Posts Tagged "grateful"

Thank You Thank You Thank You….

Posted by Elle on Nov 21, 2012 | 0 comments

It seems appropriate that I should spend this post in gratefulness before heading off to a weekend of complete contentment. I mean this life is pretty darn good. For starters, my friends are absolutely incredible. I know everyone says that, but for me, for the first time in my life I have friends worth sticking around for. I was always in awe of people that have known each other for life. People that grew-up together, shared memories with each other, stayed friends despite sporting eye patches, bowl cuts, or ridiculously large glasses. We were children of the 90′s and anyone that managed to get through that decade together were the epitome of best friends forever.

We moved a lot which meant that I started over a ton. I went to three elementary schools, two middle schools, two high schools, and two colleges. I loved it to be honest. I never felt like I was missing out and loved each opportunity to reinvent myself. Maybe I had more gusto in one place or was more reserved in another. Sometimes I was blonde, brunette, or (unfortunately) red-headed. Sometimes I wore belly shirts, backless shirts, or Jnco jeans (Don’t judge, I told you this was the 90′s). I even changed my nickname a time or two, since hey, no one knew the old Elle from that last state. The drawback to this lifestyle, as it turns out, was friends. When my husband and I moved to California three years ago, we were starting fresh again- another do-over. Thankfully, this time has been different. The friends I have now are the kind worth sticking around for. They are adventurous, hilarious, imaginative, and inappropriate. We talk about everything from cannibalism to menstrual cycles and have been known to start an entire company in the span of an hour. They are my brain-trust, support, and inspiration. I can finally say I know what the fuss is all about and for that I am extremely grateful.

Then there is my family! Man are they awesome! We sing together, dance to Broadway tunes, and #tweetwhilesittingnexttoeachother. We are big fans of a cozy Sunday and nothing keeps us all from wearing our giant blankets out into the living room. (A reminder to the family that I started this trend loooooong before Luke made it all the rage). We love crossword puzzles even though, let’s face it, Dad gives us all the answers. Mom makes us all lattes and sometimes busts a move in the kitchen while she’s at it. They are a pretty awesome crew if I do say so myself and I can’t wait to see them all tonight!

My brother Luke colors on the walls, dumps out the cereal boxes, and climbs the fridge to get at that last cupcake. He’s the entertainment and also the troublemaker. I’m not sure what the rest of us would do without him since he bears the brunt of the sister kisses and knows he can get his way with a few, well placed “I love you’s” and “You’re my favorite sister’s”. He knows how to work the crowd.

My sisters are both gorgeous and I would love to spend every day with them if I could. One shares my affinity for show-tunes  the other my obsession with Lululemon, and all three of us just can’t get enough of a good paranormal romance novel from the young adult section. This weekend we will venture out to see the final installment of the Twilight movies and I am so grateful to have the sisters to do that with (Team Edward!)

And have you seen my husband? What a hunk! I absolutely adore that he plays batman with my brother, tells me I’m beautiful when I look like a hot mess, cleans the dishes when I manage to toss food on the ceiling, and believes with all his heart that I will succeed. I love how he wears his new gear the second he bought it and that he manages to think about camper vans 24-7. I love that he hacks into my blog from time to time to read what I’ve written about him and still doesn’t make me take it all down. Put simply, he is my favorite husband on the planet. Even as I write this he is simultaneously giving me leg-tickles and booking our trip to Hawaii. The man is just perfect for me.

I’m also grateful for this calling. The ability to fulfill my purpose in life. Through this blog, this business, this community that is beginning to form around what I have created, I know a fire is starting. I’m so grateful for those of you who have been reading my blog and sending positive vibrations my way. Without you none of this work would be worthwhile. Thank you.

Finally, I’m grateful to God since I realize that all of the above is a gift. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

P.S. I didn’t include any photos of my friends because I don’t know which of you are comfortable with me sharing your beauty with the rest of the world. Any takers?

Living the Dream

Posted by Elle on Aug 8, 2012 | 2 comments

I’m so content it is ridiculous. I contemplated writing to you about lifestyle planning this morning, but instead I just want to be thankful. I’m sitting here right now looking over my balcony at a gorgeous view watching my husband make himself a milkshake since he doesn’t know how to cook himself breakfast. We are listening to the Jack Johnson Pandora station and working on our laptops. And we are sooooo happy. In a few hours I’m going to head to a job I love and then I’m going to come home and work on another job I love. This one. Happy Yogis. I love writing this blog. I love teaching yoga and am stoked that I get to do it again. I am really excited about wellness coaching and to begin working with clients to help them with their health and happiness. I am so fortunate that I can do all of these things at once.

Chris Guillebeau was right when he said “Personally, I like work. I believe in a 168-hour workweek that is filled with activities I love. A few hours of sleep can be thrown in if necessary.” I totally subscribe to this philosophy. I used to think that I wanted to work less. It turns out what I really want is to work more. I want to work on things I am passionate about. I want to fulfill a calling in my life. I want to serve others, volunteer, be the change I wish to see in the world. I believe all that! And I have the ability to do all of it! How amazing is that?

I am loving in a world (I meant to say “living” but the typo sounds better) where I get to say “I’m a marketing executive, wellness coach, yoga instructor, & youth minister.” My life is full, but well lived. Sure I have dreams, and I am a crazy planner so goodness knows that my life will change in many radical ways along its course, but I’m also living dreams. Right now. I’m both pursuing and living my passions. I’m no longer one of those people who says “I always wanted to…” I’m a person that does! I love that about myself. And I love that my husband is right there with me for every adventure. He listens as I play the harp in the morning, runs with me when we are training for a race, goes to church with me when I need some spiritual guidance, and dreams enough about Sportsmobiles for the both of us.

Tomorrow we get to leave together for the adventure of a lifetime. Along with my sister and brother-in-law we are running the Lululemon SeaWheeze Half-Marathon in Vancouver B.C. The run itself will be amazing, Lulu has so many fun activities planned. But afterward my husband and I are going to trip it around to Vancouver Island, Squamish, and ultimately Whistler. We are going to kayak with the whales, sleep in a tree-house, stay at a Bed n’ Brewery, and take the famous gondola in the Olympic Village. I’m going to annoy my husband by talking about future vacations while on a vacation (I can’t help myself) and we are going to dream about our lives even more. However, while we do all of these things, I am going to realize that we have it made. We are living the dream.

When I come back from my trip I will be surrounded by some of the most beautiful people on earth. I will get to see every one of my family members in the next couple months (including some much-needed lil sis and bro time), I will get to attend fabulous lunch dates with the best girlfriends I have ever had in my life, and husband and I will get to enjoy paradise with the gorgeous and adventurous friends we have met in our beautiful hometown. At this moment in my life, I truly couldn’t ask for more. I can’t even think of one request that I have for God. I’m all requested out. I have everything I could ever want or need and I am so grateful for that!

So finally, I want to thank you: for reading my blog which is yet another outlet of my own energy. Sometimes I come here and write about my frustration or confusion. Sometimes I write about my plans or dreams. No matter where my mind wanders when I’m writing this blog, I’m grateful that you listen. It is a good life. Thank you for being apart of it!

Image Credit: Om… by Lululemon Athletica

Be Grateful Everyday

Posted by Elle on May 8, 2012 | 0 comments

Ahhh I love so much when reoccurring themes pop up in my life. I popped onto my computer last night to find that two of my favorite blogs were on the same topic- and its one I needed desperately to hear. If I told you to simply BE GRATEFUL, you probably wouldn’t give it a second thought. Absent-mindedly you’d think, yeah I know. That’s what I thought too!

Listening is new to me right now. I’ve heard the same things over and over again without absorbing them. It’s like when you read a full-page of your book only to realize you didn’t actually comprehend it. That’s what I’ve been doing with gratefulness. Earlier in the week I listened to a podcast about it, considered buying a book about it at Barnes and Noble, in fact, all the time I think about how grateful I am for my life! Yet it wasn’t until last night that it all clicked into place. I simply needed perspective.

Smile with your Heart- a blog by an adventurous nurse with awesome zeal, posted an incredibly blunt article chronicling the emotions behind her recent trip to Haiti. Having seen true hope in the face of despair, she no longer has it in herself to feel sorry for a man who is impatient with airport security. YET- how many times have I been that airport security man? (ok woman, but you get my drift). How many times have I near about cried because my hot chocolate fell off my car as I pulled out of my driveway? How many times have I felt upset or troubled because a food product was manufactured alongside gluten (which I’m allergic to)? Talk about first world problems! (LITERALLY!).

Now this morning, I find that my awesome friend and co-Young Life leader wrote a post about being grateful while writing an excruciating term paper! Talk about hammering the point in!! (I GOT IT!! Thanks for the message!). Did you ever see the movie Bruce Almighty? I’ve always related to the moment when he is crying out for a sign and a truck full of signs pulls in front of him. He still doesn’t get it. Yep that’s me! Once again it all comes back to listening. It’s time to crack my ears open and stop being the one to chatter. Apparently big things are in the works here. I’m all ears!!

So how to be more grateful? Appreciate what I have, which is A LOT! I love my job, which is actually not very common. My husband travels quite a bit, which affords me time for all my Young Lifers. I used clean water in my tea this morning, which many countries don’t even have access to. I put a shirt on this morning that I haven’t even worn before while many people only have one (if that). I brushed my teeth this morning with fluoride hardly realizing that without that my teeth would have rotted out before the age of 18. There are so many large and itty-bitty things that I am thankful for, and remembering all of those things can make a HUGE difference! Afterall, some of the most desolate and poverty ridden countries are full of some of the most grateful and hopeful people on earth. Who am I to not feel the same way despite having so much?

It’s a beautiful life, and I plan on living and loving every second of it!