Love Letters: Here I Am

Dear Love of My Life:

I. Am. Worth. It.

Keep going. You'll find me here. (And did I mention I'm totally worth everything you have to go through to get here? 'Cuz I really, really AM!)

Love,
Me

Love Letters: Listen to Your Heart

To the Man I Will Marry:

Listen to your intuition. God answers prayers, and He's leading you to me. This is gonna get good!

Love,
Me

On Top of the World

Today I'm working on more spreadsheets for the contract work I'm doing. Focusing on detailed spreadsheets all day long can try a person's sanity. Thankfully, I have a good playlist on my iPod to keep me from poking my eyes out with sundry office supplies found on my desk.

The song "On Top of the World" by Imagine Dragons just came on my iPod, and I found myself dancing in my chair and wanting to sing along (which, if you knew the library-like environment I'm working in here, you'd know would've been more than just a little awkward, and might result in a security-escorted brisk walk out of the building, haha).

It's not just a happy, peppy tune that inspires chair dancing: the lyrics inspire as well. Particularly inspiring to me--and to other fellow dream-seeking travelers--are these words that remind us that there is something within us that keeps urging us on, and that there is purpose in what we are doing.

I’ve tried to cut these corners
Try to take the easy way out
I kept on falling short of something

I coulda gave up then but
Then again I couldn’t have ’cause
I’ve traveled all this way for something

Enjoy the song! And be warned: you may start dancing in your chair and/or wanting to clap along.

What songs / lyrics inspire you to keep moving forward toward  your dreams? What songs cause you to dance in your chair, feel happy, and belt out the lyrics?

"On Top of the World" by Imagine Dragons
 
If you love somebody
Better tell them while they’re here ’cause
They just may run away from you

You’ll never know what went well
Then again it just depends on
How long of time is left for you

I’ve had the highest mountains
I’ve had the deepest rivers
You can have it all but life keeps moving

Now take it in but don’t look down

‘Cause I’m on top of the world, ‘ay
I’m on top of the world, ‘ay
Waiting on this for a while now
Paying my dues to the dirt
I’ve been waiting to smile, ‘ay
Been holding it in for a while, ‘ay
Take it with me if I can
Been dreaming of this since a child
I’m on top of the world.

I’ve tried to cut these corners
Try to take the easy way out
I kept on falling short of something

I coulda gave up then but
Then again I couldn’t have ’cause
I’ve traveled all this way for something

Now take it in but don’t look down

‘Cause I’m on top of the world, ‘ay
I’m on top of the world, ‘ay
Waiting on this for a while now
Paying my dues to the dirt
I’ve been waiting to smile, ‘ay
Been holding it in for a while, ‘ay
Take it with me if I can
Been dreaming of this since a child
I’m on top of the world.

‘Cause I’m on top of the world, ‘ay
I’m on top of the world, ‘ay
Waiting on this for a while now
Paying my dues to the dirt
I’ve been waiting to smile, ‘ay
Been holding it in for a while, ‘ay
Take it with me if I can
Been dreaming of this since a child

And I know it’s hard when you’re falling down
And it’s a long way up when you hit the ground
Get up now, get up, get up now.

And I know it’s hard when you’re falling down
And it’s a long way up when you hit the ground
Get up now, get up, get up now.

‘Cause I’m on top of the world, ‘ay
I’m on top of the world, ‘ay
Waiting on this for a while now
Paying my dues to the dirt
I’ve been waiting to smile, ‘ay
Been holding it in for a while, ‘ay
Take it with me if I can
Been dreaming of this since a child
I’m on top of the world.

Our Secret

And this post is dedicated to Ella and Daizha. I love you, girls!

Thanks for being the best roommates ever. :)

She's Got the L-word

This post is dedicated to my sister, who, for the record, does not have leprosy or lice (as far as I know...).

I'm soooooo excited for you, sis! Let the crazy times begin!!!

P.S. When I saw this movie in the theaters with Patty and her daughters Ella and Daizha, the four of us started cracking up at this line. What pushed me over the edge to crying was when Ella, who was laughing very exuberantly, stopped and said quietly, "What is leprosy?" She was laughing but didn't know why it was funny. That's Ella for you. She's the best! :)

Let's Hear It for New York

Today my story is... I'm missing New York City. Mara, author of A Blog about Love, one of my favorite blogs, posted the video (below) a while back (I was catching up today); watching it made me miss NYC so much.

I never thought me and NYC would ever have a relationship. Honestly, moving there was kind of an "I don't really know what I'm doing but it feels like the right thing to do" experience--the kind that requires great trust and courage. I turned my life upside down (quit my job, sold my house, etc) to follow this feeling....

I arrived in NYC with great apprehension and uncertainty. KShum, who had moved there in 2011, and I spent time exploring the city...and I fell in love with it. With all of the peculiar, crazy things you'd find only in New York. And with the people!

When I was offered a temporary job back in Utah, I wrestled with the decision for almost a week: I needed the money...but I didn't want to leave the city I loved. Practicality won out, and I returned to Utah. Unfortunately and fortunately I guess, that temporary job turned into another...and I've been here longer than I thought I'd be.

But I'm going back.

Soon.

Thanks to Mara for posting this video, for reminding me why I love NYC so much: the diversity and quality of the amazing New Yorkers!



P.S. Back in September I had the privilege of hearing Danny & Mara speak at a young single adults' conference near Lincoln Center. I arranged my teaching schedule to ensure I could hear them--and it was sooooo worth it! I couldn't take notes fast enough; I'm still pondering some of the insights they shared. And Mara was so kind when I spoke to her briefly after the conference concluded. Let's hear it for New York...and the wonderful people there!

Where I Am...And Where I Want to Be

Here you are. Right here, right now. At this very moment.You are where you are in life. Is it where you want to be? If not, get there.
— Donnie Wahlberg (@DonnieWahlberg), tweeted 6 December 2012

I seek for inspiration and words of wisdom from all sources--truth is truth wherever it is found, after all. I especially love the inspiring-ly (is that even word?) practical words from one of my favorite people, Donnie. The tweet he posted a few days ago hit me--well, not literally because I don't think tweets can do that, but figuratively it hit me that I'm not where I want to be.

...Which is not a new idea for me, because I've known that for quite some time. I can even tell you all of the reasons why I'm not where I want to be.

However, the why is not really the point, is it? When I focus on problems and talk (and talk and talk and talk...) and make excuses about them, they expand into more problems...like pouring water on a Mogwai (all you'll get are ugly Gremlins). And talking excessively about something has never really been my thing, which is probably why I've been stuck in this Groundhog's Day experience for so long: I haven't known what action to take, so I've just allowed myself to keep keepin' on, knowing all the while that I was needed and I wanted to be elsewhere.

I'm not where I want to be. So, what steps can I take right now to move me in the desired direction? There may be obstacles blocking my way and things I cannot do...but there is also plenty I can do. I'll focus on that (what I can do).

Thanks for the "get your mind right" words of wisdom, Donnie!