Sometimes I come bursting with ideas to write about and yet no where to start. When this happens, like today, I make catchy titles and try to make it work. If I got one thing out of public school, it was how to write a "hook", the grabber, attention getter etc. Yay?
I am certain that whether you know this or not, or look at it similarly to how I do, you have ugly rocks in your life. Ya know, the eyes sores. The gross moss and mold covered stones that you not only walk around, you don't dare turn them over. These are ugly rocks.
Ugly rocks come in every shape, size, weight and width, and they don't follow any scheme or pattern as to when and where they will emerge along your walk. These ugly rocks represent a lot more than just "life's trials". They could be people, jobs, injuries, broken relationships, unmet needs, opportunities in disguise, future best friends, or new destinations. See these ugly rocks can be pretty facetious (okay I lied, I learned that word in public school too). They can be so deceiving that whether good, bad, or indifferent, we pay no mind to them. In our society, we have been trained (brain washed) to walk by ugly rocks. If it doesn't glisten, sparkle, and catch your eye, it's not worth your time. You missed out on a conversation at a cafe because you were too busy rolling your eyes at a woman and her screaming child, and it could have introduced you to her husband who just so happens to be the CEO of your dream company. You find yourself signing up for cruises on someone else's schedule, when your soul aches to care for sweet orphans in the Philippines but let's face it, cruises are just "easier" to do. Let's not forget walking by the stone that is covering a big fat awful failure of yours. You'll turn that stone over one day and make a smooth flat rock, but not today, you have things to do.
You have things to do, people to impress, interviews to tackle, new relationships to create, vacations to plan, picket fences to live behind, secrets to sweep under the rug, failures to not face, family to avoid and that's just today. So God forbid you take time to look at a stinkin rock, when you have ALL of that to juggle. I mean forgetting failures is way easier than facing them, right?
I can't toot my own horn here either. I just realize this issue of mine and see it on a way bigger scale than I think most do. Maybe it's not worthy of such a big scale, but here's my soap box spin on things anyways.
If I had only taken the good looking pavers in my life and never flipped over a nasty ugly rock, I would have graduated with a bachelor's degree from USF in Education 2 weeks ago. But Sasha! How is that bad?!
Ideally, it's not. Degrees are great.
But I chose to flip over a rock called ""NOT-norm"" and then another called "courage" and finally "independence". What did I get? A two year adventure that landed me right back where I left, really. AHA! See Sasha, flipped stones is overrated. NO, no. Let me finish. See, what I learned and experienced in those two years, a bachelor's degree can't even touch. Finding out what I'm passionate about (which ISN'T education), finding out who I am, discovering friendships all over the globe, jobs I never would have imagined and a mind I never thought I could change SO freaking much. All because I decided to give that little ugly rock a glance.
I'm not saying you should search and conquer every ugly rock in your life, but maybe just be open to the idea for next time. Sometimes ugly rocks won't end up pretty on the other side. Ugly rocks can host ugly things too. Can't say you didn't try though.
Just remember, the more ugly rocks you leave unturned, the more likely you are to fall. Ugly, mossy rocks are real slippery yall.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Fala ingles?
Before you read the actual blog I wrote, I think this needs to come first:
People tell me all the time that they wish they could do what I do and just "go" like that. Everyone has the tendency to crave adventure and exploration, some just choose to starve that craving. Some find outlets elsewhere and some are literally miserable doing so.
Don't underestimate how big your heart can be. Step outside the cubicle of life we've all created for ourselves and see what truly makes you tick. If you're already doing what makes you tick, hell yeah! If not...why?!
I firmly believe my purpose on earth is to know God and to make Him known. I also believe I would be falsely representing Him if I caged up my natural desires He placed in my heart and chose to live a life of "contentment". He died so I could live much greater; a life that, yes, brings happiness to me, but also joy to those I encounter. Genuine joy. To me, that's how I want to resemble Christ. I want to genuinely show others my happiness and tell them who I got it from.
This blog is one that will raise more questions and concerns than any I've ever written. I typically stick to sharing things I'm passionate about or just updates on my latest city or life change. This blog is going to get more eye rolls than usual. I know I have a reputation to just do things and not think about them. But as I sit on this plane back to the the states, my eyes are filled with tears. I wrote once about how Austin made me feel 100% me. This past week could put that to shame.
Within 24 hours of being in Europe, I was in denial. "This is overrated. The feeling will go away. You can't even speak to these people."
By day two I knew I had fallen really hard. I knew this was much different than any of my "gut feeling" moves I've made in the past two years. I just couldn't put my finger on it. I literally couldn't hold conversations with half of the people I met, I was tired and my feet were blistered and sore from walking everywhere. But I had a tickling realization that this is where I would end up.
Fast forward to Spain and the bucket has completely inverted and drenched me. I'm all in. The thought of leaving made me sick. I know this sounds dramatic, especially for me. But it did, I didn't want to think of leaving. In fact, I instantly decided I wouldn't wait for my chance at Europe again. I was going to live here no matter what.
I craved to learn their language, I craved to spend every second with these people and learn about their lives. The fact that I had to leave felt like I had just shown up to my own surprise party, but I had to leave five minutes in- no candles blown out, no presents unwrapped.
Just no good.
Sasha, what the hell are you talking about..?
Friends, I have a crazy, big, wild heart and most of you know that. I'm as free as a leaf in the wind. I do things different than most people, but I'm happy. I do these things alone, but I'm not lonely, I have friends all over the globe. I can't imagine my life any other way. I can't imagine spending the past two years in a classroom, not meeting the people I've met, not seeing so much creation, and not living in full gratitude for every possibility in my life. God wired me a little different. I can't put Him in a box by taming what im passionate about--just because the norm is to be a degree holder with a 9-5 and bliss on the weekends. Pass.
So what's on my agenda exactly?
I'm finding my way to europe for at least the summer. If you'd like to help or have any ideas, let me know. I plan on taking in the au pair role again.
I'm going to start learning Catalan/Spanish and then Portuguese and Italian.
Long term? I want to open a CrossFit gym somewhere in Europe, preferably on the coast of Portugal, Spain or Italy.
Chuckle away. I know it's a hefty goal, but why tell you just a petty one when my brain dreams big?
If I had never visited Europe, I wouldn't know what I was missing, which is okay. But I do know, and I'm doing something about it.
What are you doing?
People tell me all the time that they wish they could do what I do and just "go" like that. Everyone has the tendency to crave adventure and exploration, some just choose to starve that craving. Some find outlets elsewhere and some are literally miserable doing so.
Don't underestimate how big your heart can be. Step outside the cubicle of life we've all created for ourselves and see what truly makes you tick. If you're already doing what makes you tick, hell yeah! If not...why?!
I firmly believe my purpose on earth is to know God and to make Him known. I also believe I would be falsely representing Him if I caged up my natural desires He placed in my heart and chose to live a life of "contentment". He died so I could live much greater; a life that, yes, brings happiness to me, but also joy to those I encounter. Genuine joy. To me, that's how I want to resemble Christ. I want to genuinely show others my happiness and tell them who I got it from.
This blog is one that will raise more questions and concerns than any I've ever written. I typically stick to sharing things I'm passionate about or just updates on my latest city or life change. This blog is going to get more eye rolls than usual. I know I have a reputation to just do things and not think about them. But as I sit on this plane back to the the states, my eyes are filled with tears. I wrote once about how Austin made me feel 100% me. This past week could put that to shame.
Within 24 hours of being in Europe, I was in denial. "This is overrated. The feeling will go away. You can't even speak to these people."
By day two I knew I had fallen really hard. I knew this was much different than any of my "gut feeling" moves I've made in the past two years. I just couldn't put my finger on it. I literally couldn't hold conversations with half of the people I met, I was tired and my feet were blistered and sore from walking everywhere. But I had a tickling realization that this is where I would end up.
Fast forward to Spain and the bucket has completely inverted and drenched me. I'm all in. The thought of leaving made me sick. I know this sounds dramatic, especially for me. But it did, I didn't want to think of leaving. In fact, I instantly decided I wouldn't wait for my chance at Europe again. I was going to live here no matter what.
I craved to learn their language, I craved to spend every second with these people and learn about their lives. The fact that I had to leave felt like I had just shown up to my own surprise party, but I had to leave five minutes in- no candles blown out, no presents unwrapped.
Just no good.
Sasha, what the hell are you talking about..?
Friends, I have a crazy, big, wild heart and most of you know that. I'm as free as a leaf in the wind. I do things different than most people, but I'm happy. I do these things alone, but I'm not lonely, I have friends all over the globe. I can't imagine my life any other way. I can't imagine spending the past two years in a classroom, not meeting the people I've met, not seeing so much creation, and not living in full gratitude for every possibility in my life. God wired me a little different. I can't put Him in a box by taming what im passionate about--just because the norm is to be a degree holder with a 9-5 and bliss on the weekends. Pass.
So what's on my agenda exactly?
I'm finding my way to europe for at least the summer. If you'd like to help or have any ideas, let me know. I plan on taking in the au pair role again.
I'm going to start learning Catalan/Spanish and then Portuguese and Italian.
Long term? I want to open a CrossFit gym somewhere in Europe, preferably on the coast of Portugal, Spain or Italy.
Chuckle away. I know it's a hefty goal, but why tell you just a petty one when my brain dreams big?
If I had never visited Europe, I wouldn't know what I was missing, which is okay. But I do know, and I'm doing something about it.
What are you doing?
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Borrowed Nuggets
For the past ten or fifteen days, there have been songs and phrases that I have encountered over and over again - some by choice and some just by being in the right place at the right time.
I have over saturated my brain by replaying the music and reading the words over again, saying the words over again, and then a third time writing the words down.
Part of me is dying to share them with you, but also to keep them to myself. For if you know what these phrases and words are, then you can create assumptions on what they mean, who they refer to and how they have effected me.
But that is seriously silly.
"Be daring, be fearless, and don't be afraid that somebody is going to criticize you or laugh at you. If your ego is not involved, no one can hurt you."
If I have taken anything from the flow of inspiration and thoughts this past week, it's not that I am going to live like there's no tomorrow, but love like I'm on borrowed time.
Okay.
But..What does that even mean.. how do we love like we're on borrowed time?
I'll be honest, I have no idea. But everyday is my chance to discover what that means. The five minutes you have an encounter with that sales clerk are NOT your five minutes, someone gave you that time. Are you going to roll your eyes at her and wonder why she's taking so long - or will you go the extra mile to make a conversation, smile at her and maybe be the only shred of light she sees that whole hour, or day or maybe in her entire week.
I used to (and still do) take little moments like this for granted. But something clicked. And recently I was able to be more aware and present of the people and the love in my own life. I realized how many people had given ME some of their borrowed time. They loved on me. Not out of duty, not out of repayment, but simply out of love and the fact that they care about me.
You make think that's simple, but man it is a humbling epiphany for me. It's the most warming feeling to realize, yeah maybe only two minutes of their time.. But they chose to bring happiness, knowledge, wisdom, laughter, feedback and themselves to me. That's something I can save for a rainy day.
Now go back up to that paragraph. Read it again. "I realized how many people had given ME some of their borrowed time." Does this not blow your mind? Does this not humble you? If it doesn't, I sincerely suggest you start smiling at ever darn person you see for the next 24 hours. Before you know it, you'll be smiling because it feels good. Your entire demeanor will change.
You'll be so present at the grocery store it freaks you out. Heck, you might even have an encounter with a complete stranger. Are you willing to give them some of your borrowed time?
If you made it this far, I'm gonna share some of the inspiration now..
I want to be in "relentless pursuit of the unreasonable"
I want to encompass "the belief that anything is possible"
I want to be in complete favor of "the rejection of arbitrary rules created by other people"
"Ask for forgiveness, not permission."
"You are responsible for yourself and everything you do or become - you're in charge!"
I have over saturated my brain by replaying the music and reading the words over again, saying the words over again, and then a third time writing the words down.
Part of me is dying to share them with you, but also to keep them to myself. For if you know what these phrases and words are, then you can create assumptions on what they mean, who they refer to and how they have effected me.
But that is seriously silly.
"Be daring, be fearless, and don't be afraid that somebody is going to criticize you or laugh at you. If your ego is not involved, no one can hurt you."
If I have taken anything from the flow of inspiration and thoughts this past week, it's not that I am going to live like there's no tomorrow, but love like I'm on borrowed time.
Okay.
But..What does that even mean.. how do we love like we're on borrowed time?
I'll be honest, I have no idea. But everyday is my chance to discover what that means. The five minutes you have an encounter with that sales clerk are NOT your five minutes, someone gave you that time. Are you going to roll your eyes at her and wonder why she's taking so long - or will you go the extra mile to make a conversation, smile at her and maybe be the only shred of light she sees that whole hour, or day or maybe in her entire week.
I used to (and still do) take little moments like this for granted. But something clicked. And recently I was able to be more aware and present of the people and the love in my own life. I realized how many people had given ME some of their borrowed time. They loved on me. Not out of duty, not out of repayment, but simply out of love and the fact that they care about me.
You make think that's simple, but man it is a humbling epiphany for me. It's the most warming feeling to realize, yeah maybe only two minutes of their time.. But they chose to bring happiness, knowledge, wisdom, laughter, feedback and themselves to me. That's something I can save for a rainy day.
Now go back up to that paragraph. Read it again. "I realized how many people had given ME some of their borrowed time." Does this not blow your mind? Does this not humble you? If it doesn't, I sincerely suggest you start smiling at ever darn person you see for the next 24 hours. Before you know it, you'll be smiling because it feels good. Your entire demeanor will change.
You'll be so present at the grocery store it freaks you out. Heck, you might even have an encounter with a complete stranger. Are you willing to give them some of your borrowed time?
If you made it this far, I'm gonna share some of the inspiration now..
I want to be in "relentless pursuit of the unreasonable"
I want to encompass "the belief that anything is possible"
I want to be in complete favor of "the rejection of arbitrary rules created by other people"
"Ask for forgiveness, not permission."
"You are responsible for yourself and everything you do or become - you're in charge!"
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
We need prayer.
I know my last blog was incredibly happy, but right now my heart is heavy.
I have been blessed to be apart of a loving family in South Florida for the past 5 months. They have 3 children - the eldest is their biological, the middle was adopted at age 5, and the youngest was adopted as an infant. Amazing parents. They have taught me tons.
I am writing to you all tonight to bring awareness and ask for prayers. This family was prepared for everything. They read every book on "adopting the older child" the informed themselves, but ultimately didn't think it would be their child. They were wrong. Their middle son, a teen, now has attachment, behavioral, and defiance issues to start with and all the medical stuff behind it. This family has given everything for him to be successful. Done everything in their power to help him. He chooses to break their hearts and hurt them and himself.
Tonight I sit downstairs as sheriffs filter in and out of our house. Tears come to my eyes as I wonder how these parents must feel. They have poured their soul into a son who won't even claim them as parents. My heart hurts.
Please, please keep this family in your prayers. They are out of options. They are exhausted and hurting. We are all praying, pray with us.
My plug for this blog is also this: there are thousands of children that needs homes. Don't wait until it's too late. Don't wait until they have been neglected in that orphanage for so long their heart is so incredibly hardened. I know the adoptive processes are long and draining. But if God has given you the heart for an orphan, don't wait another second. If this boy had been loved and held when he was an infant, who knows who he would be right now. I don't think he'd be sitting in the back of a police car though.
I have been blessed to be apart of a loving family in South Florida for the past 5 months. They have 3 children - the eldest is their biological, the middle was adopted at age 5, and the youngest was adopted as an infant. Amazing parents. They have taught me tons.
I am writing to you all tonight to bring awareness and ask for prayers. This family was prepared for everything. They read every book on "adopting the older child" the informed themselves, but ultimately didn't think it would be their child. They were wrong. Their middle son, a teen, now has attachment, behavioral, and defiance issues to start with and all the medical stuff behind it. This family has given everything for him to be successful. Done everything in their power to help him. He chooses to break their hearts and hurt them and himself.
Tonight I sit downstairs as sheriffs filter in and out of our house. Tears come to my eyes as I wonder how these parents must feel. They have poured their soul into a son who won't even claim them as parents. My heart hurts.
Please, please keep this family in your prayers. They are out of options. They are exhausted and hurting. We are all praying, pray with us.
My plug for this blog is also this: there are thousands of children that needs homes. Don't wait until it's too late. Don't wait until they have been neglected in that orphanage for so long their heart is so incredibly hardened. I know the adoptive processes are long and draining. But if God has given you the heart for an orphan, don't wait another second. If this boy had been loved and held when he was an infant, who knows who he would be right now. I don't think he'd be sitting in the back of a police car though.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
WARNING: Rainbows and Unicorns!
Seriously though, if you are in any kind of sour mood DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER. Continue in your sulking, because the next few paragraphs will only bring out the devil in you. Just kidding. But really, I am just on a super happiness high AND this blog is going to vomit rainbows and cheer and marshmallows EVERYWHERE. You have been warned, friend.
WHYAMISOHAPPYEH?
Because I have finally scaled the metaphorical "wall" of GARBAGE that has been plaguing my life for the past two stinkin years. PRAISE DA LORD.
And I honestly wasn't doing anything to get there. I mean I sorta was, but not like planning on this happening RIGHT NOW, it just did. God has seriously been working on my heart for years. I have been really stubborn, cold and prideful, and I knew it, I just didn't act on it whatsoever. So to be in this place right now is almost unreal. I know it's me and I know it IS real, but I can still feel the me from 2 years ago. I remember my thoughts and emotions and feelings and the who and what and why I felt that way... but today I am a 180. Well, more like a 175, I haven't completely perfected and turned around. I have off days like anyone else, but MAN OH MAN. Being here is GOOD.
There's a part of me, a very, little part, that is sneering and laughing at this post entirely. Telling me that I WILL fall back. That I remember the girl I was 2 years ago because I will feel that way again. That the depression will come back. That the pride will never "really" go away. And that this happiness isn't real. For me today, I am choosing to shut that little, stupid voice out. It's simply the devil. He plans to seep in the smallest parts of me and in turn be present in all of me. He plans to eat my stinkin lunch. He plans to steal my joy. I let him steal PURE joy from me many a times in the past 2 years. But no more. The struggle will continue, but I choose joy.
It is my prayer that whoever you are, you can choose joy. I know it wasn't easy to choose joy on the path towards today and I know in the future it won't get any easier. I haven't been here in a long time, but it is overwhelmingly refreshing. And I hope it is not interpreted as boasting about my conquering of my past and living in happiness - that is not the case. But I honestly want everyone I encounter to be contagiously effected by me. Not jealous of me, not turned off by me, but contaminated with JOY! :)
ALSO...
If you haven't figured it out already, I AM COMING HOME! (for 6-8 months at least). And not by force, by choice. Who'da thunk!?
..See you soon 813
Thursday, December 20, 2012
How bad do you want it?
I've been 100% successful in creating partial blogs lately. And in turn, not posting anything. I just haven't really had much to say lately (Say what?!). I would actually REALLY love for people to just "know" what's going on and overwhelm me with incredibly much too personal and prying conversations. Similar to the the transparency of my posts. But I still wait for everyone to jump aboard THAT train. :) haha.
So instead, I'm gonna write a catch up blog like I used to when I first moved away from Tampa.
This is more for me than you, soooo go ahead and open pinterest, try to find the best recipe for Cinnamon Roll Pancakes... and thank me later.
It is December 20 already. I can't believe I have been down here in Boca Raton for almost four months. That's a milestone for my nomadic self. And I plan to be here until the first month of June, in case you were wondering.
And then what Sash?
Well, I am certainly glad ya asked.
There's quite a few scenarios popping through my head, the usual ya know. I'll get the wildcard out of the way: Attend Portland State University for my undergrad in kinesiology. Yup. Why NOT? No reason not to. I'm 21, got a whole lot of years to make worse decisions than going back to school somewhere FAR far away.
Okay, normal plan for after Boca? This might be considered my dream plan, the one that I know won't happen, but I would love for everything to just "happen" this way. Get accepted to TSU or UT. Move in with Katie and Danielle in a house in Austin, TX. Work at lululemon, get my kines degree, coach kids crossfit again at CSC Crossfit and be around the greatest people I have ever met thus far. Oh and maybe get my dog back? haha
Reality plan? Booooo. Here goes:
Apply to schools in Florida, Texas, and a couple of other places (like Portland and Boston). Also apply to lululemons in those places.
Wait.
Wait.
Pray.
Wait.
Pray.
Get acceptance letters.
Pray.
Pray.
*#?!
Pray.
Decide.
And that's kind how she goes. I mean, shoot, if some prince charming comes along and decides he wants to REALLY change my path of destruction errrr I mean adventure, then so be it. But, right now.. I'm not in that season. I am as simple as I'm gonna be and I don't want anything to change or sway my simplicity for a little while. Let me be clearer, it would be silly to move somewhere for something that could only be for a season and leave me in some place I yet again want to leave. Gentlemen, I am open to the idea, but it will take an army to tame this world traveler. Sorry :)
As much as I know, and lots of people who have seen my pure happiness there, know the place where I feel most at home... But, I want this degree and to live a life God intended me to live and I'm at the point where I will sacrifice certain comforts to get there. Am I maybe praying for Austin? Sure. But I know He took me from there, so maybe it's over. I have to realize that. But I also know that the "dessert" I am experiencing now here in soflo is NOT what He has planned for the rest of my life. I serve a God who delivers. He's brought me to a lot of places and maybe a new one is on the way.
I'm scared to go somewhere new AGAIN, because I know what it entails. And mercy, it's not easy. But this is what I want, after 2 years of getting here, I am certain school and pursuing my dream of training athletes is where God wants me now. I'm just not sure where He'll drop me on the map.
Friends, be in prayer (especially if ya want me to live close to ya ;) ) that I would be able to discern between open doors and God given opportunities. I can look anywhere and find an open door, but there may only be one opportunity appointed by God. I am trusting I will seek HIM to get there and pursue it.
Soooo did ya find the pancakes? ;)
So instead, I'm gonna write a catch up blog like I used to when I first moved away from Tampa.
This is more for me than you, soooo go ahead and open pinterest, try to find the best recipe for Cinnamon Roll Pancakes... and thank me later.
It is December 20 already. I can't believe I have been down here in Boca Raton for almost four months. That's a milestone for my nomadic self. And I plan to be here until the first month of June, in case you were wondering.
And then what Sash?
Well, I am certainly glad ya asked.
There's quite a few scenarios popping through my head, the usual ya know. I'll get the wildcard out of the way: Attend Portland State University for my undergrad in kinesiology. Yup. Why NOT? No reason not to. I'm 21, got a whole lot of years to make worse decisions than going back to school somewhere FAR far away.
Okay, normal plan for after Boca? This might be considered my dream plan, the one that I know won't happen, but I would love for everything to just "happen" this way. Get accepted to TSU or UT. Move in with Katie and Danielle in a house in Austin, TX. Work at lululemon, get my kines degree, coach kids crossfit again at CSC Crossfit and be around the greatest people I have ever met thus far. Oh and maybe get my dog back? haha
Reality plan? Booooo. Here goes:
Apply to schools in Florida, Texas, and a couple of other places (like Portland and Boston). Also apply to lululemons in those places.
Wait.
Wait.
Pray.
Wait.
Pray.
Get acceptance letters.
Pray.
Pray.
*#?!
Pray.
Decide.
And that's kind how she goes. I mean, shoot, if some prince charming comes along and decides he wants to REALLY change my path of destruction errrr I mean adventure, then so be it. But, right now.. I'm not in that season. I am as simple as I'm gonna be and I don't want anything to change or sway my simplicity for a little while. Let me be clearer, it would be silly to move somewhere for something that could only be for a season and leave me in some place I yet again want to leave. Gentlemen, I am open to the idea, but it will take an army to tame this world traveler. Sorry :)
As much as I know, and lots of people who have seen my pure happiness there, know the place where I feel most at home... But, I want this degree and to live a life God intended me to live and I'm at the point where I will sacrifice certain comforts to get there. Am I maybe praying for Austin? Sure. But I know He took me from there, so maybe it's over. I have to realize that. But I also know that the "dessert" I am experiencing now here in soflo is NOT what He has planned for the rest of my life. I serve a God who delivers. He's brought me to a lot of places and maybe a new one is on the way.
I'm scared to go somewhere new AGAIN, because I know what it entails. And mercy, it's not easy. But this is what I want, after 2 years of getting here, I am certain school and pursuing my dream of training athletes is where God wants me now. I'm just not sure where He'll drop me on the map.
Friends, be in prayer (especially if ya want me to live close to ya ;) ) that I would be able to discern between open doors and God given opportunities. I can look anywhere and find an open door, but there may only be one opportunity appointed by God. I am trusting I will seek HIM to get there and pursue it.
Soooo did ya find the pancakes? ;)
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Good Word(s)
"A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own even if she never wants
to or needs to...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
something perfect to wear if the employer or date of her
dreams wants to see her in an hour...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a youth she's content to leave behind....
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to
retelling it in her old age....
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .....
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black
lace bra...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who
lets her cry...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone
else in her family...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a
recipe for a meal that will make her guests feel honored...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
a feeling of control over her destiny...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to fall in love without losing herself..
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
HOW TO QUIT A JOB,
BREAK UP WITH A LOVER,
AND CONFRONT A FRIEND WITHOUT RUINING THE FRIENDSHIP...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that she can't change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that her childhood may not have been perfect...but it's over...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
whom she can trust,
whom she can't,
and why she shouldn't
take it personally...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
where to go...
be it to her best friend's kitchen table...
or a charming inn in the woods...
when her soul needs soothing...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
what she can and can't accomplish in a day...
a month...and a year..."
"It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.
It doesn't interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive.
It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon. I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life's betrayals or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain!I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it or fade it, or fix it.
I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own, if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, to be realistic, to remember the limitations of being human.
It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself; if you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul; if you can be faithlessand therefore trustworthy.
I want to know if you can see beauty even when it's not pretty, every day,and if you can source your own life from its presence.
I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand on the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, “Yes!”
It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up, after the night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done to feed the children.
It doesn't interest me who you know or how you came to be here. I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back.
It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you, from the inside, when all else falls away.
I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments."
— Oriah Mountain Dreamer
enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own even if she never wants
to or needs to...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
something perfect to wear if the employer or date of her
dreams wants to see her in an hour...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a youth she's content to leave behind....
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to
retelling it in her old age....
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .....
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black
lace bra...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who
lets her cry...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone
else in her family...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a
recipe for a meal that will make her guests feel honored...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
a feeling of control over her destiny...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to fall in love without losing herself..
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
HOW TO QUIT A JOB,
BREAK UP WITH A LOVER,
AND CONFRONT A FRIEND WITHOUT RUINING THE FRIENDSHIP...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that she can't change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that her childhood may not have been perfect...but it's over...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
whom she can trust,
whom she can't,
and why she shouldn't
take it personally...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
where to go...
be it to her best friend's kitchen table...
or a charming inn in the woods...
when her soul needs soothing...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
what she can and can't accomplish in a day...
a month...and a year..."
"It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.
It doesn't interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive.
It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon. I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life's betrayals or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain!I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it or fade it, or fix it.
I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own, if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, to be realistic, to remember the limitations of being human.
It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself; if you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul; if you can be faithlessand therefore trustworthy.
I want to know if you can see beauty even when it's not pretty, every day,and if you can source your own life from its presence.
I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand on the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, “Yes!”
It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up, after the night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done to feed the children.
It doesn't interest me who you know or how you came to be here. I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back.
It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you, from the inside, when all else falls away.
I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments."
— Oriah Mountain Dreamer
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