5 Ways to Channel Your Inner Peace

Peace is important, actually it's necessary! No matter what you do or what type of person you are... odds are you long for some peace and quiet at some point in your day or week. But in reality, it's hard to come by! Whether you're a 9-5er, a business owner or a mommy or daddy to a little one, every waking moment is spent consumed doing something. You're working all day, you have to hit the gym between work and home and once you get home, it's dinner, shower, doing some additional work, prep for your next day and then back at it! -- or is that just me? Oh and don't even mention how social media has taken over our lives. I've given up on Twitter, but if I'm not on Facebook, I'm scrolling on Instagram, Tumblin' away or checking out my favorite bloggers new posts -- ahh, it's so addicting!

In the midst of it all though, I've learned to seek out some time for MYSELF. I can't stress enough how vital "me-time" is, especially as we get older and our lives get busier by the moment. I've also learned to say no. When my friends ask me to go out and I really just don't feel like it, I say no... no excuse needed. There was a time when I felt I always had to be on the scene or at every event for fear I would miss out on something, but that has definitely changed now. I'm learning that putting myself first is most important and keeps my health in tip-top shape, not to mention keeps my mood and spirit happy and upbeat! (which is good for all of those that have to be around me! lol)

Check out a few ways to channel your inner peace and keep a good flow of energy around you:

1. Yoga 
This is my absolute fave! Since becoming a Yogi a couple years back, I just love the peace that the exercise brings to my life. Flexible or not, there is a class and teacher out there that will work with you! Trust me, a great place to leave all of your stress is on the mat!

2. Meditation
It takes some work and practice and ABSOLUTE silence, but it's worth it. Take a walk in nature or sit in your favorite corner of your house, whatever you choose take about 10 minutes to center your mind around absolutely nothing. There is no special art to mediating other than breathing easy and just letting it all go.

3. Writing
I love to write. Sometimes I have nothing at all to write about but will pull out a book and pen and just have at it. Other times, I write short and long term goals or just my thoughts for the moment, which really helps me. Try making a list of things that stress you out and then burn it or rip it up -- vowing to leave those things exactly where they belong... in the past.

4. Eating Alone
It's great to grab food with friends or your significant other but sometimes having a meal alone is just what the peace doctor ordered. Don't even allow your friend IPad and MacBook to come either. Just you and the meal. Take some time to reflect on your life and your future and enjoy your meal with no pressure or rush.

5. Cleaning
I know, I know. Since when is cleaning fun? But uncluttering your space often helps unclutter your life! Blast some music, get a bottle of wine and try taking it a small space at a time. Toss old paperwork or stuff that you're holding on to for that "one day" and organize your home. By the end of the cleaning session, you've burned off some stress and you are now living in a space conducive to thinking positively and peacefully!

"Be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars. In the noisy confusion of life, keep peace within your soul."

So what about you? Are you getting enough peace in your life? and what are your favorite methods for channeling your inner peace? 

The Perfect Time

Lately there has been a lot of talk with friends about timing in relationships. How soon before you can call someone your boy/girlfriend? When is the right time say the 3 magical words? How early is too early to move in together? What about the perfect time to pop the question or how long to be engaged for before getting married? All across the country people are faced with these questions and are turning to friends and the internet for answers. Then this morning I came across this post on Facebook and read the outrageous, hilarious and just down right mean comments I knew I had to blog about it!

Most of the comments were people in shock that this couple would get engaged so quickly and a few others were people defending and actually congratulating them. But, what can you really expect when you let the public give their opinion? Of course everyone is entitled to sharing their two cents, but what I'm curious to know is, if it's really fair game for people to judge on someone else's relationship timeline, or if this 'relationship timeline' really exists at all?

I know a number of people who set timelines in relationships, anywhere from not giving up the cookies until 15 dates, or 90 calendar days, whichever comes first, to not wanting to get engaged/married anytime before 35. But who defines these things? And more importantly WHY define these things? There is no magical rule book that says that you should wait 'X' amount of days or years before taking your relationship to a certain level. Shouldn't everything be based on feelings? At least, I think so. I think that as society we put rules and time limits on when and how things can happen, and with that, we begin to limit ourselves and close off certain possibilities that could take us somewhere we never imagined. I'm not saying any of this to say sleep together on the first date or run and get married ASAP -- but simply, remain open-minded and allow yourself to throw those imaginary rules out of the window and open your heart! I'm all about having an equal balance of how your heart makes you feel and what your mind says is right... for YOU! There is always going to be someone chiming in with something negative to say, and usually those are the single unhappy or bitter ones!

So hey, if your guy proposes after 6 months and your heart says that you are meant to be, then go for it. I mean, kudos to this guy for knowing what he wanted, stepping up to the plate and doing what a lot of women have been waiting 10+ years for their man to do and some women will never see in a lifetime -- he proposed and made a commitment to her! Plus, who's to say they won't be engaged for 2 or more years before walking the aisle. To them I say, congratulations, keep loving and learning one another and prove everyone wrong by making it last!

Summer in the City of Angels!

Well guys... I'm alive!!! LOL ...and well, and smiling, and everything else under the sun! I've been super MIA this summer, as it was my first summer in Los Angeles and my life has been busy busy busy. I must say my first summer in this city has been nothing short of amazing and I spent the last few months soaking up the sun, hanging with old friends, making new friends, taking up new hobbies and just living it up!

I'm all moved into my new apartment (which I plan to do a separate post on), got a new car and I'm finally feeling all settled and like a true Angeleno! My parents are coming next weekend AND le boyfren moves here in just 26 short days, so of course that's all I'm looking forward to! :)

Lately, I've been doing some decorating, diving into the event scene, exploring new art forms, trying out some yummy recipes and working like crazy to get my company relaunched -- which I expect to happen February 2014!! I must say, as much as I beat myself up feeling like it took me forever to get settled, I look back at the past 7 months and I am very proud of myself for how far I've come. They say it takes about 2 years for anyone to get settled and make a new city "home" and I truly already feel like it's home here. I am blessed!

So to those of you out there thinking of making a life change or move, go for it! Always stay humble, focused and grounded and remember that just as you can think you have not come far enough -- look back sometimes and actually see how far you have come! Patience, prayer and persistence is what has gotten me through the past 7 months. So keep pushing dreamers!

Check out some flicks below of a quick recap of how my summer was spent :)

summer in LA - slideshows