Human Interaction

Felt the need to share Free People's photo because when I read it, it just rung so true and seemed to relatable to me that I figured maybe everyone feels the way I do! The picture says it all- "Our bonds with other people are exquisitely complex." They really hit the nail on the head with this one! We have so many dfferent types of relationships in our lives-  some good and some bad-  that our bonds become very intricate. Our ties to other people become complex but, indeed, exquisitely so! It is a beautiful thing, the way we as humans have interface with one another. There are so many levels of relationships we can have with others, and we must enjoy them all.

Purple Sushi, Who Knew?

NYC never ceases to amaze me. Same goes for the food there! I had the best, freshly-made sushi earlier! I don't know why it was purple, but it was tasty😋 Paired perfectly with my organic peach tea and my nice spot on the bench in Columbus Cirlcle! 

The Essentiality of the 'Ball Game Experience'

This is Citizens Bank Park, aka my home team's turf. The Philadelphia Phillies make little kids' dreams come true here. Think about it, isn't it the essential experience for a little kid to see a baseball game? And as you get older, the experience just continues to feel more welcomming. It's as if you belong there- you were meant to go see that game that night, whether they won or lost. And it's all about that American baseball game experience! It's all about eating the cheesesteak while watching your favorite batter up at bat (I realize the traditional ball park food is hot dogs, but here in Philly we eat cheesesteaks). The joy of seeing that 'liberty bell' light up when the Phillies score a homerun makes everyone in the stands somehow feel united in happiness. So go show some support for your local team and enjoy the ball park, and remember to "root, root, root for the home team!" 

Words to Live By

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” -Marrianne Williamson

How To Go About Life Knowing You're Doing the Right Thing

The trick to going about life and knowing you're doing the right thing is that you actually DON'T know. No one knows if what they are doing is necessarily "correct", but it may be what is best. There are no certain set of standards in which one should live their life by in order to determine that they are doing it all "right". Just do what is best for YOU, because in the end no one knows what is best for you to do besides you.

"Measurements"

I'm not really sure why we, as humans, feel the need to measure absolutely everything. Measuring is simply a way of relating every-day things to some made-up scale in order to be able to formulate an opinion on it. Measuring is simply another word for judging. When you think about it, almost everything is measured- from time, to money, to happiness. But who are we to measure happiness? Who are we to create this judgemental scale that determines the value of something? There is a commercial that states "Life is measured in moments," but why must it be measured at all? Just let it be. The world would be a better place if we didn't measure things, but simply let them be. Things (& people) are created to thrive as they are, not be measured and judged. No need for the comparisons of how everyone else measures up, just existing as you are. Or as your life is. Just let it be. Who created the opinions we base our measurements off of anyway?

Weather Does Not Determine Happiness!

You always hear people saying that they "hope the weather holds up" so they can go along with their plans for the day and have a good time doing so. People become too emotionally invested in the weather though. For instance, if a person is planning on going to a beach one day but it happens to rain that day, protocol is that consequently, the person will be sad. I am here to tell you that the weather DOES NOT CONTROL YOUR HAPPINESS! If people were more flexible with mother nature, then spiradic, weather-induced depression would not occur. Make the most of whatever situation you find yourself in. The chlichè "life is short!" & "everything happens for a reason!" are actually true here. Granite, certain weather conditions make certain activities more accessible-- but the last time I checked, "activities" don't provide true happiness; only people can do that. ^_^

Summer Nights

Cool weather, loosing track of time, genuinely enjoying time spent with friends, laughing until you can't breathe, and feeling like there is no other place you are meant to be besides right here, right now. Those are just a few of the characteristics of summer nights. They really are a beautiful thing, these warm nights that somehow magically bring people closer together. There's something about simply going and enjoying yourself with friends that really makes summer nights feel special. The warm weather and smell of life around you seeps into you and swims around your head to somehow make everything feel perfect and right in the world. All of a sudden, there is no tomorrow or yesterday, just right here & right now.

Happiness is Homemade

Today, when my family arrived back at home after a long weekend in Hershey, my mom said, "The best part of a vacation is comming home." She could not have been more right! Being away makes you really appreciate what you have at home. It makes you see how beautiful the simplicity of a night spent at home with the family is. On that note, happy Father's Day to my wonderful dad & grandpa, and to all the other dads put there!

Chocolate

Spending this weekend in Hershey with the family! The little brother has a soccer tournament here. This place is ideal for a soccer tournament actually, considering the park and Chocolate World are all right here :) And I must say, the freshly baked chocolate cookie I got from Chocolate World was one of the best things I haver ever tasted (next to my Nonna's home-made biscottis, of course ^_^). Let's hope I'm

not sick of chocolate by the time I leave Hershey...

Inspiration

Art is a beautiful thing. The way that a person can put something as intangible as emotion into physical form is absolutely awing. I love all forms of art, but I must admit that I am biased towards dance. I have been dancing since I was four years old, and have enjoyed every minute of it. Tonight was the opening night of a performance I was in. I must say, the feeling one gets when under those lights on stage never gets old. Something about the adrenaline rushing through your veins, the lights hot on your face, and sweat running down your back makes it all so thrilling. The months of stress, tears, and preparation finally seem worthwhile. You are giving the most vulnerable thing you have to the audience: your emotions. To be your own instrument of art is something sacred and beautiful.

The Importance of R&R

Everyone needs some down time to stay sane. I have yet to meet a single person who can constantly be on high gear without crashing. Rest is important for your body, so make sure you get enough of it! I know that personally, I could really use a vacation right about now. Actually, I just want to get away. I want to go somewhere far, far away....

Just Another Day

So much going on. Always running around. Never enough time in the day. Always someone you can't please. Does it ever end? I don't think so. It's all a part of the process we call life. Each minute is rushed through until there comes a point when we look back and regret not savoring it all. Not enough photos taken, not enough time spent laughing, not enough good done for the world, and not enough time spent on improving yourself. So take a minute just to stop and look around, and be grateful for your life and everyone in it.

My Own Little Looking Glass

You know, I've always wanted to have my own blog. I've always wanted some place where I can share my thoughts and ideas, as well as interesting things I happen to stumble upon some times! Okay some of you may be thinking "isn't that what Twitter is for?" ...but a blog is different! It is a completely customized inner expression of one's perspective on life. So that's all I'm here to do, share some of my own perspective in hopes of inspiring others out there. So I hope you enjoy my little dose of vision through my own little looking glass :)