{day twenty} Find Your Happiness

How did you make space + peace for yourself in 2013?

How will you increase that in 2014?

source :: good vibes 4 you @tumblr

I made peace for myself by letting go of the things that were holding me back and dragging me down. I constantly felt like I was treading water, and who wants to live like that? So, I figured out what was giving me all my gray hairs and all the knots in my back, and walked away from it. Eventually, I would like to move to the beach, but right now I am perfectly content enjoying my less stressful life. And I like it that way!

{day sixteen} Do You Wanna See a Movie?

What movie(s) did you see in 2013 that you would recommend to a friend to watch?

source :: pinterest

I really, really do. I love them almost as much as I love books. Of course, the books are always better than the movie. That's a no brainer. You can get so much more back story from a book than you can a movie. 

Now, as I was getting this post ready, it occurred to me that I have pretty much already written it - here. So, rather than inundating with the same information, you can just go there to read about my recs. I'm sure there were other movies released in 2013 that I loved, but those two stick out the most!

Also, in you are curious, there's talk about turning Frozen into a Broadway musical. I die!!! One - I would love to play Anna. Two - I just want to see how it translates to the stage. {here's the article}

source :: frozen disney

{day fifteen} Stand Up for What is Right

Is there someone you want to emulate in 2014?

Who and why?

source :: imgur

I'm sure this will come as no surprise as we all love her wit and honesty, but I want to emulate J-Law in 2014. She wants to fight the image of women in the media, and I totally agree. We should be proud of our bodies. Now, that doesn't mean we should walk around stuffing our faces with fast food and cake every day, of course! Having a healthy self image is what it's all about; let's fight eating disorders and bad self-images together!!

source :: pinterest

I'm not a teacher anymore "officially," but I will always have a knack for it so for that I will emulate Nancy Carlsson-Paige. If you don't already know, she is Matt Damon's mom. She was a teacher, and now she is speaking out about how school has just become an evaluation process with no real learning. Teaching is not what it used to be, and after being in the school system for 3.5 years, I will always advocate for learning instead of testing. Education today needs to change. We are doing a disservice to children by putting them face down in books instead of encouraging learning through experience. A test does not show you the full value of a child; they are so much more than a score on a piece of paper.

source :: pinterest

{day fourteen} Choices, Chances, Changes

You've been asked to give a 2 minute presentation on "my biggest lesson of 2013" to a group of friends/colleges/family members/etc. Use any medium you'd like to share.

source :: facebook

Life is hard and all about different choices. I hate making choices, don't you? I mean, what if you make the wrong one? What if what you thought was a good idea does not turn out the way you were planning? In 2013 though, I learned that making those tough decisions can be the best thing that ever happened to you! Doing what you love and being happy is irreplaceable in today's world. Remember that! =]

source :: pinterest

{day thirteen} Your Talent is a Gift

What creativity or talent did you cultivate in 2013?

What do you want to enhance this year?

source :: life as a culinary girl @ wordpress

I started writing in 2013. More than just blogging, actually formulating stories and putting them together. It's been a weird process but a fun experience. The past couple of months things have sat a little idle, but I'm hoping to pick them back up again soon. I'm like a solar panel, the more sun - the more energy and inspiration I have.

So, in 2014, I'm hoping to continue enhancing this skill. I want to finish the story I started and see how it all turns out, even if I'm the only one that ever reads it. =]

source :: secrets n treasures @ blogspot