I am an overwhelmingly wealthy person, yet I drive a used car, shop sales, and even dabble in couponing. My interpretation of wealth may be much different than yours,though.
Growing up, I was very lucky to be able to go on family vacations every summer. One year, we went to Madrid, and it was a life changing experience. We were there only a short time, (we went to the Canary Islands after), but I remember falling head over heels in love with the culture, attitudes, and lifestyle. In America, your happiness is based around your job, your status, your income. By America's standards,I am nothing...no one. But in Spain, your life is more focused on your friends and family, with true wealth being the relationships you have and if you're living a full, adventurous life.
I would always joke with my mom that I just wanted to grow up, own a snow cone stand on the beach,and just write. I'd surround myself with great friends and family, writing, drinking lots of wine, and ongoing lots of sunsets....I wonder what my life would be like if I would've done it.
I have never been one to define my life by my job title, or my success by my bank account. Doing things that I love, using my creativity daily, and being surrounded by people I love and that love me...that makes me the happiest, wealthiest woman in the world.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Monday, May 6, 2013
Love Bank
Gratitude is a thing of the past. It seems like people tend to focus on the 3 or 4 bad parts of the day,and letting those things mold your image of the day, rather than focusing on the good. Call me an eternal optimist, but there are hundreds of great things that happen to each of us daily that I bet go unnoticed.
I am grateful for every morning that I am alive....grateful to wake up with my health, in a safe comfortable bed, with my family I've built around me. And that's just when I open my eyes! My stomach has hurt all day,and I'm pretty sure I have a sinus infection...but those things won't define my day. The magnificent weather, great unexpected conversations, and relaxing nature will be how I define today.
It amazes me how quickly people let bad things affect them.God doesn't ever give us more than we can handle,and everything is a lesson. Every heartbreak, every disappointment, and every broken road should be given gratitude because without them you wouldn't be where you are today, you wouldn't be on the road to where you're going...you wouldn't be alive.
So make yourself a love bank. Deposit lots and lots of great moments from each and every day. That way,when bad moments,situations,or days happen,you have a million reasons to continue to smile. What are you grateful for today?
I am grateful for every morning that I am alive....grateful to wake up with my health, in a safe comfortable bed, with my family I've built around me. And that's just when I open my eyes! My stomach has hurt all day,and I'm pretty sure I have a sinus infection...but those things won't define my day. The magnificent weather, great unexpected conversations, and relaxing nature will be how I define today.
It amazes me how quickly people let bad things affect them.God doesn't ever give us more than we can handle,and everything is a lesson. Every heartbreak, every disappointment, and every broken road should be given gratitude because without them you wouldn't be where you are today, you wouldn't be on the road to where you're going...you wouldn't be alive.
So make yourself a love bank. Deposit lots and lots of great moments from each and every day. That way,when bad moments,situations,or days happen,you have a million reasons to continue to smile. What are you grateful for today?
Friday, April 12, 2013
The Balancing Act
Since I was a little girl,the concept of "balance" was ingrained in my brain. Work, love, children...I'm supposed to have and maintain it all. But, is this the best way to live? Is having it all really just giving us a lackluster life? Sometimes,in all honesty, I respect those with unbalanced lives more than those who have it all together.
Could Steve Jobs have created Apple if his life was completely balanced? Do you really think Martha Stewart built her empire while perfectly balancing her home life? Okay,maybe Martha Stewart could actually pull it off, but really no one else. So it seems...lack of balance can lead to greatness.
Magical, great things,no matter what area of your life,will not happen if everything is balanced and in order. My life is messy, cluttered,and totally unbalanced. But it's that lack of balance that will catapult me into greatness.
Could Steve Jobs have created Apple if his life was completely balanced? Do you really think Martha Stewart built her empire while perfectly balancing her home life? Okay,maybe Martha Stewart could actually pull it off, but really no one else. So it seems...lack of balance can lead to greatness.
Magical, great things,no matter what area of your life,will not happen if everything is balanced and in order. My life is messy, cluttered,and totally unbalanced. But it's that lack of balance that will catapult me into greatness.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
What If My Life Doesn't Go To Plan?
Married at 26, first child at 28, and second at age 30. That was a rough blueprint of the life I envisioned for myself. I'd also be living in New York and regularly writing for GQ magazine. Now,a month before my 26th birthday,none of those things are coming into fruition. And I couldn't be happier.
I guess you could call me a late bloomer. It has taken me 8 years, countless changes to my major,and tons of classes for me to realize what I want to do with my life,(sorry mom and dad!) We live in a culture that preaches that you have to have everything, career, relationships,and yourself, figured out in your twenties. But we don't stop growing once age 30 hits. What kind of boring life would that be, if we discovered all the answers in our twenties? There is no one-size-fits-all plan for how to live your life. The worst part of trying to conform to some sort of life plan is the shame factor that goes along with deviating from the so-called plan.
This was probably the hardest part for me, being a habitual people pleaser. There was no real defining moment when I realized I was wasting precious time living and planning my life in accordance to others, but for the past year or so I've been happier than ever before, mainly because I am now living my life to its fullest: plan-free. I'm confident I'll be married and have children one day,who knows, you may even see my name in GQ,but I have no time table for my life anymore,and I couldn't be happier about it.
I guess you could call me a late bloomer. It has taken me 8 years, countless changes to my major,and tons of classes for me to realize what I want to do with my life,(sorry mom and dad!) We live in a culture that preaches that you have to have everything, career, relationships,and yourself, figured out in your twenties. But we don't stop growing once age 30 hits. What kind of boring life would that be, if we discovered all the answers in our twenties? There is no one-size-fits-all plan for how to live your life. The worst part of trying to conform to some sort of life plan is the shame factor that goes along with deviating from the so-called plan.
This was probably the hardest part for me, being a habitual people pleaser. There was no real defining moment when I realized I was wasting precious time living and planning my life in accordance to others, but for the past year or so I've been happier than ever before, mainly because I am now living my life to its fullest: plan-free. I'm confident I'll be married and have children one day,who knows, you may even see my name in GQ,but I have no time table for my life anymore,and I couldn't be happier about it.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Curtain Up
Curtain up. This was my favorite game growing up. My grandfather and I invented it, it was our thing. It helped with my improvisational skills...so if you love my quick remarks, thank my granddaddy.
I did not grow up believing in fate. Not because my household didn't preach it, my mom definitely did,but because the concept of my life already being predetermined is something I couldn't wrap my head around.Honestly,it's a concept I still struggle with,but have adopted a stronger faith in my older and (slightly) wiser years.
One night in particular, though, really made me realize that everything happens for a reason.It was February 1, six years ago,I was the scary age of 19. After getting my hair done,I think I was blonde at the time, I didn't want to sit in traffic on 75,as anyone traveling from Downtown Dallas to Plano can understand. So I stopped by Sonic and picked up a small chocolate milkshake, they were my granddaddy's favorite. He had just gotten a new knee and was in the rehabilitation area of the hospital. It was time to visit and push him to his best, like he always pushed me.
As I walked into the room, something seemed a little off. My grandfather laid in bed, with my grandmother sitting dutifully (as always) by his side. His belly looked huge.If you knew or saw my grandfather,you know that he was quite a large man normally. I sat next to him telling him about school, work, and updating him on my then-boyfriend. I had just gotten back from Chicago with my Model United Nations team (nerd alert!) and couldn't stop gushing to him.He pointed to his forehead, telling me how smart I am.This is a small gesture he continually did while I was growing up, and I think about it often today.He could tell I was growing more and more concerned about his tummy...it was just so puffy. Of course he wouldn't go to the ER, or bother the on-call doctor.I guess we know where my stubbornness comes from.
Alvin Noah Jacobs passed away early the next morning.Six years ago today. He continues to push me to be my best, and often I can feel him pointing to his forehead from heaven, telling me that I am smart. I'm so lucky that I got to spend 19 years with you granddaddy....curtain down.
I did not grow up believing in fate. Not because my household didn't preach it, my mom definitely did,but because the concept of my life already being predetermined is something I couldn't wrap my head around.Honestly,it's a concept I still struggle with,but have adopted a stronger faith in my older and (slightly) wiser years.
One night in particular, though, really made me realize that everything happens for a reason.It was February 1, six years ago,I was the scary age of 19. After getting my hair done,I think I was blonde at the time, I didn't want to sit in traffic on 75,as anyone traveling from Downtown Dallas to Plano can understand. So I stopped by Sonic and picked up a small chocolate milkshake, they were my granddaddy's favorite. He had just gotten a new knee and was in the rehabilitation area of the hospital. It was time to visit and push him to his best, like he always pushed me.
As I walked into the room, something seemed a little off. My grandfather laid in bed, with my grandmother sitting dutifully (as always) by his side. His belly looked huge.If you knew or saw my grandfather,you know that he was quite a large man normally. I sat next to him telling him about school, work, and updating him on my then-boyfriend. I had just gotten back from Chicago with my Model United Nations team (nerd alert!) and couldn't stop gushing to him.He pointed to his forehead, telling me how smart I am.This is a small gesture he continually did while I was growing up, and I think about it often today.He could tell I was growing more and more concerned about his tummy...it was just so puffy. Of course he wouldn't go to the ER, or bother the on-call doctor.I guess we know where my stubbornness comes from.
Alvin Noah Jacobs passed away early the next morning.Six years ago today. He continues to push me to be my best, and often I can feel him pointing to his forehead from heaven, telling me that I am smart. I'm so lucky that I got to spend 19 years with you granddaddy....curtain down.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Slap Your Game Face On
Walking around cleaning and sanitizing everything around me didn't help. Taking preventative medicines, zinc vitamins, B12, and drinking my weight in water still didn't help. Secluding Jeremy to the couch still didn't help. I somehow managed to get sick. It's not the end of the world, but when you have limited sick days, and it's not even February yet. Sometimes, you just have to muscle through. If Jennifer Lawrence can look fabulous on the red carpet while having pneumonia,you can look great too! Or at least...not like an extra from Walking Dead.
We all get those horrible, inevitable sunken in raccoon eyes when we're sick. The first thing to do to remedy this is to use a cucumber brightening, de-puffing gel to soothe those sockets. It feels, and works,even better if you stick the tube in the fridge for a couple of minutes before using it on your face. Once the puffiness is gone,use a creamy under eye concealer to hide any bags or discoloration. I bet you're looking better already!
I know it's tempting to just throw your hair into a messy ponytail when you're not feeling 100%,but try a high bun instead! People who know me know I love to rock a bun, but there's reasons behind it! They make you look instantly polished,chic, and it attracts the eye upward away from your face. Great hair can be a great distraction when you're feeling ill.
Don't. Forget. Blush!! This is so critical because adding color to your face will make you look alive and dewy, whereas you could otherwise come off looking like a vampire. A sick vampire.
Lastly,take a note from Jennifer Lawrence and rock a bold lip! It is fresh,vibrant,and all of those adjectives you don't actually feel like. This will also help distract from any sniffling, sneezing, or amount of cough drops consumed during your morning meeting.
Unfortunately we can't all take sick days every wretched flu season.We can,however,make ourselves look like we feel fantastic just just a couple simple makeup tricks.Fake it till you make it,gorgeous!
Who would've guessed she was sick? Ahhh the power of makeup!
We all get those horrible, inevitable sunken in raccoon eyes when we're sick. The first thing to do to remedy this is to use a cucumber brightening, de-puffing gel to soothe those sockets. It feels, and works,even better if you stick the tube in the fridge for a couple of minutes before using it on your face. Once the puffiness is gone,use a creamy under eye concealer to hide any bags or discoloration. I bet you're looking better already!
I know it's tempting to just throw your hair into a messy ponytail when you're not feeling 100%,but try a high bun instead! People who know me know I love to rock a bun, but there's reasons behind it! They make you look instantly polished,chic, and it attracts the eye upward away from your face. Great hair can be a great distraction when you're feeling ill.
Don't. Forget. Blush!! This is so critical because adding color to your face will make you look alive and dewy, whereas you could otherwise come off looking like a vampire. A sick vampire.
Lastly,take a note from Jennifer Lawrence and rock a bold lip! It is fresh,vibrant,and all of those adjectives you don't actually feel like. This will also help distract from any sniffling, sneezing, or amount of cough drops consumed during your morning meeting.
Unfortunately we can't all take sick days every wretched flu season.We can,however,make ourselves look like we feel fantastic just just a couple simple makeup tricks.Fake it till you make it,gorgeous!
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Friendship Breakups
There is a running joke in my family that has been around nearly as long as I have. My dad has one friend. Sure he has co-workers, acquaintances and husbands of my mom's friends...but he only has one ride or die friend.This would often give me a big laugh growing up, saying we could have cheap birthday parties for him because we only had to send out one invitation! But maybe my dad was onto something. (I don't like to admit when he's right, it would give him an abnormally large head).
We have all had that friend. The one we promised to be "BFFL". The one that got us through all our best and worst dates, haircuts, and fashion choices. The one who was more than a friend...she was a sister. As hard as it is,at what point is it time to cut the cord on some of these friendships?
Every friendship has its ups and downs,just like any other type of relationship. As I get older I realize the importance of the quality of my friends, not the quantity. I don't need 50 people gathered around for my birthday every year, just those who love and cherish our friendship as much as I do. It may sound harsh, and a bit like a reality show competition, but sometimes its best if we let some friendships live on in our memory.
We have all had that friend. The one we promised to be "BFFL". The one that got us through all our best and worst dates, haircuts, and fashion choices. The one who was more than a friend...she was a sister. As hard as it is,at what point is it time to cut the cord on some of these friendships?
Every friendship has its ups and downs,just like any other type of relationship. As I get older I realize the importance of the quality of my friends, not the quantity. I don't need 50 people gathered around for my birthday every year, just those who love and cherish our friendship as much as I do. It may sound harsh, and a bit like a reality show competition, but sometimes its best if we let some friendships live on in our memory.
5 Signs It's Time to Dump Your Friend
1.) You only hear from her when she needs something.
2.) If she's not happy for you and your accomplishments.
3.) She's a Debbie Downer....all the time.
4.) You make all the effort to stay in touch.
5.) Your friend talks behind your back.
Most times during a breakup it's your friends who bring you booze and ice cream, trying to get you out of your funk. But who do you turn to if the breakup you're going through is with a friend? It may be very difficult, but sometime we grow up and out of some friendships.When they begin to be more toxic than good,it's time to let go.No one should be allowed to bring you down or hold you back, especially a friend. Maybe I'll let dad be right on this one!
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