untitled.

There is so much death in this world, in this life, and my small capacity for understanding tragic loss and suffering is rapidly approaching overload.

Being a human is hard. We aren't meant for this world, we are eternal beings. But death isn't something we easily comprehend. It doesn't make sense when someone dies, when a life is lost. It doesn't make sense that one second they are breathing and their heart is beating, and then next it's not. It just doesn't make sense. And when a person dies so much is lost. That person was created with a unique intent for their life. Never again will someone walk the face of the earth with the same purpose. When a life is lost, it matters, because they mattered. That human being was a part of shaping the course of human history. Whether the part they played was large or small, without them we would all be different, and we are different when they are lost.

a TED talk.

A co-worker and I were having a beautiful conversation about life and self discovery. She shared with me a TED talk that I thought was most definitely worthy of sharing.

Check it out. It might change you.

the power of vulnerability

your mind is quiet, your heart is strong

I have been lucky enough to start taking yoga classes over the past few weeks. The first week I started, I went kind of crazy going 5 times in one week. But it was Thanksgiving, and now that my schedule is packed again, I've been able to go consistently twice a week or so.

Yoga is good for my soul, in fact, I would even say it's good for every one's soul. The yoga class that I have the most affinity toward, is a meditation style class (Viniyoga). While we spend the class working on different poses, we focus on our breathing and remembering how powerful it can be to breathe fully.

My mantra for this class is something the instructor said to us a few weeks ago. "Your mind is quiet, your heart is strong". Life gets busy and stressful, and often times it seems impossible to turn your mind off, even if it's just for an hour and a half. This class gives me a space where I can allow my mind drift into a place of peace. Where I can focus on the strength inside of me and choose to move forward in my life with confidence and gratitude.

cold tangerines

I'm reading a new book. I wasn't supposed to start a new one until I finished my current book (which is also an assignment for work, although it's a Fannie Flagg book so it doesn't actually feel like work). Nonetheless, I need to finish it. So when Cold Tangerines became available at the library, I told myself that I couldn't start it until I buckled down and finished my other book.

Since I couldn't resist the rest of the title "celebrating the extraordinary nature of everyday life", I started reading it. It's not a novel like I thought it was, but I was already singing it's praises before I had even finished the introduction. Shauna Niequist writes all about appreciating today for what it is and celebrating that. She focuses on what's good in the present. She has taught her self to stop waiting to become the person she thought she would be, and realized that all that waiting would do is make her miss out on the person already she is.

There is no magic moment when our lives change and everything is suddenly as it should be. Life is made up of many small moments that shape us into who we are, and it's time we all start celebrating them.

The 4 weeks of GIVING!

This Sunday, 12/5 kicks off the 4 weeks of Giving at Mosaic: Mayan.

Join us in bringing school supplies to support two local non-profits: The Bresee Foundation & School on Wheels. Both of these organizations are effectively serving our community and emphasis youth education and development.

Check out this video :)
4weeksofgivingweek1

yes, i ran a half marathon.

This past weekend my best friend came into town with her husband for a mini family reunion and to run the Fresno Half Marathon! Erikka's family came up to Fresno too. I was so excited to see them and super nervous to run the Half since I didn't exactly train as well as I could have. But the race was a success! I managed to run, well jog the entire thing! And Erikka and Eric got a time of 2:13! I was and still am, very proud of all of us! I kept thinking 'I can't believe I finished!!'

Morning of the race, I found out they forgot to put my name on my bib!!

I was a little angry! haha.

Eric, Erikka, me Jodie, & Collin all dressed and ready to run the 13.1!!

Finishers!! Woo hooo! So excited! ...and sore!

This I Believe II

If you value people and their stories, read this book.

If you are inspired by what others have experienced, read this book.

If you believe that everyone had a unique and purposeful life, read this book.

It's a collection of stories that reminds us of the beauty in humanity.

We don't have to look very far to find it...