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

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

A Little Help- Same Day, Different Attitude

When things get difficult, where do you look for guidance? Lately, I've been feeling like it just falls into my lap when I need it most. When I'm trying my hardest and I'm fighting through sickness and stress, someone or something will cross my path and make it clear what I need to do.
I think we all need a little help now and then getting through life. So why not share our bits of wisdom?
I think I'm going to make this a recurring blog post. It will enable me to talk about my life, and share the people and places I'm looking to for advice. I'll just do it whenever I feel like I have something to share.
This week, I'm actually going to share something that was directly shared with me in a speech. So I can't really take credit. It just really impacted me, and I think it will impact you.

 Secrets  to Happiness-
This was one of those moments where I truly felt God was reaching down and saying something to me. I   have been very stressed, working very hard, and trying to overcompensate for the fact that I have been very sick. Knowing I needed to fulfill my duty to my chapter, I pulled myself to our Officer Transition Workshop even though I knew it was going to be a long, exhausting day. What I didn't realize is that our speaker was going to completely reenergize me, and give me the hope I needed to continue in a life that I will admit was beating me down. I'm going to share the handout she gave to us, and then explain the point that pretty much knocked me flat.

Please don't steal this image, since it's property of RMH Charlotte and the speaker Mona Johnson-Gibson.  I'm just sharing it with you because I think it's really important! Feel free to save it for yourself, but don't pin it or post it on tumblr! 

Now these secrets may seem pretty standard but I can't communicate the delivery and the most important secret of all--- the one written in the margin.


Same Day, Different Attitude:
Our speaker was talking about seeing the world as a positive place, and how every day we often have a list of things we've GOT TO do. Like here was my GOT TO list for today:

• I've got to get up and get ready before class.
  I've got to get my work done and review before class.
  I've got to get through this class, it's just below my level.
  I've got to get my book and then I've got to go eat before
  I've got to go to Shakespeare class and then
  I've got to pay attention and pass this quiz.
  I've really got to finish this homework.
  I've got to get a latte so I can survive a 3 hour block class at 3pm
  I've got to get through this video, which is making me worry about my future.
  I've got to get dinner after class and then go rest and get homework done because I've just
  GOT SO MUCH TO DO TOMORROW.

Are you as exhausted as I am? That just feels bad typing. It's negative.  It's anxious. 

So how do we fix it? One word.

GET. 

I GET TO.

Let's go through my hectic Monday again with I GET TO.

• I get to get up and get ready for a day of classes that I'm looking forward to!
  I get to eat homemade apple cake that my mom sent with me last night.
  I get to laugh with my friends during class,  because we're all in the same classes.
  I get to have lunch with my sisters and friends, which refreshes me and I get to review during lunch for my next class, which is so helpful!
  I get to enjoy Shakespeare, and my professor is creative and interesting.
  I get to relax between classes.
  I get to enjoy a delicious gingerbread soy latte during my last class.
  I get to take classes in multiple subjects because of my profession.
  I get to have dinner with a great group of sisters and my best friend!
  I get to relax and watch tv and read after dinner and blog!

How do you feel now? That day sounds better, huh? Same day, different attitude. 

Image via Pinterest

What difference can one word make in your life? What difference does perspective make? 

Feel free to share!  Let's all give each other a little help. 

Love,

Hannah 

One Week, One Idea.

One week can make such a difference.

A week ago Beauty Forum was just an idea. It was a crazy, silly thought that I was afraid to go for. It was a text that I thought Danielle would laugh at. Now it's several questions a day. 50 real posts. Something my parents are proud that I'm doing. A big announcement on Sunday...

I know you're tired of hearing about Beauty Forum, but you may just have to get used to it! Please go and check it out.

That being said, I'm hoping to do a blog overhaul here soon! Look for it!