Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose

Perhaps maybe one of my most favorite quotes of all time, this phrase sums up perfectly what I am feeling as we go towards yet another new year - with clear eyes focused on the present and full hearts peacefully anticipating the future, we can't lose in this ongoing battle of self-improvement and fulfillment in life.

So, on this last day of what was the year 2011, I'd like to reflect not on resolutions or changes to be made for the future, but rather on how to peacefully say goodbye to the past. A few days ago, I happened upon (okay, I sought out) an old journal of mine - one from four years ago - and marveled at how awesome I once was. It sounds vain, I know, and it is. But, I sat there and read pages upon pages of intriguing insight on past situations. It revealed that I had, indeed, lost that deep insight and that peace mind and well-being in my life. So, initially I resolved to get back to that person I had once been. Then, shortly thereafter, I entered into the sad zone and felt that I had already developed too many negative habits that will prevent me from ever being that thoughtful, hopeful young girl again. Pretty depressing, eh? So, after a day or two of wallowing in this regretful state of mind, I realized why you're not supposed to call up old boyfriends and ask them what happened to your relationship (it has a connection, I promise).

Y'see, we are meant to regress to the past, because, quite simply, you can't. You can never go back, neither can you ever jump ahead, you can only move forward being present in that moment. One step at a time. The truth is I am not that same individual who I was four years ago, but I have evolved. The key is to learn to admire the person I am now, just as much as I did the person I was in the past, accepting flaws and all. It's innocent, affirming even, to take occasional, reflective glances at the past and to consider wisely the future, but the most important thing to keep in mind is that you only have this moment, this instant to be the person you want to be - and that's what you focus on.

So, with a smile, I say "see ya around" girl I once knew, and with even greater joy I say "hey you there in the mirror!" as we progress towards yet another year of physical, mental and spiritual health!

Choose Happiness!

I was reading another blog earlier today and one things really stood out to me - the author penned that she allowed herself to truly feel the sadness. I think that we often fear sadness itself and whenever we feel a tinge of it we quickly try to recover. Or we take the opposite extreme and wallow in our sadness. But, really, I think the healthiest way to deal with sadness is to just kind of ride it out until it passes, as it always will. In the end, the most important thing to do is to choose to be happy again. After the sadness passes, choose happiness - at all costs, in all circumstances, when all else fails - choose happiness.

[caption id="attachment_27" align="aligncenter" width="690" caption="Sunrise, the ultimate symbol of happiness and starting anew!"][/caption]

Pathways

[caption id="attachment_16" align="aligncenter" width="483" caption="just walking along this path called life...I was just sitting here thinking that there are about a gazillion different ways for people to get to their final destinations in life. Ken Jeong went to med school before he became famous for the Hangover movies. I once met this lady at a med school conference who was just starting her MD journey in her 40s. The thing that I think young, motivated college grads don't realize is - there is no direct path to living life, really. Sure, we make 4-year plans and map out what we're going to be doing in the next couple of years after that...but honestly. I think we got it all wrong. The problem ultimately comes down to money. Money makes the world go 'round and it allows us to live comfortably lives. So, we have to find a plan that allows us to do just that - make money to live comfortably in the future. but...I just can't shake the feeling that that philosophy just doesn't cut it. it doesn't truly feed the soul. But, alas, I've no simple solution for the quandary. So, all I can say is kudos to those who have found a way to make the stars align and their passion coincide with their profession and have everything -- acceptance letters, grades, etc -- fall into place to fit their plan. And, for the rest of us - let's just keep walking these footsteps in the sand - we'll eventually find out how our path to our ultimate profession, relationship, or personal destinations will be."][/caption]

Why Music Moves People

It's no secret that music can have this incomprehensible hold  on its listeners. Whether it be a hypnotic beat or melody or lyrics that truly speak to the soul. For me, it's the lyrics that move people to feel a connection with the music. Lyrics can be interpreted a bunch of different ways. I am a promoter of musical therapy. I'm of the belief that you should always be prepared with a playlist for whatever situation you may foresee yourself enduring. This encompasses a variety of settings: the all-important Post-BreakUp Mix, the classic Road Trip Mix, the necessary Running / Jogging / Working Out Pump Up Mix, and my own personal favorite, the somewhat unappreciated and not often incorporated Life Stinks But I Don't, So Why Stress?! Mix. These are just a few themes to get you started. I'll share my current track listings for each of these categories over the course of a few days. I encourage you to make your own! My lists often change - I may find that I love the latest hit or happen to stumble upon an oldie but goodie that I've been needing all along. The most important thing is to just start - create a list today! Let the music play!

My Life Stinks, But I Don't, So Why Stress?! Mix

• Ocean Avenue ... Yellowcard


• In This Diary ... The Ataris


• Meant to Live ... Switchfoot


• Something More ... Sugarland


• Closer to Fine ... Indigo Girls


• Free ... Zac Brown Band


• Love Like Crazy ... Lee Brice


• Dog Days Are Over ... Florence + The Machine


• We Found Love ... Rhianna


• Yeah 3X ... Chris Brown


• Party ... Beyonce


• Believe ... Yellowcard


• Hands and Feet ... Audio Adrenaline


• Prophets ... A.C. Newman (watch the season 4 finale of HIMYM and this song will rock your socks, too)

So there you have it! A random collection of feel-good music that suspiciously looks summer-inspired, but I digress. And again encourage you to let the music play! I will dig up old journal and ifnd my list for the all-important Post-Break Up Mix.