Session 3: Shine On {Candice}

Surprise! It's me today! Yes, I'm guest posting on my own blog (well, I guess it's not really "guest" posting then...but you get what I mean) I know it's been said a couple of times here, but I so enjoy seeing your responses to the series, and hope that you've been enjoying it as much as I have! It's a blessing to have such a wonderful community of readers, and people such as yourself, to dream, connect and grow with. You guys are the best! :) 
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I suppose it's not totally necessary to introduce myself, but in case you've only just joined us here, Hi! I'm Candice, the girl behind the blog! It's so nice to meet you, and I hope you'll take some time to look around here, and find yourself inspired. Just a few things for you to get to know me better: I love hosting parties & celebrations, the ocean is my happy place (I'm a mermaid at heart), I love to write and plan on traveling the world. Oh, and if I had to choose, a white peppermint mocha is my favorite Starbucks drink.

Shine On. What does that mean to you? I had to sit there and stare at my computer screen for a little bit before putting some thoughts down...there's so many moments that came to mind when thinking on this subject.
I was lucky to grow up with the knowledge that I am loved, and that I had been created for a purpose, but for awhile, I wasn't really, truly happy with who I was. Confidence, sure I could have it when needed, but there were still insecurities that kept me from being totally comfortable with being me. I remember going through high school just wanting to be noticed by the "right guy" or having the perfect body, the perfect hair... it was all about how you looked or acted. Perfection was the standard and it always seemed just a little out of reach. I had good grades, was very involved in school activities, and had some close friends, but felt like most people really didn't know me for who I was, but rather what I did, it was very performance based. College continued on in a similar fashion, yet at this point, I started to see that it really didn't matter how you looked or which cute guy winked at you from across the hall. What really mattered was the confidence that comes from being totally you.

During my freshman year at college, I read the book, Captivating, by John & Staci Eldredge...I kid you not when I say that this book totally revolutionized the way I saw myself & my life purpose. (I happily hand this book out to any and all of my girlfriends now..and gentlemen, there's a version for you also called Wild At Heart) You see, what I was missing was the fact that beauty is my life purpose, and not in the physical sense, but in the sense that unveiling beauty and inviting and allowing others to discover & share beauty with the world is what matters. Beauty is what draws us in, it captivates us and demands our attention. What would a flower be without all its petals drenched in color, an ocean without its vast depths, or the sunset without its burning hues? Do you see? Our world is totally obsessed with beauty, yet so many of us miss the most important reservoire placed within ourselves. I missed it for so long, but can I tell you that when I found out how freeing it was to discover the purpose God had for my life, and to understand that his plan included the giftings and talents that he's given me, it changed something. No longer did I judge myself with an unreasonable standard that the world sets, one that is called "beauty", but is really a warped, counterfeit version. Instead, I decided to be ok with being me. I embraced the beauty within, and have been so blessed because of it. Oddly enough, God placed me in some seemingly superficial environments, yet allowed me to shine on in them, radiating the freedom and true beauty that comes from being loved by my creator, and loving who I am.

Can I just encourage you today to be you? Don't waste your time trying to be a copy of someone else..trust me, I've tried, and it's just not worth it. Who cares if you don't find your "Mr./Mrs. Right" right away, it doesn't de-value who you are as a person...there's such beauty in the process of becoming the "right" person for someone, and having time to discover who you are. Just because you want to take a different path than others expect from you, or your passions and talents lie somewhere other than where the rest of the crowd is going, don't let that sway you. Embrace who you have been created to be, and become a person that invites others to beauty. People who are truly comfortable with themselves allow others to begin discovering who they are. That's my goal, to be someone who inspires and invites others to be themselves, truly beautiful. Choose to shine today, leave comparisons and society standards behind, and I promise you..you'll love life, and you'll shine brightly.

So, shine on friend.
-Candice
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5 Ways to Stay Motivated

This is such a busy time as school begins to wind down, papers are due, celebrations of hard work must be planned, and all everyone wants to talk and think about is the promise of an upcoming summer. It can be difficult to stay motivated during this season when daydreams of sun-drenched beaches, palm trees swaying in the wind and crystal clear waters await. Here's a few things I've found to be helpful when trying to get motivated to write that last paper, study for a final or get that corner of my room finally organized!

1. Take a break from it all. This might sound counter-productive, but a quick change of scenery and situation gives your mind a little reprieve before you dive back into it. Go for a walk, read a few chapters of a book, take a quick coffee break...this will clear your mind and give you a bit of renewed energy to finish strong.

2. Listen to some music. Some people can work to music and others can't, but studies have shown that there are certain classical works that can actually increase your productivity! Read more here

Here's a quick playlist to get your started:

Rhapsody in Blue--George Gershwin

Violin Concerto #3--Mozart

Fur Elise--Beethoven

Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy--Tchaikovsky

Symphony #40--Mozart

Ave Maria--Bach

Rondeau--Mozart

Swan Lake--Tchaikovsky

Violin Concerto #5--Mozart

Reverie--Claude Debussy

3. Break things up. Sometimes that big deadline can be a little overwhelming. Make things manageable by breaking it up into smaller, incremental goals, so when you accomplish each one, not only are you experiencing success, you're that much closer to the end! Congrats!

4. Picture the end result. Imagine how relieved and happy you will be when it's all complete.

 Yes, this routine may seem monotonous, the papers--unending, and the stress may be overwhelming, but you'll be so happy when you're finished with it! Perhaps it's the last semester of school and summer (and graduation) awaits! Maybe it's a big assignment at work, but knowing that your boss will be very happy to see all of your excellent effort can be the catalyst to help you finish with excellence. Don't give up when you're so close to being done! 

5. Reward yourself. No one likes working hard without reason. After you've written that paper, finished a tough task, taken the exam you've been studying for or turned in the report, go treat yourself to something! A little reward goes a long way..it's encouraging, fun and beneficial to your wellbeing. Go ahead! You worked hard; you deserve it!

These are just a few things that I've found helpful when working towards a goal. Whether you're finishing a project at work, studying for exams, or working on a difficult task, know that you are able to work hard and accomplish what you've set out to do. 

(images via)

You can do it!

Have a great day!

-Candice

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Weekend Wanderings

As soon as this weekend is over, I'll be finished with exams! yay! I'm excited to see this final year of school winding down to a close, and a whole new chapter of life beginning. It will be time for some celebration, well-deserved fun and relaxation. The weather has been absolutely wonderful, so there's definitely going to be some beach and pool time in there also! 

Just a quick note:

If you're interested in sponsoring Teatime Thoughts for April, there's still some spots available!

Head on over to my Sponsor page for all the info! I've set up a super duper easy way to purchase & host your sponsor spots :)

Can't wait to have you here on the blog!

Happy, happy weekend everyone!

-Candice

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Memories of May

Listening to: Defying Gravity by Glee Cast

Reading: What A Girl Wants by Kristin Billerbeck (a charmingly witty and fun read! I highly reccommend it!)

It's the last day of May! When I look back to the beginning of this month, and go back through all it's happenings, I cannot believe how busy it's been! I am thankful for everything I have learned and experienced this month..here's a few snapshots of some highlights.

I hope you enjoyed your month of May as well! I shall share more later..

Good Evening!

Blessings and May Memories,

Candice

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