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There is a Buddhist meditation center in southern France called Plum Village. At least once a year in plum village, every monk kneels down before his brothers and sisters there and asks them to shine light on him- meaning to tell him how they see him.

Whoa...That is a pretty grand leap I'd say...How scary. How humbling.

After learning about this practice, I began thinking how much I wanted to do it. I think I will start with my sister and then move on to my roommates. It seems harsh but oh so necessary.

From the point of realization, I should learn how to be a better me. I will know what I need to work on, and what I am really good at. I think everyone could learn a lot from just asking someone to describe their strengths and weaknesses.

I really do want to be a better me.

If you haven't heard of Holy Yoga, you should try it- It will change your life.

"I am Breathing In, I am Breathing Out"

I have been reading an interesting book written by a Buddhist, and it's really got me thinking. It's all about living in the present. I really struggle with this concept.

I look too far into the future, even if the future is just a few days ahead.

So, I am practicing the awareness of the present, and really tuning in to how my body feels and its reaction to the world around me.

Just reminding myself that I am breathing, forces me to focus on a simple but essential part of my being.

It's riveting.

Rest. Drink some tea. Breathe. Listen.

Love: Jumping High Fives, Fall, and Makayla Hamilton

Makin' Memories in the Sisterhood

The closeness that I share with one of my roommates AnnAlise could come across weird and sometimes disturbing to some people. We laugh as much as we should and happen to be the only two girls (out of 6) in the house who don't mind running around with limited clothes on. One of the best parts of my day is when Ann and I go work our butts off at the gym, steam, sauna, talk with our feet in the pool, and then come home and hit the showers. We turn on the most gangster stuff we can find or Justin Bieber. It usually is JBiebs, but Ann is getting tired of him! How that happens? I have no idea...

YEESSSSSSSSS!!!!

I was sitting with a few of my friends in the cafe today. It was two of my favorite guys in the world (Danny and Dillon) and one of my soul sisters (Makayla). Makayla and I are crazy together. We have developed weird habits and sayings that make a lot of eyebrows raise and just make us look ridiculous.

Our most common and odd behavior, is when we are excited about something we throw our fist in the air, flex our arm, squeeze as hard as we can until our veins are popping out of our neck, and with our teeth clenched, scream "yeesssssssssssssss!!"

It gets me every time.

These odd behaviors make me happy. Makayla was home this last week, and a part of me was missing without our fist-making behavior.

That behavior makes me happy.

That single, simple thing makes me giggle every time.

Jeez...It really is the little things huh?

Dillon asked me today, "How are you just so happy all the time?"

Well Dill, it's the little things. :)