Wearing: Kiss At Midnight

(Anthropologie Ardennes skirt, J.Crew Vintage t-shirt, J.Crew Jacki cardi,

Seychelles Kiss At Midnight pumps, Anthropologie Work Weekend bag, American Eagle watch)

I have to live with myself, so I want to be the kind of girl that's great to know.

I want to be able to look myself in the eyes, no matter the situations the passing years might bring. At the end of the day, I don't want to regret the way I've behaved...I want to stand tall, knowing my actions deserve respect--that I'm not all bluff and empty show. I want to be without pretense and bluster...be the same girl when I'm alone as when everything about my actions is seen.

I want to be able to like myself. I don't want it to be said that I never endeavored to learn anything new or that I lived side-by-side with people I never bothered to remember or that I never took time to throw away the hurts. I want to walk undaunted, committed to Christ...to be unafraid to wholeheartedly embrace what makes me unique while being quick to make course corrections.

I may fool everyone around, but I can't hide myself from me.

Of my flaws I am an expert... intimately aware of the things others will never know--when I'm most selfish or distracted. I can see what others may never see. I know all the subtle nuances of my weaknesses...all the rationalizations and cover-ups.

I can't fool myself. I know myself better than anyone, so when I look at the girl in the mirror, I want to know I haven't tried to cheat or disillusion her. I want to know the girl gazing back from the glass is my friend.

Wearing: Ardennes

True contentment is a real, even active, virtue--

It is the power of getting out of any situation all there is in it."

--G.K. Chesterton

I am a naturally exuberant person.

I'm thankful.

I smile.

I think life is a wonderful, continuous dream come true.

It's a state of mind that comes from deep inside my soul...

but it wasn't always this way.

I used to be the most intimidated girl in the room--

comparing my big nose to that other girl's little button one,

or worrying that I'd come across as clumsy or awkward.

Then, I sorta bumbled my way

into an astounding truth

(in a Dr. Seuss book of all places)...

Today you are You. That is truer than true.

There's no one alive who is Youer than You.

It seemed the year I turned fifteen

I was released from the debilitating prison of

comparing myself to everyone else out there.

I suddenly felt it was okay to be different...

to be scatter-brained or kitschy.

What good is being the best, anyway?

Egos are such a waste of time...

there will always be a girl who's

smarter and prettier and more wildly talented.

I was a music major in college, and when I sit down to

play the piano, husbie will look at my music and ask,

"How do you read all those notes at the same time?"

Because....

practice makes perfect.

I don't think about it anymore. It just happens.

Life is like that.

I've spent years practicing a mindset of acceptance.

Sure, I'm an expert at knowing all my

blunders, rationalizations and cover-ups.

These things are intrinsically a part of me.

I am all the memories, experiences, people and places

that have made me the woman I am today.

Recognizing the worst parts of myself

and practicing at finding the notes of contentment

and peace make my life, not easier...

but more beautiful and satisfying.

I've spent so much time making a conscious effort

to be grateful for all the good things and

amazing people surrounding me that

I don't think about it anymore.

It just happens.

And while my life is no longer governed by the

emotional giddiness I experienced as a young girl,

most mornings I wake up irrationally happy

and singing with Michael Bublé

Birds in the sky, you know how I feel.

Sun in the sky, you know how I feel.

Breeze driftin' on by, you know how I feel.

It's a new dawn.

It's a new day.

It's a new life for me...

And I'm feelin' good!

So yeah, I am a naturally exuberant person.

I'm thankful.

I smile.

I think life is a wonderful, continuous dream come true.

Because...

practice makes perfect.

(Anthropologie Ardennes skirt, Target Chambray shirt, Miz Mooz flats, Charlotte Russe shades)