Bad decisions make good stories.

I don't think anyone intentionally wants to make a bad decision, but we all do. It's part of life. Making mistakes is how we learn, grow and understand the ways of the world. When something terrible happens because of a decision we made, we can beat ourselves up over it for days, months, or years... but what good is that going to do? I find it truly inspiring to hear other people's stories of how one little decision was terribly life changing for a short time and then came back around to turn into something good. We don't even realize how quickly life is affected by our actions until we do something we can't take back.... Don't have regrets. Teach yourself a lesson. :)

Inspiration.

I have recently realized how much one little city can inspire an individual. The people I have met in this lovely little town of Nashville, TN have dreams so much bigger than their fears.... and it's truly inspiring. I am in love with the eclectic mix of music, art, photography and just creativity in general. The friends I have made here are genuinely amazing people who I couldn't imagine my life without. You don't realize how quickly life changes until you pause for a minute and reflect on all of the ways your life is different than it was a year ago. I personally love change. If you stayed in the same place and talked to the same people your whole entire life, you would almost know what to expect every day. I love not knowing who I am going to meet or where I am going to go as time passes. The element of surprise gives you the feeling of always having something to look forward to. That's how I like to live. Always knowing that just around the corner, there's a new experience to inspire me and keep my dreams big is what gives me motivation to keep on truckin' along on this crazy little journey we call life. ♥

The Winter Blues...

As winter drags on and on and never seems to end, I find myself constantly searching for something exciting to look forward to. When you dread going outside, it's hard to have energy or motivation for anything. Last weekend during a trip to Atlanta, it was almost 70 degrees and the sun was shining. I had almost forgotten what it was like to not wear a coat and just soak up the sun. It's an instant mood booster! But of course, that didn't last long. It's back to snow and cold. I think that weekend of glorioius sunshine was God's way of reminding me what is coming. Not only weather-wise, but metaphorically speaking as well. For some reason, I have had so many good feelings about 2011. I have had dreams about wonderful things happening to some of my best friends. I've been given what I think are signs, or clues, about certain events. I can't help but feel like that little glimpse of warmth and sunshine in Atlanta in the middle of winter was God saying "It might be cold and dreary right now, but I can make things bright and cheery when you least expect it..." Okay, so I have to admit that sounds pretty cheesy, but I like to see the good in situations. I am a major believer in the Law of Attraction. If you truly believe something with all your heart and constantly think good thoughts about it, you will have a positive outcome. So in the dead of winter, let's all remember that the clouds will pass and the sun will come out when the time is right. Until then, think happy thoughts! :)

Time flies...

Holy cow. A whole year has gone by since I have shared my thoughts in this lovely little blog of mine. I am in shock at how fast the past year has a gone by. I am and always will be, in love with 2010. I am not sure if 2011 will be able to top it! But then again, I say that every year and it seems each year gets better and better. I don't want to brag, but how many people can say that?!!! :)

In 2010, I have realized a few things that I will share....

1. Manhattan is quite possibly the most amazing place ever. It makes any place I have ever lived or been to look like the lamest cities ever. Nothing compares to it. I am SO thankful to have an amazing friend like Asti who was the best tour guide ever and showed me all around the city. I had been wanting to go for such a long time. It was a dream come true!

2. I have found my official home. Yep, that's right. I re-signed my lease. I love all my jobs. I am surrounded by some of the most amazing friends. It might seem extremely lame compared to NYC, but Nashville is the perfect place for me to live for a loong time.

3. All my girlfriends are gettin married. It's beginning. My mailbox has met quite a few wedding invitations. My facebook news feed is filled with ring photos. A random $100 that I wanted to deposit into my savings was spent on a bridesmaid dress. I'm so happy for all of them, but am I going to be the last one hitched??!! Who cares!

4. The quickest route isn't always the most fun. After all the plane rides I took in the past year, I have to say that road trippin' it to Panama City Beach was WAY more fun than going through security at the airport. The ocean makes me overjoyed. I am so thankful to be only a 7 hour drive from the beach. Talk about instant therapy! Add a best friend and that makes one of the best weeks of 2010. Ahhh. Now I want to go to the beach.. tomorrow.

5. What's meant to be will always find its way. The past year has made me become a true believer of that statement. It's crazy how quickly things can change and certain people come into your life who make all the difference. I have been trying to focus on the fact that it's God's timing that matters, not my own. So I like to have a little faith, say my prayers and hope for the best!

Athough 2010 was unforgettable, I am more than excited about what is coming my way in 2011. I'm not gonna lie, I have a pretty good feeling about it.... Hmmm... maybe my first trip to Vegas? A certain someone special? More beach time with my besties? Only time will tell! :)

matchmakers, fate, true love...

As I sit here watching a marathon of "Millionare Matchmaker", it really got me thinking. These days, traditional forms of dating sure are becoming extinct. Extremely wealthy men who can't find love are resulting to hiring this crazy woman in LA to find them "the one". What happened to the days of finding love through fate, destiny and pure serendipity? If there really is that one person you're meant to meet, why force love by hiring someone to speed along the process? Impatience and loneliness could have something to do with it I suppose, but if you pursue this yourself, what happens if you miss out on the real way you are supposed to meet that one person? I just think the whole idea is crazy.
Haven't seen the show? Click here to understand what I'm talking about... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiHyVQod4HU

Then there is the trendiest type of finding love... online matchmaking, through sites such as match.com and eharmony.com. My best friend recently met someone through one of those websites and she has never been happier, which I think is phenomenal. I just wonder if you're interfering with fate by searching through single people's profiles and literally choosing someone you want to talk to and possibly date. It all seems a little sketchy to me, but considering I am single, I am not judging these trendy ways of finding love. I am just a little bit traditional when it comes to certain things and I love reading stories about people who are happily in love and they met on an airplane or in line at Starbucks... ha! You may call me a hopeless romantic, but I don't care. I like to follow trends, but usually only when it comes to fashion. I swear, someday I will sit here and share with you all the story of how I met "the one" and it won't be as simple as "we met online" or "I hired a matchmaker". It will be a long enough story to devote an entire blog entry to. Yes, I dream big. And I believe in miracles :) xo

Spread the love.

When it comes down to it, we all desire one thing- to love and to be loved. Everyone has those moments when they feel completely unappreciated, unrespected and unloved. I have been lucky enough to always have a constant support system of amazing people who have been with me through all the ups and downs of life. Unfortunately, not everyone has people like that in their life. Some have to independently have enough faith, energy and motivation without the ability to rely on others.

Sometimes I forget how much "my people" make a difference in my life. Now that I'm so far from home, it's been hard to adjust to all the changes.... and I'm not talking about the new apartment, new job, and warmer weather. I'm talking about the absence of all my favorite people back home. I have forgotten how much I appreciate being surrounded by some of the most hilarious and genuine people I've ever known. I love to make new friends, but no one can replace someone who has been by best friend since preschool or someone I've spent countless nights drinking cocktails with and acting like a complete idiot. Those are the people that make it hard to accept the fact that I really am eight hours away from the life I've known for so long.

I've never been the type to settle in one place for too long, but eventually I'm going to have to find comfort in the fact that no matter where I am, I'll always have certain people who make it all worth while. I personally think that being surrounded by just two amazing friends is better than having fifteen mediocre ones. That's why I know that even though some of my favorite people are far away, it really doesn't make a difference because I know I can always depend on them to be there for me. I find comfort in the fact that no matter where I live, I will always have that one small town to visit that I will forever call "home".

There's a great song by an artist named Sara Bareilles called "Many the Miles" and there's a lyric to this song that I love. It says "I do whatever I can wherever I end up/To keep giving my good love/And spreading it around, yeah/Cause I've had my fair share of take care and goodbyes/I've learned how to cry and I'm better for that." That is exactly how I like to live... no matter where I live or who I meet, I like to try and be the person who, no matter how many people have caused me tears, still has love to spread. It might sound cheesy, but the small amount of people who only stayed in my life for a short time obviously ended up there for some reason, even if it was just to help me learn how to deal with goodbyes. But the ones who will be in my life forever are the people who have always had love to share. I like to try and be that person to everyone I meet. You should, too :)

Random, mind boggling thoughts.

So it's been a month since I last posted on here and I am pretty disappointed in myself! When I started this blog, I thought I would be inspired to write something at least once a week. I've been pre-occupied with so many other things that I almost forgot I started this blog, until a lot of random thoughts popped into my mind and I remembered this is the perfect place to record them!



It's crazy when I think about how many times I am so sure I know what's right for my life, but God has a way of showing me otherwise. Four years ago, (and I can't believe it's been that long!) I packed up all my stuff and moved 30 hours from home to a city I'd never been to. Who does that?! When I got to Tempe, Arizona, I only had fun for like a week. After a few months, I sold my bed, threw away a bunch of stuff, packed up the PrincessMobile and decided I was destined to be a Cali girl. I drove for six hours and moved to the state with more BMWs, plastic surgery and bad attitudes than I'd ever experienced in my life! After a month of not finding a job and making no friends, I figured that might be God's way of telling me superficial California wasn't everything I thought it was. The ocean is amazing and palm trees are my favorite, but those aren't exactly things that could make me stay there. So I spent around $250 to fed ex the only things worth keeping back to Michigan. I sold the PrincessMobile for $500 and begged my dad to buy me a one way plane ticket home. Some people might call it a complete failure, but hey, I learned a lot and actually had some fun! Because of that little adventure, I am fully aware that I am not the one who knows what's best for my life. So now I leave that up to God! :)



Something else I've been thinking about... It is not only exciting, but frightening not knowing what a new day may bring. For the past year, I have been living with someone who is full of more life, energy and laughter than anyone I have ever known. When she was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer a few months ago, I could not think of any reason why it had to be her. Why couldn't some miserable life-hating person be struck with this sickness?!! It's really not fair and I have been praying to understand why terrible things like this happen. Last week, I was having a conversation with my roomate and out of the blue, she told me that she thinks this happened to her to teach some people she knows to enjoy and appreciate their life more. I had never thought about it that way, but it made me realize that her cancer has already done just that to some certain people in her life. It amazes me how she has learned to accept the fact that she has a terminal illness. If something terrible ever happens in my life, I can only pray to be half as strong as she is.



So those are some random, mind-boggling thoughts I have been having lately. Hopefully I will be inspired to write again soon! :) xo