like I will be going to Shanghai to be an au pair for a German family.  Kind of crazy, right?  I'm still trying to process all of this.  It could be a great adventure and a huge learning experience.  It could be exactly what I'm looking for to fulfill my wanderlust.  I still haven't given up on the Peace Corps, although now I'm looking at the Peace Corps International program, where I would also earn my Master's.  I'm not sure exactly how all of this will work out.  My dad asked me what my 5 year plan is, and I told him I didn't really have one.  My 5 year plan is to travel to as many countries and states as possible, to meet as many people, to hear as many stories, to learn as many foreign phrases.  All of it.  I'm not ready to settle down yet.  I still have the world at my feet, at least that's what all of my graduation cards said.