What's Meant To Be, Will Be...

Back to reality after a very relaxing long weekend! When I say back to reality, I mean thrown right back in - this week is going to be a very busy week. My company is launching a new product so it's a crazy (but oh so good) time to be a marketer! :)

The quote is obviously unrelated but still worth sharing.

Be Bold, Brave and Strong

Questions Every Twentysomething Asks Themselves

I came across an article yesterday on Marie Claire's website titled 23 Questions Every Twentysomething Asks Herself Once. As a twentysomething girl (sadly for not much longer!) I was laughing and relating to a few of the things on this list. Here are my faves (the questions and Marie Claire's answers):

Should I get rid of my cable to be more productive? You could, but you will just end up binge watching Scandal on Netflix or at a friend's house. Don't fight it.

Can I cut out carbs for good, forever? Go ahead. Try it. “Would you like some bread for the table, ma'am?” Yeah, I thought so.
 
Am I lactose intolerant? Nope, you probably just ate a full-sized log of goat cheese and expected to feel awesome afterwards.
 
Is my best female friend going to be more successful/happier/better off than me? Mine once told me: "Someday soon I’m going to be pushing a stroller around Brooklyn, and I really want you to be doing that at the same time, but it won't happen if you keep being so picky!" I did not take it well.

Is Cup o’ Soup a food group? No. Okay, and am I going to get scurvy if I subsist entirely on Cup o’ Soup? Probably.

Am I too old for this party? Is the floor sticky? You just answered your own question.

Should I get bangs? Just kidding, we never stop asking ourselves this question. Ancient womankind asked it on cave walls with crude finger-paintings of bang styles.

Should I date a guy who is still in college? I think there's a way to apply my sticky-floor theory from 2 questions ago to boys.

Am I ready for a dog? If you are, for the love of God, get a rescue. 

 

Does this crop-top make me look like I'm trying to be Rihanna? Haha, kind of. Should I return it? No, keep it!

 

Am I going to change my mind about Team Angel or Team Spike now that I am watching Buffy The Vampire Slayer as a grown-ass woman? Do not even; I have feelings on top of feelings on top of more feelings about this, like a dangerously-sloping layer cake of feelings. 

 

Should I be online dating? If you can own it without shame, absolutely. Those people who do it and then say they met their boyfriend through "mutual friends" need to get off my lawn.

Happy Thursday!

Note: that picture has nothing to do with anything - it just made me smile.

A Look Back at 2013... it was awesome!

Happy New Year again! I hope your celebrations were a blast whatever you did. I had definitely had fun. It was a good party but I don't think it has quite hit me yet though that it is now 2014...

On NYE I noticed a lot of people making collage videos of their year using Flipagram. I thought that it was a super cool idea so I went ahead and made one for my year! I absolutely love it - I used a lot of photos so the transition is pretty quick but man, it is jammed packed with a lot of awesome memories. It's been a good good year.

Lack of Posts

Please let my lack of posting be symbolic of my busy-ness this holiday season! Man oh man. But I love it! Lots of social events, gatherings and such, but also wrapping up work things before the end of the year! I know I'm a lucky duck that our office is closing for almost 2 weeks. I am soooo looking forward to MAXIMUM relaxation. 

Today I am posting another feel-good video which also supports my busy factor, BUT it is a beautiful video. I've noticed so many viral videos going around this month that are just absolute heart-warming, beautiful, and tear-jerking. They are nice reminders that there is so much good in the world, and so much love. The holidays alone are usually enough to remind you of what's important but seeing everyone share beautiful things like last weeks West Jet video, and the one below - well, it enhances the holiday spirit, but also shows a lot about the human spirit.

Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela 1918-2013

I'm sure you've already heard, but yesterday the world lost a great man. A man who was strong and inspirational, and symbolic in that he remained both of those things despite some of the toughest times and trials a person can endure. Nelson Mandela was known for his longstanding fight against South Africa's white supremacist government, which lead him to be arrested, convicted of conspiracy to overthrow the government, and sentenced to life in prison. In 1990, after serving 27 years in prison, he was set free by the then-President F.W. de Klerk. From there the two worked together to avoid a civil war, earning them both a Nobel Peace Prize. He later became the first black South African to hold office when he served as President of South Africa from 1994-1999. His government focused on tackling institutionalized racism, poverty and inequality, and fostering racial reconciliation. 

Nelson Mandela is one of those rare, special people that shares the same light with the likes of Gandhi and Martin Luther King. He will live forever as a symbol and his words I imagine will continue to touch and inspire. On that note, here are some of my favourite quotes of his: 

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." 

"Part of being optimistic is keeping one's head pointed toward the sun, one's feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair." 

"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it."

"A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination." 

"As I walked out the door toward freedom I knew that if I did not leave all the anger, hatred, and bitterness behind, that I would still be in prison."

"It always seems impossible until it's done." 

I noticed this morning that Pinterest has put up a section "Honoring a man who inspired millions with his words and actions". If you have a moment you should check it out.

Wednesday Wisdom: 20 Things We Should Say More Often

It's a Winter Wonderland!!! We got our first real snow fall of the season last night. Everything is covered and is beautiful. We got a pretty big dumping (worthy of the title "winter storm") and we're getting more throughout the day so I don't think it's going any where. I'm not sure about you, but I'm ready for winter!

But on with today's post. I am sharing a video that my dear friend sent me yesterday. I'm a big fan positivity and kindness (in case you hadn't noticed) and that's what this video is alllll about! Too cute and too funny and a fantastic message. :)

Case of the Mondays...

At the start of this week, or any week, how did you feel? Did you feel like you were having surprise, having a "case of the Mondays"? Well surprise! A case of the Mondays is a real thing, especially with us ladies!

In an article of Marie Claire magazine I learned about a U.S. study that looked into the days, times, and occasions when women feel their most and least attractive. Not a huge surprise, Monday is the day we want to look in the mirror the least. The reasoning? Firstly the obvious: it marks the start of a brand new work-week. But it is also linked to Monday showing the most "effects" of our weekend social activities! Sunday comes in second place on the "ugly day" scale. My guess is it's second and not first because we are not required to do anything such as dress up, socialize, or go out if we don't want to... Sunday Funday is ours right?!

Our best day where we feel most attractive? Well that day is today: Thursday! You are approaching the end of your work week and are mentally preparing for whatever your weekend holds. It's no wonder! How do you feel today? I feel mighty good :) 

Do you suffer from a case of the Mondays? I'm usually not too bad but I definitely do like Thursday better!

Wednesday Wisdom

No matter what "IT" is, it's out there...

Wednesday Wisdom

This my friends, is a FACT!

Wednesday Wisdom

I don't know about you, but I'm of the mind that most of us definitely over-complicate things... we lose focus and forget about the little things, the simple things. That's why I love this quote so much. Keep it simple.

Wednesday Wisdom

Listen to your heart...

Wednesday Wisdom

Wednesday Wisdom

This Wednesday I wanted to share an article that made it's way around Facebook yesterday - so you may have seen it already... 

The article is called "How to Get Flat Abs, Have Amazing Sex and Rule the World in 8 Easy Steps". It's genius in that it talks about how magazines and ads promote and promise these things that we're always looking for to be happy - also meaning we're not happy until we've achieved these things. As the author Kate Bartolotta states: "We chase this idea of "I will be happy when... " - I will be happy when I have a new car. I will be happy when I get married. I will be happy when I get a better job. I will be happy when I lose five pounds. What if instead we choose to be happy -- right now?"

Her argument? By simply reading the article your life is good. You can see, you're likely in a sheltered area of sorts, you have access to the internet, etc etc.  

The full article can be found here, or read on to see her 8 tips to embrace how awesome life is: 

1. Stop believing your bullshit.
All that stuff you tell yourself about how you are a commitment phobe or a coward or lazy or not creative or unlucky? Stop it. It's bullshit, and deep down you know it. We are all insecure 14 year olds at heart. We're all scared. We all have dreams inside of us that we've tucked away because somewhere along the line we tacked on those ideas about who we are that buried that essential brilliant, childlike sense of wonder. The more we stick to these scripts about who we are, the longer we live a fraction of the life we could be living. Let it go. Be who you are beneath the bullshit.

2. Be happy now.
Not because The Secret says so. Not because of some shiny happy Oprah crap. But because we can choose to appreciate what is in our lives instead of being angry or regretful about what we lack. It's a small, significant shift in perspective. It's easier to look at what's wrong or missing in our lives and believe that is the big picture -- but it isn't. We can choose to let the beautiful parts set the tone.
 
3. Look at the stars.
It won't fix the economy. It won't stop wars. It won't give you flat abs, or better sex or even help you figure out your relationship and what you want to do with your life. But it's important. It helps you remember that you and your problems are both infinitesimally small and conversely, that you are a piece of an amazing and vast universe. I do it daily -- it helps.

4. Let people in.
Truly. Tell people that you trust when you need help, or you're depressed -- or you're happy and you want to share it with them. Acknowledge that you care about them and let yourself feel it. Instead of doing that other thing we sometimes do, which is to play it cool and pretend we only care as much as the other person has admitted to caring, and only open up half way. Go all in -- it's worth it.

5. Stop with the crazy making.
I got to a friend's doorstep the other day, slightly breathless and nearly in tears after getting a little lost, physically and existentially. She asked what was wrong and I started to explain and then stopped myself and admitted, "I'm being stupid and have decided to invent lots of problems in my head." Life is full of obstacles; we don't need to create extra ones. A great corollary to this one is from The Four Agreements, by Don Miguel Ruiz: Don't take things personally. Most of the time, other people's choices and attitudes have absolutely nothing to do with you. Unless you've been behaving like a jerk, in which case...

6. Learn to apologize.
Not the ridiculous, self-deprecating apologizing for who you are and for existing that some people seem to do (what's up with that, anyway?). The ability to sincerely apologize -- without ever interjecting the word "but" -- is an essential skill for living around other human beings. If you are going to be around other people, eventually you will need to apologize. It's an important practice.

7. Practice gratitude.
Practice it out loud to the people around you. Practice it silently when you bless your food. Practice it often. Gratitude is not a first world only virtue. I saw a photo recently, of a girl in abject poverty, surrounded by filth and destruction. Her face was completely lit up with joy and gratitude as she played with a hula hoop she'd been given. Gratitude is what makes what we have enough. Gratitude is the most basic way to connect with that sense of being an integral part of the vastness of the universe; as I mentioned with looking up at the stars, it's that sense of wonder and humility, contrasted with celebrating our connection to all of life.

8. Be kind.
Kurt Vonnegut said it best (though admittedly, and somewhat ashamedly -- I am not a Vonnegut fan): "There's only one rule that I know of, babies -- 'God damn it, you've got to be kind.'"
Kindness costs us nothing and pays exponential dividends. I can't save the whole world. I can't bring peace to Syria. I can't fix the environment or the health care system, and from the looks of it, I may end up burning my dinner.
But I can be kind.
If the biggest thing we do in life is to extend love and kindness to even one other human being, we have changed the world for the better.

And from me: love your life, because even when it's bad, life is good!

Source: The Huffington Post

Wednesday Wisdom

One thing I actually say a lot is that: you shouldn't say you can't when you can. People don't think enough about what "can't" is. Unless you've tried, "can't" is a mentality. Even then most people with most things try and try again. Don't say "can't" when you mean "won't" or "don't want to". It's a cop-out, because (as cheesy as it sounds) you really CAN do just about anything you dream and put your mind to and work for.

Wednesday Wisdom

Forgiveness

I think most people can agree (or at least agree it's been said) that the simple things in life can be the best and most important. I think that also applies to actions, where the most simple action can mean the most. I also think it can reflect on the type of person one is. 

There is no doubt in my mind that forgiveness is important. I really like this quote because I absolutely believe that forgiveness is an attribute of the strong! Forgiveness is not easy, but it is important to be happy. It is an attribute that can bring a person peace and allow you to move forward.

Conversely, I think that the ability to apologize speaks volumes about a person. Isn't it funny how something as simple as genuinely apologizing can be so difficult for so many people. Some people do it because they have to, some people apologize sarcastically or in an insincere way, but there is something special about that real life "sorry". So whether forgiveness or apology, I think both are attributes of the strong, and both are important to lead the happiest of lives.

I almost feel like these could easily go with the 15 Things to Give Up to Be Happy post... :)

Love and Laugh

I'm SURE I've probably posted a quote about laughter before and I am SURE I will probably post a quote about laughter in the future, but I truly believe that laughter is one of the best and most important things ever. And love, well love speaks for itself. I saw this quote and thought it was absolutely perfect and absolutely true to life. Love and laughter, to me is perfection.

The Best Things in Life...

Well, isn't this the truth! :)

I've Moved!

I moved this past weekend! I could not be more happy or excited about it. I moved into a beautiful house that one of my friends owns, in my most favourite part of town - where (save for the last couple of years) I've lived most my life. I am so happy to be back! Also, not only is my friends' house beautiful, but I've referenced it when talking about what kind of home would be a dream first home. I a little bit can't believe I'm actually there. At this point I only have a few things left to do to be fully settled, but it's already starting to feel like home! :) 

I didn't realize how stressful moving can be. Also tiring - I'm pretty much a walking zombie today. But it's oh, so rewarding too.  

In honour of my move, I thought I'd share this little ditty which also happens to be one of my favourite songs...