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1.13.2011

No doubt it is unfolding as it should....

Today I did a little cleaning around my desk, trashed most of the 2010 files to make room for the 2011 stuff. I found so many pieces of paper...papers I had written on, papers I have ripped from textbooks, magazines, printed from the Internet...just tons of paper all with what else but quotes on them! :)
These were all quotes that I found throughout random days that caught my attention enough to save them.

However, there was one in particular today that caught my attention once again.
At some point in the last year or so a co-worker got a new coffee mug and the box that held the mug I just had to have so I asked could I have the box and I cut the cardboard and saved that piece of the box.

Let me interrupt for a moment to be honest...If you read my New Years resolution post then you know that I am trying not to over analyze and think out every possible scenario for each situation in my life which will hopefully decrease my stress level....well, I am only 13 days in and have not really done so well so for me to find this piece of cardboard today was divine intervention to remind me to relax, breathe and know that everything is under control.

Back to my story, the quote on the box says this: "Whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should." 
WOW! That was just the swift reminding kick that I needed! 
I decided to "Google" the quote and come to find out it is from a poem called "Desiderata" by Max Ehrmann.

I included the poem below, so you can check it out - but basically, it is ideas of how you can attain happiness in life. I definitely recommend reading it. It reminds us of many simple truths we often forget. For example one favorite I read states: "If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself."  Good advice huh? Simple but so hard to remember at times!

After reading more about the poem I found out that it was written as collection of devotional materials  compiled for a congregation.
I decided to break down the collection and found 19 pieces of "advice. I decided that for the next 19 days, each morning I will read the advice and practice it throughout the day then I will post my thoughts on that days "task".
I have labeled the points with a ~ just to make it easier to keep up with - if you decide to take on this "challenge" now or at any point, let me know how it goes for you too! 

So here I go, on yet another "daily challenge" I have the cardboard cut-out hanging on my bulletin board at work as a daily reminder! :) After all, a poem titled "Desiderata" which is Latin for "desired things" that reminds me multiple times how to attain what we all desire the most in life; happiness, has to be a great way to help me once again jump-start my New Years resolution! :) 
I am hopeful that by the time I venture through numbers 1-18 that number 19 will come even easier than it already does!


My daily reminder to exhale :)
 


"Desiderata"
~Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
~As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
~Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others,
even to the dull and ignorant;
they too have their story.
~Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.
~If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be
greater and lesser persons than yourself.
~Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
~Keep interested in your own career,
however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
~Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
~But let this not blind you
 to what virtue there is;
 many persons strive for high ideals,
 and everywhere life is full of heroism. 
~Be yourself.
~ Especially do not feign affection.
~Neither be cynical about love,
 for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
 it is as perennial as the grass.
 ~Take kindly the counsel of the years,
 gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
 ~Nurture strength of spirit
 to shield you in sudden misfortune.
~But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
 Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
 ~Beyond a wholesome discipline,
 be gentle with yourself.
 You are a child of the universe
 no less than the trees and the stars;
 you have a right to be here.
 And whether or not it is clear to you,
 no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
 ~Therefore, be at peace with God,
 whatever you conceive Him to be.
 ~And whatever your labors and aspirations,
 in the noisy confusion of life,
 keep peace in your soul.
 With all its sham,
drudgery, and broken dreams, 
it is still a beautiful world.
~Be cheerful, Strive to be happy."
 — Max Ehrmann

xoxo,
Faith

1.09.2011

Beauty really is in the eye of the beholder...

So my last paper of the semester I turned in and felt like it was a complete disaster....honestly I didn't even read through it completely one time bc I felt it was so horrible. BUT much to my surprise, my prof just contacted me about submitting it to an upcoming student paper symposium in the region and if it gets accepted then i would be presenting it. I am quite shocked and surprised!
I definitely think I will at least submit the abstract to see if my topic is accepted and if it is write a new paper that I actually read through entirely this time haha! Between my job, the new semester starting Monday and life happening daily, I don't know when I will find the time but if it works out I will definitely find the effort! 
I would have never thought I'd hear anymore about this research paper and at one point almost thought about not even turning a paper in and now according to my professor this paper could possibly be used to enlighten others. 
Yes, this is just a research paper on the topic of parking at Universities but if I would have not submitted it I could have missed out on an opportunity that could potentially help others and me in the future....So my point is don't ever give up or doubt yourself. Easier said than done I know but in the end you may just be surprised as I have been when you find out you may have more in your possession than YOU realized!

"Aerodynamically, the bumble bee shouldn't be able to fly, but the bumble bee doesn't know it so it goes on flying anyway." 

xoxo,
Faith

1.07.2011

Sometimes you gotta lose 'til you win...

I just love how sometimes a song fits your life like a glove!
A friend who apparently knows me well sent me this song today because the lyrics remind them of me....the best part is that friend has no idea of what perfect timing it was...Just what I needed to hear today that is for sure! :)

YouTube: "Little Miss" - Sugarland (Click here to listen!)

Little Miss down on love
Little Miss I give up
Little Miss I'll get tough, don't you worry about me anymore
Little Miss checkered dress
Little Miss one big mess
Little Miss I'll take less when I always give so much more

It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
Yeah, sometimes you gotta lose 'til you win
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
It'll be alright again
It'll be alright again, I'm okay
It'll be alright again, I'm okay (I'm okay)
It'll be alright again, I'm okay

Little Miss do your best
Little Miss never rest
Little Miss be my guest, I'll make more anytime that it runs out
Little Miss you'll go far
Little Miss hide your scars
Little Miss who you are is so much more than you like to talk about

It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
Yeah, sometimes you gotta lose 'til you win
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
It'll be alright again
It'll be alright again, I'm okay
It'll be alright again, I'm okay (I'm okay)
It'll be alright again, I'm okay

Hooooooooooold Ooooooooon
Hooooooooooold On, you are loved
Are loved.......

Little Miss brand new start
Little Miss do your part
Little Miss big 'ole heart beats wide open and she's ready now for love

It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
Yeah, sometimes you gotta lose 'til you win
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
It'll be alright again
It'll be alright again, I'm okay
It'll be alright again, I'm okay (I'm okay, it'll be alright again)
I'm okay! (It'll be alright again)

xoxo,
Faith

1.04.2011

I wanna talk about....YOU!!!!!

I am almost to my 100th post....and all of these post have been things that I wanted to talk about so now I am asking you to give me some topic suggestions..whether it be a question about me, about life, love, family, a quote you read, whatever just send me a comment or message and I will TRY to give my input! As those of you who already do this know, I will make sure you remain anonymous and if you comment you can even remain anonymous to me so don't be skeeeeered. :)
Not that I don't have plenty to ramble on about haha but I figured it would be fun to see if there is something else you want to hear about that maybe I haven't mentioned!
Looking forward to a full inbox!! :)


xoxo,
Faith

My gift to those around me...

It is January 2011, a new year, a fresh start, a new outlook....so with that being the case, I will go along with the rest of the world and discuss what my new year resolution is!
Believe it or not, it is not to lose weight-that is a goal I set for myself daily when I sit down to eat and think, "I will start my diet tomorrow." :)
Instead this year my goal is another one that is among the top 10 resolutions across America and that is......
To Chill Out! I have to stop over analyzing over every little thing - basically - to stop stressing out so much!

When I sit back and think I realize that most of my "stress" comes from things I think rather than facts. Just because I THINK something bad could happen I figure out ten different ways to prevent it from happening so my mind pretty much never stops and is in constant over drive! I know to some, I seem like a control freak, but I'm not ;) I am just looking out for our best interest! haha

I vow to be better with my over analyzing/stress in every situation from the things everyone around me feels are insignificant (but they really are important ha) to the major things that I really do have no control over.
I promise to try not to take everything that is said to me and figure out as many possible meanings behind it as I can and then question/ask you to explain each one to me but rather understand that what is being said is just that....just whats being said, no hidden meanings.

OK friends, you can stop cheering now and just make sure to help point it out to me if I am to ever stumble...I mean if I have been controlling so much for so long, certainly I can control this--right?! ;)

xoxo,
Faith