Well, if you didn’t know by now, I got a new job. *HOORAY!* I’ve managed to work my way up to finding a full-time can of awesomeness where I get to do what I am most passionate about. All. Day. Long. It’s kind of weird to tell you the truth. I’m so used to doing a million and one different jobs everyday that when I’m left alone to create my masterpieces (modest much?) I’m left wondering why nobody is bothering me. Ha. I’m sure the feeling will quickly fade and I will fall into a graphic designing bliss soon enough but for right now, I’m simply going through some (fabulous) changes in my work life.

Often times, I find myself thinking that the way life works out is so funny. I’ve spent a good deal (basically all) of this year building my “personal brand” and working diligently to expand my network and skills. Roughly 8 months later and I’m actually at a job I’ve been absolutely craving to be at. Just seems funny (and awesome) to me.

Earlier this week I was talking to my brother on the phone. He just recently graduated (Congratulations, Josh!) and we were talking about him looking for jobs. He was a little frustrated, as I’m sure most are that are currently looking for a job are, and I found myself saying to him:

When the timing is right, doors will open for you.

Read that line again. Slowly.

Think about it. Just because what you want isn’t happening RIGHT this very second doesn’t mean it won’t happen. It doesn’t mean that you won’t find that dream job, or that love you’re searching for, or a couple extra bucks in your bank account. All it means is that the universe is diligently working to move things around and little by little everything will fall into place. All you have to do is just keep pushing, working hard, find TRUST deep in your soul, and believe with all your heart that it IS in fact going to work out.

Keep putting your good vibes out in the universe. It will return the favor. I promise. =)

Yep, I said it. Let me explain – I went to Target to buy a Christmas present for one of my friends. I ventured to the clothing section, saw some cheap shirts on sale – convinced myself I could NOT leave without them because I needed some new workout clothes. BAM – $20 later, new clothes and no Christmas present.

Okay, okay…this could also be known as a little disease called I AM ADDICTED TO SHOPPING.

Sooooo, for that purpose, I’m going to give you another example. :)

I met someone a few weeks ago (yay me!) – he is cute, smart, and impressed me by actually approaching ME first (apparently, I’m not easy to approach or so I’ve been told – I think it’s rubbish!) Anyway, long story short – I gave him my phone number, we talked, arranged a date. Then, there was no conversation between that time and the actual date. So, I canceled.

Why?

Because I am the master of justifying anything and everything.

I convinced myself that he wasn’t interested because there was no in-between conversation and therefore it was destined to fail.

I convinced myself (because of past experiences) that his name destined him to be an asshole.

And I also convinced myself that there was no point in opening my heart again (yes, I got ahead of myself) when I *knew* it would end up in broken pieces.

Do I regret it? No.
Am I crazy? Probably.
Am I an overanalyzer? Absolutely.
Do I need psychological help? No comment.

Essentially, all of the above is not something I’m proud of or something I willingly wanted to admit (ALL OVER THE WEB), but I also know that all of the above is big giant load of negativity. Why would I convince myself that bad things are going to keep happening to me? Why would I convince myself that my heart is destined to be in tiny pieces on a floor rather than being loved by someone? Do you do this? THAT, my friend, is not something I want to portray or believe anymore. The past couple weeks I have made it my personal mission to start eliminating these negative thoughts in my mind (who needs New Year’s resolutions? START NOW!)

So, I would like to introduce you to a little thing called: *drum roll please*

POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE

Or as I like to call it PMA!

“PMA implies that one has a vision of good natured change in one’s mind; it employs a state of mind that continues to seek, find and execute ways to win, or find a desirable outcome, regardless of the circumstances. It rejects negativity, defeatism and hopelessness.”

Simple, right?

Why yes, yes it is. I know that at first, it wasn’t easy for me. I had to make some decisions and weed out some things and people. And I definitely have my days (hell, this WHOLE WEEK has been a little bit of a nightmare) … But you know what? Everyday, I wake up with the hope that today WILL be better than yesterday, and so far, everyday HAS been. What I think is important to realize is that…

YOU
MAKE
YOUR
DAY
POSITIVE
OR
NEGATIVE

Did you notice the keyword in that sentence?

YOU

Yes, bad things happen. Yes, work sometimes sucks. Yes, money is tight. But the real test (I think) is: Are you going to let it ruin your day? Or are you going to just HANG IN THERE, realize that it’s just a bad moment or a hard couple hours, and find hope in yourself that you can tackle this and overcome it?

I know I can. And you know what? When I don’t think I can, I have amazing friends in my life to help me get by. (Click each one of those words, they’ll want to help you too if you don’t think you can.)

I’ve got a one way ticket to PMA. Who’s comin?

Last week, reality slapped me in the face yet again. Five people were injured and one person died in a mass shooting in downtown Orlando, FL (where I live!) I know that this sort of thing happens everyday, everywhere…hell that shooting happened in Fort Hood just the day before. Children are kidnapped and killed, three young softball players drive into a pond and die in North Dakota.

Happens all the time.

But this time, it just hit closer to my heart.

Got me thinking about life and how much we really take things for granted. How we don’t take the time to tell people we love them – through actions or words. How we hold too many grudges and don’t forgive enough. How we don’t skip the gym enough for movie night with our friends. How we let an unreturned phone call or text lead to sadness and tears. How we don’t appreciate the amazing friends and family we have in our lives (regardless of how difficult they can be).

I’ve been reminded of this lesson a million and one times, whether it’s getting that phone call that your brother’s been in another accident, or your grandma has passed away, or that your friend’s heart keeps getting broken again and again by the same stupid guy. But you know what? You and I both are going to need to be reminded to not take life for granted (I’d rather be reminded by words than events!) over and over because unfortunately even when we’re reminded, we will always forget again.

So, all I really want you to take from this post today is to appreciate what you have, appreciate WHO you have, appreciate what people do for you, and don’t wait to do it.

Take your life to:
Love
Forgive
Smile
Hug
Give thanks
Leap
Dream
Achieve
Explore
Hope
Laugh til it hurts
Move on
Cry
Be adventurous
Take risks
Play
Appreciate today, for tomorrow’s not promised.

*Photo Credit

Sometimes I feel like there are certain people who keep moving, who keep doing what it takes to rise to the top – to be better, to grow, to learn, to network, to experience life. And then there are people who are stuck in their time warp. I’m not talking about those people or “friends” you need to take to the trash. I’m talking about the friends that haven’t really done a single thing wrong to you. They haven’t said anything hurtful to you, they haven’t betrayed you, they didn’t steal your boyfriend, or wished bad things on you. They have simply just stayed the same friend they’ve always been.

But for some reason, you just don’t want to be around them. You find yourself wanting to do some work on the side. Or stay home and watch the Discovery channel. Or dare I say it? You just simply find yourself wanting to be around other people. People that want more in their life than just mediocre.

Sure, you still care about them. You still respect and love them for who they are and what they’ve brought to your life. You still want what’s best for them. And you definitely don’t want to hurt them.

But you can’t help from wanting to slowly free yourself from those hands grasping so tightly to your friendship.

I was racking my brain trying to figure out why this happens. How something so innocent can be so hurtful to someone else. And then it dawned on me.

The reason is simply this: It’s not you. It’s me.

People change. People grow up. People want more for themselves. People don’t want to be stuck in the past. They want to rise to the top – to grow, to learn, to network, to experience life. Don’t you want that for other people? Don’t you want your friends to follow their dreams…to be happy? As harsh as this sounds, sometimes you just gotta realize that maybe, just maybe, you’re not meant to ride that train with them. Some people only come into your life for a reason – for a need. And what happens after that need is met?

You live.
You love.
You move on.

No hard feelings, right?