Hope, there is.

"Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared." Siddhartha Guatama Buddha

Life got you down? Join the ever growing club. The ever growing club of "Smile It Off". Yes, life can really screw with us at times - most of the time. But, it takes a bigger person to stand up and say, "SHOVE IT!! I'm NOT going to allow life to take me through the wringer!" So, let's put on our rose colored glasses and get this happy party started!

A good rule of thumb is to think about at least three good things you have going, when life gets you down. Example: I have an amazing job. I get to work with people I love to death. I get to meet new people daily, dress like Barbie, and smile my way through the day. However, everyone has haters; those people who CAN'T stand for you to rise above and make something of yourself - I am no different. These "haters" have gotten the best of me, and my potential with my work, for a minute now. But, NO MORE! I have some amazing things going for me right now. Here are my three good things:

 

See?! Three amazing things in my life. Three amazing things that keep me going. Three amazing things that make ALL the obstacles I face seem small. With these three by my side, anything is possible. I know, when I see their smiling faces at the end of the day, I'm doing something right with my life. I'm making an impact in three amazing peoples' lives.

No matter the situations or circumstances, life is never too difficult to handle. Somewhere, somehow, you're making an impact in a person's life. To someone, you are the MOST important thing in their life. You make the difference. Don't let bad words, hurtful assumptions, back-biting attitudes, or haters get the best of you. You have to swallow it down and smile. It's okay to cry, scream, kick, cuss, etc. Let it out!! Then, smile. Keep smiling and carry on. Eventually, your happiness will rub off on them - or they'll leave. Trust me, smiling and happiness is contagious. I know that I probably look like a fool 95% of the time, due to my enthusiastic smiling. But, you know what? They smile back. See the smiles on the three faces above?! Yea, pretty great, huh? You're smiling now. Pay it forward.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Tuesday, and I wish you an even more wonderful Wednesday! If it's not wonderful, just think like I do... Kittens, cupcakes, bubbles, kites, flowers... :] I hope I have made a tiny difference in your outlook on life with this post.

- Michelle

Introductions Are In Order

I have had this blog lying around for over a year now. I never really posted anything but a couple recipes and what-nots. Time to change that. It's time to open up and blog more. So, here goes...

The name's Kim (or Michelle to some). I am a licensed massage therapist. I work at a day spa - which, for some reason, I love. I am a full time momma to two wonderful lovelies. C and E are the lights of my life; they make every. single. day. worth living and surviving. C is a feisty redhead (don't know where he gets that from...) and E is a strawberry blonde diva-in-training. Ever read "Where the Wild Things Are"? Yea, that was written about my kids. True story.

I am a recent graduate (from massage school) and divorcee. Divorce. It's a crazy thing. It turns your world upside down, and not in the best of ways. Life has taken me for a ride, but I'm hanging on tight and allowing things to happen. It's hard to not stress during difficult times - very hard. I'm still learning to deal with what life hands me and not lose hair over the small or big things. I was married for 6 years - 6 not-so-happy years. I'm still trying to re-learn how to love and live life without being scared or regretting things.

With all that said, I am not single. I have an amazing boyfriend who is showing me how to love and be loved. He is great with my children, and they love him more than sliced bread. I'm pretty sure E and I will vie for his attention FOR.EVER. He's amazing. As I type this, he's sitting across the room gaming. I don't think he's aware of my affections towards him - fully aware, that is. Mark my words, I'm going to marry this boy. One day.

I am an inspired person. I try to make the most out of the small things in life. I have BIG, but attainable, goals. Pre-med is in my very near future. I am a professional student, if you can believe it. I am the epitomy of nerdiness (or intellectual badass-ness). Anatomy fascinates me.

I love reading, cooking, crafting, crocheting, massaging, the outdoors, and much MUCH more. I have the brain and imagination of an eternal 5 year old. I love kittens, bubbles, flowers, sunshine, kites, fields, glitter, cupcakes, and vintage stuff. Yes, my daydreams often include kittens bounding through a field of flowers, while I am blowing bubbles and flying a kite. Told you - eternal 5 year old. I am FOREVER smiling - even through the pain. My red hair and smile are my signatures. I have a weakness for bows and rainbows. I'm ALL girly. The frillier the better.

Welp, I think that about covers most of it. I'm sure we'll delve more into my childish mindset as we progress through this blog.

-Michelle

(Things will get fancier around here, just give it time.)