"Be Here Now"

Well.....long time no talk. :) Today I thought I would take a few minutes, or 30, to write. Let's see....last post was Nov. 2011 and times have definitely changed a bit since then....but haven't all our lives. So therefore I have chosen not to provide an update since November 2011 but to "Be Here Now" and write about a phrase that has impacted my life in many ways.

The first time I heard this quote was at a National Sales Meeting in San Diego, CA in April 2012. An executive started off the meeting with a story about his family, a wife and 3 sons. He emphasized the stern focus and dedication he had to work and the little time he was able to spend with his sons. And he told a story of his multi-tasking ability....driving in the car to take his son to football practice, texting, his son telling him a story about school, the phone ringing, him telling his son to hold on, answering the phone call from someone at work. All the while his mind is running and he was unable to focus on one thing....the most important thing - his son in the car telling him a story. And when he stepped back and thought about the experience he realized that there would be a day when he would want his son to tell him stories and share life's challenges and experiences and it would then be like pulling teeth. So he told himself "Be Here Now." Be in this moment right now. Multi-tasking is simply doing many things, at the same time, halfway. And why? Why not enjoy every moment, every memory, every story to it's fullest extent....and relish in it for that moment in time.

So that is what I try to do. That is how I try to live. And no....that doesn't mean I'm that person who lives passively and moves at a slow pace, relaxed, cool, and calm man. I just really take every moment, task, day and enjoy it - knowing that the past is the past and the future will be (with a little guidance from me. :)

And that is why I put the pictures above.....because that espresso was delectable! The dainty cup, the smooth richness of flavor, and the company sitting across from me made this a moment for me. We came to this restaurant every night just to enjoy the espresso, sometimes few words were spoken, we looked over our shoulders out over the ocean, listened to the waves, and were in the moment, not thinking about what was or what is to be - just being there.... now. 

A Visit "Home"

I'm back.....and I apologize for the extremely long break. Life has been flying by day by day and I decided TODAY I would slow it down. (LOL)

A lot has happened since my last post (March).....oh man, seems like a decade ago! A new house purchase (after years of looking in every city in the US), new career advancements for my hubby, career changes for me, World Series wins, my dad retiring, my mother in law battling her life's greatest challenge (which she WILL WIN!! I'm sure of it), and of course a few new passions and things to smile about added to my ever changing list.

HOME: A place where an individual can rest or take refuge. A place where a person grew up or feels they belong.

Today I jumped off the fast moving train of life and Chris and I drove "home" (to the lake). I reflected the other day on how crazy it is (I shouldn't say crazy but rather cool :), and so comforting, to say "it feels good to be home." And I thought about the places where I find myself saying this......our home, Chris' parents home, my parents home. And I thought about how awesome it is to be able to come HOME to three different houses and have such love, comfort, and peaceful souls. We arrived around midnight last night and immediately upon arrival, a breath of fresh air, "It feels good to be home."

And now.....my task.....making our first house......A HOME!

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(Side Note:)

DECORATING :)

MY DECORATING STYLE: Transitional.

MY FAVORITE STORE: Ethan Allan

MY THEME: Calm, Peaceful, Serene, Slightly Crisp, and overall SOOTHING. (Basically how I try to live my life expressed in every room)

I will post a few pictures of our decorating as the rooms reach completion. My second mother sent me some beautiful white orchids which added the final touch to our hearth/four seasons room. I will add a picture in a few days. But, I will say, my hope is that these are everlasting orchids. Because not only are they beautiful but upon receiving these orchids in the mail on a Saturday morning, my heart jumped with joy. They became a passion of mine. And now I would like orchids in every room. :)

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So as I sit at the counter overlooking the beautiful lake....thousands of trees changing colors from green, gold, red, burnt orange.......I am grateful for the "HOME's" in my life, the love in my life, and the gift of life itself.

And....it didn't take long, even with vacant rooms, to turn our new house into our home........

"Because HOME is where the heart is."

:) ----- Happy Holidays to ALL. -------- :)

Gets me everytime....

Good day!...

I don't have a lot to say today. But I wanted to share this special video that really touches my heart every time I watch it. I hope you enjoy it too! :)

The Little Things....

One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this: To rise above the little things. – John Burroughs

So I found this quote just browsing online today. I am off work for 6 DAYS!!! Yes...you heard me right.....Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. Mix in a weekend in the middle and.....AMAZING! I have taken this time to just relax and take some ME TIME! I've been working out everyday, spending time with my wonderful husband, celebrating my puppies 2nd birthday (haha), cooking (I don't get to do this much), and getting my appearance together! The squirrel picture grabbed my attention and made me smile! So I chose to add it. :)

In googling today I ran into this website/blog and the topic sparked my interest. I truely believe in it!! And there is actually a book out there called "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff....And It's All Small Stuff." Pretty cool if you think about it. I think a lot of people do live like this.....AND IF THEY DO YOU CAN TELL! They are the people who are at peace with life and (like my friend says) "they just wing it!"

The quote above is a lesson in self improvement, self help, stress management, health, and happiness. I think everyone should write this quote down on an index card and place it in the place they’ll see it the most often – on the refrigerator, by your desk, on your bathroom mirror… Small things (like the ones listed below) simply aren’t worth getting riled up over:

• A leaking faucet.
• Finding yourself low on gas.
• The cost of gas.
• A driver who pulls out in front of you.
• A barking dog.
• Having to run to the store for butter or milk.
• Your team losing a game.
• The server not bringing your refill as quickly as you’d like.
• A slow internet connection.
• And so on…

So have an awesome day! Relax....enjoy the sun....enjoy the rain....and as always JUST SMILE!

Focus on your STRENGTHS....

"Most people think they know what they are good at. They are usually wrong...And yet, a person can perform only from strength." - Peter Drucker

Okay....sooooo I'm sitting here drinking my wine, white wine (Pino Grigio (my fave))..sitting in my reclined section of the couch..looking for houses...browsing the web...and now creating a post. I thought about this post earlier today and this is what I remembered I wanted to talk about.

My passion is STRENGTHS FINDER.

Okay....sooo...I was given this book, "Strength's Finder 2.0" by my mom for Christmas. First, you read the first couple chapters of the book. It explains how managers focus on the things employees do that need improvement instead of focusing on the strengths of each individual. We devote more time to our shortcomings than to our strengths. A misguided maxim, the book states is:

"You can be anything you want to be, if you just try hard enough."

This is something that is embraced at an early age. And I admit...I believed it too. I wanted to be a pharmacist, tried extremely HARD to get into pharmacy school. The science classes were like a foreign language to me....yet I YEARNED to master them! It was amazing to me how other students JUST KNEW IT! HOW!!!!

After reading this book......my eyes opened.

"Each person has greater potential for success in specific areas, and the key to human development is building on who you ALREADY ARE."

After taking the quiz and learning more about my strengths: responsible, futuristic, maximizer, empathetic, and competitor. I learned how to put these strengths to use....and how to be a SUCCESS (haha....I guess I'm on my way...but it's amazing how the book expands on these traits.) I'd love to hear what everyone who reads this finds out from the Strengths Finder book. Please comment once you take it!

This book is awesome! I mean....yeah....everyone knows what they do best. But it's pretty neat to focus on the good things instead of focusing on how to be better at things which you fail....which you know you are bad at. How about focus on what you are already good at and then it is easy to BE THE BEST!

I'll close with this and maybe it sounds more accurate:

"You CANNOT be anything you want to be -- but you CAN be a lot more of who you already are."

Music...

So.....during times of triumph, joy, and the happiest of days....music has added an extra spark. And during times of sadness, heartache, anger, and dispair....music has brightened my heart and enlightened my soul.

For this reason MUSIC is one of my PASSIONS.

I have a feeling you will find me posting a lot of different songs and artists on this blog. But Lady Antebellum and "Hello World" really hits home for me. Especially in this world of baseball I really think this song brings life into perspective. On days when I feel saddened and useless, lonely and dependent....this song helps me to WAKE UP!....and see that I have to be that rock in the rough waters....that being negative gets me nowhere. And when I say, "hello world" it makes me not want to miss a minute of my precious life dwelling on negative thoughts or ideas. But rather....be positive, love life, and take time to smell the roses. See the good in everything and everyone. Don't get wrapped up in life......ride the waves and smile!

Welcome

Well....I FINALLY did it. I took the time (of which I have a lot right now) and created a method in which I can carry out one of my passions in life.....writing. My husband says I am better at writing than I am speaking...which could say that I'm a terrible speaker....but I like to see it the other way.

Anyway, I created this blog so I can share with whomever....my passions in life (I have quite a few and the list expands as needed).

I define a PASSION as :: Something which makes me smile, which takes all the stresses in life away, and which emits a spark of sunshine into the world and into my life.

These can be hobbies, places, people, words....you name it. If it falls under the definition then its a "passion". Over the course of the blog I will share them with you.....and hopefully they can become your passions too!

I love my husband more than anyone in the world and am sooo grateful to have him in my life. He supports me in everything I do and inspires me everyday to be a better person and go my destiny. His driven work ethic and determination are stronger than any person on earth! He makes me smile everyday and I can't imagine my life without him! I love you babe. xoxo

Right now he is in Arizona following HIS passion....BASEBALL. Over the past 4 years he has gone through numerous serious surgeries. This has made it difficult to complete at an elite level. He has never given up hope and is shooting for this year (after double hip surgeries this offseason) to be his year to make a come back. I have never been more proud of him!

So here we go...enjoy...smile daily.....be at peace in life.....and love with all your heart! xoxo Amy