Category Archives: Inspiration

One vs. Many

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We have a constant desire to acquire more.  More clothes, more jewelry, more furniture, more food, more shoes, more friends, more money. 

Need vs. want.

Quantity vs. quality.

I have realized that no matter how many items or people I have in my life, there are the few favorites that I truly rely upon.  I have chosen my favorite sweatpants, my most comfortable pair of jeans, my softest hoodie, and my brightest Nike kicks (notice there is no mention of business clothes)…I have picked out my favorite earrings, my most versatile flip-flops, and my most breathable summer dress.  There are many days when I can’t settle on anything in my closet and I mindlessly throw on my favorites for ease or a confidence boost.

The same principle goes for people.  There are millions of humans in this world, but for each of us there is someone out there who knows us better than we know ourselves.  This is what we should hope to find and sustain – an amazing friendship; one great love; the extreme beauty in loyalty, trust, faith, and simplicity.  Why do we constantly search for more if we have already found what we need?

Do we want variety?  Search for intriguing and complex, rather than one-dimensional.

Do we want to prove our success to others?  Search inward, not outward.

As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler; solitude will not be solitude, poverty will not be poverty, nor weakness weakness. ~ Henry David Thoreau

It is obvious that only having one shirt or one pair of pants is both unrealistic and unhygienic, but this idea of simplicity forces us to reevaluate our purchasing habits and life choices.  I have moved apartments an average of once a year for way too many years, so simplicity has been forced upon me.  I have narrowed my closet, thought twice about every purchase, and as a result have a thicker wallet (minus all of my graphic design tuition bills) and guilt-free mind.  It has also reminded me to focus on the importance of the amazing friendships I have developed, and to make an effort to stay connected regardless of where I have settled down.

Possessions, outward success, publicity, luxury…to me these have always been contemptible. I believe that a simple and unassuming manner of life is best for everyone, best for both the body and the mind. ~ Albert Einstein

With all of that said, I can always do with more travel.  I have consciously decided that will be my one splurge.  But I challenge you to simplify your life.  Daily practice will reduce the clutter and noise.  You will find…well…a simple peace.

Motivation – Get Some

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There are times when it is hard for me to find the motivation to attack life with everything I have.  DC is a city that doesn’t slow down to wait for me to find a solution.

Outshine, outlast, outperform.  The race is always on.  It pushes us to be better.

But all sports have a timeout, a halftime, a seventh-inning stretch, or some other way for the athletes to temporarily recover and regain their focus.  This is something that I didn’t realize applied to my life until now, and what I believe is a key point in regaining my motivation.  I might have the greatest intention to always be the top performer, but without taking a water break and refocusing my efforts, the rewards could be dismal.

Knowing when to fight and knowing when to recover are equally as important.  As a full-time employee and a full-time student, my goal for the next couple of months is to learn how to take a half hour a day to completely relax and reboot.  If time is made for recovery, going after what you want should no longer feel like a race, but a journey that has the aura and excitement of tackling your dreams.

My 30 minutes will be filled with simple luxuries: taking a bath, enjoying a green smoothie (yum) or a glass of red wine, turning off all of the distractions, lighting a candle, saying a prayer.  These are easily achievable, yet highly satisfying…and may just give me the edge I need.

Most of us are over-caffeinated and exhausted because of our good intentions of trying to keep up with the world’s crazy pace.  It may be time to turn off the social media, put down the Starbucks cup, and reflect on how we can become more efficient in our efforts.

And if you follow my lead and consequently find yourself enjoying this down time way too much, watch this video and I promise your drive to achieve will return with a vengeance.

 

Go get what is yours.

Things You Wish You Thought Of

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It has been a while since my last blog post.  My life was starting to get out of control with too many commitments, so I knew it was time to take a hiatus, relax, and decompress for a couple of weeks.  I continued to contemplate about what to write next, and as hundreds of thoughts raced through my head, I decided it would be a good chance to let you peer a little further into my brain as I randomly jotted down my thoughts, questions, ideas…

1) There is nothing better (welllll almost) than an amazing plate of spaghetti and meatballs, and nothing worse than a plate of spaghetti and meatballs with not enough SAUCE.

2) Why isn’t there a website where you can buy one of everything?  All those times you lost one sock, one earring, one shoe, one glove, or the times when you break a plate, bleach a towel, or whatever other random catastrophes happen in life…it would be great to have a ONE stop shop so I could complete my mismatched pairs.  I know socks come in threes these days (ridiculous), so why can’t we just purchase one?

3) MUST bring more food to work on the days I workout in the mornings.  This will result in not cleaning out the vending machines in the 3 surrounding counties by 5:00 pm.

4) Why is there braille located on drive-through ATMs?

5) Once I have kids I will have themed dinners at least once a week.  I can hear myself now…”You are not allowed to come down those stairs and eat unless you are dressed as a dinosaur.”  Hmm at what age does that stop though…don’t want them hating Halloween!  And what if they don’t like what is for dinner – could this backfire?  Need to think this through further…

6) Women’s-cut athletic gear does NOT fit my body.  Are there girls out there who can actually wear the weird flared t-shirts with the awkwardly cut sleeves?  Just give me a regular t-shirt and I promise I won’t complain. #tomboyproblems

7) Does anyone still prank people?  I could use some more of that in my life.

8) I think the measure of how fit you are should be whether you can fit through your car door when it is only open to the first stopping point.  Every time I park too close to a car and can only open my door that far I think “Ahhh yes I still got it!” and most likely feel way more accomplished than I should.

9) Am I the only one who still cuts up bananas to put in my Cheerios?

10) For those of you living in DC: Why is there not a plate made specifically for Jumbo Slice pizza?!  Is it just so that the slice looks even more monstrous as it spans across two paper plates?  This idea is a gold mine in my opinion.

11) 8- hour work days are completely ridiculous to me.  Who came up with this random number and why does it define all of our lives?  Let me do my work and then get on with my life rather than thinking I am productive for 8 hours in a row every single day!

12) Why don’t we have an Era Store?  The departments could be named the 20s, 30s, etc. with obviously the 80s as the biggest department in the center.  That way when you want neon spandex or a scrunchy, you don’t have to look in 15 different locations!

13) Timing is everything.  I know this is a cliché but it has been so true for every part of my life.  I always have a grand plan of where my life is going the next 5 years, and God continuously laughs at me.  I have come to the realization that he has a larger and much more clear view of my entire plan, and if changes don’t happen when I think they should, most likely something better is in store.

14) Everyone’s definition of beautiful is different.  It makes me start to wonder if people perceive other things the same way…  What if the way an orange tastes to me is completely different from the way it tastes to you…how would we know?  My mind is blown as I continue to think of the possibilities.

15) Your career doesn’t define you.  Your character and moral integrity does.  We need to stop putting so much emphasis on our jobs, breathe deeply, and let the stress pass.  I let my work leak too much into my personal life.  Holding a door for a stranger or smiling is much more productive.

I think 15 will do for now.  All random comments welcome (now you know you aren’t the only one who thinks random thoughts).

Philanthropy – Is This What You are Missing?

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Remember the time you lent a helping hand: opened a door, helped someone move, volunteered at an event? Afterwards I am assuming you had a feeling of empowerment, fulfillment, and the desire to lend another hand…

Why not revert back to those feelings to stretch yourself further in 2013? Instead of the typical ‘eat better and work out more’ resolution that tends to last a few weeks, go beyond an internal resolution and reach out to someone who is more in need.

Join me on February 2nd at the Mason Inn in Washington DC for the ‘give your heART to a child‘ fundraiser for the nonprofit, Family & Youth Initiative (DCFYI), which discovers permanent families for young adults in foster care in the DC area. I have organized this event because I know that without a stable family during my childhood, I would not have the emotional, spiritual, intellectual (I could go on forever) foundation for my future. A permanent home is something that a child wants, and more importantly, DESERVES.

DCFYI Fundraiser

The fundraiser is not just any other ordinary night. I have invited two former NFL players to speak and perform on behalf of the children, two additional singers to perform live, a jewelry designer, urban fashion designer, two graffiti artists (one of which will paint live on an awesome spinning canvas), and a chocolatier. If that isn’t enough, we also have an open bar and appetizers available.

This event happens to take place right before Valentine’s Day so it is a perfect opportunity to purchase a unique present from a well-known local DC artist, which will help the local art community and the foster children in need. Step up your game in 2013 and start your year by having a blast at the Mason Inn for a fantastic cause!

Purchase tickets at the bottom of DCFYI’s webpage or make a donation here.

(If you can’t attend my event or don’t have the money right now to donate – I challenge you to go out and volunteer at a nonprofit in your own neighborhood. I guarantee it will give you the lift you need and truly make a difference in someone else’s life.)

Challenging the Limits

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It’s a new year. 2013 is here already.

A new year brings a youthful hope of accomplishing dreams and leaving behind bad habits.

Just as the film makers in the video below challenged the limits of the camera, I dare you to challenge the limits of whatever is holding you back: lack of mental toughness, lack of faith, your boss, a few pounds gained, a family member lost, frustation with the world… leave it in the dust and make this the best year yet.

Don’t make a resolution, make a life change. Use your past to make you better, not bitter.

I am going to test the limits of my career and my education. I will stop blaming others and challenge myself this year to train in various areas to become more valuable in my project management role, and dominate my video production classes to create films that will make a difference in the world.

Change is powerful. Inspire others to do the same.

Fear Stifling Your Progress?

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Today was a very intense, emotional day.

I woke up at 4:45 am to work out and took a moment to commend myself on the dedication I have had every day since I was young to stay fit and proud of my physique.

I took a moment after my workout to thank God for my job security, my safety, my freedom and wondered why that wasn’t enough in this present moment…

For the past couple of years in my career I have felt underutilized with a constant desire to do more. My creativity is harnessed, my leadership is stifled, my confidence shook. I have not had the guts to truly admit to myself that the big name company and consulting job that was once my dream is no longer a long-term goal. Granted, I have had many fortunate opportunities along the way, but is this really where I was meant to be / meant to do? Should I constantly feel this knot in my stomach yearning for a creative outlet?

I have ideas upon ideas upon ideas. I keep a notebook at my desk and jot down the multitude of new company ideas that come to me daily. Do I need to wait another year to finish school to start changing my life for the better? What is stopping me from accomplishing my goals? Fear.

Fear of failure? Fear of leaving the well-known corporate world? Fear of judgement?

The only fear that constantly resides inside of me is that I will wake up in 20 years and regret that I never pursued my true passion. …Instead of creating my own path, I mindlessly walked down the paths of others.

Life is short. I have the most respect for those who are happy pursuing what they love. Bread will always find a way to the table with hard work and determination.

I have never settled for mediocrity, forever striving to stay at the top of the pack. I won’t let mediocrity finally catch up to me now.

It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,
talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other
people won’t feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of
God that is within us.

It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people
permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others.

—Marianne Williamson

Trust

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Why is it that trust, once broken, is one of the few things that is almost impossible to repair?  It is the fear of repeatable offenses, an ego too large to squash twice, or is it stubbornness or perhaps bravery to not give one the opportunity to fix what is lost?

How much time does it take to regain this trust?  Once trust is regained, is there an ability to trust more than what you once did?  I have only given my trust to a very select few in my life, and it isn’t because I don’t think more are trustworthy, I just believe that trust should be one of the hardest things to earn in life.  It is about honor, respect, faith, and love.

Trust is more evident as the holidays turn the corner.  Strangers reach out for a helping hand; charity donations and food drives are plastered on every telephone pole and Internet site.  Trust isn’t only between two people…it can simply be trusting in your brakes as you make your way down a steep hill.  Trust and faith are quite frequently synonymous.

Below are some pictures that seem to display a deep trust between the subjects.  Sometimes you don’t have a choice whether to trust or not, and sometimes trust isn’t obvious to every observer.

Overcommitting vs. Reaching Your Goals

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Stress.  It is not foreign to any of us.  The giant knot in your stomach or tension in your throat that just won’t go away.  Stress is a reaction to an immeasurable amount of causes, but for me it is from overcommitting.

It wasn’t until I laid down my commitments on paper until I realized why my brain couldn’t shut off even when I tried to sleep at night…

1) My daytime job as a Government Contractor.  We all know by now that this is not my dream career because even though the pay is good, I feel more unsatisfied with my role as the days go on…which is why I could not be happier they approved me to work 80% part-time, down from a full time position (which really isn’t all that different).

2) My part-time night job as a Videographer and Social Media Marketer for a cycling studio.  This evolved from a need to use my inner creativity and find somewhere to build my film portfolio.  Creating and directing videos for the studio to place on YouTube, and finding materials for Pinterest, Instagram, and Tumblr takes up more time than one would initially think!

3) School.  This is the initial reason why I went part-time at my Contracting firm.  A little thing called class and filming projects takes more than a couple hours of my day as I pursue a Video Production degree.

4) Coaching.  I am obsessed with being a soccer coach to little kids, but I am somewhat relieved there is a break during the winter holidays so I don’t have to constantly rush to the fields right after work.

5) Playing soccer.  I. Will. Never. Give. This. Up.  Until my knees and back finally give out.

6) Volunteering.  In my free time (ha) I am putting together a large fundraiser for a nonprofit dedicated to helping young adults in foster care find adoptive families.  This doesn’t feel like work at all, but involves meeting with the founders, vendors, food/drink donators, and writing a million emails to coordinate the bands, 5 artists, and 2 former NFL players to attract a large crowd and raise a significant amount of money.

7) Attending studio filmings/building my portfolio…blogging…my social life…boyfriend.

I am sure there are a few things I left out…but I have now realized I do not know how to simply say “No” to people.  You have heard of a little saying called Quantity vs. Quality.  I am too proud to say that my quality isn’t affected in all of these activities, but I could probably score another goal or two in my games if I got an extra hour of sleep…

I am in the middle of switching careers so I feel the pressure to say yes to everything.  A small opportunity could lead to something big.  At least that’s what they say, right?  I have found that networking is invaluable.  Yes, I have heard it a thousand times, but honestly one conversation has opened multiple doors for me.  It is all about just making one phone call – reaching out to a peer when it may be slightly uncomfortable.  Comfort never got me anywhere, except in trouble with an entire bag of Famous Amos.

How much is too much?  A multitude of new opportunities…does it lead to stomach ulcers or finally landing that dream job?  Hard to tell. 

I have promised myself I would not take on another activity until I have crossed off a few from my list.  I need to find some time to sit down, drink a cup of tea, listen to some amazing 80s music (or terrible 90s music), and watch some football and futbol.  Luckily I haven’t committed to taking my crazy amount of activities and piecing them together into some sort of life direction – I can leave that up to the Big Guy.

If Only I was This Cool When I Retire

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I read an absolutely mind-blowing article on The Wall Street Journal a couple of weeks ago and haven’t been able to stop thinking about it.  Thanks to my brother who sent it along, I started envisioning my life 30-40 years from now as a traveler wandering through the thousands and thousands of cities across the world with my future husband.

The article is about a retired couple who sold their house in 2011 and packed the few belongings they needed into two 30-inch suitcases.  The Martins have dedicated their retirement funds and the money they would have been investing in their house to pick a new country to live in as locals every 1-2 months.  With the ease of planning itineraries and booking travel arrangements over the internet, the most difficult decision at hand is ’Where to next?’   Obviously there are challenges such as learning the subway, finding a hair salon, and communicating in other languages, but it keeps their aging minds sharp.

This is a quote from Ms. Martin:  “Our financial adviser sends us about $6,000 a month, generated from investments. We also collect Social Security and a small pension. We have a “slush fund” of about $20,000, which allows us to make advance deposits—for housing, cruises, flights, hotels and so forth—without affecting our cash flow.”  She also goes on to say that they balance more expensive locations like Paris with cheaper countries like Portugal, and that cooking is a great way to save money and to learn about the food and country.  Very smart if you ask me.

After reading this article, I still had a lot of questions.  I have always been one to have a few out-of-town trips planned, but would I have enough courage to commit to being a full-time traveler?  Is the wear and tear of travel more exhausting than it is exciting?  The Martins are exploring a large portion of the world, but will they eventually get sick of never knowing a city like the back of their hand?  Will they never tire of finding the best doctors, grocery stores, laundromats, etc?  The internet has made it much easier to connect with family in a different country, but is that enough?  What about all the day-to-day activities – Sunday night dinners, weddings, births, first days of school?

The Martins’ life sounds extremely exhilarating and I hope that you read the entire article.  Without traveling, I would have never drank a Guinness at the brewery in Dublin, skied a glacier in France, or rode the London Eye.  I plan to continue to travel the rest of my life but I am not sure I could commit 100% to their lifestyle.  Unfortunately I have just a couple more years to decide before my retirement…

Picture of my back as we just started hiking down the spine of the mountain to ski La Valle Blanche Glacier for the next 6 hours in the Alps.

Coca Cola’s Energy Blast Leaks into the Film Industry

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There are many different ways to add energy/excitement/craziness into film.

1) Jump cuts (two sequential shots of the same subject that vary ever so slightly) can give an effect of skipping through time because the subjects aren’t shown moving from Point A to Point B but somehow appear in a different position/location like a ninja.

2) Quick camera movements.  These allow the audience to feel like they are literally running around in the scenes.  It could be a fast pan of the landscape to give a wide horizontal view, or a fleeting zoom in or out to show many different objects.  With either or these it gives the audience a sense of urgency to pay close attention because they may miss something of grande importance with one blink of an eye!

3) Fast-forwarding.  Simple as that – there are so many important items to cover that the audience isn’t even given the liberty of experiencing it in real time.

4) And the opposite – slow motion.  It builds up the audience’s anticipation for an explosion of awesomeness.

5) Crazy, excitable audio.  Whether there is a song with drums playing an insane beat, a voice-over in a high pitched voice, or an actor who talks quickly like a New Yorker…any little audio detail can keep the audience’s eyes glued to their screen.  Screaming, yelling, clapping, cheering also work here.

6) Many separate flashes of different shots.  The camera isn’t just sitting on one object for a long time like a boring soap opera – it is flying around filming many different subject on the set like a bunch of pop rocks that have just been submerged in soda.

The Coca Cola video shown above has both fantastic camera and editing work behind the scenes.  It is similar to the wedding video in one of my earlier posts as they both require watching more than one time to fully capture all the details and magic.  Energetic productions are my favorite type of filming (ehhh well it is a close tie with the very teary-eyed sentimental videos).

You can’t tell me your heart rate didn’t rise while watching that video due to all the hype created from the camera movement and the speedy talent…or maybe from the Coke you are now drinking.  (If it didn’t then I will just blame it on drinking an afternoon coffee which, for me, is very out of character.)