Live your life like no one's watching...

I've heard the saying "dance like no one's watching..." ((mainly aimed at us two-left footers out there)) when going out to dance or trying to encourage a friend to relax, but why stop at jut the dance floor?

Everyone is so self-conscious about what they wear, what they say, how they look, who they talk to, what they say they're interested in, the music they like, they're favorite animal, their favorite singer, their personal style, what they study in school...the list could go on forever.

People, instead of feeling comfortable in their own skin feel the need to fake this persona so "everyone will like them."

My best friend is one of those people, but I finally figured out how to bring some things into perspective...

In my life I've gone to three (school) dances. My ninth grade homecoming, tenth grade homecoming...and my senior prom. I have the irrational fear of being awkward when I dance, but when my best friend and I were talking about it she told me that when she goes out dancing she just "dances like no one's watching."

Well, of course it took me awhile to connect the two dots, but when it finally did -- out came something that I think everyone should consider.

In a world where people can and will be judged by family, peers, and complete strangers it's easy

to get paranoid and fear taking that wrong step and eventually falling into a place that you don't necessarily belong. People are pushed to become lawyers and doctors, find a nice boy/girl and settle down and start a family, stay close to home, go to college, don't construe yourself as "abnormal," find a job with a great salary, be nice to everybody, don't do anything that people could get angry at you for, always be nice...and once again this could be a never ending list. Take a look at yourself and reevaluate why you're in a certain career, why you're feeling stuck when you're being told you're exactly where you should be, why you feel completely taken for granted.

Learn that it's okay to live your own life and speak up for yourself. It's okay to make some people angry. How are you to know if you're thinking for yourself if you never meet someone with conflicting views?

Isn't that what life's about? Finding your place in the world? Making your own way?

I invested in a new gym...

His name is Koda.

There was a $100 initial fee and now all I need to do is house, feed, and entertain him.

He's a tough personal trainer. Only eight weeks old and he'll already take a 5 mile walk with no problem. I hope I can handle the pressure, haha.

However, not only does he come with a workout - he also has taken over my sleeping pattern...to ensure full results, I'm sure. ((I'm not quite sure the up-every-two-hours is all it's cracked up to be, but we'll let it slide for now)).

Anyway - he's adorable, and he knows it, but he's definitely got to learn that the world is indeed NOT his chew toy. He's not taking the news well, but he'll figure it out eventually :)

Below are some promised pictures!

Long Time, No Talk :(

Wow, it's been almost a month since I was here last! We've just adopted a husky/ lab mix and while he's absolutely amazing...he is a puppy after all and can only make it a few hours in between trips to the bathroom so mama's been slightly exhausted...

We traveled down past the middle of nowhere and close to the point of no return to get our bright, blue-eyed baby. ((Who is currently very asleep!))

So between the new puppy, classes, photography workshops, yoga, etc - I've been a little busy, but I promise to keep this up!