Friday, April 27, 2012

Living on Purpose

Tonight I ran across an old blog I started a couple years back. I wrote it with the intention of NO ONE reading it, so I never shared it on Facebook or anything of the sort. Maybe I wasn't brave enough then, who knows. Mainly I was keeping it for myself as an online journal, never realizing how valuable it was. Had it been written in a notebook, I most likely wouldn't be reading though it right now. Most of my real-life journals ( as in, notebooks, pen and paper, old school- NOT computerized) are packed away in boxes, probably for my kids to read someday. And for me to be embarrassed.

But I think I've done some growing up since then so I'm okay with sharing. When I re-read this excerpt from years ago I thought...hey, not bad. Did I write that? I never wanted to share my thoughts with others outside of my immediate circle because I was afraid they would judge. But from my recent blogging experience, most people have been so accepting of any thoughts that I share. You all can usually can relate to things I thought were only true of myself. I know there is still judgment out there....I do it...you do it...we all do it. I suppose the key is to not allow others opinions of you define your self image. And as Bill Cosby says: "I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody." I like that man.

So here's the excerpt: ( I was journaling through the book Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren)


WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2010


"Living with purpose is the only way to really live"- PDL: I noticed a profound example of this when I was in the Bohemian hotel bar with my family tonight for mom's birthday. This single guy walked in and had this look of being very awkward and uncomfortable, yet trying to play it off. He shifted his weight to one side and kind of glanced to the back of the room as if he were looking for someone in particular, yet in his head he knew he was just scoping the place out to see if he could pull off hanging out up there. Maybe he was waiting for someone and trying not to look like it, who knows...but he had no purpose. On the other hand, the waiters and bartenders were carrying trays, wiping counter tops, filling glasses, meeting and greeting customers....all fulfilling some kind of purpose. They knew why they were there and had clear direction. The tilting guy was a poor lost soul. I know because I have been him. Tonight I wasn't him, so I could see it. Tonight I was there enjoying drinks with my family, fulfilling the purpose of being with the family on Mom's 54th birthday. I don't know where I am going with this, but it was crossed my mind quite clearly tonight. Doing things with PURPOSE is the best way to do them. Doing a thing called LIVING, is yet another "thing" we can do on purpose.

SO....it trails off and I never really got to the part about my purpose. Go figure. But hey... use it as food for thought. 

Caroline


Saturday, April 21, 2012

Earth Day at Forsyth

Be warned- there was some weird stuff going on in the park today. I'm all about being green, but some people were taking it a bit far. Go ahead and make fun of me for celebrating Earth Day, but at least I didn't dress up like the family pictured below. 
(Maybe they were cast in a skit that I missed amongst all the other festivites. I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt.)



Neither did I play my didgeridoo on a blanket like this guy. He was even selling CD's for $5 a piece. Do people buy them, I wonder?? Also, I want some of whatever he's smoking. He is one with Mother Earth. Check out the pink bike propped up on the tree. That's his vehicle for carrying this rather large instrument. Please take a listen to his song....you have to. He really drew quite the crowd. The highlight if my afternoon for sure. 


So other than listen, stupefied, to didgeridoo man...all  I did was browse around all the tents and buy myself an Oatmeal Cranberry Pecan Cookie from the Thrive Cafe tent. That was as earthy as it got for me. I should probably start recycling or something so I'll fit in better at next year's Earth party. All around a beautiful day! 




-Caroline


Wednesday, April 18, 2012

HowChristiansDate

HowChristiansDate.com
No, this isn't about me or any of my dating stories, so don't get excited. A friend of mine is starting up this website and I am doing my part on the marketing team. Well, I have honorarily placed myself in this role. But really...I think it's gonna be a hit. Who has a good dating story to share? Preferably something awkward. The more awkward the better. Nobody wants to read about your fairytale, soul -mate, happily- ever- after story. That's what chick flicks are for. This is for the "He did WHAT?"reaction.

Write it up and send it to this e-mail address (howchristiansdate@gmail.com) and you just MAY win $100. And the gratification of knowing that your story was the best (or worst....). And change the names for the sake of the innocent. We don't want hurt feelings here, people. Who wants their name being blasted over the Internet for a major dating faux pas? Not me.


Oh, and Like them on Facebook!

I'm looking forward to reading some dating awkwardness. It happens to the best of us.

Caroline

Old, New, & Blue

What about something borrowed? For whatever reason, my Joy Dare assignment was to write about gifts that were "something old," "something new," and "something blue." I'll roll with it. Here is my favorite of all OLD gift.
 Something old.

Be still, my heart. I love an old couple walking hand in hand. I can only hope for this to be me one day. Honestly, this couple is not super old, but I couldn't find my other picture of the really ancient couple. (It was much higher on the cuteness scale....the man had on suspenders. Need I say more?) I always wonder what the story is with couples like this. I'm sure they've weathered many seasons of life together and can now appreciate the comfort and peace that comes from knowing one another so deeply. True companions.

Something new. 

Perfect day for a hike
Visiting Kate's (my yoga teacher) farm in Sylvania, GA. She had a bunch of her yogi's up to visit, practice, and eat "earth to table" food. My current phase = local and organic eating. We took a hike and toured the farm where her husband told us all kinds of cool tidbits about raising animals. I learned how she and her husband live off the land! Pretty sure I'd be completely content up in the country somewhere with a bunch of land and some animals. Don't think I'd have the heart to use them as food though.
Big teeth = old horse. Mr. Ed
was happy to show off his chompers
Lots of sheep running around with
no clothes on!

Sweet piglets will one day meet their fate as sausage. 
Kate & her husband, Farmer Brad.


Something blue.
Water and sky. No explanation needed.


And here's a shout out to Emily, my old (as in: tried and true) friend. I so enjoyed our beach day and I love our talks. They need to happen more often.

~Caroline

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Time to Breathe

Let's revisit the true meaning of this blog, shall we? Happiness.

Well, the stars must've aligned today because it was one of those all-around good days. Allow me to blab about my "happies". I like to reflect. I also like lists.

1. First & foremost, Spring Break 2012 began at 3:45 today. Amen. I will not step foot on school grounds for a solid 10 days. I could stop writing here- that's it folks. That in itself is enough!

2. I therapeutically painted my $24 Goodwill TV stand into my very favorite color, Dill Pickle Green. Yes...more Dill Pickle. I have big plans for it...just bear with me.

BEFORE
AFTER (with the exception of new hardware)
3. Got my hands dirty planting some fresh dill in flower pots on my balcony. I now have sage, dill, basil, peppermint & chives growing. Let's see how long they live- the basil always gives me trouble.  Pointers, anyone? Whelan is a big fan of the peppermint growing on the windowsill. Keeping him out of that has been a real treat. Its like having a 2 year old. I can't turn my back or he's into something else.

4. An impromptu bathroom scrub. Deep cleaning doesn't happen for me until the mood strikes. This afternoon- it struck.

5. PowerYoga. Probably the best class ever. To all my fellow yogi's : Ever have one of those days when you feel like a supah-star? That was me tonight. I mean...I probably could've been on the cover of Yoga Journal holding Half-Moon. Or maybe Tree...with a back bend and no wobbles. THEN! As soon as we went into Shavasana- the bottom fell out. A beautiful heavy rain pounded on the roof while we all lay still on our mats. AND- Stephanie brought out the China Gel and gave neck rubs. Yeah, she did. Sorry you missed it.

6. Made my first batch of kale chips. I set myself up not to be impressed because of all the hype. Surely, they couldn't be as good as everyone raves that they are. Well, they are. Try them for yourself.

7. Lime Sherbet. The perfect ending to an almost perfect day.

Caroline