Hello, ladies and gents ...and by "gents" I mean "gent" (i.e. the BF, seeing how he's the only male I assume reads this site). I realize I've been abnormally quiet lately. So not like me, I know. Anywho, I'm back now! And really, isn't that all that matters?! 

On this lovely Saturday afternoon (or is it evening?...it's so freakin' sunny out still, who even knows these days!), I thought it would only be of increased appropriateness that, in returning back to TQIW after a few days off, I'd return to participating in The Quotation Inspiration Project as well. I know, I know: bad blogger!

I'm not going to lie, it was nice to be back in quote posting action. I really do get a thrill out of making others smile! Adore.

On a different note, where did this day go?! I swear, time flies when you're having "fun" ...and by fun, I mean working. I still have a few hours left in the day before my elderly women, 9:30pm bedtime setting self feels the need to close up shop and call it a night. Clock is ticking. Gotta roll.

Well, it looks like my birth"day" started a week early this year! The BF surprised me last night with what he says is only part one of my b-day gift (see pic below). Looks like I'm going to be having a great birthday this year :) ...obviously not complaining!

If you're still confused as to what the above pictures actually depict, then you probably haven't been reading TQIW for that long (not that I've been blogging for that long, but alas, I digress). Basically, the BF had a coffee table type book made for me, each page filled with pictures of all the quote pictures I've posted on the blog! Adorable, I know. 

Oh, and for those of you who couldn't make out the book's title in the first pic, well, first let me say: "get glasses." Secondly, let me say: "It was appropriately titled:The Quote I Wrote: Birthday Edition." The BF is a clever one I tell you, ha! But seriously, I am a very, VERY lucky girl!!

Then again, the BF is a very lucky man because I make him tasty diner's such as the avocado and tuna sammy you see below. The Tasti D-lite, on the other hand, was eaten alone out of pure NEED for sugar. Yeah, it was one of those days.

But today was also one of those "I get to have lunch with one of my amazing friends" kind of days. And, obviously, all good hang out sessions end with one of the friends leaving a Quotation Inspiration Project post at the lunch table...

Obviously ;)

Well, I was planning on posting A LOT earlier today, but somehow, someway, the day just got away from me. That said, I did get a lot done today (i.e. I've been a very busy girl!). Besides pretty much driving all through the District of Columbia and all over the state of Maryland, I was able to get my errand-running, shop, and clean on. Sometimes, you've just got to suck it up and "get 'er done!"...

I wound up only getting two things: a cute jacket and yellow/grey leopard(ish) crop pants...will post "my purchase" pics tomorrow. In the mean time, looks like this girl's gotta go finish getting her laundry on. If only my epic load of now clean laundry chillin' in the corner would fold itself. A girl can dream!

Good night, everyone!!

...however to be alone does not mean that you are feeling lonely.

I know this sounds very "high school term paper" of me, but alas, I must begin this post in the following way...

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the word lonely means: to be cut off from others (solitary), without company (lone), not frequented by human beings (desolate), and/or sad from being alone (lonesome). Conversely, the word alone is defined as meaning: separated from others (isolated) and/or exclusive of anyone or anything else (only). 

Did you pick up on the BIG difference? Yes, no, maybe so?! Fine, fine...I'll explain it to you. To be lonely means we feel  as if we are in a solitary, lone, desolate, and/or lonesome state of being. To be alone however means that we are simply in an isolated state of being and/or the only one present. In other words, if/when you're alone, it doesn't necessarily mean that you feel lonely. I mean, it can, but it doesn't have to! Heck, I am my own best friend and, a lot of the time, I thoroughly enjoy being alone with myself. Then again, I like me. Erase that, I love me! ...and no, this does not mean that I'm conceited and have an inflamed ego. In fact, it means just the opposite. It means that I am proud of the woman I've become and am confident in my own being and all that I do. Sure I have my moments of insecurity (don't we all) but, at the end of the day, I am a good, hardworking, and honest person doing good, hard, and honest work--and in all seriousness, what more could I want from myself? Exactly.

Anyways, perhaps this is why I felt so compelled to post the above quote in a place that houses some alone time fun--the Dupont Circle Capital Bikeshare location. 

While biking can be a fun group activity, the truth remains that most people you see biking in this city do so alone. And, seeing how biking is a great way to clear the mind, work the body, and just do a body/brain good, it's no wonder that Capital Bikeshare has become so freakin' popular. Seriously though, I feel as if every time I'm outside I pass by at least one or two bikers on those red and yellow capital bikeshare bikes. Wow, I sound like I'm doing an infomercial for CB. Oops, not my intention. Nevertheless, whether or not you prefer two feet over two wheels, the fact of the matter is this: it's not what you do when you're alone that matters rather, it's how you feel when alone that is of the utmost concern.

So, as this hump day comes to a close, I hope you can find some time in your respective evenings to have some alone time--to have a moment (or a few moments) of isolated bliss free from loneliness.

Last night I had the privilege of being a guest on stand-up comedian Dave Arena's radio show: It Doesn't Matter You're Gonna Die. Let me just say, I had a blast talking about "fear" with Dave, Michael Luckman, and the rest of last night's show participants. A lot of great points were made, shared, and discussed. Definitely something you should check out if/when you get a chance!! Oh, and now that TQIW has a "Press" page, listening to last night's show is that much easier (*insert shameless plug here*). Sorry, not sorry.

That said, whether or not you choose to listen to the soundbite from last night's show, I sincerely hope you choose to learn a thing or two from today's quote of the day...

As discussed on last night's show, most of our fears are false beliefs--the product of our own imaginations. Whereas most of these fears stem from not thinking we are good enough, smart enough, cool enough, or whatever enough, the fact of the matter is, YOU are the one acting as your own worst enemy and as your own worst judge. And, the craziest part of it all is that, in life, you're supposed to be your own biggest fan! Seriously. If you don't believe in yourself, how can you expect others to believe in you? Exactly, you can't.

So, what does this all mean? 

Well, first it means: stop living in fear. Stop living in a way that looks more like how other's want and feel you should be living and, instead, begin to live in your own truth. Begin to live in the way that YOU believe is best for YOU. Not the best for your mom, your dad, your siblings, significant other, friends, boss, or roommate, but best for YOU! I mean it. Just as Einstein's quote implies, if you can't begin to change the way you think,--and in particular,the way you think of yourself--then you can't expect for other's to view you differently either. 

If you're nodding along as you're reading this, then guess what: you're already halfway there! This is because awareness of your thoughts is the first step towards living a fear free life (well, almost fear free...you can never be fully devoid of fear, but that's a whole other post of a story).

I guess one of the best pieces of advice I can give you when it comes to shifting mental paradigms is this: it's not can you change, but will you change? Will you, as Luckman said last night, power through your fears, and if so, when?

It's kind of funny because, whenever I'm with the BF and I go to post a quote in a random place as part of The Quotation Inspiration Project, the BF always gets a little bit nervous. In fact, I've gotten a few emails from readers who have the same concern: I feel like I'm doing something wrong when I go to post a quote...like I'm not supposed to be doing this. Well, the truth is, these readers (the BF included) all have a point. Posting quotes in unexpected, public places isn't something that most people do. Then again, that's the whole point: to inspire others in an unexpected, unconventional way. Truth be told, I myself was a little fearful and nervous the first time I went to post a quote as part of "the project." But, when I started to receive emails and blog comments from people who actually saw the posted quotes, and were in fact inspired, I once again remembered why I, in the first place, had decided to start The Quotation Inspiration Project. If I'm not brave enough to post a piece of paper, then I can't expect others to be inspired and/or motivated by my work...by the quote(s) I wrote. 

That said, when I went to post today's quote at Trader Joe's yesterday afternoon, I, despite their being other shoppers and "crew" members around, was reminded of why I post quotes. I was reminded of why I shouldn't be afraid to post this quote, in this place...

Oh, and you know what? There is no better feeling then when I have just posted a quote and, while walking away, get to see people reading, pointing, and/or talking about that little nugget of wisdom I just posted. NO better feeling.

So, as you embark on this terrific Tuesday (cheesy, I know), I hope you're able to fight through your fears, and live life out of your comfort zone and in your own truth. 

Have a great day, everyone!!

I recently discovered The Shine Project which was created by an awesome girl named Ashley who states: "The Shine Project's purpose is to inspire you to live the highest quality of life obtainable, and to motivate you to join our efforts in making the world a better place." Awesome, right?! Exactly. Anywho, I was reading her latest blog post earlier this afternoon and couldn't help but feel inspired to make today's Quotation Inspiration Project quote post parallel Ashley's "be yourself" declaration. 

Remember this oldie but a goodie of a quote? I had yet to post it in a public place, but finally was able to take care of that today...

While Ashley describes bits and pieces of her childhood, telling stories of what it was like to be a semi-outcast growing up, I couldn't help but think: "oh, how I relate." Not only could I sympathize with her in terms of being made to feel bad for being a "goody two shoes," but rather her ability to recognize the beauty of being different, and being herself, over trying to contort to the popular kids' definition of "cool," really struck a chord with me. 

You see, growing up, I always felt different. I always felt as though I was constantly acting, and playing a role of this girl that I just was not. I would try so hard to fit in with the popular girls because, let's face it, I wanted to be one of them. I wanted all the cute boys to swoon over and after me. I wanted to be invited to birthday parties not just because they had to invite me, but rather because they wanted me there. I wanted to not be tormented on a daily basis. It's actually pretty amazing how still, to this day, I can vividly remember my days in middle school as a walking, verbal punching bag. Seriously though. Over Thanksgiving break this past year, I was sifting through my old books and came across a stack of old yearbooks. Grabbing as many as I could carry, I marched on over to my bed, propped up a pillow, and started my journey to the past--one page flip at a time. At first I was all smiles, looking at all the pictures of little 11 and 12 year-olds learning, playing, and just being kids. But then, as I neared the last few pages of that first yearbook--you know, the part where all the other kids get to write how much they love you and are going to miss you over the summer--my smile quickly faded to a frown. 

...and that's not even the half of it. My 8th grade yearbook is flecked with boobs and penises. Case in point:

Let's just say, reliving my middle school days was just as torturous and scarring for my grown-up, almost 23 year-old self as it was for my little girl,12 year-old self way back when. Heck, I'm pretty sure the reason that, to this day, I'm not a fan of my own birthday is because--once again, in 8th grade--all the kids at school forgot my birthday. Even worse was the fact that, the day before my birthday was actually my "friend's" birthday--a particular birthday with whom everyone remembered. While all of "our friends" made sure to bring her plenty of cakes and plates of cookies, no one remembered to do the same for me. Then again, no one remembered to even wish me a simple "happy birthday," but that's a whole other story. 

Whereas Ashley states in her post that she realized in fourth grade that she "didn't ever want to fit in," I must admit, it took me a little longer. Okay, a lot longer. It wasn't until I was in 11th grade that I finally came to Ashley's realization--why try to conform when you can be different, when you can be you. Sick with a rare stomach condition called "GI Compromise," I knew, as a high school junior, that 11th grade was going to be my last year at my Maryland high school. Moving across the country to Arizona the day my finals ended, I also knew that I was never going to see most of these kids that I went to high school with ever again. And then it hit me: why should I care what these kids think of me if they're never going to see me again? So I stopped. I just stopped caring. I stopped trying to fit in, I stopped trying to to be well-liked, and most importantly, I stopped trying to be the cool kids' friends. You want to know what happened? I actually became happier! I was finally surrounding myself with friends that I actually liked (who were actually "friends," in the true sense of the word), and who I truly liked back; not because they were cool, but because they themselves were "just doin' them!"

That said, the truth of the matter is, I did end up seeing some of those Maryland high school kids again when I transferred to The University of Maryland a few years later. I reconnected with the good ones, felt no need to "fake being friends" with the rest, and continued on my path of just being me: a happy and good-hearted girl who is there for those she loves and who love her (i.e. me) back. So, as I wrap up tonight's post, allow me to leave you with one last hunk of advice: JUST BE YOU!

Nighty night!!

Let me just start off by saying, if I wasn't currently rocking leggings, an oversized t-shirt, and my new free people headband (not worn in the "around-the-forehead" like "hippie" fashion), I would legit feel as if I had time traveled my way into Mad Men or some other 1950s housewife time trap! If I don't have to cook another meal, wash another dish, or fold another towel/t-shirt/pair of pants again for the next 24-hours, I will seriously be the happiest freakin' girl in the world. Not even remotely kidding. 

That said, my progressive attempt to give my place a nice "spring cleaning" is finally starting to prove worthwhile. The floors are shining, the dishes are washed, and I have enough clean underwear to get me through the next two weeks. Hallelujah! And why shouldn't progress be something that's praise worthy? Seriously though, to make progress means that YOU are actually "makin' moves" on the thing or things that YOU care about and wish to accomplish. Progress might not be completeness, but it's a hell of a lot more than nothingness. The infamous Tony Robbins makes a pretty great argument for "progress" as well...

Case in point, I think it's pretty clear to all of you TQIW readers that I am a coffee addict and full-on Starbucks lover. I even have a Starbucks gold card to prove it (member since 2009, mind you). So when I went with the BF to Starbucks this afternoon and refrained from getting beverage number two of the day, I first had to give myself a *mental* pat on the back, and soon after had to make sure I found the perfect posting place for the above powerhouse of a "progress" quote. Oh, and if you haven't learned from me before, bathrooms are always the perfect posting place. Hence, why one of those fancy-shmancy, "make your skin move from the powerful blowing air" hand dryers happens to have made an appearance in my pics below.

Hand drying = the perfect "inspiration/motivation" opportunity, right? Either way, it does now!! 

I need to do a lot more work tonight before I can finally put on some sweats (cuz you know, they're SO different from leggings) and call it a night, so looks like it's time for me to say adios. 

Happy Hump Day, all!