Journey Forward: Pictures

Today's Journey Forward challenge was to share pictures that exemplify the word we chose for our journey. I chose "integrity".

Source: jacoballee.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

Remember to treat others with respect even when it is unpopular.

Source: instructables.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

Do the right thing even when no one is looking.

Source: google.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

Be yourself, not what others want you to be.

Source: cityyearblog.org via Rebecca on Pinterest

Journey Forward: Role Model

Today's Journey Forward assignment asks me to tell you about my role model. Answering this is simple. My role model was and is my paternal grandmother. Although she is no longer here, she influences my life on a daily basis. 

Stubborness

Even though being stubborn is supposedly an Irish trait, I'm pretty sure I inherited my stubborn streak from her instead of my mom's Irish Catholic side of the family. And, ask anyone close to me, I have a mean stubborn streak! 

Integrity

She taught me about integrity. Character is the most important thing a person has. It matters what you do, even if no one else is looking. 

Toughness

She taught me how to be tough - I think I learned how to put on a facade from her. Obviously, this can be taken too far, but in general, there's no need to air dirty laundry in public. If you are living your life correctly, that's what matters. You don't need public vindication. 

Dilligence

She taught me how to work hard and finish projects. I can't tell you how many projects we did over the years. Whether it was tilling the garden or putting up fencing to keep the deer out or making dinner for Pop-pop, we were always doing something. 

Porch Sitting

Most importantly, she taught me the value of porch sitting. Every evening, we'd run across the field to her house and she'd give us pop-ices. We'd sit on the glider and rock and chat and stay out until the fireflies started dancing through the yard. I learned about her and her life. She always took the time to listen to me and what I thought was important. 

Taking time each day to slow down and really listen to people, to enjoy this wonderful world we live in, that's what you learn to do when you porch sit. 

Try it out. Let me know how it goes for you. 

It's hard in today's world to really truly unplug, and slow down. There are always a million things to do, but honestly, if you aren't taking the time to enjoy or participate in your relationships, what's the real value of getting those other things done?

You can check out the other Journey Forward posts here:


Also, don't forget to send me your submissions for the new Tell Me About It series! I've received an overwhelmingly positive response and can't wait to start sharing the stories! I love hearing about other peoples' life experiences, and especially what they find romantic!

Journey Forward: Clearing my Mind

This week, Chelsea's assignment for the Journey Forward Challenge is to answer these questions for you and for myself. 

"What helps you to clear your mind? Where do you go/what do you do to re-center and re-focus yourself?"

When I start to panic, nothing clears my mind like water. I can go swim laps, go sit by the river, take a walk by the harbor, if I'm lucky - go out on a boat, or in a pinch take a long hot shower. It gives me time to think, to pray, to simplify.  Something about it makes life feel better. 

Then, I take a step back and focus on the wonderful things in my life. I actively acknowledge my privileges, and put things back into perspective. 

Then, logically, I realize that no matter how bad things are, I will have food to eat, clothes to wear and people who love me. How bad can things really be? 

This does not mean that life will go smoothly or the problems will go away. It just means that life will continue, and everything will work out in the way it should. My role is to do the best I possibly can do as I continue along through it. 

Be sure to check in on the other Journey Forward Entries!

So, now I ask you:
 "What helps you to clear your mind? Where do you go/what do you do to re-center and re-focus yourself?"

Journey Forward: Describe Yourself

Hm. This Journey Forward assignment is difficult! I could tell you what I look like, or what I believe. I could tell you my occupation or my location. I could tell you my loves and hates, my likes and dislikes, my age or my strengths and weaknesses.

I could tell you that part of my scalp is currently a terrible shade of orange due to a stupid 2 week hair rinse thing I did...

Or I could ask the people who know me well to tell you! I asked them to give me one word, and here's what they came up with...

So this describes the wonderful side of me - I promise there's an equally not as wonderful side that they neglected to mention :) We'll leave that for another day though!

Don't forget to check out the other posts  in the Journey Forward challenge!

P.S. Cutest Thing EVER

P.P.S. Great Ideas for Surviving Busy Weeks

Journey Forward: A Letter to Myself One Year Ago

Dear Rebecca, 

You are burning the candle at both ends.

via

This is what you do. It is going to take it's toll on your body, your heart, your patience and your relationships. You will break and be remade (both figuratively and literally).

Things work how they are supposed to though, for reasons you have yet to see. 

The effort you've put in now, the pain, the exhaustion, the stress will pay off in spades. 

You will make it to Bali and have a week of wonderful. 

You will renew friendships and reaffirm things you know about yourself but have put on a shelf; that you are strong, that you are able, that you need to change your life and it cannot wait. 

You will find the strength to do this thing because you know it is your future. Don't settle. Find balance. 

You can't change anyone but yourself; this is your time for you. 

You will heal and learn to trust God and the people He puts in your life. You will learn to love in a way you didn't know was possible. 

Everything will be topsy turvy but you will find your way. 

Your year will be full of adventures you haven't planned and people you've never met. 

The things you value will change but the most important things will remain. You will learn that you don't have to please everyone all the time. You will get better at saying no. You won't feel the need to over-analyze and gain approval of every facet of your relationship because ultimately, it isn't about what works for others. 

Be confident and trust your instincts. After all, you have to take risks to truly gain. 

Playing it safe won't cut it. 

At the end of this year, you will still be burning the candle at both ends, but your time will be spent in dramatically different ways. You will be in school and you will be academically challenged for the first time. Skating by won't work anymore.

You will spend your weekends going non-stop. You will get lost in those weekends and it will keep you going. 

Take time for yourself and the things that restore you.

via

Keep putting one foot in front of the other and things will work out the way they should. 

Chelsea from LifeIsASunset hosts the Journey Forward challenge. 

Please stop by Chelsea's page if you are interested in other journeys. 

She has had an incomprehensible year. 

Keep her in your thoughts and prayers.