inspiration

my personal mantra for 2015

 

Here’s a few goals I would like to put out there in the universe for 2015.  I think sharing them makes you more accountable, so let’s do this:

My mantra for this year is to SIMPLIFY.

minimal-window-seat-nook-norm-architects

We live in a very complex world.  There is no doubt about it.  I’m an over-thinker and over-analyzer.  A person who always tries to take on more than they should.  A put-others-before-myself kind of girl.  It’s great.  It’s me.  But I need to simplify how I do things and that thought process behind it.

Other items on the list for this year:

  • Get back to my roots
  • Pass my design licensing exam
  • Be open to creativity and inspiration   (read:  Think outside the box!)

That is all for my little public service announcement.   If you could summarize your ultimate goal into just one word for 2015, what would it be?

thursday thoughts: life is short

In my college years, I began watching an MTV show called The Challenge.   One person on the show shined above the rest and instantly became my favorite to watch.  That special person was Diem Brown.  She battled cancer 3 times in a decade, sharing her experiences as an open book on air.  She was as tough as nails, and as sweet as sugar.  Her positive, bubbly attitude and will to live was contagious.  So when I heard of her passing back in November, my heart broke.  When someone you don’t even know can have such a profound impact on the way you view life, they truly are extraordinary.

I have and always will admire your strength and inner beauty, Diem.

Diem Brown Quote

Photo credit: Diem Brown via People

Looking back on 2014

First things first: Happy New Year, friends!!

I took a couple of weeks off from the blog to enjoy Christmas with my family here in New Braunfels, and then traveled to Hilton Head, SC to ring in the New Year with Nate’s fam.  Now that I’m back in the swing of things, I wanted to take a look back at a post you may remember highlighting my goals for 2014.  Let’s see how I did:

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More “me” time – SEMI-PASS

Wowza, I got to visit some really cool places over the past year.  So I consider that a huge success. But in terms of day-to-day activities, this is where I came up short.  I’m a firm believer that the key to personal growth and happiness is in making that time for yourself on a daily/weekly basis.  This is something I definitely need to work on again this year.

me at big bend

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Prioritize my life better – FAIL

There’s no way around it – I think I’ve actually gotten worse this year!  I tend to work, work, work, and don’t make time for play… which essentially goes against everything I believe in.  I feel like I’m rushed and behind all the time, which is a huge killer to the creative process.  Life is all about balance. It’s time for me to find that balance again.

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Finish my design licensing exam – FAIL

..But the good news is I plan on taking the test this Spring!

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Take on a new hobby – PASS

Nate and I started playing tennis for fun. And I dusted off those paint brushes for the first time in close to 10 years! So there is some progress.

close up of art

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Eat healthier – SEMI-PASS

For the beginning months of 2014 I really did improve my diet. I was drinking alkaline water daily for my silent reflux, and working out regularly, but I think after our Michigan trip in June I fell off the wagon. I have adopted the low acid diet again this past week though and hope to build on that.

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Run a 5k – PASS

We did the New Braunfels Doggie Dash back in March as planned, and it was awesome. I’m not the runner type by any stretch of the imagination, so pushing myself out the door to run can be daunting.  But I’m proud to say that even after the 5k, I continued putting effort into it.  Is a half-marathon in the works for me?  I’m not so sure… but I’d definitely do another 5k.

IMG_7894 cropped

(Photo caption should definitely read as:  “ALL I DO IS WIN, WIN, WIN.  NO MATTER WHAT”)

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Make a difference in someone’s life – ?

This one is hard to measure. I didn’t volunteer my time on a regular basis as I would have hoped, but striving day-to-day to help others and give to those less fortunate is definitely a step in the right direction.

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Looking back on 2014, what are you happy to say you accomplished?