Just For Fun

13 : Personal Tag Questions

1. What do you order at Starbucks? Most of you know this already. I'm a big Chai freak. Most of the time I'll just order a Tall Nonfat Chai Latte. During the winter I love getting all their seasonal stuff: Peppermint Mocha is my favorite. During the fall I always get the Pumpkin Spice. :)

2. What's one thing in your closet that you cannot live without? This is hard to narrow down. I would probably say my collection of blazers. It always spices up any outfit - dressy or casual.

3. What's one thing that most people probably wouldn't know about you? When I was little I was determined I was going to be a singer. My parents bought me a karaoke machine and they also bought me a microphone stand at Traders Village. I would pretend I was putting on a concert and sing my heart out. I would also have to say that I have NO singing skills at all. That dream went no where rather quickly. My biggest inspiration was Selena and I wanted to sing and dance just like her. I would study the way she sang, her moves and I would play her music and do a whole "show" to it. I have a copy of Selena's last concert at the Houston Astrodome and I always tell Chris, "One day, when I'm drunk enough, I'll put it on and do the entire concert." I know every word, every hand movement and every dance move. Word.

4. Name one thing that you want to do before you die. Fulfill God's purpose for my life.

5. What's one food that you cannot live without? Chicken! That's pretty much all I eat. I try to avoid red meat as much as possible.

6. What quote/phrase do you live your life by? "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." - This is always my go to - especially during my runs when I feel like I can't go on.

7. Who is your biggest inspiration? God, my parents, my brother and Oprah

8. What's your number one most listened to song on iTunes? I really don't use iTunes anymore. I'm all about Spotify. Currently my favorite song is Punching in a Dream by The Naked and the Famous. I also can't get enough of Selena Gomez's new song, "Come and Get it". lol

9. What kind of style would you define yourself as having? I hate to pinpoint myself to just one style because I stay open to creating my own looks, following trends, classic, sleek, adventurous. It just depends on the occasion and my mood. I'm open to any look.

10. Favorite number 25

11. Two hobbies: Blogging Fitness (running and yoga) and can I add reading and shopping in there?

12. Two pet peeves: I absolutely hate when people smack when they eat. Drives me insane. It also bugs me when people chew gum loudly and pop their gum over and over. Grrrrrr!

13. Guilty Pleasure: Key lime pie from Big Shucks - so freakin' good!

March for Babies

This was my first year participating in the Dallas chapter March for Babies which was held Saturday, April 20th at 9AM at White Rock Lake.  This event was bigger than what I imagined.  There were several families, children and little babies at this event. March for Babies is the largest fundraiser of the year for the March of Dimes Foundation. March for Babies is held in more than 900 communities across the nation. Every year, 1 million people—including 20,000 company teams, family teams and national sponsors—participate in the event, which has raised more than $1.8 billion since 1970. Seventy-six cents of every dollar raised in March for Babies is spent on research and programs to help prevent premature birth, birth defects and infant mortality.

When we passed the start line, my sister had tears in her eyes.  She said she was so emotional.  It was a great sight.  Cheerleaders on the sides, a band playing, people walking - it was an incredible sight and feeling. 

For me seeing all these people was very touching, for my sister I know it was comforting knowing that her and her husband were not alone.  There were so many people that either were parents of a preemie, lost a child, or were family members and friends. To see such a mixture of people from all walks of life come together because they all shared a similar story is magnificent to me.  

I'm proud of you sister and your work in helping spread news on this foundation as well as fundraising and reaching over $1,000 in your first year.  Aliana will also be very proud knowing you have made a difference. I'm happy to have shared this moment with you.  

Draw My Life - Inspiration to start your weekend

One of my favorite beauty gurus is Dulce Candy.  I found her blog a while back and I just became hooked.  I love her beauty channel on YouTube as well.  Not only is she beauty and fashion inspiration, but she is also the person who inspired me to read, "The Magic".  (One of the books that changed my life.)  I love how she is so positive and how literally started from the bottom and now she's one of the top beauty guru's on YouTube and is a successful Latina business woman!  I urge you to take 20 minutes to watch this video because it is so inspirational!  

Blog: http://dulcecandy.com/

Magic Dust Everyone

Day 10

Saying thank you isn't very common these days.  It irks me when people don’t say thank you.  It’s manners people!!!!  Aside from having manners, giving thanks to people is vital in improving your life!  Think about all the people you encounter on a typical day who provide you with some kind of service, like those working in stores or restaurants, customer service people, cleaners, or the staff at your work.  The people who work in service are giving themselves to serve you, and you’re receiving their service.  If you don’t say thank you in return for their service, then you are not being grateful and you’re stopping the good from coming into your life. 

Think of it as sprinkling magic dust on people.  Let them know you are grateful – it seriously not only benefits you but them as well.  People love to be appreciated. 

Today, take gratitude’s magic dust with you for the people who work in service, and look for every opportunity you can to sprinkle magic dust on everyone by saying thank you.  Thank at least 10 people who perform different services you benefits from today. 

Don’t forget to write ten blessings for the day and to practice your magic rock tonight before bed.

The Money Magnet

Day 9

Gratitude is riches and complaint is poverty – this should be the golden rule of your whole life.  We have all complained about money.  I have learned through The Magic that the only way to have more money is to be thankful for the money that I currently have.  One of the biggest things I have changed is my outlook on money.  I use to hate paying my bills.  Through the Magic I have learned that if you complain about your bills then what you are really doing is complaining about money, and complaining keeps you in poverty.  To have a rich life, you must be grateful for everything to do with money.  To be grateful, you must learn to be grateful for the goods or services you’ve received from those who billed you. 

To be grateful for a bill, think about how much you’ve benefited from the service or goods on the bill.  If it’s payment for rent or a mortgage, be grateful that you have a home, and you’re living in it.  If you are paying a bill for gas or electricity,  think about the heating or cooling you received, the hot showers, and every appliance you were able to use because of this service.  Rhonda’s task for today is discovering the phenomenal power of gratitude when paying your bills.  After each bill that you pay, say the magic words, “Thank you – Paid” over every bill you pay.  Feel grateful for having the money to pay the bill.  You can make it your regular practice every time you pay a bill.  The more grateful you are, the more you will see how you become a money magnet.  

Don’t forget your ten blessings of the day and to practice the magic rock before you go to sleep. 

1 month

So today marks the one month anniversary of me going public with my blog. I started this blog with doubts and insecurities but in just one month I have seen and felt more emotions and strength by pursuing my passion than I have in the last year. I hope this doesn't sound annoying but I am really proud of myself.

I feel like I'm on the right track in following God's plans for myself. I got out of the way and I allowed myself to just go. I would be lying if i said I didn't doubt my work at times or wonder what others think, but honestly  it is slowly fizzling away. I'm a work in progress. Some days are easier than others, but I truly believe surrounding ourselves with our passion, great support, great friends, family and God are keys to success. I'm on my pursuit of happiness and I have to say I'm already feeling stronger, healthier, wiser and fulfilled. I can only imagine how much greater I will feel as I continue to follow His plan for me.

Thank you for everyone who has taken the time to follow me on this journey. I am truly grateful and appreciative of your support, your kind words and your motivation. I use to feel alone in this world, but I have found there are a few of you who are just like me. Even if your not like me, there is something in us that we all can relate in - a special bond.

I pray you find motivation in my words, hope in my stories, and inspiration to pursue your dreams.

I have been on this journey for about 3 years now and it took me this long to start this blog. I've made so many changes in my life over this time period - it didn't just happen over night. My first step was returning to my first love - God. Once I had this relationship back on track, everything started changing for the better. I can't say my life was horrible - it wasn't, but something was missing. I never lost my faith, I just slowly stopped my relationship. I found myself only turning to God when something was wrong. In September 2011 is when I started going back to church and when I got my hands on "Everyday a Friday" by Joel Osteen. That book changed my perspective on life and I continue to use those teachings to this day. I've always had a passion for reading, but right after I read that book I found myself so eager to get my hands on any and every positive book I could find. I was addicted in learning new ways to improve the way I think, feel and act. Every book that I've read, every sermon that I've heard, every episode of Joel Osteen that I've seen has lead me to where I am now. It's been years of finding myself, loving myself, and improving myself. I still don't feel that I'm finished. I'm constantly searching new ways to be positive and grateful.

So thank you again for following me on this journey. I am truly grateful - truly, truly, truly.