Finding a Better Way to... Live in the Moment (Music Monday #23)

I know today is technically Tuesday, but I kind of like the idea keeping track of all the Music Monday posts, so here we are.

Today's tune comes from the ever-thoughtful curbside prophet himself, Jason Mraz. I first heard this song sometime this Spring semester while working on my thesis. It was an instant gem added to my "Relentless Positive Thinking" YouTube playlist. (By the way, I highly recommend having "Relentless Positive Thinking" YouTube playlists that you listen to...relentlessly.)

I revisited this song yesterday as I began to reflect on transitioning into a new month with a new perspective. I just love starting anew and new beginnings. It's like the sunrise of each day, a fresh start. I get this momentum of transition each time the first of the month rolls around. I'm moving later on in July - so that will be a major transition for me in and of itself. As I begin to finalize the details of my move and tie up loose ends here and there, naturally, I begin to feeling completely overwhelmed. How to deal? Take every task one step at a time. Lamenting time past and fretting over the future warrants nothing more than more lamentation and frustration. Thus, I present to you a beautiful reminder of how to "live in the moment"...

Jason Mraz "Living in the Moment"

Favorite Verse:

I'm letting myself off the hook for things I've done
I let my past go past
And now I'm having more fun
I'm letting go of the thoughts 
That do not do not make me strong
And I believe this way can be the same for everyone

And there are plenty more nuggets of wisdom embedded in this song. I have to remind myself to discard non-supportive thoughts about the past, present or future at any given circumstance in life. It's definitely a lot more fun that way. Besides, isn't life meant to be more abundant? In hot yoga yesterday, I recognized a poster that said, "Presence heals." True words. After all, the a present is a gift! ;-) PUN INTENDED and RELISHED. Live in the moment, my friends. 

Finding a Better Way to Have a Quarter Life Crisis

I turned 25 yesterday, and let me tell ya - the months leading up to this have been one of the most emotionally challenging points of my life - filled with uninvited transitions in a couple of my relationships, newfound doubts and fears about my future plans and old insecurities rearing their ugly heads. The scene was set perfectly for a quarter-life crisis. A complete meltdown hinging at the depths of despair and hopelessness in every area of life.

For more on quarter-life crises, see Paul Angone and Jenny Blake's take on the concept.

On June 25th, I just bawled my eyes out. On the day before turning 25, I entertained the most negative, defeating thoughts one could ever conjure about the status of my future and my lack of personal development progress. It.was.bad. But, then, I listen to Rod Stewart's "Forever Young". And, the one line that resonated with me the most at that moment said the following:

 "Down whichever road you choose, 

I'm right beside you, win or lose, 

forever young." 

And, for the first time since hearing this song years ago, this line really made me think about God.

When I was younger I have always considered this song to be a letter from a parent to a child, which I still think it is. But, having gone through some of these tough life lessons, I learn more and more about how being a child of God means just that. This is my parent, my Heavenly Father, saying to me no matter what happens in life, I'll never truly be alone because He's always with me. He can send people into your life to convey this sense of love and connectedness, too, when your eyes are open to it. Sometimes with your actual patents, or friends, or even yoga instructors. And, if you happen to be someone who doesn't have a relationship with God or doesn't believe in God, please ascribe this to that undeniable higher power that we all can sense and feel. There's nothing worse than feeling completely alone in the world. For a brief moment on the eve of my 25th birthday, that's how I felt. But, then I was reminded in the most intriguing way that in fact, I am never alone.

That's when it hit me: what if the "Quarter-Life Crisis" could actually be a Quarter-Life Culmination? A comprehensive compilation of all the lessons and blessings you've accumulated over the years. I liked the idea so much I made a video about it. See below!

Culmination means a compilation of everything up until a certain point. So, I intend on sharing all the things I've learned up until this point in life with all of you. Throughout this season of transition and new beginnings and stepping out into the unknown, I invite you to join me on that journey! What have you learned along this road of life so far? Please share!

Oh, and as promised, "professional photos"! hahaha

Would you buy real estate from me?