Calling

I had to steal this from my friend Michelle...

“What I know for sure: There is no greater gift you can give or receive than to honor your calling. It’s why you were born. And how you become most truly alive.” - Oprah

So good!!!

THANKS MICHELLE, for letting me steal from you. :)

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GIVE

Everybody's reachin' for something
Every day pullin' and tugging
And always wantin' a little more
Holdin' on to hurt like an anchor
Treatin' those we love like strangers
Takin' names and keeping score
We all know, what we're really after
Somewhere along the road, we got it backwards

If you want to get love then give it
If you want to feel some forgiveness
Then you’ve gotta let go and do some forgiving of your own
If you want a friend then be one
A little bit of kindness, show some
You’ll be surprised of how much finds its way back home
It don’t matter what it is
If you want it, give.

I been down right stubborn,
At one time or another,
And found it easier to bend.
I've had a shoulder to lean on
Been the one who got to be strong
And peace was waiting at both ends
I've felt the power, I've seen what it can do
It's seemed so simple, so simple that it's true

If you want to get love then give it
If you want to feel some forgiveness
Then you’ve gotta let go and do some forgiving of your own
If you want a friend then be one
A little bit of kindness, show some
You’ll be surprised of how much finds its way back home
It don’t matter what it is
If you want it, give.

If you want a friend then be one
A little bit of kindness show some
You’ll be surprised of how much finds its way back home
It don’t matter what it is
If you want it, give.


Ever since I saw Leann perform this song on the America's Got Talent finale, I have had the song on repeat. Such truth...

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Time to Up the Ante

So, it is no secret that I have had great success with the Weight Watchers program. I have lost and have maintained that loss. I feel amazing.

When school went back into session, I knew that it was time for me to up the ante again with the Weight Watchers program and with the work out regime. In that, I spent some time house-sitting this summer and decided early on that I would invest that money into a personal trainer. Little did I know, I would become addicted.

My trainer isn't easy. He laughs at me when I try to quit before he tells me that I am done with the reps and then makes me do more. I often tell him that I hate him... that just makes him smile knowing that he is doing his job.

I feel strong. I feel muscles that I always knew were there but never knew worked. I feel good. I feel really good.

I am so glad that I decided to up the ante. So glad.

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Big dreams in small realities

If you have read this blog for any length of time, you know that I love me some Natalie Closner. That girl write the songs of a 20 something lady's heart. TRUST ME. SO DANG GOOD!

Well, she recently wrote and released a song that has a line about "fitting big dreams in small realities". I can't seem to get that line out of my head. Mostly because it goes along with the theme of this blog... dreaming big while stuck in reality. Now, don't get me wrong, my reality DOES NOT suck. I am INCREDIBLY BLESSED. I mean, give me a break, I have been able to do and see some pretty amazing things in my 26.5 years on earth. In that, I am also acutely aware that there is so much more for me.

My current work situation...

I work 7:30-2:30 at a local elementary school. Sweet hours eh?! I mean give me a break, I am off of work while most people are just returning from their lunch break. To top it off, I get all federal holidays off, a week at Thanksgiving, two weeks over Christmas and New Years, and a week at Spring break. And the icing on the cake, I get summers off. I know, I know, why the heck would someone want to change that?!?! Simply put, it isn't my dream job. I don't hate it, but I don't love it. It isn't what I am passionate about.

This summer, I got to work at a local concert venue and LOVED every minute of it. I worked in the box office, helped with some special projects, assisted with some VIP parties, and just THRIVED being at a concert venue, doing what I LOVE. When schools started my time at the venue went from daily to show days. I am glad that it didn't have to stop cold-turkey but I often wish that I was driving there for work everyday. I just love it there. By no means is it a perfect place, but I even love it for it's imperfections!

Well, last night was a pretty amazing night for me. It probably won't and doesn't seem like much to some people, but it was HUGE for me and my soul. I was given the opportunity to help out in a new way, a way in which I never thought I would have been able to, at least not at this state in life.

All this to say, my heart is full. I am thankful for people who see my potential. I am thankful for people who believe in me, so much that they put me in positions that show me just how much that believe in me. I am thankful for people that cheer me on and encourage me.

I felt like a geek driving home last night with a big smile on my face knowing that I did a good job. I was nervous, as anyone would be, wanting to do a good job and not let anyone down. Driving home, I smiled because I know that I did well. That felt really good.

All this to say, I often feel like my current work has me living in a "small reality" as there is so much MORE that I want to be doing. BUT... the REALITY is, my reality isn't small at all. It isn't what I want it to look like, but that doesn't make it small. I am going to continue to dream big and wide, even when my reality doesn't necessarily look anything like those dreams; as I learned last night, big dreams can come true even in small realities. :)

Hope that makes sense... I know it kind of rambled on and on, just had to share it.

Dream BIG

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Must See

Today, a dear friend of mine got to see her most favorite artist of all time in a very intimate setting, thanks to another dear friend of mine. Talking with her about her experience reminded me of some of my favorite concert experiences. Here are some of my favorite concert moments to date...

- Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, and Vince Gill at the RYMAN for a taping of the Grand Ole Opry, in Nashville.
- Garth Brooks at The Encore in Las Vegas, just him and his guitar playing through his discography for almost three hours!
- John Mayer at The Hollywood Bowl.
- Lady Antebellum and Tim McGraw at Cricket Amphitheater last summer... standing smack at the end of the catwalk was so much fun!
- Sugarland at Country Thunder in Arizona.
- Sara Bareilles at House of Blues San Diego... or Sara Bareilles anywhere for that matter.
- Jay-Z at The Pearl at The Palms. EVERYONE should see Jay-Z at least once. AMAZING!
- Journey at Pala Casino... Don't stop believin'

Here are some other artists that DID NOT disappoint...
Rod Stewart and Stevie Nicks
Kid Rock
Lil Wayne
Sade
John Legend
Hanson. Go ahead, judge me all you want. They are so damn talented!
Allen Stone. You may not have heard of him yet, but you will VERY soon. TRUST ME!
Marc Broussard... hello SOUL!

The following is a list of artists that I would be BEYOND elated to see LIVE... NEEDS TO HAPPEN!

James Taylor (Preferably with Carole King, but I will take him any way I can get him.)
Celine Dion
Elton John
Garth Brooks (I saw him in Vegas but I would still like to see him do a show with a full band.)
Dixie Chicks (I know, I know... they aren't touring but that doesn't mean they won't someday!)
U2
Ray LaMontagne

Yup, I love me some live music.
It moves me inside.
It makes my soul happy.

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Justin Timberlake...

Please make music again...

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Give

I have watched this over and over again...

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Grab a Tissue

http://kyxy.radio.com/2011/09/07/our-heaven-911-song-just-for-you/

I was driving in my car, heard this, and immediately started weeping.

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