Hello my party friends!
Have you ever realized that sometimes you catch yourself staring at the problems in life instead of the entertainment?
For instance, the other day as Andrew and I were driving down the road I was rambling on about the dead squirrel coming up on the road. We got closer to the dead squirrel that had unfortunately been obliterated by cars and I was quite concerned that Andrew would hit a piece of it. (P.s. Gross) So anyways we pass by the dead squirrel without any real problems... phew! ... but then Andrew just looks over at me and he's got this shocked look on his face and asks how in the world I missed seeing that guy. I didn't see any guy. I had no idea what he was talking about.
I quickly spun around in my seat to look out the back window and realized that for some reason this guy was walking down the sidewalk with these jumbo metal stilt things attached to his legs making him about 10 feet tall... or maybe 8. Anyways, it was a crazy sight and I had almost completely missed seeing it! All because I was so focused on a dead squirrel. My life wouldn't have been drastically changed obviously but I think it's interesting to note that sometimes we can get so focused on things that bring us down that we lose sight of things that have laughter and life!
Life is crazy, this is not the first time I have said this or realized this. There will always be things that will want your attention, such as finances, relationships, illnesses, responsibilities, big decisions, etc., but I think it's important to not be so focused on these things that we lose sight of the everyday joy that life has. Some people are able to have a wider focus on life and they know that hitting a dead squirrel with their car won't really cause any damage, but waving at a unique individual on stilts... you don't want to miss opportunities like that, for however they look in your own life.
I go to sleep now. I just wanted to touch base on this topic. :)
Be joyful and find joy this week friends.
P.s. it's easier to do when you're not focused on dead squirrels.
ok bye!! Have a great week!
Monday, April 29, 2013
Monday, April 22, 2013
Hey, you're cool.
Monday monday monday!!
FRIENDS!! I am alive and well this week... I just baked some coffee cake muffins (my husband thinks they are delicious), I'm doing some laundry, I have some tea, it was amazingly sunny today, the house is tidy, I like my earrings ahhh fantastic. Excited to be dreaming again this week and chasing goals and I'm feeeelinggg gooood, as Michael Buble would say. I hope you are feeling the same after whatever your day held! It's good to feel good. Let's write!
I would like to talk to you today about a real life true story that happened:
One day in the nearby past I was sitting down with my husband working on thank you cards from our wedding (better late than never and that's all I will say on that as my guilt expands a little more each day that they haven't been finished yet... the guilt! the guilt!) and we were going down the list, each of us focused on writing out our cards for friends and family. After a while I asked Andrew if he was remembering to actually say thank you and mention the exact gift that the guest had given us (it dawned on me that men don't typically write thank you cards after showers or parties or weddings, etc.). So anyways, Andrew just kind of looks up at me from the card he was writing with this super cute blank look and says, "No... I was just kinda... writing about what I thought of them." Which I think is so adorable and funny and made me laugh. Andrew thinks highly of everybody so he was just loving the opportunity to handout cards that tell all our guests how awesome he thinks they are. And I bet they are going to love getting those cards!
So anyways, I was just thinking on that today and it occurred to me how fun it would be if people took time out of their day to just sit and write 'you're awesome' notes to people. Not for any particular reason, not to say thank you for a gift or service, but just to spotlight a friend, family member or stranger. Just a quick card (or email, etc.) to say "hey I think you are awesome because of these reasons (but you would actually give reasons)". For extra fun you could even leave your name off of the card. Mysteries keep the mind young. (Probably.)
Now I think of this because one of the things I know in life is this:
People like to be complimented and told that they are cool.
Whether people actually receive the compliment or deflect it is a totally different story, but this much I also know: written comments are harder for people to interrupt or deny. A written comment such as 'you rock' can put a bounce in someones step, but a written paragraph detailing on how and why 'you rock' puts a smile on people's hearts. Apparently I know a lot of things today, because I also know this: a good portion of the time the person taking the time to write out compliments or spotlight somebody else, also ends up feeling more excited and happy about THEIR day.
Dare to care my friends. Dare to care.
I guess on this great day, ahh yes, earth day, I just wanted to highlight the idea and practice of complimenting one another again. Not on the dress or shoes they are wearing (although that's totally splendid don't get me wrong), but one upping our compliments to the actual character and heart of the person themself. Instead of being intimidated or challenged by another person, note what stands out to you about them and don't be afraid to compliment someone on a character trait that you are still working towards.
In closing, people like to be appreciated, especially when they least expect it... so to all those that read my blog every week, I think you are super cool. I may not know every single one of you but I feel confident in saying that you all have completely unique personalities and character traits that everyone can learn something from. You are unique and special and I hope that when you start off each new day you are refreshed in that you get another day of just being you! Have a fantastic week my friends!
FRIENDS!! I am alive and well this week... I just baked some coffee cake muffins (my husband thinks they are delicious), I'm doing some laundry, I have some tea, it was amazingly sunny today, the house is tidy, I like my earrings ahhh fantastic. Excited to be dreaming again this week and chasing goals and I'm feeeelinggg gooood, as Michael Buble would say. I hope you are feeling the same after whatever your day held! It's good to feel good. Let's write!
I would like to talk to you today about a real life true story that happened:
One day in the nearby past I was sitting down with my husband working on thank you cards from our wedding (better late than never and that's all I will say on that as my guilt expands a little more each day that they haven't been finished yet... the guilt! the guilt!) and we were going down the list, each of us focused on writing out our cards for friends and family. After a while I asked Andrew if he was remembering to actually say thank you and mention the exact gift that the guest had given us (it dawned on me that men don't typically write thank you cards after showers or parties or weddings, etc.). So anyways, Andrew just kind of looks up at me from the card he was writing with this super cute blank look and says, "No... I was just kinda... writing about what I thought of them." Which I think is so adorable and funny and made me laugh. Andrew thinks highly of everybody so he was just loving the opportunity to handout cards that tell all our guests how awesome he thinks they are. And I bet they are going to love getting those cards!
So anyways, I was just thinking on that today and it occurred to me how fun it would be if people took time out of their day to just sit and write 'you're awesome' notes to people. Not for any particular reason, not to say thank you for a gift or service, but just to spotlight a friend, family member or stranger. Just a quick card (or email, etc.) to say "hey I think you are awesome because of these reasons (but you would actually give reasons)". For extra fun you could even leave your name off of the card. Mysteries keep the mind young. (Probably.)
Now I think of this because one of the things I know in life is this:
People like to be complimented and told that they are cool.
Whether people actually receive the compliment or deflect it is a totally different story, but this much I also know: written comments are harder for people to interrupt or deny. A written comment such as 'you rock' can put a bounce in someones step, but a written paragraph detailing on how and why 'you rock' puts a smile on people's hearts. Apparently I know a lot of things today, because I also know this: a good portion of the time the person taking the time to write out compliments or spotlight somebody else, also ends up feeling more excited and happy about THEIR day.
Dare to care my friends. Dare to care.
I guess on this great day, ahh yes, earth day, I just wanted to highlight the idea and practice of complimenting one another again. Not on the dress or shoes they are wearing (although that's totally splendid don't get me wrong), but one upping our compliments to the actual character and heart of the person themself. Instead of being intimidated or challenged by another person, note what stands out to you about them and don't be afraid to compliment someone on a character trait that you are still working towards.
In closing, people like to be appreciated, especially when they least expect it... so to all those that read my blog every week, I think you are super cool. I may not know every single one of you but I feel confident in saying that you all have completely unique personalities and character traits that everyone can learn something from. You are unique and special and I hope that when you start off each new day you are refreshed in that you get another day of just being you! Have a fantastic week my friends!
Monday, April 15, 2013
I would rather be sleeping too.
I will just come out and say it... I'm annoyed with my dream today.
That's probably bad to say, but I feel it in my eyelids.
Fact is, what I would like to be doing right now is sleeping. It doesn't matter what time it is really, I just wish I was sleeping, not typing, not trying to pluck a topic from my fading brain, and not pushing myself to somehow encourage somebody within my Monday post. I shouldn't have admitted that maybe... sometimes it doesn't come naturally because all you see are your complaints and situations swirling in front of you. I think the worst part for me right now is that it is totally ME making myself stay up and write something for today. My own sliver of motivation!
I guess you could say that I'm annoyed with the part of me that just won't give up already! I mean come on Sherylynn... you haven't finished your poetry book, your other book, or even compiled all your blog posts into a book, yet you still dream of being a writer? But yet, I know that one late night emotion should not hide all my day time motivation, and so I continue typing. My late night bipolar self fights with ... herself.
Ahhh It's a confusing time.
I believe I am not the only one though, I guess that's where I am going with this. As my trustworthy facebook news feed has updated me, today starts a week of crunch time in the university world. Essays, studying, finals, presentations, all that fun. If you haven't gotten to that point yet where it's late at night and your assignment is no where near being done and you feel so overwhelmed and you would cry but you just don't have the energy and all you want to do is not fail and just sleeeeeeep... then I am glad I got to you first. If you are at that stage, that's ok too. I can work with that.
I don't have so many great words of wisdom that will miraculously help you finish every single one of your papers/presentations/studying, etc., but I do have a God that encourages, protects, sustains, inspires and loves all the students. Also, I used to succesfully(well more or less) run on about 4-5 hours of sleep for four months straight, but at some point on my late studying sessions I just wanted to hear that somebody else understood the pressure and panic that I felt at that moment.
So now... whether you are taking a break or just down right delaying your next batch of intense study, have it in your hearts that I am praying for you tonight to flourish in whatever assignment you are working on, that though my pressures may have been different and my current dreams are probably different than yours, I understand your desire to grasp that last little bit of motivation to finish off your assignment, as well as the semester.
I just want you to know that you can do it. Don't doubt it, question it or deny it. You can do it and I am proud of you for making it this far. Don't forget how great and talented you are!
Love to all my student friends these next few weeks.
(Non-student friends, throw aside jealousy, I have love for you too!)
That's probably bad to say, but I feel it in my eyelids.
Fact is, what I would like to be doing right now is sleeping. It doesn't matter what time it is really, I just wish I was sleeping, not typing, not trying to pluck a topic from my fading brain, and not pushing myself to somehow encourage somebody within my Monday post. I shouldn't have admitted that maybe... sometimes it doesn't come naturally because all you see are your complaints and situations swirling in front of you. I think the worst part for me right now is that it is totally ME making myself stay up and write something for today. My own sliver of motivation!
I guess you could say that I'm annoyed with the part of me that just won't give up already! I mean come on Sherylynn... you haven't finished your poetry book, your other book, or even compiled all your blog posts into a book, yet you still dream of being a writer? But yet, I know that one late night emotion should not hide all my day time motivation, and so I continue typing. My late night bipolar self fights with ... herself.
Ahhh It's a confusing time.
I believe I am not the only one though, I guess that's where I am going with this. As my trustworthy facebook news feed has updated me, today starts a week of crunch time in the university world. Essays, studying, finals, presentations, all that fun. If you haven't gotten to that point yet where it's late at night and your assignment is no where near being done and you feel so overwhelmed and you would cry but you just don't have the energy and all you want to do is not fail and just sleeeeeeep... then I am glad I got to you first. If you are at that stage, that's ok too. I can work with that.
I don't have so many great words of wisdom that will miraculously help you finish every single one of your papers/presentations/studying, etc., but I do have a God that encourages, protects, sustains, inspires and loves all the students. Also, I used to succesfully(well more or less) run on about 4-5 hours of sleep for four months straight, but at some point on my late studying sessions I just wanted to hear that somebody else understood the pressure and panic that I felt at that moment.
So now... whether you are taking a break or just down right delaying your next batch of intense study, have it in your hearts that I am praying for you tonight to flourish in whatever assignment you are working on, that though my pressures may have been different and my current dreams are probably different than yours, I understand your desire to grasp that last little bit of motivation to finish off your assignment, as well as the semester.
I just want you to know that you can do it. Don't doubt it, question it or deny it. You can do it and I am proud of you for making it this far. Don't forget how great and talented you are!
Love to all my student friends these next few weeks.
(Non-student friends, throw aside jealousy, I have love for you too!)
Monday, April 8, 2013
Am I Being Crazy?
Sometimes, you just have to ask yourself that question.
For starters, I am not meaning to shine a 'bad spotlight' on women these last few weeks but largely this question has been swirling in my mind from the fact that sometimes, girls are just crazy. Why? Because we have about 120 different main emotions, complete with 194,490 sub-emotions, and approximately 3,438 thoughts connected to every one of those emotions that has the ability to automatically respond to someone in about 478,289 different ways.
Don't quote those as true facts.
But I'm probably pretty close.
These 'crazy' thoughts stem from this book I've been reading lately called 'Brain on Fire' by Susannah Cahalan (if you want to look it up) which follows Susannah's path on being diagnosed in the last few years with this extremely rare autoimmune disease that actually made her brain, and ultimatley herself, go crazy!
Obviously I don't believe myself to have this disease, but Susannah brings up some interesting thoughts when she evaluates herself to see if she is possibly relapsing back into the paranoia that initially started her whole sickness. She takes the time to quickly analyze her thoughts, reactions and actions to ensure she is on the right path for peaceful emotions.
Self-evaluation, this is great. When you find yourself in a situation where a person is looking at you incredulously, this is a splendid time to ask yourself, "Am I being crazy? Am I completely over reacting to this? Should I go for a walk and calm down? Am I being absolutely paranoid for no reason?" These are good thoughts to have. Whether you are single, dating, married, etc. and you are a woman, you will always come across situations where friendships, relationships, coworkers, etc. will make you upset to some degree. What to do at this point?! Self-evaluation. Take a quick second to pinpoint what it is that makes you the most upset and what other emotions are flowing out of that. I encourage you to steer away from the evaluation of who is right or wrong, but reflect within yourself and see how you can control your reaction.
Being a married lady now I try and stay on top of this and be aware that sometimes I will just act and react absolutely crazy (not that I try so hard to be normal the rest of the time..). I just don't even know what to do with myself sometimes though, let alone explain to my husband why I'm completely over reacting to something. Ahhh life. Women. Men must love us and want to run from us all at the same time sometimes. My husband is remarkable though and understands that sometimes the sorting of emotions is a process before I can figure out what it is that bothers me so; sometimes I just need a nap, sometimes it's looking back at something somebody else may have said to me, other times it's some pizza, sometimes just give me a hug and make me stop talking! He's fantastic. We will always be learning.
So to wrap up here, my thoughts this week are thoughts of encouragement for women to be aware that A) we have a lot of emotions and B) this isn't a bad thing we just have to be aware and use these emotions wisely. I really think that asking yourself in the middle of a dispute or a breakdown "Am I being crazy?" will help give you a new perspective on how your 'argument' may appear to the other person at that moment and ultimately, bring you back to a stable emotional level. Also, I think we would be easier for our brothers, dads, boyfriends, guy friends, and husbands to understand us just that little bit better. I promise you we will still remain a great mystery to them.
Ladies... be beautiful and fantastic this week, embracing those emotions but not letting them run wild to cause unneccessary emotional mudslides of your personality. Much love, much love.
For starters, I am not meaning to shine a 'bad spotlight' on women these last few weeks but largely this question has been swirling in my mind from the fact that sometimes, girls are just crazy. Why? Because we have about 120 different main emotions, complete with 194,490 sub-emotions, and approximately 3,438 thoughts connected to every one of those emotions that has the ability to automatically respond to someone in about 478,289 different ways.
Don't quote those as true facts.
But I'm probably pretty close.
These 'crazy' thoughts stem from this book I've been reading lately called 'Brain on Fire' by Susannah Cahalan (if you want to look it up) which follows Susannah's path on being diagnosed in the last few years with this extremely rare autoimmune disease that actually made her brain, and ultimatley herself, go crazy!
Obviously I don't believe myself to have this disease, but Susannah brings up some interesting thoughts when she evaluates herself to see if she is possibly relapsing back into the paranoia that initially started her whole sickness. She takes the time to quickly analyze her thoughts, reactions and actions to ensure she is on the right path for peaceful emotions.
Self-evaluation, this is great. When you find yourself in a situation where a person is looking at you incredulously, this is a splendid time to ask yourself, "Am I being crazy? Am I completely over reacting to this? Should I go for a walk and calm down? Am I being absolutely paranoid for no reason?" These are good thoughts to have. Whether you are single, dating, married, etc. and you are a woman, you will always come across situations where friendships, relationships, coworkers, etc. will make you upset to some degree. What to do at this point?! Self-evaluation. Take a quick second to pinpoint what it is that makes you the most upset and what other emotions are flowing out of that. I encourage you to steer away from the evaluation of who is right or wrong, but reflect within yourself and see how you can control your reaction.
Being a married lady now I try and stay on top of this and be aware that sometimes I will just act and react absolutely crazy (not that I try so hard to be normal the rest of the time..). I just don't even know what to do with myself sometimes though, let alone explain to my husband why I'm completely over reacting to something. Ahhh life. Women. Men must love us and want to run from us all at the same time sometimes. My husband is remarkable though and understands that sometimes the sorting of emotions is a process before I can figure out what it is that bothers me so; sometimes I just need a nap, sometimes it's looking back at something somebody else may have said to me, other times it's some pizza, sometimes just give me a hug and make me stop talking! He's fantastic. We will always be learning.
So to wrap up here, my thoughts this week are thoughts of encouragement for women to be aware that A) we have a lot of emotions and B) this isn't a bad thing we just have to be aware and use these emotions wisely. I really think that asking yourself in the middle of a dispute or a breakdown "Am I being crazy?" will help give you a new perspective on how your 'argument' may appear to the other person at that moment and ultimately, bring you back to a stable emotional level. Also, I think we would be easier for our brothers, dads, boyfriends, guy friends, and husbands to understand us just that little bit better. I promise you we will still remain a great mystery to them.
Ladies... be beautiful and fantastic this week, embracing those emotions but not letting them run wild to cause unneccessary emotional mudslides of your personality. Much love, much love.
Monday, April 1, 2013
The Female World: Alarming
Greetings my fellow night owls and friends.
Today I bring you some ramblings from the part of my brain that says many fun and random things at night time, at that point when I should cave and go to bed but I still want to get my weekly writing in. Let's see what happens.
Lately I have been people watching. Lately meaning the last 25 years. And as I people watch I am quite alarmed by females. If I wasn't one of them I would probably want to shy away from the species. Many can be intimidating in what they wear, say and do. I'm not trying to point fingers or cause guilt or say that I am perfect (bahahah), that is not my intent, I just have a concern on my heart for this unique group of humans.
After weeks, maybe months, of invisible note taking and zero evidence collecting I have come up with the following conclusions on where my concerns stem from:
1) Many girls want to be considered hot.
2) Many girls want reassurance that they have a good body, face, smile, hair, makeup, style, etc.
3) Self photos, apparently known as "selfies", are alarmingly taking over the female world.
4) A good portion of girls don't realize how much they are loved and cherished.
And by girls I mean young women.
So I don't want to overwhelm myself or yourself with taking on such a huge topic or give an entire essay to read on this topic but I have these "tidbit thoughts" I will share for tonight.
One day Facebook began and "Selfies" began to overtake my news feed... self photos of young women in mirrors. Mirrors everywhere with awkward full body shots and cleavage and tight clothing and this big white circle from the flash, and a hand holding a camera, and then some duck face got invented and it all became too much for me. Sometimes I feel like a toddler stuck in the 'Why? Why? Why? Why? But WHY?' stage when I go on facebook. I can't quite grasp these pictures of women that I feel don't portray the strength and confidence that is within them. Women have worth, not a price tag, and self-confidence is not portrayed in a full body shot of yourself, but in knowing that there is a peace within. A peace that comes from knowing that you were created for a purpose, you are cherished, you are loved, you are not just a body to be admired, commented on or 'like'd. I think you are awesome. Take pride in you and all the wonderful unique thoughts, goals, dreams and character that have been given to you specifically.
Ladies, friends, night owls... be amazing and fantastic this week. I pray that confidence and peace will well up inside of you. When joy overflows from the inside, it's ok to keep secrets from facebook and instead share that joy, self-confidence and contentment with a friend! A real live friend!
Today I bring you some ramblings from the part of my brain that says many fun and random things at night time, at that point when I should cave and go to bed but I still want to get my weekly writing in. Let's see what happens.
Lately I have been people watching. Lately meaning the last 25 years. And as I people watch I am quite alarmed by females. If I wasn't one of them I would probably want to shy away from the species. Many can be intimidating in what they wear, say and do. I'm not trying to point fingers or cause guilt or say that I am perfect (bahahah), that is not my intent, I just have a concern on my heart for this unique group of humans.
After weeks, maybe months, of invisible note taking and zero evidence collecting I have come up with the following conclusions on where my concerns stem from:
1) Many girls want to be considered hot.
2) Many girls want reassurance that they have a good body, face, smile, hair, makeup, style, etc.
3) Self photos, apparently known as "selfies", are alarmingly taking over the female world.
4) A good portion of girls don't realize how much they are loved and cherished.
And by girls I mean young women.
So I don't want to overwhelm myself or yourself with taking on such a huge topic or give an entire essay to read on this topic but I have these "tidbit thoughts" I will share for tonight.
One day Facebook began and "Selfies" began to overtake my news feed... self photos of young women in mirrors. Mirrors everywhere with awkward full body shots and cleavage and tight clothing and this big white circle from the flash, and a hand holding a camera, and then some duck face got invented and it all became too much for me. Sometimes I feel like a toddler stuck in the 'Why? Why? Why? Why? But WHY?' stage when I go on facebook. I can't quite grasp these pictures of women that I feel don't portray the strength and confidence that is within them. Women have worth, not a price tag, and self-confidence is not portrayed in a full body shot of yourself, but in knowing that there is a peace within. A peace that comes from knowing that you were created for a purpose, you are cherished, you are loved, you are not just a body to be admired, commented on or 'like'd. I think you are awesome. Take pride in you and all the wonderful unique thoughts, goals, dreams and character that have been given to you specifically.
Ladies, friends, night owls... be amazing and fantastic this week. I pray that confidence and peace will well up inside of you. When joy overflows from the inside, it's ok to keep secrets from facebook and instead share that joy, self-confidence and contentment with a friend! A real live friend!
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