Not all who wander are lost

When there are so many things going on your life, in different levels of your life, it is like a roller coaster of emotions. I don't think I should try to contain them, rather surf on these waves. Looking at my childhood I was never constrained with limits thanks to my parents. We moved to a different city when I was 10. Maybe it was the first of many major changes that would come through. Maybe leaving my childhood friends, my house, the streets that I play and the palm trees behind is what made me quite adaptable person.

I got used taking the leap and know that net appears as I go along. If something looks scary, it becomes even more tempting for me. I might be hurt if I do it, I might not fit in (not that it ever happened:), I might be challenged until all settles. But how would I know if it is the right decision if I never make it.

Change scares people. For a person who can easily get attached to things emotionally like me, I am also scared of being ordinary, being boring. I follow my feelings most of the time. In the head vs heart game, my heart always wins. It gets me into trouble, it gets broken; but it is me, it is what makes me. It is also what got me where I am now. If I were to just follow logical patterns, I don't think I would be where I am right now. 

And the important thing that I am proud of is not being where I am now, but being happy with it. Happy that I fell, I struggled, I went to top and to bottom, got hurt, laughed and cried for hours, found myself on so many random days, nights, events. At the end of the day I make it work for me. I even feel blessed to have my life with all its hardships and joys.

Just a desk move triggered this post. I guess this is my 6th or 7th desk in 3 years including different buildings. I feel this is definitely not the last one.

Then I see people who are not ready for new things, moves, relationships, love, job. In fact, I know couple people like this and their stagnant point of views feels like winter on a hot summer day on the beach. But, if not now, then when?

Priorities: Do What Really Matters

 

So, I am a hard-working person who is really passionate about what she does and her company. I do my job in the best possible way and look ways to improve myself and climb up the stairs of my career. 2 years ago, if you asked me, I would say the most important thing in my life is my career. I don't know if it is to do with age, maturity, experiences or new point of view, my thoughts changed.

I still love my job and feel passionate about it. I am extremely excited what is yet to come in the next couple of months. But. There is a but. I now feel that career is nothing if you are not living the life out there. If you are not watching the sunset, not sharing drinks and laughing over stories with friends, not dancing till morning, not having a nice dinner with your family, not jumping into the sea from the pier, not having sushi and vanilla ice cream nights, not going for a run...

There is a whole life out there and what you can do is limitless. I recently read a very short article from former CEO of Coca-Cola Bryon Dyson which hit me in the heart. It basically says out of work, family, health, friends and spirit the only replaceable one is work. If the others are broken, you cannot mend them. However, you can always work. You can always earn some money to live. You can pick it up where you left.

With this I am even more inspired to live, experience what I haven't yet, enjoy new things, have more fun, fall in love, create memories. Then work and my career would (hopefully) be even richer with this. I am not saying, quit your job. I am just saying remember the life outside of it. Career can't complete you, living does.

Looking Forward

So I realized (especially lately) I am always counting down for something. Counting down for a holiday, counting down for a girls night out, counting down for sushi & vanilla ice cream nights, counting down for the launch event of a project... List goes on and on. With everything going on, I am stopping myself once in a while and looking back. Here is what I am feeling:

Wow, how the hell time passed this quickly... and how full of laughter, happiness, events, celebrations, partying and traveling of it. Do I want to stop? Certainly not. Looking forward to travels, things, feelings, dates, girls nights, kisses and texts is what makes it this valuable and priceless. Only trick here is to stop. Not to stop looking forward. But stopping to realize what is going on without questioning, worrying, details and enjoying the moment. Realize your feelings, the sun on your skin, the breeze as you are running, the moment makes you smile, taste of that delicious food, laughter you are sharing.

At the end, it is good be a free soul, not making plans, and living the moment as long as you know how far you can stretch.

Friday, Holiday & Happiness

I woke up super happy today. I put on a summery dress, went out walking in the sunny weather to work. Got croissants for myself and friends from the Italian bakery in the corner. Came work and started working. Tasks and projects seems to be easily flying away with my mood. 

I don't know if it is because I am already done with most of my packing one day in advance of my travel (for the first time!), the dinner date I have tonight, or maybe simply it is Friday. Or it is the combination of all.

I am thinking how can I have more days like this. Is it the external conditions that sets this cheerful girl inside of me? Or does it come deep within? I think one should be able to make it come from inside which in turn will effect the outside factors.

If you are not a happy person inside, if you cannot find happiness inside by yourself, no matter what happens around you, it wouldn't be ever enough for you. You would maybe be more materialistic. Finding that point inside is not an easy one. Comes with a lot of experiences, listening to yourself, knowing what you really want. And no. I haven't been able to keep that everyday. I don't think it is human to be that optimistic. Nothing is that pink in real life. It is just the matter of remembering that you are the control of your happiness even in times it seems out of your hands.

I can't wait for tonight, I can't wait for tomorrow. I will be toes in the sand, sun in my hand as of tomorrow, breathing the sea breeze.

Cheers to that! And Happy Friday!

Everything Happens for a Reason

Things change fast. Things change fast in a good way. One second feels like million years and it feels dark. The next is very bright. Then you appreciate the darkness. Relief. Serenity. Feeling like living again. Loving every moment, every second. 

Just take a deep breath. Close your eyes. Enjoy the scene, happiness and love you feel deep in your heart. Get lost in it.

100th Post!

This is my 100th blog post! Unbelievable that I wrote that many. In honor of this, I have a new design and I am loving it.

I also wanted to do something different for this post and decided to list 100 thing that I like to do, things I can't give up, things that are part of me.

Here we go (in no particular order):

1. Bruno (my dog)

2. LinkedIn

3. Starbucks 

4. San Francisco

5. Summer

6. Guildford

7. Baking spontaneously

8. Maldives

9. Cup of coffee in a rainy day by the window

10. Reading 

11. Shopping

12. Decorating my home

13. Catching up with old friends

14. Girls night out

15. Doing sports

16. My plants

17. Alacati

18. My high school friends

19. Weekend breakfasts

20. Christmas joy

21. Opening/Giving presents

22. Little suprises

23. Work gatherings 

24. Guinness

25. Watermelon

26. Sea

27. Planning trips

28. My first visit to NYC

29. Serenity

30. Animals

31. Cupcakes

32. In-N-Out

33. Mom & Dad

34. Boxes - yes, weird but i like different boxes

35. My urbanears headphones

36. Handbags

37. Swimming

38. Frozens in a hot summer day

39. Ice cream

40. Home stores

41. Photo frames

42. Laduree macarons

43. London

44. My mug collection 

45. "Keep Kalm and Carry On" signs

46. Tanning (under real sun)

47. Sea shells

48. Losing myself in Sephora

49. iPhone

50. Barcelona

60. Palm trees

61. Sunset

62. Irish pubs

63. Candles

64. Looking at old pictures

65. Keeping all sorts of tickets, brochures from important events and trips

66. Wine & Cheese

67. Teacups

68. Crêpes

69. Ballet pumps

70. Tapas & Sangria

71. Driving

72. Coconut juice

73. Wine therapy events with girls from work

74. Ikea

75. Walking around in a new city

76. Watching the moon with a telescope

77. Disney/Pixar movies

78. Turquoise 

79. French manicure

80. Spa

81. Horse riding

82. Country side

83. P&J

84. Soup and bread in a cold day

85. Volleyball

86. Coco Mademoiselle

87. Sushi

88. Nail colors

89. Foosball

90. Chocolate

91. Blue sky

92. Brunch

93. Italian food

94. Lavender

95. Black eyeliner

96. My Nespresso coffee maker

97. Monopoly with friends

98. Nutella

99. Being girly

100. Snow

There! I made it!

Laters all!

 image: thefashiondish.com

Just a Dog

Just a Dog

From time to time people tell me, "Lighten up. It's just a dog." or "That's a lot of money for just a dog."

They don't understand the distance traveled, time spent or costs involved for "Just a dog".

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "Just a dog."

Many hours have passed with my only company being "Just a dog". 

And not once have I felt slighted. 

Some of my saddest  moments were brought about by "Just a dog".

In those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "Just a dog" provided comfort and purpose to overcome the day. 

If you, too, think it's "Just a dog", you will probably understand phrases like "Just a friend" or "Just a sunrise" or "Just a promise".

"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy.

 "Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.

Because of "Just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks, and look longingly into the future.

For me and people like me, it's not "Just a dog".

It's an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past,

 and the pure joy of the moment.

"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and 

the worries of the day. 

I hope that someday people can understand it's not "Just a dog." 

It's the thing that gives me humanity and keep me from being "Just a man" or "Just a woman".

So the next time you hear the phrase "Just a dog", Smile because they "Just don't understand"..

-Unknown Author

 courtesy of: Jeans and Tees and Travel and Cakes: Just a Dog.