Monday Motivation: A Season For Everything (Also, I'm BACK!)

I'm back y'all! Hopefully for good this time! If you didn't know, I took time off from blogging because my life got a lot overwhelming. My health has been a constant source of difficulty for me over the past five years since I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease. I tried to go back to college this Spring after a major surgery (in October), but it turns out a major Crohn's flare was just an insurmountable obstacle and everything became incredibly difficult at college. I withdrew from school last week and now I'm back at home unfortunately. I'll be taking time to work with doctors to improve my health, and doing whatever I can mind, body, and spirit to heal. I'm also hoping to do a lot in terms of advocating for Crohn's and other chronic illnesses.
 The way I look at it, this experience is just a speed bump. I'm on a great path. I have a great future. I'm doing great things, and I'm excited about that. There's a season for every thing, and right now I KNOW I need to take care of myself and my health.

I know God would never steer me wrong. I spent so much time before I withdrew last month crying and stressed out. Praying for an answer that all along was right in front of me. Let me just say, my health is already improving now that I am home and taking care of my body and spirit. I know this is what I need right now.
I encourage everyone to listen to themselves and God more, because even when it seems like you "can't" you probably can and need to.

Ignore anyone who tells you you're not good enough. Even that part of yourself that sometimes wants to call you a loser. Because I dealt with that girl a lot last month, and let's face it, she's not helpful! God is on your side and he has a reason and a plan for everything you're going through.

Hang in there. Keep praying and keep going.


Oh and bear with me if I'm a little all over the place with posts. I'm hoping to be back to this but I really don't know what the next few months will be like now that I'm home. Glad to be back though!

Hope this finds you happy and healthy,
Hannah

Monday Motivation- Peace

Happy Monday, y'all. I hope this week finds you healthy,  happy, and most of all--- at peace.
I've been struggling lately with finding peace throughout my struggle with my health, and I keep looking to God for help. The more time I spend praising God for the good in my life and being mindful of my blessings, the more at peace I am.
So I thought I'd share this with you:

Because I sometimes need a constant reminder, I made this in the size of an iPhone background, so you can save it for your phone and be constantly reminded of Christ's presence in YOUR life! 

I think for a while I felt like it was harder to have peace and strength when I was going through something, but I'm learning that recognizing Christ's presence is enough to bring me true peace and happiness at any time.


How do you get through difficult times? I think I learn a little more with every day that I struggle.

Stay beautiful,
Hannah

Celebrate Everyday Moments

Via Pinterest

I wanted to just take a minute to remind everyone to celebrate more often. I think a lot of the time we get caught up in our hectic lives and forget to mark the little accomplishments and good moments. 

There's always something to celebrate! 

I think we're so much quicker to scold ourselves and others for our everyday mistakes than we are to celebrate our little achievements. That should change! Life is too short to always focus on our flaws. 

So reward yourself! Whether that be with cupcakes or lipstick is up to you,  just make sure to take the time to celebrate. 

What are you celebrating these days?! Share your joy with me! 

Stay beautiful, 

Hannah

My Favorite Show- Parenthood

If you listen to any recommendations that I give you (outside of my beauty recommendations, obviously) let it be this one.

Watch Parenthood. 

Pick up the DVDs and watch the first two seasons if you're super eager, but really just get started watching season 3 because it needs viewers and it's an amazing show.
I've never cried so often, laughed so hard or related so much to a show--- and I'm not a parent. If you're a part of a family---big, small, crazy, normal, whatever--- you will get it.
This show is my family, it's your family, it's every family.

The show centers around the boisterous Braverman family, headed by Grandparents Zeke and Camille. Their four children and their children all live in the surrounding area and their lives and personalities mesh in hilarious and heartbreaking ways. For a better synopsis click here.

The writing is beautiful, real and hilarious. The cast is amazing--- if you watched Gilmore Girls you'll recognize Lauren Graham or Lorelei (the reason I got hooked on Parenthood!) Not to mention the rest of the brilliant cast including Mae Whitman, Craig T. Nelson, Erika Cristensen, Dax Shepard, Joy Bryant, Peter Krause, Sarah Ramos, Bonnie Bedelia, and many more!

I find that everyone I know who watches the show will have a character or at least a storyline that they really relate to personally. I find that I'm a mini Julia Braverman-Graham--- type-A personality, rule following and workaholic. My friends and family laugh at how much  I remind them of her!

Erika Christensen explains the Braverman family dynamic with some great Julia Braverman clips from Season 1.

The season premiere was tonight and I'm so excited that it's back! Start watching with me, it's on NBC every Tuesday at 10 pm!

Let me know if you watch, I love talking about it.