The ABC's I've Learned About Life...

I've learned plenty of lessons in my almost 25 years of life, and I'm sure many more will come.  Here are just a few I've picked up on so far.  A lot of these are lessons I've had to learn the hard way, but every so often a positive life lesson will come along making all the struggles worth while.  I now pass along my wisdom to you...

A - Actions always speak louder than words.  Word, after word, after word.

B - Being a positive role model is a full-time job.  There are no days off.

C - Creative is my middle name.  (Well, not actually.)  But regardless of the many creative outlets I've had in my life (writing poetry, graphic design, crafting, etc.), up until just a few years ago I never recognized myself as actually being creative.  Crazy, right?

D - Distance can either make the heart grow fonder or tear two people apart.  It all depends on the relationship and the amount of effort the people are willing to put into it.

E - Everything happens for a reason... Whether or not I know the reason at the time.  God has His plans, and they're never wrong.

F - Forgetting the things that I wish had never happened is a totally impossible thing to do.

G - Getting what I want isn't always what's best for me.  God knows exactly what I need.

H - Helping someone else is the most rewarding feeling in the world.

I - Inconsiderate people are simply inconsiderate people.  No amount of kindness or friendliness on my part can change them.

J - Judgement is a disservice to everyone.

K - Keeping calm is the most important thing in times of chaos or emergency.

L - Losing someone's friendship is even more difficult when you realize you didn't mean nearly as much to them as they meant to you.

M - Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!  (It's so true!  Ladies, be sure you moisturize each day before applying makeup.)

N - No one can decide my self-worth.  That's for me to decide.

O - Organization can do wonders not only in saving space but also in saving sanity.

P - Priorities change over time.  It's all a part of growing up.

Q - Questions can only be stupid if you fail to ask them yet assume the answers.

R - Righting a wrong takes far more energy and effort than doing right in the first place.

S - Seeing those younger than myself grow up makes me feel like I'm getting old.  Older and much wiser.

T - Trying is the best you can do sometimes...  Don't listen to Yoda.

U - Unattractive personalities can make even the most gorgeous people ugly.

V - Victory is bittersweet.  To be victorious, someone else must experience defeat.

W - Weirdness should be embraced.  The minute you believe it to be something negative, others will believe the exact same thing.

X - X-Ray results can be overlooked by doctors.  Only specialists can spot rarities...  A lesson I learned a year too late, sadly.  Two broken hips and two surgeries later.

Y - Youth is not an excuse for ignorance, only inexperience.

Z - Zippers are dangerous.  No, really...  They are!

Personal Goals For 2012...

I'm not one for new year's resolutions, however I do think that the beginning of the new year is a great time to reflect on the one that just past and to set goals for the new one.  I generally tend to keep these goals to myself, but I was thinking that maybe if I share them this year I'll be more likely to actually achieve them...  Assuming you guys would be so kind as to hold me accountable for them.  ;)


1)  GET MORE INVOLVED AT CHURCH AGAIN.
I used to be extremely involved at church.  It's true that I'm a bit of an off-and-on service attender. There's something about hour-long, early morning services that simply doesn't work for me.  (I zone out then then begin to ponder as to whether or not I have something along the lines of adult ADD.) But if I was not attending service regularly, you would find me at my church's college group devotional each week.  I would be involved with events going on at church, with the college group, and with my kiddos.  However, I've drifted lately and now I'm generally only involved one night during the week while I teach the church kids at the Wednesday night program.  I miss it.  I miss the fellowship with the other members, but most of all I miss the close relationship with God.  I'm coming back in 2012.  If I accomplish only one thing this year, my prayer is that this is that one thing.

 

2)  LOSE SOME WEIGHT.
I packed on the pounds this past year for several reasons, but I'm determined to get back to my comfortable weight.  The worst part of putting on extra pounds is that it puts a damper on my self esteem.  I end up feeling gross and hate the way I look in pictures.  I don't want that for the year to come, so I'm aiming to lose 20 pounds.  That will put me back to where I was when I felt comfortable with my weight.

 

3)  GET MY ETSY BUSINESS UP AND RUNNING.
Not just up and running but making sales regularly, too.  After a little while of having people ask me if I ever sold the handmade cards I make, I started toying with the idea of opening a shop on Etsy.  It's worth a shot, right?  I think it's something that I'd really enjoy doing.  And let's face it, anything to help with textbook costs would be just grand.

4)  WRITE POETRY.
Writing has always been a big part of my teenage and adult life.  I write poetry.  I write lyrics.  And I write to express my emotions.  Thoughts of sadness, happiness, grief, anger, and confusion all fill the pages of my poetry journal.  New entries to said journal are badly needed, and having another creative outlet is never a bad thing.

5)  REVISIT MY MUSIC LISTENING DAYS.
In high school listening to music was a huge outlet for me.  In years since, I've lost my nack for finding new indie music.  The unknown bands are always my favorite kind.  Watching them blow up and become famous is great too.  But when they sell out?  Not so great.

So now that I've shared my personal goals for 2012, tell me yours!  Do you have one major goal for the year?  Or do you have multiple goals like I do?

Wishful Wednesday: Christmas, Part 2...

Here comes Wishful Wednesday decked out in Christmas decor style!

 

Snowman Pillow from Kirkland's.

This is so cute!  I would love to have a few of these around the house.

 

Holiday Wood Wall Hanger from Lillian Vernon.

I absolutely love this!  The balance of this piece is gorgeous.

Jingle Bell String Lights from Pottery Barn.

I've always wanted to own some more complex Christmas lights--instead of just

the little bulbs.  These are traditional, classic, and beautiful.

Beaded Metallic Bird Ornament from Pottery Barn.

Looks like this little bird has perched on this Christmas tree this year!  :)

 

Bird Seed Garland from Pottery Barn.

I can't get over how darling this garland is!  Imagine having a tree full of

bird and other little animal ornaments, then stringing this around.  Someday...

Fa La La Doormat from Frontgate.

I've always wanted a Christmas doormat.  Seems so festive.  This one is cute!

Wishful Wednesday: Christmas, Part 1...

Wishful Wednesdays are going to be a new little addition to this blog.  On Wednesdays I'll be posting items from my wishlist or things that I've simply found and adore...  Given the time of year, I thought it would make sense for the first installment to be all about Christmas.  Makes sense, right?

Santa & Friends Cake Pops.

These would make adorable stocking stuffers!

Christmas Tree Watch.

The only thing I wouldn't like about wearing this watch

is that I could only wear it once a year.

Multi-Colored Jingle Bells Ring.

  So I could feel festive every time I wave at someone.

Snowy Penguin Pendant.

One of the cutest Christmas items I've seen on Etsy.

Poinsettia necklace.

I'm always looking for a new Christmas accessory.

The more handmade looking it is, the better.

Snowman Button Ring.

If this isn't simple and genius, I don't know what is.

Snowman Felt Mini Bag.

This would make a cute little lunch bag during the holiday season.