Inspirations for April 2014

This month I've decided to post about things that inspired me to keep chugging. These things and people have unknowingly kept a constant light in my life, so I'd like to share a little about each one:

#100HappyDays:

On the first day of this month, I decided to go ahead and accept the challenge of finding at least one thing to be happy about for 100 days. My first day, I posted one sentence about having strawberry banana jello for dessert. Now, I may post two or three posts in one day with that #100HappyDays tag, followed by a long paragraph listing everything I appreciated that day.

This site claims many things if you follow through this whole challenge. I may not be able to vouch for all of it, but I can say that it has helped with my mood. Now I automatically try to look for the more positive side of things. To be honest, I don't remember when my last melancholy and sullen day was! I'd say that's a huge hurdle to overcome within itself.

Alexandra Elle:

This 24-year-old woman is a beautiful, and inspiring soul who shares her everyday struggles and strengths with the rest of the world. She has gotten to the point where she has become her own boss by building her own brand, is a mother of a little sprouting girl, and is also an author.

The first things I saw from her a year or two ago were quotes sprinkled all across Tumblr. She'd write brief diary entries to herself, self-righteous, strong posts that spoke on a lot of levels. As she grew, she posted all of her impactful words into a book a few months ago, and she's finishing up book two. She has many social media sites where she has posted many, many gorgeous photos of her life and food she has put together. Recently, she has become vegan, and the food and drinks she puts up are always so gorgeous. I love that supports local and small businesses, too.

She just keeps growing, and growing! It is much-deserved, because you can tell how hard she works. The end product is always something beautiful and inspiring.

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I ran across this post on her instagram, and it really hit home for me.

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I'm sure at least her website is over on my inspiration bar to the left, but here are all of her links that I know of:

Instagram: http://instagram.com/alex_elle

Breakfast with Alex blog: http://breakfastwithalex.com

Her book, Words from a Wanderer: https://www.createspace.com/4270960

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AisforALEX

Rachel Brathen:

A friend introduced me to this yogi named Rachel. I ran across her at a sullen time, though. Her soul sister had died in a car crash and her posts were beautifully-written ones filled with stories that draw you in. It was such a crazy situation... At the same time her best, best, best friend crashed, Rachel collapsed at the airport in pain. I think her appendix ruptured, but for it to happen then and to see the tremendous love that they shared... I truly believe a part of her died within that moment.

Here's a peak at a post she did on Instagram a day or so ago. How deep she gets into her writings is a God-given talent.

She likes making short spurts of inspirations, too. Just scrolling through Instagram and coming across short words of inspiration have radiated in my spirit all throughout this month.

Her life-- internal and external content-- is stunning.

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I love her Instagram and blog, so I shall share those two things:

Blog: http://rachelbrathen.com/blog/page/2/

Instagram: http://instagram.com/yoga_girl

Happiness is in Overlooked Shadows

I started finding beauty in everything this morning at 5:30am while eating steak and BBQ chips. 

I had taken a nap, overslept, and was too alert to sleep. But within those quiet hours I saw everything as something to be excited about and grateful for. 

Google Map made a Pokémon map with catchable Pokémon, and I was grateful for a phone that allowed me to enjoy that little treat. 

I was up during a five-episode Space Ghost Coast to Coast marathon, which I loved. 

I let my mind wonder, and thought of the possibility that someone out there does like me, and for once I'd like them too.

It's not a top priority, but there's some (realistic, I might add) hope that things will turn out soon enough in the love department. 

Sometimes I long for so much, and try to just reminisce without becoming bitter and/or frustrated...  

But some days it can be easier said than done.

Now though, I can think about seeing the love for me in someone else's eyes without laughing at the thought. 

I can truly believe that someday I'll be able to make someone my muse again; so filled with love that I begin to ache, and can do nothing about it but write it out. 

I miss those days, but I'm grateful that my heavy heart aches with a purpose and no longer is considered a weak burden of mine.

So in celebration of having this content calmness wash over me, I've decided to take on the 100 Happy Days Challenge.

This challenge found here wants you to find at least ONE thing that made you happy that day, for 100 days. You can make it as private or public as you want (tagging, written, pictures, etc). The site also lists positive benefits from doing this challenge.

To me, you become more aware of your blessings when you've begun to look for them more consistently. And it is said you can develop a new habit if you practice it at least 21 days in a row?

Make the ability to find happiness a habit.

Happy Blessing No. 1: Soft strawberry banana jello for dessert.