The Power of Imagination

When someone says imagination, what do you immediately think of? A castle with fire breathing demons and fairies flocking to the skies? Perhaps the word imagination is nothing more than a term you've coined as a fictional tale that inhabits our mind. A figment of our dreams that seems to make their way to our conscious once we awake in the morning but dissolves by lunch.

But what if this word, this concept of imagination, followed you outside the confines of your front door and lead you into your daily routine... Not instead of the logical, for this logic is necessary to perform tasks that make us functional beings, of course. Tasks like figuring out how to be on time, watching for traffic when crossing the street, budgeting our funds to support our lifestyles.

No... Imagination doesn't have to mean conjuring up a thought of distant and unreachable realities. Take a step into the minds of some of the best imagineers...

An engineer imagined a place where we could escape to so we may revive the inner child we house inside our hearts. He imagined a mouse... or rather, a sense of tangible magic that we could share in order to make our lives more connected in whimsical spirit. He imagined, and so he did...

A man imagined a world of peace and acceptance. He dreamed of equality, happiness, and a world of diminished hatred. He stood up in front of our nation, he stood up in front of the world... and shared his dreams to the masses. He imagined, and so he did...

An author worked in a coffee shop, imagining a world of witches and wizards. This world in her mind made its way to paper in order to teach us "muggles" of our own struggles between good and evil- hatred succumbing to the power of love and friendship. She imagined, and so she did...

Imagination doesn't have to be a concept of fairytales, wishes, and dreams. We, as humans, have been given the mechanics within our minds to create a world among our own in order to teach, inspire, and share. And what a waste it would be to let this power that lies in each and every one of us fade away to the dismal logistics of our conforming world. Imagine a world where imagination lead the way to our future... What is on your mind this morning? What are you imagining for tomorrow?

Oh how colorful the horizon could be if we only utilized the paints of our heart. May we never forget the power of imagination...

Momma Knows Best

A simple saying as we go into the Thanksgiving Holiday...

My mom sat down with me tonight before heading to bed and cupped my hands in her lap. I felt like a toddler on the verge of crying over spilt milk in the kindergarten lunch room. I saw her through tear-stained eyes as she said this...

"Your job is just your job. But your life is your life. Make sure you know which matters more and you'll find everything else falls into place."

Isn't it crazy, how no matter how old you get- your momma always knows best.

Getting lost in the craziness of my quarter-life-crisis seems to be all too apparent lately. But one thing is for sure... it's the holiday season which means it's time to evaluate the past and prepare for your future. But most importantly, relish in all you have in the present and give thanks to the grace of God for getting you here.

I miss my best friend who is in El Salvador- she will not be present at our annual Turkey Trot tradition for the first time in 6 years. I miss her so much, my heart hurts. I just got word that other plans I had for the future are no more, and that the significance I previously held in what I thought were priorities are now merely dissolving options... My heart is heavy, but that must mean it's full.

I need to remember... a job is just a job. A bad day is just a bad day. But this life is my life. It keeps going, and we make it all the way until the end. Better make it the best it can be while we can...

A Leap... A Poem

A year ago today
you said you would be here
with a million little "I cans"
and a thimble full of fear

You brushed off the word unhappiness
and promised yourself success
you said you'd conquer insecurity
and solely work to be the best

You dreamed of flying airplanes
into the sun and distant lands
you thought of the world you'd conquer-
counted setbacks on only 1 of your hands

You gave yourself some deadlines
took some consequential leaps
yet when time got lost in little trenches
you let them invade the dreams inside your sleep

Laziness took over
and a voice inside your head
took all the little million "I cans"
and turned them into "I can'ts" instead

Distractions became your to do list
your priorities slipped and fell
and on lonely nights when the lights went out
you were left only to sit and dwell

The people who entered and stole your attention
you see now you should have let them leave you
but instead you kept them close to your heart
allowing their presence to deceive you

So I tell you today
a year ahead of your time
before you go forward
and move out of your prime

Sit down and write lyrics
blogs, poems, and stories
turn battles and defeats
into grand, triumphant victories

Because in a year this time today
you'll wish you had taken the risk
to write the words upon your heart
to have all you ever wished...

The Little Red Tree

One of the greatest hurdles I've had to overcome (and still tackle daily) is the fact that I am no longer within a reasonable driving distance from my family. Perhaps it's the holiday season approaching, or the fact that I moved to the city where the majority of my friends (new and old) are from... seeing them with the option to spend weeknights and weekends with loved ones only reminds me of the time I wish I could spend with mine. Either or... this girl is homesick.

One of the greatest joys of autumn in my hometown is the little red tree that sits outside of our home...
Every single year for about a week or less, it sheds its leaves for the fall... only after they turn the most violent red that blindsides you as you drive past. One day almost 16 years ago as I hopped off the bus, my awkward pigeon toed frame walked hand  in hand with my mom as I explained the poetry contest I wanted to enter at my school. The prompt was, "When I turn around I see..." but I couldn't think of anything grand enough to satisfy my tiny mind in the creative process.

My mom stopped me at my drive way, covered my eyes, and spun me around right on the spot- and when she released her hand from above my nose, the little red tree sat there in all its glory. I wrote about that tree, won third at the state level, and forever more held an inanimate plant so close to my heart, it soon became a tradition to admire its beautiful metamorphosis. This tree may not hold much significance to many on Winpenny, but to my family, it will always be the tree that inspired a blonde haired 6-year-old to write a poem that eventually turned into a passion for writing...

While texting with my dad the other night, he sent me two pictures of the little red tree, explaining that the weather had been see-sawing this fall and the tree just didn't get its normal shade of vibrant red this year.

He continued on to say that it may just be because it is growing up, much like his little girl. Needless to say, my heart began to hurt as I turned off my phone for the night and the homesickness grew on. Closing my eyes, I began praying to God to give me strength to persevere until I can return home for the holidays next month... After the little red tree shed all of its color and its magic was long gone.

Yesterday, as I was walking home from a long Monday at work, the pang in my heart returned... but not because of the sadness brought on by the longing to be back in MD... but for the surprise that greeted me outside of my apartment...

The brightest of all reds swayed in the wind and a familiar rustle wafted on the breeze. I snapped a picture and sent it to my parents, tears in my eyes...

Looks like God knew if I couldn't physically make it back home, he could provide a little bit of home to me. This little reminder that his warmth and sense of comfort in the traditions and beauty that surrounds us was exactly the kind of the strength I needed. And as my dad reminded me with his response... God's fingerprints are everywhere.

A letter to me at 18... Relationships

Dear 18 year old me…. Part III

Last night I re-watched the Friends finale- you know the one: Rachel is about to leave for Paris and Ross runs after her to persuade her to stay with him and their daughter in NYC. The episode that made you cry the first time you saw it and you had no idea why because relationships and love just don’t seem to be your highest priority at 18... nor do you want it to fog your concept of reality. But 5 years later… here’s what I have to say about that- 

crdt

You are 23. And you are single… I know what you’re thinking, “23 and single… What does this mean? Am I just so super successful in my career I don’t have time to date!? Or maybe I developed a stutter and grew a third nostril rendering me indescribably hideous? Well… no. Neither of those assumptions are correct (especially the second, thank God!) You are not incredibly successful in your career *see previous letter*, and you still have your blonde hair, clearer skin, and LUCKILY still only one petite, normal nose.

You have dated many guys, but have not found the ONE yet. It’ll be difficult but try to find peace in that, even though you have been to over 15 of your friends’ weddings in the past three years and gone single to every single one of them. Some of these weddings are for people you know from high school, but mostly those of new friends you’re about to make. Yes, you are going to make new friends that will stay with you for your lifetime. Just wait- the few that remain from high school and the new ones you keep even after college- they’re the best things that will ever happen to you. Evaluate your friendships by the level of happiness each and every person you form a relationship with brings you. If they bring you stress, don't bring them along on your journey. If they bring out the best in you, hold on to them no matter the distance between you both. People are your greatest treasures- you'll learn that even the dullest of  moments in life can turn into the grandest adventures if shared with the right people.

Remember that you deserve a godly man, one who loves Jesus and follows the 10 commandments. Trust me- your mother will want to test him when you bring him home. Oh, and remember when your grandfather said you want to find someone like him… you’ll roll your eyes but he is right. He taught your dad how to be a good man, father, and husband. And your dad will prove to be the best model of what you will need in a man to be a greatest husband to you, father to your children, and man of Christ. Just wait, he will blow your mind with his love. So yes, find someone like your dad and grandfather.

Oh, and don’t be ashamed to admit you’re a hopeless romantic like I know you are when you’re 18 years old. It doesn’t mean you’re “too girly” or “soft” or anything in the vicinity of “childish”. Being a romantic means you’re opening up for the chance to experience extreme happiness with another individual. It means you expect class out of the men who pursue you and that you demand respect in all of your relationships. Being a hopeless romantic will keep you wanting picnics like described in Frank Sinatra songs (yes, you’ll learn to love Sinatra), black tie and long dress dances, and flowers on your doorstep after a hard day.  Being a hopeless romantic will also keep you on your toes to respect your man and treat him like a prince- make him feel loved on a regular basis with sweet notes on his lampshade to wake up to, dinner made from scratch and served on your back porch, impromptu dates to the batting cage or a run in the rain. Being a hopeless romantic doesn't mean desiring everything you see in a Katherine Heigle romantic comedy- it means you love to be loved and to love others in a creative fashion- so embrace it and NEVER let your heart grow weary of it.

There will be guys who tell you that this is a too-high-expectation out of them and that fairytales aren’t real. And you will keep in mind that not every day is filled with these moments. Some days will be marked with disappointment, feuds, and disagreements… but don’t let it lower your standards to be treated like anything less than you know you want.

crdt

That being said… be prepared:  you will have your heart broken. It’s not fun, nor is it pretty. You will be upset (some for longer periods than others) and you will deal with them in varying ways. There will be buckets of tears shed… and that’s OK. But remember to keep your chin up and keep moving forward. At the end of the day, you can escape the voices of everyone else, but you will always remain with your own thoughts and opinions of yourself. Make sure those are happy and optimistic. Because boyfriends will come and go, and they will play a role in how you shape yourself- but let it ALWAYS be for the development of who you want to be. When they go, take what you learned and apply it to become the best version of yourself (and to find someone better for you). And above all else- Keep believing in your happy ending.

Until the next lengthy note from me… keep going, lovely!

All the best,

M

A Letter to Me... Part II *What is a Career?*

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Dear 18 year old self,

Me again. You know what I was thinking this morning as I was writing this letter to you? This is sort of like the episode of the office when Jim sends Dwight faxes “from the future”… One of your favorite episodes.  By the way, on this day, October 18^th, 2008…. DON’T DRINK THE COFFEE! You’ll thank me later…

Speaking of the office, I wish to send you a letter to better prepare you for the working world and the adventures you’ll embark on in order to find your calling. I can’t even tell you what your career is and what you’re working towards. Really, it’s impossible for me to do so because I am ((almost)) in as much of the dark right now as you are at the age of 18. But this is not a bad thing… and here’s why-

You will hold multiple jobs throughout the next five years. You will work in several restaurants as anything from a baker to a barista. You’ll also be an office assistant, PR coordinator, intern, event manager, data analyst and advertising consultant. These will all be short-lived positions, but all of them will offer the opportunity to learn what you like to do day-to-day and what you do not. Don’t get frustrated if you fail at one of them (I won’t tell you which) because this will show you that you are better suited for a position that will open more doors to the people you want to surround yourself with, the work you wish to pursue in the long run, and the freedom to produce the crops of your heart.

Don’t compare your journey to anyone else’s when it comes to pursuing the right major in college or your overall career after graduation. Each and every single person you meet will experience set-backs and moments of doubt about what they wish to be in the working world. It’s the people who experiment with multiple majors, consider numerous career paths, or juggle several jobs at one time that will gain a wealth of knowledge about what’s out there and the kind of person they are hoping to become. Go to them for advice when you need it. And by the way- your undergraduate major does not decide what you will be doing right after college nor does it define your career. But- make sure you use your time wisely and choose to study what you enjoy while you have the resources to.

One thing I did not do that I wish I did (and I beg of you to consider now while you can)- go abroad while in school. I’m sitting here at the age of 23 and I still have yet to go to a Spanish speaking country like I wished for in high school. Your brother did it, and you should too. Learn diverse cultures, adapt to differences so they are no longer differences but instead- valuable perspectives, and contemplate how you can transfer your understanding to others so they may too wish to close the gap on prejudice anywhere you go. You’ll know people who DID go abroad and they will always tell you this was something they will never regret.

Remember that money isn’t everything when it comes to your first job out of college. Here’s a shocker- the economy is hardly getting better, and this will make things challenging for you and your classmates. For the time being, apply for internships and don’t be discouraged if you work for less than you expect when starting off. Hands on experience in something you love for less income will bring you more wealth and feed your overall contentment. Don’t settle for a job that provides a fat paycheck only to pay for material things that suppress your unhappiness in that position. If you are afraid of only one thing- find fear in becoming unhappy- this fear will push you to be optimistic and driven towards your greatest capabilities- especially in the workforce.

Ban negativity from your everyday conversations- with others and with yourself. Complaining never got anyone anywhere- and in a world where time can make the difference between succeeding and receding- choose the path to higher ground, climb like hell, and don’t look back. Like mentioned in my first letter, the tougher classes and job positions will lend way to a more enjoyable and understandable horizon of opportunity.

Work hard, strive to yield results you can take pride in, and take every opportunity offered to you to learn something new. And if none of this seems relevant to you today… remember one thing- DON’T DRINK THE COFFEE!

Love, Future Dwight
M

A Letter to Me... Part I

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Dear 18 year old me,

I know this must be strange, receiving a letter from yourself at the age of 23. No, this isn’t a school assignment (you’ve been out of school now for 2 years, by the way) and no, I’m not sitting lonely in an empty apartment with 14 cats scratching at my bedpost. You still hate cats.

I am writing this to you on an idle Wednesday morning. I am sitting in my cubical at work in Charlotte, staring at 32 unread emails and drinking coffee. It’s almost the holidays and I’m thinking of what to be for Halloween. But most importantly, on my walk into work this morning, I was thinking about the past five years and how much things have changed. How much I’ve grown, how much I’ve learned, how much I have obtained and how much I have lost. I will be writing you four letters of reflection and advice, and this is the first-

Love your family with all of your heart. You already do this, I know, and you will continue to do this until this day. Your family will go through hard times in the next few years. You all make it through only BECAUSE of the love and support you carry for each other. And NEVER take them for granted.

Don’t be afraid to get excited about the little things. Celebrate Halloween with silly costumes, not "sexy" ones. Run the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot with your friends and don’t be afraid to jog slow. Get up early to see the sunrise on the beach before class (Yes, you go to school at the beach). Take up surfing, and go outside in the many snow storms you are to experience.  Talk to friends on the phone when you can and listen to what your parents have to say when they call you. Go to concerts that you REALLY want to go to, pay the extra $5 for that peppermint mocha on a cold December day. These little things will make up a big part of your character, and therefore, the course of your life. No matter how inconsequential the task may seem, if it makes you smile- DO IT.

Before you graduate high school, thank Mrs. Jones for all of the Spanish lessons she taught you. True, she seems very strict and makes the class almost “impossible” to comprehend sometimes, but I promise you- you will go into college knowing more than you think and do better than you ever would have with any other teacher. She was a tough cookie- but sometimes that makes for the sweetest rewards.  Also, thank Mrs. Tringali. Sure, she made you read about a book a week for five months and your hand cramped more than you would like to admit from all of the essays (and rewrites) she required, but you are seriously ahead of the game come college and she deserves a lot of recognition for your future success. It's the toughest classes that make the road ahead smoother to travel to your preferred destination.

Read a book a month.

crdt

Write a poem every day when you find the time. Strive to gain knowledge in every nook and cranny of the library that you can. I am not a novelist, I am not even in the publishing business, but I am telling you now- keep up your writing and strive to use your passions for your success. You love to write! And although you don’t believe it now, you are very good at it. It is your strongest asset and so much of your creativity rests in your fingertips.

Have a passion. Don’t go through life thinking that all things come to those who wander. Find a passion, work hard to allow this passion to provide for your life. If you allow this to happen sooner than later, this won’t be your work, it’ll be your wealth. You will have friends who have done this for far longer than you have and you will envy their happiness every once and a while. You are happy and successful today, by the way- but at 23, you know you’re only on the cusp of something great. Don’t let it just sit on the shelf and gather dust as you sit on your computer browsing Facebook (a social media site better than Myspace that you WILL spend too much time on). 

Hold your morals and values. They are what make you unique, strong, valuable, and motivated. You are still very hard on yourself- try not to let this become detrimental. It is ok to strive for improvement, but once you begin striving for perfection, know you’re only going to burn yourself out. You will make numerous mistakes, morals will be briefly forgotten in weak moments, and values will become muddled. But they aren’t far gone. You will learn that life is good at distracting you, tempting you, trying you, and teaching you. Don’t be afraid to slip and take a few steps backwards. You have done this many times- but you have managed to take two giant steps forward after the fact. 

crdt

Keep up your running but don't let it define you. You will learn that you have an irregular curvature in your lower lumbar and you will still fight for the chance to run in college... You will fail... kind of. You will go on to run half marathons, a full marathon, a triathalon, and more than a handful of 5k's. Running may seem like your passion now, but trust me- God put it in your life for another reason and it serves you well... just not on the front burner. Just enjoy what your body can do and love how it makes you feel.

Also, learn to dance to good music, please. Take up some kind of dancing like ballroom, interpretive, even just gym-class hip-hop for cardio. And STAY AWAY from the Twerk. Miley Cyrus is no longer a cute Disney star, and I truly believe the Twerk is to blame…This doesn’t mean you can’t learn the “wobble”, the “wop”, or the “burney”. These are very important, I promise.

And on that note, I will leave you to wonder about what would ever possess a human being to name a dance from the sound you make when you swat a fly on the ceiling. Three more letters are to come… but remember- You’re always living the next moment of the rest of your life. Make it count.

Love, M

A Runner's Prayer

Dear Lord...
Thank you for waking me with a starry sky
a promise that you're watching with a twinkling eye
as my feet are lifted to the floor
place my shoes on my feet and head out the door
Thank you for the crisp September air
and the subtle breeze that catches in my blonde hair
thank you for the friends that bring a smile to my face
and a painfree body for this 70 mile race
Thank you for comforting our restless nerves
a grace in which not one of us deserves
you place your hands on our wheels until we park at the start
and press your ear to my chest to keep my steady heart
Thank you for the dew, and the foggy sunrise scene
for my teammates and I to run into at a time so obscene
thank you for the silence and the cricket churps too
the hills and the hurdles that we all had to work through
Thank you for my muscles, stretched and warmed up for strength
and for removing my mind of worry, doubt, and angst.
Thank you for family and their encouraging words
and thanks for the humming of insects, the chirping of birds
Thank you for each breath: whether short, sharp, or deep
that carried us up and down bridges, slippery and steep
Thank you for headlights, reflecting vests so bright
and getting us through the 77 miles all alright!
Thank you lord for my teammates, for our competetors too
and we all survived the madness that is this sport that we do
and as I lay my head down at the end of the night
I say this runner's prayer and turn out the light.

A Simple Act of Kindness...

I wish to take this morning to share something extraordinary that occurred as I was walking in to get my much needed dose of caffeine after a sunrises 6-miler...

It was the start to an ordinary Friday. Traffic seemed a bit sparse, the rain left the roads twinkling in the glare of the moonlight mixed with streetlamps, and I was rocking out to some serious Mumford and Sons. I was feeling a bit tired after waking up at 4:45am to tackle a long run with the lovely roommate, so of course a coffee stop on the way to work was inevitable.

Upon arriving to the Starbucks parking lot. I noticed an older man drive up and park his car in the handicap spot. I put my Rav in park, got out and walked past his Honda, noticing he didn't have a handicap sticker in his window. I immediately had the though, "Gosh, that's selfish of him" just before seeing him struggle out of the front seat, wincing and limping up onto the sidewalk to come inside. Strike One, Maxann...

I put my tail between my legs and walked into the coffee shop. The door was held open for me and the old man struggling behind me by another man in a pants suit on his cell phone. "Thanks" I told him. The old man behind me stayed silent. "Gosh, he seems ungrateful" I thought to myself again too quickly...

But something tapped my conscious as I got up towards the front of the line that told me to let this old man ahead of me. For what reasons, I couldn't explain... Hadn't I already made up my mind that this man was selfish ungrateful?  But I motioned toward the counter, nodded my head and spoke, "You can go ahead sir. I am still deciding." He looked at me, limping forward, and whispered, "Thanks", just before coughing into his sleeve. The man sounded like he lost his voice due to a cold. Strike two, Maxann.

The man ordered his coffee, I ordered mine, we both received our coffee and walked out towards the pavement. As I was crossing the lot to my car, the man turned to face me, we caught eyes, and to my surprise spoke soft and kindly, "I hope you have a great day, Miss. You just turned mine around by your kindness." I stood in front of him, bewildered and taken-aback. He smiled a weak yet pronounced, struggled into his front seat, and drove away.

The morals of the story are of two lessons learned in that short 10 minute interaction with this random man at a random coffee house on an idle Friday morning. Don't judge others. You have no idea where a person is coming from and the battles they've been fighting to get them to this place and in this time. And secondly, never be afraid to give a simple act of kindness to any one person. Whether that be holding the door, helping pick up dropped groceries, or allowing them ahead of you in the coffee line... it will mean something to some one- enough to make someone's bad day better. And there shouldn't be any other goal at the end of the day than that- to make an impact on a stranger. (Cross that off the bucket list!) 

What My Dad-Dad Taught Me...

Growing up on a horse farm was not always a cherished way of life like it is today. In fact- I can remember coming home from friends’ homes and asking my parents, “Why can’t we live in a neighborhood like *Ashley or *Josh?”  I wanted the cul-de-sac, I wanted the back-to-back yard whiffle ball games that lasted into the evening, I wanted the bike rides with friends. But most of all, I wanted the normalcy. The normalcy that I saw behind the lifestyle of those cookie cutter houses that bred socialites starting at the age of six...

 

But to my dismay (at the time), My brother and I grew up on a hill that overlooked fields of alfalfa and grazing horses. Neighbors were never seen conversing in the driveway nor were there ever group barbecues that people stopped by for a quick hello.

 But as time went on and I look back at this life style I grew up in, I can’t help but be ever so grateful for never reaching “normalcy” and aging with a developed desire to stand out. And although I never met the man, except for a month before his passing as he held me as a bundle of wrinkled skin and baby coo’s, I have so much thank my great granddad for all he has contributed to my life.

My Dad-Dad, Charles Keller II, was an extraordinary man. Even twenty-two years later, his presence in each and every one of the Kellers' lives is strong and humbling. You see, my Dad-Dad was a dreamer: A motivated individual that had a to-do list only fathomable by the very elite visionaries. A young boy, he dreamed of serving his country, playing baseball, living on a farm, moving to exciting cities and meeting incredible people.

Charlie went to the University of Maryland after growing up in a small rural town about an hour outside of Baltimore. Studying agricultural economics, he also found the love of his life- soon to be his wife- and played baseball for the university. In time, he found himself playing minor-league baseball for the Newark Bears until he made his way up to New York for his rookie season in 1939 for the Yankees. 

Interchanging his time between the Yankees and the Detroit Tigers from1939-1952, my Dad-Dad played out his passion and worked towards his dream. He left the diamond in 1944 and was gone much of 1945 as he took this time to serve his country in the Merchant Marines during World War II.

Before and after his military leave, Dad-Dad achieved a position in multiple World Series and accumulated an impressive batting average. Charlie (or King Kong Keller, as his teammates called him based on his massive power swing… or gorilla-like eye-brows) stayed busy bettering himself and his aspirations. 

Playing with headliners like Joe DiMaggio and Tommy Henrich, Dad-Dad met fascinating people. He learned of stories that lead to greater perspective. His travels and correspondences helped him gain an abundance of knowledge and understanding, some of which has been passed along to me through the generations that have raised me.

After back issues, my great-grandfather retired from baseball and made his way back home to Maryland. But his to-do list wasn’t yet complete. Now with a family and support from friends, Dad-Dad began what was soon to become his pride and joy. A standard bred horse farm on the outskirts of Frederick that he right-fully named, “Yankeeland.” It is here that he built a barn upon a dream that grew into a business. But more importantly, it spawned from a simple idea and a wild passion that evolved into a reality. 

 This is where he watched his family grow and learn the true value of hard work. My grandfather worked his bare hands here, my father still works this land, and I am blessed to still have the opportunity to plant my memories in the soil my great-granddad had sewn for this family.

I wished to share this with you for the soul purpose to reflect. It is possible to achieve all you set your mind to. My Dad-Dad taught me a lot: The power of persistence and the importance of dreaming, no matter how big these dreams may grow to be. He taught me that all success stems from sincere love and devotion for the people that enter our life to support even our craziest ambitions. He taught me that not one thing can be expected or given to us unless we are willing to risk failure and stretch our abilities to reach success. 

I can’t remember what age I was when I realized that I liked growing up where I did; that time period in which I knew that I never really wanted normalcy. Because had I grown up in normalcy, I would never have truly understood exactly what my Dad-Dad built our home upon- a passion for family, a passion for achieving… a passion for dreaming.

Let's Reflect

"He has taken me to the banquet hall, and his banner over me is love." Song of Solomon 2:4

This morning, I went to the 9:30am service at my new church home, Elevation-Uptown. Walking into service, I thought to myself- This feeling in my heart, is it heaviness? No... It was more like it was busy. Chaotic, scurrying through the crowded confines of my mind trying to make sense of what was on my conscious and deciding if it was in sync...

Spoiler Alert- They were no where close to being on the same page.

So many things coming in and out of that space between my ears- My current job frustrating me until the breaking point that comes on the 6:30am commute. Tears, sniffles, and sad radio songs were the soundtrack to this past week. Missing loved ones at home, feeling a need-with every passing second- to improve myself or find something to satisfy my craving for change.



Now I won't drag you in to a pity party- I know I have a lot going for me right now...
Four months into my new job and every day I come home with enough energy to maybe pop open the microwave to heat up a bowl of soup. But this is the job I prayed for, and God delivered. It can be satisfying, a long day at work- only to come home and get into an outfit unsuitable for the public eye should I still wish to hold on to an ounce of dignity.

I am also training for my longest race to date- the Disney full marathon. Happening in less than two months. Every weekend from here on out, I am promised a 14+ mile run. Sorry knees and back, you are about to be very very sore- but I promise to ice you and take care of you when you want to cry.


I am also going home on Wednesday to spend some much needed time with friends and family. I am starting to compile a variety of DIY Christmas gift ideas that will require my crafty side. Writing blogs and short stories with hot cups of coffee has been a go-to stress reliever should I receive any free time, as well as playing flag football and cooking spaghetti squash (my new favorite food!)


Why am I giving you what may seem like a trivial amount of information about my life? What does this have to do with the sermon I originally brought up at the start of this rant? Well, it is what sparked this little moment of reflection that I hope opens a doorway for you to sit down and do just the same- Reflect.

Another story that back-boned the sermon today was that of Luke 9:14-17:

¹⁴ (About five thousand men were there.) But he said to his disciples, ‘Make them sit down in groups of about fifty each.’ ¹⁵ The disciples did so, and everyone sat down. ¹⁶ Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. ¹⁷ They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basket fulls of broken pieces that were left over."

I am thankful for the resurrection of this account back into my mind to carry with me through this week. It was a sweet reminder that we can't give our best, our all- if we don't ask God to bless us and our actions first. Without the help and promise from God, that loaf (let's make this bread signify our actions and deeds) won't feed the masses- heck- it may not even fill YOU! And as bright as day- this concept reminded me- I'm not full because I am not asking to be guided, to be blessed, to be loved... Only EXPECTING it.

If we wish for our days to be filled with meaningful purpose and drive, don't we need to thank and ask the one who gave us this ability first in order to gain ownership to give it away? What's on my heart and what is in my mind is implanted there from the fingertips of God- and without glorifying the giver, how can I take ownership in order to fulfill his wish for us to give back?

A little reminder- we are framed by the banner of "Love"-so be the example of love by thanking the giver, feeling it, embracing its presence, and then reciprocating it.

And there's my reflection for the day- Happy Monday Eve, Loves.

Tuesday- A Poem

It's the week of the democratic convention- streets are crowded, police are blocking the road ways, work hours are scattered, and the grey sky is about to wail. So I'm sitting at my desk with a coffee in hand trying to keep my mind on work matters... but obviously it drifts to writing poetry...
She pops the top to a glass bottle coke, then
felt the fizz fall over her heart still broken
counting sidewalk tiles and bus line tokens
accumulating like all of her words gone unspoken

It's another day among the autumn clouds
lost in the pain of love not found
she has a hard time looking up while always falling down
wiping away bruises breathlessly without a sound

The flourescents flicker across tear stained cheeks
She'd been caught up in his memory for weeks upon weeks
but it's rare for her to listen when her heart speaks
reminding her of photograph-now certified antiques

Always blind to the lure of glittering gold
she found life was nothing like she had been told
possibilities came and went-some leased then sold
left her with nothing but the fear of being alone and old

They say girls before guys, like maturity is a race
but he gets the gold, every blue ribbon in this case
Time waits for no one in this crazy place
I'll sink below the shadows- dissolve without a trace

Don't give up for your work will be rewarded- 2 Chronicles

“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7

A daily reminder in this ever-a-whirlwind world. Oh Lord, be my strength in time of weakness <333>

Saturday Thoughts

I listen to music way too much. I mean, WAY too much... or maybe just enough.
Being a vegan is making my eyeballs whiter. Weird? Day 4 on the V Tree!
Does yoga make people happy? Or do happy people do yoga?
I want a French Bulldog more than I want anything else. And name him Sir Charles.
Kors watches. Period
Men's forearms are sexy
There's a dog hair on my ring finger, almost mistook it as my own. Ew
I need to vaccuum...
And nap (not necessarily in that order)
I'm seeing my favorite Lizzy Boo tonight. Bring on the adventures!
Wimbledon. Sharapova
Olympics. Beckham
Go make cake, self! I finally got a big girl job (cross that off the summer list) more about this on Monday
Is it Autumn yet? I want scarves and a soy pumpkin latte, pwease!
Pinterest, you always save me from wasting time during my morning insomnia episodes
I found a jump rope!
I look goofy in bowling shoes.
Does Vanilla Ice melt?
My veins free flow with coffee
Maybe I'll start a photo journal
Putting up a help-wanted ad: In need of a good cuddle buddy
I am building a life, one small brick and smile at a time. Hashtag-Success
I moved to a pretty wonderful city...

 

Everyday I'm Hustlin'

Perhaps this is a late realization, but as I walked out of my interview this morning with Premier in Ballantyne, I started to see just how important it is to have a competitive drive.

I know what some of you may be thinking... (Is this girl really a college graduate... and just coming to this conclusion right now?)
But hear me out...

Growing up an athlete, I have always held on to a competitive drive. In sports, however, it came down to the simple fact that we were, in fact, playing a game. It was a situation day in and day out that ultimately meant walking away from the field a winner or a loser- then eating ice cream and realizing that the next game will bring another opportunity for a different outcome.

But this is the real deal... sometimes there are NO do-overs, no "next game", or second chances... When it comes to interviews and jobs (especially in this current economy), sometimes that first chance is the only... and it will decide the course of every single following day of your life. *GULP!* Scary stuff if you think about it.

So while this post has no picture or visual aid to back up this statement (whether it be relevant to you or not) I just wanted to shed light on recent understanding on the importance of competition and a competitive drive. Every day is a competition with the people around you. Luckily, this means that there are so many chances to be good at something! And even more comforting is that assurance that we don't HAVE to be good at EVEYRTHING! But it could wind down to ultimately being the best at what you are chasing, so don't shy away from working beyond your comfort zone in order to prove your skills and desire to take on opportunity- Especially if it's something you know you want and need to succeed and grow.

A Different Kind of Love Story

"Geez, what a beautiful parking lot!"- No One Ever

Hey It's Ok... I'm moving today!

Today is the day!! Moving day has finally arrived. I remember the day like it was yesterday. April 1st, posting a hypothetical facebook status "Anyone looking for a roommate in Charlotte?", getting an instant reply from a friend I met back in January, and signing a lease four days later.

For weeks I have been going to swingsets, running down trails, and walking at dusk- reflecting on my current life and anticipating this new adventure as part of my blooming adulthood... And now, I am on the road with a horse trailer filled with my life belongings. As excited as I am, I can't help but feel a bit stressed... maybe even a little nervous? Am I really heading to a new city with no plans, no jobs, and no agenda?

YUP! That would be oh so correct. But after visiting the city briefly (A total of 2 times and only for 24 hours each) and hours and hours of praying that God would lead me to a post-graduation destination, Charlotte NC was ringing a bell loud and clear.

Perhaps the hardest part of leaving is looking in my rearview to see a beautiful farm and my family that I love more than life itself. Their support and guidance, not only through this moving process, but for the last 22 years of my life just brings a tear to my eye. They are beyond wonderful and I couldn't have asked God for a more perfect image of his grace and humility than what I see from my mom, dad, and brother.

But on a lighter note, I leave you....

Oh Darling, It's Ok!
If you forgot that "You Got Mail" is your favorite Meg Ryan film because of the quirky grandmother comments and the nostaligia you reach when you hear that "*weeooohhh reeeowwwww* DINGA DINGA *Kaching!* You got mail!" sound in every scene.

CRED

Your BEST FRIENDS are named Monica, Chandler, Pheobe, Joey, Ross, and Rachel

Before looking up directions to your new apartment, you search the surrounding restaraunts to see where you'll be dining your first night in town.

If you place all of your stuffed animals in the back seat of your car for the moving trip and buckle them up. Hey! Safety first!

If you come across an old photo from your high school's senior prom and get a pain in your heart when you realize you miss an old friend so so much, even if you haven't kept in touch with them as much as you now wish you had...

Have a great weekend, lovelies! Next time I write you, I'll be in the Queen City!

Summer Bucket List

It's Summer as of now... Ok, perhaps the calendar deems June 20th as the first day of the swelter season, but I would like to start now. A list of 15 things to accomplish before September 1st. Getting motivated and oh so excited!

1.     Compile 120+ Poems with illustrations for possible publication

2.     See The Hunger Games movie... FINALLY

3.     Go to at least 2 different concerts

4.     Begin training for Disney half/marathon

5.     Secure a big girl job

6.     Reach over 30 followers for my blog- On The Wing

7.     Play on an organized sports team for a sport I never played as a child

8.     Make an inspirational video and post it on Youtube

9.     Visit baby sister in TN

10.  Make plans for a trip out of the country

11.  Find a new recipe for my favorite food

12.  Find a pen pal in a Spanish speaking country

13.  Eat an entire pint of Ben and Jerry’s and not feel guilty

14.  Read two new books

15.  Complete all 10 Seasons of Friends.

What do you hope to accomplish this summer? Make a list, share it, and get started!

Fashionista- Lady Di

If you know me even a wee-little, you know I have a wee-little crush on this Glee star...

Dianna Agron. A blonde beauty, for sure. I fell in love with her spunky attitude as Quinn Fabray on Fox's GLEE. But the even more so with the actress herself- energetic, creative, and all around classy. I mean, for goodness sakes, I even cut my hair to match her new-do last fall...
 

(Ashamed? Not even in the slightest...)

Besides the ambitious hair cut and her inspiring new website: You, Me & Charlie
This girl has some serious style that I plan to implement into my own closet this spring. Living in LA, this chica knows a few things about warm temps and dressing to meet the heat!

 

Scarves and Leather

Florals and Denim

Floppy Hats!

Blazers over Dresses

Striped Simplicity!

And so many, many more! Who are your fashion icons (And why?!)

Have a lovely day, happy wanderers!

Still On the Prowl... for a Job

Still awaiting to hear back from a few locations about future jobs, I am learning to listen and indulge in the ever-daunting task of being patient. But as many people have said over and over, I am trying to enjoy this downtime as much as possible. On my third book since I graduated in December and plans to visit McCutcheon's homemade, mason-jar-packed food store downtown, I know today will be another good day to research more job possibilities, drink coffee, and plan more adventures.

Dog sitting in VA all weekend, I'll be tempted to explore the surrounding area and look into more opportunities I HOPE will wander my way. Here is to Hope and Adventure!