When One Door Closes...

Seeing how my last few blog posts have been more uplifting, and more than anything they seem to be helping me be more positive, today will be another post similar to the previous two.

Today I want to share this:

I love the above quote, because it's helps convey the idea of another door opening when one closes in life. Sometimes it's too easy focusing on a loss, when we really need to keep moving forward. I was very guilty of that when I was laid off from my architecture job, and focusing on my loss surely did not help me move on from it. It is incredibly important that we move on from losses, or we might get stuck in a pool of negativity. That leads us nowhere fast. When faced with loss, we must look for that open door that's just waiting for us to cross its path.

One of the most important things I have learned lately, is to realize that we are exactly where we are supposed to be. It also doesn't hurt to remember that "what does not kill you, makes you stronger". Everything happens for a reason, and we must have faith that everything will work out for our good. 

Keep looking for that open door in life, once you step through it there will be more. Remember, sometimes the first step is the biggest.

Components of Happy

If there is a quote that helps to explain happiness, then this is one of them.

Many people say that actions speak louder than words, but I think words speak pretty loudly if you use the right ones. Your thoughts are kept from others, that is, unless you share them with others. Your actions stem from your thoughts and the things that you say, so to me, actions don't always speak louder. People who impress me the most probably (since I'm not in their heads) start with positive thoughts, and that leads to kind words, and eventually their thoughts morph into their actions. Our thoughts, words, and actions are all connected. We must be careful what we think... because thoughts could lead you places you never meant them to lead you.

That whole "practice what you preach" thing really goes into effect here. If you find yourself giving people great advice, but not taking it, then I think this applies. I am definitely working on this. Something that bothers me, is when I realize that I've just done something that I said I would not do. I hope that my thinking, saying, and doing will be one in the same!

Wouldn't it be great to only think good & positive thoughts throughout the day? Sometimes it is hard to do, but imagine if you did.

Say No to Gossip

Just a few nights ago, I read something in a book that really made me think. The text from the book read, "Gossip is sharing dishonoring information with someone who is not a part of the problem or the solution." This is such an important thing to think about in our daily lives.

look for the good in others...

instead of reasons to dislike them

I have never been a fan of gossip. If you're doing it around me, chances that I have nothing to contribute or get up and walk away are high. There are very few, if any actually, times I can think of where gossip does any good. Since it does no good, that means there is no reason to do it. Gossip does happen, but we need to be aware of the consequences. Speaking negatively of someone else only drives people apart, it does not bring us together. So why do it?

The Golden Rule states that you should "treat others the way that you would like to be treated", and with that in mind I know for sure that I don't want others to gossip about me. Keeping that in the back of my mind at all times, it always makes me think twice before opening my mouth about someone else. If I am not a part of the problem or the solution, then I will keep this mouth shut. Gossip does a great job dividing people, and I cannot think of any cases where gossip helps the situation. It is one thing to gossip, and it is another thing to ask someone for advice, on how to deal with a situation, without dishonoring the person you are asking about in that case. Always keep in mind that you will treat others the way you would like to be treated.

will you decide to try and give kindness...

 instead of judgement?

Treating others the way that you would like to be treated also goes hand in hand with not saying anything at all if you have nothing nice to say. I am definitely far from perfect, but I know areas where I would like to improve and better myself.

Here's to a week of positive thinking and only kind words to/about each other. (:

ABCs of Me

* Yup, that's me *

I saw this list of ABCs over on Brandi's blog, Home Team Dreams and I wanted to share my answers too. So here goes:

A. Age:  28

B. Bed size:  Queen

C. Chore you dislike:  Dusting, because I have to move everything and dust underneath. Ugh. 

D. Dogs:  None now, but I really want a Golden Retriever or a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel.

E. Essential start to your day:  Smooch from my husband (if he's home) and a cup of coffee and reading something inspiring.

F. Favorite color:  Turquoise! It reminds me of the beach, and when I wear the color it looks good with my skin and eyes. 

G. Gold or silver:  Silver... but I am slowly learning to like gold a little more with each day.

H. Height:  5' 4"  Booyah! I'm short. (:

I. Instruments you play(ed):  Alto saxophone when I was in middle school. First chair... band nerd!

J. Job title:  wife for now and amateur photographer. See my photo blog!

K. Kids:  We would love them some day, but just not now.

L. Live:  Colorado... then who knows.

M. Mom’s name:  If I told you then I'd have to kill you. (Kidding! I'm not going to do that. Tell you that is... or kill you.)

N. Nicknames:  Smash, Smashley, Crash, Ash, Trash, AJ, Ashwee...

O. Overnight hospital stays:  Totally broke my ankle on a water slide in 8th grade and had surgery so they could put a screw in my ankle. Spent the night, and all I remember is the nurse checking my toes, by pinching them, all night to make sure I still had circulation. Sweet.

P. Pet peeves:  Mean people, tailgaters while driving, when people gossip all the time

Q. Quote from a movie:  Not sure I have A favorite? Don't watch too many movies.

S. Siblings:  Only child... it's not as cool as you would think.

T. Time you wake up:  All over the place depending on what's going on, but I'm not much of a morning person unless we're doing something really exciting like going to the airport. Then I get right out of bed at 3am if I have to.

U. Underwear:  Under where?!

V. Vegetables you don’t like:  Really not a fan of eggplant. The texture sort of weirds me out. Yuck.

W. What makes you run late:  Traffic jams. I am usually pretty on time, so the only thing that was probably holding me back from an appointment was probably traffic.

X. X-rays you’ve had:  Oh crap. My left ankle that I broke and again two years ago for a bad sprain to make sure it was not broken again, for sure at least one of my knees multiple times (they locked up a few times and had fluid when I was younger), and my back at the chiropractors office (it was pretty crooked from lots of volleyball playing and back arching when I served. wow)

Y. Yummy food you make:  Homemade mac and cheese, cheese and ground beef stuffed pasta shells, chicken parmesan, soft and gooey chocolate chip cookies... and melt in your mouth french toast! YUM! Now I'm hungry.

Z. Zoo animal favorites:  Love the monkeys! They are usually so energetic and active. Last time we visited the zoo they were opening plastic bottles and shaking their treats out of them.

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So those are some interesting, or not, facts about me... and my ABCs. Hope you have a wonderful weekend! (:

Calm After the Storm

Whew. Yesterday I may have had a little melt down, but thanks everyone for the nice comments and words of encouragement.  They are sincerely appreciated, and again thank you all. We really do have the power to lift others up when they are feeling down, and it's nice to receive that kindness from others. We must remember to give it back too.

Honestly, after posting to my blog yesterday... I started to feel better, like I had let a lot of the stress go and accepted where I was at the moment. After taking some deep breaths and realizing that things were not as bad as I thought, everything became a lot more calm and focused. Thank God for that.

After staying up a little too late, sleeping in a little too long, and enjoying my morning coffee... I am feeling more ready to tackle today with gusto. No worries.

Today I am going to work on staying more calm and taking one step at a time when things get a little crazy.

Do you have a morning ritual that helps

you get ready to tackle each day?

A Struggle & Pictures

After just returning from a short trip to Texas, one might think that I would be nice and relaxed and glad to be home. Well I'm not. Not at all. On top of our apartment not really feeling like 'home' at all, we have also had some unexpected things sprung on us. Not only do we have a lease that is about to expire, but we also have no idea where we are moving to next. So many things are up in the air (funny that I'm married to a pilot and it's exactly how our life feels at the moment... up in the air) that it's hard to know which thing to try and catch first. I feel like we might hesitate for a second too long and everything will fall down around us. So for now, it's hard to relax and enjoy this 'darned if you do, darned if you don't' situation that we are in at the moment.

I mean, at times I just wish that someone would come out of the woodwork and tell me that they understand exactly what we're going through, but we have yet to find any friends that are in the same (heck even a similar) boat as us. Honestly, one of my favorite things about reading other blogs is that I get to know the writers and can often relate to the things that they write about. It's fun 'getting to know' other bloggers, and it really is nice to know that you are not alone on certain aspects of life.

Seriously, though, is anyone out there in their 20s and super-mega in debt, do not own a house, are not even close to owning one, not sure where you will be living in a month, and kind of overwhelmed with life?! Or is it just me? Whew. Sometimes all I want is for someone to say it's going to be okay. Really, it can be that simple. A little comfort from people who care goes a long way. Thank goodness for the supportive and loving, even if it might be just a few, people that we have in our lives.

It can be really frustrating when you feel like your best is not good enough. Neither of us have necessarily had things handed to us through our lives, and we have always had to work for what we wanted. I am definitely a grateful person, and I cannot begin to explain everything that I am grateful for. However, lately it has been the very little things in life that make me smile, and I guess that's better than nothing at all. In the end I know that I need to be happy and grateful, but sometimes it's just so stinkin' hard!

With that being said,

here are a some things

that do make me smile.


* click on any of the following pictures, and they will link you to more happy *

All of the above images are mine, so if you use any of them please link back to my blog... thanks.

Find something that makes you smile today.

After thinking about loved ones and everything that makes me smile, I feel a bit better. Still have some things weighing me down, but I'll do my best to smile today anyways. Who is with me?!