That luminous part of you.

"Do those things that incline you toward the big questions, and avoid the things that would reduce you and make you trivial.  That luminous part of you that exists beyond personality – your soul, if you will – is as bright and shining as any that has ever been.  Bright as Shakespeare’s, bright as Gandhi’s, bright as Mother Teresa’s.  Clear away everything that keeps you separate from this secret luminous place.  Believe it exists, come to know it better, nurture it, share its fruits tirelessly."

{an excerpt from George Saunders’s Advice to Graduates}

The language of flowers.

I just finished The Language of Flowers yesterday. I loved the idea of being so utterly knowledgeable/mesmerized by flowers… by the meaning behind each one… and the emotions that they induce... the sentiments they express.

Acacia (Acacia) . . .Secret love

Baby’s breath (Gypsophila paniculata) . . . Everlasting love

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) . . .Hate

Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spectabilis) . . .Passion

Camellia (Camellia) . . .My destiny is in your hands

Carnation, pink (Dianthuscaryophyllus) . . .I will never forget  you

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) . . .Energy in adversity

Cherry blossom (Prunus cerasus) . . .Impermanence

Chervil (Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) . . .I haveloved you and you have not known it

Daffodil (Narcissus) . . .New beginnings

Dahlia (Dahlia) . . .Dignity

Daisy (Bellis) . . .Innocence

Magnolia (Magnolia) . . .Dignity

Moss (Bryopsida) . . .Maternal love

Olive (Olea europaea) . . .Peace

Orchid (Orchidaceae) . . . Refined beauty

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) . . . Joy

Peony (Paeonia) . . .Anger

Peppermint (Mentha) . . .Warmth of  feeling

Ranunculus (Ranunculus asiaticus) . . .You are radiant with charms

Raspberry (Rubus) . . .Remorse

Rose, red (Rosa) . . .Love

Rose, yellow (Rosa) . . .Infidelity

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) . . .Remembrance

Saffron (Crocus sativus) . . .Beware of excess

Sage (Salvia officinalis) . . .Good health and long life

Scarlet Pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis) . . .Change

Strawberry (Fragaria) . . .Perfection

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) . . .False riches

Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa) . . .Dangerous pleasures

Tulip (Tulipa) . . .Declaration of love

Water lily (Nymphaea) . . .Purity of heart

Wheat (Triticum) . . .Prosperity

Wisteria (Wisteria) . . .Welcome

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) . . .Cure for a broken heart

Zinnia (Zinnia) . . .I mourn your absence

{a portion of the flower dictionary}

 

 I want to... and will learn this language.

 
Images via (top to bottom) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
  

Hello.

                             

Tear it up.

image via

we went to an 80's party a couple of months ago. i stole one of ryan's shirts & transformed it into this {flashdance style}.

      

i never want to take it off. in fact, this weekend, i don't believe i will.
                    

A losing battle.

we've made the 'chia seed pudding' twice, and it's already a favorite, that will be on the weekly rotation  

{& it needs to sit overnight... so when you wake up all tired & groggy on a monday morning, breakfast is served :)}

  

For Christmas, I was gifted with Giada's newest cookbook~ Giada's Feel Good Food. Although- at this point- I've only made a few recipes, I really like it. It includes lots of lifestyle tips, a huge focus on flavor/texture/balance, small portion, high-energy, low-sugar (all-in-moderation-philosophy) foods/recipes as opposed to low-fat/sugar-free/artificial/deprivation.

This line in the introduction sums it up... 

This is not a diet book. I don't live my life on a diet; I just don't believe in them for me. They are tough to stick to and encourage a sense of deprivation or missing out, resulting in roller-coaster weight loss and gain--and the mood swings that come along with that. I'm not a yo-yo and I can't put my mind or body through that. Instead, I have adopted a balanced way of cooking, eating, and living that works for me and my family. This didn't happen overnight, or by sitting down and scribbling a bunch of rules to follow, but rather over time, by tuning in to my body and what makes me run the smoothest and tuning out what doesn't.

I'm (finally) realizing that this is the route for me. 

While I want positive results (when it comes to weight-management, house-management, etc...), I am tired trying to WIN THE BATTLE (whatever it may be), while losing myself in the process. A battle in which I am my own component... in which success is ONLY achieved at the end of each day if the house is spotlessly clean... every last drop of laundry tucked neatly away... every calorie accounted for... A battle that I fail to win. Daily.

Sustainability. Energy. Health. Gratitude. Intention. Peace. Compassion. Love. Intuition. Abundance. 

This is the place I want to begin & and end each day. Each battle.