Lonely is healing, if you make it

A novel perspective on the thing a lot of people fear the most (I, included): Loneliness. At the end of some days, solo dolo doesn't seem so bad, no? Some days.

"Cuz if you're happy in your head, then solitude is blessed, and alone is okay."


("How to be Lonely" Tanya Davis)

Just To Get By

"Before apps, when there were attention spans, before “I’ve got five bars,” when bars were for boozing, before ring-tone selection, when the phone rang, before high-net-worth individuals, when love was all you needed, before hype, when there was Hendrix, we got by just the same."

(excerpt via NYTimes)

good morning

"The moment when you first wake up in the morning is the most wonderful of the twenty-four hours.  No matter how weary or dreary you may feel, you possess the certainty that, during the day that lies before you, absolutely anything may happen.  And the fact that it practically always doesn't, matters not a jot.  The possibility is always there." -Monica Baldwin

so wake up ms. by-herself-she-so-impressed. good morning, on this day we become legendary, everything we dreamed of

well, that's just fabulous

Later that day, I got to thinking about relationships. There are those that open you up to new and exotic. Those that are old and familiar. Those that bring up lots of questions. Those that bring you somewhere unexpected. Those that bring you far from where you started. And those that bring you back.

But the most exciting, challenging, and significant relationship of all..is the one you have with yourself. And if you find someone to love the you you love, well, that's just fabulous.

Carrie Bradshaw

namaste

amazing mantra to recite during yoga. my late-night session was one of the most amazing yet, just because i breathed every single stress out, and concentrated on being my own decisive element.

I AM THE DECISIVE ELEMENT
by Goethe

I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element.
It is my personal approach that creates the climate.
It is my daily mood that makes the weather.
I possess tremendous power to make life miserable or joyous.
I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration.
I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal.
In all situations, it is my response that decides
whether a crisis is escalated or de-escalated,
and a person is humanized or de-humanized.
If we treat people as they are, we make them worse.
If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become
what they are capable of becoming.

i also found this relatively soothing piano for yoga playlist via imeem. (*disclaimer: i DID choose to skip over some of the songs). i still have it on repeat right now. check it out.

Yoga Piano

word to the wise - Dr. Seuss

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.
You're on your own.
And you know what you know.
You are the guy/lady who'll decide where to go.
~Dr. Seuss

word to the wise

One day at a time--this is enough. Do not look back and grieve over the past for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful it will be worth remembering.

word to the wise - Sara Paddison

"Sincere forgiveness isn't colored with expectations that the other person apologize or change. Don't worry whether or not they finally understand you. Love them and release them. Life feeds back truth to people in its own way and time."

exercising my patience, for it is starting to wear thin.

embrace the martian

rather, the recessionista.

the SIX things to buy before the economy improves:

1. women's clothing: "That means less expensive clothing stores can lower their prices through lower productions costs, and more expensive clothing stores will be forced to have more sales and clearance racks." or just settle for thrift/vintage stores (that's my super secret).

2. laptops:  "...laptop prices have dropped thanks to the interest in netbooks." Apple hasn't seemed to go too much with the trend in terms of pricing, but it's quite the investment. $999.00 + student discount + finance plan, and i can no longer efficiently function without my white MacBook.

3. toys: "More affordable toys are on their way for the holidays." does KidRobot count? in that case, my pastel pink Munny zipper pull is my fave toy this year.

4. televisions: "...decreases are starting to make larger flat-panel TVs far more affordable." i didn't get one, but my sister did. it's huge.

5. furniture: "With fewer people buying houses, fewer people are buying new furniture....Retailers still in the market have to respond to those liquidation sales with price cuts and clearance items of their own." not applicable in my situation, but you interior decorators better get on that!

6. diamonds: "the recession has quashed demand for diamonds, creating deals." i got Blair for over 50% off her original $1,000.00+ value back in december [;

i guess i've been braving the recession in all the right ways? lol.

(article courtesy of Forbes via Yahoo.com)

we're in a recession, people!

ladies out there, are you recession proof?! (i almost hate the word, everyone keeps reminding us of it)

you should all be aware by now that i'm an avid vintage/thrift style buff. so my best advice to live by, as said by Miss Hello Kitty herself, "Recycle Fashion, Wear Vintage."  styles from earlier genres have definitely been making a huge comeback. oh the irony of it all, that the easiest way to update your closet is to go back to earlier pieces. do you love it? because i certainly do!

say it right, say it all

pretty ill site of sayings. a mix of cynicism and elation. the bright colors and photo graphics help too. this one's one of my favorites, between the image and the quote, style and drive.

(image courtesy of wordboner)

FOUR in the morning.

Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there...to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson or help figure out who you are or who you want to become. You never know who these people may be but you lock eyes with them, you know that very moment that they will affect your life in some profound way.

And sometimes things happen to you at the time that may seem horrible, painful and unfair, but in reflection you realize that without overcoming those obstacles you would never realize your potential, strength, will power or heart.

Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of luck. Illness, love, lost moments of true greatness and sheer stupidity all occur to test limits of your soul.

Without these small tests, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere safe and comfortable but dull and utterly pointless.

The people you meet affect your life. The successes and downfalls that you experience can create whom you are, and the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact they are probably the most poignant and important ones. If someone hurts you, betrays you or breaks your heart, forgive them because they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to whom you open your heart.

If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but also because they are teaching you to love and open your heart and eyes to little things. Make every day count. Appreciate everything that you possibly can, for you may never experience it again.

Talk to people whom you have never talked to before, and actually listen. Let yourself fall in love, break free and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right to.

Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don't believe in yourself, no one else will believe in you. Create your own life and then go out and live it.

word to the wise - Henry Miller

Why are we so full of restraint? Why do we not give in all directions? Is it fear of losing ourselves? Until we do lose ourselves, there is no hope of finding ourselves.

p.s. i always loved Eminem

Lose Yourself - Eminem

talking like the big kids do

one of my friends gave this book as a gift to her nephew. while playing his video game he says, "shh, this part is difficult. i need to concentrate." he's four years old.

Jamie Lee Curtis wrote this book, Big Words for Little People, with the idea in mind to teach "little people" how to speak like "big people." words like respect, patience, cooperate, privacy, and considerate not only enhance the children's vocabulary, but i think could also serve as a means of instilling those values for future application. that's some good reading!

"I know some Big Words. I'll teach them to you. Although you are small, you can use Big Words too."

(image courtesy of Harper Collins)

fortune cookie for the year

not one for horoscopes, but is it semi-coincidental that some of the stuff listed is correct so far? check your own out, find your birth year to see which animal you are.

Ox Overview
The Ox can do well this year through steady progress. There may be a number of experiences that will provide great joy for the Ox. One area, in particular, is the Ox's personal life. You may see an addition to the family. You will be surrounded by those who care. Look for the early summer months to attend many social occasions, providing many new faces in your social circle. One area of focus is to be open to the advice of others, as you tend to keep your issues to yourself. Overall, your own year can be one that you will look back on with pride and a genuine sense of achievement.

Ox Career
In 2009, the Oxen will be given many opportunities to further your plans and goals, as well as consolidate your position. Steady progress is the position where the Ox is most comfortable and that is where you will find yourself this year. You will also have a chance to impress and gain support from those around you. This is a good year to enhance your skills and add to your repertoire with added training or study. You will be satisfied in knowing that anything you do this year will repay you in this year and the years to come. The months of May, late August and September may mark a change in your career.

Ox Relationships
2009 will be a year of personal happiness. For the single Ox, there may be a chance to engage in new and meaningful friendships, romance, and possibly even marriage. Others will take comfort in their domestic and social lives. Being an Ox year, this is one that will provide enjoyment for you as long as you allow it. Beware of your strong will and do not allow any minor disagreements to escalate and put a damper on a fine year. May is a month that will highly favor a chance meeting or a heightened level in a relationship.

Ox Health
Health matters don't seem to be too much of a concern for the Ox this year, as you are good at implementing some sort of physical activity into your routine. The Ox's discipline does well to carry over into your health. It never hurts to find ways to improve in this area, so don't discount anything that will improve the quality of your life. Even though there may not be any large issues, stress can be a surmounting factor to be aware.

Ox Wealth
The Ox could enjoy an improvement financially, but you may face a number of large expenses over the year. To maneuver your budget through the year of the Ox, exercise care and sensible spending. It would be wise to seek professional advice when it comes to any speculative ventures or risky investments that create some sense of doubt.

word to the wise - julia devera

as my awesome doctor's-office-buddy says:

"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia."


i think it's the perfect mantra for 2009, no?

word to the wise - Epictetus

i was watching Serendipity last night, and this quote stood out.
"If you want to improve, be content to be though foolish and stupid."


then i googled it, and found even more prophetic quotes from this Greek philosopher.
"If you hear that someone is speaking ill of you, instead of trying to defend yourself you should say: 'He obviously does not know me very well, since there are so many other faults he could have mentioned.'”

"We tell lies, yet it is easy to show that lying is immoral."

"If thy brother wrongs thee, remember not so much his wrong-doing, but more than ever that he is thy brother."

"The greater the difficulty the more glory in surmounting it. Skillful pilots gain their reputation from storms and tempests."


and of those, i believe the most profound...and the least words.
"If you want to be a writer, write."

word to the wise - tom ford

"Time and silence are the most luxurious things today."


amen, brother. lol.

it's the simple things in life we forget

the past 24 hours have been enlightening. i never knew how refreshing blush-activating compliments or random acts of kindness can make me feel despite a long and exhausting week. if only life were guaranteed to be chock full of these simple pleasures.

at the end of the day, i'm genuinely grateful and sincerely happy.

word to the wise - 2 Corinthians 11:30

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.