Tuesday, October 14, 2014

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.

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Monday, October 6, 2014

"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.

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

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

Friday, February 14, 2014

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!


Will You Be My Valentine Chalkboard Printable Art by LaineStudios
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 -
Whale you be my Valentine?
And don't forget to find more great items to #SHARETHELOVE on Pinterest and Twitter. <3

Thursday, February 13, 2014

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!



Tuesday, February 11, 2014

SHARE THE LOVE 1.3

Happy Place // Typographic Print, Landscape, Romantic, Nature Photo, Childrens Art, Kids Room, Shabby Chic Nursery, Sky, Clouds, Happy Place


Relationship advice #love #kiss #quote


happiness is like a kiss #quote



“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.


A woman has two smiles that an angel might envy, the smile that accepts a lover before words are uttered, and the smile that lights on the first born babe, and assures it of a mother's love.” Thomas C. Haliburton
“You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.”   ― Dr. Seuss
love quote,quotes,quote,quotes image,quotes picture,quote photo,sayings,quote about love http://www.womans-heaven.com/love-quote-81/
“Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.”
― Robert A. Heinlein, Stranger in a Strange Land so true
“If I had a flower for every time I thought of you...I could walk through my garden forever.”
― Alfred Tennyson



Friday, February 7, 2014

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

Creativity quote #motivaton #inspiration #amwriting   Linda Bauwin - CARD-iologist   Helping you create cards from the heart.  www.stampingwithlinda.com
Become you.  Create something.

Thursday, February 6, 2014

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

Thursday, January 30, 2014

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.

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Thursday, January 23, 2014

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.