Reminders

Wednesday Reminders – Firsts

| The Bee Life

There are definitely times when I am especially reflective and thoughtful on specific moments in time or memories and in this instance, some firsts with B.  Four years ago marked our first weekend getaway together and our first Valentines Day.  I don’t know why this year I am so gooey over V-Day, it seems to vary year-to-year and for no particular reason… although in college my girlfriends and I threw a V-Day Sucks Party. *smiles*

Anyways… as I was saying, four years ago was our first weekend getaway to the cabin, which had gotten bombarded with snow, so much that it was up to my knees! There isn’t a whole lot to do in the middle of no-where, so we played a lot of scrabble and ate pizza and even took a stroll out in the snow.  It was a fun weekend away doing a whole lot of nothing, which makes it feel like you have all the time in the world.
Our first Weekend Getaway 2012 - the bee lifeOur first weekend getaway - the bee life (1)Our first weekend getaway - the bee life (2)I love looking back at this first trip to the cabin, because it’s become a tradition and our getaway, a place to get away from all of the daily noise. I also love looking back, because I’m thankful (and sometimes in shock) for the journey that’s gotten B and I nearly to five this year. I think that’s why I am especially reflective this year since we’re hitting a small milestone, yet still a milestone in my book!

 

Wednesday Reminders – Growing Up

| The Bee Life

I’ve been recently reminded that I can still figure out what I want to do with my life.  At a young age and verging legal adulthood we’re pressured to decide what we want to do with THE REST OF OUR LIVES,  what we want to study at college and where we want to go. It’s scary and intimidating! And from college we’re challenged with figuring it out once the 4-years (or more) are nearly over and… actually do it.

I was lucky. I knew the general field I wanted to study, which was good and when I did any tweaking it wasn’t major, I didn’t need to start over, like some people do, let alone go back to school after you’ve graduated. That always sounded like a nightmare, and had a stigma of a failure.

But now I am realizing that we can still figure out what we want to do with our lives, even after college, even after we’ve been in the ‘real world’ for a brief or long period of time.  We can still go back to school and learn something new, pursue a passion and make it more than just a hobby.  It’s OK to change paths if it’s something that makes sense for you and makes you happy. it takes courageto grow up and become whoyou really are.I often joke with my bestie, that it sucks being a grown-up, having student loans to pay, a full time job, a mortgage/rent, car payment, insurance… shall I continue? All those things we don’t like, but have to do.  We then joke and say; “And we wanted all of this?!” – a lot of it is inevitable, but we can at least be happy while we’re grown-ups and if that means pursuing a different path or figuring out what we want to do with our lives, it’s OK.

I believe being happy in all aspects of your life (as much as possible) is important to your success. I think that if we’re not happy or still figuring out what we want to do in our lives its OK to take time each week and focus and figure out what that is and the steps you need to take to reach your goals.

Monday Challenge

| The Bee Life

After some last minute shopping this past weekend, one thing became VERY evident. There were very few happy or friendly people shopping… yes stores were packed and it was hard to maneuver, many people wouldn’t even look at you or say “excuse me” – no eye contact just moving around and pushing past one another, looking exhausted in line or annoyed with the rest of the world.  That isn’t very holly or jolly is it? Hardly.

Luckily I encountered two friendly folks over my weekend shopping, but only because I wasn’t afraid to make conversation or acknowledge them – it was refreshing to exchange kind words with a send off of “Merry Christmas!”
Merry Christmas - The Bee Life - emilyboylan.comI was reminded early in the Christmas season, that we are often discouraged to say ‘Merry Christmas’ in fear of offending someone or political affiliations.  But when you listen to any classic song Christmas and Christ are all over them .  So I have made it a point to say Merry Christmas as much as possible.

So here is my challenge to all of you, over the next four days; say Merry Christmas to as many people as you can, in passing, at the store, over social media – share the love! Even easier yet, just look at a stranger smile and say hello.

Hello and Merry Christmas!

Wednesday Reminders – Team

| The Bee Life

Team; is a commonly over-used word, often times in false context or without meaning.  I can say this because I’ve experienced it many times in my life, whether it be high school sports, a college group project, or in the office during my day job.  But on the flip side, I’ve been a part of awesome teams, or at least had awesome team members to show me what it’s really like to work together, collaborate, have each-others backs and accomplish something – it changes everything. team
The standard definition of a team is; “come together as a team to achieve a common goal” or “two or more people working together” – this definition, in my opinion, does not truly represent what it’s like to be on a team.

My definition of a team;

  • a trusted partnership with open collaboration
  • honesty
  • being able to call someone out on their shit
  • commitment
  • sharing thoughts, life moments, news with confidence
  • sacrifice
  • laughs when needed
  • undoubted support
  • not leaving someone behind
  • it’s pushing someone to be and do their best; even if it’s hard
  • accomplishing what you set-out to do

Beyond the football field or boardroom, your best team is at home; your family, spouse, significant other, best friend, sibling, pet… it’s those teams too that really prove the meaning of a team. B and I often like to remind each other, especially if we’re disagreeing about something that we’re a team and we need to figure this out together. It’s those times of honesty that really make you appreciate having that support and person in your life.

If you’ve never been a part of an awesome, strong team, keep holding out – it’s an amazing bond, a bond that I wish more people appreciated as much as I do. Working with people is instrumental in our lives in this generation, so why not make the most of it?

Teamwork is running 2-hours and not giving up on the other person, even when you both want to quit, it’s running across the finish line, together.

Wednesday Reminders – Perspective

| The Bee Life

Lately there has been a lot of not so fun stuff happening, for a lot of people in my life and it really puts life into perspective.

It also leads to a lot of questions like… Why?
Or statements like… That’s not fair.

Sometimes things can easily be accepted by saying; “Everything happens for a reason.” But beyond the internal back and forth of reassuring and questioning, one thing is very evident, life and moments are so precious. That thing at work that might be stressing you out, or that petty fight you’re in with your friend, family or significant other, does it really matter? Do we really need to get all bent out of shape about small insignificant things, when there are much bigger things than ourselves happening? The answer is no.

So here is my challenge to all of you (myself included): do something nice for someone, even if it’s someone who you do something nice for everyday, go above and beyond. Write them a note, give them a compliment. Go apologize to that person you can’t get over a grudge with, be the bigger person. Smile today and be grateful.

My to do list for today

Wednesday Reminders – Snow happy

| The Bee Life

It’s a snowy January day and it’s hard not to stop and take a moment and watch the big fluffy flakes fall slowly like being in a giant snow globe.

I love this quote, and today I am trying to pause for the day (and rest of the week) and just be happy and content. One of my goals for 2015 is to live in the moment, and that includes the happy moments. Nothing crazy has happened, in fact I am super busy, lots of plans and busy days are coming, late nights after work with extra-curricular activities, back to back (which I don’t always like). But I am going to enjoy them, have fun, and just soak up the memories and the time.

If there is anything I’ve learned of late, it’s that things change very quickly.  Friends/family are starting to have babies… getting married… moving away, and it’s all happening so quickly and a little out of the blue (not so much the weddings) and before you know it we are going to be all old and sitting in rocking chairs talking about that one day in 2015. #Terrifying

But… I digress. Here is my challenge to you: try to be happy with me for the next three days! It doesn’t have to be 100% happy but it needs to be 90% happy. I bet we’ll feel better, things won’t be so hard or stressful, because there is always a brighter side.

Wednesday Reminders – Gratitude

| The Bee Life

With the Thanksgiving holiday tomorrow, there is no doubt that everyone is thinking about all of the wonderful things in their life. For me it’s simple. I am thankful for the wonderful people in my life; family and friends, co-workers and furry friends. No one big thing stands out, but it’s all of the small ones.

“Sometimes, the Best Way to Make a Big Difference is Adding Up Lots of Small Ones.”  – Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan

This time of the year is always fun, family comes together because of tradition, and with tradition new memories are made. For my family, the tradition is as simple as getting together, and as I’ve gotten older, traditions are starting to change. People can’t always make a weekend, too many things are going on, the weather prohibits travel, work isn’t as flexible…  I am not always a fan of change, especially when it comes to traditions and holidays, but I’m trying to look at it as an opportunities for new memories and traditions. With all the change, it reminds me to be more thankful for the time I do get to spend with my family and friends.

I think we all need to remember to be grateful, around this time of the year… but even more importantly always.

Wednesday Reminders.

| The Bee Life

Life seems to be one big race to the next vacation, the next meeting, the next holiday, the next weekend… shall I go on?  It’s little reminders like this; that help put life in perspective, let you take a step back, breathe in a deep breath, and realize all in good time.  I know more great things are headed my way, but it’s hard not to be eager and impatient, our society is all about knowing things… Right. Now.

In light of all that, today marks a big anniversary for B and I, and also marks a new anniversary and the start of our next adventure together… our house! I’m thankful and reflective today of all the great things in my life and all the great things yet to come. #happywednesday