Smile :-)

One of my favorite quotes is by Mother Theresa ~ "Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing." When I woke up today I decided to live this quote all day - giving love through smiles and a joyful attitude. And you know what I discovered? Joy is contagious! And, not only was it affecting the people around me but it was also making me happier and enjoy the day more as well. Imagine if everyone was living their day focused on giving out smiles and joy? What a simple, but powerful way of changing the world.

Raw Humanity

I love the person who somehow has, either naturally or developed through experience, an instant openness with others. She is a down-to-earth, loving, real, person that you feel you can tell anything to although you've only known her a moment. She is someone who says what everyone always thinks but doesn't have the guts to vocalize. And best of all, she doesn't judge you or ever put herself one bit higher than you.

This person has a strength about her that is not rugged or necessarily the result of painful experience overcome, but is just a core of goodness powerfully living life as it comes. She is a woman who lives with a "what can I do for you?" attitude and a "let's make this happen" drive. Although she may not even remember your name because you just met, she'll probably call you "sweetheart" or "baby," and wrap her arm around your shoulder as if to say "alright we can do this." No matter what life brings, as long as I have this woman's respect then I know she has my back.

I know someone like this, and today I was reminded of how refreshing it is to be around someone so strong, honest, real, approachable, open, and equal. It's raw humanity - not hidden behind walls of any kind -- it's inspirational.

Well..the practicing challenge has been half achieved...Doing more like 4 hours a day right now! Goodness, Lang Lang. Way to make the rest of us feel terrible about ourselves!! haha.

Today was grrreat! I practiced a long time, ate real meals that were both tasty and good for me, went for a run OUTSIDE, and studied some German. Man, if only my day job didn't exist, right?? haha. No, no I enjoy that too. But it certainly is nice having a couple days off to really throw myself into music and shape a day just the way I want. I can't believe the competition is only 8 weeks away!! Where did February go??!?

So BIG NEWS! I've decided to move to Hanover, Germany!! My cousin Nicolai needs a roommate for the coming year, so this is my golden opportunity to live in Europe!! It's all happening so fast, but I feel incredibly excited at the prospect. I've started boxing things up in the apartment and making the oh so difficult "ja or nein?" on the junk I've managed to collect the last couple years. It's strange to be in this transition period because it hasn't fully hit me that I'm moving. Seeing boxes all around the house has certainly been a little reminder everyday though. But it somehow feels so natural to be going there that I hardly feel any different.

Life is such an adventure, isn't it? You never know where it will take you next. I guess for me, Germany! :-)