Inspiration

Sometimes I go through periods of feeling uninspired.  I feel like something is missing, that I am not connected to the "magic of life".  What I always manage to re-learn is that I'll never find the inspiration I am looking for on pinterest, someone's blog, or a magazine.  Instead, the inspiration must come from me and my daily life.  I've had this whole month of May off before I start work in June.  Mike works 12 hour days, so I have a lot of alone time just to sit and think.  And in my alone time of morning tea, sitting in my favorite chair, reading books, and going for hikes I can feel a lot of that inspiration naturally come back.  

 A trillium.  Growing up, these flour bloomed everywhere in the woods surrounding our house.  I always considered the trillium "my" flower because it would bloom just in time for my birthday.

Does anyone else have a hard time remembering what they've done the past few weeks?  Honestly, things start to turn into one big blur for me, so I have to write them down.  Here are some memories I want to remember from the past few weeks. 

I turned 22.  Mike got me a custom made camera strap for my birthday.  he told me he had been planning to get it for me for months.  He wanted to get me something that would further inspire my passion for photography.  I love that man.  One of my best friends, Rochelle came down and hung out with me for the day.

The next day, Mike and I went out and explored a state park that we've been wanting to go to for a while.  

 The trail.

A little stone fort that was off the trail.

We came across this lake.

It honestly felt like we were transported to up north.

A friend.

Jess and I have a "fitness walk" in the arb.  Here are some pictures of the yet to be bloomed peonies and some plants in the arb.  

Friday, all three of my best friends came down to Ann Arbor to go out for some sangria.  Afterwards we had a spontaneous photo shoot that had us laughing.  

 

 Then snookie came out when Alicia said "pose like you're on the jersey shore".

 Thanks girls for making my birthday truly special. 

Saturday, we drove up to Lowell to say goodbye to Josh and Leslie.  But first, we had dinner with Kenny and Nicole who made us some wonderful pizza.  Then we played some games and laughed really hard.  I don't think I've laughed that hard in a while.  Sunday the 13th is when Buddy joined our family.  We celebrated Mother's Day and introduced our families to Buddy.

 This is not a very good picture.  But it's my last picture of Leslie before they left.

The following week, I went for a walk in downtown Ann Arbor to the downtown library.  There is something so magical about Ann Arbor in the summer time.  I wish I had appreciated it's specialness more when I lived downtown last year.

Thursday, I said goodbye to my freshman and sophomore year roommate, Ashley Rose.  We got dinner at Bar Louie that night and caught up with other freshman year people later that night.

That week, I also spent a whole day with my sister Alicia.

The beautiful trail.

Friday, Mike and I had a mini date.  We went for a hike on this new trail that Alicia and I had discovered.  Then we went and watched "What to Expect When You're Expecting".  There is something so fun about going to the movies with your husband late on a Friday night.

Sunday, we took Buddy back to that state park to go swimming in one of the lakes there.  Buddy doesn't always do the best around other dogs so we found this little corner spot away from the main beach.  It was 90 degrees on Sunday so it felt so good to jump in.  Buddy is so funny looking when he's wet and I think he knows it too because he was acting all embarrassed.  We had to leave early due to other dogs raining on our parade.  It was okay though.  On the way home, Mike and I looked at each other and said, "I am really craving junk food right now".  So we went to taco bell, and I was reminded that while I love these shared moments with my husband, that fast food is really lacking flavor, nutrition, and style.

Yesterday I finished this little project.  I printed the quotes the night I took my walk to the library.  I finally got around to cutting them out and hanging them up.  They serve as some important daily reminders for me.

I feel like in life, I am always re-learning lessons I've already learned.  I suppose as long as I keep learning and growing, this is okay.

Lent

Today was Ash Wednesday, the start of this year's Lenten journey.  Tonight, during mass I felt a combination of cleansed and inspired.  Cleansed from my sins and misgivings of the past year and inspired to try even harder to become a better person.  Lately, I've definitely been needing this spiritual inspiration, this reminder of God's part in my life.  

"We are dust and to dust we shall return" (Gen 3:19)

For me, Lent has never been about "giving up" something like pop or chocolate.  I never felt that those type of Lenten goals were for me.  Instead, I've always felt that it is more important to try to do something to become a better person, something that becomes instilled in you even after the forty days have passed, something that challenges you but becomes a permanent part of your being.  After some reflection here are a few of my Lenten goals:

1) 15 minutes of silent prayer each day, especially in the days when I feel overwhelmed and frustrated, the days that I need this prayer the most.  

2) Take advantage of the potential spiritual growth on my upcoming alternative spring break trip with my local church (and Mike) to Cranks Creek Kentucky.

3) Something I always need to work on, being less judgmental and arrogant.  Be concerned with only myself, look for the positive in others rather than looking for the negative.

4) Maintain a better balance between school and other life.  Lately, school has been absorbing my life to the point that it's starting to effect my relationships.  This is something I really want to work on.

5) Love more.  

Quote of the Day

I pulled this much needed quote out of my Inspiration Jar today:

"Maybe the people who are the hardest to love are the ones who need it the most"

I Believe by Cortny

This is Cortny's I Believe list.  I love it so much I think I shall print it out and put it somewhere for a daily reminder or cut it up and put it in my inspiration jar.

I believe in dreaming and wishing for even the silliest or seemingly impossible things.

I believe curiosity is the root of knowledge and intelligence.

I believe in laughing at yourself, even in the most embarrassing situations.

I believe music is the most beautiful form of communication.

I believe that when I do something nice to a stranger, I have made his/her day.

I believe knowing and accepting GOD’s love is crucial to having a successful, loving relationship.  Without GOD, no relationship can reach its full potential.

I believe in joking and being goofy.

I believe in setting standards and expectations.

I believe in blasting the music when I drive, and singing/dancing to it…even at stoplights.

I believe in being a confident, independent woman.

I believe family always comes first.  My mom always said “Friends will come and go, but family will always be family,” and I think she is exactly right. 

I believe Facebook sucks the fun out of getting to know someone, even though I admittedly indulge in it almost daily.

I believe a little mystery is great for a relationship.  

I believe everyone makes mistakes, but I’m still not sure if I believe everyone deserves a second chance.

I believe ice cream is the most delicious food on the earth.

I believe it is better to think too much than to be ignorant.

I believe in wearing my jeans more than once before I wash them.

I believe in listening to a great song over-and-over again, even if you wear it out.

I believe family is not defined by blood.

I believe in not settling for less than you deserve.

I believe in believing more than 20 things. ; D

I believe parents are much wiser than their kids give them credit for.

I believe in watching romantic movies, reading romantic books, and listening to love songs.

I believe that true love is FAR more amazing than any movie or book could possible portray.  Music, on the other hand, might come close.

I believe in wearing skirts and dresses, and dressing up even when the occasion is more casual.

I believe only you can define your own happiness.

Inspiration Jars

Today, we bought and decorated glass "inspirational jars" for those days where your sad, mad, frustrated, unmotivated or just can't feel the sunshine.  We filled them with colorful inspirational quotes such as: "There are no regrets in life, just lessons" and "Whenever God closes a door, Somewhere He opens a window" to pull out on one of the days.  In addition to quotes, were going to have our friends and families leave us sweet little messages as well.  

Presenting Morgan's Jar:

Morgan went with a more classic theme, choosing red, black and white as her main colors.

This is what you can find inside Morgan's jar. 

Presenting Rochelle's Jar:

Rochelle did something different and made a "dream jar".  She's going to use the jar to collect loose change and the occasional dollar and apply the money towards a dream of hers- like studying abroad.

Rochelle used metal and wire to decorate her jar. 

Presenting Emily's Jar:

I used twine, beads and inspirational stones to decorate mine.  I think it has a more rustic feel.

Favorite quote/prayer:

The Serenity Prayer. 

*Photos taken by Emily Patterson