Another beautiful year...

Tell me it's been a year and I'll tell you to get lost. A year to the date, and possibly to the minute, that I watched the sun set on a beautiful chapter. Where I sit now is significantly more beautiful than my surroundings during that time. Not necessarily visually, although that does play a huge part. Mentally, I sit here a new woman. Notice the ease of which I use this "w" word, like I own it. That's right. No more of this girl crap; life has finally given me the 'okay' to proudly call myself a woman. However, I've only taken the responsibilities that come with the word and have left behind the image of a conventional 'woman'. You know, always properly put together, always scheduling plans, and always...I don't know...baking. In fact, I've taken the responsibilities and the strength that come with being a woman. Most of my other qualities seem to still fall under 'girl' and you know what, I might just keep it that way for awhile. Or forever. I'm not sure that I'll ever be able to give up my ability to act like a young girl. And since no one will ever take that from me, I will just keep it tucked safely in my pocket. This "w" word has also given me better posture; I will say that. Suddenly I'm walking taller, speaking clearer, and thinking purer. So thank you, past year of my life, for bringing me to this new state where I now sit...this time watching the sun rise on my new life.

What can really happen in a year? This year that seemed to zoom past so quickly. It's hard to believe that anything actually happened. You mean I wasn't just sitting on my couch sipping coffee, watching it fly by? Apparently not. But that is what I am doing now. Letting a year's worth of life sail in front of me, taking note of the significant days, weeks, months. There are too many to count and certainly too many to write about. From the lowest to the highest, and every little detail in between. A sad goodbye to my best canine friend and a warm hello to the little person that calls me Auntie. A huge accomplishment as I crossed the education finish line, and a monotonous two months full of love as I tried so hard to put that success to good use. Monotony was followed by thrill as I made another huge leap...this time, with the man I call my best friend. From skyscrapers to silos, and back again. This leap was followed by nearly two months that would laugh at the word 'monotonous'. Instead, the word 'exhilarating' is embraced and used on a daily basis. 

After all, isn't that what life should be...exhilarating? Whether it's a small moment in your day, or a huge feat in your life. There should always be time to simply step back and say, "Wow". 

Which is what I am doing now...and will most likely do tomorrow. 

After a year, I still enjoy a warm cup of coffee in my hand.
And smiling...I enjoy that, too.

One beautiful year...

One year. One journey. One look at the year that has passed since sitting down to start this blog. One smile as I picture myself writing my first entry on September 28, 2010. One comparison between the person I was on that day and the person I am today. One year separates those two people. Growth, love, wisdom, maturity, and patience helped make the transition between the two. Grateful is how I feel for the year that sits behind me, for the ability to open my mind, and for the support and love I've felt along the way. 


One photo as the sun sets on a beautiful year. 

Leave it behind...

The view is similar, yet too different to be the same. Another fall season is slowly settling in and I've found myself in my favorite setting: home. Although the leaves are beginning to turn their same shades of yellow and orange, their vibrancy has already increased since seeing them last year at this time. The goldenrod still shines the same shade of yellow, but has increased in saturation. The leaves fall peacefully to the ground and are not afraid to do so. 


It's hard to believe that just a year ago I had to try so hard to soak up all the beauty that now surrounds me. It was a now-or-never approach and I felt like I needed to gather all the sights for what seemed like the last time. Little did I know, another fall would come around. Another round of all of my favorite seasonal happenings. Another chunk of time spent exactly where I belong. I will take it all in, but with different eyes this time. This time around, I can see my future. I can see the light at the end of this short journey. And I can see all the exciting things that are shining in that light. 


Most importantly, I can see today. I can see all that surrounds me at this moment. Whatever tomorrow may bring can wait until tomorrow. 


Daily dose of simplicity: Leaving behind my temporary life...to arrive in a place where I belong permanently. 

Closing another chapter...

Today's simplicity was brought on by the completion of yet another chapter in this beautiful journey of mine. This chapter, like others, was not extremely easy and did require a small amount of hard work on my part. But with hard work comes some kind of reward and I have definitely earned that reward. When all is said and done, there really is no better feeling than tying up loose ends and knowing that I've finished another semester's worth of classes successfully. 


And my reward? Twelve days of home. Twelve days to spend with those I love, to enjoy my favorite time of year, and to reset my brain. 


Daily dose of simplicity: Leaving school, knowing that I can cross another chunk of classes off of my list. A smile on my face and no stress in my mind. I'm getting closer and closer to my goal...

A clean face is a happy face...

Let's be honest...with nearly 3 million people, thousands of vehicles, and millions of dirty door handles, there really is no way to feel "clean" after merely walking through the city of Chicago. I spent a good portion of my day perusing through several different stores today in hopes of finding a few items to spend my birthday money on (thank you to those who gifted). And while I did find a number of things to add to my growing fall wardrobe, I also picked up the germ-y feeling that I knew would come with my shopping trip. Now, I'm no "germ freak", but I am definitely aware of the door handles and other various public things I've touched along my journey...and there's only so much that antibacterial lotion can do for me. 


This is why I've taken on a new habit every day for the past 15 months that I've been living in the city...washing my face almost immediately after stepping in the door! Between the makeup that I apply before heading out (which today was very minimal and I apologize to those who saw me), and the junk accumulated along the way, my face always could use a good detox when I get home. And it's amazing how something so simple could make me feel so much better. 


Daily dose of simplicity: There's no better feeling than washing away the dirt from the day. A clean face is a happy face...

This is my product of choice: Aveeno Active Naturals Daily Detoxifying Scrub.

Rainy September Sunday...

Let's end the search. I remind myself to stop searching before I start every day and I'm asking you to join me. It's when I don't search for happiness that it ends up coming to me without calling it. No one should have to work for happiness. No one should beg or wait for it's arrival. All we need to do is simply open our eyes...


When I opened my eyes today, I was immediately reminded of the love I share with someone who has joined me in this anti-search method of living. I was reminded that I can breathe. I was reminded that this day belongs to me. I was reminded that I have a roof over my head that shelters me from the now pouring rain outside. I don't need much more than that today. 


Daily dose of simplicity: It's a Sunday in September and I'm burning my new "Fall Air" scented candle. There's nothing better...

Daily dose of simplicity...

One thing that I've practiced my whole life, and more so as I get older, is the ability to really notice and enjoy the simple things around me. As human beings, we tend to always want more. Whether it's more money, more material possessions, more knowledge, or more time. It seems as though we are climbing this never-ending ladder toward more. Sometimes climbing so fast that we don't even take a second to stop at each rung and enjoy the view from that altitude. It makes me wonder...when you get to the top of this ladder, if there even is a top, will you enjoy the view then? Or will you wonder what sites you could have been seeing the whole way up?


One thing I refuse to do is get wrapped up...in the busy, hectic, messy lifestyle I see so many people living. I refuse to get caught fighting and striving for more of anything, unless it's more time with those I love or personal growth. Because I don't need anything more to make my life more complete or better in any way. There is nothing out there that is worth missing out on the daily enjoyment of life itself. Nothing. 


So from this day forward, like so many days in my past, I will take notice of the things in my life that make it so beautiful every single day. I will stop at each rung on this ladder of life. Heck, I might even burn the stupid ladder. Why go up, when all I ever need or want is right here on my level? 


Daily dose of simplicity: My favorite new snack during these fall months...a few spoonfuls of pure pumpkin, plain Greek yogurt, apple slices, and a sprinkle of cinnamon!