Another year

Hello my dear internet cosmos.  I'm so sorry I left you alone for the long last week.  I had an impromptu get away to the beach last weekend that spread into the week and kept me far far away from my computer.  And then I had a birthday on Thursday so the whole week basically just ended up being a black hole for anything remotely productive.  But I haven't had a week like that in a long time (read:  I work 7 days a week, all year long) so it was definitely well needed.

I had a particularly wonderful birthday this year, filled with hours of conversation, singing in the rain, dirty cowboy chaps, country music, poetry, watercolors, donations to a cause, wonderful friends, food, and lots of delicious beverages.  And now, it's actually spring in FL, and I'm finally okay with it.  I got to spend the weekend working in gardens and enjoying the warm weather instead of dreading it.  Like I said, this birthday week was truly a special one.

Anyway, I wanted to leave you with this wonderful little piece I ran across a while ago to give you a bit of inspiration for the week.  If there's one thing this year has taught me, it's that people are amazing and I find the most joy in learning from my fellow travelers on this planet.  Sometimes it stresses me out because the beauty and the joy is just so overwhelming.  But then I remember that this is me and this is how I operate.  I am hopelessly connected to everyone around me.  I'd rather weep from the outrageous glory that I encounter in the miracle of life than let it pass me by.

I hope you will take the time to connect to others today.  I promise, it will be worth it.  XOXO

wall envy art

SEVEN REASONS YOU SHOULD REACH OUT TO EVERY PERSON EVER

1.)  We’re all alone well, kind of.  This sounds grim, but it’s not! There is a freedom in realizing and embracing the fact that at the end of the day you’re sitting in your own skin with your own thoughts and realities.  One of the most beautiful parts of being alive and continually pushed into the world is knowing that every single person on the planet also goes to bed in their own skin, with their own thoughts and realities.  Learning and exploring new people offers you the opportunity to change some wobbly realities you’ve created and equally allows you to challenge someone else’s.

2.)  Everyone wants to be loved. I believe this from the very bottom of my heart.  Some people spend whole lifetimes trying to deny themselves the magic and wonder of being loved.  The world is weird, man.  People are becoming increasingly disconnected from other people and I can only conclude that this is because of an underlying fear of really sharing ones self with another soul.  Its scary, but even if you open that door and subsequently have to shut it, I guarantee your heart is better for it.

3.)  People are really weird. Some of the most amazing and inspirational people I have ever met are also the weirdest.  The old saying “don’t judge a book by it’s cover” couldn’t be more true.  Some people who appear to be so transparent can sometimes end up being the most hidden.  And some of the most nondescript can end up being the most magical and unhinged.

4.)  You’re not better than anyone. This is not a race, y’all.  I had a crash course lesson in this when I was 16 years old.  Suddenly I realized that competing against the world at large would only bring me misery, and worse off, would be a complete waste of my precious time in this brilliant and bizarre world.  Quit comparing.  Quit hiding yourself.  There’s always someone who is more _______than you.  Find yourself and love the s**t out of it.  If you can’t- who will?

5.)  Mean people are just fearful. It’s hard to not return rudeness with rudeness.  I’ve slowly learned this since moving to the east coast.  But if she’s rude to you, and you’re rude to her where do you end up? Next time someone is mean to you or cruel, remind yourself that that person is just fighting a battle they haven’t overcome yet and that most likely, that s**t aint yours to bother with.  Let it go and it will let go of you.

6.)  Everyone’s a teacher. At some point you realize that you’re an eternal student. People all around you are here to show you something new.  Listen to other people.  When you are most convicted about your own beliefs it is a prime opportunity to step back for a moment, truly listen to the other side and work out whether or not you subscribe to their belief or sentiment. You’ve changed people’s minds about a lot of things, let them change yours.

7.)  Being tender and open is beautiful.  As a woman, I feel continually shhh’ed.  Too sensitive.  Too mushy.  Too wishy washy. Blah blah.  Don’t let someone steal your tenderness.  Don’t allow the coldness and fear of others to tarnish your perfectly vulnerable beating heart.  Nothing is more powerful than allowing yourself to truly be affected by things. Whether it’s a song, a stranger, a mountain, a rain drop, a tea kettle, an article, a sentence, a footstep…feel it all – look around you- all of this is for you.  Take it and have gratitude.  Give it and feel love.

**Written by Amelia Olsen for Hello Giggles.  Read more of Amelia's thoughts on her blog.**