Turquoise and Orange

Happy Wednesday! You have probably noticed me slacking a bit in my posts, but I would rather post thought provoking quality content less often than post garbage. I hope you understand.  I am thrilled you have been enjoying my recent posts and you will see more content about life because it is what I love to write and talk about.  

Today I am wearing a vibrant turquoise blazer I got at my local thrift shop for $2.00.  Such a great find and versatile too! Thrifting can be quite addictive, but I definitely think in this economy, shopping your closet and thrift stores is a great way to be financially savvy and stylish. What I love about thrift shops is that you can find so many unique pieces and many times brand new items with tags still on for unbelievable prices. Do you like thrifting? What are some of your favorite thrift stores?

a nude pump is so versatile

I usually wear this beautiful orange Dereon bag quite a bit in the summer, but I am getting into the habit of remixing spring and summer items and wearing them all year long

Blazer: Goodwill, Purse: Dereon, Pumps: F-21, Chains: first one vintage, second one is a chain I took off of an old handbag.

Have a great day!

A Heart That Forgives

It is ironic that I find myself writing about forgiveness when I just watched a television show about revenge. The new breakout series from ABC "Revenge" had me on the edge of my seat. I ate popcorn and watched episodes on Netflix.  I even found myself rooting for the shows main character Emily Thorne as she went on a quest to take down those that caused so much pain and suffering in her life.  

And then long after the credits rolled and I powered off the television, I thought about how much time and energy it requires to make your life's mission revenge against another person. It takes a lot of energy that can be directed to positive things rather than a pursuit that requires you to dig two graves.

Forgiving is hard.  A heart that forgives requires more stamina and strength than bending wrought iron with your bare hands.  But in the process you set free the prisoner that was yourself. There is nothing more liberating than forgiving someone who has done you wrong. It is not for them, it is for you. Don't waste your time thinking about revenge because God says vengeance is his. 

I have been thinking a lot about forgiveness lately.  I was spending some time with a new friend and we were talking about our lives. I began sharing a little bit about my life with my new friend. When I finished talking she was visibly angry, pissed off is more like it. My friend took on my pain in a way that only someone with true empathy could. For a moment she allowed herself to walk in my shoes. She felt everything I was describing as if it happened to her. I saw her frown and then her eyes welled up with tears.

 She asked me how could I be so calm and so forgiving to those who have wronged me and impacted my life in such a negative way and  I told her that I did not want to waste my life being angry and bitter at people. 

Forgiving someone does not mean you automatically feel better. At times when I cross paths with those who have plotted against me, lied on me, smiled in my face and took a machete to my back, it still stings. You can forgive, but forgetting is like trying to vacuum your mind. People toss around the phrase forgive and forget like its a frisbee, but in reality sometimes you never forget. It is ok to be angry, sad or whatever emotion emotion you feel. You have to sit with it for a moment and own that feeling before you can release it and let it go.

How can you forgive when it hurts so bad? Imagine trusting someone with  your life and then they try to take it from you? Sharing dreams and secrets and they use it against you? Or they wipe their feet on your heart? Or worst of all, they give you the Judas kiss, which is the ultimate act of betrayal.  What do you do?

You forgive...

Have you ever had to forgive someone who hurt you so deeply that you thought you would never heal?

A heart that forgives is a heart that lives...

It

The Best Guacamole!

Guacamole is one of my favorite appetizers. It is easy to make, delicious and a great snack or accompaniment to your favorite Mexican dishes.  This recipe is the perfect blend of smooth and creamy and just the right amount of spice. Try with your favorite tortilla chips and an icy margarita:-)

Ingredients 

3 Avocados peeled, pitted and mashed

1 lime juiced

1/4 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup chopped green onion

3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

2 Roma Tomatoes diced

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions

In a medium bowl, combine the mashed avocados with lime juice and salt. Combine onion, cilantro, tomatoes, garlic and Cayenne pepper.  Refrigerate 1 hour and serve immediately.

Note: This tastes great with a couple of dashes of Tapatio hot sauce mixed in.

 

Bon Appetit!

 

Stories

Happy Friday loves! I hope you have been having a great week.  Although it is mid October, I am still wearing summer clothes due to a current heat wave. Weather, just like life is unpredictable. I want to share with you the power of a story. But before I do that, I need to let you know how much you find out about life and people if you just listen.  

Somebody recently told me that although everyone has a story no one cared about my story and whatever storms I have gone through in my life, I should just get over it because no one cares. What that misguided person didn't understand is that people do care about my story and they care about yours too. If we didn't care about stories, movies wouldn't be made, books wouldn't be written and blogs would not be created. The truth is way better than fiction. Do you want to know the power of a story? Keep reading.

Little Tokyo is where I go when I want some delicious barbecue chicken and kimchee or a fusion taco. Or to have some green tea mochi, but today was different. 

Today I was in that reflective place where I did not want to talk. I just wanted to listen.

Rather than my usual lunch companions, I decided to dine alone. I am so glad I did because if I had been in the company of others, I would have missed what was happening around me. I listen. and I listen very intently to what people say and what they don't say. Someone once told me that God gave us two ears and one mouth because listening is more important. Do you agree?

At the quaint restaurant where I dined on Korean Barbecue, I was listening intently to everything around me and observing the people having lunch. This is what I heard: "It's been a year since I lost Jimmy"  and then at the next table: "If we bring you on and meet our objectives, your full salary will be your bonus" and then I heard:  "I don't watch reality TV shows, my life is enough" and then nestled at a corner table was a young woman reading
"The Art of War". So around me was loss, the potential of gain, and someone preparing for a battle.

My attention zeroed in on the table of men discussing bonuses and incentives. It became very clear after a few moments that the one that held the most power was the one who said the least. He listened intently and said little while they wooed him with flattery over his development that they hoped to profit from. The less he said, the more they talked to fill in the space.  And when he spoke, it was direct and deliberate. They hung on his words like they were a parachute. This was no rookie. He was seasoned in a way you wouldn't be unless you have been burned before. He listened and then he asked the right questions. I could tell from the look in his eye that he was going to leave the deal on the table because he knew he deserved better than what they were offering. 

 Its an important lesson to learn that you don't have to take something just because its offered.  Real Talk:  they already knew his value, but were hoping he didn't.

Life Lesson: Know your worth

The woman who lost her loved one chatted about taking a trip to Mexico and the woman reading The Art of War took a deep breath, clutched her book under her arm and walked out. She was ready to ante up and somebody was about to get served.  I wish I knew her story.  What's your story?  Do other peoples stories move you? I know they move me.

Your story is always relevant. Someone will find empowerment, encouragement or change course because of your story. And if you don't like your story, just turn the page and start a new chapter.

They say eyes are the window to the soul.  My friends often comment on the way my eyes change colors depending on the season and in some cases how I feel. People often ask, "is that your real eye color?" And I say yes, God gave them to me. That response always gets a smile out of someone:-)

What you do and how you do it, what you say and how you say it is impacting someone else, whether you realize it or not.

Top: System, Jeans: JC Penney, Shoes: Target, Clutch: DIY, Necklace: Body Central, Wisdom: GOD

 The people I admire the most in life, the biographies I like to read are about people with a story to tell.  Stories of courage, tenacity, status quo rejecting, dream catching and fire starting, especially in the face of challenges and opposition. 

 have you ever noticed that fireflies are attracted to other fireflies?

 Whats your story? I bet its a page turner. I know mine is. I think someone should make it into a mini series:-)

 Have an amazing day!

Deeply Rooted

Happy Monday loves! I apologize for my lack of blog posts recently. I certainly have missed all of you. I have been in a reflective place and thinking a lot, which for me also means writing a lot.  I think sometimes when things get hectic, the best thing to do is take a step back and breathe. 

I promised you some thought provoking posts and now I have the clarity to move forward and write them even the midst of  lots of unforeseen circumstances.  

Nature. You can learn a lot about life by observing nature.  A tree has lots of beautiful leaves and a flower has gorgeous petals.  I doubt that flowers want to be trees and trees want to be flowers.

People on the other hand, are different.    

When you covet someone’s leaves or petals, what you really admire is the root. The root is where the beauty starts. Deep roots result in amazing  petals or leaves.  A flower or tree that is deeply rooted thrives. In fact, if you take that same flower and pluck it up and plant it somewhere else, it still grows because the roots are so strong it can thrive anywhere.

The wild rose is a flower that has such strong roots it can be plucked up and replanted anywhere and it blooms.

Good seeds in good soil results in something amazing blooming, but of course you can’t see what’s happening under the soil when you admire something beautiful. The root is who we are on the inside and the petals or leaves are the outward manifestation of good seeds in good soil.  By the way, I love your petals:-) Has anyone told you that today?

Green...

Happy Monday loves! this will be a short and sweet post:-) I have been super busy, but didn't want to get so busy that I did not say hello to  you and ask you about your weekend. Did you do something fun? or take some time to relax?  The title of this post is green, which at first glance might look like I titled my post the color that I am wearing, which is partially true, but the other reason is that when something is green it is growing and thriving.  

I consider myself to be at a place in life where I am growing and thriving, so I am green. Growth is not always a fun thing and sometimes it is downright painful, but one thing I can say with certainty is that if you are not growing, you are stagnant or you are dying. I'd rather grow even if it is uncomfortable at times. How about you?

 

Peplum top: H&M, Jeans: System Boutique, Pumps: F-21, Necklace: F-21, Clutch: DIY, Earrings: Gifted by Mimi Boutique

I think F-21 has some of the cutest accessorizes and they are so economical. I love this colorful necklace.

I think my fondness for sweets is showing. The chimpmunk cheeks always let me know when I have been indulging too much, LOL

I have a love affair with peplums. They are so universally flattering and as far as I am  concerned, they are always fashionable even when they are not a trend. Do you like peplums?

Yet another clutch to add to my collection. Not so bad when you make it yourself, or have a crafty friend help you:-)

Have an amazing day!