Acheive could be called the theme of my 2010. I really went after it hard last year and I acheived some huge goals. I shared those victories via facebook last week and was met with much encouragement from those who have really supported me through an exciting year. I value the importance of celebrating along your journeys. Even small victories deserve their due attention. Don't be afraid to celebrate your accomplishments - it inspires you to keep going.
So when I think about acheiving in 2011 - I guess I feel like I already answered this a few days ago with my goals for 2011. But those aren't the only things I want to acheive this year so here's a few more thoughts...
Prayer. I want to submit everything to God through prayer. My Mom presented a great idea of what this could look like for all the Christensen women this yaer and I'm taking the challenge. What I've also decided is that from time to time, I'm going to post a written prayer here, on the blog. Gasp, I know. Sharing my prayer life PUBLICALLY. But I find there's much value in writing out your prayers - and I hope that it will reveal to you all what the Lord has laid on my heart. So expect that some of that will be present in 2011.
Investing in key relationships. This is big. I'm a firm believer that the people you surround yourself with have a profound impact on who you become. Surrounding yourself with and putting effort into relationships with people who push you towards the things that you value is crutial to your success in life. This year I was to focus in on the people I really see being those key people in my life.
Volunteering. I really want to spend more time this year volunteering. I signed up to work a great event with the Shriners Hospitals for Children in February so I'll look forward to sharing about that in the future.
Quiet time - I want to spend more time alone with the Lord this year.
I'll be adding things along the way I'm sure but those are some key focuses as I think about acheiving in 2011.
Love,
B
Note: For me, this is ending my reverbs for the 2010. I hope you've enjoyed them. I've certainly appreciated the prompts to get me writing and sharing.
Showing posts with label reverb10. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reverb10. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Travel.
Where did I travel in 2010 you ask (reverb)? Well let me show you a few of the places...
Scottsburgh, Indiana.
Scottsburgh, Indiana.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Try.
I saw where my friend Bekah addressed her hatred of the word try on her blog and I'm inclined to agree. You either do or don't do things, I'm not one for grey areas.
This year I had some great successes - from completing my first year of home ownership successfully to reading 50 books. I have triumphed in several areas but you'll have to read my new years eve post recapping this year to find out more.
In 2011 however, I'd like to succeed at going at least one new place AND I'd like to try indoor sky diving. Profound, I know. But you know what, fun is an important part of life. I try to make everything I do as much fun as possible and rest assured 2011 will be the most fun I've had yet, no matter what it holds.
Here's to removing the word try from all of our vocabularies this year and focusing on achieving our dreams.
Love,
B
This year I had some great successes - from completing my first year of home ownership successfully to reading 50 books. I have triumphed in several areas but you'll have to read my new years eve post recapping this year to find out more.
In 2011 however, I'd like to succeed at going at least one new place AND I'd like to try indoor sky diving. Profound, I know. But you know what, fun is an important part of life. I try to make everything I do as much fun as possible and rest assured 2011 will be the most fun I've had yet, no matter what it holds.
Here's to removing the word try from all of our vocabularies this year and focusing on achieving our dreams.
Love,
B
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Lesson Learned.
First off, Merry Christmas. As I write this a few days early I already know this will be posting to you on a very special day - the day my Savior (and I hope yours) was born. What an incredible gift. What an incredibly special day. I hope that each of you enjoys this time for it's true meaning and value. Have a very Merry Christmas!
Today's prompt from Reverb (because I'm behind) is what lesson did I learn about myself this year. Great question and I hope you'll agree that I have a pretty great answer. This year I learned that I am tough. Mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. My life is truly blessed but it hasn't been an easy road to where I find myself writing to you today. This year is no exception...
I really saw and appreciated how tough I am this year. I stuck with my commitments, like reading 50 books this year. I met and exceed my goals - ie: I set a goal to lose 33 pounds for my best friends wedding and I lost 50. Then I set a goal to continue and I've already lost 10 more. To me, those show mental toughness. I can commit and I can conquer.
Beyond that, I had a tough year spiritually as I tried to leave some idols behind and keep fighting to place God first in my life. It's been a road with some rocks and it's been a road with some setbacks. I am still making mistakes and paying for old mistakes and living through consequences of past actions. But I have stayed strong in my commitment to pursue, pursue, pursue my relationship with the Lord. I have sought to know and follow hard after Him, and I have shown spiritual toughness as I fight through some battles.
You may thinking losing 60 pounds shows physical toughness but that pales in comparison to the hardest physical battles I've ever faced happening this year. 8 months of battling with my IBS has been intense. I've had to be extremely physically tough as I battle it out with my own body in search of what will work for me. It has been a battle but I think so far, I'm winning. Along with that I hurt my back (actually my rhomboid - in my the back of my right shoulder blade) and was in extreme pain with that...
Perhaps my most impressive physical toughness was my experience with getting my wisdom teeth removed this year. While in Baltimore working an All Pro Dad event my face felt like it was on fire. Come to find out my wisdom teeth were pushing on a nerve in my face. I determined to have them pulled 2 days later. Having already spoken for all my remaining days off in order to go home for a long Christmas I knew I couldn't miss work. I'd have to have them pulled and return to work the following day.
I took the last appointment, I instructed them that I could not go under (partly because it would irritate my stomach and partly because I had to make a 12 hour recovery). They looked at my like I was crazy but I literally said, 'look, I'm tough - do what you need to do, I'll stay calm - I promise'. The numbed me so I wouldn't feel them remove my teeth but let me tell you I was WIDE awake.
I'd taken the last appointment of the day so I got home that evening, watched a movie while I iced ( and assured each of my family members I was totally fine ). I chose not to cash in my vicodin prescription - I'm not much for meds. I popped 1 Tylenol that night just to be safe...
Woke up for work the next morning - no swelling, no bruising, not enough pain to need meds. Headed to work and worked a full 8 hour day. Now if that doesn't take some physical and mental toughness, I don't know what does.
The emotional toughness is a little harder to talk about. This year like all years in football families are tough. With Dad taking on new responsibilities there came a wave of media attention. Some good, some critical. As an Daddy's girl is, I'm very protective of my Dad and very defensive of any critical words. While I recognize that media will always be media and they will always say some tough things to hear despite a lack of truth on many occasions - it never gets easier. With a season that's contained some ups and downs with injuries, wins, loses, etc there has been a swirl of good and bad media attention. I have remained emotionally strong and managed to keep my mind on this - the only opinion that will ever matter is the Lord's.
I continue to swell with pride at the incredible man my Dad is. He has been faithful in his pursuit of the Lord first and football somewhere on down the list after my Mom and us girls. I continue to see the Lord bless and reward him for his faithfulness. What an incredible blessing this season of life is for all us. I have and will continue to defend him, be defensive of him, and cheer him on hard. I know more than ever that God is good, all the time.
In short, I am proud to report that this year I finally realize I am one tough cookie.
Merry Christmas to all.
Love,
B
Today's prompt from Reverb (because I'm behind) is what lesson did I learn about myself this year. Great question and I hope you'll agree that I have a pretty great answer. This year I learned that I am tough. Mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. My life is truly blessed but it hasn't been an easy road to where I find myself writing to you today. This year is no exception...
I really saw and appreciated how tough I am this year. I stuck with my commitments, like reading 50 books this year. I met and exceed my goals - ie: I set a goal to lose 33 pounds for my best friends wedding and I lost 50. Then I set a goal to continue and I've already lost 10 more. To me, those show mental toughness. I can commit and I can conquer.
Beyond that, I had a tough year spiritually as I tried to leave some idols behind and keep fighting to place God first in my life. It's been a road with some rocks and it's been a road with some setbacks. I am still making mistakes and paying for old mistakes and living through consequences of past actions. But I have stayed strong in my commitment to pursue, pursue, pursue my relationship with the Lord. I have sought to know and follow hard after Him, and I have shown spiritual toughness as I fight through some battles.
You may thinking losing 60 pounds shows physical toughness but that pales in comparison to the hardest physical battles I've ever faced happening this year. 8 months of battling with my IBS has been intense. I've had to be extremely physically tough as I battle it out with my own body in search of what will work for me. It has been a battle but I think so far, I'm winning. Along with that I hurt my back (actually my rhomboid - in my the back of my right shoulder blade) and was in extreme pain with that...
Perhaps my most impressive physical toughness was my experience with getting my wisdom teeth removed this year. While in Baltimore working an All Pro Dad event my face felt like it was on fire. Come to find out my wisdom teeth were pushing on a nerve in my face. I determined to have them pulled 2 days later. Having already spoken for all my remaining days off in order to go home for a long Christmas I knew I couldn't miss work. I'd have to have them pulled and return to work the following day.
I took the last appointment, I instructed them that I could not go under (partly because it would irritate my stomach and partly because I had to make a 12 hour recovery). They looked at my like I was crazy but I literally said, 'look, I'm tough - do what you need to do, I'll stay calm - I promise'. The numbed me so I wouldn't feel them remove my teeth but let me tell you I was WIDE awake.
I'd taken the last appointment of the day so I got home that evening, watched a movie while I iced ( and assured each of my family members I was totally fine ). I chose not to cash in my vicodin prescription - I'm not much for meds. I popped 1 Tylenol that night just to be safe...
Woke up for work the next morning - no swelling, no bruising, not enough pain to need meds. Headed to work and worked a full 8 hour day. Now if that doesn't take some physical and mental toughness, I don't know what does.
The emotional toughness is a little harder to talk about. This year like all years in football families are tough. With Dad taking on new responsibilities there came a wave of media attention. Some good, some critical. As an Daddy's girl is, I'm very protective of my Dad and very defensive of any critical words. While I recognize that media will always be media and they will always say some tough things to hear despite a lack of truth on many occasions - it never gets easier. With a season that's contained some ups and downs with injuries, wins, loses, etc there has been a swirl of good and bad media attention. I have remained emotionally strong and managed to keep my mind on this - the only opinion that will ever matter is the Lord's.
I continue to swell with pride at the incredible man my Dad is. He has been faithful in his pursuit of the Lord first and football somewhere on down the list after my Mom and us girls. I continue to see the Lord bless and reward him for his faithfulness. What an incredible blessing this season of life is for all us. I have and will continue to defend him, be defensive of him, and cheer him on hard. I know more than ever that God is good, all the time.
In short, I am proud to report that this year I finally realize I am one tough cookie.
Merry Christmas to all.
Love,
B
Friday, December 24, 2010
Friendship.
Two particular friendships come to mind as today's prompt asks me to talk about friendships that changed me this year. The first, is having a best friend, here, in Tampa. Auburn, has certainly changed me for the better in no many ways. She is a constant encouragement to me when I get down on myself. She's smart and a great source of wisdom on a wide variety of topics, I love her opinion and I ask for it often. She's guided me through decision after decision this year - none too big or too small.
She encourages me as I've watched her grow this year. We've grown together. Leaving behind that which belongs in the past and pressing forward into better futures. We've laughed and cried together as we look forward with hope to what the Lord has yet to do in our lives and friendships. I'm struck often by how well she knows me and how in less time than is usual for me, I've let her all the way in. To really see me the way few people ever have. And amazingly, she loves me anyway.
The other is a long-standing theme of friendship in my life and that is my older sister, Rae. When I look back on my life and the successes that I have I owe them first to the Lord but second to her. She was truly the first person who ever believed in. Believed I would do great things. Believed I could be whoever I set my mind to be. At times in my life when I least deserved it she has been my rock, my support, and my encouragement.
She's given me tons of free advice this year as the person I most respect in terms of fitness, health, and weight control. Between her background in personal training and her doctorate in Physical Therapy I consider her a totally genius and I call her with all my silly questions. She never demeans me. She's always gracious in her answers and encourages me to learn and be curious. In short, she always makes me feel like a million bucks. If I could put into words for you just how that has been a highlight in my life over the years I would but no words could do that great gift justice.
For the friendships and for all the people who have been part of my life this year, I am grateful. No friendship is too big or too small to change our lives. Each of you blesses me in a different, special way. I continue to thank God for placing you here with me for such a time as this.
Love,
B
She encourages me as I've watched her grow this year. We've grown together. Leaving behind that which belongs in the past and pressing forward into better futures. We've laughed and cried together as we look forward with hope to what the Lord has yet to do in our lives and friendships. I'm struck often by how well she knows me and how in less time than is usual for me, I've let her all the way in. To really see me the way few people ever have. And amazingly, she loves me anyway.
The other is a long-standing theme of friendship in my life and that is my older sister, Rae. When I look back on my life and the successes that I have I owe them first to the Lord but second to her. She was truly the first person who ever believed in. Believed I would do great things. Believed I could be whoever I set my mind to be. At times in my life when I least deserved it she has been my rock, my support, and my encouragement.
She's given me tons of free advice this year as the person I most respect in terms of fitness, health, and weight control. Between her background in personal training and her doctorate in Physical Therapy I consider her a totally genius and I call her with all my silly questions. She never demeans me. She's always gracious in her answers and encourages me to learn and be curious. In short, she always makes me feel like a million bucks. If I could put into words for you just how that has been a highlight in my life over the years I would but no words could do that great gift justice.
For the friendships and for all the people who have been part of my life this year, I am grateful. No friendship is too big or too small to change our lives. Each of you blesses me in a different, special way. I continue to thank God for placing you here with me for such a time as this.
Love,
B
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Appreciate.
2010 has been a year of realizing how blessed I really am. There has been much to appreciate and be grateful for this year. I could make you a whole huge long list but wait, I already did that for thanksgiving. So I'll stick with the one big thing that stands out most for this year over and above any others... my home.
Home has always been an unattainable goal for me. My childhood was full of uprooting, moving, new houses, more boxes, and new sets of friends. I dreamed that someday when I moved away from home this would all change and I could pick for myself where I wanted to live and stay there forever. In hindsight, it seems a little silly to think you'd buy your first home right after college and literally never leave it. I will more than likely outgrow 'the batch pad' at some point, like say, when I'm not a 'batch' anymore.
When I bought the batch pad last December and moved in the first week of January I thought, 'this is it! I finally have a real home'. Home base. A place to land. A structure to call home that doesn't have to change til I decide. That was a really exciting time for me. Throughout this year I've continued to fill it with memories, love, and zebra-striped-decor. But for me having a real home, of my own, was a huge dream come true. It was a desire of my heart the Lord granted for me in 2010 and I cherish it.
It was also a pretty serious undertaking for me without my parents help! I shouldn't say without their help, because they gave me a lot of great advice along the way. But Nancy and I did all the looking, all the research, all the decision making, and pulled the trigger without my parents ever coming to see it. You know you're an adult when...
This year truly has been a year full of thanksgiving for me. I could go on and on forever about what I appreciate in 2010. I won't do that again though. I know you have lives to get back too.
Love,
B
Home has always been an unattainable goal for me. My childhood was full of uprooting, moving, new houses, more boxes, and new sets of friends. I dreamed that someday when I moved away from home this would all change and I could pick for myself where I wanted to live and stay there forever. In hindsight, it seems a little silly to think you'd buy your first home right after college and literally never leave it. I will more than likely outgrow 'the batch pad' at some point, like say, when I'm not a 'batch' anymore.
When I bought the batch pad last December and moved in the first week of January I thought, 'this is it! I finally have a real home'. Home base. A place to land. A structure to call home that doesn't have to change til I decide. That was a really exciting time for me. Throughout this year I've continued to fill it with memories, love, and zebra-striped-decor. But for me having a real home, of my own, was a huge dream come true. It was a desire of my heart the Lord granted for me in 2010 and I cherish it.
It was also a pretty serious undertaking for me without my parents help! I shouldn't say without their help, because they gave me a lot of great advice along the way. But Nancy and I did all the looking, all the research, all the decision making, and pulled the trigger without my parents ever coming to see it. You know you're an adult when...
This year truly has been a year full of thanksgiving for me. I could go on and on forever about what I appreciate in 2010. I won't do that again though. I know you have lives to get back too.
Love,
B
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Action.
Today's prompt: when it comes to aspirations, it's not about ideas. It's about making ideas happen. What's your next step? - Scott Belsky, Reverb10.
Ack, I have to take more action? Man, I feel like 2010 has been all about action. I've been working towards my goals at a crazy pace and there's a big part of me that would like to coast at least for a month or so before I tackle anything new. Is that wrong?
Alas, no rest for the weary. I will try'n relax a bit while thinking through my goals for 2011. That's how I plan to use my time while at my parents home in Indiana over Christmas. But come January 2nd when I return to Tampa, I will hit the ground running.
When I was home last, I went on a lunch date with my Dad and laid out my 5 year plan with him. As mentioned in a recent previous entry, my Dad is the one I go to for advice on practically everything. He's also great at helping me keep my plans. He pushes me but he also guides me and gives me a leg up when I need it.
I've made several pretty big goals for myself over the next 5 years and a little regretfully, I can't share them with you here - yet. But there are some pretty big tasks I have to accomplish myself to make them a reality so that is what 2011 will be for me - working towards reaching those 5 year goals. Over the next few weeks I'll really have to give myself a dose of my own medicine and think about the sacrifices I need to make now to get me from point A (now) to point B (then).
Prayers and advice welcome over the next couple weeks while I really do some hard self examination and build a game plan.
Love,
B
Ack, I have to take more action? Man, I feel like 2010 has been all about action. I've been working towards my goals at a crazy pace and there's a big part of me that would like to coast at least for a month or so before I tackle anything new. Is that wrong?
Alas, no rest for the weary. I will try'n relax a bit while thinking through my goals for 2011. That's how I plan to use my time while at my parents home in Indiana over Christmas. But come January 2nd when I return to Tampa, I will hit the ground running.
When I was home last, I went on a lunch date with my Dad and laid out my 5 year plan with him. As mentioned in a recent previous entry, my Dad is the one I go to for advice on practically everything. He's also great at helping me keep my plans. He pushes me but he also guides me and gives me a leg up when I need it.
I've made several pretty big goals for myself over the next 5 years and a little regretfully, I can't share them with you here - yet. But there are some pretty big tasks I have to accomplish myself to make them a reality so that is what 2011 will be for me - working towards reaching those 5 year goals. Over the next few weeks I'll really have to give myself a dose of my own medicine and think about the sacrifices I need to make now to get me from point A (now) to point B (then).
Prayers and advice welcome over the next couple weeks while I really do some hard self examination and build a game plan.
Love,
B
Monday, December 20, 2010
Beautifully Different.
Yikes, these prompts are really going to make me dig deep aren't they? I'm not great at giving myself credit. Perhaps this will stretch me to give a little credit where it's due. The neat thing about celebrating our differences is that the bible tells us we are all wonderfully and uniquely made. I am no exception.
Hmm, most of this won't be new to you all since I'm pretty open about my quirkiness anyway. I am freakishly OCD. I love to organize. I love to throw things away (or donate them). I avoid clutter. I'm basically the anti-hoarder. I won't even decorate for Christmas because I don't want to store the decor for 11 months out of the year to use it for 1 (Hey Tara - maybe I should just leave my tree up year round like you. That would make it worthwhile).
I love to dance. I'm a terrible dancer which I attribute to having the grace of an elephant in a china shop in addition to having been home schooled growing up so obviously, didn't do much dancing til high school dances at other people's schools and the occasional party in college. Trust me, it's not a pretty sight. BUT I love it. Living alone, I get plenty of time to dance without judgement.
Other beautifully different things about me you may not know...
- I studied deaf community and culture for 6 years. I (was) fluent in sign language, though am not severely out of practice. I love the language and the people.
- I was a photography major for 3 years of college and while I don't have a ton of time (or money) to use towards it now - I still read other people's photo blogs and live vicariously through my friends who continued on that path.
- I drink diet coke out of a 2 liter most mornings while I get ready for work. Yeah, that makes me beautiful. Roll with it.
- I write real, snail mail letters to friends. Handwritten letters are truly a lost art, but they aren't lost on me.
- I help my friends make life plans. This sounds weird, but I do. I love to help people meet their goals and creative genius of ways for them to do that strike me at odd times.
- I love to have people in my home. Whether it's old students of mine who come back into town and want to talk over coffee or friends who call to come use me for my pool. I rarely cook for people but I'll always throw something in the microwave or curl on the couch with some hot chocolate. I love that I have a place where my friends from out of town can always stay when they're here or when they need to escape the midwestern winter. Mi casa is truly su casa or however that saying goes.
Love,
B
Hmm, most of this won't be new to you all since I'm pretty open about my quirkiness anyway. I am freakishly OCD. I love to organize. I love to throw things away (or donate them). I avoid clutter. I'm basically the anti-hoarder. I won't even decorate for Christmas because I don't want to store the decor for 11 months out of the year to use it for 1 (Hey Tara - maybe I should just leave my tree up year round like you. That would make it worthwhile).
I love to dance. I'm a terrible dancer which I attribute to having the grace of an elephant in a china shop in addition to having been home schooled growing up so obviously, didn't do much dancing til high school dances at other people's schools and the occasional party in college. Trust me, it's not a pretty sight. BUT I love it. Living alone, I get plenty of time to dance without judgement.
Other beautifully different things about me you may not know...
- I studied deaf community and culture for 6 years. I (was) fluent in sign language, though am not severely out of practice. I love the language and the people.
- I was a photography major for 3 years of college and while I don't have a ton of time (or money) to use towards it now - I still read other people's photo blogs and live vicariously through my friends who continued on that path.
- I drink diet coke out of a 2 liter most mornings while I get ready for work. Yeah, that makes me beautiful. Roll with it.
- I write real, snail mail letters to friends. Handwritten letters are truly a lost art, but they aren't lost on me.
- I help my friends make life plans. This sounds weird, but I do. I love to help people meet their goals and creative genius of ways for them to do that strike me at odd times.
- I love to have people in my home. Whether it's old students of mine who come back into town and want to talk over coffee or friends who call to come use me for my pool. I rarely cook for people but I'll always throw something in the microwave or curl on the couch with some hot chocolate. I love that I have a place where my friends from out of town can always stay when they're here or when they need to escape the midwestern winter. Mi casa is truly su casa or however that saying goes.
Love,
B
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Make.
The last thing I made is something I affectionately call 'the look book'. I'm a firm believer in having a versatile wardrobe so that you can get the most for the money you do spend. So as I look through the magazines I get every month (In Style, Glamour, People Style Watch) I cut out pictures of the looks I like. Then I paste them into a book and make notes around them about which parts of the outfits I already have and which ones I need.
Turns out, you usually have at least half of the outfit already and then you can add what you don't have to your shopping list. Example: I recently cut out a picture of an outfit I love and I actually had the whole outfit except a fun, colorful pair of flats in a textures material. A week or two later I found an adorible pair of Cole Hahn purple snakeskin flats at (of course) TJMaxx and va-va-voom I had the outfit I loved.
The other step to this is that after I buy a piece I also make note of all the other outfits I could put together with it. So after I bought the purple shoes, I made a list of 3 other outfits they were perfect for, to make sure I get my money's worth out of them.
Anyone made anything else cool lately I might want to try?
Love,
B
Turns out, you usually have at least half of the outfit already and then you can add what you don't have to your shopping list. Example: I recently cut out a picture of an outfit I love and I actually had the whole outfit except a fun, colorful pair of flats in a textures material. A week or two later I found an adorible pair of Cole Hahn purple snakeskin flats at (of course) TJMaxx and va-va-voom I had the outfit I loved.
The other step to this is that after I buy a piece I also make note of all the other outfits I could put together with it. So after I bought the purple shoes, I made a list of 3 other outfits they were perfect for, to make sure I get my money's worth out of them.
Anyone made anything else cool lately I might want to try?
Love,
B
Friday, December 17, 2010
So Long Perfection.
Today's prompt was what or who did you let go of this year. I've shared before that one of my biggest struggles in my faith and in my life has always been my desire to please people. I have a somewhat irrational fear or letting people see my flaws because I hate the idea of disappointing people I care about (and even those I don't really care about, honestly).
This year on several occasions I was able to really let go of this image of perfection that I've fought so hard to maintain for years. I've been able to be open and honest with you all and with people in my life. I've been able to forgive myself for not being able to be perfect and accept that thanks to my faith, I don't have to be. I don't have to please people, and my energy and focus should be on pleasing my Savior.
This is not to say I don't continue to strive towards being the best me I can be. Along the way though, I've let my guard down and allowed people to love the real me, imperfections and all. What's encouraged me most about this is, you do! They do! I've felt an outpouring of love from my readers, friends, facebook stalkers, etc this year as I've let my hair down with you all you've really encouraged me to keep at it. I've intrusted you all with my struggles and I haven't regretted it for a moment.
Thank you,
B
This year on several occasions I was able to really let go of this image of perfection that I've fought so hard to maintain for years. I've been able to be open and honest with you all and with people in my life. I've been able to forgive myself for not being able to be perfect and accept that thanks to my faith, I don't have to be. I don't have to please people, and my energy and focus should be on pleasing my Savior.
This is not to say I don't continue to strive towards being the best me I can be. Along the way though, I've let my guard down and allowed people to love the real me, imperfections and all. What's encouraged me most about this is, you do! They do! I've felt an outpouring of love from my readers, friends, facebook stalkers, etc this year as I've let my hair down with you all you've really encouraged me to keep at it. I've intrusted you all with my struggles and I haven't regretted it for a moment.
Thank you,
B
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Wonder.
What did I do this year to cultivate a sense of wonder? (reverb10) Great question. What did I do? As a firm believer in creating an environment in which you create opportunities to use your imagination, I'm a huge believer that literature is a gift. This year I poked and prodded my sense of wonder with book after book about a large range of topics from alcoholism, to mental health, to love, to Christian living, to murder mysteries, to cheesy chic lit.
Literature is my chance to get lost in my imagination and wonders galore. Here in the US more than any other country we take for granted the ability to read and what a gift that is but also of having libraries, the internet, etc where we always have resources to be able to read, free! I really try not to take that for granted and to take advantage of the resources around me. I hope that my writing about the books I read continues to encourage some of you to also dive into books.
Love,
B
Literature is my chance to get lost in my imagination and wonders galore. Here in the US more than any other country we take for granted the ability to read and what a gift that is but also of having libraries, the internet, etc where we always have resources to be able to read, free! I really try not to take that for granted and to take advantage of the resources around me. I hope that my writing about the books I read continues to encourage some of you to also dive into books.
Love,
B
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Breathtaking Moment.
In continuing with the prompted from reverb 10 - today I'm to tell you about one single moment, when I felt the most alive. Alive is kind of an interesting choice of a feeling to define a specific moment. Can I adjust here? Wait, this is my blog, of course I can. I'm going to pick a favorite moment of 2010 to share with you and not necessarily because it made me feel alive....roll with it.
Defining moments come for each of us but they seem to come more often in your 20s than in most stages of life. I moved into my first home (that I owned) in the beginning of January. My first few nights there, I had no furniture, was sleeping on an air mattress on the floor in my living room, waiting for life in my new home to begin. My Dad called me one day and told me to enjoy every moment of this time in life, because these are the best parts. The silly, funny, odd, moments that later define the best days of our lives.
January in football households means playoffs. I was newly in the condo, still furniture-less except the airmatress and TV but I wanted to usher in the playoffs in my own home. My friends Jen and Jess joined me and we literally ate pizza on the airmatress and watched my Dad make his second ever Super Bowl. Does like really get any better than that? There's something to be said for starting with nothing and loving every second of your life while it's simple.
That moment for me defines how I feel about having a home. From day one it has been my desire that whoever comes over will always feel as at home there as I do. That it will be a place full of memories, love, friendship, and defining moments. It was nice to start that off on the right foot.
Love,
B
Defining moments come for each of us but they seem to come more often in your 20s than in most stages of life. I moved into my first home (that I owned) in the beginning of January. My first few nights there, I had no furniture, was sleeping on an air mattress on the floor in my living room, waiting for life in my new home to begin. My Dad called me one day and told me to enjoy every moment of this time in life, because these are the best parts. The silly, funny, odd, moments that later define the best days of our lives.
January in football households means playoffs. I was newly in the condo, still furniture-less except the airmatress and TV but I wanted to usher in the playoffs in my own home. My friends Jen and Jess joined me and we literally ate pizza on the airmatress and watched my Dad make his second ever Super Bowl. Does like really get any better than that? There's something to be said for starting with nothing and loving every second of your life while it's simple.
That moment for me defines how I feel about having a home. From day one it has been my desire that whoever comes over will always feel as at home there as I do. That it will be a place full of memories, love, friendship, and defining moments. It was nice to start that off on the right foot.
Love,
B
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Eliminating Distractions.
On day two of my reverb journey (see yesterday's entry) I'm to tell you what I'm doing daily that's keeping me from my writing. Honestly, my writing right now is about my life, if I wasn't living outside of my writing, I'm not sure what I would have to share with you. I'm careful not to let TV and things of that nature distract me from better activities (such as reading, writing, quiet time, excercise, etc).
I've always been a firm believer that your writing should be a reflection of your life, not the reverse. That being said, in 2011, one of my goals is to make a fair amount of progress (still in the planning stages of what to define as progress) on my book. I've shared with you all here before that it is my desire to write a book. Perhaps I haven't told you enough about that goal. I've spent the last two years reading books by talented authors and preparing my mind for what is next for me - being one of those authors.
The first question people ask about this illustrious book is, what will it be about? I sought out the wise council of my closest friends and relatives as I thought through what I had to say that was of any sort of value to the world. Everyone seemed to agree that it should be about one of 2 things - A. growing up as a coaches daughter, or in other words my life. The moving, the media, the chaos, the football, the famous people. A true inside look into what my childhood was like as a result of Dad's NFL career. Or B. how to be successful at life in your 20s. The good, bad, ugly, and untold of what it's like to be 20-something in a time when jobs are scarce, salaries are low, and expectations are higher than ever.
Still pondering these two and trying to determine which is the right choice. I'm certainly open to your thoughts as well. I will try as I pursue my writing this year to remain open and honest about it so that you all can be involved. Your opinion is important to me, afterall, you are the ones who faithfully read my writing.
Love,
B
I've always been a firm believer that your writing should be a reflection of your life, not the reverse. That being said, in 2011, one of my goals is to make a fair amount of progress (still in the planning stages of what to define as progress) on my book. I've shared with you all here before that it is my desire to write a book. Perhaps I haven't told you enough about that goal. I've spent the last two years reading books by talented authors and preparing my mind for what is next for me - being one of those authors.
The first question people ask about this illustrious book is, what will it be about? I sought out the wise council of my closest friends and relatives as I thought through what I had to say that was of any sort of value to the world. Everyone seemed to agree that it should be about one of 2 things - A. growing up as a coaches daughter, or in other words my life. The moving, the media, the chaos, the football, the famous people. A true inside look into what my childhood was like as a result of Dad's NFL career. Or B. how to be successful at life in your 20s. The good, bad, ugly, and untold of what it's like to be 20-something in a time when jobs are scarce, salaries are low, and expectations are higher than ever.
Still pondering these two and trying to determine which is the right choice. I'm certainly open to your thoughts as well. I will try as I pursue my writing this year to remain open and honest about it so that you all can be involved. Your opinion is important to me, afterall, you are the ones who faithfully read my writing.
Love,
B
Monday, December 13, 2010
One Word.
Well first off, thank you to everyone who's offered up suggestions on goals I should achieve in 2011! I got some great ideas to kick off the new year motivated to make it the best yet. I'm taking them all into consideration, but honestly, it's looking like every single one will make the list! You all are just THAT good.
The first one, however, starts before the new year. Mindy, a friend from college and my first major (photography) suggested I do the reverb '10. The idea of reverb is to finish 2010 by celebrating the victories. This has certainly been a great year for me and it deserves some attention. I'm starting it 13 days late, but I'm going to go back and start at the beginning because I love the idea. Thank Mindy.
Day One - describe your year (2010) in one word (then of course elaborate).
2010 for me has been about discipline. Towards the end of 2009 I sat down and really assessed my life and if I was going ot work towards the life I wanted, where do I start? I realized I needed discipline in a lot of areas of my life where it was currently lacking. I started with my finances because let's me honest, when you graduate college and get your first job you REALLY realize how little you know about money and how far you have to make that first salary stretch. Yikes.
AS 2010 came around, I tackled one area at a time. In January I moved into my first home and suddenly had to balance housework (much more of it) than ever before. More bills. More repairs. More cleaning. Gag. You get the idea.
Next came my health as I started a journey to better health in April by joining a 'biggest loser' competition at work. I sought out a more disciplined lifestyle through diet and excercise. I'm happy to report success in this area in a more noticeable way than any other - as of today I'm down 57lbs in 8 months.
I've learned also to be more disciplined with my time as I created space for the important things and people in my life and worked towards reading 50 books this year. I'm 180 pages from completing this goal as well.
Discipline has been the overwelming theme of 2010 for me and I hope to continue along that path in 2011. Though I hope that when I write to you on this side of 2011, in December of next year, the word to describe my year will be 'love'. I'll leave you to interpret what I mean by that on your own. ;] You'll just have to wait and see what I have up my sleeve.
Love you guys and thankful for your inspiration,
B
The first one, however, starts before the new year. Mindy, a friend from college and my first major (photography) suggested I do the reverb '10. The idea of reverb is to finish 2010 by celebrating the victories. This has certainly been a great year for me and it deserves some attention. I'm starting it 13 days late, but I'm going to go back and start at the beginning because I love the idea. Thank Mindy.
Day One - describe your year (2010) in one word (then of course elaborate).
2010 for me has been about discipline. Towards the end of 2009 I sat down and really assessed my life and if I was going ot work towards the life I wanted, where do I start? I realized I needed discipline in a lot of areas of my life where it was currently lacking. I started with my finances because let's me honest, when you graduate college and get your first job you REALLY realize how little you know about money and how far you have to make that first salary stretch. Yikes.
AS 2010 came around, I tackled one area at a time. In January I moved into my first home and suddenly had to balance housework (much more of it) than ever before. More bills. More repairs. More cleaning. Gag. You get the idea.
Next came my health as I started a journey to better health in April by joining a 'biggest loser' competition at work. I sought out a more disciplined lifestyle through diet and excercise. I'm happy to report success in this area in a more noticeable way than any other - as of today I'm down 57lbs in 8 months.
I've learned also to be more disciplined with my time as I created space for the important things and people in my life and worked towards reading 50 books this year. I'm 180 pages from completing this goal as well.
Discipline has been the overwelming theme of 2010 for me and I hope to continue along that path in 2011. Though I hope that when I write to you on this side of 2011, in December of next year, the word to describe my year will be 'love'. I'll leave you to interpret what I mean by that on your own. ;] You'll just have to wait and see what I have up my sleeve.
Love you guys and thankful for your inspiration,
B
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