Letter to 20 Year Old Me

Dear Me,

Hello beautiful!

I know we haven't spoken for a while, but I thought of a few things that you should know.  Trust me, this advice comes from the best source.

First, your daughter will grow very fast.  I know it feels like you have all the time in the world to impart knowledge and experience to her, but before you know it she will be nine years old, making her own eggs for breakfast and telling you that everything is for babies.  Cherish these nights when she still wakes you at 2 a.m. because she needs you.  They will not last forever.

She is smart, just like you knew she would be.  All of the things you are doing and plan to do with her work wonderfully.  You raise a  strong, compassionate child who loves to learn. All of your hard work pays off with her.  You might want to work a smidgen of humility into your life lessons though. 

Don't stress so much.  I know it feels like life isn't going the direction you thought it would.  It will feel like that for many years.  It still feels that way some days.  You will learn so much in the next ten years about yourself and life.  Enjoy the ride.  I know that is probably not what you want to hear and it is difficult for you to do.  Life is not about how much work you complete.  It is not about making money or being "successful". 

It is the things in between that are what will stick with you.  You won't remember the day to day goals you set for yourself to complete, but you will remember where you were when your baby loses her first tooth, the first time you swam in the ocean and the excitement on your baby girls face when she is hiding the Easter eggs for the fifteenth time that day.

Trust your first instincts.  They are usually right on.  I know how you love to second guess yourself but trust me.  Life will flow much smoother if you just go with your gut.

Don't ever think your life will never get better.  It will.  It may also get worse.  There is always a rebound.  Just follow what you love.  The rest will work itself out. 

Last, but not least, love yourself more.  Everyone has days when they get disappointed with themselves.  I know all your thoughts and feelings, remember?  I lived through it.  But that's the point...I LIVED THROUGH IT. You will too.

You will meet many fantastic people over the next ten years and they will all leave a mark on your life.  They help you to grow and learn.  You will never be the same person you are today.  So love it because tomorrow it will be gone. 

Like Donkey says "Keep on moving, don't look down." 

With Love,

~Future You

P.S.-You're awesome.  Pass it on.

Send Someone Flowers Today!

 

 

It is sure to brighten their day. 

 

P.S.  You're awesome.  Pass it on.

"Act in black and white. Think in shades of gray."--ME

I had an amazing professor in college.  This man was less like a professor, and more like a life coach.  He was the kind of teacher that tried to show you the bigger picture.  He tried to open our minds and make us look at the world from our own great vantage point that only we could. 

For our final project in one of his classes, we had to imagine that we were ourselves in the future and we bumped into a classmate at a bar in New York City.  We needed to give a detailed account of the conversation that took place in this futuristic meeting.  There were several points he wanted us to hit, including what we had done for a living the last several years, where we were living, and what brought us to the city.  The part that stuck out for me then, and still sticks in my head to this day was a quote.  We had to create an original quote to leave this former classmate with. 

I remember thinking about what my quote would be longer than I spent on the rest of this paper.  It was the last thing I completed.  I knew it had to be something lasting and resonating.  I needed to think of something future Megan would be proud of.  I couldn't write a quote that was cliché, or trending.  It needed to be timeless.  After all, future me would be wiser than college me. 

I am still proud of my quote.  But more importantly, I am proud of myself for not only pushing through and writing any old thing to finish the assignment, but for actually trying to get something out of it.  I didn't realize at the time that I was absorbing so much from my professor, but now I am eternally grateful he was a part of my life.

Thank you for all you taught me.

"Act in black and white.  Think in shades of gray." --Megan Schneider

P.S.- You're awesome.  Pass it on.

Melanie Martinez - Dollhouse (Official Music Video)

I fell in love with this video a couple of weeks ago.  I wanted to share it with you for several reasons.  First, Melanie Martinez's voice is amazing.  She has so much talent and her voice gives me goose bumps.



Second, and more importantly, her content is raw.  It doesn't hide and I think the point that this particular song makes is one that speaks to most families.  In today's society, especially with social media, much of our lives has become transparent.  It's all about keeping up appearances.  This song crushes it.  Plus it's a little creepy, and tis the season. 



P.S. You're awesome.  Pass it on.

Changing Together

We all come from somewhere different.  Not only geographically, but mentally and physically also.  I am a firm believer that all of our experiences, the people we meet, the things we read and taste and see, all shape us into new people everyday.  And by these small steps, we grow. 

There are many theories about people and change.  Some will tell you that people never change.  Some will tell you that people can change.  I believe that we are all changing all the time.  With every breath, every song, every season, we evolve into a newer, updated version of ourselves.  These microscopic changes may go unnoticed, even by us, until one day they are collectively formed into something bigger. 

The guy sitting at the table across from you at lunch may be eating there because it is his favorite restaurant.  But today, his waiter is very rude, service is slow, his soup is bad and his entrée comes out cold.  Tomorrow he tries a new restaurant with a friend and suddenly, he has a new favorite.  A small change, but one that you are witnessing, and may not even realize.

I reflected this morning about the person I was ten years ago.  I did many things I was not proud of, others that I was very proud of.  I was still young and figuring out life and where I stood in the grand scheme of things.  What I noticed, is that when I think back to that me, I don't feel like the same person.  I wonder what must have been going through my head then.  What do I know now that I didn't at that time? 

I understand that I had to progress through all the days of my life to bring me to where I am today.  Every person I have met along the way has contributed to me in some way, big or small.  Some of these people stay with you for the long haul and you will change and grow together.  Some pop into your life for the universal equivalent of a blink, but leave a profound mark.  But each step makes us new. 

The point is everyone is changing everyday.  They may not know it.  Maybe they are working through some traumatic experience.  Maybe they weren't taught the lessons you have been taught.  Maybe they haven't met the same influential people, had the same opportunities, or weren't given the same chances you have been given.  Sometimes it is hard for us to abstain from judging others, but remember, they are not you and you have not lived their life. 

 

#ShareTheLove

SHARE THE LOVE 3.1

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY ALL!


Share the love today and everyday.  Here are just a few things to pass around today.  Remember I love you all!

An Entrapment My love, I have tried with all my being to grasp a form comparable to thine own, but nothing seems worthy; I know now why Shakespeare could not compare his love to a summer’s day. It would be a crime to denounce the beauty of such a creature as thee, to simply cast away the precision God had placed in forging you. Each facet of your being whether it physical or spiritual is an ensnarement from which there is no release. But I do not wish release. I wish to stay entrapped forever. With you for all eternity. Our hearts, always as one. - Anthony Kolos -

And don't forget to find more great items to #SHARETHELOVE on Pinterest and Twitter. <3

SHARE THE LOVE 2.1

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, I decided to share 
Over the next few days I will be posting, Pinning, and Tweeting pictures, quotes and videos of love. 
Share them with someone close to you.
Share the love.

Love ya!

SHARE THE LOVE 1.3

“Love never dies a natural death. It dies because we don't know how to replenish its source. It dies of blindness and errors and betrayals. It dies of illness and wounds; it dies of weariness, of witherings, of tarnishings.”   ― Anaïs Nin


“One day you will kiss a man you can't breathe without, and find that breath is of little consequence.”
― Karen Marie Moning, Bloodfever

“Love is so short, forgetting is so long.”
― Pablo Neruda, Love: Ten Poems

SHARE THE LOVE 1.2

Eric Clapton- Wonderful Tonight

SHARE THE LOVE

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, I wanted to share the love. 


Over the next few days I will be posting, Pinning, and Tweeting pictures, quotes and videos of love. 


Share them with someone close to you.


Share the love.



“You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.”   ― Dr. Seuss

“Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.”
― Robert A. Heinlein, Stranger in a Strange Land
“If I had a flower for every time I thought of you...I could walk through my garden forever.”
― Alfred Tennyson

MUCH LOVE!

Do you know someone that loves you no matter what?  Someone who is there beside you no matter what decision you make cheering for you to succeed even if they don't agree?  Do you know someone that loves you? 


Thank them. And maybe buy them a cape.   Pass on the love.

--M.E.
P.S.-You're awesome. 
         Pass it on.

B.E.--Becoming Elise

Become you.  Create something.

Good Is not a Myth

This man is my inspiration of the week.  I would personally like to thank Mr. Kenny Thompson for setting an example worthy of following.  

While parents in Baton Rouge are attempting to segregate their middle to upper class children from the children in lower income families in the area, this man is doing something truly wonderful for the lower income level families in his Texas school district.  Thompson paid the delenquent cafeteria tabs for all of the elementary school students in his district.  

Instead of blaming the children for the poor economic climate we have created for them to grow in, this man took the initiative to support his community. 

This is an example that NEEDS to be followed by more people.  Share this story with your friends and help me in thanking this stand up gentleman on his generosity and for showing the rest of us that there is still some good in the world.  

--M.E.


P.S.-You're awesome.  
         Pass it on

Consider it a checklist for happy.

Are you Drunk and Baking?

Last week, I had a bad day. 

Most of you reading this are probably thinking something along the lines of 'So what?' or 'So did I.'  But for me to say a day was a bad day, it had to be grueling to get through.  I generally don't take things to heart.  Words don't get to me.  People don't get to me.  For the most part, I lead a fairly quiet life with minimal drama and not much to complain about.

However, this day was different.  It was one of those rare days when everything I touched went awry.  Nothing I needed was available.  I spilled things, broke things, made errors at work, ran late, lost things. You get the picture.

So on this particularly bad day, I went home and did what I always do when I need to feel better.  I had a beer and baked a cake. 
Please, like you don't drunk bake. 
I love to bake. It doesn't matter what, I try something new each time.  I don't like sweets, and I rarely eat what I bake, but something about it calms me. One day, maybe I will be able to start my own bakery.  But for now I do it because I love it. 

I am always looking for new ways to challenge myself too.  My next challenge...


It might not be your cup of tea, but what is?  What activity takes your mind off of your problems and helps you to relax?  Is it painting, or doing the dishes? 


Comment below and I will choose a response to try next time I need to relax.  I will write about it and you could see your name in my thank you section.
--M.E.
P.S.-You're awesome. 
         Pass it on.

Share this with someone today.

Find more great ways to brighten someone's day by visiting my Pinterest Page.

Dear You,

Dear You,


Hi there. 


Just some notes from me to you...


Stop worrying.  Everything may not turn out exactly the way you imagined but I promise it will turn out the way it is meant to. You have all you need to lead a fabulous life. 


Keep your head up.  I know sometimes you get discouraged and think that things will never get better, but they always have and they always will.  Life is a cycle.  It has highs.  It has lows.  Consider all of these moments before you let yourself get down.


Smile.  It makes you and the people around you happier.


Slow down.  Look around and appreciate the now.  Even when life gets busy and you can't seem to find time to shower and shave, let alone notice the picture the baby left you on the table, open your eyes. Look at your life and experience all of it. 


Keep up the good work.


--M.E.


P.S.-You're awesome. 
         Pass it on.

Happy Hump Day!

Reach, Grow, Be

Just Keep on Moving, Don't look Down.

A little Monday inspiration.

Pieces of Me

Hey to all of my readers out there!


If you like what you read on my blog but don't always have time for the full portion, you can get smaller bites of me on Pinterest and Twitter.  Follow me for great photographs, funny quotes, inspirational material and much more.  Quick and dirty like the old days. 


Thank you so much for reading.  I love you all. 


Megz

I Will Not Let An Exam Result Decide My Fate

This video says it all.  Any person who is involved in, has interest in or is part of the current education system should watch this video.  Even if the message is not delivered in a traditional 'style', it is strong and to the point.  Listen to these words and understand that education reform is not just an idea on the minds of teachers or pushy parents, but on the minds and shoulders of the children we push through this antiquated system. 


I love to learn, so naturally the concepts of pedagogy, curriculum, and government involvement in the educational development of our children intrigues me.  So how is it that "the dominating world power", The United States of America is ranking 29th among the educationally developed countries in mathematics, 23rd in science and 20th in reading according to PISA assessments?


As a nation that prides itself on being the best, we are sure falling short of the mark and failing our children.  Students are not being taught the necessary skills to survive in the global economy we have created.  They are not being prepared to handle menial life tasks such as balancing a bank account, but are being thrown into a world that expects them to take out tens sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars in student loans to attend a college they were never prepared for. 


Thanks to the internet and the boundless information available, there are thousands of students that have a clear grasp of which career path they want to follow before age 15.  Do we encourage them to cultivate their knowledge and skills into a marketable trade?  No.


Our education system provides these students with outdated text books, busy work and the broadest range of subjects possible in order to give them a "well rounded education".  However, making a high school junior retake Shakespeare in summer school when he clearly excels in math, physics and chemistry is probably not beneficial to him.  Chances are his brain is just not wired to enjoy and understand the classic writing styles of Shakespeare.  Chances are he will never read or reference any of these works after passing this class.  So what is this really providing the student? None of this makes him a bad student.  It simply means he has a specialized skill set.  A skill set, I might add, that is in high demand in the job market and should be cultivated and grown, not punished for being too narrow.


We have stalled as a nation on the grounds of education and need to find a comprehensive and universal system that encourages our children to feed their minds and advance in the areas that come naturally to them. 


After all, the time between 15 and 25 flies by.  Shouldn't we be giving them the best possible vault for life in this economy?  I have solutions, but you didn't want to read any more of this today did you? 


In case you did, here is the link to the PISA article on NPR.com.

Motherly Affirmations

Being a parent is one of the most difficult jobs in the world. The hours are demanding. No matter how hard you try, you can never separate yourself from it. It infiltrates every part of your life and changes your habits forever. And unlike any corporate position, it is a job you can never truly quit.

It is also, probably the hardest field to gauge success in.

Its not like anyone is walking around to give you a quarterly review with a list of required minimum performance specs.

_X_ Kids on time for school each day.

_X_ Balanced meals eaten 3 times a day.

___ Children kept out of harm.
(Minus 10 for Johnny's sprained wrist.)

While it would probably be nice to have a written guide or checklist to help us with our day to day parenting dilemmas, there could never be an all inclusive, say-all, end-all guide to parenting. Children provide entirely too many variables. 

Here's the secret, there is no such thing as the perfect parent.

So how do you know if you are a good mom? (or dad?)

Look to your children for those answers. Believe it or not, your children will tell you if you are a good parent, not with their words but with their actions.

My eight year old daughter came home from school a few days ago and told me about a food drive her school was hosting. "They are collecting food for people that can't buy food," she said. "And the class that collects the most food will get a party, but I don't think that's right." 

Of course I had to ask why. All kids love school parties. Why would my child not think it was a great idea?

What she said to me next changed the way I saw myself as a mother.

"Because they are just going to give them a party so they will participate," she said, "but they should do it to get the good feeling of doing something good for someone else, not just to get a party. They should do it because those other people need help and it's the right thing to do."

I was so amazed and proud of my little girl at that moment that it brought a tear to my eye. That was my moment of mommy affirmation. No matter how many things I might think are wrong with my parenting, and no matter what our situation may be financially and what I may or may not be able to provide her with because of that situation, she made it all disappear with one statement.

My child has a good heart and has learned the concepts of right and wrong, responsibility and empathy. If I were to fail her in every other aspect of parenting from this point forward, she would still have this foundation to base her life upon. In my eyes, that means I must be doing something right. 

What signs are your children leaving you?  Look for them closely, good or bad.  Your children will let you know if you are a success in the great big

 world of parenting.



Be Brave

Sara Bareilles has the right idea with these lyrics.  How many of us honestly, and openly live everyday? 


There is something truly beautiful about being a genuine person in the world today.  So many of us arbitrarily keep things bottled inside out of fear.  The worst part is, it is a subconscious fear.  It is a subversive reaction to our own thoughts and feelings on the most basic level.  That is no way to live.


I would love to live in a world where people were honest and simply said what they were thinking without worrying about everyone else.  In a world where you could be true to yourself first and smooth it out with others second.  Sure, you might not like everything you hear, but who said that was a rule of life?


Be true.  Do you.

Jessie J - Price Tag ft. B.o.B.

I was definitely feeling this song today.  Hope you enjoy!

One of my favorite songs...

Accepting the Unacceptable

PLOT TWIST!


Your mother has decided to go off of dialysis and will essentially be ending her life by doing so.  What do you say when she informs you of her decision?


After almost 30 years of marriage, your parents have just told you they are filing for divorce.  What do you do?


Your baby sister is pregnant by a man she barley knows who is twice her age.  How do you react when she breaks the news?


Everyone experiences moments in life where news hits them in the chest like a speeding truck.  Some of us are blessed with the ability to step away from the situation and process the information without saying or doing anything until we have come to grips with it. Then again, some of us are not. 


When I am confronted with news of impending doom or catastrophic failure of the decision making process by those closest to me, I have a tendency to do two things.
                        1. Panic.
                        2. Ask Questions.


I ask the questions to ease the panic.  I ask the questions because I am a journalist and that is my nature.  Journalists ask questions, not because they are nosey, but rather as a means of clarification and understanding.  And I want to understand everything.


So when I ask bluntly if you have been on birth control or using a condom, it is because I want to know how a girl I love with all my heart who never wanted children managed to get pregnant in less than 90 days by a guy she barley knows.  When I ask how the expectant father feels about this pregnancy, it is not because I care how this stranger feels, but because I want to know what my sister is up against.  And when I ask what the next step for your life will be now that you have come to terms with being pregnant, it is not because I am trying to lead you one way or the other, but rather so that I can prepare myself for the ways that I can help.


Sometimes when you feel as though life has just led you or someone you know done a path of certain destruction, all you can really do is breathe.  DEEP BREATHS. 


It may take a day or two to accept the information that just sent your world view into a spinning vortex of horror.  One thing I have learned (and I am finding I learn more each day) is that you can not change the decisions that are not yours to make.  In these situations, all you can do is step back, take a deep breath and accept the unacceptable.  Rant to a close friend or family member, take a hot shower, go for a run.  Do whatever you have to do to come to terms with what is happening and move forward from that. 


Only then will you be happy with the life around you.  And that's what it's all about.