Damn you, Ingrid.

Remembering...

I know it's not politically correct, but I don't particularly like September 11 Memorials.  I just don't like feeling sad and dwelling on horrible atrocities.  I almost feel like it's giving more satisfaction to those awful men who orchestrated. 

 This week when the 10th anniversary was mentioned on the news or the radio, I found myself switching stations.  In the past I've always been a "just get through the day" kind of girl, trying hard not to remember those haunting images.  

But yesterday, there was one man who called into the radio station and unexpectedly, he shared about 9/11.  I don't remember word-for-word what he said, but his message was beautiful.  He said that whenever he thinks of 9/11, he thinks of firefighters and police.  He thinks of people who flocked to the city to help, he thinks of the stories of altruism, but most of all he thinks of the beauty of the human spirit.  The resilient human spirit.  He went on to say that 9/11 was an atrocity toward all humans, how the world stopped when it happened, but the world also began to pick up and to live again, to forgive again. And that's what he wishes would be celebrated this weekend.  

I used to think I needed to live each day to the fullest.  Whenever I check in with myself on this aspect, I tend to feel really disappointed with myself.  I could have done more, I wasted time there, I didn't do that... I am sure I could go on & on.

 But this afternoon, as I was reading my favorite blogger's recent happenings, I had a kaleidoscope experience.

I used to think I needed to fill my day up chock full of activities or else I wouldn't truly be living.  (No wonder I felt so guilty).  But this afternoon, I realized it's not that I "do" each day to the fullest, but enjoy each day to the fullest.  Enjoying each day to the fullest is so much easier - it just seems to take the pressure out of it... I shouldn't feel guilty about my newest habit of afternoon naps or staying in & reading my book with a bowl of oatmeal.

Here's to enjoying each day of the rest of my life!

Thanks Laura!

Sweet Sunday Tunes

Reset Button

Yesterday, I got off of a stressful day at work, and headed out to the beach with Nicole.  I am having a rough time at my externship because after talking with classmates, it seems they are doing more. It came to a head with an exchange I had with my clinical instructor.  (I was just not understanding her expectations) And so it was a perfect afternoon to hit "Reset".

Once I saw the green-blue ocean, it's power started to work.  After only sitting on the sand for about 20 minutes, I got my "beach high".  An all-over calm set in and stayed for the duration of the evening....Reset had happened.

Last night my boyfriend asked me what my favorite thing to do at the beach was, and I didn't really have an answer for him.  He replied with, "I'm just trying to understand why you LOVE it SO much" to which I replied:

"Because it's the best visual of God for me.  It's so big, stretches farther than I can see, it's deeper than I can possibly imagine, and it connects everything together.  (The 7 oceans really are just 1 big ocean) and the waves are so powerful and can be unpredictable.  I am just reminded how insignificant my life and my problems are.  The combination of the rhythm of the waves, the sun, the smell of salt...nothing can compare."

Perfect day to hit Reset.

This is exactly how I feel today.  This week I've started seeing & doing a little bit more at externship.  At the end of the day, I'm energized & ready to play! I'm thinkin I've got a sweet life ahead of me!

picture from weheartit.com