fall in love with yourself...

I'm going to give a little dating advice here. Which may seem quite hilarious if you've read any of my posts about my dating life! But, I have found (my opinion) I am an excellent advice giver and a horrible advice taker. I think that goes for a lot of people, but I really love giving advice and like to think I'm pretty good at it. So, anyways, when a dear friend of mine asked for advice or really just vented her frustration, I was all about giving some advice. Which got me to thinking I should share with whatever few readers I have...

I think what I'm about to share is not a secret to anyone, but something that is VERY important for every person to live by and something people ignore. The ONLY way to be happy in a relationship is to first be happy with YOU!!! Do not ever go looking for a relationship so that other person can be responsible for YOUR happiness! That is a heavy responsibility and one that the other person will surely fail at over time. Not only because it will be exhausting for them to continuously try to make you happy, but because you will find that you're still not really happy even though you have this person that you thought would change your world. It may bring about a false sense of happiness that can last some time, but at some point you will realize you're creating more heartache for yourself and probably driving that person you "love" insane in the process. It isn't fair for either individual involved.

I'm not saying you have to get all conceded and narcissistic...in fact don't do that because that is also a recipe for disaster in relationships. But, DO take time to figure out what makes you happy and fall in love with yourself. Be confident in who you are and find happiness within yourself! I can't tell you exactly how to do this, but I know it involves a lot of self reflection.

Women in particular should heed this advice because we are the ones forever chasing that Prince Charming fairytale. Looking for that man to sweep us off our feet and give us our "happily ever after". This often has us focus on everything BUT what we really want and what really makes us happy with who we are as people. Because once you are truly happy with you, it is bound to open up more opportunity to meet and fall in love with the right person and really have that happily ever after!

"When you LOVE yourself and ACCEPT yourself, you won't have to go seeking love and acceptance. IT WILL FIND YOU!" - the single woman

I've got the loving myself thing down; now I just need to figure out how to not be allergic to relationships...

A little front porch sitting...

Have I told you before how much I love my front porch? I could only improve it by getting one of those comfy single hammock swings and have water front property instead of being a street away, but I make do.

I've been having a lot of: I'm so in love with life moments! I'm not sure where it's coming from, but I sure am grateful for these moments. They are almost overwhelming and will just pop up unexpectedly. Like when I'm driving down the road with my windows down and the music up. Or like right now, on my front porch with a big glass of Chardonnay and the cool breeze blowing.

Despite the struggles one may be faced with you have to find some joy in each and every day! Even if it is just a tiny moment...enjoy the ever living daylights out of that moment. Life is just way too short to not soak in as much joy as you can! I think when you start really focusing on those small good moments in each day you will find that you'll have more good than bad.

I hope you have an I'm so in love with life moment soon because they are glorious...

Happy October...

It's a sunny and chilly 67 degrees this fine first day of October! One of my very fave months of the year. The time when fall really feels like it's setting in. When we can start making all those delish cooler weather foods that you don't really want to eat when it's a sweltering 100 degrees out; like soups and chilli. When my drink of choice switches from vodka and water to bourbon and coke or ginger ale. It makes you want to snuggle a little closer to your flame of the month (or if you're into relationships your significant other)! A time when my weekend porch sessions welcome a delish big cup of coffee instead of resulting in a puddle of sweat. Don't get me wrong, I'm also wildly in love with summer, but there is something about Fall that makes my heart extremely happy!

Happy first day of October...