On How to Live | Book of Awakening

There are two ways to live your life.

One is as though nothing is a miracle.

The other is as though everything is a miracle.

- Albert Einstein

I was given The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo for Christmas this year, and I've been utterly addicted to it since I started reading it on January 1st.

It's one of those books that you are supposed to read and reflect on, on a a daily basis - but for once in my post-college life, I've been actually working way ahead.

I can't help it.

I guess it's just one of those things where I've become so wrapped up (as in tight knot style) with everything that's been going on these past few months - that I've been totally forgetting to actually... live.

I can't 100% tell you that I have no idea where the second half of 2010 went. Considering I spent a large majority of this time either moving or worrying about the flood of 2010 - I shouldn't be too hard on myself. But the truth is, I've spent most of 2010 with my head either in the clouds or just inside my head.

Boring, right?

That's why my word for 2011 was restore (because I'm restoring my sense of self).

In doing so, I've been spending a lot of time re-learning how to appreciate the little tiny inspirations that present themselves on a daily, sometimes even hourly basis. I'm re-learning that Mr. Einstein is right.

We can live our lives with the blinders on, only focusing on personal and business development, slaving away for our clients or employers, dreaming of the possibilities of the future... but it doesn't mean a darn thing if we don't know how to actually appreciate what is right in front of us.

It's no coincidence that the tagline for The Book of Awakening is "Having the life you want, by being present to the life you have."

This, my friends, is something that I've always battled with.

Always dreaming bigger.

Expecting more from myself.

Not recognizing when a break is not only needed, but also deserved.

Creativity takes time. It takes not only inspiration, but time to be inspired. Not only on the surface, but all the way down to our toes.

How does this tie into Mr. Albert, you ask?

To truly start looking at the world from the second perspective - it's a transformation that takes longer than overnight. It is a habit. A perception. An outlook that requires a time investment.

Although, it's one of those investments that will come back to you 10 fold once your body realizes what you're trying to do.

and I'm going to try to do it.

one love.

[source]

Why Hello Steve Jobs

A friend showed me this speech a few weeks ago, and it seriously impacted the way I look at life.

So it's only natural that I'm sharing it here with you my lovely friends. Because, like Kelly Corrigan's speech I shared last year - some things are just too heartfelt and moving to keep to myself.

one love

Thirsty Thursdays | Fridge Love Inspiration

In 2011, I plan on bringing Thirsty Thursday's back with a vengeance! TT is the name, quenching your inspirational thirst is the game.

Ok enough of the cheesy talkero.

This week I am totally feeling the fridge love, and revamping fridge fronts (and sides!) to keep you and yours truly inspired on a daily basis (because everyone uses the fridge!).

A few fantastic things that have my heart singing these days:

[Button Magnets]

[Scrabble Tiles - but as magnets - they come in almost every character/cartoon/image imaginable, and I already have a few other nintendo themed ones from miss lizzy hanging out on my own fridge]

[the modern version of the alphabet set]

[pixel art on your fridge - who would have thought!?]

[you can have your cow, and drink your milk too!]

I think a lot of times - fridges get missed in that whole decor thing because there doesn't seem to be a whole lot out there to do with them. It seems that there is - you just have to do a little digging! And hey, if all else fails - there's always the option of covering with pictures of family and friends. That usually does the trick nicely too :)

Happy Thursday!

Music Share | Blake Shelton

What's playing on repeat on my iphone this week.

Just can't get enough of the melody + mood.

Le sigh.

25 Things I Want More Of in 2011

At the beginning of 2010 - I wrote a list of 25 things I want more of in 2010.

It was simple. Straight to the point. And it felt good to write.

So this year, I'm doing the same - and attempting to put just as much thought into it as I did last year (even with an insane head-cold and severe fluctuations between being hot and then cold in mere seconds).

1. More time spent at the hairdressers

2. blogging

3. do-it-yourself crafty home decor

4. inspiration, but not comparisons

5. writing

6. london fogs

7. peaceful moments at work

8. walks with my fur baby Rolo :)

9. running

10. time spent on 1-on-1 time with friends and family

11. prettied up packages to others

12. time spent s l o w i n g d o w n

13. baking sweet desserts

14. fashion sense

15. structure & routine

16. free bird spirit

17. scrabble

18. classes & learning

19. art

20. connecting with those that matter

21. colour

22. travelling (will forever and always be on the list)

23. slipper wearing

24. sleep

25. date nights out with Mr. Extraordinary

12 Favorite Photos of 2010 (Year in Review)

It's been a while since I've visited my own corner of the interweb - and by golly it's now a brand new year. Welcome to 2011 fellow readers! Usually I do an extensive recap of years past, either as they are coming to a close or during the first few weeks of January. But guess what? It most likely WON'T happen - but please still love me?

It seemed fitting that one of my biggest inspirations this year, was the root of my inspiration for the concept of this post - Miss Flannigan never ceases to amaze me! So to re-cap my personal 2010 - I bring you.... the year in 12 photos!

January: In January, we visited Jess's sister in Kamloops - and attended our very first Robbie Burns Celebration Dinner & Dance. It was a one of kind experience, in which we dressed Jess up in the full kilt get-up. Not only did we have a few great laughs, but we even tried haggis!

February: February saw Jess and I off to Las Vegas for the first time together for our 2nd anniversary. We had such a fabulous time, and even managed to find a bit of serenity in the city that never sleeps.

March: In March I started embarking my own Solo Saturday Adventures, and discovered the Fort Langley Antique Market & Buntzen Lake. I found this incredible mirror, and started considering really making my home, my own.

April: This family adventure took us to Grandma's & Grumpa's to wander through barns and barns full of goodies from years gone by. It was here I discovered my love for old frames, letterpress drawers and 1950's Sears catalogues.

May: I convinced mom to come out to a networking event with me, for Fraser Valley Pulse's first birthday. We had so much fun talking to other entrepreneurial women, checking out local businesses, and learning more about Fraser Valley Pulse! Little did I know, it would be the start of so many great friendships and opportunities!

June: June saw a family trip to Nova Scotia for Jamie & Tamara's beautifully summer wedding. Since this was such a great, fun-loving and family orientated trip - this month gets a few bonus photos.

July: First golfing adventure + great golfing teacher = one ... make that two fantastic rounds of golf! We had so much fun during our first round, that we headed to another course for a second round later on that afternoon. I'm already looking forward to golfing season again next year :)

August: Although this might now be one of my favorite pictures of 2010 - it does sum up a huge chunk of the year fairly well. If you can't tell from the picture, we had a flood in our apartment, and this is the picture taken a few hour after the damage occurred. Nothing could quite prepare us for the renovations about to take place - but we certainly learned a few valuable life lessons along the way. What we took out of the experience? Everything happens for a reason, you can get through it, and it's really important to have home insurance.

September: This picture was taken shortly after we were caught in a true-to-goodness thunder and lightening storm. What you may not be able to see in this picture, is that we were SOPPING wet - and I can't remember a time when I laughed so hard. What better place to get caught in a lightening and thunderstorm than on a golf course?

October: Jess's birthday was celebrated in October, and there was plethora of smiles, goofiness and laughter all around. I love celebrating birthdays, except maybe not my own.

November: November saw our great and awesome friends moving back to town, followed by lots and lots and lots for wonderful gathers and "stop-bys". Also, I purchased my imac. Which has changed my world.

December: So many good things took place in December... but the coolest thing of all was the arrival of Pat and Allison's beautiful baby girl, Kyla! Jess and I are *so* excited to be along for the ride with them on this crazy and and wild adventure (and we love them all very much).

Reverb10 | Body Integration

I'm participating in Reverb10, a daily writing prompt throughout the month of December related to reflecting on the previous year and planning the next. You can read more about it here, and read all of my posts so far here.

Q. Body Integration. This year, when did you feel the most integrated with your body? Did you have a moment where there wasn’t mind and body, but simply a cohesive YOU, alive and present? (Author: Patrick Reynolds)

A. I spent most of 2010 striving to create a simple, cohesive me in which my mind and body felt like they were on the same level. In fact, I even spent so much time thinking about, and worrying about making this happen, that not a lot of real solid time actually went into making it happen.

I spent less time on the mat than I have in previous years, and I practically stopped my meditation practice because I just didn't have the energy or motivation to get back into it. In reading a few other participants views on this #reverb10 prompt, I started learning more about dissociation , and how it can impact how you view not only others but yourself as well. I started recognizing that this thing that others were experiencing and sharing their feelings on, was exactly what I have been known to struggle with in the past. It was one of those "ah ha" moments when you realize that you aren't entirely alone in the things that you struggle with on a daily basis.

I constantly feel separated from what feels like the person I think I should be, or the personality I should have. Often times, when I look in the mirror I don't feel entirely connected to the person that is staring back at me. Like I am always envisioning myself to look different that what my reflection actually looks like. Not that I wish I was thinner, or more tanned or anything like that - just in terms of personal style.

As I've mentioned in a previous #reverb10 post, I think I've spent a lot of time this year trying to become a person that everyone (or at least a large majority of people) would like. I worry about offending people, or not blending in enough, so often times I choose safe fashion/style choices even though sometimes all I really want to do is dread my hair, and get a tattoo sleeve.

As I'm beginning to realize, it could be because of these tendencies that I've felt so disconnected from my heart/mind throughout the year. Like I've been silencing my heart and my personality (and the things that make me really who I am) for my mind (and common sense)'s sake.

I guess doing these prompts really do work in forcing you to work through your words, even though it is freakin' difficult.

[photo cred]