Do Life 2015: My Pinterest Life

This morning at work, we did a really powerful exercise. 

I found to be thought provoking, directionally challenging and personally motivating.

We were posed the following question, in relationship to goals:

 "are your actions matching and supporting your intentions?"

Interestingly enough, I had asked myself a similar question about a week ago when I was working on my theme for 2015.

You see, I am part dreamer/part overachiever/part devastatingly depressing realist. 

The struggle is real guys...

When I was initial planning and brainstorming about this coming year, I immediately thought, "GRAND ADVENTURES!!!"

And then the thought process took the following downward spiral.....

1. Grand adventures needs to be pursued?
2. How many should I pursue?
3. 2,015? Because of the year?
4. Yeah, that's a great idea!
5. Aforementioned adventures need to be documented!
6. Wait, that's like 5-6 adventures a day...
7. That means I have to write every single day....
8. What if I don't have that many adventures?
9. Oh my gosh, I'm going to fail and I haven't even started yet!!
10. This is just too much, I'm going to pin to my "Adventure" board on Pinterest....

It's quite pathetic how dramatic my inner monologue can be.

A week goes by and I started to rethink my plan, and ask myself if my action steps were really putting me closer to accomplishing my goal.

I asked myself if writing every single day was going to push me closer to my goal or just feel like an overwhelming chore.

I asked myself if the number of adventures is important, or if just having them would enough.

I asked if I even knew what the adventures would be, or if I just needed to practice saying yes.

I also asked myself what was motivating me to get off my butt and stop making excuses.

The crazy thing I came back to was how I immediately turned to Pinterest when the thoughts in my head became overwhelming and the goal seemingly unattainable.

It hit me that my Pinterest life is far more exciting and adventuresome than my actual life, and I'm no longer okay with it continuing along that vein.

I would much rather live a life full of adventures, worthy of being 'pinned' on some one's board; than continuing  to live a life where my only adventures are the ones I dream about on a media platform that might be gone in 5 years.

Life will be far more satisfying and fulfilling when I stop living my Pinterest life and embrace this chance I have to "DO LIFE!"

#dolife2015

Do Life 2015

As I sit here and write, I can't help but feel a tiny bit morose. The Love Project 2014 was such an amazing journey and I almost hate to see it end. It was filled with laughter, love and important lessons learned. 

One unexpected aspect I am realizing as I sit here reflecting, was how grounded it made me feel. How settled and focused I was able to be, as well as motivated to see the bigger picture alongside the small details. 

As I drove to a friend's home for New Year's celebration, the glorious sunlight reflecting off the snow covered peaks of Mt. Rainer completely took my breath away. 

Still, as beautiful as my view was, I struggled with verbalizing my personal theme for 2015.

I mean, I have a plan, or at least the startings of one, but no definitive way in which to describe or express it. 

In my mind and on paper there are a decent number of fabulous things happening this year.

One of the first things I am going to do is accompany some friends on what will be my very first foreign mission's trip. We will be going to Haiti and serving for one week through Cross to Light Ministries.

I should probably mention I was asked to go in October, decided to go in November and now I am leaving in 14 days. What the heck....

As of about 5 years ago, just jumping in with both feet would have sounded exciting and liberating, but I never would have done it.

Why the change now? What happened to make jumping in with both feet less terrifying?

The more I thought it, the more I realized The Love Project lit a fire in my heart unlike anything I had ever experienced.

There is something so incredibly powerful and freeing about intentional love coming to you in the purest form possible. The motivation and inspiration stemming from answered prayers is more liberating than I ever thought possible. These things give you strength and an ability to stop letting anxiety and 'what ifs' make your decisions for you.

For my inspiration, I wanted to look at what I learned all last year and apply it. Apply it every single day - in both large ways and in small ways.

For example, going to Haiti is kind of a big deal. A life event requiring planning and preparation. But the decision to do, that is instantaneous. 

And I notice within myself, it's the execution of the decision that gets me all tangled up in my emotions and worries. 

And what's sad, is more often than not, the execution of so many decisions is where I get stuck. For instance, I love to read. I will choose a book in a nano second. But actually sitting down and reading it? That can be a year long process. 

This year, I don't want to just plan stuff, I want to do stuff. I don't just want to choose to be involved in something, I want to experience it. 

Fully, completely, all the way.

In 2015 I want to "Do Life". I want to seize every fabulous opportunity that comes my way. I want to create hilarious shenanigans and have grand adventures that will make my head spin.

And the thing is, if I am looking to the ONE who creates all and wants the absolute best for me, those wants are totally possible.

2015 - you are going to be so epic and I can't wait to live every day to the fullest.

#dolife2015

The Love Project 2014: Grand Adventures of 2014

Last December, Jesus told me that my car was going to die. And die she did. She died hard...

It was one of the best things to happen in a long time.

Why? Because the adventures began when Lucy bit the dust.

And as I sit here and reflect over 2014, I wonder why it seemed more packed with adventures than other years.

Maybe it was the push to get outside my comfort zone.

Maybe it was because Jesus dumped love on me ALL THE TIME.

Maybe it was because I was looking for the awesome to happen.

Regardless of the reason, 2014 was an epic year, and I am pretty sure that 2015 is going to be even more fabulous, filled with grand adventures and shenanigans.

I thought it would be fitting to use photos to reflect over the past year. 

But, Facebook.... no  offense, your year in review is crap.

You limit my pictures and give me no place to tell awesome stories... #solame

And so I march to the beat of my own drum - per usual.

In no particular order and in every sense of the word awesome, I present...

 Elizabeth's Grand Adventures of 2014

It's always good to start the year with #SuperHeroFriday

Which morphs into this....

And closes out the year with this..... And yes, our staff meeting was Super Hero Themed. And there were capes. Lots of capes.

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If you travel to Vegas with your bestest, you should always wear Minion hats. Always.

When visiting Jessica in Cali, make sure you visit grand museums, eat sketchy Thai food and have a spiritual awakening at TBN.

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When your sister comes to town, you should ALWAYS practice your duck face and find Captain America..... Because, you just should.

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If you find yourself without a car, and the bus system decides to fail you, be creative.

Then tweet about it...

Because if you do, U-Haul might just put your photo on the side of 64 trucks that are currently in 58 cities across the USA..... #uhaulfamous

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Speaking of the bus.... I met some pretty sweet folks and overheard some seriously disturbing conversations.

Once again, the MS Walk blew my mind and got me super pumped for next year!

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At the beginning of the summer I enrolled in a program that will certify me as a holistic health coach. I am halfway through the program and I am totally stoked to see where this path will lead me!

Two of my dear sweet friends got hitched this year, and being apart of their special days was incredible!

Meet Penelope Rue #nuffsaid

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I get to work with the most fabulous people ever, for the best organization ever and with the best department ever! Life is awesome!

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Also got to see not one, but TWO oceans!

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And my beautiful 97 year old great grandmother <3

Ending it all with a white Thanksgiving and some epic time with my best friend.

As I timeline my year with photos, I am totally blown away with how many cool opportunities the Lord gave me this year. 

He totally blew my mind on so many different levels.

He loved me through some really challenging moments. He gave me laughter when I needed it most. Comfort when my heart was hurting. Lightness when the reality of life was bringing me down. And hope for the future.

Because no matter how crazy life gets or how complicated we make it, HE always brings light, laughter, hope, adventures, shenanigans and whatever other term you use to describe your life.

Why?

He loves us. 

Always has and always will.

Happy New Year Everyone - it's been incredible!

#theloveproject2014

The Love Project 2014: Salad, Poinsettias and a Prayer

Christmas Day 2014 is winding down to a close. I am sitting on the most comfortable couch in the world, eating cheezy gluten free noodles and watching “Man of Steel.”

My phone rings.

It’s my landlords.

I should interject they are basically the cutest EVER.

Because, this morning they brought me a plant and were singing “Merry Christmas” to the tune of “Happy Birthday” as they came down the stairs.

***kill me with all the cuteness***

Tonight they offered me leftover salad and dibs on any and all veggies in their fridge since they are going on vacation.

They also asked if I would I water their poinsettias. Of course I said yes.

Better yet, how about they bring them downstairs so that I can enjoy the plants for them while they are away? So, they brought them down and helped me put them all around the apartment…

***Seriously, can these people be any more adorable??***

Before she left, I shared with Mrs. M about my mission’s trip, asking her for prayer. She asks to pray for me right then and their.

Talk about feeling the Holy Spirit come down and wrap you in a fuzzy blanket….

I started to tear up as she prayed, because I realized the loneliness I had been feeling all day long was being soothed and comforted in a most unexpected way.

When we talk of loneliness, we so often think of people who have no one. But I have family. I have a lot of friends. Wonderful, inclusive, delightful friends.

I also have an incredible job, and all sorts of shenanigans and grand adventures on a fairly consistent basis.

And at the end of the day, I come home to an empty apartment.

Sure, I get to watch whatever I want, eat when I want and choose NOT to fold my mountain of laundry.

Most of the time, it’s kind of nice.

Then at other times, being alone makes the loneliness really glaring and super uncomfortable.

The thing about loneliness? It is not a respecter of persons. It strikes all of us.

(It is also not a respecter of living status. You can feel lonely while being alone or while being surrounded by crowds of people).

So the Lord and I chatted about it. The loneliness thing.

I also talked to one of my mentors about it yesterday.

I came to the conclusion that allowing yourself to feel lonely isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

In fact, in can be a really healthy place to hang out.

I used to avoid the feeling.

I would pack my life full of duties responsibilities, people, jobs and projects in order to avoid feeling the pang of loneliness.

Now, instead of filling my empty hours with tasks and to do lists, I embrace feeling lonely.

Even if I don’t want to. Even if it’s uncomfortable. Especially if it’s uncomfortable.

But why? 

1. It’s normal. We all feel it. Single or not.
2. It is an area of anxiety for me, and I want to overcome it.
3. Jesus and I have some pretty epic prayer parties when I camp out here.
4. It causes me to be really honest with the Lord about my life and the direction it’s headed.
5. It’s one more avenue through which Jesus shows me His marvelous love.

This year has been a year of Jesus showering me with love. Showering me with the affirmation that He wants, desires and delights in me.

He does it in crazy, creative and sometimes random ways. But it is always evident the love action is from Him.

Tonight it came to me in the form of salad, poinsettias and a prayer.

Christmas can be a hard time for a lot of people. A lonely time, a painful time and a trying time.

So tonight, seek HIS heart and ask Him to overwhelm you with His love.

He will do it. Because He loves you. Always has and always will.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

The Beauty at Son Jardin

I'm sitting in a rental car outside the home my great-grandmother has lived in her entire life.

I'm sitting outside in the car, not because she isn't here, but because I'm charging my cell phone.

And to be perfectly honest, I'd rather let it die.

I sat in the living room with both my grandmother and my great mother this afternoon. 

Just sitting. No tv. Not much talking. 

Just sitting. 

Watching the birds. A little napping (to catch up from jet lag). 

Comfortable silence amidst random moments of laughter.

Three of five generations just existing peacefully in the same space.

When I woke up from my nap, I walked into the kitchen to grab a snack. 

And I just stood there. Looking out the window.

The simplistic and intense beauty of this moment hit me. It almost completely overwhelmed me. Totally surrounded me in a blanket of warmth and security and peace.

Life feels simpler here at Son Jardin. And I like it. A lot.

It is quiet. One can think. And from the tone of this post, one can also feel inspired to write.

I don't know about all of you, but technology sometimes puts me a little on edge. 

Don't get me wrong, my iPhone is what I'm using to write this post, as well as checking in to my flights and taking photos. 

But the rapid pace that it requires me to operate at can be completely and overwhelmingly exhausting.

So as I sat with two of the most incredible women I know this afternoon, it hit me again. That two entire generations did amazing things and lived their lives in incredible ways, all without the modern technology I have become accustomed to using on a daily basis.

So, I challenge myself today. I challenge myself to remember to breath. 

To be okay with complete silence. To enjoy the company of my own thoughts. 

To stop checking FB every ten minutes just because I don't want to engage. 

To complete submerge myself in the experience, instead of thinking which filter to use on my photos. 

I will still use technology, for I think it is one of the most amazing platforms we have as a society to connect and socialize. 

However, I find it equally important to be completely comfortable with the falling leaves and a good book as my companion. 

If this is my greatest lesson on this adventure, then I pray I learn and live it well.

"I have never found a companion that was so companionable as solitude." - Henry David Thoreau

The Love Project 2014: Comparison vs Compassion

Today I heard one of the most compelling messages I have heard in a very long time.

A message that both inspired me and filled me with conviction. At the exact same moment.

Two words. Two scenarios.

Each similar, but oh, so very different.

Scene One: A mother opens the car door for her small child. The child gets out of the car, and the mother closes the door. Right as the mother slams the car door shut, the child lets out a blood curdling scream. Their hand is stuck in the door. The mother drops everything in her hands, fumbling for the keys to unlock the door. She unlocks the door, freeing her child's hand. Then she gathers her child into her arms, comforting and soothing the damage done by the car door.

Compassion: seeing a need and meeting it 

Scene Two: A mother opens the car door for her small child. The child gets out of the car, and the mother closes the door. Right as the mother slams the car door shut, the child lets out a blood curdling scream. Their hand is stuck in the door. The mother stops, looks down at her hands and says to herself, "Wow.... I am so thankful for my two working, healthy, non-damaged hands." She takes one last look at the child, who is writhing in pain and sobbing uncontrollably, and walks away.

Comparison: seeing a need and being thankful it isn't yours

Now, for those of us with common sense, this second scenario is wrong on so many levels. 

What mother would do that to her child? 

Who could see someone in such agony and not do something about it? 

But, is that not what we often do when we see someone in need? 

We sit back, breath a sigh of relief and say, "Man, I'm glad that's not me."

Such a mind blowing and powerful thought!

Am I truly showing someone compassion, or is it merely a situational comparison?

Maybe, instead of focusing on how much better I have it than other people, I can get out there and do something to change their situation.

Instead of talking about loving people, I just go out and do it. And by love I mean act.

And as terrifying as the reality of that statement is, it also lights a fire in my soul.

Because to quote one of my favorite authors, "love does."

To add to that? So does compassion.

Two words. So similar, yet so different.

Which one will you choose today?

The Love Project 2014: Those Who Love

Today, I heard the story of how Jesus totally got a hold of someone's life and changed them. For good.

Tonight, I sat through a memorial service that honored a woman of devoted and fervent prayer. Someone who I was beyond blessed to know and have been prayed over.

I also stood and spoke with two people who changed my life probably more than they will ever know.

You know, we all go through pretty intense seasons in our lives. Sometimes those seasons seem hopeless, lonely and incredibly bleak.

For me, those days were primarily during high school, shortly after my dad died.

And while those days were challenging and painful, I was never left desolate or abandoned. Even if it felt like it.

Jesus blew my mind and my expectations out of the water and dropped a family into my life that I now consider to be my own.

I look back on those lonely years, and can honestly say that my love bank was constantly having deposits made by that family.

Those deposits propelled me through and kept me going.

Those who love us in our darkest hours are those who can also celebrate with us through our greatest joys.

Whose love bank are you filling up today?

There are those who talk about it, there are those who hope for it, and then, there are just those who do something about it.

Those who love.

#theloveproject2014