One Simple Way To: Stand Tall

Every day we wake up with a new day, a new to start over to write our own. Each day the sun rises and so do we. We wake up to an awesome day that awaits us. Each day we are blessed with a new seed to grow into a beautiful new tree.

We can have it all just with a new mindset. A new mindset that our “tree” has new leaves fresh and crisp ready for that new day. Our trees are all different in there own ways, constructed vein by vein in each leaf, branch by branch down to the trunk to support and hold up everything. Our tree is special. It’s leaves may shed, to leave us with something bare but that’s just it— they shed for something greater. Day by day we are graced with new. New ideas, new support, new growth. We may run into trouble or doubt but one thing remains: each new leaf to make our tree is beautiful. A tree doesn’t doubt how to grow it just does. Our path and growth is planned for us and we just need to do. Just do what’s best for us in order for us to grow. To grow into something magnificent and detailed in our own unique ways.

This isn’t my typical blog post but I felt inspired by J Lo’s new movie, Second Act and the words just flowed in because we all can have that chance to have a second act. We are not always in control but we can nourish our tree to grow and guide it into something amazing.

If you’re reading this, your tree is special too. You are detailed and wonderfully made. You are developing new beautiful leaves and strong branches to add in supporting the greatest thing: you. You’re tree shouldn’t doubt its ability to be something stronger, something outstanding. It just does. So tomorrow just be. Be you. Be your own kind of beautiful and let your tree stand tall.

Xo,

Kai

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10 Things College Taught Me

It has been since April since I last wrote!  It feels weird, but I have been taking this time to focus on me (and let’s face it– school has taken up most of my time).  I try to squeeze in as much as I can at once with everything: family, friends and my own time.  I was itching to write something and wanted it to be a fun post because I realized a lot of my blog posts are pretty serious whether I mean to write them that way or not.  Sorry, not sorry.

I’ve gone through college twice.. over exaggerating? Tiny bit. I completed my bachelor’s degree in 2016 and I am currently wrapping up my master’s degree (just a little under 6 more months but who’s counting, right?).  Since I am almost done with my master’s I thought it would be fun to share what this experience of gaining two degrees has taught me thus far that I have helped me through life in general (with or without a degree).  Here goes nothing.

1. You are greater than you think you are.  Stop doubting whatever it is, because what you have is great
2. Only you can define you.
3. Be yourself because everyone else is pretty weird (am, I right?)
4. The risk, the tears, the difficulties you may go through are all worth the triumphs
5. You literally got this.  Like you can do anything you set your mind to and then some.
6. You are destined for bigger things… things bigger than you and you will accomplish them
7. It is okay to break down and say, I can’t (spoiler alert: YOU CAN!)
8. Change your mindset.  It is really amazing when you start off with a positive attitude or change your “have-to’s” to “get-to’s”.
9. You will be okay.  I have literally felt the lowest I thought I could be, but in the end I was okay.  Whatever it is that is difficult (from small to big), eventually, you will be okay.
10. Be excited about your next chapter because it’s big.

xo,

kai

A Quick Guide on New Years Goals

a letter to my future self:

2017 was a rough year to sum it up into a sentence.  With any roller coaster ride of a year you have ups and downs and lessons that were learned.  Over these 365 days these are the 23 things I have learned and the things I will carry with me into the new year.

1.  Stop pretending to be someone you are not or someone that someone else makes you out to be.  You don’t have to impress anyone, but you.  If someone’s expectations are different, let them be different.  Be you — through and through.
2. Keep your feet grounded.  Not literally, but hold onto the concept that the ground is a support for the times that are shakey.
3. Breathe.  Go outside, take a walk and breathe.  Appreciate the blue sky and the air around you.
4. Remind yourself that life is beautiful even in what seems like a disaster.
5. Be a genuine human.
6. Tell the people you love you love them and mean it.
7. Do something that scares you.
8. Push through the pain; in the end the pain will fade, you will heal and be okay.
9. Day dream and set goals for those dreams.
10. Hold on to hope.  You might not feel like it is there, but it is.  Trust me.
11. Dance in the street with strangers or friends because life is short.
12. Be the light in the darkest places.
13. Do one thing a day that makes you happy.
14. It’s not your responsibility to fix anyone.
15. Try your best. Always.
16. Remember tomorrow is always a new start and a fresh new day.
17. Learn something new.
18. You are alright. (In the words of my bestie, “you got this”. And P.S. you do.)
19. Life is hard, but you are stronger than the hard times.
20. Turn your music up and blast your speakers.  Let the music take over and be free.
21. You are an awesome human (who cares if your weird or what other people think).
22. Meditate daily.  Even if it is for five minutes.  Take a minute for yourself.
23. Let it go. Whatever it is, let it go and let God.

None of that “new year, new me” stuff.  We are still the same people we might just have new scars or beauty marks in this new year, but we have a fresh start for new memories (good or bad) and those memories are what you make it. Cheers to a new year!

xo,

kai