One day at a time

♓ Pisces Pisceans tend to wear rose-colored glasses about their loved one in a relationship. This...

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 12:00:17 -0500

♓ Pisces Pisceans tend to wear rose-colored glasses about their loved one in a relationship. This can cause many of them to find themselves in self destructive relationships with horrible partners. Sometimes, in love, a Piscean doesn’t realize they can do better for themselves. Love has been the core of many of the Piscean fantasies

"When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too."

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 12:00:32 -0500

“When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.”

- Paulo Coelho (via onlinecounsellingcollege)

a very good lesson :o)

Sun, 13 Jan 2013 12:00:20 -0500

a very good lesson :o)

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Sat, 12 Jan 2013 12:00:30 -0500

whatwouldcarriesay: Big: Have you got a smoke? Carrie: I quit. Big: Oh we always used to share a...

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 12:00:24 -0500

whatwouldcarriesay:

Big: Have you got a smoke?

Carrie: I quit.

Big: Oh we always used to share a cigarette together…

Carrie: We did a lot of things that were bad for me together.

train-eat-sleep: The key here is ” learning”. Its a...

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 12:00:22 -0500

train-eat-sleep:

The key here is ” learning”. Its a process..its takes time and practice.

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Wed, 09 Jan 2013 12:00:11 -0500

"I’m stronger because I had to be. I’m smarter because of my mistakes. I’m happier because I’ve..."

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 12:00:14 -0500

“I’m stronger because I had to be. I’m smarter because of my mistakes. I’m happier because I’ve overcome the sadness I have known and I’m wiser because I’ve learned from my life.”

- Unknown (via onlinecounsellingcollege)

"How often you need the whole of my gentle hand on half of your face."

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 12:00:28 -0500

“How often you need
the whole of my gentle hand
on half of your face.”

- Daily Haiku on Love by Tyler Knott Gregson (via tylerknott)

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Sun, 06 Jan 2013 12:00:21 -0500

landscapelifescape: Kuala Lampur, Malaysia rushing out from the...

Sat, 05 Jan 2013 12:00:18 -0500

landscapelifescape:

Kuala Lampur, Malaysia

rushing out from the city (by acidsulfurik)

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Fri, 04 Jan 2013 12:00:31 -0500

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Thu, 03 Jan 2013 12:00:06 -0500

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Wed, 02 Jan 2013 12:00:07 -0500

Reflecting over 2012

Tue, 01 Jan 2013 22:29:05 -0500

2012 had been lovingly coined the “year of Jen” when someone special helped open my eyes that I consistently put others first, often sparing or neglecting my own happiness. It took me a while to realize how much of an issue this really was. In a sort of grade card fashion, I’d like to review the goals I’ve striven to reach this year and determine what goals I’d like to accomplish in 2013.

1. Reformulate my career: when I decided to leave the sales business, I felt empty. The relationships I had spent so much time in cultivating, the people I trusted implicitly, and those that I admired so much that I was willing to sacrifice everything and let them mold me to follow their business teachings - they all seemed to fade and disappear. I had no choice but to leave the business and it tore me to the core. All I could remember was a comment made when I was still in training, that those who leave the business are forgotten and to not be spoken of. I knew I missed the field of human resources so I set out on my search. I was blessed with an opportunity to learn aspects of the HR field that I hadn’t had the opportunity to master. In the short amount of time in the job, I’ve had the compliment of being added to committees or the point person for the company that really let me shine. I am excited for what 2013 holds for my career, and hope that I can continue to challenge myself and my peers and help our business grow.

2. Financial stability: I’m not sure if anyone around me really knew how much I was struggling financially a year ago. Being too proud to let anyone see me struggle, I tried to deal with it all on my own. Whether it be eating ramen noodles only each day, forgoing meals even, being behind on bills, having the electricity shut off on me. The choices I had made left me drowning in trouble. I was upset that I could not provide for myself a steady paycheck. I was upset that I had naively trusted those close to me to pay me back with money I lent them. I was upset that I was not where I wanted to be in life. I vowed to get back on my feet at the promise of a consistent paycheck. I paid off my debt to my closest childhood friend, who in another time of despair had been kind enough to allow a roof over my head even though I couldn’t pay my share at the time. I was desperate to ensure the money I owed her did not put a strain on our friendship. I had the same desperation to ensure I paid my father back for his generosity. I knew being out of work for a few years did not help his financial stability, but he was willing to help me move to Atlanta and bought me a bed after spending more than a year sleeping on the floor with a friend’s futon mattress. I was also dealing with the daunting debt I racked up for myself shortly after graduating from college. I even looked into bankruptcy after a debt settlement program did not work out for me. I decided to take it into my own hands, and after moving to Atlanta, I have been able to pay off two of my credit cards, and am on my way to have two more paid off in 2013 as well. I’m trying hard not to make rash decisions with my money and am trying to restore a savings account I depleted long ago.

3. Better Health: I gained so much weight after losing my mom that it just spiraled out of control. I was able to lose a fraction of it at a time but because of my habits and environment, would always gain it back. After hitting my heaviest weight in 2010, I knew I needed to change my habits. I was able to admit that I am an emotional eater. More importantly, I tend to eat when I’m numb, in order to feel something. I finally was mentally and emotionally ready to make the necessary changes in June. I spent 40 days without carbs, sugar, or dairy. What I could eat was limited and very specific, but it allowed me to shock my system, my mind and my habits, and gave me time to really learn what these foods do to my body. By August, I had lost almost 40 lbs, just over a third of my long term weight loss goal. I’ve spent the months since challenging and proving to myself that I can maintain the weight loss. I knew if I could, that I really could reach my long term slimmer weight and if I couldn’t, then I needed to spend more time fixing my emotional issues that attribute to my weight gain. I have been able to maintain the loss and look forward to moving forward with more weight loss in 2013. I did find it at times a true struggle to stay away from the trouble foods, such as when I had to purchase a loaf of Sourdough bread because it reminded me of my mom. In 2013, not only will I continue on my weight loss journey, but I must continue to work on the mental and emotional triggers that might cause me to lose focus.

On top of it all, I got treatment from the doctor for my knee pain. No doctor has been able to explain the pain, but this doctor took the time to test for nerve damage/reflexes and the tightness in my IT bands. I also took time to work on my neck and scalp, even electing for surgery. Anyone who knows me well can attest to my extreme fear of needles. I have even made jokes about avoiding life events that might require a stay in the hospital because that’s how much it terrifies me. So to elect for surgery, was a huge step for me.

4. Graduate School: Once I figured out and decided I needed to be back into the HR field, I decided I needed to get a master’s degree to catapult myself higher or further into the field. I researched Georgia and online schools and applied to Georgia State where I was accepted and started my first semester in August. It has been 6 years since I had to deal with exams, 15-25 page papers, and that extensive research. It was definitely a huge adjustment, but I am truly excited to be learning in a structured environment again and to be able to benefit in my career with this new knowledge.

5. Challenge myself: In July, I received a post card in the mail regarding a half marathon training program that benefited CCFA, the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. I’ve donated to CCFA off and on since college, so that explains why I was on their mailing list, but a half marathon was certainly not in my wheelhouse. I don’t know if it had been a different cause if I would have signed up as I did, but having friends who suffer from Crohn’s, this cause definitely hit home. I started training at the end of August. Every time I was able to add another mile and not die, it was my own personal victory. In early December, I traveled to Las Vegas and completed the 13.1 miles and lived to tell about it. Most importantly, the event was able to raise $4 for awareness and toward research for a cure. And I kinda want to do it again :o)

6. Relationships: I wanted to work on my relationships this year. After losing my Grandfather in Nov 2011, I wanted to grow closer with my father. I used to watch my father and grandfather interact and it was almost as if they were from the same cloth, so close with so much love emanating from their relationship. When my grandfather passed away, it was a wake up call that I don’t want to spend time chasing after goodness knows what and waste the time I have my father in my life. Moving to ATL has allowed me to see him more often, which has been a blessing. But our relationship has never been perfect, so I hope to continue to work on it in the coming year.

I also wanted to work on my friendships. Whether it be scheduling times for regular calls to catch up, girls weekend away, or reaching out to someone I’ve lost touch with… There’s still work to be done, but I’ve grown closer in some relationships and accepted the terms of others.

By accomplishing some of the goals listed above, I also wanted to work on my confidence and self-esteem. It’s often tough for me to accept compliments because I don’t see myself the same way. I know this has caused issues in my relationships in the past. I seem confident in my results in a professional capacity, but I constantly seek validation from my peers and supervisor. My psychology background would say this may come from a lack of praise as a kid…I don’t know how accurate that is - I know my mom was tough on me but loved on me a lot too. Regardless, I know I can’t let someone love me and have a successful relationship until I can truly love myself.

For 2013:

So in addition to the continuation of anything stated above, I’d also like to work on the following:

- truly write out my bucket list (thanks for my Christmas present Christine!)

- accomplish apartment living inside the perimeter in Atlanta

- build my credit back up

- start planning my 30th birthday bash

- take ballroom dance classes

- continue to volunteer and give back to the community

- get caught up on my reading list

- have a crap ton of laughs and fun!

I am truly excited for 2013. I think I’ve gotten myself to a place where I have a solid foundation and now I can just build up from there. Bring it on!

"Love is more than three words mumbled before bedtime. Love is sutained by action, a pattern of..."

Tue, 01 Jan 2013 12:00:24 -0500

“Love is more than three words mumbled before bedtime. Love is sutained by action, a pattern of devotion in things we do for each other every day.”

- Nicholas Sparks

"Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better..."

Mon, 31 Dec 2012 13:21:54 -0500

“Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.”

- Benjamin Franklin (via apoplecticskeptic)

Lessons we can Learn from Steve Jobs

Mon, 31 Dec 2012 12:00:11 -0500

psych-facts:

onlinecounsellingcollege:

1. You make your own life. Steve Jobs had a tough start in life. He wasn’t born into a privileged family and experienced many serious blows in life. However, instead of complaining or becoming a victim he created the life he wanted to have.

2. Life rewards people who dream big dreams. When other people thought things couldn’t be changed, he saw this as merely an opportunity to dream big dreams, and to create something new.

3. It doesn’t really matter who you are or where you are. The thing that matters most is that step out and do something! For example, Steve Jobs developed Apple in his parents’ garage, when no-one knew or cared who he was.

4. It’s not only qualifications that matter. According to Jobs (who didn’t finish his degree) perseverance matters more than certification. Of course, having both is an advantage in life but there are lots of billionaires who succeed for other reasons. For example, working hard and being creative are key components, too.

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zodiacchic: ZodiacChic Post:Pisces True.

Sun, 30 Dec 2012 12:00:20 -0500

zodiacchic:

ZodiacChic Post:Pisces

True.

theworldwelivein: Bora Bora Golden Sunset (by vgm8383)

Sat, 29 Dec 2012 12:00:25 -0500

theworldwelivein:

Bora Bora Golden Sunset (by vgm8383)