Last week I ran an entire mile for the first time in my life. A whole mile, non-stop. It still blows my mind. Naturally I thought that this week would bring greater success. I was dreaming of an easy 1 mile run to start, followed by a hard earned second mile. But no! I ran three times this week and probably only mustered two-fifths of a mile, non-stop. I was definitely disappointed, but mostly scared. Yes, scared.  Honestly, it doesn't bother me that I didn't reach my goal this week, I was so proud of myself for making three runs. What scares me is the fear that I may never eclipse that 1 mile non-stop run. What if I can't do better? I really want to do better. And as I sat on the ocean shore and reflected on this I came to realize that that's life. We proceed with confidence towards a dream, one day we're soaring and the next we're slumping. It would be too easy to give it all up during the downcast moments and that's why I'll continue to run, because I know that by the summer I'll be running my first 5K. It ain't gonna be easy, but it'll be worth it. 

Ahh. Deep breath in, then out. Calm relaxation. That's the gift I had given myself over the weekend. So many opportunities are borne when the mind is at ease and open to possibilities. And that's how I found myself taking this crazy fun and unexpected photo shoot. With the weather being the loveliest it had been in weeks and a late lunch with my nephew planned, I decided to just stop and take it all in, along with these pictures. 

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I came across this quote while persuing my Pinterest  yesterday, "Wherever you are, be all there". So simple and profound. I was feeling a bit bummy when I came across the quote and I think that's why it spoke to me the loudest. Often, when we're in our happy place and things are running well, we can miss out on subtle messages, because heck things are going well and we ain't worried about nothin'. This quote reminded me that my not so happy state was also part of living. And it is usually in these moments that the next clue to life is revealed. So if when you find yourself hosting a self-pity party revel in it, yes REVEL! Be all there. But not for long, instead look deep and find out the real reason you're feeling that way and FIX IT. By doing so you're allowing yourself to be vulnerable and proving that it'll all be okay.  And therein lies life's golden opportunities. 

There are days when all I want to do is crawl under my comfy comforter and wrap myself under its comforting solace. But I gotta get to work and live my life. All while looking presentable. Better yet chic. I think of chic not just as the clothes a person wears, but the aurora around that person. But the good thing is that the clothes you wear can affect the mood you're in. So what should you wear to stay chic when you're feeling anything but chic? It's very simple, just keep your outfit simple. 

One of the most beautiful things about life is the journey of creating and becoming the who we are meant to be. An important component of this journey is the mastery of our finance. A woman who masters her money is a woman who masters her future. This is the woman who will usher herself into the life she's imagined. I want to be that woman. What about you? 

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This was a healthy week for me. By healthy I mean it was filled with a balance of good and not so good moments. The best part of my week has got to be when I had the opportunity to catch up with a good friend of mine and just talk. That was really nice. It's always so nice to have good conversations with good people. My impromptu beach trip to start off the week is another highlight. I love the beach during the weekdays, less bodies, more peace. The not so good part of the week comes from a heated discussion with a co-worker. It wasn't anything serious, but I despise any form of conflict. I always feel terrible and that it's completely my fault. When I logically examined the situation and discussed it with my best friend I realize what I probably already knew, that I shouldn't sweat the issue and just let it go. But I'm still feeling it, it did happen yesterday, but I know it'll all be good by Monday.  Plus a little dispute can be healthy for the soul, I hope. 

Do you feel that? It's nearly spring, even though it may not look like it with all this snow, but it's coming. And with it the start of a new clothing collection. Spring brings brilliant colors  and an air of lightness and fun.  And the best way to transition from winter to spring is donning on a simple, yet classic dress, or in my case, a simple top paired with an A-line midi skirt. 

Gabriel appeared to her and said, "Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!"​ Speaking to Mary in her time of dire distress the angel Gabriel spoke the words that turned Mary's shame, stress, confusion, and utter disbelief into a revelation that would come and give us all life, abundantly and fully. The same words that Gabriel spoke into Mary's life is also spoken into ours. We are favored women. The Lord is with us. 

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The highlight of my week comes from late Wednesday night at the gym where I was able to run half-a-mile. Yes, you read that correctly, half.  I certainly don't have to convince anyone that I'm not a runner, but this is a personal milestone for me considering that I couldn't run at all in January. When I say run, I'm not talking about an adrenaline hike, fight or flight running, but pace by pace running. I've never been an active person and I din't set out to be "active" in 2015. It's not a "new year's resolution" or a goal I penned. It just kinda happen on its own, organically, and I could not be more happy about it. So running that half-a-mile was a big motivation to keep pushing and pushing. I don't know where this will lead, besides to better health and fitness, but the journey so far is a bountiful blessing.  

There's a single relationship in our life that is the foundation and root of all things that makes us who we are, shapes other relationship, and allows us to become the person we're meant to be.  That's the relationship we have with ourself.  It's not something that often crosses our minds when asked to think about relationships, but the relationship we have with ourself is fundamental in shaping every aspect of our life.