It really sucks that yesterday's mistakes affect what happens today. As much as we would all love to say, "The past is behind me. All of the things I didn't do, couldn't do, and accidentally did do not affect what is in the present and what is upcoming in the future," it does. And because of this it is easy to be held back and hurt by the things that haunt us most.

Funny how it is always the past failures, rather than the successes, that stay with us--isn't it?

Do this--make a list of the proudest achievements in your life up to date. Then, read it over, see how they have strengthened you, and how they have made you into the sort of person who can achieve your future goals. Then agree to follow this rule: From now on, I will not allow what haven't done and couldn't do in the past, to change and affect my outlook on the future. I will not allow these failures and mis-doings bring me down. I will keep a positive outlook on what I can and have accomplished.

No, you won't always be able to follow that rule. Yes, sometimes you will get down. But try your absolute hardest to remember how far you have come--what you have accomplished with how much (or little) you have. Let that feeling of empowerment fill you and sustain you through the whale's belly, into the light.

It's dark right now, but you have to move forward to find the light switch.

Lol noooo....

When you understand, Megan, that what most people really, really want is simply to feel good about themselves, and when you realize that with just a few well-chosen words you can help virtually anyone on the planet instantly achieve this, you begin to realize just how simple life is, how powerful you are, and that love is the key.

Fly little bird,
The Universe

I actually hate having my birthday acknowledged. I really try to not tell anyone. I prefer to do things for other people and I always feel awkward receiving gifts and things (not that I don't appreciate it, I just prefer getting stuff for other people as opposed to getting stuff myself). I mean, yeah presents are great, but I'd prefer to buy myself a cake and share it with everyone I care about than having people buy stuff for me. It's like...I feel really selfish. But when I get stuff for other people (especially unexpectedly) their faces light up and I feel as if whatever amount I spent on them, they gave me double in return. But when I receive something, I just feel as if they went out and put all this effort into finding something, and now I need to return the favor because how great is it that they've gone out and thought about me unnecessarily?

Yeah...I'm weird like that.

For example, last night I brought cupcakes to work to share for everyone. And when Kayla found out I brought them because my birthday was the next day, she asked, "Why are you buying yourself cupcakes? Isn't it supposed to be the other way around?" BUUUUT~ all night long everyone was coming up to me and thanking me and giving me hugs and they were all just filled with so much gratitude for my gift to them, that I felt as if they had each gone out and bought me something.

Crazy, isn't it? The way we can reward ourselves by simply giving to others what we ourselves would enjoy. ....AMAZING!

So the next time an occasion rolls around when you feel the need to receive things from other people, stop. Look around. Buy them something instead, and feel how good it feels to be doing the beautifully unexpected.

Hey guys...guys! Let's shuck off the remainders of these old lives we've lived....okay? Let's be rid of all of this negative down thinking we've let take possession of us. Let's get rid of some things. Throw them away, donate them, be rid of them! Let's agree to start anew....okay? Clean slate. Blank pages. Nothing stands in the past. We're new people today. Okay?? Okay?!?!!? DON'T LET THIS WORLD GET US DOWN!!

So, let’s forget each other countless times
And when we meet again, it will be wonderful
Goodbye
Nice to meet you

-"Kono Yo no Kagiri," Ringo Shiina

Today's word is....


spark·ly (spär'klē)
adj. spark·li·er, spark·li·est

1. a) Giving off tiny flashes of light; glittery: a dress with sparkly sequins. b) Lively; vivacious: a sparkly personality.
2. Effervescent.

~

From Gala Darling's Style Tips:

♥ Wear something sparkly, get in the bath, pool or a big puddle, & have a mermaid photoshoot.

11:11 by =girltripped on deviantART


I've recently begun attempting to cut any and all over the counter medications from my life. The results have been...interesting. But I'm not here to piss and moan about my current predicament. In fact, I find I complain about my life much too much.

It's so easy to sit back and whine that you're bored and there is nothing to do in the summer and that all of your friends either hate you (or vice versa) and that life must absolutely despise you because the world is so dull--but how hard is it to get up and actually do something about it?

I'm relatively self-sufficient. I have a truck with a (as of now) full gas tank. I have a (relatively) well-paying job. I'm a creative, vivid individual with gobs of energy and spunk. Why, in the name of the Grand Creator of Everything, can I not simply entertain myself?

Hmmm...good question.

So, I have resolved (as I believe you should, too) that tomorrow will be absolutely, utterly, completely, unbelievably FANTASTIC. And I believe whole-heartedly that you should resolve to do the very same.

Dress up in your absolute finest (whatever that may be). Let's face it--it can be great fun to dress up for no apparent reason. So put on all of your frills, glitter, jewels, or whatever it is you use for "fancy-dress" and go out and do...whatever you want. Run errands. Treat yourself to an extra-large smoothie. Go to a yoga class (actually, this is probably a bad idea!). Catch a movie. Wander the mall. Eat at a fancy (or, better yet, really not fancy!) restaurant. Lounge around the house. When people scratch their heads and ask you what the occasion is, tell them that it is a celebration--of yourself. Then give them your most dazzling smile and waltz off in all of your glory.

Because YOU deserve a holiday. Not just a holiday off from work and school and life in general, but a special day to celebrate all that is you. Read something by your favorite author. Get your favorite food. YOU deserve it. You are amazing, spectacular, utterly FIERCE. Why shouldn't you celebrate yourself? You are beautiful and effervescent. You are brilliant and witty and fine. There is no one in this world who is like you--and that is the best possible trait about yourself. You are original. You are authentic. You are unquestionably YOU. You are creation of this universe--and a masterpiece at that!

So take tomorrow and embrace yourself and make sure that your life, if only for one day, is sparkly.

- ♥

On another, more serious note: How do you describe your religion (or, non-religion) to someone who has never even heard of your beliefs before?

About a month ago, I, along with several members from my choir, were singing at our director's church and my religious leanings came up when I didn't pray. Now, for those of you who don't know, my religious views are best described as deist. As such, I don't really believe in prayer. One of the girls in my choir then asked me what deism was. I floundered. I had no idea how to quickly explain it. I could have, given about 10 minutes, but it was just a passing curiosity and she wanted a two second reply. The fastest statement of my beliefs was: "Well deism is a religion that grew out of Christianity and was most popular between the sixteen- and eighteen-hundreds. It's essentially belief in God, but in a God who created the universe and everything within in and stepped back to watch what happens. It may seem like abandonment, but it's really just a grand experiment." Yeah....I kind of failed. But I had never before realized how difficult it is to summarize such a meaningful thing in such a small amount of time.

Has anyone ever been faced with this sort of predicament before? It's surprisingly had to just cram your beliefs into a nutshell.

And with that thought, I bid you all a fair good night, because it is like 3 o' clock in the morning and I have a busy day planned. :)

( Best Pep Talk EVER )



I love Sue Grafton. Never read her...but I love her.

WHERE IS MY PEP TALK!?!?!?!!?

D:<


SERIOUSLY. THERE IS TO BE A ONCE A WEEK PEP TALK AND I WANT TO KNOW WHERE THE F*** MINE IS. THIS IS WHY CHRIS BATY SHOULD BE THE ONLY ONE DOING PEP TALKS!!!!!!!!!!


I WANT MY PEP TALK!!!

Hey NaNo.....WHERE THE HECK IS MY PEP TALK?!

That's all.

Also....I think I liked my Halloween layout more....am switching back NOW.