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Me, of course. Because I don't have any sponsors. This is fine. It's very likely that I don't have any readers either (awkward silence).

Ever onward - so many exciting changes have been happening, where to begin. Firstly, as I mentioned in this post, I was ready to make changes regarding meat but I didn't know how that was going to come about. Then I stumbled upon a Ted talks on the topic of 30 day challenges. It suddenly became very simple - I will not eat meat for 30 days. Well, that 30 days came and went friends (yesterday being day 30). It was not a difficult thing. This challenge included a road trip to Portland! I think I should get bonus points for that one. I discovered that I actually felt much more present about decisions I made concerning my daily food consumption. Rather than devouring whatever was placed before me, I had to be conscious, and pay close attention. I liked that. As well as knowing I wasn't having a part in harming precious animals.

I love the whole concept of a 30 day challenge. As the video clip mentioned, you begin to do and try things you never would have done otherwise. The months and years come and go, and guess what? You wake up 10 years later, without having tried anything different. So, I will continue with the challenge. For the month of August, it will be to read 3 books! Start & complete. I’m so looking forward to this one. How about you, what kind of challenge would you choose?

Oh, and one last thing: I've started to learn Spanish! I've made a serious commitment to learning the language. I'm elated. I also feel vulnerable, which has got me a bit uneasy, but I'm learning that is OK.

Happy Friday, friends. I look forward to what is proximo!

image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/danielahenriquez/14953588035

Dibujé una Plantita (agosto 2014)

People Are Rad

People are rad will be a regular feature on this blog. It will segment rad people. Something creative, funny or nifty that I happened to stumble across. I mean, hello? What amazingly, clever person one day thought, 'hey, let's turn a basketball hoop into a candle sconce' (!). I think it's brilliant. Human's of the world (not just New York) - you make my heart happy.

Oh, and happy Monday! Isn't this a great way to start our week? With something fun and unexpected. Let's keep on keeping it real.

"Where is your will to be weird? - Jim Morrison 

x

image source: Found on emilykeegin.com

Wooed Up Wednesday

I've been wooed. By this room. That is all.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

"Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, 

or believe to be beautiful". 

- William Morris

image source: Found on urbanoutfitters.com

Vegucated

I’m going to make this brief. Vegucated. You. Have. To. Watch. It (it's currently on Netflix). So, so important my friends.

I have never been a big meat eater. I’ve done my best to purchase organic, as costly as it is. But it’s nowhere near enough, folks. I don’t know how/where I’m going to begin to make the necessary lifestyle changes. But I have to. Start somewhere. And I think it will be watching the movie again and again. Until the gravity of what we are doing as a society has sunk in and moved me to change.

It will be a gradual process. And I’m going to be moderate in my expectations of myself to ensure long term success. I am determined to change for the better and to share the importance and seriousness of this documentary.

"If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be a vegetarian." - Paul McCartney

Opposite Direction

"When the whole world is running towards a cliff, he who is running in the opposite direction appears to have lost his mind". - C. S. Lewis

Emphasis on the words 'appears to'. Wouldn't you agree? I also like these wise words - 'When everyone is thinking alike, no one is thinking' - George Patton. For the most part, I'd consider myself an individual thinker. The times when I've went along with the crowd are the times I've been most unhappy or unsatisfied with myself. But that's what happens sometimes, life can take us down a path we never intended to take.

I've been working on being more present and conscious of the decisions I make. And remembering to be myself - someone who is generally a very happy and goofy person. The above picture is my current mood. Today, I am wholeheartedly embracing it.

Happy Friday folks! Enjoy your weekend.




image: Found on adoredvintage.tumblr.com

Storms

There is peace, even in the storm. - Vincent Van Gogh

There's truth to those words, wouldn't you agree? . 

Trust the process of life. Have a great Monday, folks!

image found: http://www.thesimplyluxuriouslife.com/

Librarian

Let's talk about careers. Do you remember what you most wanted to be as a child? Several phases I went through come to mind, but one in particular and one that stuck was a Librarian. I don't know why this was, when the Librarian in our elementary school was a stern, crotchety old woman, with a down-turned mouth and bony fingers. But I always loved being in a library. I admired the tweed suits Ms. Crotchety wore or the Corduroy pants her male substitute would wear.  I often traveled half-way across our small town to hang out at the library, usually alone. I would wonder through the entire library, looking up and down the aisles, so fascinated at the different spines, colors and typography. Oh, and I would read too.

Fast-forward 30 years, and guess what? I would still love to be a librarian. Isn't that interesting? But really, who wouldn't want to be surrounded by books? (!)

As a child I also wanted to be an interior designer. Today, I am still passionate about interior design. When people come into my home, they often ask if I’m an interior designer. And my downtime of choice is usually spent perusing Pinterest’s home décor pins. Interesting again, right?

I could continue listing the creative avenues I dreamed up for myself when I was young, but I may start to sound more A.D.D. than artistic; but I’m sure you get where I'm going (if not, hang-tight). When the time came to do some schooling and I shared what I would like to do with people, it was always met with remarks such as “you’re a day dreamer” or “if you go to school for interior design, you'll probably end up making beds at a department store for x amount of money per hour - there's no money in that” Or some other kibosh, hogwash statement. The problem was, I was an impressionable young woman and listened.

Where am I going with this? Well, when I see quotes like:

“You have to live spherically - in many directions. Never lose your childish enthusiasm - and things will come your way.” ― Federico Fellini

I’m not seeking career advice from Federico Fellini, but I do recognize that I feel most happy and most myself when I honor the creativity side of who I am. How that will transpire, I do not yet know. But I do know I need to remember to pay attention to this side of me, more than I have been in recent years.

How about you? I’d love to hear your thoughts on living your authentic self?

Image credit: Google