Old Soul, Young Heart

One of my favorite authors is Elizabeth Gilbert, who wrote Eat Pray Love . I know a lot of people probably think that book is silly (I mean, the title kind of is), but it's a great book and it really introduced me to her as a writer and I love all of her other books. Anyway, I follow her on Facebook and Instagram and she's basically just a really inspirational person and makes me want to be better. At the beginning of 2015, she posted a photo of herself with this ginormous glass jar and explained that every day she puts a little note inside this jar about something she's grateful for or happy about on that day. I'm trying to be a more mindful and grateful person and this seemed like a nice, easy, tangible way to give thanks. So I did it for 2015! Well, I tried to do it. I did not do it every day... in fact I have exactly 73 entries out of 365 days. But it's something. Here's what I wrote in no particular order. Beautiful azalea at Phil & Joy's Engl...

Yesterday's List (Day 19): Dear _____, You Can Make Me Happy In The Following Ways... Dear Tonight's Sleep... (I'm getting ready to go to sleep and I can't think of anything, so sorry! P.S. This list is pretty lame, anyway.) By not being that hot : It's summer already in central Illinois on the first day of spring (surprise surprise) and it's flippin' hot up here. I finally broke down and turned on the air conditioner, even though it's loud. Which brings me to my next point... By not waking me up, even though the air conditioner is really loud when it kicks on. By being super comfy and not causing me to toss and turn as per the norm the past couple of weeks. Today's List (Day 20): Favorite Memories I have a lot of memories; they are some of my favorite things. I am a very reflective person, so memories are important to me. It's hard to pick out specific memories since a lot of mine are just experiences rather than certain momen...

Today's List (Day 30): I'm Happiest When... 1. I'm comfortable--physically (in clothing that is flattering, cute, and/or fits well), emotionally and mentally (when I have good self-esteem, am present in the moment, and know who I am and to whom I belong), and socially (with one individual or a small group that I have a lot in common with and/or can be myself) 2. I have something to look forward to 3. Things are planned out well in advance 4. I'm with my fiance (ha! fiance!), my family, or close friends 5. I have alone time 6. My mind is intellectually stretched (i.e. when I have things to think about that I haven't thought about before) 7. I feel confident in my abilities and am receiving good feedback 8. I'm making people proud or happy I'm kind of glad that these lists are over because I just wasn't feeling it this time around. I had to finish it, though, because once I have a goal, I accomplish it!