Be Kind

Kind: of a good or benevolent nature or disposition, as a person.

I love sharing pictures to go along with my blog entries. I'll share a bit about my sweet Anne here. She has a rare skin disorder, she was born with. But this sweet little girl has the best attitude! I have nothing wrong with me and still groan and complain. We all can learn from her. She has a heart for people and cares for others like no other 10 year old that I've seen.

You see, I feel as we are too busy with our own life, that we miss slowing down and listening to others. I know I personally get wrapped in my own junk and issues, where I forget about what is going on in others lives. I was stopped in my own steps a week or two ago. I was sitting in the break room at work, where usually go sit in my car so I don't have to talk people. But I truly believe things don't happen by accident. As I sat there, a co-worker came in. We began small talk as I wanted to bolt. I love talking with people when I have a relationship with them, but the superficial stuff I'm just over. I feel as I keep it real here!

We began to really talk, and guys she needed to chat. So I listened and my heart broke for her. She is just going through a rough season of life. We all have these times in life. As I continued to listen and share a few words with her, I realized something. We need to take more time to listen to others and where they are in life. All they may need is someone to be kind and gentle with their words and listening. It was only a 10 minute conversation but a conversation that changed my perspective on being more intentional with listening to others needs around me.

We all can learn from Anne (pictured above) and how she is kind and loving to others. Take a step back and look for opportunities to listen to others and love on others. We need more people in our world to be kind to one another.

As I leave you with this challenge as I'm challenged also. Be kind and take time each day or once a week to listen to someone more in depth than just hey hows it going. You could change someones life in just 10 minutes!

As I always say:
Keep On Keeping on!

Longevity over Momentarily

Oh my stars! As my cute two year old nephew would say!!! I feel as a strong runner, I continue to be injured or aches and pains. My life the past few years. I'm only 28 for goodness sake! I'm not an old grandma yet, I shouldn't be having these problems :). But its my life and my journey.

As I was running through some pain recently in my quad I began to think. I'm an over analyzer, which is nothing new. But As I thought, I was like okay this may be my passion and my outlet but is it worth it for my longevity of running? I thought and was like no, this is just momentarily. As mad as I have been and upset, I am finding that I can still bike and swim. So I am still getting in exercise daily. But its nothing like running or the feel I get after a run.

Coming to terms of wanting longevity over momentarily fix has been hard but worth it. Yes, if you know me personally, I have tried to run a few times but can't make it far without wanting to cry. I miss waking up early and meeting up with my running buddy's. They make running worth it also. The accountability, the conversations, what is said on the road stays on the road, the laughs, and all of the above. Its a community.

But its time to heal up some of injuries. Yoga has been keeping me SANE during the times I can't run. So if you're a runner and need an outlet, try yoga!!! It definitely helps with brain balance and overall moods. I just have to remember this is just momentarily! I'm working on longevity.

A side note but something that has been a positive for me in this journey, is that there is another runner who is also injured. We have been in conversation and biking together when our schedules collide together. That has been nice. The greatest thing she has said was: I have been having dreams about running. It is beyond true! Oh how I miss it! But you can build new friendships without running. They are more meaningful also.

Learning to slow down and take care of my body. Its a marathon not a sprint.

Longevity over Momentarily. If I can do this, you can do this!

Keep on Keeping on!

Coffee and Friendships

This year, I have made a plan to blog more, share from my own personal experiences, be real, and inspire others to become a better person. So here we go! 

Isn't coffee art just beautiful? I love it! Wait...I LOVE COFFEE! I maybe an addict :) Really this blog isn't all about coffee. Its truly what coffee brings to the table. It brings true friendships and relationships together. Most likely, you don't just sit down with anyone over coffee. I know that I don't. Five years ago I may have just because I wanted everyone acceptance. Now, its rare and far between. But when I do have the chance to sit down with a friend, its beautiful. I see it as an intimate time with a friend, spouse, mom, mentor. You share your struggles with zero judgment. You are safe for that moment. How freeing is this? I may have two people I can truly share the deep struggles with and that's okay. We don't need a ton of people to share that stuff with. 

It's also a place to share your dreams with. Most people keep their dreams to oneself because they are scared of being judged and crushed that their dream can't happen. But the people who are true and genuine friends will encourage that dream to flourish! How encouraging is that? They will connect you with the right people to allow the dream to keep moving forward. They believe in YOU as a person. 

These true friends will cry with you, mourn with you, grieve with you, and carry you through that moment. You can be completely real. I don't like showing my real emotions, always been a struggle. You want life to look GREAT on the outside. And guys life SUCKS...IT SUCKS!! Did I say that loud enough? But you aren't meant to go through it alone. As I said I have very few people I would sit down with. But the couple women know who they are. And they will support you. Its just taking that guard down and saying it all. I'm still not great at sharing when things aren't well. But its a journey. Don't just open up to anyone. Be cautious. But there are people out there to support you. 

Coffee brings LAUGHTER. Who loves to laugh? I do! I'm a clown once you get to know me. Completely silly. What better way to start or end your day over coffee and many laughs? Its beautiful. And I hear that laughter can be the BEST medicine. I love stories and people that make you laugh so hard, your stomach hurts! Oh surround yourself with these people. 

It can bring HOPE to the dark places. WE all need hope. So I leave you with HOPE today. Go grab a cup of coffee with that person you can be real with. and find HOPE again. 

Just keep on keeping on! 

Its a New Year

Its been a year! Its been a journey! Its been a roller coaster! Its been joyous! Its been hard! Its been.....

You feel in the blank for what your year has been. We all could sit here and talk about the challenges its brought this year. But I'm tired of the negative. Negativity has been part of my life for a long time and its time for it to get out! I will share this the things that have happened this year, I have been learning and growing from. I'm slowly coming to a place of peace and moving forward. We can't continue to hold onto the past or the year 2014. We can learn and become a better person because of it. That's my goal to learn, grow, and move past it. It all takes time but its there. 

This year I have decided to take hold of my life for once. Its not in others opinions, thoughts, comments. Its in our hands and Gods hands. Things may not go our way still but things can at least be dealt with easier because we have the knowledge of what's going on. Knowledge is powerful! Use your knowledge to help you along your journey. Because in my journey its taken A LOT for me to accept but with knowledge its helping me move forward. So no matter how much you don't want to accept whatever it is, you can be more successful in your struggle just knowing what's going on.

I also started taking my own health more serious and started fighting for it for myself. It wasn't for anyone else anymore. It was for me. I was born to succeed not to continue  just being part of society. I began this journey in September. I found yoga, which has helped just center me as a person. I am calmer when practicing, I am happier, and my body is more lean. Its awesome! I love yoga. I saw a counselor for the first time in a long time. And I actually enjoyed going. Its always a challenge to continue talking about the same ole same ole. This wasn't her focus though, which was freeing. She wanted me to become whole and healthy again. It took me a while to really talk and become open. She was patient and willing to meet me where I was. But she brought things to the table that I needed to hear and process. And honestly over a month since I've seen her and I'm still processing. And this journey has been HARD. But amazing also. I'm learning who I am, why I act the way I do, why I struggle the way I do. All this is teaching me steps I need to take starting this new year to find more health. And I'm just starting this part of my journey. I don't know what it'll exactly look like but that's okay. Learning to be okay with that. Just keep on keeping on and pushing hard!

But I leave you with this: knowledge is power. That is if you can find it as a positive even when it seem negative at first. So knowing is the best way to make the next right step!

Isaiah 43:19 (message)
"Forget about what's
happened; don't keep
going over old history.
Be alert, be present. I'm
about to do something
brand-new. It's bursting out!
Don't you see it?


Keep on Keeping on!!!