Monday Mantra {March 2, 2015}

Top of the mornin’ to ya!

It’s March, people.  How did that happen??  It’s also Monday, and since I’m not dying like last week, let’s go ahead an kick off the work week with our Monday Mantra!

Religious or not, I really feel as though this applies to all of us in some way.  It doesn’t have to directly relate to something of monetary value or gain.  It can be anything.  Here, I think of profit more as “success”, and poverty as a “lack there of, or the absence of success”.  Maybe you’ve been meaning to organize an aspect of your life, maybe you’ve been meaning to lose those “last five pounds”, or maybe you’re actually wanting to accomplish something that will bring you monetary value.  Having the idea, and starting a conversation about it is great.  It’s the first step to accomplishing your goals.  However, if all you’re doing is talking about your idea, this will inevitability get you nowhere.  You have to get the ball rolling by taking action on your ideas.

Do you want a new job?  Want to lose weight?  Reorganize your finances or even your closet?  Do you have an idea to start your own business? Stop just talking about it!  Do it!  Talking about it is easy.  It’s easy to say, “I want this, so I’ll start it next week”.  Sometimes, next week can turn into the following week, or next month, or next year.  In order to make even a small profit, or “success” of all of your wonderful ideas, you have to take action.  One of the best and easiest ways to tackle this is to start setting up goals and a schedule for yourself.  I can find myself getting caught up in the “talking” about my ideas as well.  I have all these grand ideas floating around in my head, most of them I accomplish, but then there are others that I don’t exactly get around to.  It’s these goals that leave me “impoverished”, or unsatisfied with myself, because all I’ve done is taaaaaaallllkkkkkk about them.  No one owes you anything in this life, so if you want something, you’ve got to make it happen for yourself.

So for this Monday, and for every Monday here on after, let’s make a promise to ourselves of less talking, more doing.  Being able to work hard, grow, and accomplish our goals will enrich our lives more than we could have ever imagined.  Even if actual money isn’t at the end of the journey.

Hope everyone’s had a great Monday so far!  In what ways do you make sure you’re working hard to accomplish your goals?

Tags: monday mantra, proverbs, success, action, positive, hard work, quotes

Powered by Qumana

Monday Mantra {Feb 16 2015}

Today’s Monday Mantra is inspired by two things– the SNL 40th Anniversary Special {#SNL40}, as well as the unplanned timing of the finishing of Amy Poehler’s book, Yes Please.  Let me first start off by saying, if you haven’t read her book yet, stop what you’re doing right now and go get it.  If you don’t have President’s Day off, leave work, and do whatever you need to do to add it to your bookshelf.  I give you permission.

Also, who else watched the 40th Anniversary Special??  What a treat.

I honestly could have read this book in a day, but I had to pace myself.  For the past two weeks or so, Amy has been like my best friend,  a cool older sibling telling me all I need to know about life.  On top of that, I’ve watched Parks and Rec since it began, but Jimmy is now catching up/binge watching it on Netflix so we can watch the final season.  So I’ve got Amy Poehler all up in my biznass, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.  I didn’t want to finish the book because I didn’t want Amy to leave me, and go back to her cool {real} life in NYC.  When I openly told Jimmy that was my main concern, he looked at me like the crazy person that I am.  {but it’s true! anyone that reads a good book knows what I mean, you don’t want to stop reading because you don’t want it all to end}.

The quote itself came from my pal Amy’s book.  This specific meme was actually made by Ally, a friend/former coworker {as tagged on Insta…great job Ally!}.  There are a plethora of great tips and life advice that Amy dishes out, and I’m totally right there with her on her theories regarding time travel.  You really just have to read the book for yourself, simply telling you about the advice gold-mine isn’t doing it justice.

This type of advice comes from most experienced people, in a variety of ways, but I really think we can’t hear it enough.  So often are we concerned with what other people think, way more than we should be, and this can trip us up.  Holding this concern//paranoia//whatever you want to call it, can cause us to distort how we feel or what we’re trying to do.

And quite frankly, that’s just messed up.  The more I look back on situations where I put what I think other’s are thinking before what I’m actually trying to accomplish in my life, it’s just turned into a waste of time and energy.  Anyone else feel that way?

I think what Amy is basically trying to say is– treat yourself right, work hard, and do you boo boo.

Gotcha, Ames.  {not sure if I’m allowed to call you that}

So now that I have this empty hole in my heart, like when you binge watch a show in two days flat, I’m not sure how to handle it.  I’ll probably end up watching Baby Mama tonight.

“B!#$@ I don’t know your life!”

Happy Monday, all!  I hope everyone has a great start to the new week!  What are your mantra’s for the week?

Tags: amy poehler, quotes, yes please, snl, snl40, baby mama, advice, life quotes

Powered by Qumana

#MondayMantra {Feb 9 2015}

I’ve been reading a lot about gratitude recently.  How to work it into your every day life, and why it helps.  I actually finished reading a short and interesting article by Arianna Huffington just this morning.  Click here to read it in full.

The article is actually what led me to today’s Monday Mantra.  I am happy, and incredibly thankful for the people and things that are in my life.  However at times, as a twenty-something, just when I think I have it all figured out I am quickly proved wrong.  It’s like I have all of these pieces to this puzzle we call life, but I’m still not able to get some of the pieces to fit together quite right, or the way I want to.  This is frustrating, it’s overwhelming, and sometimes it’s downright scary.

BUT, that’s really the beauty of it, isn’t it?  You have to experience the lows to appreciate the highs.  I think it’s healthy to be wrong sometimes, to experience rejection.  Could you honestly imagine how boring it would be if everything always worked out the way we wanted?  Looking back on things now, could you imagine how different your life would be if you had always gotten everything you wanted?  I’ll go ahead and admit it.  I didn’t necessarily plan on being where I am today, but if I had gotten everything I thought I wanted, when I wanted it, there is no way that I would be here.  With the exception of a few minor tweaks here and there {that are so miniscule, they’re not even worth mentioning}, I have this settling feeling that even though I’m going through some twists and turns right now, I am where I’m supposed to be.  With that comes today’s mantra:

Originally stated by eighth-century Muslim jurist, Imam Al- Shafi’i, I have found this to be true more than ever.  In this I find solace. 

Sometimes it is easier to be negative than it is to be positive.  We are all human, and I will admit that I can struggle with this from time to time.  However, like Huffington noted in her post linked above, “gratitude works its magic by serving as an antidote to negative emotions”.  I don’t like negativity, I try not to be around it.  By showing gratitude I’m keeping my negativity as far away as possible.  I also show gratitude by remembering this quote, and being thankful for all of my experiences, no matter what their outcome may have been.

To clarify- always, always work hard.  Hustle.  Work your butt off.  However you want to describe it.  Don’t just sit around and wait for things to come to you, that I do not agree with.  Instead, keep going through life trying and experiencing all that you can.  Work HARD.  If it doesn’t work out, it wasn’t supposed to.  If you feel like you haven’t “gotten to where you want to be yet”, that’s okay.  Who, especially in their twenties, honestly feels that way?  The key through all of this is to remain grateful.  Have gratitude for all things, always.  It will help you maintain your sanity, keep out negative thoughts, and give you an overall better outlook on life.

Happy Monday everyone!  In what ways do you guys show gratitude?  Is this something that you struggle with from time to time as well?

Tags: monday mantra, gratefulness, gratitude, positive, health

Powered by Qumana

Monday Mantra {Feb 2 2015}

Hey February, where the heck did you come from?

It’s a new work week, and no matter if you’re team won or lost last night {or you just participated in the festivities}, we’re all dragging a little bit more on this Mundane Monday.  So, let’s make sure we’re starting it off right.  Another edition of Monday Mantra’s should do the trick! 😉

{Source}

It’s true.  I try to remind myself of this daily.  Even if something is bad or negatively effecting you, remember that there are still so many other positive things to focus on!  Holding on to negativity is a like a poison, and if you’re not careful, it can ruin a lot of other positive opportunities that might be right in front of your nose.  If something bad happens, or is making you feel negative, it’s okay to internally get mad for a minute.  Then take a deep breath, blow off some steam in whatever way works for you, and let it go.

Keep this in mind this week whenever you’re approached with a negative situation.  It’s an opportunity to make something positive happen!  Don’t let it get you down.  Thinking negatively will never produce anything positive. Ever.

{{P.S.  If you like this print, you can actually buy it on Etsy, here}}.

Happy Monday everyone!  How are you making sure you stay positive?

Tags: monday mantra, negative, positive, stay positive, optimistic

Powered by Qumana

Monday Mantra {Jan 26 2015}

Hello all!  A late in the day little stop-in for this week’s Monday Mantra.  I decided last minute to stay in Huntington last night, so I just now got back in town {not trying to leave for a 5 hour drive until 6pm will do that to ya}.  I’m glad I decided to stay though, more friend time = happier Christine.

Post on that will come tomorrow 🙂

Change is the only constant in this crazy world, and it’s a lot of what I’m going through right now.  It can at times be stressful, but I always try to keep this in mind.

Change is scary.  It’s often uncontrollable, but it can also be incredibly thrilling and exciting.  No one knows what the future holds, but if you stay positive and try to consistently do what you feel is right, you will be fine.  Recognize and respect where you came from, and prepare for what’s to come as best you can, even if you’re not sure exactly what that is yet.

Baby steps.  Rome wasn’t built in a day. ———–> These are things I tell myself on a daily basis.

Hopefully this mantra finds you well in the new week, and helps you prepare for some of your own upcoming changes!

Happy Monday, everyone!

How do you guys feel about change?  How do you prepare for it?

Tags: change, preparation, socrates, inspirational quotes, monday mantra

Powered by Qumana

Monday Mantra {Jan 19, 2015}

Stopping in real quick here for another round of Monday Mantra’s…this one is short, sweet, and to the point.  Some have today off for MLK Day, I on the other hand still have to head in to work.  No worries though.  In honor of MLK Day and partially for what it represents, I thought today’s Monday Mantra was appropriate.  Remember it as we move forward with another week.

{Source}

Happy Monday, all!  Let’s make this week a great one.  What are your mantra’s for the week?

Powered by Qumana

Monday Mantra {Jan 12, 2015}

Welcome to Monday, back on the grind and ready to start a new week.  Keeping up with the idea of the Monday Mantra, I had another snippet I wanted to send your way.  To see last week’s MM, click here.

I’m going to cut right to the chase with this week’s Monday reminder, and it’s probably one you’ve heard before.  Coming from one of the great role models of all time for women, and people in general, Eleanor Roosevelt, it’s something that I’ve had to remind myself of more than ever recently.

Source

With the new year, there are a lot of changes that are coming up.  As I venture further into adulthood, I’m finding that at most crossroads, there is never a clear or immediate answer in terms of how to proceed on this journey called life.  That at times can get a little tricky.

Bottom line, in so few, less eloquent words than E.R…you have to remember to do you.

When you’re at a juncture in life, make the best decision you possibly can, the one that you feel is the best, most right in your heart.  Move forward, and don’t look back.  There is no way you’re going to be able to please everyone {and quite frankly, if you are pleasing everyone, you’re probably doing something wrong}.  Make the best decision you can, believe in it, and don’t apologize for it.

As you continue with your week, and your new year, keep these words in mind.

Also, didn’t Kevin Spacey rock his acceptance speech last night?  “I just want to be better”, I just want to be like Kevin Spacey…the girl version, though.

Happy Monday, everyone.  Go kick it’s butt!

What are some of your mantras for the week?

Tags: monday mantra, eleanor roosevelt, kevin spacey, make the right choices

Powered by Qumana

Monday Mantra {Jan 5 2015}

I’ve decided that I want to start a new thing here on the blog for Mondays.  I’m all about the glass being half full and being the best “you” possible, but sometimes Mondays just really stink.  No other way to put it.

That’s why I want to start every Monday with a positive quote, reminder, or saying to start out the week.  A “mantra”, if you will.  Being that this is the first Monday of 2015, and there’s still some residual “new year, new me” {as Jimmy likes to mockingly say} floating through the air, I thought this quote would be appropriate.

I originally found this on Pinterest a while ago.  I’ve tried searching and Googling around, but I can’t find the person who said it, just the link where it originally came from.  Doesn’t matter though, I still love it.

{Source}

I like this quote because I really do find it to be true.  Much like one of those “past//present//future” sayings, it’s important to recognize where you are in the present.  Like many of us, we all have things that we want to do, but we feel like we lack the time {or we think we have enough, so it’s just something that we’ll get to “later”}.  If there are things you want to do, don’t waste your time getting down on yourself because you haven’t done it yet, because today, much like the start of any other day, is a fresh start.  It’s a beginning.  Don’t waste your present time worrying about things you haven’t done it the past, start them today.  Take some time to look back on 2014, what you’ve done and even what you didn’t do.  Think about what you want to accomplish, and move towards it, understanding that everyday is a new beginning towards what you want.  Recognizing this and taking advantage of it is half the battle.

Yesterday was also a very sad day in the apartment, as I finally mustered up the courage to take down our Christmas decorations.  My frat bro’s let me handle all of it…for some reason I’m the one that’s responsible for any decorating going on over here…

To ease my decoration packing woes, I did have to take myself to Target to buy some fake lemons, and Trader Joe’s for hydrangeas {one of my favorite flowers}.

What was once this…

Is now this…

See?  Fake Lemons

After having some form of a decoration on the table since the beginning of October {hello, you have to decorate for fall too}, I couldn’t leave the table centerpiece-less.  Even though we never sit at the table…we don’t even have chairs.  I’m being completely serious.  At times our apartment has a real identity crisis over whether it belongs to college students or young adults.  I’m convinced it’s part of it’s charm.

All I did was throw some battery operated lights in an old wine bottle, and lay a bed of wine corks in the bottom of the vase.  I hoard wine corks and bottles in the event that they will be useful for a craft.  Case and point- centerpiece.

As I mentioned earlier, hydrangeas might be one of my favorite flowers, and I always rely on Trader Joe’s to have to best {and most inexpensive} fresh flower collection.

So although it’s Monday, and my Christmas decorations are gone, it’s still going to be a great day because it’s a new one.  Let’s see what it has in store for us.

Happy Monday everyone!  How are you going to make this day great?  Are you Christmas decorations down?  {or am I one of the last people to do this?}

Tags: monday mantra, positive quotes, glass half full, monday, quotes, new year

Powered by Qumana