Is the Grass Greener?

Sometimes life can be tough and we mislead ourselves to assume that almost everyone around us has it better or easier. We think the grass is greener on the other side and most of the time we are completely wrong.

Try to remember that everyone has their struggles and probably a lot of the same struggles you sometimes feel or experience. Try your best not to think that others have it so great and you have it so bad. Try to ignore those thoughts whispering in your ear …"she doesn't have self esteem issues, because she is thinner" "he has it so much easier, because he makes more money" "they are not lonely because they have each other" …. the list goes on and on.

Know that you are not alone and that we all have great moments in our lives as well as hard times. We all go through difficult experiences, we all have moments when we feel like we don't have enough money and we all have times where we wish we looked differently. The goal is to try not to compare yourself to others and try not to concentrate on what may not be going right for you at the moment. Instead, be happy for people when it seems things are going great for them and be happy for yourself for the things that are wonderful in your life. No matter how hard things may seem, the wonderful things still exist. Sometimes we just let ourselves be blind to the beauty that surrounds us, because all we let ourselves see is what we are unhappy with.

Do not be blind anymore. Then maybe your life and everyone else's life around you will make you SMILE!

Much Love Always!
Lovebug

29 and Feelin' Fine

This past Saturday dawned the beginning of the last year of my 20's. With this monumental birthday behind me, I'm 29 and feelin' fine.

It would be really easy for me to fall into the trap of society's expectations of where my life should be now... a house, married, children... the whole nine. But that's not me, and that's not the path which I choose to walk.

Not allowing social expectations to stand in my way, I have decided to continue to live life to my full potential and do what is best for me.
I will continue to grow in all aspects of my being.
I will continue to grow within our wedding design business.
I will continue to become more aware of who I really am!!

This year is going to be another phenomenal one, I can just feel it. Ringing in this birthday last weekend with the amount of friends that I did was such an amazing feeling. Knowing that I have so many special people in my life will help me keep going during those days that are a bit darker.

With my spirits soaring,
Jess

Take Care of Yourself

Be good to yourself always. Take care of your health. Remember to make the time to exercise, cleanse, pamper and protect your body. Most importantly, accept, love and cherish every little nuke and cranny. Every part of you is where it should be and how it should be. Look in the mirror and love yourself with your eyes, with your heart and with your soul. Do not speak badly of yourself, because that hurts your body. Say wonderful things always, because you are beautiful, your body is beautiful and it deserves to hear beautiful words from you. You are your body's God, so show it love with all your might and be one with yourself so you can experience the magnificent connection that will bring you everlasting happiness and the beauty you possess will always glow to the rest of the world.

Big hugs and warm kisses!
~Lovebug

Happiness in solitude

A little over a week ago, I was staying with my father in the not-so-exciting town of Springville, NY, located about 30 minutes from Buffalo. The town was quaint in its own way comprised of one Main Street, about four restaurants and a Wal-Mart. There are a little over 4,000 uninteresting people living there that have all known each other since birth, and whose conversations consist of their kids and the school system, tractors and their performance, construction and how it affects traffic, the road that is the best route to take to Buffalo (without aforementioned traffic and construction) and the new quarterback/running back/tight end (or whatever) for the Buffalo Bills. Not quite my cup of tea. Needless to say, I was antsy to explore a more stimulating environment on my week-long vacation.

Luckily, Springville is about two hours away from Toronto, a city (and country) I have never visited but has topped my list of "Cities I need to get my ass to see right away." And coincidentally, there happened to be a few DJs from Paris that were playing there who had also been on the top of my list of "DJs I need to experience right away, especially if they are from Europe." But since my dad could not accompany me to Toronto, I was faced with the option of going solo to Tha Deuce City or possibly dying of boredom in a small town. I opted for the former.

Toronto was everything I hoped it would be and more. The Parisian DJs did not disappoint and I had an incredible time on my own doing whatever my heart desired -- considering it was agreeable with my wallet, of course. It made me feel free and liberated to discover a new city by myself and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Upon my return to Springville (and even Orlando), I was surprised by the number of people who couldn't believe I had gone alone. I kept hearing things like "I could never do that" and "Wow, weren't you lonely?" and "What did you do all by yourself?"

Sure, there were times when I was reminded of my friends and there were certain things that I wish they could have experienced with me, but for the most part I was completely content being alone. I found it motivating and enlivening and wonderful.

Lately I have been pondering being alone and the importance of being comfortable with being alone. The way I feel is best illustrated by the quotes below:

"Language... has created the word "loneliness" to express the pain of being alone. And it has created the word "solitude" to express the glory of being alone." -- Paul Tillich

"Solitude is strength; to depend on the presence of the crowd is weakness. The man who needs a mob to nerve him is much more alone than he imagines." -- Paul Brunton

"Being solitary is being alone well: being alone luxuriously immersed in doings of your own choice, aware of the fullness of your won presence rather than of the absence of others. Because solitude is an achievement." -- Alice Koller

We were born alone and we will die alone. So be your own favorite person and find happiness in your solitude. It feels pretty damn awesome.

xoxoxoxo
Becky

The World is at Your Fingertips

I just returned from a week long trip to Western Canada. Staying three hours North of Vancouver, my eyes feel wider than ever. This trip made something inside of me tick – it brought a new spark to my soul.

Over the past year and a half, I've decided to live my life differently – to revitalize my mind, my body and my soul. Through my traveling adventures to New Hampshire, two Bonnaroos, a wonderful cruise, an unforgettable road trip for weeks and numerous shorter trips in between, I've realized that the world is at my fingertips.

Something about the mountains, the amazingly fresh air and the old, yet wise trees trees in Canada took this thought to a whole new level. My past travels made me realize that I am never stuck. No job, relationship or responsibility can hold me down. This particular trip cemented this new found belief.

My life is evolving into a beautiful place. My soul is growing exponentially and I will continue to feed it with positivity, love and hope; always knowing that I am constantly creating my own reality.

Life is way to short to think you're stuck.
Do what you want!
Live your dreams!!!!

The only thing that stands in your way is YOU.

Hoping that you choose to live life to the fullest,
Jess

Stay True to You

"Believe nothing just because a so-called wise person said it. Believe nothing just because a belief is generally held. Believe nothing just because it is said in ancient books. Believe nothing just because it is said to be of divine origin. Believe nothing just because someone else believes it. Believe only what you yourself test and judge to be true."
-- Buddah

Wise words, huh?
What do you believe?
xoxo,
Jess