Recently, I attended Storyline Conference with Donald Miller (and many amazing other people) where I learned that if you're not loving the story of your life, then re-write it. Yep. Just change it.

Then, I found this insta pic from a while back that includes my "five core values" and I started to measure the things in my life by them. Is my job in line with them? Are my relationships in line with them? Are the things I fill my time with in line with these values?

I know I can change my story. I know these are five really important values. I'm trying to be courageous enough to do it - to change my story and live these values. I can change what I do and how I do it and who I do it with. I can change the way I speak to people - I want to speak life. I want to show love. I want to hold people closely. I want to live a life that Jesus would be proud of. 

That doesn't mean I'm not going to eff up. I will probably still yell or cry or eat a whole pint of ice cream. But that's ok. It really is. Life is like that sometimes. But living it for something bigger than you really changes your direction and perspective. And, for the first time in awhile, I feel like it's all going to be ok rather than a giant weight sitting on my shoulders.

"Saying yes to happiness means learning to say no to people and things that stress you out." - Thelma Davis

I am experiencing serious California separation anxiety. And I miss Megan.

As you may (or may not) know, I spent some time in San Diego last week visiting one of my favorite people and attending the Storyline Conference.

Game changers.

The whole trip: the conference, the city, the friendship, the travel. And sharing it all with Nate.

I want to write about every day, speaker, event, and moment. I will. I hope. I feel like there is too much good stuff to share. (I'll have a day off on Sunday, so that's our best bet!)

What I will go ahead and share are the BIG things that stuck out to me -

1. Jesus didn't hold people accountable; he held them closely.

2. COMMUNITY. How can you over serve the people in your life?

3. Humans were designed to have deep, meaningful experiences. Those experiences are likely not linked to the American definition of success. But know that life is too short and too important to spend your time not being passionate. It is possible to create a new story.

I'll leave you with those nuggets for now.

xo.

At work, we're starting a challenge (tomorrow) - drink.more.water.

The rules? Everyday for the next 28 days (because it takes 28 days to create a habit) you have to drink half of your body weight in ounces of water. For example, if you weigh 120lbs then you have to drink 60oz of water per day. 

We're keeping a tally of each day we succeed to help hold us accountable. 

Will you join in this challenge?!

I have started scouring Pinterest for fun ways to jazz up my water - like frozen flower + berry ice cubes... Feel free to share your fun tips + tricks with me! Let the hydration begin!

I feel like once February hits, it is no longer a new year. You're already one month deep into the year. (PS. 236 days until I get MARRIED. How did that happen so quickly?!) Anyway, February is no longer the time for resolution making - it is time for action! It doesn't matter how small or large the action/habit/change might be - all that matters is consistency.

Me: This month I'm going to make coffee every day at home... Until we go to San Diego.
Nate: That's cheating. That's not the whole month.
Me: No. It's not. I'm saying I will make my own coffee every day at home until we go on February 26th. That's practically the whole month and I'm making the rules anyway.
Nate: Well, who is holding you accountable? What happens if you don't do it?
Me: Then I have to do it again in March and it's longer than February, so it's punishment.

This is going to stop me from wasting all the coffee I was given for gifts and save me those dolla dolla bills before we head out west! Also, I'm hoping it will create (2014 word alert!) a good morning habit for me. We shall see - definitely ask me how it's going when you see me...

I'm still reading Wild by Cheryl Strayed. And I am currently in a music rut. Suggestions, please!

"In the process of committing to something bigger than I had ever challenged myself to before, I have discovered more than I ever dreamed. I’ve learned to manage time more effectively, I’ve learned how to say “yes” and how to say “no”. I’ve discovered that in order to achieve a goal, you actually have to be in action at all times." - the wunder year

This girl has been blogging for the last 207 days (give or take a few) and is headed for 365. That's crazy pants. (Crazy wunder unders. Ha!) I had a difficult time with 100 days. I'm not saying it's easy for her (it's not) or that it's always interesting for me to read (it's not) but I am so impressed with her goal that I continue to check it every few days in my Feedly. Some days I skim over the words and some days I soak them all in, turn them over in my heart and share them in my own posts or conversations. 

Her words in this post were just so true - full of personal responsibility & grace - that I had to bring them over here for us all to have.

And action.

Today.

Today, I am so thankful for my job and for the challenges it has faced me with. I am so thankful to have a partner, a better half, to support me through this time of change and adjustment. I am so thankful to have grace and freedom on my side. I am so thankful for positivity. I am so thankful for sharing and caring; for not stopping, but constantly moving forward. I am so thankful for the goals I have and my ability to charge after them. I am so thankful for hard work rather than luck. I am so thankful for opportunities to fail forward and learn for myself and for others. I am so thankful for the constant reminder to speak life-giving words to those around me; to uplift and heal rather than stomp and wound. I am so thankful for all of the crabs lifting me out of the pot.

Today. I am so thankful.

My Vision + Goals! #possibility

Things to do in June:

Start (& learn) new job! #iamconfident
Celebrate Nate's 27th birthday - it's tomorrow!
Drink 48 ounces of h2o erry'day - eventually I'll get to 64.
Read The Catcher in the Rye (since I was somehow never required).
Clean out the little closet (funny how it has the most stuff...)
Use my Pure Barre groupon + take a friend!
Try a new yoga studio - Holy Cow or Mission Yoga, perhaps?
Use Jawbone UP band - tell me what you love about yours, please!
Look into buying a bike.

For you to do?

Hold me accountable/join me!
(Write your own list if you want.)
Read this.
And this.
Leave me a comment/send a text/email.

Thanks for reading, friends. xo.