Leaps of faith.

Sometimes one of the hardest things in life is taking a leap of faith. Change is always hard and it can be so easy to become comfortable in a routine or sense of stability. The problem is that without letting go of what is safe and taking personal risks, we limit our capabilities and opportunities. Change, new circumstances, and new challenges in life, allow growth and progress. What is the point if we remain stagnant? Can we truly find happiness without growth? I find that dreaming big, having faith and believing in yourself no matter the challenges or what others may think = success and happiness. This does not mean that things will come easy, but with hard work, determination, positivity and courage, almost anything is possible. Perception is often reality, so don't limit your opportunities by focusing on your fears of how you could fail. Think about your strengths, where you want to be and all the ways you could get there, and just do it. Have courage, dream big, and fight for those dreams. YOU CAN DO, OR BE, ANYTHING.

Enrich your days.

Get rid of everything in that fails to contribute to positivity, growth and happiness in your life. Improve the quality of your precious days by getting rid of the clutter. Let go of the meaningless pastimes, tasks and worries, and allow yourself to soar. You have only one life to live. Make sure it is as full of beauty and joy as possible.

(Appreciating my favorite flower in Gulu, northern Uganda)

Heroes.

On the drive home today I started to think about heroes. Who were my personal heroes? The first thing that popped into my head was meeting people in Uganda and Rwanda who had suffered so much yet still found so much joy and happiness in life and still had more hope and love in their hearts than most people I had come across. I met a few very special people who had lost everything in the genocide. They witnessed the massacre of almost all their friends and family, yet they were so open and full of life. It blew me away. Sometimes, we assume that the happy people we come across are individuals who have had it easy and are naive. However, I have found that the happiest people are really those with utmost strength courage. To become angry at the world and to lose hope is the easy way out. To find the silver lining, to keep pushing and finding beauty when things seem bleak and grey takes true courage and wisdom . Those people I met during my semster abroad studying post-conflict transformation, who displayed joy, hope and love despite their incredible tests and trials will forever be a source of inspiration to me. They are my heroes.

 (Group of us students w/ an amazing and incredibly inspiring man)

 (At a refugee camp in southern Uganda)

(W/ an incredible group of Tutsi & Hutu women working together and displaying hope and unity despite the obstacles. Half the women had husbands who were imprisoned for crimes they committed during the genocide and the other half were widowed after their husbands lost their lives in the genocide.)

(Beautiful beautiful Rwanda)

Gift yourself.

Gift yourself by giving to others. Make use of all the blessings you have been given.

There are SO many ways to give! Here are a few simple ones: 

Make someone laugh.
Write a letter to someone with 10 reasons why you love them.
Help someone with their homework, resume etc...
Listen to someone. Like really listen without any judgment or expectation.
Give someone a ginormous bear hug.
Write little love notes and hide them in a persons purse/ or all around their room.
Bake something delicious and sweet for a friend.
Call someone you haven't spoken to in months.
Paint a picture for a loved one, no matter what the end result may be. It's the thought that counts! 
Cook your family a 3-course dinner.
Pack someone a lunch for work the next day filled w/ yummy sweet surprises.
Go out of your way to help someone out with something they are struggling with.
Tickles and giggles.  

(bear hugs)

(Birthday carrot cake cupcakes from a dear friend that made me SO HAPPY :)

(Michel was in the process of drawing me a paisley picture because i love paisleys :)

Love. Always Love.

It is very easy to overlook the power of positive, loving and uplifting words. But what an amazing and beautiful gift we have to be able to uplift others, make some smile or laugh! I often find myself in complete awe of how transformative a single kind act or word can have one someone's day. We have the power to change, uplift and inspire. And it can start simply with a few words.

YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL.

A few pictures of people that have lifted me up with their positivity and LOVE: