Vision Boards and Taking Risks

To kick off the new year, I went to my first Vision Board Party.   My boss is big on vision boards and wanted to host a party so people could create a vision board for the new year.   I loved her idea and thought what a cool way to start off a new year.   Before we got crafting, my boss amongst many of the other attendees who have made vision boards in the past, all vouched on Monday that things on their past vision boards have ended up coming true!   I was blown away and loved hearing each of their stories.

Since the party, many have asked me what is a vision board and why did I make one?  A vision board is simply a visual representation or collage of the things that you want to have, be, or do in your life.  It can be anything like: finding love, losing weight, travel, discover your spirituality, etc.

The real purpose of a vision board is to activate the law of attraction so you can begin to pull things from your external environment that will enable you to realize your dream (deep right?)  By selecting/gathering pictures and words that charges your emotions with feelings of passion, you will begin to manifest those things into your life.

What exactly is the law of attraction? The law of attraction states that we attract into our lives anything that we give attention to, regardless whether it be positive or negative.  (The Law of Attraction. Webring, Inc. 2007. Law of Attraction Info. http://law-of-attraction-info.com)   So by creating a vision board, you are opening a gateway for you to realize what dreams you may subconsciously have deep inside!

With 2012 being a Leap Year.  My boss thought her vision board party would be a great chance for us to all meet Victor Saad of the Leap Year Project.  He is not only an inspiring person but has created the idea of challenging people throughout the country to take a leap in 2012.   A leap being a risk.  A risk of some sort whether it is making something happen in your life (finally asking that guy out, sky-diving, learning how to cook).  Doing something to better your community or the world.   No matter what risk(s) you have been wanting to do or thought about doing, now is the time to do it (and why not now?)  To learn more about #LYProject, watch this video.  I promise you it will inspire you! 

Currently I am still trying to figure out what my Leap Year Project will be for 2012.   There are a lot of things I want to do but are more resolutions than risks.  Once I confirm what my risk will be, I will definitely share it with you.   For now I am looking for motivators and inspiration to help me figure out what my leap should be.

So how do you create a vision board?

Step One: Gather magazines, newspapers, booklets and cut out pictures, words, phrases of things you love.  Don't think about the things you pull out of magazines, newspapers, etc.  Choose images, words that make you catch your eye or attention.  


Step Two: Arrange and paste the images, words, phrases onto paper.  Start arranging your pictures creatively on your board. Don’t worry about being artistic (that’s not the point and I am definitely not artistic). 


Step Three: Put your vision board in a strategic place.  You want your vision board in a place that will allow you to see if everyday and as much as possible. 


Step Four: Update your vision board.  Your vision board should inspire you and if you come across new photos, words or phrases throughout the year, add them to your board.

So here are my challenges for you fellow followers.  Take out magazines, newspapers you have lying around your house and spend a few hours one day and create a vision board for yourself.   Take pictures of your vision board, post them on my blog, share them with me on Twitter and let's see if any of your visions come true within the year.   I will be finishing mine this weekend and will be adding a photo of it to this post.

My other challenge for you is to think of a risk or risks you want to do this Leap Year.  If you think of one, I challenge you to share it on Victor's site and spend this year chasing your idea(s).   What do you have to lose?  Nothing.

Happy collaging and may your visions come true!

Have you ever made a vision board before?   What risk(s) have you ever wanted to take but never driven yourself to actually take them?  I would love to hear from you.

Random Acts of Kindness

Have you ever had a great conversation with a complete stranger?    A conversation that ends with neither of you ever exchanging first names?   You exchanged information back and forth without ever stopping to properly introduce yourself, and yet you still shared personal information to each other?

These exchanges happen to me more frequently than the average person and always in a public setting.   Whether I am standing in line at a grocery store, have a chatty waitress, or getting my hair cut at the salon.   I converse with strangers almost daily and my most lengthy conversations with strangers always occur when I am flying.

Yes flying.  I have never been the type that acts like I am mean so the person sitting next to me won't talk.   Nor am I the one that immediately plugs in the headphones and "act" like I am sleeping.   No, instead I just sit patiently waiting to see who will end up in the seat sitting next to me and wait to at least say hello to the person.   More often than not, I have had some lovely conversations with complete strangers whom I rarely ever get the chance of finding out their name.   I am not really sure why I seem to make conversation with strangers in all sorts of places, but I enjoy it.

On Sunday night I was flying back from Boston after a long weekend exploring the town while visiting my cousin.   After a long weekend of little sleep, I was excited and looking forward to catching up on some shut-eye during my flight home.    Wrong.   I ended up not getting a single minute of sleep my entire flight.   Instead I had a blast talking with a girl much like myself who lives in Chicago and works downtown like me. 

We immediately started talking because I commented on the book she was holding when she sat down as an attempt to just say hello.   She was in the process of reading Water for Elephants, a book I have been meaning to read myself for quite some time.   Within a minute of my comment, she asked me if I wanted her book.   I was shocked, the girl was barely in her seat and already offered me her book.   From that small act of kindness, we ended up spending the entire flight talking.   We talked about everything: from weddings, to careers, to interests, books, food, you name it.   I now know her life story and she knows mine.

Time flew by and before we knew it, our plane was descending towards the ground.   She ended up giving me her copy of the book, because she had a copy at home waiting for her and didn't have any reason for keeping two copies of the same book.   I graciously took the copy and have it sitting on my nightstand now, patiently waiting for me to start reading it.

However, I am sad that she and I did not have the chance to exchange information.   She was a lovely woman and I wish I could send her a thank you message again for the book.    We sadly got separated as we were grabbing our luggage, and all I was left with was her book and no real goodbye.

This was the second time I had ever received a gift from a complete stranger on a plane.   The only other time (that I can remember at least) was last Spring when I flew to Arizona next to a Canadian woman.   She and I bonded on our long flight.   By the end of our flight, she gave me Canadian coins because she wanted them to inspire me to plan my trips to Quebec, since that is where she was from.   It was heart-warming and something I would never forgot.   She told me to never lose sight of my dreams and to make a point of seeing as much of the world as I possibly can. 

Isn't it interesting how much a random act of kindness can really do to someone?    That in the end, life is really all about exchanges we have with others.    Whether it is opening the door for someone, saying good morning to a stranger, or conversing with a complete stranger even though you would rather be doing something else.    Sometimes I think the world needs more of these sort of acts.   I never thought I would get coins or a book as gifts from complete strangers on a plane, but I have and I am grateful.    Their small acts of kindness inspires me to want to do them for others.    It is almost like "pay-it-forward."   If we all took a moment each day to do one small random act of kindness, imagine what kind of place this world would be like. 

So my questions to you.   When was the last time you did a random act of kindness?   How did it make you feel?   Do you remember the last time someone random did something nice for you?  

The Graduate

Being an older sibling, I have the privilege and opportunity to be a role model and supporter for my younger siblings.    Of course I get to be a full-time Guinea pig for the most part but I also get to be so many other things.    Being older I have insight, experiences, and advise to share with my siblings and during special occasions, the feeling of pride.  

Friday, May 13th was a big day for the family.    My immediate family and my Grandma traveled to the city of West Lafayette, IN to watch the only boy of our family walk across the stage to receive his diploma.    Our Eric was becoming a graduate of Purdue University!   As I was driving to Purdue, so many emotions and questions ran through me as I drove through little towns in between acres and acres of farmland.    Feelings of pride, joy, happiness, excitement, worry, denial, sadness. Questions like: is he ready for the real world?   Will he find a job that he truly loves?   Where will he live?   I know time will eventually put my worries to rest but I just can't help but be the big sister with her sisterly worries.  

I had driven down these roads many times; both alone and with my family to see my brother.     This drive was the final drive that I would be making to this town.     That is when it really hit me.   My baby brother is onto the next chapter of his life!  (One of my favorite parts about the drive to West Lafayette if you take the IN-43 you will pass rows and rows of wind mills.   They are unique and beautiful.)

It was almost hard to believe that five years had gone by and he would be entering into the real world.    No more textbooks, late night's studying, or group projects for him to tackle.    No more meals at the cafeterias, professor office hours, and college parties to attend.    Instead he is journeying to the next chapter in life- adulthood.   How quickly time has gone by and even though I know how fast I am growing up, I find myself forgetting at times that everyone else around me growing up too.   When I think of my little brother (who is not little anymore), so many words and memories always come to mind.    Even though he may be bigger and taller than me, I will always and forever be his older/big sister.  

My brother and I are very close.    Growing up and being only two years apart, we were each others playmates and at times turn into troublemakers.   We were busy bodies together- always doing something and/or going somewhere.   Being the big sister, I would entertain my little brother and spend countless hours by his side.   From the day he was born, I was obsessed with him and knew he was someone special.   I will never forget the hours we would spend playing and building with his LEGOS.   Hours spent coloring on top of his bunk bed, laying on the couch watching our favorite Disney movies, building our legendary forts, and playing outside until dark.   The memories with him are endless.   

Looking back on those times, really makes me realize how lucky I am.     I am a part of my brother's upbringing and contributed to him becoming the man he is in addition to watching him find his passion in life.   His interest in building things was evident from the beginning and here he is, the little boy who would escape to his "work room" to build/fix anything and everything; that little boy is now a grown adult with a degree in Civil Engineering from Purdue University under his belt.    I could not be more happy and proud of him. 

To my little brother, Eric:
I am so incredibly proud of you in every way.   It has been such a joy watching you grow up and become the man you are today.   You have so much to look forward too in this next chapter of your life.   I cannot wait to watch you flourish in the real world and see what amazing things you will do.  No matter what bad times and good times that will come, know that you will always have your family by your side.   Congratulations little brother, I am so proud of you. 

I love you always and forever,

Your Big Sister- Jeekaka.  xoxo

Real-Life Princess

What girl doesn't imagine what their life would be like as a princess?   Living the fabulous life of royalty and being with your loving, dreamy prince.   I know I certainly did.    Princesses were a HUGE part of my childhood.    I would play dress-up in my princess clothes, idolize over the Disney princesses and play my favorite game- Pretty Pretty Princess with my friends.    I would fantasize about my life being Princess Ariel (in case you didn't know, she is my favorite Disney princess) and what it would be like being with (imaginary) Prince Eric.      

Even though those fantasy days are long gone and I am now an adult, I feel like my fairy-tale dream has come true in some ways.    The crown, royalty and finances may not be there, but I do feel like I have found my prince Eric.    I have even joked with my boyfriend saying he looks like Prince Eric.  (He has dark hair and strong features like Prince Eric.)     He adores me, loves me, and cares for me.   He knows how to make me feel like a princess and treats me with love, respect, and devotion.   All things that demonstrate my idea of what a real prince is really like.

Even now as we are in the final hours up to the Royal Wedding, my princess dreams remain somewhat intact and I am thrilled to be alive to see a real royalty wedding.    Kate Middleton and Prince William have won the hearts of others around the world with their love, class, dedication, and fun-loving personalities.    They have taken on the responsibilities of royalty and show no signs of slowing down.   Friday marks an important day for not only Britain but for woman everywhere.    We get to watch and fantasize as Kate Middleton walks down to the aisle to her future husband and become what every girl dreams about being, a princess.     

Weddings are such a special day and I cannot WAIT to see all of the details of the royal wedding.   The flowers, Kate's dress, the cake, the guests, the music and of course their first kiss as Prince and Princess.   There are so many details that everyone is waiting for and I plan on watching the entire ceremony and cherishing this moment.    Friday will be a day that everyone will remember, especially woman no matter what the age, living vicariously through soon-to-be Princess Kate.  

I wish Kate and Prince William all the best and to never forget that love, honesty and devotion are three important ingredients in making a marriage/relationship last a lifetime.  Cheers to them and their lives together.

What is your favorite Disney Princess?  Have you found your Prince?   Are you planning on watching the Royal Wedding?    What are you looking forward to the most about the Royal Wedding? 

I am Thankful

Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival celebrated primarily in the United States.  Traditionally, it has been a time to give thanks for a bountiful harvest.  Thanksgiving now is a time where people come together with loved ones to eat delicious food and enjoy each other's company.   As loved ones gather around the table, people give thanks to God for blessing them and their life.

This Thanksgiving was one of the best family gatherings my family has had in the past few years and I could not be more thankful.  As we gathered around the main dinning table to say grace all holding hands and bowing our heads, I felt incredibly lucky.   My dad did the honor of saying grace and after his words, I started thinking about what I am thankful for this particular Thanksgiving, and I know I have A LOT to be thankful for.   Isn't that what this holiday is for?   A day to help remind us how lucky we are.  

During dinner I sat and ate my Thanksgiving feast with my family while thoughts of what I am thankful for ran through my head.  What a year I have had and 2011 is almost here.   Beyond the rough patches that occurred this year, I have so much to be thankful for and truly am blessed everyday.   As a challenge for myself, I wanted to make myself write down everything I am thankful for this year, so that I can see my list next years Thanksgiving.

I am thankful for:

• My family- parents, siblings, Grandma, cousins, aunts, and uncles. 
• My best friends.
• My boyfriend.
• My job- I love my organization and I am living life in the city I truly love- Chicago
• Another year of good health for not only me but for my loved ones. 
• Park Church for helping me find my faith again.
• Finding my civic boards and becoming an assistant wedding coordinator. 

As you celebrated Thanksgiving this year....... did you think about what you are thankful for?   What great/amazing things happened to you over the past year?   Did you give thanks for what life has given you?  What are you thankful for?  I would love to hear about it. 

“Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough.”  -  Oprah Winfrey quotes

“A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all other virtues” - Marcus Tullius Cicero