The Struggle to Stay Present

I've written about the importance of "living in the present" before; and I'm sorry to tell you that neither that post - nor this one - is filled with particularly groundbreaking information.  (What can I say? I'm no Eckhart Tolle or Swami Satchidananda.)  Regardless, recently I've really been struggling with the idea of embracing the present moment.  Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I feel like I am living right on the periphery of life-altering change.  

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It's as if I am standing at the edge of the cliff, and I know that I have to jump.

I also know that I will land safely.

But the moment right before I leap...

...as I'm standing and looking over the cliff...

...is utterly terrifying.

The result is that I want to be anywhere, anywhere but there, on that cliff.

I just want to have jumped already.

I want to have already landed safely.

I want to skip over the actual act of jumping...

...the free fall...

...the terror of transitioning from one place of stability to another.

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As Bo and Lola and I finish up our last few weeks here in Jacksonville, FL, I feel the tides of change swirling around me.  And even though I feel that change coming, and I KNOW it is coming, it is also really crazy to think that everything from where we live, to who our friends are, to where we grocery shop, is about to change.

And this change is different in so many more ways than ever before.

I have never lived in the Pacific Time Zone before.

We will have real winters.

I will work...somewhere I'm sure...but, as of yet, I have no idea where.

We will live in the same house for three years.

I won't be this close to my family again for a long time.

God willing, we will start a family in this new home.

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For all of these reasons and more, I am having a hard time staying present, living in the here and the now, and embracing today.  I catch myself rushing ahead, wanting to skip over this time of "goodbye," and I find myself wanting to hurry through this time of transition just so that I can feel "settled" again.

I'm not sure, but maybe our best growth happens during times of transition.  Maybe personal growth requires you to feel a little unstable.  Maybe, when I am at my most uncomfortable, I have no other option than to "let go" and just "let it be."  And perhaps the greatest gift of all is learning that when I "let go" and just "let it be," happiness and joy are still mine.

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Maybe it's all as Swami Satchidananda has said:

[Life] is all just a carnival.  We meet people and sit with them on a carousel for a while.  Your neighbor might be sitting on a tiger, you might be sitting on a horse.  You say, "Hey, hello," and go around in a circle.  When the ride is over you get down, but he may continue.  Or he may get down and go somewhere else.  Just think of the whole [life] as a carnival." (Source)

Yes, life it just a carnival.

Get on.

Get off.

Get on.

Get off.

Be happy.

Be joyful.

Always. 

Question of the Day:

How do you stay present when things are about to change?  Any and ALL suggestions are welcome in the "Comment" section below!

Blessings,
Ally and Bo

Things That Make Me Feel Pretty

My body has seen a lot of changes in its 28 (almost 29 - EEK!) years.  Whether as a result of puberty, a thyroid imbalance, ED, etc. (honestly, this list could go on and on), my body has had seen more than its fair share of ups and downs.  Needless to say:

I don't always wake up feeling gorgeous.  

My clothes don't always fit the way I want them to.

I don't always appreciate the way my body looks naked.

etc.

etc.

etc.

BUT, today's post isn't about feeling unattractive, frustrated, or unappreciative.  

NO.  

Today's post is about things that make me feel pretty...

(taking my cue from Natalie Wood in Westside Story)

...like a perfectly-fitting bra.

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For the first decade or so that I wore a bra I wore the wrong size.  Heck, even when I worked at Victoria's Secret as a "Bra Specialist" for two and a half years I wore the wrong size.  Truth be told, up until a couple of years ago, I thought that bras came in about four size categories:

1. 34B (because honestly, doesn't practically every woman think she wears a 34B?);
2. wireless/training bras;
3. padded/fake bras; and
4. bras that are so large I could fit my entire head in a single cup!

It was only about a year ago that I was properly sized (Thank you Neiman Marcus!) as a 32D.  Needless to say, I was shocked!  First of all, at the time, I didn't event know that they made such a size; and second of all, I certainly didn't think that I would fit into a "32" anything!  But whaddya know, the Neiman Marcus bra lady really knew what she was talking about; and since then, I haven't looked back.

I only own two bras in my size (heck, those babies are expensive!), but every time I put one of them on I feel special, sexy - and yes, if I'm honest - just a little bit pretty.

Isn't that the truth?!

Another thing that makes me feel pretty is a little white dress (LWD).  

I know, I know, everyone is always raving over the importance of the LBD (little black dress); but, truth be told, black just isn't my thing.  Without a doubt, I would prefer to wear white over black any day of the week!

I found this pretty thing at my local Plato's Closet for just $6.00!

Let's see:

• Broad enough straps to wear a perfectly-fitted bra: CHECK!
• Feminine details: CHECK!
• Defined (but comfortable) waist: CHECK!
• Classy and cute length: CHECK!
• Can be dressed up or down: CHECK!

What more could a girl ask for in a dress?!

And just in case my LWD is dirty, I still feel pretty in almost any cute and comfortable sundress (No black please!)!

Question of the Day:


So, tell me(!), what makes YOU feel pretty?!

Blessings,
Ally and Bo