Journaling: Slowing Down Time 04/29/2010
 Today is such a beautiful "summery" day and it got me thinking; I can't believe that this weekend is already going to be May 1st! How the time has flown by... They say that the older you get the faster the time goes by! I don't see how it could possibly go any faster! How can we slow it down? Just a lttle bit? Is it possible? I have found that when I write in my journal on a daily basis, it really does slow life down and put things into perspective. Instead of waking up, going to work, getting off work, going home, going to bed and starting over the next day; writing in a journal can help you reflect on your day,even if only for 10 minutes. Ask Yourself Questions Like: What did you do? Who did you meet or connect with? Did you learn anything? Did you try out a new restaurant? Did you hear a new song that made your day and you can't wait to hear it again? What are 3 things you are grateful for? If you are like me and time is just "flying by", see what a difference journaling will make in your life. By writing in your journal daily, it will absolutely slow down your days. (I promise!) It's like magic! Everyone loves magic! If you don't already have a journal, I encourage you to get one. It can be a simple spiral notebook or a really unique hard cover book with blank unlined pages. Whatever suits your taste. If journaling on computer appeals to you more try visiting The Journaling Lounge; it is a great place get cozy, write about whatever lies in your heart and share it with a community or keep it private. (Not to mention the great writing prompts they have to share with you!) Peace & Love, Stevi Live your Life: Lead by Example 04/02/2010
 Your example is far more influential and inspiring than any words of instruction or encouragement. -Jonathan Lockwood Huie "Stevi" hasn't "spoken" all week because she has had allergies and strep throat since last weekend. It has not been good! Now I am better and looking forward to my trip to California. I can't believe its already here. I leave Easter Sunday morning! Most of you know and have read my blog about booking this trip. It is going to be AMAZING! We get to stay in a beautiful home over looking the bay with a view of the mountains!!! (Someone pinch me! ) The quote above by Jonathan Lockwood Huie makes me realize that this is not just a trip for me, but a step towards inspiring others to go out and do whatever it is that they dream of, but are too scared to try. To step outside their own comfort zone and truly live their fullest life. We cannot let our fear control us. I can say these things all day long but if I don't live them, then they are just words. Everywhere you look, probably even in your own home, you have a t-shirt from Target, a wall plaque from Ross, a postcard or refrigerator magnet with some inspiring "Live Your Life" or "Live, Laugh, Love" phrase on it. But, DO YOU REALLY??? Do you live your life to the fullest everyday? Do you ever let yourself go, so you can just be and do and enjoy the little things? Do you do what you love even if it scares you? Do you really cherish the memories or is that just a phrase?My guess is that, most of us don't. This will be one of my first conscious steps towards doing all of that! I will record myself getting on and off the plane, (Maybe even on the plane...who knows?) that way you can be a part of the flight too! I will post pictures of things that are beautiful to me (my own mini Magical Eyes Tour!) What will your first step be? How will you be an example? What will change for you? And how can you incorporate "that something" into this weekend? Start now. Why wait? I hope everyone has a fun-filled Easter weekend! Much Love, Stevi An Ode to Deena: A Miracle Among Us 03/22/2010
 Let me let out a long deep breath before I begin... I have been busy at the salon since about 10:30am. I came up here to upload pictures from yesterday's Pink Posse event. I know everyone is anxious to see them. As I was uploading, I thought "I need some tunes..." so I Googled and was able to find a playlist with a few songs from "Don't Wake Aislin". Some of you are aware but others may not be but the lead singer of this band was one of our Henna artists yesterday. Miss Deena Jakoub. She is an amazingly talented singer as well as being a gifted henna artist. So I had my music going and I was smiling & uploading away and I felt the urge to send Deena a text message. I simply put "I just wanted to tell you that I think you are amazing. I'm listening to your music now as I am uploading yesterdays pics. Thank u for being you!" And that was it. I didn't really think that much about it, I was just feeling the music and reliving yesterday through the pictures and I just thought she should know that. I finally got done with the pictures and was fooling around some more on the computer, this time on YouTube, and I entered a search for "Don't Wake Aislin" again. What I found was amazing! I knew that there HAD to be something about this young women because from the first time I spoke to her, I knew that she was the one I wanted to be the henna artist for the Pink Posse event. I got such a good vibe from her. I never even spoke to another artist. I think Megan might have even questioned my thinking, "Are you sure we don't need a back-up or to call around?" Now it all makes sense! Deena is a truly unique and amazing soul. I thought she was such a blessing before that I felt I had to tell her in a text message but NOW.... I can't really put into words all that is going through my head at the moment so just enjoy the video! Some may think I should have waited until Easter to post this (and you'll see why) but I thought it would be good to keep this on your mind for the next two weeks leading up to Easter Sunday. Warning: I cried like a baby! Some would say it doesn't take me much, but let's see if you can keep a dry eye! Much Love, Stevi Practicing Patience 03/19/2010
 Hello! This is my third attempt to post a blog today. I somehow allowed this computer to be smarter than me! God has chosen today for me to practice patience. I fear I have failed my test. So...Be careful when you ask for patience. Your prayers will be answered with plenty of opportunities to BE patient. "Breath in, Breath out" Have a great and "patient" weekend! -Stevi Owning Life: Living In the Moment 03/16/2010
 "I could not, at any age, be content to take my place by the fireside and simply look on. Life was meant to be lived. Curiosity must be kept alive. One must never, for whatever reason, turn his back on life." -Eleanor Roosevelt Walk In Someone Else's Shoes: Without Shoes 03/10/2010
It's interesting that my last post was about creating a new pair of shoes and then yesterday I came across this campaign. We don't realize how fortunate we are. On April 8th, I will be in California with NO SHOES! I want to "walk in someone else's shoes" or lack there of. We are working on our own campaign at the salon to get the local community involved. As our campaign develops I will share the detail with you here. Have a blessed day and remember to be thankful for the little things...like your shoes! -Stevi Watch Out Cali: Here I Come 03/05/2010
 Last month at the Pink Posse Potluck, Megan had us make a list of 5 things we wanted to do, try or learn. We were asked to think BIG. It was a great way to find out what it is that we want in our lives and really put things in perspective. Why is it that we don't pursue these things? Are we scared? Do we not have enough money? Is there someone besides ourselves holding us back? After sharing these things, we all picked one in particular to begin pursuing first. I wanted to take on flying in an airplane again. Since Megan was going to be in California through the month of April, it seemed like the perfect opportunity for a vacation and a plane ride. I realize that flying is not something BIG for everyone to conquer, but for me it is a fear that touches a bit close to home. I have anxiety about flying in airplanes. Not because I am scared of heights or being closed in, not because I think we are going to crash or terrorist will take over the flight. It's nothing like that. I am simply afraid that I will have a panic attack on the plane. Even as I type this, it seems so silly. It's like saying I don't want to drive my car down the street because I might fall asleep and swerve into oncoming traffic or I don't want to go swimming because I might drown. I can’t help but think to myself, “Really? What? This is crazy!” If I continue to live into these assumptions, my fears will keep me from doing what I want. I will be missing out on many opportunities and experiences if I continue to let this fear control me. So, in spite of my fears, yesterday I booked my flight! I leave in April and I will be in the San Francisco area for 10 days! I have never been on vacation for that long and I am so excited! I am looking forward to the trip and I can't wait to conquer this fear and cross this off my list of things I want to do. Can you think of five things you would like to DO, TRY or LEARN? Make a list. It can be anything. Maybe you want to learn to speak French, take a cooking class, go hiking, travel overseas, color your hair pink, etc. Then pick one to pursue within the next week. You can do it! Watch out Cali, here I come... -Stevi Where Do the Mermaids stand? 02/26/2010
I love this story because I am absolutely fascinated by the ocean and the possibility of mermaids. I can only imagine how adorable this little girl must have been. Where do the mermaids stand? is something we can learn from. She spoke up, she didn't conform and she knew there was a place for her.  A Story by Robert Fulghum Giants, Wizards and Dwarfs was the game to play. Being left in charge of about eighty children, seven to ten years old, while their parents were off doing "parenty" things, I mustered my troops in the church social hall and explained the game. It's a large-scale version of Rock, Paper, and Scissors, and involves some intellectual decision making. But the real purpose of the game is to make a lot of noise and run around chasing people until nobody knows which side you are on or who won. The excitement of the chase had reached a critical mass. I yelled out: "You have to decide now which you are--a GIANT, a WIZARD, or a DWARF!" While the groups huddled in frenzied, whispered consultation, a tug came at my pants leg. A small child stands there looking up, and asks in a small, concerned voice, "Where do the Mermaids stand?" Where do the Mermaids stand? A long pause. A very long pause. "Where DO the Mermaids stand?" I say. "Yes. You see, I am a Mermaid." "But there are no such thing as Mermaids." "Oh, yes, I am one!" She did not relate to being a Giant, a Wizard, or a Dwarf. She knew her category. Mermaid. And was not about to leave the game and go over and stand against the wall where a loser would stand. She intended to participate, wherever Mermaids fit into the scheme of things. Without giving up dignity or identity. She took it for granted that there was a place for Mermaids and that I would know just where. Well, where DO the Mermaids stand? All the "Mermaids". All those who are different, who do not fit the norm and who do not accept the available boxes and pigeonholes? Answer that question and you can build a school, a nation, or a world on it. What was my answer at the moment? Every once in a while I say the right thing. "The Mermaid stands right here by the King of the Sea!" So we stood there hand in hand, reviewing the troops of Wizards and Giants and Dwarfs as they roiled by in wild disarray. It is not true, by the way, that Mermaids do not exist. I know at least one personally. I have held her hand. Have a joyful weekend, -Stevi Life Lessons from Snowflakes 02/12/2010
 It never snows like this in TEXAS! I wanted to find a story about snowflakes to share with you...Here's what I found... After a little snowstorm yesterday I began to think of what snowflakes had to offer other than nice scenery and treacherous road conditions. From the way they fall, to the way they look, snowflakes can be a great analogy for life and living it. Here are some life lessons these little white ice crystals have to offer. Be unique Every snowflake has it’s own shape and look. So should you! Accept yourself and be yourself. Everyone is different and should remain that way. Work with others One flake doesn’t fall during a storm, millions do. As they build up and stick together, they accomplish a lot. Billions of the can become inches, maybe even feet tall and blanket miles upon miles. If you want to achieve success and change your life, you will need help from others eventually. You can be small but powerful Snowflakes are very small but very powerful. They’re extremely delicate but can shut down whole cities and states. You may be “weak” physically but mentally you can be strong. Take your time Unless wind is pushing them, snowflakes usually take their time to get to their destination. Don’t rush through life, it’s the journey that’s important, not the destination. Divert away from your planned route Most snowflakes are supposed to land on the ground and may be headed that way when they’re falling. But sometimes they land in trees, lakes, or the street. They go with the flow and are very flexible. It’s great if you have planned out your time and life, but events are going to throw those off course. So be flexible and let certain events take you for a ride. Bring happiness and enjoyment to others At times snow can be extremely dangerous, but think about how many times snow has made people happy and joyful. Kids get off from school and spend time sleigh riding, while skiers and snowboarders can hit the slopes. Just the sight of a fresh blanket of snow makes people feel good. You should do the same, make people happy to see and talk to you. Don’t be miserable because you’ll bring those around you down. Life is short Snowflakes don’t last that long. Frequently they melt the instant they hit the ground, but they’ve had a interesting journey. Cherish your life and every minute you have. Body & Soul | February 13th, 2008 | Written by Andrew Galasetti The Donkey and the Well 02/03/2010
 One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally he decided since the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway, it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey. So, the farmer invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed shovels, and began to shovel dirt into the well. All the other farm animals were very upset about this, because the donkey was their friend. But they discovered there was nothing they could do to help him. At first, when the donkey realized what was happening, he cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement, he quieted down. A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well, and was astonished at what he saw. With every shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off, and take a step up on the dirt as it piled up. As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well, and trotted off! The Moral: Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. But each trouble can be a stepping stone. What happens to you isn't nearly as important as how you react to it. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not giving up! Shake it off, and take a step up! |
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