Looking for the Silver Lining...

I’ve tried to write this post a few times in the past weeks but continually get caught between an open hearted diary entry and a predictable food post. I can promise you I have no plans of becoming a full time food blogger for the sake of disguising a less than colorful season of my life. So, here goes my attempt at sharing some honest thoughts on tough times.

We’ve all been there, right??

A day, a week, a whole season when we are like WHAT. IS. GOING. ON?! Everything feels just beyond our control. And sometimes it takes longer than we’d like to discover the silver lining or understand the lesson or feel the growth.

Sometimes it just takes time.

“Although time seems to fly, it never travels faster than one day at a time. Each day is a new opportunity to live your life to the fullest. In each waking day, you will find scores of blessings and opportunities for positive change. Do not let your TODAY be stolen by the unchangeable past or the indefinite future! Today is    a new day!”

-Steve Maraboli 

So we have TODAY. :) Even if today feels tough before it starts, we have so many chances to capture the things that fill us up. To help us change, grow, make new connections, and see the silver lining. It’s all about taking the leap to move ahead, especially during those times when we might not know how to move at all.

Be vulnerable. Be open.

The positive light in each day and in you is the silver lining and these are a few ways I've found help reveal it daily…

1. FRIENDS find one. be one. 

When you’re feeling down, it’s really easy to isolate yourself. “No one is going through what I’m going through. I feel completely alone. I am alone”. Nope, not true. You’re never alone and you are never going through anything alone. I promise. We’re all connected so whether you have a nice conversation with the salesclerk at the grocery store, smile at a stranger, or have a heart to heart with your best friend, find people to connect with and it will make all the difference. Connect big. Connect Small. Just Connect!

2. MUSIC in the words of Taylor Swift, Shake It Off! 

My top favorites: (click to play)

1. Love on Top Beyonce

2. Sugar Maroon 5

3. Lift Me Up Nico and Vinz, Ladysmith Black Mambazo

4. Hold my Hand Jess Glynne

5. Shake It Off Taylor Swift

6. I Want Crazy Hunter Hayes

7. Fight Song Rachel Platten

3. QUOTES if you can’t find the words in you, find them somewhere else. 

I’m one of those quote obsessed people. They are sprinkled all over my apartment, my computer, my social media; I write them in cards, send them to friends, search for them constantly…I love quotes. It’s the best feeling to read something that suddenly speaks truth into you. So, if you can’t find the words, it’s A-OK to find someone else’s words.

A few of my favorites…

• “A Hero is an ordinary individual who find the strength to preserve and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” -Christopher Reeve

• “For you, I pray that you find peace in your heart so that your gentled mind can reach and get the things you need.” -Anonymous (I found this quote in a prayer box on a hike in Los Angeles and I’ve kept it for the last 7 years. It always lifts me up!)

• “The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.” -Elizabeth Kubler-Ross 

• “I crave the ones who’ve seen the confusion and known struggle, who have pulled themselves up from the shackles of heartache and strife, disappointment and darkness, exhaustion and drain and have risen with a heart as open and unwaveringly wide as the ocean itself. Give me those people. The brave, the vulnerable, the wise, the ones who care for the world, and how to better it along with themselves. To know their ability in making waves, in shifting patterns with tides and in creating change. Let us become that open ocean. And make it rise.” -Victoria Erickson 

4. EXERCISE is the magic remedy. The saying “strong body, strong mind. & healthy body, healthy mind”…true. so true. the truest thing. When your body feels good, your mind and your spirit follow. Get those three things feeling good and you are on your way! A few of my favorite exercises that feel especially great during tough times are boxing and yoga…the power duo for the mind body connection. Also, dancing! Oh, so good for you. #BodyConceptions

5. EAT COLORFULLY let’s not underestimate how fun it is to have a rainbow on your plate. Also, cooking for yourself can be really therapeutic and food really does have the power to make you feel good (or bad) so feed your body well. **I know I mentioned that I wasn't going to turn into a full time food blogger, but THIS pizza. It's everything. all. the. things. #foodcures :)

6. TRAVEL across the neighborhood or across the world. Just do it. You’ll feel more connected to everything around you. #YouAreNotAlone

7. SELF-TALK talk to yourself like you would talk to your favorite person alive. You are enough and you are so worthy. (Repeat 1 million times a day) :)

8. And YOU. As supportive readers, you always lift my spirits. I hope I do the same for you. We are in this TOGETHER. :)

And finally, I believe there’s so much truth in the saying...

Sending lots of love and positivity out today to all of you sweet friends. I'm feeling like I definitely found solace in writing this. Thanks for reading and always being there for me.

P.S. Here's a fun interview I did a few weeks ago with the wonderful, sweet, sweet humans that are B&M Productions NY who I want to be around all the time. Lucky me, got to spend an afternoon with Betsy and Mike chatting about how much I love FFB (and food!) :) Check out the interview below