The Love List

 

Tuesday, already?! I may be a day late, but sometimes those creative juices just don't wanna flow, you know?

 

One thing I've learned about blogging since I jumped into this world is that you should never push it. Whether it's a post, a project, business plan, whatever it is that you're putting your heart and soul into... those pressures you're putting on yourself don't need to be there. It can take a lot of effort to get to the point where you're at peace with what you're doing, and how you're doing it. It's hard to live up to the standards of what we all think we should be doing. (Who invented those crazy standards anyway? Don't those people know we have lives to live?!)

 

Now that we're halfway through January, that's the goal. To be at peace. To be gentle with myself. And, whenever I get overwhelmed because I'm struggling to juggle a million things simultaneously, I'm teaching myself that it's okay. It's okay to take a break, it's okay to give my soul the lovin' that it needs.

 

And you know what? It's okay to be a little selfish. (Yeah, I said it.) I've been known to be quite the people pleaser, putting other people's needs before my own, saying yes when I know deep down I should be saying no. (Sound like you too?)

 

What I'm starting to realize is that I'm useless if I don't take care of myself first. In order to be the best that I can be - for my husband-to-be, my family, friends, for you, for all those hearts and minds out there that I want to reach, I need to look deep within myself and work at it. Listen to what my inner guide is telling me. Make it a priority.

 

I guess what I'm trying to get at, the point of these drawn out thoughts, is to tell you that it's okay for you too. It's okay to stop feeling guilty for not doing something that you don't want to do. It's okay to not live up to some crazy standard, (like pumping out thought-provoking posts every day of the week!). It's okay to embrace that eccentric side of yourself, because the days of "I should do this because this person is doing it" are moving on over to welcome more days where being yourself is the standard.

 

Because you are awesome. You are original. You are stunning. And the world needs someone like you.

 

On that note, check out the things I'm loving this week :)

 

NOTES FROM THE UNIVERSE

Have you heard of these little gems? Ohhh, they are perfection. A little note just for you from the universe. They are simply lovely to wake up to in the morning. Here's mine from yesterday...

 

Oh! I've been meaning to tell you for the longest time, Allie, that... well... 

concerning the illusions: time and space, the stars at night,

the earth under your feet,

the oceans, the rivers, the prairies,

and everything under the sun...

 

They're a-l-l-l-l yours.

 

Guess I thought you'd have noticed by now.

 

Oh, yes they are -

The Universe

 

It already gets me daydreaming about travelling the world, smelling the flowers, soaking in the sun, and feeling warm breezes on my face.

 

(Sign up here, if you'd like)

 

WAKING UP TO SUNRISES
I cannot begin to tell you how much of a difference it is to wake up with time on your hands. Time to sit back, relax, and watch the colour of the sky change. It's refreshing! Especially when you get mornings like this where the sky is that perfect pink hue where you think you're actually looking at a painting because... how could this possibly be real life?

GOOD SCRATCHES
You know what I'm talkin' about!

... This may or may not have been an excuse to show you this hilarious picture of Winston. But man, does it ever feel good to itch the right spot. ;)

SPRING-LIKE WEATHER
How was your weekend? We had an incredible burst of warmth that spread throughout the city. It got people movin' and shakin', that's for sure. People were going on runs by the lake, biking leisurely throughout the streets, and yes, I even spotted some in just plain t-shirts. (I, however, think that 12 degree weather still needs some jackets involved.)

But man oh man, was it ever glorious! To be able to walk outside without having to stuff your hands inside mittens, feeling the cool breeze on your face that actually feels amazing (and not hypothermia inducing), and taking your time as you discover a totem pole that you've never noticed before, or that the cool new bridge is now open to walk across. (The anticipation of this bridge-opening has been killing us for quite some time:)

Oh yes, it's fine by me if Spring wants to come early. The approval stamp has officially been mashed.

What are you loving this week? Anything in particular brightening up your days?

First Image: Tim Oliphant Art Store, edited by me.

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