7 Beautiful Lost Treasures

In this crazy and fast paced time, it is so easy to lose sight of the things that mean the most in life. We search for happiness in all of the wrong places, seeking instant gratification in replacement for pure happiness. We all need to remember that some of the most beautiful treasures in this world can't be bought.

1. True friendship. Between finding new jobs, moving towns, and discovering new groups of people to try to fit in with, it is easy to lose sight of the people who truly love us and have always stood by us through everything. Take a moment to remember those anchoring friendships that can't be replaced.

2. Love. Our culture is obsessed with receiving what we want with no commitments as seen by the encouragement of crazy one night stands, drunk sex, and random hookups at parties without any attention of a call the next day. Amid this "hook up" culture, we all need to remember that there is something more for us when we are ready.

3. Exploring. When was the last time you took a trek through the woods just to see the nature and get a break from the "real world"? Or searched out a new coffee shop or music venue in your city? There is so much to be discovered and enjoyed in this world if only we looked.

4. Being Present. Sometimes the thing we need most is to just breathe. To take a moment and soak in the world around us. It is incredible how much more relaxed we would feel if we just took a break from the insanity of life and just took a moment to simply be.

5. Gratefulness. A true lost treasure in this life is a grateful heart. Nothing is worse than someone who seemingly has it all yet is so sour about their situation. We all have so much to be thankful for in this life that there should never be a moment when we are not counting our blessings.

6. Family. No matter how crazy and wild families can be, they are the people who are there for us through thick and thin at the end of the day. And family doesn't just have to be blood, they can be anyone who loves you for the wonderful, amazing person you are.

7. Laughter. Laughter soothes the soul and is life's best medicine. It is one thing that is free to everyone and can be shared between friends and strangers alike. "A day without laughter is a day wasted." - Charlie Chaplin

Photo credit: Austin Watson
His Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/austin.watson

7 Reverse Resolutions for 2015

So many people are focused on things they should do this next year that they forget the habits that they should stop doing instead. Here are 7 ways to make 2015 your most succesful year yet:

1. Stop not ordering the fries (or whatever unhealthy option you crave)

Sure, ordering a side of steamed vegetables with your meal at a restaurant versus garlic, buttery mashed potatoes or French fries is definitely healthier, but if you want the fries then just do it! Just make sure your other choices are healthy ones. Chances are you will wish you had the fries later and overindulge in something else to make up for it anyway.

2. Stop complaining on social media.

Honesty, it's just tacky. When you are on the Internet, all people see is what you present them. If all you are showing people is your crappy day at work or giving them your side of a major fight with a friend, then all they are gonna see is someone who isn't mature enough to get off Facebook and handle their problems.

3. Stop body shaming each other. 

Or any other kind of shaming. Nothing is worse then spending om hours working out or hours getting ready with the little voice in the back of your mind telling you that unless you look perfect someone will judge you. Who cares if someone isn't a size 2 or doesn't have the best haircut in the world. How would you like it if you were judged by the standards of which you judged others?

4. Quit doubting yourself.

You are capable of anything you set your mind to and you truly can accomplish all of your dreams. The more you tell yourself that you can't do something, the more likely it is that you will never do it. But the same is true for the opposite. Build yourself up. Have confidence.

5. Get off your phone.

Seriously. Let 2015 be the year that you actually live, not just document in pictures of social media or fly through without soaking it in because you are  texting your best friend or checking emails. Put the phone down and be present this year. I promise you won't regret it.

6. Stop making excuses. 

Stop making excuses to yourself about why you are too busy to workout and just do it. Stop fumbling for an excuse as to why you told your friend no to something they asked you to do for them or why you refused to stay overtime at work when your boss asked you at the last second because he knows he can always get you to say yes. Just say no and realize you don't owe an explanation to anyone. Be confident in yourself and stand firm in your answer without feeling the need for explaining and others will see that steadfastness in you and wish they could be the same. 

7. Stop waiting for later to have fun.

The time is now and you really only do have the present, as cliche as that might seem. So just go for it! Take an unexpected trip somewhere, dance in the car, joke around with a complete stranger in line, do everything! Don't wait till tomorrow or next month to enjoy your life when right now is the only time you are garaunteed. 

Image: Tumblr.com

34 Things Only College Students Understand

1. Balancing awkwardly in the shower just to shave your legs

2. The pure joy at having enough money to buy groceries other than canned soup and cereal

3. The struggle of an 8am the Friday after a successful Thirsty Thursday

4. Deciding between studying for class or Netflix

5. 2am pizza deliveries

6. When the dorms are too heated in summer and too cold in winter

7. Reusing plastic cups because you can't afford to buy new ones

8. Locking your fridge when your hungry friends come over

9. Counting coins for going out money

10. Calling your mom the first time you get sick away from home

11. Getting 30 dollars back on buyback day for 400 dollars worth of books

12. Making clothes last 3 or 4 weeks in between laundry loads

13. Drinking your cereal from a mug because you can't find your only spoon or bowl

14. "Hanging out" is just everyone doing homework together

15. Walmart at midnight is a normal routine

16. So is IHOP

17. That one kid in class who argues with the professor about everything

18. Not remembering the last time you were up early enough on the weekend for breakfast

19. Coming home on break and being asked the same questions a thousand times

20. Misreading an upcoming due date

21. Wondering how much of the stuff you actually use on campus that you have to pay for anyways

22. The feeling of a full tank of gas

23. Coming home for break and marveling at what real food tastes like

24. When work sounds funner than studying

25. Late night movie marathons

26. Studying on a Saturday night

27. Doing laundry at 12am on a Wednesday night

28. Coupons

29, Finals week

30. Not remembering the last time you had a full night of sleep

31. Looking at all the debt you are going to have

32. Seeing your final grade in a class

33. Doing laundry based off of supply of clean underwear and socks

34. College parking lots

Why Everyone Needs to Take Risks

   

        I am having a hard time knowing what to write. I think that I have started to feel trapped in this box of writing what I think most people will want to hear instead of what I want to say. I want this blog along with all my other endeavors to be successful of course, but I think that I have started to put too much pressure on myself to figure it all out right now and have the plan set in stone of what I want to do and what I would like to accomplish. I have never been one for wanting to take great risks, I kind of have always been a little anxious to leap into the unknown, yet I always admired those who did. Lately I have felt uncomfortable in the life that I am pursuing. I feel restless and a little bored to be honest. I feel like I have done things I have always done and I have pursued things I have always pursued. But that needs to end. I have started to make little tweaks to my life and it feels great and I think that everyone should try it.

      Life is all about taking risks. There are big risks and there are small risks. Nevertheless, nothing good in life will come without taking a few leaps of blind faith and hoping for the best. I had pursued the same idea of what career I want for years, probably since maybe 5th or 6th grade. I had ignored all other inklings towards other interests and simply focused on my predetermined idea of what my life should turn out to be. But recently I spoke to someone about how unsatisfied I felt in pursuing the career track I was on (nutrition, by the way), so we chatted a little about it. I told her how much I loved writing and blogging, and how my dream career would be a journalist for National Geographic Travel. She asked me questions about why I liked writing and what about it that I enjoyed until suddenly it just clicked. I realized that all this time I have been settling on my "safe" passion for nutrition because I was too afraid to take the chance of failing and my true one of journalism. There is always going to be a need for people in the medical field, but journalism is quite a bit less secure. A lot of journalists are simply freelance writers trying to just make a living before they can secure a steady, constant job. Though I still love nutrition, I finally understood that part of me shut out journalism as an option because it involves a lot of unsteady footing and days where I wouldn't know exactly what my next step would be. It is a risk. But I am taking this risk and I am excited.
        I think risks are something that all people should take. They don't have to be huge, life altering risks. A risk can be something as simple as maybe just trying out a new activity that you have never done but always wanted to try. A risk can also be as imaginative as you would like, say, moving to a new city on a whim. Risks help us to grow. Without taking chances, we as people stay complacent in our daily routines and live in a state of mind that traps us in fear, anxiety, nervousness, boredom, and robs us of the possibility to have a future even better than we could have dreamed of. Taking a blind leap of faith into the unknown may not always be successful though. Sometimes it may hurt us. That is part of the game when it comes to taking risks. But even the failed chances can reveal positive personal growth. They give us a chance maybe to move on from what we thought we wanted, or they serve as motivation to push even harder towards our goals. Regardless of if the outcome is not what we anticipated, without risks we might never know what we could possibly achieve.
     Take chances and truly live.

Winter Bucket List

Winter is finally here! Snow flakes, hot chocolate, and the holidays! I have been anticipating winter for weeks and day dreaming about what I wanted to do during its chilly days. I came up with a list of things I can't wait to do and I hope you find inspiration for your own winter bucket list too!

1. Snowshoeing. For some reason taking a trek through the forest and catching snow flakes on my tongue sounds absolutely perfect.

2. Make homemade hot chocolate. Who can resist velvety smooth hot chocolate in front of a fire place when its chilly outside?

3. Knit a scarf. This may be a little unusual but knitting seems like the perfect activity to do once it gets dark and you just want to snuggle up in a blanket with that homemade hot chocolate you just made.

4. Read an entire book. I don't remember the last time I have had enough time to read a whole book but now that it is winter I cannot wait to spend a few evening with a great novel.

5. Take a hot bath. Baths get about ten times better when it is cold outside and nothing is better than taking a warm, fluffy bubble bath with some Christmas music and candles.

6. Christmas shop. I personally look forward to buying presents and Christmas decorations. It is fun to see the stores all lined with red, green, and gold as you are searching for the perfect gift.

7. Shovel snow. This doesn't really make it to the top of the list of the most exciting things to do during wintry days, but shoveling someone else's driveway for them is a great way to spread love and kindness during this holiday season.

8. Drink eggnog. I have already consumed an entire carton by myself and its barely December. Whoops. Like the boyfriend in We're the Millers would say, I have #NoRagrets.

9. Build a snowman. Obviously.

10. Go sledding/skiing/snowboarding. Whatever activity suits you the best, go out and enjoy it! Have fun in this change of seasons and get the most of it before the warmer months come once again.




picture link: https://www.google.com/search?q=pretty+sledding&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=971&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=CvV8VNimK4i3yATup4HABg&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ#tbm=isch&q=cute+christmas+pictures+tumblr&revid=1405734930&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=X5w4B3GZ8TfmNM%253A%3BLwYK8RFAqj-fiM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252F31.media.tumblr.com%252Ftumblr_lrxx52hYxv1r2bcl2o1_500.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fquoteeveryday.com%252Fcute-christmas-tumblr%252F%3B500%3B333

The Greatest Things in Life

The best things in life aren't the most expensive or elaborate ones. They are the little joys often overlooked and forgotten while we are amiss our hectic schedules. They are the little things that make our day to day living a little more special.

1. Having your hair brushed by your mom

2. A piece of chocolate

3. Holding hands with your significant other 

4. Fresh snow before it has been walked through 

5. The rewarding feeling after a hard workout

6. A perfectly ripe piece of fruit

7. Listening to music and getting ready for a first date 

8. A full tank of gas

9. The smell of the ocean 

10. Homemade ice-cream

11. A bouquet of daisies

12. When the radio plays all the right songs

13. 7 for 26 underwear sale

14. Wearing fuzzy socks when your feet are cold

15. Cuddling with your pet

16. Spending the whole day doing absolutely nothing

17. A great hair day

18. Disney movies

19. Hot tea on a chilly morning

20. Having the door held for you

21. When a stranger smiles your way

22. Phone calls from missed friends

23, Movie nights

24. Receiving a random act of kindness

25. Giving a random act of kindness

Operation Christmas Child

 Hi guys, as Christmas is rounding the corner I think that it is extremely important to talk about something other than pretty lights and candy canes. This post is about Operation Christmas child, which is a fundraiser/event done by the Samaritan Purse Organization that gives people the opportunity to give gifts to children that don't have anything. 

     What you do is grab a shoe box or buy a little plastic box that is around the same size, and fill it with toys and candy and hygienic supplies for these kids to receive and treasure. There of course are other stipulations that come along with doing this box, such as the due date is Nov 24th and also there are certain things you can't pack, like fluid stuff (bubbles, juice boxes) or toys that are inappropriate for their area (water guns, plastic army guys ect).  

     This is done by a Christian organization but by no means is something that only "religious" people can do. This is a fantastic way to remember others during this crazy time of the year where we all might otherwise forget about the people who don't get the opportunity to hit up black Friday or buy presents because they don't even have clothes or food. We are blessed beyond belief and by spreading our blessings to others, it helps their Christmas become a little better too. Making a shoe box can be as cheap or as expensive as you want and they truly do make a difference. If you go to the website posted below you will see videos of kids crying with excitement over receiving a little cheap doll because for many of them that will be the first thing of their very own that they have ever received. Even the parents get excited because if their child receives a little plastic tub full of toys, then the tub can now be a new water vessel or something to preserve their food.

     It is unfathomable how much good just a little love can spread. If you want to get involved, the website to visit for more information is :

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/