"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.

Geez. You know what's hard? Life.

And you know who it's hard for? Errybody.

Yeah. Let's be honest, here. Life is hard for everyone. You know how I've come to that conclusion? I know a lot of people who know a lot of people and everyone's having problems. Financial issues. Relationship issues. Self issues. Job issues. Eating issues. Healthy issues. So, no, it's not just you. Welcome to the club.

What do we do in this club?

Take shit one day at a time.

Smile when you can. Cry when you need.

I've been thinking a lot about the stresses I feel and how I am in control of them. Will I/Should I always be able to control them? Not always. But I have the freedom to choose how I deal with things. I have the freedom to say yes or no. I have the freedom to over/under schedule myself. I have the freedom to change my course. I have the freedom to change my pattern of behavior. I have the freedom to be free from stress & guilt that I put on myself. I have the freedom to be released from these toxic holds over my mind, my heart, my body.

I've been continuing this soul detox devotion (faithfully this week) and was able to go back to yoga. And it's also been a chocolate eating week. It's been emotional. I'm learning how to meditate this upcoming week and it will be my first week without work email on my phone. This will probably also be emotional. (Sorry, Nate!)

But I'm gonna take this shit one day at a time.
(Except for the part that needs planning.)

Because, in the long run, we're all just learning and tumbling through these days - this life - together.

Speak uplifting words.
Speak truth.
Speak love.

And when you eff it up. Give yourself some grace.

That's my rambling for the week. xo.

This afternoon's companions. Plus, Bob Dylan.

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.

From my Soul Detox devotion:

"Our words are powerful. They have the power to kill and the power to give life. Throughout the book of Proverbs, Solomon often writes about the dangers and the life-giving abilities of our words. He was very aware of the power of words. As a result, Solomon encourages us all to be aware of the types of words we speak to others and the positive and negative affects they can have.

What types of words do you tend to speak most - toxic or life-giving?"

Something for us all to think about.

xo.

July is gonna be bonkers amazing. I can feel it.

On average, 3 out of 5 days of work don't require me to be anywhere by 7am. Sure, it leaves me with less free hours in the evening, but I'm pretty sure this shift has been fantastic for my mind and body. 

I don't stress out about being in bed by 9pm (although I often find myself headed there). I don't stress out about saying no to hangs with people because I'm stressing out about being in bed by 9pm. I don't stress out about waking up in enough time to get everything done because I'm trying to squeeze in hours of sleep. I don't stress out about setting an alarm because I naturally wake up between 6:30 and 7am most days. I don't stress out about spending money at Starbucks because I have time to make my own cup of coffee at home. (I may even put the keurig into hibernation.) 

I am actually averaging 7 hours and 54 minutes of sleep throughout the week. (Thanks for the numbers UP band! Goal is 8. Body loves 9.) I can feel stress levels lessen about a lot due to this fact. It's making me healthier!

It's so lovely.

Sleep is good.

And now I'm rolling in the blogs.

My Vision + Goals! #possibility

As you all know, I began a new job recently - hooray! Change is exciting and challenging (in a good way)! But, we also know change can be overwhelming... Eep. And, since you all know me, you know that I put a lot of pressure on myself to do and be everything quickly. I give others the space and time to learn, but not myself. (How rude, right?)

So, what I've learned so far from my new job is:

1. Don't pressure yourself into being/doing more than you're ready to be/do. It takes time and that's ok - take it.

2. If you're gonna be up to Big Shit, then sometimes you have to let go of the little shit. Say no when you need to. Skip a workout if you have to. You can't do it all, but you can do it big.

3. It's all about people. Being in community is the greatest gift. Do not waste it.

Anyway, those are just a few things that have been on my mind recently as I adjust to my new job which I really feel is a new life. I'm certainly learning from it everyday and I hope that never ever stops.

xo.

Yesterday, the love of my life turned 27 years old. I am so blessed to have such a man in my life and to be able to spend another 27+ years with him. I love you oh so well, Nate.

"1 universe, 9 planets, 204 countries, 809 islands, 7 seas, and I had the privilege to meet you."

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.

When did life become so much work? I mean, really, do we take the time to really enjoy what we we've been given? The last two days I've been "unemployed"aka between my old job and new job. These last two days I've been busy though. Planning. Cleaning. Cooking. Thinking. I got to go to the beach and nap with my love. I was able to organize and plan some things. I was able to have drinks with a friend. I got to catch up with a friend on the other side of the country. I had delicious breakfast with a friend and her family.

So much to be grateful for, but, in the moments, I was very overwhelmed. I was overwhelmed about planning, about ramifications, about sustaining relationships, about sunburn, about a whole host of things that were or could have been a result of my actions. Thinking and worrying all the time is a lot of work. I ask again, when did life become so much work?

As I start my new job, this new life adventure, I feel called to learn how to enjoy it now. Not in hindsight. Not in ten years. Now.

For June, I've started to come up with a list of things I'd like to do - to enjoy and help simplify. As soon as it's complete (tomorrow, likely) I will post it here.

There is so much possibility in our lives. We should absolutely take hold of it and live it now.

Hey, Google Reader users!

It's our beloved Reader's last month in business. Womp. Womp.

Instead of waiting until the last minute (like I would have), Nate was kind enough to back up my subscriptions and find me a few substitutes to roll my reading into:

Feedly: Not just for your computer, but a way to integrate your blog roll seamlessly into your mobile devices. It's minimalist view is appealing to those who dig white space. I'm thinking I would like it more if I had an iPad. *hint hint*

The Old Reader: So, Google Reader isn't gone? It's just changed colors and name? Definitely missing the design appeal and mobile features - The Old Reader is old school and that's alright by me.

Flipboard: This is a mobile only option. Don't try flipping through these virtual pages on your computer. But if the iPad is your jam, then get crackin'. Although I have heard Zite is just like Flipboard, but minus a lot of the social media.

So, the choice is yours! Just figure it out before July 1 when we have to pour one out for Google Reader...

(Let me know if you have a favorite and I'll try it out, too. I'm not techy, I'm just bloggy. I need all the help I can get!)

Worth Reading: RSS Isn't Dead

Maybe you had to work today. Maybe it was a paid holiday. Maybe you barbecued with your family. Maybe you went for a walk with your love. Maybe you had a bad day. Maybe you can't remember a better day.

No matter what this Memorial Day has held for you... Remember.

Right wing. Left wing. Somewhere in the middle. Remember the men & women who died while bravely serving you and your country.

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." - George Orwell

This is Day 97 of 100 Days of Blogging.

What did you do with YOUR Saturday night?!

Also, what did you do with your Sunday? I started playing with photoshop, so maybe you'll be seeing some fancier looking photos coming your way :)

This is Day 96 of 100 Days of Blogging.

What a wonderful Saturday this has been so far...

This morning I went to Warm Flow at Charleston Community Yoga with two of my loveliest lady friends. Our teacher was a sub - totally different flow than a normal Saturday, but I laughed out loud at Melanie's witty remarks. Yoga doesn't have to be so serious!

Then I went around town to Target and Trader Joe's. And, upon getting home, the sweet sound of live jazz was filling the block. Piano + Saxophone. The best soundtrack to Saturday cleaning. Now my house smells like lemon + lavender and has fresh flowers about it.

(PS. See that "vase"? We're going to be using these vintage blue Ball mason jars to decorate for our wedding! Just testing one out...)

I read a lot about my new job at lulu. I learned a lot about the company. I'm so excited to get started!

Now, I'm waiting for my love to get off work, so we can get pumped for tonight's Go Glow Run! Nothing like 3 miles of walking/running around in dark while you and your friends wear glow sticks. Right?

Oh hey - we saw The Great Gatsby last night. It was good. Not great. I think my expectations were too high for the film, but the soundtrack is awesome!

What are you doing on this lovely weekend?

This is Day 95 out of 100 Days of Blogging.

credit: chasejarvis.com

I recently accepted a position working for lululemon athletica on King Street. It was a really difficult decision to leave the team I am currently working with, but I am thrilled about this opportunity - to be able to work for a company that is passionate about community and health both worldwide and locally.

The more people I tell at my current job, the more I feel confident leaving a team that I have impacted. From tears to hugs of joy, I know that we have all truly been a support for one another - professionally & personally. And, when I tell them where I'm going, I love hearing them say, "Most perfect job for Erin, ever? Yes."

So, here's to new opportunities!

If you're in a period of transition, I hope you feel as excited and supported as I do. And, if you feel stuck where you are, then change it. Shake it up.

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."

This is Day 92 of 100 Days of Blogging.

I just got home from sunrise yoga with my love. And now I'm post-yoga baking some oatmeal cookies before work.

How lucky am I for these things? For a love that supports me and my health. For a home & bed to wake up in. For a studio & teacher that wakes up early to stretch my mind & body. For a kitchen full of food. For sweet baked treats to eat & share with those I love. For a job that pays my bills & pushes me to new challenges.

As I think upon these things, my heart breaks for Oklahoma and I pray for those who have lost so much this week.

xo.

This is Day 91 of 100 Days of Blogging.

It's amazing to me the wisdom and freedom God will provide you with when you ask.

I recently had a big decision to make. And, well, I literally could not make it. I was torn in two pieces over some pro/con lists. So, I prayed for a sign - some way to know I was making the right decision.

And it came - in the form of a blog post I read.

(Clearly, God knows how to get my attention.)

At the end of the post, it reads, "What big, scary and audacious things are you getting up to this year?" And, as soon as I read it, I knew that was my answer. My surprisingly bold sign.

This is Day 89 of 100 Days of Blogging.