Story

I am participating in this year's 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes, which I am really looking forward to!!

Today's free write is: Story

Everyone has a story to tell,
And it is up to them as to how they write it.
There will always be
Good parts
Bad parts
Funny parts
Sad parts
Scary parts
But no matter what their story has
It is theirs to tell
And only theirs.
No one can
Tell it for them.
They are the director,
And the main actor
In their story.
It is special,
Beautiful,
Unique to that person.
It has many chapters to be told.
Every story is worthy of being told,
Of being heard.
The beginning and the middle of our stories
Are just as important
As the end,
Which will be told in due time.
Our stories are not to be rushed,
as they are meant to be enjoyed.
We just have to take the time
To slow down and take in
The world around us,
To see the world
And all that it offers.

Things That Made Me Happy In September

Here is what made me happy this month:

• Finally checking out the rooftop greenhouse/garden at work (yes, my work has a rooftop greenhouse, which is pretty cool!!)
• Another month closer to finishing my internship, which I am now just two weeks away from finishing
• Finally getting the back tire on my bike repaired as well (I got the front tire fixed back in June), as it finally gave out
• Checking out a museum exhibit on Islam through a work program
• Seeing a little girl blow kisses to the fish in the library's children's area fish tank
• Seeing a littble boy blow a kiss to the library's children's area fish (on a different day)
• A little girl "helping me" shelve a few children's books at work

Not much happened this month, but it was a good month. Here's hoping for a happy/good October!

Crowd

I am joining up for today's Five Minute Friday (something I haven't done in ages, as I have had writer's block).

Today's FMF is: CROWD


Crowds seem very intimidating to me
As I navigate through them
I feel as if people are watching me
With judging eyes
I don't feel confident in crowds
As it makes me feel lost and lonely
Insignificant
I don't have the courage
To speak my mind
To do the things I want to do
I am so focused on what others think of me
Of what I say or do
That crowds make me feel
Small and insecure
Being around so many people I don't know
Makes me feel awkward and insecure
And very self-aware
Of how I look
What I'm doing
What I say
Feeling all this
Keeps me from doing many of the things
That I really want to do and say
Which makes me feel like
I am missing out
On some wonderful memories in life

My Fall 2018 Bucket List

Here is my bucket list for this fall:

• Paint/carve a pumpkin
• Go for walks
• Do a fall photoshoot
• Pick up the violin again, and play regularly
• Make a collage with leaves that have changed color
• Make and give out packs with necessities for those in need
• Have at least one movie marathon day
• Attend at least one football game
• Roast pumpkin seeds
• Make and eat s'mores
• Bake a pumpkin pie
• Cook Thanksgiving dinner
• Purchase things from the local farmer's market
• Drink hot chocolate
• Make a big batch of chili
• Watch Halloween movies
• Knit or crochet sweater for dad
• Go see the second Fantastic Beasts movie
• Make Rice Krispie treats
• Have a picnic in the park
• Attend a fall festival
• Put together a large puzzle
• Go thrift shopping
• Finish internship
• Try a pumpkin spice latte
• Visit the city
• Update fall wardrobe
• DIY Halloween crafts
• DIY Thanksgiving crafts
• "BOO" a neighbor
• Drink hot chocolate
• Go on bike rides
• Color in a coloring book
• Learn how to sew

There will most likely be more things I will add to this list, but this is a good start for me. What is on your fall bucket list?

Things That Made Me Happy in August

Here is what made me happy this month:

• Celebrating a few family members' birthdays
• Going swimming a couple times, with a friend
• Getting another month closer to finishing my internship
• Having a few extra days off from my internship, to rest and recharge
• Getting the merch I ordered from The Ingham Family (teddy bear, backpack, and tote bag)
• Getting the t-shirt I ordered from Knorpp and South
• A little girl saying hi to me as I was working
• Going to the last couple Thursday Night Out festivals in town
• Thinking about, and somewhat planning, a future trip (writing down ideas of things to do in the towns/state I want to go to), for after I graduate from college (yes, this made me happy!!)
• Going to an arts and crafts festival in town, before work
• Trying peaches for the first time, at my internship, and actually liking them
• Trying, and loving, a chicken poke bowl I got from a new restaurant in town
• Meeting, and spending a few minutes with, a mini Collie dog, that reminded of a dog my maternal grandpa had when I was little

All in all, a good month for me.

Current Favorites

It takes me a while to come up with enough things I love, to make a list of favorites. But, I did it again; here is another list of my current favorites!

• Garnier Whole Blends Oat Delicacy Shampoo and Conditioner
• An all-girl band called Cimorelli (you can check out their YouTube channel HERE)
• "I Choose Joy" tank top from The Frey Life Shop (Mary and Peter Frey of The Frey Life on YouTube)
• Marc Anthony Grow Long Super Fast Miracle Treatment for hair
• Violinist/Singer Gaelynn Lea
  I am partial to the violin, having played it for a few years, so I was excited to learn about Gaelynn and her music. She is absolutely amazing!!!
• YouTube channel 2 in a Zoo from the Chandler family(as well as their second channel, Behind the Zoo)
• YouTube channel Grace for the Millers from the Miller family
• Planners/bullet journals
  Planners and bullet journals really help in getting things organized, and kept in a place where I don't have to remember a million things in my mind
• Downton Abbey TV Show
  I know this show has been around for a while, and isn't on anymore, but I love it!!

Things That Made Me Happy In July

Here's how my July went:

• My new position at work starting
• Going to ukulele nights
• Getting the "I Choose Joy" tank I ordered
• Getting the Overcomer messenger bag I ordered
• Trying a dish I've never had before (ratataouille) and liking it
• Getting another month closer to (and over halfway through) finishing my internship
• Seeing Hotel Transylvania 3 in theaters
• Seeing Mama Mia 2 in theaters

There is Nothing Wrong With Being Scared

There is nothing wrong with being scared, as long as you don't let it change who you are.

That is a line from a movie called Paranorman. Norman, who can see and talk to ghosts, is supposed to help his town get rid of a bad ghost, and the ghost of his grandma talks to him, trying to help him out, and the above line was one of the things she said to him.

That is a pretty wise way of thinking, in my opinion.

Being scared is normal; it is absolutely ok to be scared, but don't let it change you. You cannot be afraid of everything, and not do anything because of it, because that is not what life is about. Life is about doing things, even if it scares you.

Life is about being yourself, and doing the things you love, as well as doing the things that can seem scary.

There are always going to be people who seem to have it all together, and nothing seems to bother them, to scare them. But the truth is, there is always something that they are afraid to do, and they go through it anyway, with strength, and with their heald held high.

Just remember that even if something scares you, you can get through it. You are strong enough, brave enough, to get through it, and it doesn't make you any less of a person, and less of the person you are.

Be The Masterpiece That You Are

I found this letter through Pinterest, and absolutely loved it!!

I do not have a daughter, or any children, at this time, but when I do, I will definitely be giving her this letter, or something similar.

She needs to know that she is important; that she is worth it.

Every girl should know that she is strong, beautiful, important, worthy, smart...And deserves to be treated as such.

Girls are always thought of as the "weaker sex," and that is just not so. Woman are just as strong, and capable, as men are, if given the chance.

Also, girls need to know that being popular, and liked by everyone, is not important in life.

What is important, is being who you truly are, being liked by the right people, and being the best that she can be. She needs to know that she is beautiful, no matter what other people say or think. She has infinite worth, and deserves to be here.

I am so thankful to have come across this letter, and I can't wait to have children of my own!

My Beauty My Say

I saw this article some time ago on Facebook by Dove, and their beauty campaign.

Yes, it's from a couple of years ago, but it just goes to show that people from all walks of life can do anything they put their mind to, even if they aren't in the 'norm.'

Every single person on earth is beautiful in their own way, no matter what they look look, what they identify as, whatever their religion/beliefs, no matter what.

I love that Dove is becoming more inclusive in their campaigns and what they stand for.

Every person deserves to be treated like a person, like they are beautiful (because they ARE beautiful!!), that they can be who/what they want to be.

There are as many stories to tell, as there are people in the world, and every story deserves to be told, and to be heard. And Dove is helping people tell their stories.

So, thank you Dove, for doing amazing things!!