Hello, 2016

A new year and a new look for the blog!

Wishing you love and peace and happiness in 2016.

*M

10 Years and 10,000 Memories

Last weekend, we loaded up the car and made the trek to Wilmington for my 10 year college reunion. 10 years. It seems like a lifetime and a blink of an eye.

When we got there, we were joined by three of my closest college friends. We keep in touch via regular e-mails but the four of us have not all been together in several years. They are the kind of friends that everything easily falls into place when we are around each other. It's like we've never been apart for more than a day.

The four of us got to know each other working in Housing and Residence Life at UNCW. We spent countless hours together in trainings, dealing with undergraduate shenanigans (like the time the boys on my hall managed to flood the entire 4th floor), and kept each other company during late night/early morning front desk duty. We worked hard and we partied harder. (We were in college. That's what you are supposed to do!) We did silly things. They made me laugh harder than anyone else could.   And they loved me even when it was hard for me to love myself.  No guy ever came between us and we didn't have time (or patience) for pettiness. We supported, encouraged and stood up for each other.

Ten years of post college experience have taught me that friendships like that don't come along every day. These are women who have really shaped the person I've become since college. Each of them have contributed to pieces of what feels like the complete puzzle that makes up me. I've learn from them that there is a softness to being tough, that true commitment to making family a priority is not always easy, and how to be comfortable in my own skin.  I owe a tremendous amount to these women.

I'm looking forward what the next 10 years has in store for us.

Then....

And now.

The Little Moments

I'm struck at different times throughout the week at how quickly life seems to be moving. It dawned on me recently that I will have a 2 year old in less than 3 months! Just in the last couple of days she seems to be in, what I like to call, "full toddler mode." She's chatty and in to every.single. thing. It's challenging and amazing all at the same time. She is constantly signing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and I'm wowed by how much the lyrics actually sound like words now. She was walking all over the house last weekend in just a pair of pants hitting two pot lids together. She loves to "color" and instructs me to join her by saying "sit" and patting the chair next to her.

I feel like I just can't soak it all in quick enough! I'm trying to remember these moments and find new ones so we can enjoy this fleeting time of our lives. We took her to the circus on Sunday and she of course loved the elephants (or "Dumbo" as she called them) and even conned her Daddy into buying her the $20 stuffed elephant they were selling. She loved every second of it and amazing sat through (most) of the 1 hour performance. 

Emily with her circus souvenir 

It's great to have moments like these when work and other obligations don't interfere with quality family time. But Monday-Friday is a different story. It was so beautiful and warm yesterday afternoon (for the first time in a long time) that I make the conscious decision to not rush home and hurry up to start dinner. Instead, Emily and I grabbed some bubbles and a snack (chips and guacamole, we both love it!) and went outside. Or as Emily says "OUT SIGHHHHHH!"  She laughed and ran around and tried to blow the bubbles, too. Just a few minutes outside together after a busy day did my heart so good and all it took was bubbles and guacamole (and yes, I had a beer).

Last night, when I was rocking her to sleep I prayed that I would remember to take time to make those special moments with her, regardless of what my busy week looks like. And I thanked God for the time I had to rock her to sleep. I prayed that I would remember what her weight feels like on my chest and what her heart feels like beating next to mine.  Such beautiful little moments that make up this beautiful little life we have together.

 *M

21 Days of Happy

Last week was very eventful and included a 48 hour work trip to Baltimore.  Sadly, I did not have the chance to tour the beautiful city but instead spent the entire time in meetings. Which, was a major bummer because I have only been there once before and love some crab legs. But major plus was that I met some really great people working on an exciting project, had a swanky penthouse style hotel room,  all my travel went smoothly, and Randy and Emily made it without me! Definitely a successful trip in my book!

During my downtime at the airport, I spent some time reading and thinking about what I'm now calling (for lack of a better phrase) "my happiness quest." That's not to imply that I'm unhappy but rather looking for opportunities to find happiness in as many experiences as possible and, perhaps more importantly, share happiness with others. I came across this fantastic Ted Talk that hits the nail on the head. If you have time, you have to watch the video. It's quite thought provoking and extremely hilarious.

Through some research and experimenting, Shawn Achor has identified  five proven techniques (ideally done consistently over 21 days) can rewire your brain for happiness. They are:  

"1. Write down three new things you’re grateful for. Your brain learns to hone in on the positives in the world. 
2. Journal about one positive experience. It will feel like you’re reliving it. 
3. Exercise. You teach your brain that your behavior matters. 
4. Meditate. It reduces the noise in your brain and allows you to focus. 
5. Do random acts of kindness."

So, starting today, I am going to kick off my 21 Days of Happy and I'd love for you to join me. I'm going to journal in my "old fashioned" leather bound journal instead of on here. Because, ya know, there are some things I like to keep private. But I will be sure to share highlights here and on Twitter (@moxiemegs) using the hashtag #21daysofhappy. Follow me and we'll share our experiences together and see where we end up on October 13th.

And to kick us off, I have to share I had some wonderfully happy moments from over the weekend. Swinging and giggling with Emily, a beautiful early morning run, time strolling the downtown farmers market with friends, seeing my daughter really getting the hang of walking all by herself, hearing her very clearly say "Mickey" when Mickey Mouse came on the tv, enjoying an uplifting worship service at church, time in the sun at the local park with R&E, and eating a delicious dinner prepared by my sweet husband. Over the course of just two days, I am reminded of how many positive experiences I've had and just how much I have to be thankful for.

Happy journaling, my friends!

*M

Don't Worry....

A little positive post for your Monday morning:

Rise up this morning

Smiled with the rising sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singing sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Saying ("This is my message to you-ou-ou:")

"Don't worry 'bout a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right."
 "Don't worry (don't worry) 'bout a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right!"

-Bob Marley "Three Little Birds"

Promises, Not Explanations

On Tuesday, I wrote the beginning of what I hope will be a long series of posts on being positive.  And as it is with many things on this blog, it's personal.

Unfortunately, I've spent big parts of my life being mad at the world, angry at others, and just an all around unhappy person. I could point fingers at those that were to blame and most people would have justified me in feeling that way.  As I've gotten older, I've gained some wisdom and some perspective. As cliche as it is, I know that things could always be worse and I should always be thankful for what I have. I've seen others struggle through far worse and come out stronger than ever imaginable. I'm constantly amazed by those around me who persevere. I just spent the past two days at a work conference hearing from those who work in the field of child abuse. Talk about the epitome of unfair. I've heard stories from adults who survived abuse at the hands of adults who were supposed to love and care for them. I've spoken to those that have investigated and prosecuted those cases in hopes of giving a voice to the voiceless and restoring some sense of justice to an unjust world.  It is in being witness to the struggles of others that my strength has increased.

I know that the experience has a profound impact on the growth of my own strength to push through tough times. But I know that it only grows because the root of my strength lies in God. My trust rests solely in God and I know He will carry us through difficult times. His love is never failing and He is always present.

During the sermon at church this Sunday, our preacher shared a quote that stuck with me: in this life we will not find explanations but we will always find God's promises.

The Bible is full of those promises. My favorite (it hangs on the wall in my bathroom and I look at it every morning) has always been Jeremiah 29:11:

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Trying to find answers to the "whys" in this world will only leave us more frustrated and brokenhearted. Because there are no answers to those questions in this life. But there is something much, much better. God's promise. His promise that YOU are taken care of by HIM. That He has amazing plans for you, better that ones you or I could ever dream up. That even in the midst of the struggle and the uncertainly, there is hope. And that's a guarantee. 

So, don't despair. Instead, copy this sentence below, add your name and post in your car, on your computer, on your bathroom mirror or fridge. Then make a copy, add the name of a friend who is struggling and share it with them.

For God knows the plans He has for you, ________________. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Take heart. Better days are just ahead.

*M

Positive Posts

If your day is anything like mine, it probably looks something like this:

Wake up (usually tired) and grumble about various aches and pains,
rush to get ready (possibly spilling coffee on yourself), grab the baby and run out the house-sans shoes,
sit in awful rush hour traffic,
make it to daycare to drop off the baby (perhaps forgetting to pack her breakfast but thankfully finding a backup bag of Cheerios in your bag),
hurry to make it to work on time,
barely make it on time and are greeted by a long to-do list (and maybe a few grumpy co-workers),
work through lunch (or skip it all together),
fly out the door at 5pm to pick up the baby from daycare,
sit in more frustrating rush hour traffic (with a now fussy and tired baby),
throw some dinner together,
bath the baby and unload/load the dishes (or a load of laundry),
rock the baby to sleep,
fall into bed.

Repeat.

Sound familiar?

Our days are filled with annoyances, frustrations, irritations, and disappointments. And we feel lucky when we have a few little bright spots sprinkled throughout. Maybe a someone lets you over in traffic or a co-worker offers to help on a major project or a friend treats you to lunch. We feel so lucky, happy and thankful in these moments, often because they are such a rare occurrence. We have become so accustom to fighting and struggling and mumbling and grumbling throughout our days. What a sad way to live the only life we have.

That's why I'm starting a series of Positive Posts on this blog. I've had it with all the negatively. Yes, I've been guilty of it myself (hello, we are all human) but I want to be a part of doing good. I want to be a light to others.  To show love in the middle of a loveless world.

This feeling has been building in me for quite sometime. This desire, NEED, to do something. I found myself reading blog after blog with people talking about the same, exact thing. Wanting to put more good than bad out there. The more I read and the more I see, I truly believe this a movement I want to be a part of.

So, this begins a journey. A journey to share, to love, to support and to spread happiness. To be a positive force. I hope you will considering joining me as we do our small part to change the world.

*M