Dream Big enough to be afraid but small enough to accomplish! My dreams are so big that sometimes I don't even know where to start, but one thing I know, God will make a way! 

Month of March "Prompt Me" Photo Journey Day 13:

"Prompt Me" Photo Journey Day 13:

After such a bold move in the last prompt me photo, I think today's prompt will be simple.

So Today's "Prompt Me" Photo Journey is to enjoy the little things in life.  As much as a cliché as it may be, stop and smell the roses, take a walk and notice the city and all it has to offer. Cherish an embrace of a loved one, sleep in a few extra minutes in the weekends. Notice how much your dog misses you even after you've left her alone all day! Feel the sun warm your face; savor that hot cup of tea, coffee or coco.  Life is made up of a series of moments, some good, and some bad but within each moment, there is something to cherish, notice and applaud.

“It’s the little things that make the bigger things matter”. 

Month of March "Prompt Me" Photo Journey Day 10:

Prompt Me" Photo Journey Day 10: 

If your still following along then first Congrats to you for sticking with the journey! Out last photo prompt was one of sweet goodness!  So now were going to take a different look at life and head towards a path that involves future planning!

Today's photo prompt is all about putting something on the calendar and actually getting it done and I don't mean your taxes or going to the dentist for a checkup which by the way, I'm over due for! Nope, what I'm talking about is putting something on your calendar that you have been meaning to do like visit the space needle, spend the weekend at that quaint little bed and breakfast not too far from that cure little cafe you'd love to stop in or maybe taking that all girls weekend trip to Vegas and taking a spa day. Even applying to that University that you'd love to attend or applying to your dream job, all these things count! Whatever it is, stop daydreaming about it and start taking steps towards actually getting there. For me, I have been dreaming for over 10 years about writing a book and becoming a legit writer but I always put it on the back burner for life's other demands. If I could start all over again, I wouldn't wait, I'd do it now

Fear sometimes paralyses us and makes us turn away from our dreams, I dear you to confront them and grab the bull by the horns! 

Month of March "Prompt Me" Photo Journey Day 9:

"Prompt Me" Photo Journey - Day 9:


This journey has taken us up  all sorts of interesting hills and allowed us to defeat battles within and around our current self's and in our lives, but all for the good! I'm right there with you taking every prompt as seriously as I hope you are! It's inspiring to know we are not alone and we can depend on each other, you can post your stories, share your insights and lessons learned along the way, that's what I'm here for! So your last prompt was sorta fun and since I just posted it yesterday I don't expect that you all have been able to complete this already but when you do, here's a tip! Combine the prompt to from a few weeks ago and try cooking something for your guests if your hosting a brunch/lunch/dinner at your home!

That takes care of 2 prompts at once and if it turns out badly, just let them know your on a journey and this was one of the tasks assigned, feel free to pull up my site and show them for proof! They'll totally let it slide and you'll be off the hook! But let's hope for the best and assume that if you do cook, and that everything will be fabulous!

Today's promote is to Go Green and just in time for St. Patty' Day next week!   Plant a tree or even better, go out and pick up a small household plant to place in your room, kitchen office or anywhere you'd like.  Not only do plants provide fresh oxygen but they liven up a dull desk or work space. I have 2 plants on my desk at work. Just their presence makes me feel so much better during a long and hectic day! If you don't have a place at home or the office for your plant then here's an idea, locate a nearby park or space that has trees and plants and try to visit this space each day. In a study,  residents of a high rise apartment building with a view of greenery reported a higher feeling of overall happiness and satisfaction in life and in their place of residence whereas residences with no view or a view of other buildings reported feeling a lower quality in life.  How interesting is that! We are all part of nature and it helps us improve our moods and feelings!

"Plants don't take as much efforts to keep alive as pets do so why not shot for a Bamboo or bonsai tree!"
 

Month of March "Prompt Me" Photo Journey Day 8:

“Prompt Me” Photo Journey - Day 8:

We've been on this journey together for 8 days now and though that might not seem like a long time, it’s been long enough to at least discover 1 thing about yourself!  If you need to start over or redo a prompt day, that's fine and great!  Challenging yourself will be a lesson in itself!  And remember that my photo prompts can be interpreted anyway you'd like!  Take my suggestions or go another route, the important thing is to use the photos provided to promote some sort of change in your life!

Today's photo prompt is to plan a brunch or lunch with friends, family or co-workers!  Now that you've had time alone, go spend some much needed time with your loved one or those you can at least stand!  Talking and eating are wonderful but doing them together with people who make us laugh makes it all worth it! So your task for today is to plan a brunch, lunch, dinner or cocktail or afternoon tea meet-up! 

I have a friend who plans a monthly brunch at her home and invite all her close friends and family, the only stipulation was that each person had to agree to bring one thing and they all gathered in the kitchen, cooked, drink a bit a wine and laughed... It often times tuned into an all day event but no need to go that far unless you’re having too much fun to stop!  If you live in a dorm or in a small place then just call ahead and reserve a table for brunch!  

“Spending time with others create laughter and joy! Enjoy those who love you and love them back!”

Month of March "Prompt Me" Photo Journey Day 7:

“Prompt Me” Photos Day 7:

Still hearing raves about that home cooked meal you made! Great because this journey is meant to take you to places you never thought you'd venture into, like the kitchen!! Maybe you found a joy in the time you spent cooking and now you want to cook 3 times a week or maybe you almost burned the house down and will never cook again but look at it this way, you have a great story to tell at parties and you can now say that you've made a home cooked meal so your two for two! That's what all of this is about, figuring out what clicks and sticks and what brings out the worst in you! We don't often know ourselves as much as we'd like to think we do!

Today's "Prompt Me" photo is to spend the day with yourself!  Boring you say? Well maybe you’re a people person and you love to be with others but let me tell you something, spending time along is really the only way you will ever get to know who you are and what you like, it’s very therapeutic for the soul! People are great and it's nice to have friends and family to spend time with but if you're never really by yourself, how do you know if you really like going bowling or hitting up that Greek spot you always meet your friends at? Maybe you’re doing it because everyone else thought it would be fun so tot be agreeable you just went along with the crowd. Time spend alone is valuable and teaches us how to make decisions on our own about the things that most make us happy! 

If you have a family or children and find it difficult to find time alone then create a time at night when you require 30 minutes of "me time" tell your family that you need this time and ask that they be understanding, if they love you, they will. If you’re a working single parent and this is out of the question, then how about instead of going to lunch with the girls/guys, go by yourself, take a book along or just go and linger, think quietly and eat in peace! 

“It's a mini vacation away from your life, responsibilities and will allow you to feel refreshed!”

Month of March "Prompt Me" Photo Journey Day 6:

"Prompt Me" Photo Journey Day 6:

Excited to see what new journey you'll be taking today? Well, this entire process is learning more about yourself and what you want to do, what makes you happy and what you may not like. Life has an interesting way of making us think that the life we're living is the life we want but that's only because we may just be so sue to the routine of it that we never really stopped to consider if we're actually happy!? Humans by nature need structure and a set pattern but that does not mean that we can't change and add to that routine! I personally hate routines and need change in order to fully be happy which is why I created this project, I know I'm not alone in this hate for change so I wanted to get you all thinking about your own lives and how you could change things and make existence that much better!

Today's "Prompt Me" photo is to cook a great meal! Don't worry if it’s just you who will be eating it, that doesn't matter, all that matters is that you’re not ordering take-out or popping a microwave dinner in! Coking can stimulate your soul and help to release stress and aids in the creative process. We as Americans eat out far too often, New Yorker's use their stoves as a storage location for crying out loud! I'm guilty of it myself, popping in a quick meal in the microwave while I do ten others things is just not healthy!  If you don't know how to cook, don't stress, there are way too many easy and quick recipes online and in magazines these days so start with something simple like Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo or a great grilled cheese sandwich with Goat cheese avocados and bacon! 

“Eating is a joy, sharing a home cooked meal with the ones you love creates a whole new experience that you can't get while ordering take-out and eating in front of the TV!”

Month of March "Prompt Me" Photo Journey Day 5:

"Prompt Me" Photo Journey Day 5:

Wow, were moving right along in our "Prompt Me" Photo Journey". Yesterday you were given a photo that should have helped prompt a more organized you or at least helped you to redecorate/reorganize a space or room in your home or at work. I cleared away a clutter of papers at my office and then cleaned my home office and donated 20 books to Goodwill! I felt so much better seeing all that freed up space and my desk at work does not feel so closed in now that I organized my papers and files!

Today's "Prompt Me" photo is to pick up a new hobby or to try something that you've always told yourself you'd but never had the time! Take a photography class, start scrap-booking, sign up for a yoga or workout class and actually go! Or take an evening acting or cooking class! If your schedule or family time does not allow for this then why not just take 1 hour each weekend and do something that you want to do like take a walk with your camera and snap photos as you go, or remember that blank journal you purchased 3 months ago with every intention to write in it? Well, what's stopping you?  This prompt is dedicated to helping you do 1 thing that you've wanted to do but for one reason or another have put it off! 

Take time for yourself and discover something that you didn't know!

Month of March "Prompt Me" Photo Journey Day 4:

"Prompt Me" Photo Journey Day 4:

I hope your path took you on a great journey and you were able to discover something new and exciting! Sometimes by trying something new, we find treasure that we never thought we would! Secret, special treasures that touch our hearts and minds! 

Today's Photo Prompt is to get organized or redecorate a room or just a small space in your home! Physical organization helps to clear out mental clutter. Seeing a clean space can promote clearer thoughts in general. If you don't have a specific room that you can organize or redecorate then just rearrange your desk, your bookshelf, your photo album or your bathroom closet! 

 "Create a space that draws you in and makes you want to spend more time there!" 

Remember you can take my suggestions or come up with some of your own! Share them here if you want! 

Month of March "Prompt Me" Photo Journey Day 3:

"Prompt Me" Photo Journey Day 3:

Hopefully you were able to find a book to start reading and if you weren’t that's perfectly fine. You can start any step of this project at any time. You don't have to follow the prompts in any kind of order, mix and match if you see fit but try to complete most if not all of the prompts.

Today's prompt is to take a different path to or from work, school, home or where ever it is that you’re headed! We get so use to the same old routine in life that by doing the something’s every day we often miss out on something great. If you live somewhere that does not allow you to take a new route then how about just taking a walk on your lunch break and try walking down a street that you've never been down before! I did this and discovered 2 new cafes that I never knew existed until I took a road less traveled by me! 

Enjoy your adventure as you travel a new path!   

Month of March "Prompt Me" Photo Journey Day 2:

"Prompt Me" Photo Journey Day 2:

I hope you all enjoyed the fits prompt me photo and I know that you can't just run out and buy a pet if space is limited in your home, you have allergies, or time & money do not permit you to make such a drastic life change so if this prompt was a task you were unable to accomplish, don't worry I have plenty more that won't require such commitment.

Today's prompt is to start reading a book or if you’re already reading a book, make a vow to finish it and start another one. Reading stimulates the mind and is like taking an adventure but without all the flight and hotel booking hassle! I'm currently in the process of reading a book a week or every two weeks (time permitting).  So far it’s proved to be exciting and I'm learning so much! 

“Read until your heart’s content!”

Month of March "Prompt Me" Photo Journey Day 1:

"Prompt Me" Photo Journey Day 1:

Over the next week or so I am going to post "Prompt Me" photos that will hopefully prompt you to go out on a limb and try something new in your life. Studies show that embarking on a new adventure or stepping out of your comfort zone can do a lot for your health as well as promote happiness and change your perspective on life and how you respond to things so feel free to join in the Month of March "Prompt Me" photo journey! I hope you learn something new about yourself!

There are 15 challenges in this journey which will help you to rediscover your passions, renew your life and become just a little bit better than before you started!

Adopt a pet or if you already have a pet, spend some one-on-one time with them. Animals promote inner happiness in humans. Also people with pets have reported an overall higher sense of happiness and tend to have longer lives. 

If you live in a small space, a dorm are just do not have the time or money for a pet then why not try a fish, small bird or a hamster. These all demand little time and commitment. Since I don't promote neglecting animals, I would suggest that if you do not have the time to spend with your pet, try getting a plant then take the next step! Other options: Visit a petting zoo, volunteer at an animal shelter and spend time around the animals, or if all else fails, try a Chai-Pet! 

The glory of this project is that you can take the suggestion I offer or you can interpret the photos however you'd like as long as it falls into some similar situation as the items in the photo. 

Good luck!

The Four Step Program for finding Your Eudemonia (Happiness):

Eudemonia (Happiness)is a Greek word commonly translated as happiness, however "human flourishing" is a more accurate translation. Eudemonia has links between virtue of character and happiness (eudaimonia) and is one of the central preoccupations of ancient ethics.

1.) Rewiring your emotions and your reactions: Get to the core of your issues or problems - Our lives consist of daily and sometimes long term, ongoing issues and problems. From the smallest to the biggest things it can really bring us down. No matter what problem we fix, there is always going to be a new one right around the horizon. Some issues are so big that they enable us to enter a fight or flight response. In this state we seem to disassociate ourselves and other things can emerge like rage, anger and hate… The very things I want you all to stay away from. What we must do is learn to rebuild the capacity to regulate our emotions. Our brains have to learn to rewire itself and this takes time.

2.) Realize that your vices are not a weakness: Reality is a state of being but the way we actually feel about is a completely different story. Most people are trying to escape their reality and their feelings associated with how their reality makes them feel. Pleas stop doing this and realize that we can change our realities by facing it and conquering it. When you allow your vices or reality to take control and alter the balance of what your life should be or your mental or physical well being, this is when we allow our vices/reality to become problematic. This is not exactly weakness but more of a frailty. Over come and face your reality, change it and become strong again. This is enables you to be the person you were meant to be.

3.) Find ways to be of service: As humans we have a wonderful ability called empathy. We use our bodies to absorb and tune into another persons feelings. This is truly an intimacy that we should utilize to connect with others ultimately to help ourselves by helping others. Unfortunately this is also a virtue that is becoming extinct in the modern age of technology and the culture of our world today. We need to start reconnecting to those around us, listening and caring. The simplest act of giving and gratitude makes our souls and our bodies healthy.

4.) Aristotle believed that real happiness is achieved by living a good life and by good life I don’t mean one of riches and fame. No, what I’m referring to is a life filled with nurturing, filled with substance and that is real. Since Aristotle also believed that everything progresses towards its greater goal, like rocks fall and fire goes up. However, our society is consumed with the falsity that we must be filled with happiness at all times, but think about this, a heroin addict feels this way when they take their first hit and then tends to believe this to be true thus making them an addict. Real happiness is about feeling nourished, fulfilled, and creating your life to mean something real, that you believe in.

Today I wanted to focus on love and not love in the sense that makes you think of Romeo and Juliet or Valentines Day, roses or even hot dates…  Nope, today I want to talk about a love for things or moments that make your life so much better. Yes, the love we have for family and friends makes our life great but I’m talking about the category of love for the small things that speak to your heart, that some how makes your day so much better and that can it worth getting out of bed for…

Our lives are broken up into small moments and when put together; they all sort of make the bigger picture. There are some moments that are epic and some not so much but in the midst of everything, we find pleasure in the smaller things, some that we absolutely love! For me, watching a sunset on the beach or hearing the rain beat against my window seal on a Sunday afternoon is like no other pleasure in this world…

I am one of those people who actually stops to smell the roses and notice the birds nest in the tree in my front yard.  Or takes the time to small the wind as it blows on my face. I love life and it’s because I take notice to these free gifts that I am such a joyous person!

When the weather first started to change, I remember seeing the very first flower of the season and feeling a wonderful sense of joy! It was purple and so tiny but to me it represented something so much bigger and held so much beauty. These are the things I refer to when I say “the love of things that make our lives so much better”.

If you’re a person who rarely finds time for the little things of life maybe it’s about time you did.  Doing this not only opens your eyes to new experiences but it also makes your day so much better.

Challenge for today: Find at least one thing that you love, one small thing that made you smile, maybe you heard a bird sing in the morning or perhaps it was a rainbow after a storm. Maybe it was the smell of flowers or some other small thing…  It doesn’t matter what it is, but it matters that you take notice.

Just start to pay attention and you will discover a world that you have been too busy to be a part of! Smile when you have this experience and enjoy the moment while you can!