The Secrets of My Walls

Hi friends!

I hope you are all having a good start to the week.

In one of my classes we were talking about the importance of art and the messages we surround ourselves with.

It got me thinking...

My walls are plastered with various art work and most of the time I pay little attention to it. But, it's always there-so what subconsciously is it reminding me of? Enlightening me about? Telling me about myself and my outlook on life?

To get me thinking about it, I decided to share with you what's on my walls and what it means to me:

Exhibit A:

Have you heard of PAPAYA!? I love their art work and that's where this piece comes from. I love this panel because it always is enforcing a positive message with serene colors. Even if I don't take the time to read it every time I walk by it or glance at my TV, it is always reminding me to listen to myself and be firm in my voice.

Exhibit B:

I am beyond in love with this quote. It is my favorite and hangs right above my light switch to make sure I glance at it at least twice a day. It helps remind me of things sometimes I desperately need to hear. For example, I just got a paper back and I didn't do as well as I wanted- number 2 served as great guidance.

Exhibit C:

The top picture is a canvas of the harbor I lived by last summer. It reminds me of happy times by the water with Mike.

The bottom picture shows you what a small child I am. I saw this as homegoods last summer and instantly loved it. I know it belongs in a nursery, but I couldn't help it-look at the hippo! He is too adorable. This picture reminds me to nurture my child-like side.

I'm happy I've surrounded myself with positive images. I'm a visual person and they make my room feel like a home. They remind me of the people, places and inspirations I love.

Hope you enjoyed taking a sneak peak at my walls! :)

What is some of the art you surround yourself with?

What does it tell you about yourself?

 

Linking up with #YOLO Mondays & Monday Mingling & I Love Bloglovin'

Learning to Be Happy

 Hi all!

I had a great weekend and hope you did, too! I went on what I consider to be the perfect Boston date (I'm so excited to be guest posting about it later this week!) And today I was able to see some of my fam at a brunch my sister and brother-in-law had.

This afternoon, I, in typical fashion, took a nap while Mike read. Before I fell asleep, though, I was thinking a lot about happiness. This weekend I felt blissfully happy-fuller than I have in a long time. 

When I feel this happy, I usually worry, which is pretty counter-productive. Ever hear that phrase, "waiting for the other shoe to drop"? Well, that is me a lot of the time. I worry that because I am so happy, that something in some area of my life is going to turn grey.

As I was laying there, sleepiness closing in, I realized-I needed to change my thought process. Why shouldn't I simply just be happy? Instead of worrying about my happiness, I just need to thank God for the blessing that it is and revel in the feeling of warmth it brings. Each day is each day. Whether it is a good or bad day doesn't depend on a single moment of happiness-it depends on a lot of things beyond my control. After all, this past week was horrible and look at what a great weekend I had.

So, this week I am making this my new mantra: Be Happy & Enjoy it. Simply live in the moment and throw both shoes out the window and go barefoot for a while.

Hope you all have a wonderful start to the week!!

Work it

on my run this morning (it started snowing! brrrr!)

Hi all!


I've decided to start a new blog update every Wednesday entitled "Workout Wednesday" (clever, right?)


I'm hoping that it will keep me accountable to actually being active, and that it will be a place for you and I to share our inspirations, favorite workouts, and that this can be a space of encouragement for one another! :)


So for my first Work out Wednesday I thought I'd share a bit of my own fitness story...


This January I decided it was time I really applied myself to being active. All throughout highschool and the beginning of college I was an entitled "bean pole." I could eat whatever I wanted and had the type of metabolism that kept the weight off and kept me at that bean pole stature. Fast forward three years and I managed to gain thirty pounds. I told my doctor it was my body's way of "becoming a woman!" Aka my metabolism finally slowed down and I developed curves for the first time in my life.


At first, I hated this. I was used to not having to work out and eating whatever I wanted. I wasn't used to being a larger pants size or needing to work out in order to feel healthy and be at the weight I wanted. I have struggled with the realization that I am no longer a "bean pole" over the last year and at the start of 2013 really decided I needed a mind shift.


Before I could become active, I realized I would have to do it for myself and not because I "needed" to lose weight but because I wanted to become healthier. I looked myself in the mirror and decided it was time to embrace my curves. I actively try to look at every person I come accross as a child of God and as beautiful. If I wanted to truly see others that way, I needed to see my own self that way.

And with this mind shift came a lot of freedom. I recognized my own beauty and also that if I wanted to get more fit and healthy-I should simply just do it for myself because it makes me feel good. And if my tummy shrinks while I'm at it-awesome.

Since then, I've joined the gym at school and sometimes am good at going, other weeks I struggle and put it off. My hope is that I keep trying and get better at making fitness a priority. And when I am feeling down or frustrated with the lack of immediate results to remind myself: Hey LB, you are beautiful just the way you are.


Try it yourself:


Hey, ___________, you are beautiful just the way you are.


I think that's a fact worth remembering.


Love,
LB
                                                                                                             What inspires you to be healthy?
                                          How do you encourage yourself? Especially when you feel frustrated?

Thirty-One Years

Dear Mom and Dad,

Happy wedding anniversary! Can you believe you have been married thirty-one years? Time flies when you are taking care of awesome kids. ;)

I wanted to write you to tell you thank you for teaching me so much about life, love and marriage. Throughout your marriage you have dedicated yourselves to being such wonderful parents. And for that Jess, Meg, David and I have immensely been nutured, loved and blessed. You are the reason we all have turned into the people we are today.

You've taught me that marriage isn't roses all the time and takes hard work like any relationship. Through this I have learned in my own relationship with Michael that we have to continually work at it. Romance isn't always a fairytale and there are going to be many bumps in the road. You've taught me that if you work through those bumps, though, there is something beautiful waiting on the other side.

Before I get too mushy, I will simply end with an I love you and a Happy Anniversary Momma & Poppa.

xoxo,

LB