Nothing inspires motivation more than an emotional slap in the face.

Soul Twins

We've all heard of soul mates, but I have this idea I like to call soul twins. Unlike the usual definition of a soul mate, a soul twin doesn't have to involve romantic love.

A soul twin is someone that understands you, that just gets you, there is something about the relationship with them that just clicks. It feels like you've known each other for years.

I have a few soul twins in my life. They are the people that understand me the most. And I understand them. We can sit in complete silence and have a conversation. I think a connection like this is such a rare and precious thing. How often can you say that someone truly gets you?

 I really believe that we are so disillusioned by the idea of soul mates, we forget about the idea of other people that just get us. We push them back because we're so focused on finding that one true soul mate, that we don't pay attention to the people that support us. That are there for us when we need them. That make you feel like you found your missing puzzle piece.

Who are your soul twins?

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom”

-Anais Nin

Emotional Object Permanence is wonderful.

This Side of Paradise

-"Why don't you tell me that if the girl had been worth having, she'd have waited for you?"

-"No, sir, the girl really worth having won't wait for anybody."

                          { F. Scott Fitzgerald }

October

"There is something in October sets the gypsy blood astir, We must rise and follow her; When from

every hill of flame, She calls and calls each vagabond by name."

-William Bliss Carman

I can't explain it, but there is just something about October that I love. Maybe it's the blazing colors, or the semi-chilly days, but it makes me want to snuggle under a blanket with hot cider. I think part of it is that October is the last hurrah before winter comes in. It makes me want to go outside and enjoy nature before it goes to sleep. Another part is that I was so stressed last month, a new beginning sounds wonderful, even if a new beginning is in the form of a month. 

This October will be brilliant. 

Give me a second I, I need to get my story straight

This writing is free association, so I can't promise you if it makes that much sense. 

Man, Life, I tell ya. 

I've been going through some intense experiences this month. Normally, I wouldn't mind, but I hate the month of September for a few reasons dealing with loss. Four years this week and sometimes, it still hurts. However, I refuse to let my past define me. 

Luckily, most of my experiences this month (and life in general) have been positive. Confusing, but positive. 

I always try to enjoy life for whatever it throws at me. We can't feel real happiness without experiencing real pain. 

One thought that really struck a chord with me is the idea that we don't have to understand or think about something too much to enjoy it. We shouldn't. If we over-analyze something too much, we begin to second guess ourselves. I'm going with this. 

Fall List 2012

Every new season, I make a list of things I want to accomplish. Some of these can be small accomplishments and some of these can be larger. I try to do seasonal lists such as this one as a reminder to appreciate the simpler things in life. 

1. Play in a pile of leaves

2. Go to a cider mill

3. Go on a road trip

4. Go camping

5. Have a Star Wars marathon

6. Snuggle under blankets all day and relax

7. Create something new

8. Take fall pictures

9. Carve a pumpkin

10. Find a new favorite band

11. Go to a show

12. Go wine tasting

13. Knit a scarf

14. Felt something

15. Watch a new series

16. Look up new counseling theories

17. Have a yes day (my last one was very successful, I ended up singing with a band at a bar)

18. Have a spa day

19. Feel infinite

20. Go out to the end of the lighthouse and enjoy the sight

21. Spend time with the elderly

22. Let go of a vice

23. Buy flowers for myself

24. Learn a new skill

25. Write down my experiences

26. Read at least 15 books (school books don't count!)

27. Have a completely spontaneous day

28. Go to a haunted house

29. Go to Rocky Horror

30. Have a girls' night

31. Get rid of 20+ items I don't need

32. Drink hot apple cider

33. Listen to the rain outside

34. Sit in complete silence 

35. Have a dinner party

36. Make a new friend

37. Reconnect with old friends

That's all for now. I'm sure there will be more to come!

Adventures

Numb.

Observant

1. Madam Simza Heron: "What do you see?"
2. 
   
3. Sherlock Holmes: "Everything. That is my curse."
4. 
   
5.                                                                                 -Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

Let Go-Frou Frou

One of my favorite songs. 

Enjoy!

National Suicide Prevention Month

Suicide Prevention

Goodbye, Summer

"Then Labor Day came and went, 

and we shed what was left of our summer skin."

-Death Cab for Cutie

9/11

This past spring break, I had the chance to take a road trip to NYC with my traveling buddies, Bill and Dan. Whilst there, we visited Ground Zero. What an experience. Between visiting the museums, and listening to and viewing the stories, it was a bit overwhelming. Especially to see the remaining artifacts from the victims. A wallet here, a piece clothing there, it was surreal. I didn't think it would be appropriate to have a picture of myself smiling at such a somber location. This was one of the times in my life where I felt small. It was hard to imagine that I was standing where thousands had perished, and that the two giant waterfall base structures were where the Towers once stood. I'm not sure if I would ever visit there again, but one thing kept being repeated in lower Manhattan: "In darkness we shine the brightest."

Over Labor day weekend, the dynamic duo, Dan and Dylan, came home to Ludington with me to go kayaking. We went swimming in the lake twice and took some beautiful pictures. My friends and family rock.

"Some people live more in twenty years than others do in eighty. It's not the time that matters, it's the person."
-The Lazarus Experiment

Minimal

I'm trying to achieve the goal of having everything I own fit into my little car. I'm learning that most of my material things aren't important. I'm also learning that I really don't need furniture or even a bed, these are just creature comforts.

 I'm so sick of having so much stuff that I hardly use, want or most important, need. I've donated/sold most of my closet and nick nacks. I really detest being surrounded by nick nacks, sounds strange, but I feel smothered when I have a lot of things.

 However, I won't give up a few family things that are important to me, such as my Grandma's jewelry that I inherited. I think certain things are alright to keep as long as they mean something. I've come to realize that I'm a picture person, photographs are important to me.

Here's to living a simpler life!

Toronto

Last month, the amazing Rev and I went to Toronto to explore.
It was great. Going into Canada was relatively easy compared to entering the US. At least we didn't look shifty.
Once the guard heard we were sorority sisters, he wrote us off as morons and treated us as morons. His lowly attitude of sorority women worked to our advantage...sucka.

Toronto was a beautiful city, one of the cleanest I've visited. We stayed with a fantastic host named Peggy. We later found out she was famous and also a counselor!
She and I also found the funniest sign and a hockey stick that we took home with us.
I'm not sure if I would visit Toronto specifically again, but I would definitely revisit Canada. So beautiful

Think about it

I thought this was wonderful. Source: post secret.com

Ziplining!

Today, I went ziplining with my parents and two of my cousins. What a blast. I've only gone once before in high school, but these lines were so much before.

Today I zipped upside down, did a forward somersault and a back flip. Forgive me if my terms are wrong, but I can't remember the exact wording. I can't wait to go again.

Great time catching up.

Life is wonderful.

Zip lining rescheduled for tomorrow due to inclement weather. Stay tuned.

Oh yes, I also saw Ira Glass when I was there. I really don't understand the celebrity thing, but when I saw him, I was giddy. He and NPR have done so many great things for us.

Chicago

This past weekend my lovely friend Lindsey the Destroyer and I went to Chicago. We stayed in a beautiful little house in Evanston. The L ride to get there was a bit long, but worth it. I love Evanston.
Whilst there, we perused Chinatown and the Magnificent Mile. We also went down to Market Days and partied with the LGBTQ (and supporters) in Boystown. We had a blast!

My next trip will be ziplining up north this Thursday!