B Friendly

This is quite possibly the best quote I've found on the subject, and expresses exactly how I feel :)

Have a fabulous day!

Week 4

Can you believe we're almost halfway through our 8 Weeks? Time flies, and week 4 is all about who you're with to get you through those flying times.

Friends.

We can't live without them, and anyone who is, isn't having half as much fun. This is what I think of when I hear the word friend:

Comfort

Laughter

Advice

Venting

Email, Texting, Pinning, Facebooking, and now Twittering

Giggles

Inappropriateness

Books

Love

The list really could go on forever. Your friends are the family you choose... I have that on a card on my fridge, and it's 100% true. I would be lost without my friends to get me through each day (sometimes the next hour). So, this week will be a celebration of our friends, for our friends. Consider this week my love letter to you all.



I always felt that the great high privilege, relief and comfort of friendship was that one had to explain nothing. ~Katherine Mansfield

So your homework for the week is to find the quotes, sayings, and pictures that remind you of your friends. Each day, after your gratitude list, search the web or books. Pinterest will be a dream for this task. Tweet them, text them, post them to facebook. Celebrate your friendships this week and give thanks to them for always being there.

This is going to be a fun week :) Have a good one!

B Something

I'd done a post like this in the past and loved it, but the blog crash in 2011 deleted it. So I thought it needed a revival, and it just so happens to fit in with my theme this week.

If you've been into one of our Biggbys in the past few years (I know you have!), you may have noticed their marketing push for the trademark B they have.

B Happy
B Generous
B Sweet

To me this is genius, and I've often wondered if anyone loved this as much as I do.  For whatever reason, it just makes me happy to go in there and see this stuff (I have yet to buy something because I can't choose!)

What are you going to B when you grow up?  Hands down, this is one of my favorite questions.  There are just so many possibilities of what we can B and do, and on occasion, I like to take a moment and answer that question.

Soooo, for your homework today, you will jot down some things you would like to B either now, tomorrow, or when you grow up :)

B Fabulous
B Amazing
B Writing
B Helpful
B Outgoing

What will you B today?

mirrors

Now that we know that unconditional love isn't about looks or money, it's time to turn it around to yourself.  I have always believed that our friends are mirrors and merely reflections of our selves.  When we instantly connect with someone, it's because we're seeing ourselves in them and like those qualities.  That's why you can't truly love someone else without loving yourself first.

So, todays homework is the same as yesterday, but instead the list will consist of the qualities you love in your SELF.  Now without looking at yesterday's list I'm going to do the same thing.

1. Inspired
2. Tough
3. Funny
4. Thoughtful
5. Loyal
6. Loving
7. Intuitive
8. Happy
9. Hard working
10. Good Mom

Okay, I'll admit that a part of me is cringing at this exercise and putting it out there.  Anyone else care to share? Think about this throughout the day and add to your list when you come up with something new.  The list can be endless!

Have a fabulous day.

Perfection

per·fec·tion

   /pərˈfɛkʃən/ Show Spelled[per-fek-shuhn] noun

1.the state or quality of being or becoming perfect.

2. the highest degree of proficiency, skill, or excellence, as in some art.

3. a perfect embodiment or example of something.

4. a quality, trait, or feature of the highest degree of excellence.

5. the highest or most nearly perfect degree of a quality or trait.

The magazines would have you believe that you can gain the perfect life in 10 Easy Steps!  I have found that in 10 easy steps I can make a batch of cookies.  

Which one is more perfect?

Why is it we expect so much of ourselves and so little of those around us that we love?  Really quick, name 5 people (not related to you) that you love unconditionally and would do anything for.

Okay, are those on your list perfect?  And by perfect, I mean they do no wrong; They don't overeat, overspend, and always win mother of the year.  Are any of your unconditionals perfect?  Chances are, they're not, and that's why you love them so much.  People who are perfect (or pretending to be) are annoying and usually so self-absorbed they don't have many friends.  Sure, they look good, but c'mon, is that what you really want out of life?

Today's homework is for you to make a list of the qualities that you hold highest in your friends and loved ones.  What are the traits that make them perfect to you?  Here's mine:

1. Humor
2. Empathy
3. Sarcasm
4. Generous
5. Happy
6. Positive
7. Honesty
8. Loving
9. Real
10. Loyal

What is on your list?  Have a fabulous day :)

Week 3

We have learned to let go, and hopefully continue to do that.

We have learned the power of gratitude and how a change in perspective can change your life.  Literally.

Now I want to give you the power of acceptance.

Week 3:  Working with what you've got.

So often we feel like we will be happier, smarter, more productive when we _________________.  I'll let you fill in the blank.  For me, everything would be perfect if I were skinny, and it's been that way since I was 17.

I was skinny at 17.

Only I didn't see it then, and I've been beating myself up and putting life on hold for more than half my life.  I dismiss compliments like flies and can find fault with pretty much everything I do.  Everything.

I'm starting to believe that life begins when you are 100% yourself and completely okay with that.  At some point you will have to make a choice, pick sides, and be who you want to be.  It sounds simple, but it's not.  For some it's hell.

So, as with every week, you'll have homework, but unlike the past two weeks, I'll post something different each day starting tomorrow morning.  For tonight, I just want you to think about one thing that you love about your self.  It can be anything from baking to your sense of humor.  Think about what compliments you get and really savor them as truths and not just words.

By the end of this week, you're going to see your self as others see you... with love.  And that's when the fun really begins.

friends, Zac, and the power of Fifty Shades

Have you ever had one of those nights you just never want to end?  When the stars line up, everyone shows, and Zac Efron is involved?  Throw in Fifty Shades of Grey  and free shots, and we have ourselves a party.  

That was last night.  A GNO of epic proportions, and I for one, am still giggling.... and grateful. 

It was a much needed end of my week (all of ours really) and it was absolutely the perfect way to wrap up my week of Gratitude.  It's funny how it all ties in for me sometimes.

I know I get stuck in the issues of life.  The money, the stress, the failing grades and missing assignments.  I focus a lot on those things. Sometimes, I focus so acutely on those things, I don't want to get out of bed.  So really taking the time each day to figure out what I loved was really challenging for me, but also enlightening.  And then I realized something last night.  We all have the same problems.  Okay, maybe not the same problems, but definitely we are all going through our own stuff that is difficult and challenging.  And sharing those problems with each other not only helps us relax, it creates a safe place for us to vent.  We realize we're not alone over Coronas and shots, and we slowly begin to replace the anxiety with laughter and love.  

We  were grateful for each other last night whether we noticed it or not.  That is why the night was so much fun.  But then again, there was Zac...  

Have a Happy Monday!  Week 3 will start tonight, and it's a good one, so check in later :)