Caution: Paradigm Shifting Ahead

I think I am undergoing a paradigm shift. Recently I have been reading and hearing a lot about trying to find "what makes you happy" or your "passion" as a lot of people call it. This has opened up a new way of thinking for me. Less based on logic, planning, and the future and more on the moment and enjoying it for what it is. I have not been seeking out these books, blogs, or conversations...they all just keep falling in my lap.

For example, today while clicking "next blog" at the top of the page I randomly stumbled across a very good piece on finding your passion here. In this piece the author suggests you start by making a list of things that make you happy or you have an strong emotional reaction to- for her it is anything that makes her cry.  (For those of you who knows me -I think it would be safe to say that anything that makes me clap is something that makes me happy, agreed?)

Anyways, I don't want to take all this information and direction and apply it entirely in a me, Me, ME way, but instead I would like to become more aware of who I am, how I tick, what makes me happy, and what is Gods plan for me. I think God created us for something, and I also think it is something we will be passionate about. This first really hit home for me as a teenager when I was reading The Dream Giver for Teens. For some reason I've forgetten it the past few years, I plan to revisit it now that I am at a new point in my life, this time I will probably use the original The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson.  Check it out, I assure you its worth it!

"Will to be that self which one truly is."

-Soren Kierkegaard

Wonderful Wednesday!

(Ha! Nailed it this time, with 2 hours to spare!)

When I was in high school (yes here comes a good ol' HS story...) we had a bible study 1 day a week in the morning before school, as a part of the morning we would share what we called "God Stops" -moments in your day that you stopped and noticed God working around you- it could be a flower growing on the side of the road, it could be an instructor available in their office unexpectedly, it could be just about anything... as the weeks went by and we all practiced noticing God Stops to share in the morning we noticed that we began to NOTICE... we are surrounded by beauty and joy everyday, we just have to stop and notice...

so some of my noticing-s for this week include:

• The feel of clean sheets
• Husband bringing home flowers for no reason at all- the most beautiful brilliant flowers I think I have ever gotten- yellows and purples and magentas! <3
• Sunshine! I can never seem to get enough of it this time of year!
• The daffodils popping up along the path I walk at work during lunch
• The smell of fresh laundry (definitely apposed to dirty laundry!)
• My early birthday fun present from husband -FUSHIGI!
• My leftover-enchiladas turning out amazing tonight- I took leftovers from the refrigerator and the freezer mixed them together with some V8 and taco seasoning, popped it into the oven and 25 minutes later- perfection! *whew -lucky break there!
• Some good conversations with family- you just can't beat them! 
• Husband's impromptu invite to go walking the local trail, where we saw geese, ducks, great blue herons, cormorants, and egrets... little purple flowers, white flowers on the trees, and red leafy looking flowers!

One of the birds, not sure what it is called- Phil? Nicki? Zach? Any help here?

 This little guy is eating some crumbs that Phil tossed to him- it was so cute!

Well there are a few from this week. Take a moment yourself to look around you and notice...

"By having the courage to be simple, you shed the layers of meaningless complications."

~Alexandra Stoddard

Husband showed me this... 3 words:

IM-PRESS-IVE

Super Mario Brothers Theme Song

Husband was gone Friday night so it was ladies night for me! First time I have been completely alone at night since my college days- yes there was a freak-out moment late at night that involved pepper spray, locked doors, and... the ol' chair under the door knob routine- felt kind of foolish in the morning. What can I say I have an active imagination. *sigh*

BUT other than that it was a great girl night. I stopped at Red Box and got not one, but TWO girl movies. Popped the first one into the DVD player grabbed one of my two-for-the-price-of-one  Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream pints... Half Baked won the coin toss... IT WAS DELISH! and sat in the Laz-e-Boy and watched "Love Happens" IMMEDIATELY followed by "Step up Three" I stopped the movies when I wanted to stop them, I baked lazagna for dinner after I ate all of the Half Baked, and then I proceeded to put the lazagna in the fridge, untouched - no judgement people!

Over-all it was a pretty good night and I look forward to my next ladies night in.... lets say 2013! 

Dos for Any Day...

 I was introduced to these different looks through the blogging expertise of 

Cup of Jo  

a new favorite blog of mine, if you have a moment to check it out it will be a fun refreshing hiatus for your soul.

ANY-WA-AYS... Back to the Dos

*not even sure if that is how you spell that 

First up we have the Messy French Bun, I think this look is great for any saturday, on the beach, in the park, at the farmers market- its light and fun, but classic.

For the how-to follow the link below.

Messy French Bun

Next up, we have the fun  Three Twisted Buns, you like? 

Click the link below for the tutorial.

Three Twisted Buns

I love this look! 

I am not sure if I am in love with the actual style 

or

if it the gorgeous red hair and lips I am in love with! 

Either way, I present to you option number three...

Cute Side Up Do 

And finally, the messy twisted chignon... 

A look that can take you from work, to home or dinner. 

Master this look and you'll always have an ace up your sleeve.

(in-fact I think I am going to go practice right now!)  

Cute Chignon


*follow the links for how-to, photo credits, and some amazing bloggers 

All the newest and latest trends need is time 
to become an old-hat.

-Alexandra Stoddard

Thankful Thursday

(again I am a day behind of when I planned on posting my list- oops!)

I am thankful for:

-my husband making me yummy cheese toasties for dinner (exactly what I wanted)
-walks with friends- 4.5 miles baby!
-girl talk
-sunshine!
-magazines- just finished Women's Health and moving on to Women's Day
-Soft sweaters- snuggling in my comfy maroon one as we speak!
-Color! I love color! I am so glad God created the world with color! I love the little pops of it that are springing up everywhere this time of year!
- 2 for 1 Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream sale tomorrow! Woot woot! I am thinking Half-Baked AND Coffee Heath Bar Crunch!
-A tall glass of cold water, in a glass glass of course!

 

Sometime you just have to sing you heart out, 

and not care who is listening.

Enjoy!

Meet Husband, and yes when I look at him I always see him surrounded by a halo of light (and the hallelujah choirs in the background, of course!)