Just got back from an awesome, art-filled weekend with my Bestie. We crafted it up while enjoying good food, good wine, good company and GREAT TEXAS FOOTBALL! The project for the weekend was inspired by a photo my friend took at an Anthropologie store. Here is the inspiration photo:

We spent the morning and early afternoon gathering all the supplies for the project. By about 3:30pm we were ready to put this thing together.

We got all the frames primed, arranged, assembled and painted.

Here is the finished product:

I think we both are pretty proud of ourselves! It couldn’t have turned out any better. So, Anthropologie, if you’re looking for help in your arts and crafts department, look no further!

Such a great Friday feel good song.

Most of us are familiar with the big bargains and fabulous finds available at places like TJ Maxx and Marshalls – it is not uncommon to pay $150 for a $300 pair of boots. But even with the expectation to save major bucks, you can imagine my surprise when I saw this:

D&G for $40?!? Is this too good to be true?

Yup…major fake out. All I could do was laugh.

about that…

Hope everyone has a fun Labor Day weekend!

Fear and I have had a love-hate thing going on for a while, well, mainly hate. For so long, fear has been the basis of every decision I’ve made or thought I’ve had. And when I say so long, I’m talking 16+ years! As you would imagine, fear and I have gotten to know each other pretty well. You know that controlling, domineering “friend” you had in middle school that you were too scared to confront? Well,  our relationship has kinda been like that. (She thinks were the best of friends but I see her as more of a frenemy – keep for friends close, your frenemies closer, right?) Fear and I do everything together. We live life hand in hand, inseparable in fact. We are so close, I am scared to tell her that this relationship is no longer working for me. I don’t want to go through the NEXT 16 years succumbing to what fear would have me do.

So I’m not. Fear is about to be put in her rightful place…

Haley: Fear, we need to have a heart to heart. I am tired of you controlling every part of my life! You are SO dominating and inconsiderate!  Relationships are supposed to be a two-way street and, starting today, this is how it’s going to be. From now on, there will be no more me following you around or giving in to your wishes. Wow, that felt good to say.

So, now that that’s out of my system, I don’t want to be completely harsh because I can see your value in my life. We just have to do some restructuring. You’re power is coming down a notch or two or TEN and what I want is paramount. I know this sounds so unfair, but trust me, it will work beautifully. Instead of becoming a coward in your presence, I am going to focus my energy right where you are. No need to worry, I’m not forgetting about you. You and I will be working TOGETHER for our good.

Fear: Haley, my intention was never to control you or dominate you. I only controlled so much of your life because you let me and because you weren’t taking a stand in your own life.  My sole purpose is to direct you to the areas in your life that you need to address. You strive to live your highest potential, right? Well, use me as a compass. I’ll help uncover that potential. Just don’t run from me any longer.

Haley: Glad we are on the same page..

Fear: Of course. You know that everything works together for your good. My presence in your life is no different. Remember, nothing can be against you other than your perception. You perceived our relationship as a bad one, so it was. Always remember, I am not here to harm you, make you more cowardly or make your life miserable. As you now know, its quite the contrary.

No, I do not have back and forth conversations like this on a normal basis. I wrote this out to make a point and to illustrate how this revelation clicked for me. I’ve known for some time now that I was taking a back seat to life and letting fear run rampant but not doing anything about it. Fear had built up a lot of steam over the past few years, so much so that it manifested itself as physical health issue. I knew in that moment I found out that I had to start releasing the pressure or it wasn’t going to end well. Just as soon as I opened the valve to release the steam, space was created for good things to come in and boy did they ever!

This passage is one I’ve heard all my life, but has never meant much until now. Romans 8:28- in all things God works together with those who love him to bring about what is good.

The weather is quite drab here in south Texas today and all I can think about is me in comfy clothes curled up in bed with a good book. That is SO not going to happen and the sun isn’t expected to make an appearance, so, the other alternative – add some sunshine myself! I found myself slightly groovin’ out to this song in my car yesterday – and for those who know me, I do not dance, shake my booty or groove, so the fact that I found myself wiggling in my seat is saying something! It is definitely one of those days for some feel good tunes! Come on and get your groove on with me

Everyone deserves a break sometimes and I took it upon myself to take one from the blogging world. Not sure if that ultimately was a good or bad decision, but it is what it is. June was a month full of highs and lows, but ultimately proved to be a true catalyst for change in my life. You can never spend too much time with yourself, learning about yourself, growing and stretching yourself.  This is what June was for me – remove distractions and get down to your roots. So much truth and beauty and insight can be revealed in times like this. I know this is sounding vague, but so it should. Sometimes your personal growth needs to be shared with no one but you. This was part of the reason for my lack of blogging. I allowed myself to be consumed with my journey and so much unfolded.

My June Takeaways

Your truth should never be resisted.

The easy route, when it denies who you are,  is never the answer.

Soften into uncertainty.

Surrender to the Divine.

And last but not least, Trust with all your heart, soul and mind.

My ever-seeking heart + lots of quite time + a minor health scare put me in prime position to make those changes I doubted I ever could. The journey is not anywhere close to being over. It actually really just got started (or just gained a ton of momentum) and I couldn’t be more excited about what has yet to be revealed. When you take on a receptive posture, the world opens up to you in ways that could only be from the Divine. It’s so fun to see what “things” find your way into your life. One of these things for me was the book Quantum Wellness by Kathy Freston. I went to Barnes and Nobles with the intent of purchasing one particular book, but found myself plopped down in the middle of the “self-improvement” section (no shame here!) glued to this woman’s book!  T, my book loving husband who could kill hours in a bookstore was with me and when he showed up ready to go I knew this one just needed to go home with me. If you’re ready to make those quantum leaps, read it. It’s good.

It is difficult to wrap up an entire month in one post but I can’t think of a more appropriate way than to say with complete wonder and amazement – Isn’t God something?!

xoxo

Thanks Yogi Teas for this great message this morning.