Macey

1.20.2014

Weekend Update | The Good Life

After a crazy busy week I decided to really do the weekend up right. In the spirit of embracing "now" I chose activities that I've either been putting off, or been wanting to do for some time and just haven't had the time.

This weekend included:

The first meeting of The Ladies Who Brunch, Book Club.
Time relaxing with family (snuggly baby included!)
Yoga
Church (the first time I've attended church in about 5 years)

I loved every minute of my weekend. Everything about it was good for my soul.

How was your weekend? Did you do anything to embrace 'now?'

1.17.2014

My Word For 2014 | NOW

The past year brought me many great things. I experienced love and heartbreak, growth and loss, and discovered much more about myself and the strength I didn't know I possessed.
2013 was a great year, but I'm ready to put it behind me.

Moving into 2014 I knew I wanted to choose a word to title this year. I wanted a word that I could focus on when the going (inevitably) gets tough, and a word that I could use to celebrate and embrace the positive. Many words came to mind, but one circled round time and again, and I knew it was my word.

NOW: adverb | at the present time or moment.

Now doesn't mean forever and it doesn't indicate the past. Now is the present.

How do I feel now?
What is best now?
When do I need to act? Now.

The other day I caught the most beautiful sunset at the coast and had to pull my car over to really take it in. I was amazed by the light, and how it seemed to make all time stop. The perfect light at sunset lasts less than a minute as the sun kisses the horizon for a mere moment and then dips beneath it altogether. As I was struck by the beauty of the moment, I couldn't help but think how perfect that particular now was. I can't help but think that each now is perfect in its own way. It may not be as obvious as that now was, but it's perfect none-the-less, and I look forward to the many perfect "nows" 2014 has to offer.

Do you pick a word to focus on during the New Year?

What were would you pick if you did?

1.06.2014

Closing Out The Year | December in an Instagram

December was a great month! Lots of times with friends and family and traveling to Idaho and back. December was also a time of reflection mixed with looking forward as I closed out 2013 and started planning 2014. It was a month of ups and downs emotionally, but luckily it always ended on the upswing as I looked to each situation as a moment for growth.

I spent a bit of time decorating my apartment and being intentional with some furniture additions. It was entirely new for me since I've lived the past 10 years as minimalistic as possible. I like being minimalist, and still strive to live simply and at my means, but I'm enjoying nesting in my home. Previous to this apartment the longest I lived in one place was 9 months. I've been in my current home for 18 months with no plans to move. It's a lovely feeling to be happy with my home.

As I move into 2014, I'm excited to continue being intentional with my relationships, health, and finances. There's some huge additions to my professional life that I'm really looking forward to developing, and enjoying the growing pains that I've experienced.

Cheers to a wonderful December and moving forward!

12.17.2013

Discovering my Desires in 2014

As I wrap up 2013 and gear up for the amazing year that 2014 promises to be, I'm taking time to focus on my intentions. I'll be sharing what my intentions are for the coming year just after New Years, but thought in the meantime I would share a few of my favorite resources for goal setting.

Rachel over at Tossing the Script shared an amazing PDF resource with me during our goal setting meeting on Sunday. You can find the workbook here and the author's blog here. I'm slowly making my way through the prompts and LOVING it! I can't wait to share some of my discoveries, and would love to hear yours as well!

Another great resource that I stumbled upon today is Danielle LaPorte's "The Desire Map." I ordered a copy from my local library this morning and am excited to spend some time figuring out what my Core Desired Feelings are. (Which I will be sharing of course!)

This video interview of Danielle speaking about her own Core Desires and the process of goal setting is a bit of time commitment, but completely worth it. One of my favorite take-aways from it is something she says within the first few minutes: "It's not about the goal, it's how I want to feel when I get there."
I love it!

Are you setting goals/intentions for the year 2014?

What do you think your Core Desired Feelings are?

12.10.2013

Thanksgiving 2013 Recap

This year's Thanksgiving was a special one. From the time I was 12 and my immediate family moved to Idaho we've been getting together with my Dad's siblings and their families for the holidays. The idea was to have a different sibling host each year, that way everyone takes turns traveling/hosting each year. One sister lives in Seattle, another is SW Washington, and my Dad, of course, lives in Idaho. For the first few years the kids were all young enough that the families all worked hard to get together, despite costs, weather and life interruptions, but as we all got older it became increasingly difficult to get everyone together. While the tradition still carried, someone - a brother, sister, child, etc - was missing from the pack.

So it was very exciting to hear that everyone could make it this year! No one had 'other side of the family' obligations or work getting in the way. The weather looked like it was going to hold out, and my cousin who lives in the Tri Cities (therefore equal distance from everyone) offered to host, so there were no "we have to travel too far" excuses! Everyone (that's 16 adults, 1 five year old and 1 five month old) made it! We all stayed at my cousin's house for 4 days, and loved every minute of it.

I really am blessed to be a part of a family that can get along and enjoy each other for that many days.