Life is Not a ‘Race’

(Image:https://www.eydecals.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/life-is-not-a-race.jpg)

  

Hey all,

I know it’s been a while since I last posted a blog post. A lot has happened since I’ve last posted. I have graduated college and gotten a job as a kindergarten teacher (two pretty big things). 

As a kindergarten teacher, I have found myself repeating a certain phrase a lot lately. I have found myself saying, “It is not a race,” numerous times (typically many, many times throughout a single school day) to my students and it’s got me thinking...

I’ve come to the conclusion that this phrase isn’t something that five year olds alone need to here. Just let those five words sink in and speak to your heart/soul for a second, “it is not a race.”

If you’re like me, you’ll agree that it’s so easy at times to look at other people’s lives and be envious of the life they appear to have. It’s so easy to be tempted to compare our lives to theirs. You may think to yourself, “Wow, I wish I had....[insert object here] like they do,” or “I wish I looked like she/he does,” or “I wish my life was as great as his/hers.”

This temptation comes and is made easy, especially in today’s world where we’re immersed in technology and surrounded by all things social media. As a result, the above thoughts easily creep in and lead us to believe (even for a split second) that we are missing out and desire more than what we have for our own lives. 

Let’s take another second to speak words of affirmation to our own heart/soul that beauty is found in our own lives just the way they are. Everyone is at different stages in life and that is okay. Just because something in particular is happening in someone else’s life at the moment that you may desire, doesn’t mean that your life doesn’t measure up to theirs. Beauty can be found in our own lives when we stop to count our blessings, choose to look at all the good, and give thanks to God for our precious life that we live.

On a final note, I challenge you. Next time you’re scrolling through Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, remember that life is not a race, but rather a journey to be enjoyed and a gift from God.

Let us find peace and contentment, in that we are exactly where we need to be at this moment in our lives. God has placed us where we are at this point in time and beauty can be found here.

I wish you the best and many blessings in this crazy endeavor we call ‘life.’

Until next time, 

Lauren 

DIY EASY Peppermint Body Sugar Scrub

On a rainy Monday afternoon, I decided to get on Pinterest and I got inspired to make a homemade sugar body scrub! Surprisingly, I was able to use things I already had on hand and didn't even have to make a trip to the store. The finished product looks and smells great; I can't wait to try it out! :)
(Pinterest creds: https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/u-create-2122944/diy-sugar-scrub-recipes-2770048123) 

You will need:

• 1 jar with lid
• 1 c. brown sugar (or white granulated sugar)
• 1/4 c. olive oil 
• peppermint essential oil 
• honey (optional) 
• jute twine (optional) 
• cute label (optional; I created one on Word)

Instructions:

1. Take your jar and combine brown sugar, olive oil, and honey. Stir thoroughly and then add in about 6 drops of essential oil. Mix again. (and you're all done...it's super simple!) 
2. If you'd like, you can tie the jute twine around the rim of the jar lid and add the label to the top of the jar to dress it up a bit! (I also added a mini candy cane underneath the twine because I thought it was cute.) 
3. Enjoy! You can use this scrub while in the shower or taking a bath to exfoliate and moisturize your skin. All you do is massage the scrub on your skin (arms and legs) and then rinse it off with warm water!

finished product--side view

finished product--top view

until next time,
Lauren 

The Power of Inadequacy

picture creds: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/8F7bNm9L34I/maxresdefault.jpg

Dear friends,

Have you ever felt as though you're just not good enough? pretty enough? curvy/thin enough? tan enough? smart enough? Do you feel like you consistently fall short of others' expectations?

Well, here's some reassurance for you:
You are good enough. You are pretty enough. (You were made in His image; Psalm 139:14). You have an awesome body and skin tone, embrace it. You are smart enough (we don't all have the same types of intelligence). It's okay to be a disappointment to others. After all, you can't please everyone all the time, that's for sure. The only person you need to worry about pleasing is God and your own self (doing what makes God happy, first and foremost, and then doing what makes you happy secondly).

No greater time to cling to God than in these times of weakness when we suffer from these feelings of inadequacy, when we feel discouraged and like we 'don't measure up' to what is expected of us.

"Our feelings of inadequacy are opportunities for spiritual growth, for dependence on God, and for God to display His power through us." -Global Christian Center 
(http://globalchristiancenter.com/christian-living/personal-growth/11737-beyond-inadequacy-to-christs-sufficiency)

Isn't it so wonderful that He has an unconditional adoration for who you are (Matthew 11:28-30)? So many times, it seems as though society is telling us, 'you're not good enough' while we shouldn't spend so much time worrying and becoming preoccupied by the opinions of the world. We should look to Him for our definition of worth. After all, He is Ultimate Creator.

Friend, you are not alone in your feelings of inadequacy. Most importantly, you are more and far greater than your feelings of inadequacy.

Ultimately, your worth is not based on the opinions of others. The only one you should be striving to please and look towards for personal adequacy is the Lord.

Just remember, you are so very loved and are always adequate in His eyes. The power of inadequacy is finding that you can look to Him to (re)discover that you are adequate due to His amazing grace.

until next time,
Lauren

2016: out w/ the old, in w/ the new

pic from: http://quotesideas.com

Another year is upon us and you know what that means...time to make a list of things that I (*hope*) to accomplish in the upcoming year. I present to you my list of little "things" to improve upon for 2016. Ultimately, this year I plan to learn a lot while staying true to myself and showing kindness to others along the way.

Things I hope to accomplish in 2016: 

bad habit to break: less time wasted on social media (lol, this will be tough).

limit amount of screen time in bed.

places I'd like to visit: Savannah, Georgia & Charleston, South Carolina & anywhere in Hawaii (&the list goes on).

get better at managing time.

make time for fun things (don't let schoolwork take over).

something to improve upon: not ignoring someone when i'm mad at them.

be more helpful when possible without wanting/expecting anything in return.

read the Bible more.

read more books for personal leisure.

blog more.

be open to trying new foods (maybe even sushi).

work on my physical well-being (take use of new yoga mat).

take the stairs more.

give more compliments.

reconnect w/ old friends.

explore more (the outdoors is a beautiful place).

discover a new artist/song each month.

read uplifting news articles (don't get too consumed w/ the depressing stories).

do more brain games (e.g. word searches).

clean more.

cook more (try new recipes).

get out of bed earlier & don't keep hitting snooze (this will be tough).

quiet reflection time without electronics.

show kindness always.

volunteer.

shop less (stop buying unnecessary crap).

save $.

grow a plant.


Hopefully, I'll be able to check off a majority of these items at the end of 2016. I also hope to be held a little more accountable for these things since I have them written down. (If it's posted, it has to come true, right?) I encourage you to jot down some things you want to accomplish in the upcoming year; we can keep each other accountable.

I wish you all a happy & healthy new year!!! Best wishes in 2016!!!


until next time,
Lauren

Letter of Thanks

Dear Wendy's employee, 

Even though I know the likelihood of you reading this post is extremely slim, I just wanted to take the time to say a simple thank you. Thank you for the cheerful greeting along with your big, vibrant smile and the "how are you" as I pulled up the window to pay for my food.

Thank you for exceeding my expectations of my trip to get lunch. You were the most joyous, kind-hearted person that I had the pleasure of encountering today.

Moreover, you served as a glorious reminder to me of the "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." You never know who may come through your window and really need the smile and compassion from a stranger. It is so easy to get bogged down when a lot is going on, but you allowed me to step back for a moment to realize otherwise. Even during the week prior to finals, there is so much for me be cheerful about. Thanks for opening my eyes to that today.

It's definitely the little things that can make the biggest impact on someone's day. Thank you once more for impacting mine.

I was just expecting a cheeseburger and fries, but I received much more than that. It's not everyday that I encounter a stranger that seems to care so deeply about a fellow stranger. I know it may seem like I'm making a big deal out of this. However, it's definitely worthy (in my opinion) to point out the good in a world that seems to be suffocating with the bad.

Also, thank you for the "Have a blessed day." It means more than you know.


May God surely bless you too,

Delighted customer 

p.s. I pray that you continue to be a light to all other customers that come to your window & radiate cheer to them as you have shown me. :)

http://www.liveandlovework.com/http://liveandlovework.com/images.liveandlovework.com//2014/03/be-kind-for-everyone-you-meet-is-fighting-a-hard-battle.jpg

Loved Beyond the Tatters

The other day, I noticed that one of my favorite t-shirts had a hole in it. Throwing my shirt back into my t-shirt drawer, I did not think much of it. This morning, I reached for this same shirt. It occurred to me that even though it had a hole in it, I still desired to wear it. It still continues to be one of my favorite t-shirts regardless of the fact that the hole can never truly be undone. My love for the shirt is greater than any little hole it may possess. (side note: Just in case you were wondering, the shirt just so happens to have an AU on it, haha).

Through this little hole in my t-shirt, I was reminded of how we (as children of God) are still His favorites. Regardless of being flawed, He chose (and continues to choose) to love us anyway. His love for me and you is greater than any sin we may wear upon our hearts. I was especially reminded of this verse:

“…but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8

Other applicable verses:
Psalm 136
John 3:16-17
John 15:13
1 Corinthians 13:7
Hebrews 13:8
Lamentations 3:22

Yes, of course I sin. We all do. I sin more than I'd like to admit, but I find comfort in knowing that Jesus is always on my side through it all (the good, the bad and the ugly).

Today, I'm thankful for His love that endures through the tatters (of my sinful life).

until next time,
Lauren

Things Worth Smiling About

because there is so much to smile about even when a bad day is telling you to do the opposite...

I have composed a list of things that are wonderful [and I often overthink] to serve as a personal reminder of what all I have to smile about [even the things that are mostly perceived negatively]:

1. family [yes, even when they are annoying]

2. friends [yes, also when they are annoying]

3. school [Even when getting a bad grade is discouraging, the ability to get an education is huge.]

4. the walk to class [Yes, even in the rain/humidity/freezing cold... Walking means I still have two legs and I get to take the time to admire the beauty of campus.]

5. my apartment [It may not be the newest and most glamorous, but I have a roof over my head. Also, my roomie and I have made it feel homey.]

6. red lights [forcing me to stop and take in my beautiful surroundings]

7. blankets [a nice, warm & fuzzy one freshly out of the dryer is best] 

8. stars [God sure knew what he was doing when he created these]

9. dirty dishes [because sometimes it's fun to play in bubbles, ya feel me?]

10. gasoline [because I am blessed with a car to fill to get me from point A to point B]

11. phone calls [Sometimes you just need to know that someone on the other end is willing to listen to you vent.] 

12. ice-cream [just a spoonful of heaven in food-form]

13. candles [They make me happy esp. the kind that smell like vanilla/caramel/coffee.]

14. bubble baths [calming after a long day and again, who doesn't love bubbles?]

15. flowers [I know this sounds cliché, but not only are they pretty, they remind me of a bible verse. Isaiah 40:8 says, "The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever."]

I hope you too can compose your own list of things to be thankful for today because even the simplest of things are worth smiling about. :)

until next time,

Lauren