BELIEVE!

Happy Belated Easter! I had an amazing Easter weekend -- I was finally able to go biking and hiking; I truly love nature and was able to share this experience with an amazing person which made it all the better!

Peace Sign from my biking
and hiking this weekend!

Today, I don't have a recipe to share with you - I haven't really been cooking that often, as I've been a bit busy with my part time work, applying to an advanced certificate program, preparing for family weddings and marital events, working out (kickboxing and jogging) as well as spending time with the people I care about. So no, I don't have a new meal to share with you today, but what I do have today is GRATITUDE, HOPE and FAITH.

I saw a video about the importance of reaching out to help others and being selflessly kind to others without a need for reciprocity; I truly believe that this is how we are supposed to live.

Recently, although my circumstances are not completely ideal, I see the potential for my dreams to come true. For example, I may not have the job of my dreams right now, but I see the opportunity sitting there for me to achieve my goals. Small changes are happening all around us, every day, and if we stop to acknowledge these and take a risk on real, true happiness, I believe that our dreams can come true. I have been reading a book by Joel Osteen, called Become a Better You. One of his most consistent messages is that even if something does not seem possible within reality, God is supernatural and can change the course of your life. Miracles happen every day and I am starting to see that and I am working to strengthen my faith and my patience.

I believe I am meant to do something meaningful in my career, to advocate and assist others, as a counselor. I also believe that I deserve to be happy -- not just content, but happy, every single day -- and I am just starting to see this come to fruition in my reality.

You may say to me, "This happiness is not real," "Reality will kick in and you'll see," or any other message that I hear from naysayers consistently. Which is fine... it is your prerogative how you choose to think and act. However, I am done believing all the negativity. I almost did that - I almost settled for what others tried to tell me was "reality", whether it meant being unhappy within a career or a relationship, or others trying to tell me that my dreams and life goals are too far fetched. I was really close to living that life -- it was not a horrible existence, but I always felt like there was more to life and that happiness... real, true happiness... should not be out of reach.

So today, I choose to live in the happiness, to live in the moment and to be appreciative of all the amazing things that God provides. I know He has a great plan for me and I have been able to see small parts of this plan come to play! It is really an exciting time and I pray that everyone gets the chance to step back and to see where their happiness lies -- who is it that makes you completely happy? What activities/hobbies/career paths? If it's something different than what your life is now, don't just settle for being content - there are miracles just waiting to happen for you!

All you have to do... is Believe.