A little Thing Called Perspective

Pin It

I have always been someone with a vast imagination...for thinking big...and dreaming even bigger. Even as a little girl, I remember going for walks by myself and letting my mind just wander. I used to sit and close my eyes and dream about what my life would look like when I "grew up". As a child, dreaming big was always encouraged....fantasizing about the dream job I would have (I wanted to be an actress) dreaming of my future husband (Leonardo DiCaprio...duh, Titanic anyone?) or the fantasy of traveling or moving to some far off country. 

We all dreamed big as children (or at least I hope so) but for me...the dreaming never really went away. I've found myself sometimes living in this world that life can be a dream....that at any moment something extraordinary could happen in my very ordinary life. Maybe I'll somehow be able to quit work and travel to Bali, Thailand, and India and focus on just finding myself...or maybe my mom will finally win the lottery (I wonder where I get my imagination from :) ) or, like a cliche movie plot...everything will just finally come together. 

With big dreams, comes big expectations....and we all know what that leads to...DISAPPOINTMENT. I've come to realize a little more everyday how deadly expectations can be. Expectations are tricky though...because they aren't all bad. And when you see other people getting what you "expect"...you ask yourself..."why don't I have that?" "what am I doing wrong that my expectations are so far off?" The fact is,

"no one is living the life you think they are..."

The best remedy I've come up with is this little thing called perspective. It's human nature to expect and compare to things we don't have (tangible and intangible) but it's up to us how to react to it. I may not have the life I "dream" of...but this much I know is true. I have a great job that I'm fortunate to have in this economy, family and friends that are truly one of a kind people, two of the sweetest most loving dogs, and a man who sticks by my side through hell and high water. That's all the perspective I need sometimes. 

What puts life into perspective for YOU?

Humor Me Friday

Pin It

We all need a little humor in our life. Something to put a smile on our face...to even make us giggle a bit. This is why I thought of Humor Me Friday, which will be posts every Friday about all things FUNNY. 

This week I pulled some of my favorites from my {pintrest} board. (disclaimer...if you are easily offended, I apologize now. I tend to have the mind of a dirty old man ha)

 

A Mental Vacation

Pin It

Everyone needs vacations. I know I sure do! Most of the time I dream of traveling to some hot and exotic place (especially during Minnesota winters) and laying on the beach. But today isn't one of those days. Today is one of the days where I wish mental vacations were possible. Vacations, after all, are really just attempts to actually shut your brain off from reality and "get away", right? But unfortunately the human mind doesn't like to let you off the hook that easily. 

I have one of those minds that just keeps thinking...and thinking...and thinking....well you get the point. "Shutting" off my mind is nearly impossible. I also have the privilege of having what I call "obsessive thoughts" where no matter how much I tell myself "stop thinking about that!" the thought just sits there laughing and mocking me. Oh silly thoughts. 

Unfortunately since mental vacations aren't real nor will they are truly be, I've found a few ways that helps my mind relax a bit. One way that helps clear my thoughts is listening to Buddhist chants and focusing on "ridding" myself of negative thoughts. I'm in a sense, attempting to meditate, but unfortunately, I'm a long way off to mastering that art. Another way that helps is doing yoga. Yoga really helps me keep my focus on each individual pose, allowing my mind to be freed of other thoughts. Yoga is so far the closest I've ever come to a real "mental vacation". 

What do YOU do to give yourself a "mental vacation"?

Five Reasons Traveling to Colorado is a Must (Listable Life)

Pin It

I'm really excited to join in on the fun from Moments That Define Life's linky party listable life. 

I chose to do Five reason traveling to Colorado is a must

{Numero Uno} Breathing taking views. Colorado has some of the most beautiful views I've ever seen. There's something so peaceful once you've hiked for miles and miles and finally come out to the clearing on the top. It really puts things in perspective on how tiny we are in this big BIG world. 

{Numero Dos} White Water Rafting. I've never had the desire to go White Water Rafting, but decided to not miss out on the opportunity when all my friends wanted to go. Boy, am I glad I decided to do it! We went to Clear Creek Rafting in Idaho Springs. I know you can White Water Raft in many places, but being able to do it down a river surrounded by giant moutains is truly a remarkable experience!

 {Numero Tres} Red Rocks Amphitheatre. The Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison is a surreal experience. Nothing can prepare you for how truly incredible it really is. When we were there, we saw Dispatch, which was all the more amazing. Red Rocks was by far the most phenomonal music venue I've ever been to.

 

  

 {Numero Quatro} The night life. Colorado, specifically Boulder, has a fun and unique night life. The famous Pearl Street is a hot spot to find great bars and restaurants where you can find lounging, dancing, and even bull riding! The Lychee Martinis there are simply the best too! 

 {Numero Cinco} My best friend lives there. The best reason of all to travel to Colorado is because my best friend since the age of five moved there a few years back. It really doesn't matter what we're doing, as long as I'm with her. She is truly one of the most remarkable human beings alive and I'm blessed to have her in my life. Colorado is a lucky lucky state to have her! :)

Sledding Isn't Just for Kids

Pin It

Last weekend, my boyfriend and I packed up the dogs and headed to Wisconsin where my parents live . Despite how much I absolutely love the city, it's nice sometimes to get away from the chaos and be surrounded by nature. My parents live on 200 acres...so literally. :) It was a nice break with a lot of lounging around, eating mom's home cooked meals, laughing hysterically playing Catch Phrase (one of the best games EVER), playing poker, and of course sledding! I felt like a kid again screaming my head off while we went down the hill. But I don't remember sledding being so exhausting....I guess some things do change (note to self...I need to start getting back into shape!) 

sledding with my man

home made craisen scones

blue moon and poker

ABC's Of Me

Pin It

A. Age – 25
B. Bed size – queen...would give anything for a california king though (sleeping with my man and two dogs isn't always the most comfortable haha)
C. Chore that you hate – i generally love cleaning because it relaxes me and makes me feel less stressed. but cleaning the bathroom (particularly the toilet and shower) is not what i call fun.
D. Dogs – bella and zoë...the sweetest, most adorable pups alive!
E. Essential start to your day – cuddles with my pups and a kiss from my man (however sleepy-eyed and unhappy we may be in the morning...which is a lot haha)
F. Favorite color – i love pretty much all colors.
G. Gold or silver – both! 
H. Height –5'5"
I. Instruments you play – love to sing...does that count? i also rocked it out on my trumpet and flute in middle school HA
J. Job title – account executive for the cw twin cities
K. Kids – proud dog mommy to bell and zo zo. kids are definitely in the future though :)
L. Love life - happily in love for six years :)
M. Mother’s name – charlotte louise...the best mother in the entire world (no but seriously)
N. Nicknames – most of my friends call me cat
O. Operations - arthroscopic elbow surgery 
P. Pet peeves – throughout the years i've tried to become more tolerant with my pet peeves...but three things i don't think i'll ever be able to fully accept are: liars, exaggerators, and people who discriminate (this is something i am extremely passionate about) Judge someone by their character, not by the color of their skin, religious beliefs, sexual orientation etc.
Q. Quote from a movie – any quote from liar liar or elf
R. Right or left handed – right
S. Siblings – 2 older brothers and one lovely sister-in-law 
T. Time it takes you to get ready – depends on what i'm getting ready for...but anywhere from 30-60 minutes
U. Underwear – no comment
V. Vegetable you hate – i pretty much love all veggies
W. What makes you run late – deciding what to wear
X. X-rays you’ve had – head, arm, elbow and both ankles
Y. Yummy food you love – i could eat sushi everyday
Z. Zoo animal – i love all the animals...but some of my favs are giraffes, monkeys(even though their faces make me sad sometimes), and the penguins. 

Wisdom Wednesday

Pin It

If you know me at all, you know how obsessed I am with all things quotes/lyrics/inspirational messages etc. From now on I'll be sharing my favorites on Wisdom Wednesday.