Category: Life

Posted in Change, Life, Self-Worth

Life Imitates Art, Art Imitates Life

Posted on by Brittany

By Brittany Davis

I’ve always heard people talking about how the older you get, the faster life seems to go. The days blur together and the months seem to be passing two at a time and the truth is, they’re right. But it’s a strange thing to experience because, well, nothing has really changed. There are still 24 hours in a day and seven days in a week. The only thing that’s changed, is us. We’ve gotten older, hopefully a little wiser, and are hopefully creating a life for ourselves each and everyday. Every decision we make, memory we create, and experience we encounter is another layer added to the masterpiece that becomes our lives; we’re designing it everyday. But here’s the thing, you don’t get one shot at it. Art, just like life, doesn’t always have to be permanent. Continue reading “Life Imitates Art, Art Imitates Life” →

Posted in Life, Love

Following Your Heart Vs. Leading With It

Posted on by Brittany

By Brittany Davis

Sometimes in life we find ourselves at a crossroads where we’re confused what direction to go, or what decision to make. We look outside ourselves for signs to help tell us what to do. Something as minimal or life altering as we need to help guide us in what we hope to be the right direction. And sure, sometimes that can work. But what if that sign never comes? Or what if you miss it? Or better yet, what if it’s not the sign you were hoping for? The truth is sometimes the answer is inside you along. Sure, maybe you needed something to happen for you to bring it out, but that’s why you should always look inside yourself first; you should always ask yourself what it is that you really want. Sometimes all the guidance you need is to just trust your instincts and go where your heart takes you. Sometimes it may lead you exactly where you need to be. But here’s the thing, when it comes to listening to our hearts, should we follow them, or be led by ‘em? Or are they really just the same thing? Continue reading “Following Your Heart Vs. Leading With It” →

Posted in Life

Dancing Butterflies

Posted on by Brittany

By Manoj Sankar

An excruciating pain struck my back and as usual with the overwhelming confidence due to ignorance and the need to finish the daily chorus of life I started moving.  It did not take me long  to realize that I was in trouble with my back. It did not mean anything much to me until the doctor told me that I’d be bed ridden for a minimum of one month.  And that day has changed my life forever.  Continue reading “Dancing Butterflies” →

Posted in Life, Post-Graduation, Uncertainty

You Are The Author(ity) Of Your Own Life

Posted on by Brittany

By Sabrina Ali

Rita* walked up to her guru with all the confidence she could muster. Everyone had told her that she just “had” to meet him and now here she was. He was a living example of what she wanted to do. Afraid that her nerves would get the better of her, she’d been rehearsing her line all day:

“I’m totally inspired by you and want to do what you do someday. What would I need to do in order to pursue this path?”

“You need to become a Social Worker,” he answered.

“Got it.” Continue reading “You Are The Author(ity) Of Your Own Life” →

Posted in Change, Life

The Calm Before The Storm

Posted on by Brittany

By Shannon Payne

The calm before the storm; it’s an odd phenomena isn’t it? Almost everyone can sense it. It becomes eerily quiet and there is almost a physical presence; like you can feel something is about to happen. However, in that moment you can’t help but also notice the beauty in silence. Everything is at rest; everything is at peace.

In those moments one is truly and genuinely free. You give yourself over to the knowledge that something inevitable is about to occur. You exhale a sigh of acceptance and it’s as if a weight has been lifted off your shoulders. That is where true happiness lies.

Posted in Change, Life, Post-Graduation, Uncertainty, Unemployment

The Year Of Unknowing

Posted on by Brittany

By Samantha Schlemm

I’m covered in beer and I’m shaking. It’s the Thursday before Christmas Eve and I don’t want to be here anymore. My black converses are warped from all the hours I’ve put them to work, and my feet ache.

“I – I just can’t do this anymore. I just can’t.”

He studies me and I can tell he knows that I’m serious. The calm and collected girl he has come to know is gone and she is officially having a nervous breakdown. In front of me is a glass half full of liquor for sangria, the pitchers I had made earlier are long gone and I’m stuck making them by the glass now, there is no time to stop and reset.

“Come on just a little longer,” he says cheerfully, but he’s not dealing with this, he’s simply making sure that I don’t screw up, and he knows I won’t. He’s come to depend on the fact that I won’t mess up, so he mostly ignores me. But right now, I’ve never felt like this before. The tickets keep printing with more and more drink orders, and the crowd around me is tripling in size. How in the hell did I get here? It’s the year of unknowing and I can’t figure out how I got stuck here bartending. There is no stopping. There is no end in sight. Continue reading “The Year Of Unknowing” →

Posted in Life, Self-Worth

That’s Living..

Posted on by AIMG_Developer

By Brittany Davis

I think we all wish we could be fearless. I know I do. To walk to the edge of the cliff without a care in the world and just take that step, that leap of faith and then just free fall into the unknown. We’d love to embrace uncertainty rather than fear it. To have the chance to put all the past failures, betrayals, and pain in the back of our minds and even just for that moment let our minds fill up with possibility. To revel in the beauty of dreams we may not have even known we had. To love unconditionally, and without hesitation. To surrender whole-heartedly to another, without fear or suspicion. To take each moment as it comes, each person as they are, each day as an opportunity. To not be scared of what could happen if we do,but more afraid of what could happen if we don’t.  To not be afraid of life, but more of not fully living.

The truth is, our lives have the potential to be remarkable. They hold the ability for our dreams to become realities, for the impossible to become attainable, and the chaos to become beautiful. Chaos creates opportunity. Opportunities for these lives we were given to become our own, to become unique onto ourselves, to be ours. We have the ability to own the moments of our lives. We have the ability to make our lives mean something. For them to be more than just a series of moments, to be more than merely existing. It’s up to us. The decisions we make shape the lives we lead. So choose wisely. But most importantly choose from your heart. Choose to make a difference. To affect change.  To affect the lives of others. To become more. Choose to be yourself. To embrace what makes you, you. To stand out in a crowd. To laugh too loudly. To cry too easily. To fail. To be broken and to be the reason you smile. Find the joy in all your pain.  Continue reading “That’s Living..” →

Posted in Life, Self-Worth

That’s Letting Yourself Shine…

Posted on by AIMG_Developer

By Brittany Davis

It’s amazing how many people out there are genuinely rooting for you to fail. People who waste no time scanning you up and down, looking for any flaw they might be able to magnify, and bring to your attention. Searching for a way to find your imperfections, and then striving to make them  known. People want to tell you that you’re not good enough, that you won’t amount to anything. They get  satisfaction out of making you stand in front of a mirror, with a reflection that’s tainted by the words they say. There’s so many people out there who want to tell you that who you are isn’t worth it — well, I have  news for you. You are. You do matter. And you’re more than enough.

The truth is, people are going to talk regardless of what you do. But you have to remember that they’re just words. Words are only powerful if you let them be. Remember that the opinions of others don’t define you. The labels, words, assumptions, they don’t matter. You determine the person you are, not someone else. When people put you down  and try to hurt you, it’s their own energy they’re wasting. Don’t return the favor. Whether you realize it or not, by them taking their time and focusing it on you, you’re affecting their day. There’s no need to let them affect yours. You have the power to turn your imperfections into strengths. To see your flaws as beautiful; to make the life that you’re living matter. Don’t let those who don’t matter lead you to believe otherwise. Continue reading “That’s Letting Yourself Shine…” →

Posted in Life, Uncertainty

That’s Timing…

Posted on by AIMG_Developer

By Brittany Davis

Time is a funny thing. Sometimes it can be everything, other times it can be nothing. It’s something we have no say in. It’s something that’s beyond our reach. We can’t control when we feel things, nor can we control when we discover we feel them. It’s all about timing. But here’s the thing about it: time can either work for you or be actively working against you. Like the times when you love someone but the timing is off. Or when you fall in love and the timing is perfect. But if at the time you didn’t know it, what does it matter? If at the time you didn’t feel it, what do you do? Continue reading “That’s Timing…” →