San Francisco Highlights

The Golden Gate Bridge.

San Francisco: the city of the diverse. Somewhere I belong. One of my dream spots. Last September when I was itching for an adventure and needed some change, I piled up enough dough to plop myself on a plane headed to the west coast. Sick of the fast-paced, I’m-better-than-you ways of the east coast (at least in New York), one of my brothers moved out there and landed himself quite the fantastical job (in San Fran, you’ll need that). So I figured, “Hey, I have a place to stay, now’s a great time to visit!” I stuffed some clothes in a bag, grabbed my boyfriend, flew through the air, and in a matter of hours, we were on the other side of the country. Our first vacation together.

Matanzas_Creek_Winery

We drenched ourselves in rosé, Pinot noir, chardonnay and the like in Sonoma in the mountains while playing Bocce, surrounded by breath-taking scenery; we went to a San Francisco Giants game (where a sea gull pooped on my head during the seventh inning); we took a ferry out to Angel Island and Alcatraz Read More

Tips to Get Inspiration Back in Your Life

Swimming in the Sky, June 2010

Skydiving, June 2010.

Your life is unique, your life is yours. You might often find yourself tangled in what seems to be the routine of your everyday life, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are some life-expanding tips I’ve put together in hopes of lighting a spark in all who read these words from my mind-spill.

Create a bucket list

This will give you something to look forward to; this will pave the path to mingling with goals. Want to jump from a plane? Travel across the world? Learn a new language? Write a story? Run a mile? You have a life and you have a mind, so use them, love them! Life has so many gifts for you — you have to unwrap them. Once created, it’s good to keep your bucket list in a place where you will see it. Showing it off to others can help you get moving on it too, since then they can either join you on some epic quests or support your life-loving ideas.

Get physical

Being uninspired can often leave you feeling stagnant. Know that being physically strong and flexible also makes you mentally strong and flexible, cooking up the recipe for an open mind. A good way to guide yourself to a better mental state is to get your body involved in some good fun. Hiking, rock climbing, biking, dancing, kick-boxing, yoga. An open mind and a strong body go a long way, and these experiences make for good stories to inspire others. Read More

Four negatives about hosting a party

Don’t get me wrong, I love hosting get-togethers and being responsible for fun times that still come up in conversation years later. But it you’ve ever hosted a happy little shindig yourself, you can probably relate to these few occurrences that are guaranteed to happen and will most likely throw off your beaming confidence, at least a little bit.

People breaking up into groups

Different_Groups

The first few people to show up will stick together, but once more guests flow in, everyone flocks to those they’re most familiar and comfortable with. It makes sense, but this always has me wondering how to get the group sitting at the table, the clan standing near the barbecue, and the tipsy ones laughing at the bar all together. That amazing solution, whatever it may be, would also save you from jumping from one group to the next.

The one shy person clinging to their phone Read More

Your Life’s Questions

  1. How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?
  2. Which is worse, failing or never trying?
  3. If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?
  4. If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?
  5. Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?
  6. If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?
  7. To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?
  8. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?
  9. If you could offer a child only one piece of advice, what would it be?
  10. What’s something you know you do differently than most people?
  11. If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why?
  12. Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend?
  13. Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you?
  14. What are you most grateful for?
  15. Is is possible to know the truth without challenging it first?
  16. Do you remember that time five years ago when you were extremely upset?  Does it really matter now?
  17. What is your happiest childhood memory?
  18. At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive?
  19. If not now, when?
  20. If you haven’t achieved it yet, what do you have to lose?
  21. Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you had the best conversation ever?
  22. Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil?
  23. If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job?
  24. Would you rather have less work to do, or more work you actually enjoy doing?
  25. Do you feel like you’ve lived this day a hundred times before?
  26. If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today?
  27. What is the difference between being alive and truly living?
  28. When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right?
  29. If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake?
  30. What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?
  31. When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own breathing?
  32. What do you love?  Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love?
  33. In five years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday?  What about the day before that?  Or the day before that?
  34. Decisions are being made right now.  Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you?

Things to Never Forget

Author Unknown

I cut this out of a local paper a few months ago and kept it on my desk so that I’d be reminded of the important things. This is something worth reading.

1. Never laugh at anyone’s dreams.

2. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt, but it’s the only way to live life completely.

3. Don’t judge people by their relatives.

4. Remember that everyone you meet is afraid of something, loves something, and has lost something.

5. Remember the three Rs:

Respect for self,
Respect for others,
Responsibility for your actions.

6. Don’t overlook life’s small joys while searching for big ones.

7. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

8. Be the first to fight for a just cause.

9. Remember that no time is wasted that makes two or more people better friends.

10. Never say anything uncomplimentary about another person’s dog.

11. Don’t think expensive equipment will make up for lack of talent or practice.

12. Memorize your favorite love poem.

13. Do the right thing, regardless of what others think.

14. Judge people from where they stand, not from where you stand.

15. Life will sometimes give you a magical moment. Savor it.

16. Don’t confuse comfort with happiness or wealth with success.

17. Be the first to forgive.

18. Spend some time alone.

19. Be an original. If that means being a little eccentric, so be it.

20. Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values.

21. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

22. When you say “I Love You”, mean it.

23. Watch your attitude. It’s the first thing people notice about you.

24. Remember that the more you know, the less you fear.

25. Be humble & polite, but don’t let people push you around.

26. Don’t let weeds grow around your dreams.

27. Remember that how you say something is just as important as what you say.

28. Read between the lines.

29. Don’t think you can fill an emptiness in your heart with money.

30. Remember that the shortest way to travel anywhere is to have good company with you.

31. Take criticism and praise with equal grace.

32. Remember that what’s right isn’t always popular & what’s popular isn’t always right.

33. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

34. Never risk what you can’t afford to lose.

35. Remember that ignorance is expensive.

36. Learn the rules, then break some.

37. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.

38. Don’t confuse foolishness with bravery and kindness with weakness.

39. Life is too short. Eat more pancakes than ricecakes.

40. Follow your own star.

41. Remember the ones you love.

42. Follow your dreams.

Tips To Make A Bad Day Good

Exercise. This always works for me. Go for a run, ride your bike, do yoga, walk your dog. Endorphins can reverse a bad mood in no time!

Go to sleep early. It’s true that things usually get better in the morning. It’s a fresh start for a new day.

Talk to somebody you’re close with. Vent to someone who understands you for some comfort and good advice. Getting negative thoughts off your chest will help clear your mind.

Do something for someone else just because you can. This will automatically make you feel better about yourself. It’s magical.

Make a happy list. Remind yourself of everything that makes you smile. There’s nothing like triggering positive memories or goals you know you can reach.

Get fresh air. Sometimes all you need is a step outside to breathe and collect your thoughts.

Change up your look. Buy some new clothes or style your hair differently. When you look good, you feel good.

Snuggle with your significant other. Being reminded that you are loved and cared for will brighten up any lousy mood.

Things My Dogs Taught Me

Show your love. If there is someone in your life you can’t live without, show them.

Live in the moment. Take every moment as it comes. Learn to be happy in the here and the now — don’t dwell on the past or worry about the future.

Indulge. If you want a treat, go for it. Pamper yourself.

Don’t judge. Dogs don’t care what you’re wearing or what you look like. They don’t care about how much money you make or what kind of car you drive. They love you simply for who you are. An important lesson many people need to learn.

Don’t be afraid to show your emotions. Let loose and express yourself. Don’t bottle up your feelings. There are reasons for them.

Get out more often. Just about every dog gets excited when he sees his leash. There’s nothing like exploring — there are friends to meet, sights to see, things to do and learn outside of the house.

Take naps. It’s all part of the balance. Play when you’re energized, eat when you’re hungry, work when you’re required to, and rest when you’re tired.

Be true to yourself. There are reasons a yorkie isn’t a greyhound and a maltese isn’t a German shepherd. Be comfortable with who you are and what you are capable of.

There are some times when you have to bite after your bark. Defend yourself. If someone needs to learn a lesson, teach them.