9.19.11

line a day: "friends are family."

gratitude: both my line of the day and my source of gratitude this afternoon come from the same place - this weekend was one of the best in recent memory. old friends and new(ish) friends came together and reminded me of what i have always known about myself, but sometimes takes a bit of a review - that no matter where i live, i have been the most blessed, most incredibly lucky person on earth to have found the friends in my life. they raise my spirits, put smiles on my face, food in my belly and a light in my heart and i find myself overwhelmed with gratitude for them today.

line a day: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with the. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus...

gratitude: I am thankful to work in a community in which faith can be expressed and discussed. I am thankful for Adam, my family, my friends, my home, my job. I am thankful for the things I take for granted. I am thankful for my life and the life of those I love.

line a day: "Nothing comes easily to the unwilling" - Thomas Fuller

gratitude: This weekend was a test in willpower. In fact, it opened my eyes to how much my willpower will be tested in the next year...but guess who finished her homework and completed an orientation class? THIS girl!

line a day: "You have the right to a furiously happy life" -thebloggess

gratitude: I'm thankful today for motivation. I have the motivation to get this degree no matter how hard it is. I have the motivation to better our lives, and therefore, this deadline will not kill me.

line a day: Dear God, Thank you for my beautiful life and forgive me if I don't love and appreciate it enough.

gratitude: This class! I know we are only on day 10, but I already feel so much more at ease with this class. I was not sure I could have made it through another class like last year, so THANK YOU GOD for giving me the class I have now.

8.30.11

line a day: Take chances…a lot of them, because no matter where you end up, it always ends up just the way it should be. Your mistakes make you who you are. You learn and grow with each choice you make. Everything is worth it. Always be you…and know that to anyone who truly loves you, being is yourself is more than enough. -Sex and the City

gratitude: i'm thankful today that bad days end so that new ones have the opportunity to happen.

8.25.11

line a day: "The work you do while you procrastinate is probably the work you should be doing for the rest of your life." -Jessica Hische

gratitude: today i am thankful for paul. we've been through so much and will go through so much more, and i am so lucky to have him as my partner in crime.

8.24.11

line a day: "i may not have gone where i intended to go, but i think i have ended up where i needed to be."

gratitude: today i am thankful for the fact that, while fights are awful, they don't last forever and he'll still love me after they're over.

line of the day: "When you meet that special someone, you realize why it didn't work out with anyone else." - as Adam and I sat at the fair, singing I Shake My Hair Back and Forth, while my parents laughed at us, I had this exact thought.

gratitude: The Iowa State Fair! I haven't shown at the fair in 8 years, but I still get that giddy, excited, nervous, happy feeling every time I walk onto the grounds. I'm so thankful I got to share the day with my family AND friends!

8.16.11

line a day: "a happy life must be to a great extent a quiet life, for it is only in an atmosphere of quiet that true joy dare live.”

gratitude: today i am thankful to have such a wonderful weekend to look forward to - hard to believe i'll be reunited with SCU people in just a few short days!

8.12.11

line a day: "if you're loved by someone, you're never rejected. . . decide what to be and go be it"

gratitude: i am thankful for an open weekend with nothing to do but enjoy time with the love of my life. it's been a long, rough week and we both need this time more than we know. oh, and for the cake i made yesterday. that sh*t's good.

line a day: "What was my favorite part of the day? Humm...sunset, looking at the beautiful sunset with my beautiful best friend."

gratitude: Days off. I cherish days off. Days when we have no obligations, nobody had to be at work at a certain time, no one tells us "what must be done" except for us.

line a day: Acting like a kid saved my relationship.

gratitude:

I am thankful for...

- Adventureland.

- couple friends.

- Adam's new job.

- going to back to school.

- that we are going back to school together.

- the roof above our heads (instead of neighbors!)

- cheese dip.

- 500+ thread count sheets.

- passion.

- the blessing of finding a best friend and a partner in life.

- puppy chow possibilities.

- pinterest.

- brownie batter.

- parents who just pop up to see us.

- pepper jack cheese.

- technology.

- agriculture.

- home.

8.2.11

line a day: (lines, again).

These questions have no right or wrong answers.

Because sometimes asking the right questions is the answer.

How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?
Which is worse, failing or never trying?
If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?
When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?
What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?
If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?
Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?
If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?
To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?
Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?
You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire. They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend. The criticism is distasteful and unjustified. What do you do?
If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?
Would you break the law to save a loved one?
Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity?
What’s something you know you do differently than most people?
How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy?
What one thing have you not done that you really want to do? What’s holding you back?
Are you holding onto something you need to let go of?
If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why?
Do you push the elevator button more than once? Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster?
Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton?
Why are you, you?
Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend?
Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you?
What are you most grateful for?
Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones?
Is is possible to know the truth without challenging it first?
Has your greatest fear ever come true?
Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were extremely upset? Does it really matter now?
What is your happiest childhood memory? What makes it so special?
At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive?
If not now, then when?
If you haven’t achieved it yet, what do you have to lose?
Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you just had the best conversation ever?
Why do religions that support love cause so many wars?
Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil?
If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job?
Would you rather have less work to do, or more work you actually enjoy doing?
Do you feel like you’ve lived this day a hundred times before?
When was the last time you marched into the dark with only the soft glow of an idea you strongly believed in?
If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today?
Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous?
What is the difference between being alive and truly living?
When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right?
If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake?
What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?
When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own breathing?
What do you love? Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love?
In 5 years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday? What about the day before that? Or the day before that?
Decisions are being made right now. The question is: Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you?

gratitude: today i am thankful for another beautiful year at the cabin.

7.25.11

line a day: 'develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.” -Brian Tracy

gratitude: today i am thankful for an absolutely wonderful weekend with the best friends on earth. and i am thankful that i was able to find myself a DRESS that i looooove!!!

7.21.11

line a day: (more like many, many lines)

I believe . . .
• In the sound of the Snake river as it slowly sweeps past my grandfather’s dock
• That mothers truly can be daughters’ best friends, and vice versa
• That uncooked baked goods are infinitely better than their baked counterparts
• That there isn’t much that makes me happier than direct sunlight sparkling off of my engagement ring
• In thinking in French, even when no one else is doing the same
• In the power that photographs have to trigger myriad emotions
• That I should not be seeking fulfillment in my profession
• That cheap champagne tastes just as good as the expensive stuff—most times even better when consumed with excellent company
• In blasting music as loudly as my neighbors will tolerate
• In the power of a country song played while zipping along a lake in a speedboat
• In giving all of myself, even when others aren’t willing or able to do the same
• In spending an entire day reading without feeling guilty
• In being so excited to be a wife
• In making lists for any and everything
• In telling people I love them as much as I possibly can
• In girlfriends new and old
• In laughing as much as I can for as long as I can
• In the wisdom of my grandparents
• In the healing power of the mistakes my parents made
• In sundresses for every occasion
• That high heels up my confidents level 105%
• That smiling at someone can change their day
• In missing people so much it hurts
• That the sun heals my heart
• That there are some song lyrics that, no matter how long it’s been since I’ve heard, will immediately come to my mind verbatim
• That people can surprise you
• In the feeling that knowing you’re home brings
• In trying to learn something new every day
• In dinner parties with close friends
• That one glass of wine is rarely enough
• That cereal is a food group
• In my own talents and abilities
• That where I am is a direct result of where I have been
• That friends are family
• That there is no such thing as too many hugs
• That speed limits are guidelines
• That grilled cheese without ketchup is a waste
• That I often forget how many blessings I have been given
• In relinquishing control as often as I can allow myself to
• That I will always be happier if I walk to do an errand than if I drove
• In collecting quotes that move me
• That I have so much more to experience
• In the excitement that traveling brings
• That I determine what type of day I’m going to have as soon as I get out of bed
• In scarves
• In speaking my mind, even if I’m scared to
• In making my bed every morning
• That fast food after 1:00am doesn’t count
• In doing my best, always
• That black and white photographs make me happier than color ones
• That the morning is the best time of the day
• In multiple exclamation points
• That beautiful plates make meals taste infinitely better
• That I need to give myself more credit
• In good handwriting
• That my passport will never have enough stamps
• That living in Paris changed my life
• In puppy chow
• In being challenged by difficult work and triumphing
• In exceeding expectations
• In marriage, even though it scares me
• That people can change, if you let them


gratitude: i am grateful for the fact that tomorrow will be friday, and i will see some of my best friends.

line a day: ok, you're in for way more than a line... 32 truths for mature humans

1. I think part of a best friend’s job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you’re wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn’t want to nap when I was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I’m pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

9. I can’t remember the last time I wasn’t at least kind of tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren’t going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don’t want to have to restart my collection…again.

13. I’m always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. “Do not machine wash or tumble dry” means I will never wash this – ever.

15. I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello? **** it!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voice mail. What did you do after I didn’t answer? Drop the phone and run away?

16. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.

17. I keep some people’s phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

18. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

19. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.

20. I wish Google Maps had an “Avoid Ghetto” routing option.

21. Sometimes, I’ll watch a movie that I watched when I was younger and suddenly realize I had no idea what the heck was going on when I first saw it.

22. I would rather try to carry 10 over-loaded plastic bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in.

23. The only time I look forward to a red light is when I’m trying to finish a text.

24. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

25. How many times is it appropriate to say “What?” before you just nod and smile because you still didn’t hear or understand a word they said?

26. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!

27. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.

28. Is it just me or do high school kids get dumber & dumber every year?

29. There’s no worse feeling than that millisecond you’re sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.

30. As a driver I hate pedestrians, and as a pedestrian I hate drivers, but no matter what the mode of transportation, I always hate bicyclists.

31. Sometimes I’ll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

32. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey – but I’d bet my *** everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time!

gratitude: Adam and I have our first pet, Bartholomew Bata, together! This must mean we are serious or something...

line a day: you never know what you have...until you clean your room

gratitude: Today, I am thankful that there are only 2 more boxes left in our new apartment!

7.19.11

line a day: when there's nothing left to burn, you have to set yourself on fire."

gratitude: today i am thankful for AIR CONDITIONING!!!!!!!!!!!

line a day: “Do something about it. When something is troubling you, make the commitment to change it. Then begin to act on that decision right away. Some of the influences in your life are under your control, and many of those influences are outside your control. Yet you can always decide upon and put into action a positive response to anything.

Don’t sit around being amazed at how miserable you are and at how unfairly life is treating you. Instead, be amazed at how quickly and effectively you can do something about it.

Don’t complain to others about how tough it is for you. Instead, inspire them with your positive and enthusiastic attitude and actions.

When the world feels all wrong, that’s a valuable signal. It’s your way of telling yourself to get going and make a difference.

You have plenty of good options if you’ll simply make the effort to find them. Pick the best one, get busy putting it into action, and take positive control of your world.”

-Ralph Marston

gratitude: today i am thankful for a wonderful weekend to look forward to . . . friday, can't wait to see you!

7.5.11

line a day: “the truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. for it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers.” ~M. Scott Peck

gratitude: today i am thankful for a 3-day weekend that allowed me time alone to revisit emotions and thoughts that needed to be revisited.

line a day: "God didn't promise life without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but HE did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way."

gratitude: Thank God for Adam. He reminds me of my strength, aids in my comfort and is the light at the end of each day. We are blessed. Hopefully I remember that during moving day tomorrow :-)

6.28.11

line a day: “remember that every person you meet – in person, over email, on the phone – every person you correspond with in any form, is valuable to this world. i am no better than he/she is, and i definitely shouldn’t treat this person any less than i would want to be treated myself.”

gratitude: today i am grateful for an already beautiful summer day - hopefully i will be able to spend some time outside enjoying it!

line a day: "I wouldn't have made it in Iowa without you." - talk about making me bawl like a baby. Love you Em!

gratitude: To say our week has been hectic would be an understatement. The last 3 years have been a true blessing. That is all I can say. . .

6.13.11

line a day: “strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.”

gratitude: today i am thankful for a new and exciting time in my life! moving is going to be scary, stressful and silly, but i know paul and i will come out of it happy and content.

line a day: "Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful." ~Buddha~

gratitude: I'm thankful to be knowledgable in my work.

6.8.11

line a day: (more like LINES)

Breathe. When stressed, lost in a problem or the past or future in your mind breathe with your belly for two minutes and just focus on the air going in and out. This will calm your body down and bring your mind back into the present moment again.
Do one thing at a time. You’ll get better results and feel better and less stressed while doing those things.
Write it all down. Use your mind for better things than remembering what to do. And the mind is often like a leaky bucket. So write down all your great ideas, insights, and thoughts before they go missing somewhere and add what you need to do to a to-do list.
Do all your food shopping once a week. You’ll save time, energy and possibly money.
Stop doing what you don’t like doing anymore. Life changes and so do you. If you you don’t like doing something anymore then stop doing that (even if it may take some time before you can do so by for example switching jobs).
Stop trying to please everyone. There will always be people who you don’t get along with or that do not like you for some reason.
Stop trying to do things perfectly. Go for good enough instead and when you are there you are done. Get things all the way to done this way and then move on to the next thing.
Pack your bag before you go to bed. Then you don’t have get stressed out by that in morning and you are less likely to forget something.
Throw out the things you haven’t used in 1 year. Go through what you have and ask yourself if you have used it in the past year. If not, give it away to charity or a friend or simply throw it out.
Ask yourself simplifying questions every day. Questions like “What is the most important thing I can do right now?”.
Keep everything in its place. If everything has its own place then it is whole lot easier to keep your home reasonably ordered and decluttered from day to day. This also helps you with your inner stillness as the outer environment affects how you feel on the inside.
Cook more food than you’ll eat. I usually make two or three servings of what I am about to eat. This cuts down on time that you spend on cooking and you’ll have to do less washing up in general. Plus, it’s good to have portions of food to bring to work to save some money.
Write shorter emails. I tend to write emails containing only a few sentences, usually between one and five. If you focus on keeping it short and focused then you’ll probably discover that this is a good solution in most cases.
Ask instead of guessing. Reading minds is hard. So, instead ask questions and communicate. This will help you to minimize unnecessary conflicts, misunderstandings, negativity and waste or time and energy.
Use a minimalistic workspace. My work space is just a laptop on a small black desk made out of wood. I use a comfy chair and there is room for my glass of water beside the computer. That’s it. There are no distractions here. Just me, the computer and the water.
Check everything just once a day. I check my email inboxes, blog statistics, my online earnings, Twitter and Facebook just once a day. I combine all that checking into one small daily ritual at the end of my work day so I don’t slip and go checking it more during the day and waste my energy and attention.
Choose small daily acts of kindness. Instead of small acts of judgment and criticism towards the people around you.
Don’t make mountains out of molehills. Before you you start thinking too much about something and building it up something big in your head, ask yourself “am I making a mountain out of a molehill here? And if you get lost victim thinking in some way then ask yourself “does anyone on the planet have it worse than me right now?”.
Spend 15 minutes each Sunday to plan the next week. Write down your plans for the week, organize your prioritized to-do list and get ready for the week before you are in the middle of it all. This will help you to find more clarity, get more of the most important things done next week and minimize stress.
Cancel subscriptions for things you rarely get around to watching or reading anyway.
Spend more time with people that help you to keep things simple. And spend less time with people that drag you down into overcomplicating everything and creating unnecessary drama.

gratitude: today i am thankful for the knowledge that friday is closer than it was yesterday.

line a day: "Learn everything you can, anytime you can, from anyone you can - there will always come a time when you will be grateful you did."

gratitude: Officially walking out of school today with the knowledge that I was 100% done with this school year was the best feeling. I had a hard time yesterday, but today...today, I felt like I deserved to smile and celebrate! Thank you Celie, Nicole, Samantha and the sun for helping to make the last day a great one!

line a day: School is OUT for the SUMMER!

gratitude: Sunny days, good friends, chocolate, adult beverages, and the option to sleep in until 7:15!!!!

6.2.11

line a day:"you’ll seldom experience regret for anything that you’ve done. it is what you haven’t done that will torment you. the message, therefore, is clear. do it! develop an appreciation for the present moment. seize every second of your life and savor it. value your present moments. using them up in any self-defeating ways means you’ve lost them forever."

gratitude: today i am thankful for a group of friends who, while unconventional in age and demeanor, are some of the best i've ever had. i'm truly going to miss them.

line a day: "Life without Jesus is like this pencil, pointless" - a student, while she handed me a double eraser ended pencil.

gratitude: This school year has been a tough one, but when a student handed me a book of acrostic poems she had written over the year as a thank you, I knew I had at least gotten through to one of them.

line a day:

"Don't worry be happy

In every life we have some trouble

When you worry you make it double

Don't worry, be happy...... "

gratitude: We are one day closer to summertime! Plus, it is a three day weekend!

line a day: "It is facebook official!" - Adam

gratitude: It is hard to imagine having known someone since I was 9 and still being excited to spend the evening grilling out and introducing them to my boyfriend, 17 years later. Today I am thankful for old friends and good people.

line a day: "I bet deep down you still with your mom would take you clothes shopping every August for the new school year." ~Bridget Willard~

gratitude: Heck yea I do! I had an interesting conversation with a 9 year old today. She was telling me about the "summer clothes" shopping trip her mother takes each daughter on every year. I asked her, "Do you do this every season?" No, they don't. They have one big shop every year at the beginning of summer to get clothes, and then random shopping for needs throughout the year. Before today, it never dawned on me...if you have a uniform for school, there is way less need for back to school shopping. Wouldn't summer clothes shopping be awesome?!

5.24.11

line a day:

gratitude: today i am thankful for the beautiful sunshine that shined down on me this morning on my way to work. it's moments like those when i realize that iowa truly is a beautiful place to live.

5.23.11

line a day: "serendipity. look for something, find something else, and realize that what you've found is more suited to your needs than what you thought you were looking for."

gratitude: today i am thankful to be a SALARIED employee!

5.19.11

line a day: “the secret of attraction is to love yourself. attractive people judge neither themselves nor others. they are open to gestures of love. they think about love, and express their love in every action. they know that love is not a mere sentiment, but the ultimate truth at the heart of the universe.” - deepak chopra

gratitude: today i am grateful (in advance) to have the strength to do something i don't want to do - i am being the bigger person and though it hurts my pride and goes against my stubbornness, i know that i can handle this and will come out of it alive (if just a little bit bruised).

line a day: You are the peanut to my butter, twinkle in my eye, blue in my sky, shake to my bake, glaze on my donut, sprinkles on my sundae, jewel on my crown, milk to my shake, flip to my flop, sweet in my dreams, spring in my step and beat of my heart.

gratitude: Beautiful weather helps my soul!

line a day: You can count on one thing; life goes on.

gratitude: Last night, I ran. Today, I am not dead. Tomorrow, I might run a little farther.

5.17.11

line a day: you'll never know until you try.

gratitude: today i am thankful for the one person who can always help me find the answers to the questions of my life. she is truly the best mother, friend, confidant and advisor i could ever hope to have.

line a day: "The sun shines and warms and lights up and we have no curiosity to know why this is so; but we ask the reason of all evil, of pain, and hunger, and mosquitoes and silly people." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

gratitude: Today started with a headache and a cold rag on my eyes, but was soon followed by the farmer's market, Gateway, garage sales, the mall, couch sitting, working out, goofing off, good food, and dumpster diving for a good as new Ab Circle Pro! The best part? Getting to spend time with Adam and Ashlynn.

line a day: "Don't let you fantasies make your reality seem any less awesome" - Brotips

gratitude: We found a new place!

5.9.11

line a day: life is too short to play it safe.

gratitude: today i am thankful for another epic weekend with my best friends in the world - laughter, sunshine and a bit of vodka were just the cure i needed. :)

line a day: "Friends are the most important ingredient in this recipe of life."

gratitude: Sunday Fun Day! I have been very stressed and taking it out on the people I love, but yesterday Emily had the genius idea of having an old fashioned Sunday Fun Day! I know I will still be stressed, and I will still forget how to manage it sometimes...but hopefully I can use yesterday as a reminder to enjoy the time we have left...

line a day: "Words are immensely powerful. One cruel remark can wound someone for life." - In the same way, the lack of verbal expression can be just as painful. . .

gratitude: No matter the age, I am thankful for our group of "Wine Wednesday" friends. They are spunky, insightful, outspoken, hilarious, and would do anything for one-another.

5.3.11

line a day: "be strong in the lord and never give up hope, you're going to do great things, i already know . . . "

gratitude: today, more than ever, i am thankful for the people in my life who support me. even though they may not agree with everything i do, they make an effort to show me that they appreciate the effort i am making and they accept the mistakes i have made. i am as imperfect as they come, but i know that this handful of people in my life will be there for me, no matter what.

line a day: "Osama Bin Laden - as everyone knows - has had the gravest responsibility for spreading hatred and division among people, causing the deaths of countless people, and exploiting religion for this purpose.

Faced with the death of a man, a Christian never rejoices, but reflects on the serious responsibility of everyone before God and man, and hopes and pledges that every event is not an opportunity for a further growth of hatred, but of peace."

--Let's continue to pray for peace in our world and for the safety of our military men and women.
As I live!' declares the Lord God, 'I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live (Ez 33:11).

in Christ,
Rev. Zachary

gratitude: Take a deep breath, step back, and the options will show themselves...I'm thankful to have found the person who, despite the stress in our lives, is always there for me. He supports me, converses with me, and makes opens my eyes when I cannot get past my blinders.

5.2.11

line a day: i'm taking my advice today from this little guy:

"you can't stay in your corner of the forest waiting for others to come to you. you have to go to them sometimes.”

“if the person you are talking to doesn't appear to be listening, be patient. it may simply be that he has a small piece of fluff in his ear.”

gratitude: today i am thankful for many things, but mostly for:
- a wonderful weekend spent with my favorite people in the world
- beautiful springtime weather that kept a smile on my face all weekend
- my last final exam at school will be over in just a few hours (!)
- time spent reconnecting with a family friend who gave me much-needed perspective
- life and love

4.27.11

line a day: "the secret of life is enjoying the passage of time, any fool can do it, there ain’t nothing to it, nobody knows how we got to the top of the hill, but since we’re on our way down, we might as well enjoy the ride"

gratitude: today i am thankful for my work ethic - i know that i put all that i have into what i do, and i know it will eventually pay off. i can be proud and go to sleep at night knowing that i did my best.

line a day: God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say "thank you?" ~William A. Ward

gratitude: I have many things to be thankful, but with this weather/life changes, I have been down in the dumps. However, it is my goal to remember all the great, and that will get me through the hard.

line a day: "Never let go of hope. One day you will see that it all has finally come together. What you have always wished for has finally come to be. You will look back and laugh at what has passed and you will ask yourself...'How did I get through all of that?'"

gratitude: Thank you, God for reminding me that little things are worth living for; living room dancing, Netflix' top picks, girls' night in, pizza delivery, puppy chow, laughing. . .

4.22.11

line a day: “don’t live by the future because the future never comes.” i DEFINITELY needed this reminder today.

gratitude: today i am grateful for the simple fact that it is FRIDAY. while i don't like living my life awaiting the weekend, this friday is one of those that couldn't have come at a better time. now, for some puppy chow, andre, and some baking time with the roomie. it's the first time this week when i've really wanted to say that life is good.

line a day: "Your children need your presence more than your presents." ~Jesse Jackson ~ If more parents understood this concept, our world would be in a better place.

gratitude: I am thankful for parents who are supportive and understanding; parents who know that what is taught at school, must be reinforced at home. I am only with your child 34 hours a week. You are responsible for the other 134 hours.

4.19.11

line a day: "breathe. let go. and remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure." oprah winfrey

gratitude: today i am thankful for my partner in crime, my lobster, and the love of my life. i couldn't make it without him, and i feel so lucky to have found him.

line a day: "If you don't get everything you want, this of the things you don't get that you don't want." ~ Oscar Wilde ~

gratitude: The sun is hidden, mother nature is crying, and my head is pounding...but I'm alive. I know the sun will shine again. I know the clouds will leave, and mother nature will smile on us. And, I have ibuprofen! I'm set.

4.18.11

line a day: "don't be afraid to fall in love. "it's the only thing that matters in life." - kelly canter (country strong)

gratitude: today i am more than thankful for a mother who has guided me, loved me, let me make mistakes, wiped my tears, provided for me, given me strength, and has been there for me through thick and thin. she's the best person i've ever known and i don't think she'll ever know it.

line a day: "It is by chance that we met, by choice that we became friends."

gratitude: I no longer have to look forward to the weekend, because it is here! It is strange to think that 3 years ago I randomly met Emily on roommates.com, and now I'm stoked on spending the weekend with her and Anna Momma :-)

line a day: "Why wait for the weekend to have fun?" ~Loesje~ Well...because I have to work?

gratitude: Sunshine. I know it has been the subject of many posts, but when it does not come out, my eyes don't want to open in the morning.

line a day: "Don't wait. The time will never be just right" ~ Napoleon Hill

gratitude: I found a masters program online today that I am very interested in. It was just in time, because April 13 happens to be the last day to sign up for tuition assistance from my employer!

4.13.11

line a day: "life is like a card of games. the hand that is dealt you represents determinism; the way you play it is free will."


gratitude: today i am thankful to be nearly finished with school. i am really looking forward to not making this commute each day!

4.11.11

line a day: "in any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing."


gratitude: today i am thankful for a weekend full of beautiful weather, relaxing time with good friends, and the knowledge that i will see my mom in just a few short days.

line a day: Smile, it makes a difference.

gratitude: Friday, Friday :-)

line a day: I love Emily's post today and am positive she has said it all. So I will say just this: 10, 18, 29, 30, 37! They really hit home.

gratitude: I'm thankful for people who put life in perspective. I've had a really blah day, but reading Emily's post reminded me to feel the joy.

4.6.11

line a day: get ready for a long one:

Handbook to Life

Health:

1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E’s — Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games.
7. Read more books.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minute walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:

11. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don’t have negative thoughts over things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don’t overdo. Keep your limits.
14. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake.
17. Envy is a waste of time. Be grateful for what you have been given.
18. Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
21. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away (like algebra class) but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
22. Smile and laugh more.
23. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Society:

24. Call your family often.
25. Each day give something good to others.
26. Forgive.
27. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
28. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:

31. Do the right thing!
32. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
33. God heals everything.
34. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
35. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
36. The best is yet to come.
37. When you awake alive in the morning, thank God for it.
38. Your inner most is always happy. So, be happy.



gratitude: today i am thankful for the contacts i have made in dsm. i'm feeling more than a little bit discouraged about my job prospects, but i feel thankful that i can reach out to my network and have others do what they can to help me out.

line a day: "Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try"

gratitude: Technology is such an amazing tool! Today, I found some ridiculous writing lessons online and cannot wait to try them out! Bring it on!

4.4.11

line a day: "the day the lord created hope was probably the same day he created spring." ~bern williams

gratitude: today i am thankful that i am going to see my wonderful mom in less than two weeks!! i'm also quite thankful for sleeping with the windows open last night...

line of the day: there is such a thing as too many onions.

gratitude: Almost 80 degrees? Me and my walking legs will take it!

4.3.11

line a day: you can't learn from the mistakes you haven't made.

gratitude: today i am thankful for the first spring walk of the season - i've missed them so much!

line a day:"Never mind searching for who you are. Search for the person you aspire to be." ~Robert Brault

gratitude: We went for a 2.5 hour jaunt today in the beautiful, sunny, 60 degree weather and I felt the joy of the sun seeping into my skin. If you see me, you will see the evidence...thank you freckles!

4.1.11

line a day: “your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. and most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. they somehow already know what you truly want to become. everything else is secondary.” – steve jobs

gratitude: today i am thankful for the arrival of april - hopefully spring is finally here!

line a day: "I don't like food that's too carefully arranged; it makes me think that the chef is spending too much time arranging and not enough time cooking. If I wanted a picture I'd buy a painting." ~Andy Rooney ~ I agree, Andy! However, the same does NOT apply to baking...

gratitude: When I was a freckle faced 5year old, I did not sit on my bed painting pictures in my mind of a grown up self teaching, living in an apartment, saving, instead of spending, my money. However, I didn't picture the amazing relationships I have either. Guess things do work out for the best :-)

3.29.11

line a day: "your success is his anxiety." enough said. this is a comment that i don't think i'll ever be able to forget because the blatant truth is so obvious. i need to keep this in my heart and remember that he does not define me, or my success. I DO.

gratitude: today i am thankful for the unlikely friendships i have forged here - i never expected to find family in iowa, and i have found nothing but.

3.28.11

line a day: "paradoxically, we achieve true wholeness only by embracing our fragility and sometimes, our brokenness." literally and emotionally, i have been broken over the past week or so. some has been self-imposed; other parts have been a product of things outside of my control. though i am by no means healed/fixed/recovered, i feel that i have become aware of my brokenness and am making the conscious effort to make a change.

gratitude: today i am thankful for relaxing weekends in the presence of those who love me and who help me heal.

line a day: Snow in March? The best thing about snow in March is that it was melted by 3:00.

gratitude: I'm thankful to have a roof over my head and solid ground below me.

3.23.11

line a day: "when we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained." i might be crazy, but at least there are others who are right there with me.

gratitude: today i am thankful for some much needed perspective. and for sleep, when it comes. i could really use some of that.

line a day: "Rain, rain, go away" The lack of sunshine is making it hard for me to function...

gratitude: I'm thankful to know that I live in a place where it will eventually be summer outside! I'm also thankful for good friends to share things with after work. And finally, for a special someone being born today! Happy Birthday Ash!

line a day: "Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush." ~Doug Larson ~ I know there will still be cold days, but the first official day of spring was yesterday, and I could not be happier!

gratitude: sitting on the couch, checking papers, door wide open, Adam on the chaise watching basketball, sun shinning, knowing good food is being made = happiest moment I've had in a while.

3.20.11

line a day: "School's out for the summer" - Yea, I know I have a couple months still, but that song is stuck in my head!

gratitude: Musicals - I'm glad that people think of me when they decide not to use Civic Center tickets!

3.20.11

line a day: just keep swimming, just keep swimming . .

gratitude: today i am thankful for nice days that remind me of the promise of spring - it can't get here soon enough!

3.?.11

line a day: "promise me you'll always remember: you're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." - christopher robin

gratitude: today i am thankful for a lovely mini-vacation with even lovelier friends (read: family).

line a day: "even after my spiel about yesterday, is it bad that I'm thinking nachos again today?" Not in the least!

gratitude: Good weather, good friends, days off of work, boyfriends who god days off to be with us...chicago!

3.15.11

line a day: i wish i had a witty quote in mind for today, but all i've got right now is gratitude. overwhelming gratitude.

gratitude: today i am thankful that paul has matched. although we don't know where it will be, at least he has succeeded in that stage of the process. i am also thankful today for my friends far away who still know me as well as if they lived in the next room. those are blessings that can't possibly be more powerful.

3.14.11

line a day: de-wallpapering a bathroom is definitely an appropriate and acceptable way to spend the beginning of spring break. as is purchasing this new computer i'm typing on right now!

gratitude: today i am thankful for my second family - i feel welcome and lucky to be here.

line: "A hug is like a boomerang - you get it back right away" ~ Bil Keane ~

gratitude: I'm thankful for a roommate who could have been a stranger, but is so much more.

3.11.11

line a day: SO THEY SAY IT'S YOUR BIRTH-DAY!!! well, it is :) life is good. champagne is good. friends are good. again, life is good.

gratitude: today i am so thankful for LIFE - i was given one to live, and i intend on LIVING it to the fullest!

line: "It ain't no sin if you crack a few laws now and then, just so long as you don't break any." ~ Mae West ~ Funny and true. Happy Birthday Roomie!

gratitude: three words: nine days off.

line: Today, I tried to pick up a paper towel with my foot only to remember I had shoes on and the feat would probably be impossible with my feet...Yea, not the normal quote, but it made me laugh and realize how much I need next week's break!

gratitude: An sincere apology will go a long way with me. A change in action will go even further. Yesterday was a roller coaster, but it ended on a high.

3.9.11

line a day: "when you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on." ~Franklin D. Roosevelt . . . well, i'm at the end. hopefully i can manage a big knot today. i just need to get through the next few hours and then the week is on its way to being over.

gratitude: today i am thankful for the fact that i made it to school safely in the snowstorm - i know others may not have been so lucky.

line a day: "Light up your hallway like the 4th of July!" - I had taken this to heart, but started putting it into action last night.

gratitude: I'm thankful for the people in my life who have helped me strengthen my personal faith.

line a day: "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." ~ Winston Churchill ~ My promise this week is to stay positive about the future, my class, and where (literally) life is going to take us.

gratitude: This weekend was filled with weird moments, big hugs, snappy words, laughing, and sighs...but at the end of the weekend when he wrapped his arms around me and whispered, "luckiest guy in the world, love you" I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

3.6.11

line a day: "within you is the divine capacity to manifest and attract all that you need or desire" - i promise to approach this week with a positive attitude - even though i know it will be a busy one at work and at school, i have the power to make it turn out how i want it to.

gratitude: today i am thankful for a calm weekend of love, love, and more love. i am blessed to have found my lobster.

3.4.11

line a day: "weekends don't count unless you spend them doing something completely pointless." ~ Bill Watterson - sounds like good advice to me!!!


gratitude: today i am thankful for another slew of weekdays to check off the calendar - march is a great month and i intend on making it so!

line a day: "Everybody's workin' for the weekend"

gratitude: St. Patrick's decorations, shirts, headbands, necklaces, etc. Can I say excited for the upcoming trip? We even booked a killer hotel which was described as "business apartment living", so I'm pretty excited to see what comes of it.

3.3.11

line a day: there is literally nothing stopping us from living the life we want. i MUST learn to remember that and LIVE and LOVE by those words.

gratitude: today i am thankful for random errands and lovely trips to look forward to with my wonderful friends.

3.3.11

line: "Tell a man there are 300 billion stars in the universe and he'll believe you. Tell him a bench has wet paint on it and he'll have to touch it to be sure." ~Murphy's Law ~ It is amazing how some people function in this world.

gratitude: Extra planning time!

3.2.11

line a day: "The soul is born old but grows young. That is the comedy of life." Oscar Wilde - I was reminded of this while drinking wine with a very stylish and hilarious "young soul" last night.

gratitude: I'm thankful for busy days that keep me on my toes.

3.1.11

line a day: "a blessed thing it is for any man or woman to have a friend, one human soul whom we can trust utterly, who knows the best and worst of us, and who loves us in spite of all our faults."

gratitude: i am SO incredibly thankful for the sunshine today - sometimes a brisk walk is all i need to change my perspective. thanks, roomie.

line a day: "If you see a friend without a smile; give him one of yours" I wish more than anything, this is all it took.

gratitude: cornbread stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn, grilled cheese, better than sex cake; thank GOD for inventing these things.

2.28.11

line a day: "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.' We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." OK, that's more than a line, but ALL of it applies. ALL OF IT.

gratitude: today i am grateful for the END of february! bring on spring and my birthday month :)

2.25.11

line a day: "whatever with the past has gone, the best is always yet to come.” in keeping with molly's post about a certain someone's birthday, i thought i'd contribute as well. happy birthday ms. brunk!

gratitude: today i am extremely thankful for friday - i can't wait to spend the weekend with many different and wonderful friends. i'm so lucky to have found such a good network of people here.

2.24.11

line a day: finally, we are at least one (painful) step closer to knowing where paul's residency will take him next year.

gratitude: today i am thankful for impromptu dinners with friends at my house - there is truly nothing better than providing a good meal for those i love.

line a day: "There is still no cure for the common birthday" - John Glenn - Today is my old college roommate's birthday. Hopefully, Emily and I have schemed enough to make her birthday far from common!

gratitude: I am thankful that jobs, in Adam's dream profession, are starting to open up so he can apply and be one step closer.

2.24.11

line a day: No day is so bad it can't be fixed with a nap. ~Carrie Snow ~ After sleeping an extra 8 hours today, my body is 100% on board with this statement.

gratitude: I am grateful that I can afford a sick day when I need one.

2.23.11

line a day: "i made the mistake of thinking that what i look like is more important that who i am" . . . i think i needed this reminder, and as it is national eating disorder awareness week, it seems timely. love yourself, and others will be able to love you in return.

gratitude: today i am thankful that paul's ROL list is finally submitted. i am nowhere near at peace with the situation, but i can at least say we are one step closer.

2.22.11

line a day: on ne voit bien qu'avec le coeur . . . l'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux. - le petit prince

gratitude: today i am thankful for the many friends i have made throughout my life. although some are way too far away for my liking, i know they are there and i love and thank them for their support. whether they know it or not, i rely on them for strength.

line a day: "When we are tired, we are attacked by ideas we conquered long ago" - Friedrich Nietzsche - Might this be why it always seems louder when I didn't get enough sleep, or why I see more of a reason to "discuss" things just before I go to bed?

gratitude: I'm grateful for Adam, because when I got home from work he had vacuumed, swept, and taken out the garbage...in MY apartment - all because he had the day off and knew it would make my day - I really must be lucky!

2.21.11

line a day: "Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference. living one day at a time; enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardship as a pathway to peace." today was not easy, by any means. there is always hope that tomorrow will be better - i hope to make it that way.

gratitude: i am grateful today for the knowledge that spring will eventually be here - it seems far away now, but hopefully winter will hurry up and scoot out of here so i can enjoy some sunshine.

line a day: "I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move." ~Robert Louis Stevenson - I have spent the last four days lusting after my time spent in New Zealand and feeling defeated that I am not currently able to be there - I must remind myself that the means to fill my travel desire will come in time.

gratitude: I am thankful for President's Day - smaller class size means I get more one on one time with every student in my room!

2.19.11 / 2.20.11

line a day: i'm realizing more and more that i can only really enjoy my life as much as i allow myself to - no one is going to make my life better, no one will change things for me, no one is going to have the answers to my (endless) questions, no one else can tell me how to live my life - it's all up to me, and i need to remember that.

gratitude: i am grateful today for the fact that when paul and i are apart nowadays, it's not for months at a time. i'm very blessed that when he leaves, he comes home to me with a big smile and hugs abound.

line a day: "Dance like nobody's watching" - It was my senior quote, and it still rings true in every single day of my life.

gratitude: Today, I thank God for the sun, massages, friends, belly laughing, creative boyfriends, Garth Brooks, brownies, music, and dancing!

2.18.11

line a day: singing (screaming, if we're playing the full disclosure game) at the top of your lungs, dancing like no one ever really taught you the right way, laughing so hard you can't catch your breath, drinking (cheap) champagne and being with best friends truly clears your heart of clutter and bad emotions to make room for ones that make life spectacular.

gratitude: today i am thankful for the power that music has (and has always had) to fit perfectly into my mood, to boost my spirits, to trigger memories and to remind me of how lucky i am.

line a day: No matter what, every moment is a new chance to turn things around.

gratitude: Picking up the routine of walking (in the 70*weather) and talking my day out, has returned! Short work day, mexican with friends, warm walk, yummy dinner with em and adam...so much laughing...I LOVE TODAY!

2.17.11

line a day: i have to start having faith. no matter what. things will be okay.

gratitude: i'm soooo thankful to see the sun and feel the warmth today! 70 degrees!

2.16.11

line a day: "one often meets their destiny on the way to somewhere else. at first glance it may appear too hard. look again. always look again." I have always had control issues, and i need to not allow the lack of control i'm experiencing currently in my life to overwhelm me - what will be, will be.

gratitude: today i am thankful for my mom. i only wish i could be closer to her and provide her with the relief she so badly needs.

line a day: "As smoking is to the lungs, so is resentment to the soul; even one puff is bad for you." - Elizabeth Gilbert - Grudges hurt my life, my happiness, more than anyone else.

gratitude: I am thankful for short work weeks!

line a day: "Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending." - Maria Robinson - Knowing there is nothing that I can change from the past, but the future is all mine, keeps my heart open.

gratitude: respect and kindness - things that are not as ingrained in today's society as they once were, however I realize they are not a lost cause when I catch at least a glimmer each day.

2.15.11

line a day: "do what you can, with what you have, where you are" - this quote reminds me that i must be calm, mindful and present about the things i cannot change.

gratitude: today, i am thankful for a job that pays my bills - though it is not the job i will have forever, i am lucky to have it.

line a day: My roommate and I have so much ridiculous fun together-from focused craft time to crazy living room dancing- I am looking forward to what this project will document!

gratitude: On Valentine's Day, I'm thankful for my supportive friends and family, especially Adam - my shoulder to lean on and laugh with.

2.14.11

line a day: thrilled to be starting a blog with the best roommate and friend in the world - i feel so lucky to have met her and to have created and maintained such a fun, wacky, and ridiculous friendship!

gratitude: thankful for my grandparents, both living and not. also very thankful for paul, today and every day.