:)

It has been a while! Wanted to share some quotes and pictures that I found. Hope all is well! Take much care. :)


Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more.
~Anthony Robbins




''To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.''

''Your life is your life. Know it while you have it.''- Bukowski

Open Your Eyes and Heart

Open your eyes and your heart - and you will experience the life you have dreamed of - and more.

It is amazing how much fear and daily routines can slow one down from really experiencing life. How much simple thoughts can change ones mood and outlook on situations. That it is we who are responsible for the quality and happiness we experience in life - not the situations themselves.

The following video is from a band from the Netherlands called Racoon. It is called Close Your Eyes. I find the lyrics to be really good. As much as one needs to open their eyes in this world, one needs to also spend some time reflecting on life and having a relaxed and peaceful mind.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC3XtTdw3GQ

Goals and Dreams

Life is not about making wishes, it is about living your dreams! A lot of time is spent just dreaming, thinking of how different our lives could be. Saying, I wish I could do this and that. Sometimes dreams seem like climbing to the top of a mountain - something that seems difficult and often times something that is unthinkable to accomplish. Taking small steps towards what you want to do and who you want to become, gets you that step closer to your dream. It all adds up and with determination, some hope, faith and a positive attitude - you can get there faster than you think. Often times what you seek is right around the corner - but you just need to open your eyes and heart to whats around you.

''do the things you used to talk about doing but never did. know when to let go and when to hold on tight. stop rushing. don't be intimidated to say it like it is. stop apologizing all the time. learn to say no, so your yes has some oomph. spend time with the friends who lift you up, and cut loose the ones who bring you down. stop giving your power away. be more concerned with being interested than being interesting. be old enough to appreciate your freedom, and young enough to enjoy it. finally know who you are.''
- kristin armstrong

Express Yourself

I have noticed that the more I engage in conversation, the more I am myself, and the more I go out and explore - I have found more satisfaction and happiness. Often times it seems easier to the be silent one or to stay inside for relaxation and sleep but in reality one can be discovering new places and ideas through exploration and conversation. There are times when I have had simple questions or little stories to tell people - that I questioned myself whether or not to tell them because I was too shy to or thought that they would think it to be silly. But by expressing my thoughts and feelings, I have found to really be able to connect with people and to learn a lot about life.

Another way of expressing myself that I have found to be great is letting the people you love and care about know how you feel. Simple things throughout the day - making meals, picking flowers, or just writing them a sweet note to let them know how much they mean to you - can make a big difference. Dont let time slip away without those close to you knowing how you feel. You never know when it will be too late to do so and you never know how much closer of a relationship you can have with them by sharing how you feel.

Randomness . . .

''The best day of your life is the one which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift is yours - it is an amazing journey - and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. This is the day your life really begins.'' - Bob Moawad

''One day at a time -- this is enough. Do not look back and grieve over the past for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful it will be worth remembering.''

Happiness :)

 Some quotes on happiness. I find it to be an interesting topic because everyone has a different version of what makes them happy. Music, sport, nature, cars, animals, family, friends, etc. There is not one path to happiness and often times people spend so much time seeking it that they do not understand that there is a lot of happiness in our daily life (within our family and friends, nature, a smile from a stranger, the endless love from a pet, little daily miracles, etc). Try not to worry so much about little things in life (this only brings unnecessary chaos in ones mind) and open your eyes to the beauty around you. You may be surprised by the little things you noticed that are in your daily life that you used to just walk right past.                                
                                                

                                    ''Happiness is often elusive, fleeting. Like life.''

Dont just follow but chase your dreams!

I found an interesting quote the other day that went something like:
''When you wake up, you have two choices. You can go back to sleep and dream or you can get up and live your dreams!''

This quote really made me think as it is often easier to just let each day take its course. To get up and just 'get through the day' instead of focusing on making the most of your time (learning, growing, seeking opportunities, getting stronger mentally and physically, etc) is easier but in the end less rewarding. Like the postings from yesterday, ones attitude can really make the difference between an ordinary day and one that is extraordinary.

So, in the words of Mark Twain:
''Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.''

<3