May the odds be ever in your favor

This is where you face your fears, insecurities, and lies you've told yourself growing up. You go in feeling unarmed and exposed to any threat that could possibly come your way. The battle scars attained make you much stronger, and the lessons learned shape your view of life and the world. 

This is the arena. 

We've climbed in and out of the arena throughout our lives. Most of us figure out ways to avoid          re-entering this battlefield after being scarred and burned. However, what we don't realize is how detrimental our mechanisms of avoidance can be. We choose to sit out of experiences that could bring us true happiness. We become incapable of communicating and relating to people around us. We choose failure over the possibility of succeeding, because choosing to fail and doing so while committing our greatest efforts are very different. We detach ourselves from anything that could evoke feelings both positive and negative, therefore numbing ourselves to make ourselves appear 'stronger'. 

Lastly, we isolate ourselves, creating our own loneliness. 

Who's the enemy then? The world isn't working against us. 

We are. 

The best part about this, is that when you're the problem, 

best believe that you are the solution.

Admittance into the arena is inevitable despite your best defenses. 

Go in there, and play offense. 

The magic that happens as a result will be better than anything you could even imagine.

Lastly,

May the odds be ever in your favor

warm wishes

Don't just count your blessings. 

Feel them, appreciate them and remember that you could lose them in a heartbeat. 

Thanksgiving is a beautiful holiday, I think of it as the opener of the holiday season line up. Cooking with my cousins and eating with my family essentially recreates those Saturdays that made up some of my most treasured childhood memories.  I used to have holiday like Saturdays where my family would gather, eat and enjoy each others company. Thanksgiving wasn't really celebrated at the time, but every Saturday was a form of thanksgiving for me. I remember consistently having moments where I would look up into the sky and just FEEL blessed. Now that times have changed and we're all a bit older, our Saturdays are no longer dedicated to getting together and Thanksgiving is larger than life, this holiday is the one that binds. I am so excited to be with my extended family, thrilled to have so much MORE to be thankful for this year, and I am ready to take it all in. 

One thing I'm keeping in mind is 

that there are 364 other days this year that one could sit and reflect on blessings in life. 

Thanksgiving is highlighted, however it's important to always appreciate what you're given. 

Warm wishes to all the world,

ann

I choose to be happy

                                  http://ngocbichvu.blogspot.com/ Behold, my happiness project.

Born just last October, this project started with great momentum with my "Now or Never" resolution and eventually tapered off with the challenge of my second resolution: Tackling Vulnerability.

One of my process goals was to find a new intention for this year. Ironically, my intention last year was my first resolution, and the intention for this year is my second resolution. Maybe resolutions aren't achieved in the short months or weeks, maybe each should be dedicated a year? I guess we'll have to see.

                                    I'm refocused and ready to roll.   
                                                                                      Hello again, vulnerability.

check. mate.

She scans her list. Checks it twice. 

Rinse and repeat.

I no longer post my buckets on this blog, but that doesn't mean I no longer have them. 

I have this tendency of neglecting this outlet when things in my life are peachy, and suffice to say, my inactivity on here is a good sign. I will, however, take my slight dip in spirits as an opportunity to pour my current state onto this blog.  As a result, my buckets are conveniently documented in my phone. I'm happy to admit that I have accomplished nearly all of the goals I've set in the last year.

 However, the continuation of these lists becomes difficult as I'm struggling to formulate new goals. 

The realization occurred to me as I was flipping through magazines to update my vision board. I quickly scanned my board, marveled in the pieces I've accomplished, and decided I would keep them on there. I searched through a full stack of magazines without finding anything to add to my vision. That's when it hit me : I don't know what to look for. Aside from wanting a better outlook or attitude, and making a difference in the world, I don't know what else I want.