Fundementals

Gandhi's Top Ten Fundamentals for Changing the World

1. Change yourself

2. You are in control

3. Forgive and let go

4. Without action you aren't going anywhere

5. Take care of this moment

6. Everyone is human

7. Persistence

8. See the good in people and help them

9. Be congruent, be authentic, be your TRUE SELF

10. Continue to grow and evolve

I LOVE this. That Gandhi was one smart cookie.

What a great list to try and live your life by.

picture by the greatest

Adventure is out there!

As of last Friday, Jason and I are the newest residents of Auburn, WA. Jason has an internship with The Northwest Immigrants Rights Project in Tacoma for the summer. We are staying with some of his distant relatives in Auburn. I quit my job. I'm currently unemployed in a new city. A city where I know no one.  

And you know what?

I am so excited for a summer of unknowns.

I'm excited to make friends. To explore unfamiliar towns. To climb mountains in national parks that I've never been too.

I'm excited to eat at new restaurants. To run new trails. To shop at stores we don't have in Spokane. To break in a brand-spankin' new tent. 

I'm excited to go to concerts. To see our favorite comedian live. To attend game after game. 

But most importantly-

I'm excited to rekindle my relationship with my husband. After all, we only have each other here on this side of the state. 

I am going to make the very best of this experience that has been placed before me. Who knows, this quite possibly could be the greatest 3 months EVER. I can't wait to embark on new adventures and make new memories with my very best friend. 

My Mother

My Mother

Who sat and watched my infant head

When sleeping on my cradle bed,

And tears of sweet affection shed?

My Mother.

When pains and sickness made me cry,

Who gazed upon my heavy eye,

And wept for fear that I should die?

My Mother.

Who taught my infant lips to pray,

and love God's holy book and day,

And walk in wisdoms pleasant way?

My Mother.

And can I ever cease to be

Affectionate and kind to thee,

Who wast so very kind to me,

My Mother?

Ah, no! The thought I can not bear,

And if God please my life to spare

I hope I shall reward thy care,

My Mother.

When thou art feeble, old and grey,

My healthy arms shall be thy stay,

And I shall sooth thy pains away,

My Mother.

by Ann Taylor

Happiest Day to the woman who gave me life, taught me to love and was the best example a girl could ask for. 

I love you forever,

I like you for always,

As long as I'm living

My mama you'll be.  

Letting Go

Remember when  I said I was a sucker for groupon? When I saw a deal for chinese floating lanterns I didn't even think twice about hitting "purchase" on my iphone. 

 This experience is on the top of my list of Spokane memories. 

On Sunday the gang decided to get together for one last shebang before everyone headed out for the summer for different internships. Being the sap that I am, I knew I wanted to do something really special and memorable before we all went our separate ways. The lanterns were just the ticket. 

I'm not sure if they really are wishing lanterns or not but we all decided to "let something go" as they ascended into the sky. 

Holy Moly.

That was one of the most therapeutic things I think I've ever done. We all went off privately to different corners of the yard with our spouses to decide what it was that we were going to let these lanterns take away from us. I know for me, there were a few things I was ready to have lifted from my shoulders. Saying it out loud with my husband as he in turn told me what he was also letting go of was so beautiful and also so powerful. Then we all gathered back together, ready to watch our pain, our frustration, our hardships, our obstacles...whatever it may be, float peacefully away. 

I can safely say that there wasn't a dry eye there. As I laid there in the grass watching these giant glowing lanterns drift away, I honestly felt a peaceful renewal in myself that was beyond description. The quietness that filled the air was almost tangible. Tranquility overcame the audience and I think we we all became a little more aware of the beautiful futures that lie ahead of us.

I will remember this night forever and for always.

Pictures courtesy of le husband

Putting one foot in front of the other

"It's very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit."

-George Sheehan

 I use to be an avid runner. I registered for race after race. I got up early and stayed up late just to make sure I pounded the pavement almost daily. This sport is capable of changing my body faster than any other physical activity. When I run I am lean, I am tone but most importantly I am strong-and not just physically strong. It strengthens your mind in ways you'll never really understand until you get out there and do it. There is something so therapeutic about the steady motion of your feet hitting the ground in perfect harmony with one another.

step. step. step.

This is a sport where you are competing against yourself. Getting faster, pushing harder, running longer. I craved my runs. I needed them in more ways then I ever thought. I needed them to wake me up in the morning. To clear my head in the evenings. I needed them to push me past what I thought my capable limit was. There is no greater high then beating your own personal record.

And then I stopped. For two whole years I barely ran. It makes me so sad to think that I let something so amazing go.

So here I am. Starting again. I've been consistent for a few months now and I'm finally remembering what I have been missing out on. It hasn't been easy. I've had to teach my body how to breath. How to push. How to gain speed all over again. I have been sore and I have been tired. But the more consistent I am, the easier it gets. It's coming back quick and I am falling in love with it all over again.

Recently I've been feeling ready to get out there and race again. So today was the day. This morning Jason and I ran the Bloomsday 12k together.

It. was. awesome.

I felt like I found a piece of myself that had been missing. I flew down hills and then pushed myself back up again. I set goals for myself and met every one of them. I was loving life the whole time and I didn't want to stop once I crossed the finish line.

So I won't. 

two seven

Yesterday this boy turned 27. 

Isn't he handsome?

Happiest Birthday, love. I can't wait to celebrate the next 27 together. 

PS-sorry I fell asleep last night before we had a chance to eat your birthday cake. (aren't I the worst?!) Stop studying and come home so we can celebrate 27 plus one. 

xoxo

picture by my favorite photographer