Home is where you are

my old room, in Texas

I don't normally get homesick, but last week there was a morning I woke up feeling extremely out of place and strange and foreign. I missed Texas, family, our old friends, warm weather winters. I listened to country music and started pathetically tearing up at The Cowboy Rides Away. I took the crowded subway to our apartment, fumbled with the lock, suddenly repulsed by the city, its weird smells, nameless faces, lack of southern charm. He asked what was wrong, I told him I missed home, the open sky, the annoying cicadas at night, the familiar faces. I said I want to go back. Grabbed my hand, pressed me to him, and kindly said, home is with me. home is where we are together. I smiled, instantly feeling so much better, because I knew he was right and home is not a place but wherever I'm with him.

How to live with intention

One of my goals for this year is to live more intentionally in everyday life. I want to make the most of each day, since the older I get the faster the days seem to go by. It becomes easy to shut off part of the mind and settle in a routine, counting down to the weekends. I want to cherish each moment of every day, and never forget to live life truly to its fullest potential.

Here is a quick list of ways to make the most of daily life:

-actively seek God's will when making decisions, nurture and pursue a deeper relationship with Him -do more of what makes you feel fulfilled (i.e. create...daily!)

-don't live for the weekends, live for everyday (even Mondays!)

-pray often

-be kind to strangers (and coworkers)

-go to bed earlier, so you can...

-wake up earlier than necessary, eat a good breakfast, reflect on the days activities

-actively think of new ways to be romantic to spouse (or significant other)

-treat your body as a temple: challenge yourself through exercise, be conscious of the food you eat

-stay in touch with family, call often

-travel more

-do whatever gives you energy, whatever makes you feel alive (for me, it is photographing, writing)

-complain less, focus on the good things

-watch less tv during free time, (to wind down, instead try reading, playing a musical instrument, going on a walk or journaling)

-dream big on a daily basis, and then make specific goals to help it come true

"...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." - Philippians 4:8

the in-between of things

It's supposed to snow this weekend, so I have been dreaming of greener days. This was taken in Central park this past September, the in-between month, when the trees can't quite decide on summer green or the browns and reds of fall. I think I like those moments best in life, the in-between of things, when I'm about to make a big decision or a big change is happening. The paused moments of a transition, before fully diving in, when the possibilities of what if's and what could's still rack every thought, and the hesitation of opportunity, the before...those times are some of the most exciting and wonderful. And then, when it happens (a new job, a move, a new space, a new relationship, a new season in life) it's all about how we choose to handle it and the afterwards part. The in-between, though, is always a good reminder from who we once were and where we are going.