Beauty Heals And Gives Us Wings
I’m just stopping in briefly to share this video, which touches my soul every time I watch it.
Sometimes, it’s so easy to think of love in terms of possession. We hold love close to our chests and, instead of keeping an open palm, allowing love to be free, we hold it in a tight grasp. Nothing crushes love faster than an unyielding clutch.
Love doesn’t smother or stifle.
Love liberates.
Enjoy, and I’ll be back tomorrow.
Happy Monday, friends! Can you all believe that we are just a few days away from the LAST month of the year?!?! I am in awe of how quickly 2017 has passed. This was a good year, but I’m excited for how awesome 2018 will be!
As part of the Preparing for 2018 series, I want to share a very powerful tool for clearing mental/physical/emotional “space”. This practice can really help make room for all of the good stuff that you want to come into your life.
The practice is, of course, releasing tolerations. This involves removing anything that doesn’t enhance your life or boost your energy. The energy drainers may be physical (living with lots of clutter is a good example), emotional (perhaps some unresolved issues around self-worth) or mental (maybe a colossal to-do list that never seems to shrink). Additionally, this is a way of “clearing the deck” so you have more energy to focus on the things that you enjoy. If you’re curious about learning what tolerations are, check out this post and this one, over at Good Vibe Blog. Jeannette Maw has done an excellent job of explaining tolerations and how they affect your ability to create the life that you want.
To prepare for the upcoming year, I’m going to work on clearing my physical space even more. I have some big plans for the upcoming year and reducing my possessions is one thing that needs to happen in order to best realize at least two of those big goals (I’ll share more about those goals in 2018).
I’ll be doing the 30 day challenge as mentioned by Terri Savelle Foy in the video I’m linking below. Information about the challenge is at the 21:30 mark (start at 19:35 for all of the tips related to releasing tolerations):
Every day in the month of December, I’ll discard an item corresponding with the date of the month (one item on the 1st, two items on the 2nd, 3 on the 3rd, etc.,). I will keep going until I reach December 31st, by which point I would have eliminated nearly 500 items from my life. Some items will be thrown away, while others will be donated to charity or given away to family and friends. In any case, the items will be leaving my space for good.
You can either try this particular challenge, or maybe try one of Jeannette’s recommendations. No matter what you decide to do, eliminating tolerations is a great way to prepare for the upcoming year.
Have you missed the other Preparing for 2018 Posts? Check them all out here:
Preparing for 2018: Before Setting Your Goals …
Preparing for 2018: Commit It In Writing
Preparing for 2018: Listening to Your Intuition
Preparing for 2018: A Resource for Developing Your Vision
Preparing for 2018: Prioritizing Fun
I mentioned my Boohoo hauls in two previous posts (this one and this one). I’ll be doing an update on how those pieces are holding up in a few weeks. However, this post is all about my favorite piece from one of those hauls.
I was surprised that this one was my favorite: after all, I got a LOT of dresses, and each one was adorable. I also tend to favor bright colors that really make my complexion POP: a neutral dress isn’t normally my first choice.
So, this was an unlikely winner, but just look at it:
The Eloise Dress by Boohoo has stolen my heart! Now, I know you’re thinking: it’s navy, and it’s cute, but WHY is it your favorite?
Uhm, are you all seeing the CURVES this dress creates?!?! Putting this dress on is like slipping into an instantly hourglass-y body. It looks chic, classy and still a bit sexy. I wore it with a tan shawl and I looked like I belonged in a different tax bracket!
Also, there are gathers in the dress’s waist, which helps disguise any bloat or poochy tummy issues. The dress hits right at the knee, and the slightly flared sleeves are a godsend for those of us that aren’t enslaved to tricep-toning exercies.
Here’s a link to the dress for your convenience: Eloise Dress. Right now, the dress is only $10, but it’s selling out fast. I bought another one in black, and I barely even wear solid black dresses. That’s JUST how much I love this design.
Go ahead and get your Eloise dress. You deserve it.
With this recent string of cold days (what other weather would I expect in November in Virginia? I digress), all I’m thinking about is getting away to somewhere warm and sunny. Somewhere like . . . Costa Rica.
(photo courtesy of Expedia)
I’ve dreamed about a Costa Rican vacation for well over a year now. Aside from the tropical weather and beautiful water, I really want to see the sloths.
I mean, what’s cuter than a baby sloth?
(photo courtesy of Dailymail.co.uk)
The Sloth Sanctuary of Costa Rica makes it possible for visitors to tour and learn more about sloths in a safe, protected environment. I can’t wait to visit!
I won’t be going to Costa Rica this winter, but I may make it happen during the early months of 2019. I have a different adventure planned for this upcoming year (specifically, February 2018). I’m staying mum on the details of trip until after I’ve purchased the tickets, hotel rooms, and travel visas.
I can’t wait to share that with you! But in the meantime, just dream of Costa Rica with me . . .
Talk to you all tomorrow!
If you have never felt despair, frustration or sadness, then you may not need this post. In fact, if you’ve never felt these feelings, please leave a comment below: I’d love to know how you make that happen!
However, if you have experienced those emotions – or some other unhappy feelings – you may be able to relate to what I’m going to write.
Sometimes, you need QUICK relief. A temporary shot of relief can give you the boost that you need to keep going. It won’t take away every pain, but at least it’s a sort-of bandage: it’ll mend you for the time being.
In the midst of one of these dark times, I created an emergency self care kit. The idea behind the kit was to put things in it that can give me relief when I need it most.
I made sure to select a beautiful box that would bring a smile to my face as soon as I saw it. I also wanted to make sure it would be large enough to accommodate all of the items that I intended to put inside.
My kit contains tissues, a journal and pen, chamomile tea, hot chocolate, a mug for my tea, a copy of “Rejuvenate: It’s Never Too Late” by Eartha Kitt, some crystals, and photos of loved ones. There’s a lot of empty space in my box: I have plenty of room to add additional comforting items.
Funny enough, I find that just looking at the box can create feelings of calm and relaxation. Crazy how that works.
Would you ever consider making a self-care kit? Let me know in the comments below!
I’m focusing on the BEAUTY of spending time with your family and recognizing your blessings.
(photo courtesy of Fotolia)
I have so much to be thankful for this year (and every year). I hope you all take the time to reflect upon your blessings and appreciate them all.
Enjoy your Thanksgiving!
I was JUST talking about my love of Oprah yesterday (in my Words of Wisdom post). So it should be no surprise that I’m currently listening to pretty much every episode of the SuperSoul Conversations podcast (I listen on iTunes, but it’s also available on iHeartRadio, Podbean and Podbay .
I love being able to listen to SuperSoul Sunday without having to be physically located by a television set. I also love that I can have little bits of inspiration everywhere that I go.
My current fave episodes are the ones with Phil Jackson, Iyanla Vanzant and former Vice President Joe Biden. I’ve listened to each of them more than once, as I try to glean all of the wisdom that they offered.
Do you all have any favorite podcasts? Let me know all about them in the comments below!
(photo courtesy of Everyday Power Blog)
As far as modern day women that truly inspire me, I don’t know if there is any living icon that has impacted me as much as Oprah Winfrey.
(photo courtesy of Goalcast)
A dirt poor childhood, sexual abuse, and occasional career setbacks didn’t hold her back from becoming a media monolith. I love how she parlayed her successful talk show career into a thriving media empire, including OWN (The Oprah Winfrey Network), O the Magazine, Oprah.com, lots of books and an acclaimed acting career.
(photo courtesy of Success Stories)
For those that don’t remember (or who may not have been aware), OWN was floundering during its first years on the air. But, true to Oprah’s style, she turned it around and it is now a total success, creating inspirational and entertaining programs that appeal to a wide variety of TV watchers.
(photo courtesy of Goalcast)
My favorite show on OWN (on those rare occasions when I watch TV) is Super Soul Sunday. Oprah’s interviews with thought leaders always leaves me feeling inspired, encouraged and motivated.
(photo courtesy of PaperBlog)
Oprah has turned her unique appeal into an impressive career and touching legacy. I hope you all have enjoyed these quotes as much as I enjoyed compiling them.
(photo courtesy of Scoopwhoop)
Happy Monday, friends! As you all know, yesterday marked 100 posts on Bronze Butterfly. I’m excited to have reached such an epic milestone, and even more excited that I got to share it with you all!
There’s only one question remaining:
What’s next?
I have a few things I’m mulling over as the year comes to a close. And honestly, I’m keeping an open mind and remaining flexible because I don’t know where this journey will take me. I used to have such a big list of things that I wanted to accomplish but even as I ticked things off of that list, I still had this gnawing feeling that I was unsatisfied.
Simply “accomplishing” things wasn’t enough to give me REAL satisfaction.
So I’ve got a list that I’ll share at the end of the year, but I’m confident that my happiness doesn’t depend on getting those things or having those experiences.
I create my happiness. Every day I choose it consciously.
And I’m so glad that each of you will be able to see it on this blog!
If you have some time today (or at any time this week), ask yourself, “What’s next?” And then be open to wherever you’re guided. Remember,
“You never get it done and you can’t get it wrong” (Abraham Hicks)
Can you all believe that this is the 100th post on this blog?!?! I’m blown away at how much my little corner of the web has grown, since I haven’t done any traditional marketing/advertising. Every follower I have came here either through word of mouth or chance. And if you came by, liked what you read and stayed, I sincerely thank you.
You all have seen 100 days worth of my thoughts, hopes, dreams, and discoveries.
You’ve seen some low points, some high points, and my journey over the past 3(ish) months.
When I call you all “friends” or “beloveds”, I mean it. The comments and messages I’ve gotten have been incredible. Thanks for the love and support!
What do you all think could make this a better space? I’ve been considering doing some YouTube videos but I’m a little shy (well, nervous about making a high-quality video). Maybe I’ll come up with some other way to make this space even more engaging.
In any case, thank you and I love you all. To 100+ more posts! Cheers!
(photo courtesy of WeClipArt)
Bronze Butterfly 