"Predestined"

Hey guys! I haven't posted a poem lately, and I've been itching to do so. I wrote this poem, because I was pondering how and why we judge other people. We don't even know them, and we simply assume things because we're uncomfortable with diversity and change. If this is too political for you, I'm sorry that there's this little thing called opinion and freedom of speech.

"Predestined"

I don't believe in a heaven. I never really have.
If the length of my skirt determines the depth
of my salvation, I don't want eternity with "the saved".
We all love to worship "holy men"
Their sermons are the ultimate authority
But where is the God they claim they serve?
They miss God because they're too busy gossiping about the girl
Who sits quietly in the back row. She occasionally drinks
And sometimes even dares to swear.
"She's not a real one", they whisper.
I don't want to spend any time in your heaven
If you're only going to make me become a porcelain doll.
White's a dirty color anyways.
See, I want to be loving,
but your doctrine says it's evil to even simply like myself.
I'd love to be respectful,
but it's hard to respect the way you judge every single person except yourself.
I want to be compassionate. Really, I do.
But it seems like you're quite passionate about damning me to hell anyways.
If hell is a place where perfection isn't allowed, then I'm alright with being there.
You could probably host "prayer meetings" for me. We'll see if God still loves me.
But whatever you do, please just don't try to paint me white.

Celebrating the Little Things

Hello Everyone!

I hope you had an absolutely fantastic Thanksgiving. I am so happy to announce that I DID finish NanoWrimo (and a day early!) It was a wonderful time for me to really learn about my own writing style and just simply have fun with the entire journey. It was a huge commitment for me as well as a giant challenge. There were times when I wanted to chuck my novel away and forget it all. But choosing to stay with the challenge was so worth the crazy writing. It made November 30 a more beautiful day and I now get the luxury of enjoying my novel and slowly working on revisions.

Now is the time when things get crazier. Workloads and holiday excitement are piling up. It's easy to get whisked away into the madness of all of it. But you need to celebrate you more than ever now. If you get even the tiniest bit of work done, stop for a moment and praise yourself. It's progress and it deserves to be recognized. You deserve a break from your work so that you can be happy with yourself. Be your own best friend and cheerleader. You are getting stuff done! If your shopping gets done sooner than you expected, don't rush off to the next item on your to-do list. It will only make you feel more anxious and stressed and no one wants a rushed and crazy holiday season. Take time to make yourself feel special. You are truly awesome. Take a few breaks once in a while. You can afford it.

Have a wonderful day! Your workload will eventually start to decrease (believe me, it will) and now is the time to enjoy your family and your friends. Tis the season for relaxation and celebration. And if some work gets done in between, that's really awesome. But most importantly, it's taking care of yourself that matters most.

Love and Peace Always,
Chloe

Hobbies Save Your Mind

Hello everyone!
Again, I've been MIA while writing for NanoWrimo. If you aren't familiar with it, it is a challenge to write a novel with 50,000 words by the end of the month. It's been so fun and I love that it pushes me to make time to write every single day. But fear not, I have not forgotten about you.

Today I want to encourage you to find a hobby. For me, it has been a lot of fun to write, but to also crochet. I'm a novice in both writing and crocheting, but I believe it will only get better. Maybe you can learn to paint, or play an instrument or get involved with a fitness class. With the weather getting colder, (and cruel if you live in Chicago or north of Illinois) it helps to find something that makes you happy. For me, colder weather makes me really sad. Honestly, there's not much I enjoy about winter weather, but crocheting and writing have given me breaks to stop being negative and whiny, and to focus my energy on creating something new.

Sometimes, curling up with a book by the fireplace is also one of my other favorite winter activities. As cold as it is outside, there's still lots of fun things you can do to keep yourself occupied and to prevent your mind from slipping into the dark side of compiling and groaning. It's still hard for me to snap out of my negativity, but I'm still learning and hoping that I embrace all stages of the changing seasons. Stay warm and go find something that makes you super happy.

Peace and love always,
Chloe

Get Moving!

Happy Tuesday, everyone! I hope your week is off to a great start!

Today I've decided to reflect on the wonders that a bit of exercise can do to not only your body, but your mind as well. 

It's no secret that working out helps achieve and/or maintain a healthy, fit body. Cardiovascular exercise reduces the risk of heart attack and the chance of getting diabetes. And it also helps with weight loss and weight maintenance. But exercise has also been known to help with depression, anxiety and simply stress reduction and management.

For me, running is my way of blowing off steam and stress. I can tune out life's dramas and focus on getting my heart rate up and if I'm running outside, I get to soak up fresh air and my surroundings. School work gets put on hold for a little bit and I actually have found that working out keeps me even more focused on my school work and studying. Sometimes studying too long and too hard can make my performance go down instead of up. So it helps me to take a break and go to the gym and sneak in a little exercise. 

Exercise can also help with insomnia. Sometimes when I try to fall asleep, I just can't because my body isn't very tired yet. The only thing is, do not work out too close to bedtime because your body will not wind down as quickly. There's this wonderful thing that happens after exercise known as "runner's high" or a surge of endorphins which makes your brain active. When you work out during the day or early evening, you give your body a chance to blow off stress from work and it gives your brain a chance to relax instead of constantly worrying and hyper-focusing.

Exercise can also help with depression because when you are working out, the exercise stimulates endorphins and you get what is called "runner's high". Basically, you feel very good and happy. :) 

Getting your blood to flow quickly and getting your heart rate up regularly can really help with your sense of well-being. 

I know that for many people, including me, we often try to find excuses to not exercise. We're tot busy, too tired, and exercise can be boring. You don't have to be a huge gym rat, but it is still very crucial to get your heart rate up regularly and stay in shape. It saves your life! I always try to make sure my workout playlist on my phone is high energy, positive and upbeat and that always helps me stay in the "workout zone" and it really helps make going to the gym so much more enjoyable! 

Have a fabulous rest of the week! And don't forget to love your body enough to give it want it needs and wants!

Love and Peace Always!

-Chloe

Facing Challenges

Wow! I've been MIA for quite some time. I hope you all have been enjoying the past several weeks. I have been really busy lately, but I am also enjoying the quicker pace of life. At least I'm never given the opportunity to be bored. I have embarked on a new challenge/adventure. I am participating in the November Novel Challenge which involves writing 50,000 words by the end of November. It can be through poems, short stories, or maybe even writing parts of a novel. I am not really sure what I have gotten myself into especially on top of being a college student, but it's a challenge and I happily accept.

Sometimes we can't accept every single challenge that gets thrown at us. We'd get too exhausted and some of the challenges just are not realistic and/or physically possible for us. But I do enjoy observing how different people respond to challenges and the "catches". Challenges are unique in that they either showcase our strengths and our bravery, or they showcase the complete opposite: Our weaknesses. However, I think each challenge can teach us something new about ourselves that we didn't know prior to partaking in that challenge. I've learned that when the going gets tough, I tend to first become discouraged, but afar a few days, I'll typically get a second wind and then be able to finish. It's alright if you need to take a break. In fact, it's healthy. Sometimes it's important to take a step back from the situation, re-examine it and try it again. You'll get it eventually. It's just about perseverance and inner strength.

Don't forget that you're never alone when you face a challenge. You have family and friends and they're meant for support and encouragement. Don't be shy about using their support and go and tackle some things!

Peace and Love Always..
-Chloe

Don't Forget About Yourself!

Hello! I hope you are enjoying the change in seasons as much as I am.
The transitions between seasons can be pretty and scenic, and it can also be a bit stressful due o changes in work load, kids getting settled into schools, the holiday season is coming soon, and it seems like there is an endless to-do list.

Almost everyone runs around like crazy and we're often so busy trying to do things for others at work, or be there for our families, and then go out with our friends when we're dog tired just to please them. A lot of people volunteer and participate in charity work (Which is an absolutely beautiful and wonderful thing!), but then they come home drained and exhausted in every way possible.

But did you know that it is still possible to put other people's needs before yours AND also take a little but of time each day just for you? You need rest because that's your body's natural defense system against illnesses. So maybe you don't need to take a nap, but maybe just going for a walk or reading a favorite book can make you feel at ease. Or maybe after work, light some candles and take a hot bath: whatever makes you feel more relaxed.

It's not selfish to do little things for yourself. Go and treat yourself well because once you get a little more energy back into you, then you can go and treat others well too. It's one big cycle. How can we be kind and respectful towards others if we don't respect and treat ourselves well?

Enjoy the day and try not to get too wrapped up with pure efficiency. You matter. Your mind matters and your well-being matters.

Love and Peace Always!
-Chloe

Heaven Breathes For Me

Hello everyone! I decided to post another poem that I wrote. I wrote this back when I was in Amelia Island and chilling on the beach with my trusty moleskin and pen. Here's what I came up with.

Heaven Breathes For Me

Heaven breathes for me,
When I go out to sea.
Waves explode over,
But I'm safe and sound.

The sun may burn
But I yearn
For its warmth
Just like it desires my cool skin.

Heaven breathes for me.
I know it's the truth.
For I'm just a little tree,
Growing its roots.

I wrote this to remind myself that I don't always have to have all the answers to life's questions. It's okay to admit I don't know something. But just because I don't know something, that doesn't mean I should just give up and shrug my shoulders. I gotta stay curious about the world and go explore for answers so that I can be a life-long student. While I'm off learning and exploring, I shouldn't ruminate over the little details of my day-to-day life. I believe that everything will eventually work itself out, no matter how long and how crazy things get. Something that is a lot bigger than me and my understanding will lead me along life's path. And it's okay to stop and play in the ocean. Saltwater can do miracles for your mind and body. :)

Have an incredible week filled with peace and don't forget to take time to treat yourself well. You should never feel bad about spoiling yourself. After all, you work hard, you need a break too!

-Chloe

Finding Beauty in the Mundane

Hello all!
I am now back at school and have just settled into my new dorm. I'm so stoked for the new school year and I'm thankful for my school, my friends, and new experiences. Now that school is picking up and a new season is just around the corner, stress and negativity are also not too far behind. But one of the most powerful weapons in battling negative energy is getting a new perspective on a chaotic situation. For example, yesterday there was a huge storm with driving rain and everything got completely soaked within seconds. I had to run through giant puddles in my tiny flip flops and carry a full-length mirror along with a couple bags of groceries, and traffic coming back from the store was crazy. It seemed pretty chaotic when I realized I left my windows open, so I was worried all my stuff in my room was drenched. But as I watched the storm, I realized that even though it was grey and wet outside, the rain did bring some coolness to sweep away some of the humidity. It's easy to start complaining and getting overly frustrated when things don't go as planned, but getting angry about the situation doesn't fix anything for me. No matter how hard I worry or ruminate on the things that didn't go right, or the things I can't control, I run the risk of getting depressed and hostile. Silly things like rain aren't going to kill me. I can't control the weather (although sometimes I wish I could) and everything is going to be okay once I take a step back and calm down. Even when things seem horrible, there is always something beautiful and/or positive. So think on the bright side and try to get a new perspective on crazy scenarios. And take a few deep breaths. It's all going to be okay this season!
Peace and love always!
-Chloe

"A Letter to Those Cocky Ones"

Hi everyone! Sorry I've been MIA for a while. I'm back with a new little piece of mine to share.

"A Letter to Those Cocky Ones"
If I told you that you are smart, would you believe me?
If I told you that you are beautiful, would you laugh at me?
How about if I told you you had a kind heart?

You're so cocky about how insignificant you think you are.
You won't listen to anyone else, but your own deceived mind.
Maybe no one has ever stopped what they were doing to smile warmly at you.
Maybe no one has ever asked how they could help you.
Maybe you never had the courage to ask for a hug, because all your life you have been turned away.
You might think of yourself as tough, but I think you might not want to admit you have fears, just like every other human being. You have huge achievements, just like others around you. You have extreme value, just like everyone else.

So even if you don't want to believe me right now, I hope that one day you'll realize that there is so much more to life than hating your scars.


So finally, in the words of Linda Perry, who wrote the song "Beautiful" that Christiana Aguilera sang (along with many other artists, I'm sure):
"You are beautiful no matter what they say. Words can't bring you down. You are beautiful in every single way..." (Linda Perry)

Have a really great day! Peace and love always!
-Chloe

My Happy List

Hello! I hope this post finds you well and content. There are so many things to love about life, so I decided to write down mine. I hope this list makes you also feel a bit happier than before and I hope I can spread a bit of joy and positivity through this post. So here's my list:
1.) Quotes: I think it is really cool when someone can form phrases and words that will stick with you and impact you for a very long time. I have a bunch of quotes stored up, and whenever I need a pick-me-up, they seem to do the trick.
2.) Disclaimer: This may sound vain and/or materialistic, but it still makes me happy,
When clothes seem like they were made just for me. They fit right and the clothes seems to go with my personality.
3.) Writing and Receiving Cards: Call me old-school, but I love getting mail. I think writing cards and keeping stationaries is a dying art. I hope others as well as myself can keep it alive. There's nothing quite as thoughtful as a hand-written note or letter.
4.) Smiling at strangers: It may be seen as creepy by some people, but this world is way too busy and impersonal, and sharing a smile with someone else, is just a great way to gather positivity and spread it. Positivity is contagious, so let's infect everyone.
5.) Reading: And by reading I mean ACTUAL PHYSICAL PAPER BOOKS. There's something almost magical about turning the pages of a great book and sinking into a comfy couch and letting your imagination wander. Books and stories take us to new places with fascinating characters and settings.
6.) Writing: This goes hand-in-hand with reading. But I've found that for me, there is something very therapeutic about expressing my feelings and creativity without always worrying about how other people may view them. My journals are private, unless I feel like sharing them with family and close friends, so I don't have to worry about how it will sound. Journals are essentially rough drafts.
7.) Dance: I guess this goes with writing. But dance is all about telling a story. There's always a beginning, middle and end. But as dancers, there aren't words, there's movement. It's pure art. dancers use their bodies as their medium and the music just accompanies. I love watching what other amazing choreographers come up with because we all have a story that needs to be told.

Little Things

Summer is the time when I find myself in my "happy place" for longer periods of time. The weather is gorgeous, days are longer, country music is at its prime and there's more time to snuggle with my dog. I'm enjoying my summers while I can, because it won't be long until i join the rest of corporate America and work full-time. And not everyone gets to take advantage of a slower pace of life during the summer. But it doesn't take too much to give yourself some peace and quiet. 

Even if you don't think you have a lot of time for yourself, you do. 

If you woke up a little earlier than usual, and took time to fix your coffee, tea, and/or breakfast, you might actually be able to savor and enjoy the day's start. Or create a playlist of all your favorite songs, and listen to it while on your way to work. And if you sing your heart out shamelessly, that's a bonus.

After work, take a walk or snuggle up with a book. Take a hot bath and unwind. Don't obsess over emails and phone calls while you are eating, or driving or walking. Just push your mind to remain in the present and savor each little moment of quiet and tranquility. After a while, it does wonders to your body.

Enjoy today. Take deep breaths, and don't forget to do something just for yourself. You work hard, and you deserve it. 

-Chloe

The Great Outdoors

Hello all,
I am getting ready to go on vacation to Florida this week and I'm very excited. I love spending time at the beach because it has an amazing calming quality to it. There's so much to appreciate about being there: the warm sand, the cool blue waves crashing onto shore, and the sun beating down and children playing. But even if you're not by a beach, the outdoors is still full of many benefits. Being outside and breathing fresh air does your body so much good. It's not always healthy to keep breathing in the same re-circulated air that is inside. Sure, the weather may be too hot, but grab a glass of ice water and a bottle of sunscreen. Sure there are bugs outside, but bug spray was invented for that very reason. Children these days are spending WAY too much time indoors playing video games and watching T.V. And we all wonder whey the pediatric obesity rate is so high. Make your kids spend time in nature. They have room to run around and get all that energy out and they're getting good exercise in. Even taking walks around the neighborhood is beneficial for all ages. Summer is wonderful because the slower pace of life, allows for more time with family and more time in nature. Have fun this week and go explore what's in your backyards. It will amaze you.
Love and peace always,
Chloe

"Survivors"

Happy Monday, everyone! (And welcome, June!) Here's another one of my original poems. Enjoy!

"Survivors"
Survivors aren't the ones who are calloused and tough.
Survivors are the ones who are down on their knees, bleeding, but still strong.
Survivors are the ones with "bleeding hearts".
They can laugh at themselves, while still crying with those who hurt.
Each day, they dream of even better days, and slowly work towards those days.
They not only listen to their hearts, but also to those who need them.
Survivors genuinely love all living things and nurture the earth.
They might not be the flowers of a garden, and believe me,
They don't want to be,
Survivors just desire to be the rich soil that nourishes the plant among them.

I hope your week is off to an amazing start! Enjoy the little moments and remember to breathe. It's good for you!

-Chloe

Side Effects of Reading

Hello everyone! As you can probably tell, I've been quite behind on blogging but I'm finally back and ready to share some good stuff. Today's topic is on what reading can do to your body over time.

Yes, I'm definitely a book nerd. I love everything about books. (and by books I mean actually hard copies, not kindles or electronic gadgets) I love the way they smell, and how I get to crack the spine, and simply love that book to death. It's no secret that the brightest people of our time, we're big readers. Reading expands not only your vocabulary, but also your entire imagination and thought processing. A good book challenges you to leap out of your comfort zone and to try to place yourself in a completely different perspective and see life and insight from new angles. As nice as it is to be in a comfort zone, it also is very dangerous, because it limits our ability to grow and discover. If there is no diversity, there is no way to be innovative and balanced people. And don't just limit yourself to certain authors or certain genres. It's awesome to fall in love with a particular writer, but if you only read their stuff, you will get into a rut and be close-minded. Try to read stuff that you wouldn't normally read in addition to your favorites. As cliché as it is: NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER!

Reading obviously takes time. Some of you may say that you don't have time to read and therefore aren't able to read. Sorry to be this blunt, but that is a complete lie. You can ALWAYS schedule time into the busiest of agendas to read. Even if it's just an hour, that one hour is much better than not reading at all. Also, reading relaxes you. It's a wonderful way to unwind as it gives your brain a way to think and process without stressing out and panicking. Think of it as a slow afternoon walk in the park. You're still getting some exercise, but you're not stuck in the worries of work or school. SOMETIMES THE PEOPLE WHO ARE THE MOST STRESSED OUT, ARE THE ONES WHO DO NOT READ. Do yourself a huge favor and just read.

Hope you all discover and explore your imaginative, creative and beautiful minds. And remember to  never take yourself too seriously. Have a fantastic and beautiful day!

-Chloe

Mindfulness

I am now officially on summer break and life's pace is slowing down. (Thank goodness!) I had a fantastic first-year experience at my college and I am thankful for all my new friends and for new lessons that I have learned. These past few days I have been enjoying the quiet and peaceful moments that come my way. I thought I'd share a bit on mindfulness.

It's easy for all of us to get caught up in the hustle-and-bustle of everyday life. If you're anything like me, there always seems to be a to-do list and things to check off the list. But so often, I end up wearing myself down and feeling completely exhausted. I can get so busy that I don't even realize how precious and beautiful life can be. There may be pretty flowers, or wonderful music, or sweet people around me, but instead of noticing and appreciating those things, I'm looking at my phone or running around like a crazy person. But if I look up and just see the world, there would be more joy and less chaos.

I think letting your mind rest by simply watching your surroundings instead of a screen, can truly help relieve tension in your body. Natural sunlight is so much better for your eyes than blue light from a phone or computer screen. And chances are, if you're on your phone, computer, tablet, etc, your posture probably isn't the best and therefore you are only putting even more strain on your joints. Sit up straight, and engage your five senses and do not allow your mind to obsess about work or tasks on the to-do list. Just be and take deep breaths. What do you see? Hear? Smell? Feel? Taste?

Even if you feel stuck doing mundane and tedious tasks, you're not. Sometimes I like to pay special attention to the way I wash the dishes, or fold/iron my clothes. When you allow your mind to focus on only one thing, there's less room for tension and stress. You can practice mindfulness just by eating a meal without looking at your phone or multitasking. Stop eating and working at the same time. Maybe physically sit down and slowly eat your food and enjoy all the flavors. Eating can be a relaxing and enjoyable experience if you allow it to. Actually, anything can be somewhat enjoyable and relaxing if you want it to. It just takes a little bit of practice.

Enjoy your week and don't let yourself get too caught up in stress. Treat yourself well and don't be too hard on yourself. Make time for you to simply relax and unwind. It's not selfish. It's healthy. :)
And stay positive. You can and will make it!

Love and Peace
-Chloe

College 101

I cannot believe that in one week, I will be packing up the car, and leaving school for summer break! Freshman year has flown by SO fast and truthfully, it's been an absolutely FANTASTIC year! I have grown so much and it seemed as if every day, I learned something new that will help me in the future. I remember last year around this time, was a very scary period for me because the thought of starting college was so intimidating. For those who are going to start college next Fall, I am so excited for you! And I thought sharing some of my tips and advice might help ease the anxiety and worries.

First off, I know this is really cliche and you probably hear this from any adult, but your college experience depends on how much you invest into it. You get out of college what you put into it. That being said, GET INVOLVED ON CAMPUS! There are so many cool clubs, and organizations, and there's something for everyone. Most schools usually have a clubs/activities fair during the first week of school. Go the fair and meet new people. Put yourself out there, and don't be scared or intimidated. You are special and people want to get to know you. You are guaranteed to find something that interests you, if you brave the crowds and potential awkwardness.

If you live on campus, keep the door to your dorm room open when you're inside. This is especially helpful during the first few weeks of school, when everyone is trying to meet their floor mates and build friendships. An open door signals that you want to meet new people instead of being clingy to old friends. If you do not outwardly show people that you are open to conversations and interactions, they probably won't want to try to build a relationship with you. Meet as many people as you can, even if you go to a large school. Some of my best friends that I've made during my freshman year,  was during the first week of school and we all walked into each other's rooms and just started talking.

Have a specific game plan for studying and staying on top of homework. During the first day of classes, professors give you a syllabus for their class. In high school, I usually tossed them aside. But they are your life-line for classes. Professors do not typically remind you when a big paper or project is due. They just tell you to refer to the syllabus for deadlines and important dates. When I get a syllabus, I find it helpful to grab a highlighter and highlight all the important dates. Then I grab my agenda and write down when each assignment is due. I also find color-coding my classes helpful and my desk stays tidy. Organization is key in college, and high school doesn't always emphasize this skill. Keep a file folder handy, and makes sure to keep everything until you are absolutely positive that you no longer need it.

Get to know your professors. They will tell you when they have office hours. Use this to your advantage. You are going to struggle in some classes. That's just part of the college package. Instead of freaking out, be brave and visit your professor outside of class. This shows them that you care about their class, and want to take responsibility in your education. They will see that you are trying and doing your best, and may be able to really help you out. Even if you're not struggling in a class, go talk with your professors and get to know them. My creative writing professor and I are pretty close because we've met outside of class and talked about school and my goals. Not all professors are scary and unapproachable. Office hours are a beautiful thing.

Budget wise, do NOT buy books from your college's bookstore. Bookstores are experts on putting ridiculous price tags on relatively inexpensive supplies. Do your research carefully when it comes to purchasing class supplies. Slugbooks.com is a wonderful resource for saving money on textbooks. You don't buy your actual textbooks from this site, but it compares prices and finds the cheapest seller/vendor. Also, buy and sell your books to and from other students. I only paid $15 altogether for my literature class, which required four books since another student was selling their books. The bookstore would have been at least $40.

Those are my key tips for now. Enjoy the festivities of your final high school experiences. Don't be afraid of next Fall. If you put a little preparation in, college is a blast. You will be pushed to grow and learn, but also meet incredible people, experience fun and new things, and learn how to be an independent adult. It's up to you to make the most out of your college experience and explore new boundaries.

Love and peace,
Chloe

"Free"

Wow! I've been kind of MIA for a while. Well, I'm back and I have another poem that I wrote to share. This poem celebrates spending carefree and relaxing moments with your family members and loved ones. It's about turning off your work mind when you return home so that you can make the most out of those quiet, refreshing moments that are becoming rarer each day. So, please enjoy and relax for a while.

Free

The crisp breeze makes the feather dance.
Dad and Mother and home at last.
Lasting laughter surrounds us in a sweet and gentle embrace.
We're free from work, we're free from school
We're free from claustrophobic cubicles and hostile, creaky desks.
While elsewhere the world works on,
Our cool and cozy cellar welcomes us in.
We're free from worry, we're free from strife.
We're free from tireless reports and the greedy corporate life.
The blazing yellow sun
Begins to hide behind the shallow, murky pond.

*To clarify, work is not a bad thing. It is a very good thing to be productive and support your family, and stay motivated. However, if you are like me, it is very easy to make work and business the center of my life when really, my faith, my family, and my friends are so much more important. I take my loved ones for granted and this is a lesson I have really needed to learn and practice this year. I hope you are able to take time away from the "work zone" and find fun outlets such as family or close friends, or pets :) to release tension and stress.

Have an absolutely wonderful and peaceful day!

-Chloe

"Veins"

Hello again, ya'll! I hope to use this blog to also post some of my poetry and other writing stuff that relates to positivity and perseverance. If you happen to be one of those people who enjoy poetry, please enjoy. If you are indifferent or hostile towards poetry, I'm sorry I'm torturing you. This is a poem I wrote called "Veins".

Blue and purple interstates
Race across and all over this body.
There's a whole lot more than just oxygen and blood in these slender veins.
There's hope for even better days.
There's goals and dreams.
There's joy and shame.
They carry both my pride and my shame.
Some may say I'm a champion.
But I say I'm just a fighter who
has been knocked down more times than I care to count.
I've been punched, kicked, bruised, torn, and fractured to pieces,
But at least I've always gotten back up. I always get back up.
At some points, people yelled at me to give up and clean up my bloody and sweaty mess.
But it's those scars that give me true strength. Knowing I can and I will keep pushing.
No matter what life throws at me. Whether it is fair or not.
I deserve to fight in life's octagon and I am worthy of love. Real love.
Life rushes through these veins at a ridiculously fast rate these days.
Sometimes it's hard to keep up with all the action packed inside them,
But that's just the way I want it to be.

Fighter 'Till The End

I previously posted about some of my personal mantras and I've decide to expand on one of them in particular. My most-used mantra has to be "fighter 'till the end". This phrase really sticks to me because it reminds me of a few things.

1.) Life isn't always fair and it sure isn't always easy. But that does not mean it is acceptable to throw your hands up in the air and give up. No matter what life decides to throw at you, keep pushing forward. Fight for your personal victory and take initiative of your own success. Try to participate in your own success by diligently working hard each day and giving your very best effort. Then at the end of the day, you'll have no regrets.

2.) You are always a lot stronger than you think you are. Sometimes challenges and struggles play a mean mind game on us by telling us we're incapable, and we then allow our fears and doubts control us. It's okay to be disappointed with difficult situation, in fact, it's normal and healthy. However, don't allow your doubts and fear to keep you down on your knees. Stand up tall and show the world that you are tough, you are capable and you are smart. Be your biggest fan and keep believing that even though you may have a few rough days, you can and you will handle it with grace and wisdom.

3.) This is really cliche and cheesy, but as long as you give your 100% best effort, you're a champion, and your best is the best that you can do. You were not born to be a "poser"or a copy-cat. You were born to be authentic, original, and creative. You are the best you. No one can ever replace you. You are  important. Sometimes after a bad practice, I'll come back home and pout about it. I'll get so hard on myself and keep beating myself up. It's healthy and normal to be upset with a bad performance, but you can't keep continually beating yourself up for the same mistake. You're human. You're bound to make a few mistakes here and there, but it does not mean that you are stupid and/or worthless. You can and you will keep fighting to make yourself better and stronger each day. Be yourself and give your very best effort no matter what. 

Love and joy always,

Chloe

Happy Monday!

My goodness, this past weekend was quite tiring. My team traveled to Marietta, Ohio to race against Marietta College and Purdue University. It was an eight and a half hour drive each way. Race days are so much fun. It's a chance to showcase the team's hard work and see how other teams are doing. For me, there' so much adrenaline and excitement, so it's not surprising that after just a couple of hours at the racing venue, I'm already wiped out. I'm not going to lie... it was quite challenging to pry myself out of my bed this morning. The typical thoughts came into my head: "I hate Mondays." "Why can't I sleep more?" "I'm way too tired." Now, I'm not saying any of these thoughts are bad per say. I just need to remind myself to try to reframe these thoughts into something more positive. For example: "Okay, I know I am really tired. But other people are tired too. I just need to do my best to make sure this week is productive yet fun. It won'y be that hard to do." I know it's hard to go back to school or work after a nice weekend. Weekends were created for fun and rest, but if we put too much of an emphasis on them, it makes it harder to enjoy each day, especially Mondays. Try to focus on doing your very best work for today. If you keep committing to giving your very best effort for each day, the weekend will be here soon enough. So have an absolutely spectacular day (and week) and remember to stay grateful and positive!
Love Always,
Chloe

Mantras

Almost all great athletes have at least one mantra they tell themselves while they're practicing, training and competing or performing. It's a few positive affirmative words that help them get through the difficulties and pain of intense dedication and training. As an athlete, I can definitely tell you about how much mental toughness, physical fitness, humility, and drive or perseverance it takes to excel in your sport. However, many of the same principles that I just listed are not only needed for sports but for life in general. We all want to be humble, dedicated, strong, and positive people. We have jobs and relationships that depend upon those things. So I think having a mantra to recite to yourself while you're having a rough day at the office, or trying so hard to study for that huge test, or preparing for a crucial presentation, or for just really bad days, it so beneficial. So how do you create a mantra? Maybe some of these tips I've gathered over the past few years can help.

1.) Try to avoid negatives such as: "DON'T worry" or "NO regrets" or "NEVER give up" even though these examples are trying to make you feel better, and are great things to focus on, they use negative words. If you like the idea these examples give off, then try to rephrase the mantra so you there is a positive word instead.

2.) Keep it short and simple. It won't do much help if you forget all the words in your mantra because it's too long. Anywhere from 3-5 words is plenty and still beneficial

3.) Try to tell your loved ones and others you trust/look up to what your personal mantra is. If your family members, best friends, mentors, etc. know exactly what gets you motivated, inspired and/or encouraged, then it will only work to your benefit. It's nice to have someone you love be able to encourage you just how you want to be shown support.

4.) If the mantra you choose starts to lose its power, then it's okay to change it. Life is always a rough draft and nothing has to be final. Revisions are a good thing. 

For anyone who is wondering, as of right now, I have a few personal mantras. They all work for when I'm in my athlete mind and while I'm outside of sports. Here they are. And you are more than welcome to use them for yourself if they work for you. I just thought I'd share.

-I can and I will.

-I was built tough

-Fighter till the end

Again, if these inspired you, please feel free to use them for yourself. It's not stealing, it's sharing.

Expressive Writing

Okay, so it's no secret that I love writing. (hence the blog) For me, writing is a way to escape the chaos and stress in my personal life. We all know that life can give us a lot, sometimes it feels like more than we can handle. But according to a social psychologist by the name of James Pennebaker, writing or expressive writing, as it is called, has been shown to change the pattern of negative thinking, allows for personal, authentic, and healthy expression of feelings/emotions, decrease emotional trauma, and even decrease the viral load for individuals who suffer from HIV/AIDS. Think about all those benefits! A lot of times, we can all become so focused on only what it going wrong/bad in our lives. Sure, I know life demands a lot. We do need to vent and process or sort things out, but it has to be done in a healthy way. Sitting in a corner of the room, and ruminating about everything that needs to get better, actually only makes things worse. Maybe start to turn to a journal or diary. It's one safe place to confide in without worrying about someone sharing confidential information.

Expressive writing works best if you find a quiet, calm place where there are no distractions. Then write about how you are feeling, what is going on in your life, concerns, etc. for about 15 minutes. It may seem like way too much time, but use each second. And if you run out of things to write about, just start writing what you've already written again until 15 minutes are up. Just don't stop writing! Expressive writing also works best if you journal or write consistently (at least 4 times a week). For me, I write every day because I've realized I feel more relaxed and generally happier. You could also write about what you are thankful for. Gratitude helps us realize that maybe, just maybe things aren't so bad as we originally made them up to be. Yeah, maybe you're stressed, bot a huge paper or exam, got a huge interview or presentation. There's a job or money or grades at risk but maybe by thinking of all the things that are going well in your life, will help decrease anxiety.

I hope this information helps you feel more at ease. There's nothing fun about living with anxiety, negativity and or depression. It hurts, I know. I have to always remind myself to always think positively. I know I often need to be told over and over and over again, that my life isn't really bad. No matter how many things seem like they're falling apart, there's always something to be thankful for. Life is full of many things to appreciate. Even if they're just small things. At least it's a start to living a more positive lifestyle.

In case ya'll wanted to take a closer look at James Pennebaker and his research with expressive writing, Here's a link to an article from University of Texas at Austin: https://www.utexas.edu/features/2005/writing/

How to Get Better Sleep

So in my last post, I discussed the importance of sleep. Now you might be thinking: "Great, I get it, sleep is crucial but how do I get even better sleep than what I'm getting now?" After reading some findings from the researchers and all those other really smart people, I'll try to share what I've learned.

A word about insomnia:
Insomnia or having difficulty either initiating sleep or staying asleep is a really, really common sleep disorder. It can be caused by lots of factors, but 75% of insomnia involves a major stressor. One thing that I've learned that can help relieve big stressors in my life, is by keeping a "worry journal" by my bed. When a worry comes into my mind, I write it down and that way, I can acknowledge my concern(s), but also let it go.

Get a bedtime routine:
Remember how when you were a little kid, you had a parent tuck you in. Maybe you would first take a warm bath, then brush your teeth, put on your cute little pajamas and then read a bedtime story every night? Those types of routines are SO important not just for little ones, but also for grown ups. When you stick by a nightly ritual, it signals your brain to wind down and get ready for a good night's rest. Reduce screen time at least one hour before your bedtime. This means no TVs, no computers, no phones, no tablets/iPads, etc. The light that comes from these devices can trick your mind into thinking it's still daytime. When it's dim, your mind starts to relax. Try not to keep your office in your bedroom. Your bedroom and bed especially, should be a sanctuary, not a continued work space. As much as it's important to try to go to bed around the same time every night, it is even more important to wake up at the same time every morning. This helps your body retain a routine and reduce sleepiness.

Some ideas for bedtime routines:
-About an hour before bedtime, sipping on a warm/hot drink can help. Try to avoid eating as it can cause indigestion and stick to drinks that do no have caffeine or sugar. Water, herbal teas, and milk are great ideas.
-Sometimes reading a book or journaling can help your mind unwind and relax.
-Stretching is a wonderful way to release tension in tight muscles. (Nothing too intense, the point is to relax, not get your body all excited)
-Make a list of everything you're thankful for. This can help with stress management because when you're busy being content and grateful, there's no time for extra worries.

Also, if you're lying in bed for more than 25-30 minutes and cannot fall asleep, get out of bed, and do something like reading or journaling. (NO screen time). Your bed should only be used for sleeping so lingering in bed (as comfy as it is) is not helpful. You should get your brain used to sleeping in your bed that way, it's easier to slip into bed and then fall asleep quickly.

Hope these tips help and sweet dreams!

The Importance of Sleep

We all know that sleep is quite important for day-to-day living BUT most of us can admit, we aren't getting enough sleep each night. There's pressure from corporate America to reduce our shut-eye time so we can get even more work done. But that's the type of mindset that can really get us into trouble when it comes to our health and well-being.

Sleep allows our body to repair and restore itself. Our muscles can relax and while we're sleeping, our immune system is also getting stronger. (that's why getting more sleep when feeling under the weather is so crucial) Sleep also helps us retain our memory and our learning. As much as college students like me can all admit to cramming for that big exam at some point, not much memorization and retaining is going on there. It can also improve problem-solving. Not sleeping can make us dumb. It's just true. Sorry. Research also shows that sleep can cleanse our bodies from toxins. If you think about all the toxins our bodies have to fight off every single day, it's incredible and your body needs sleep in order to keep fighting yucky things. Sleep can also improve our creativity which is cool because as Americans, we love the idea of being innovative and original. No sleep=boring people.   =(

Okay, so a word (or quite a few words) about napping…
Napping can be a wonderful and beautiful thing. (believe me, I'm a college student) However, if you nap for more than an hour, you may experience something called "sleep inertia". This is when you wake up feeling groggy and even more exhausted than before the nap. Yeah, that's not exactly ideal. Power naps can be really helpful as long as the nap is somewhere between 20-30 minutes. One way to reduce "sleep inertia" while napping is by laying down on the floor and putting your legs straight up against a wall. Okay, this sounds really weird, but because a part of your body is still working/awake, the chances of waking up groggy decreases.

So let's all try to get either more sleep and/or better quality sleep. We all need it regardless of how much we persuade ourselves and others that work comes first. Yes, work is good and needed but we also need to take really good care of our bodies because we only get one body. Be nice to yourself, and hopefully you'll experience some positive results.

"PRIDE" Poem

Hope you enjoy this poem I wrote about the nature of pride and arrogance.

                                                                        PRIDE
I live to destroy relationships.
I may act like I can make you feel better about yourself, but eventually I'll tear you down just like my other victims,
If you hold on to me long enough, you'll learn how to effectively hurt others.
The more you try to quiet me, the louder I'll become.
I become stronger and deadlier day by day, as more and more people adopt me.
I don't care about anyone or anything, other than myself. I am the center of my own universe.
I cause tears, heart-breaks, and ruthless behavior.
No mortal is immune to me and my destructive powers.
I can thrive on all levels of society if you let me.
I am a very false friend.
If you are somewhat wise, you'd stay as far away as possible from me.
I am obnoxious and cunning.
I ruin beauty and I can ruin you too.


                                                         

Benefits of "Belly Breathing"

We all know that every living things needs oxygen in order to survive. Oxygen is essential for us, especially when we are feeling stressed and overwhelmed. However, a lot of times, when we're feeling stressed, we move our shoulders and chests while breathing, which can lead to more aches and pains. Instead, try breathing by only letting your stomach move. Your chest and shoulders should stay relatively still. It may help to place one hand on your abdomen and one hand on your chest while taking slow, deep breaths. It takes some practice getting used to it, but it seriously helps me. Here's my little testimonial: The other day, I was experiencing a crazy, pounding headache. You know, the kind that makes you stop whatever you are doing and just want to cry. It's seemed quite debilitating. I took Advil but wasn't feeling much results. Then I decided to lie down on my bed, and close my eyes, while taking long, slow breaths from my stomach. Otherwise known as diaphragmatic breathing. After about 32 breaths, I noticed my headache was almost gone. I kept doing some more "belly breaths"and soon after my headache was completely gone. Research shows that when we take time to focus on our breathing, it decreases the "fight or flight"reaction and lowers levels of hormones called glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoids are the hormones that signal the body to prepare for a battle against whatever is stressing us out and to become tense and otherwise uneasy. Basically, we want to avoid making the levels of glucocorticoids shoot up if and when possible because it can cause chronic stress. So next time your body starts to feel tense, sore or just painful, try taking several cleansing "belly breaths" and see how your body responds. It may not work for every single person, but it may help. It's worth a try, right?

Stress Management 101

We all know what it feels like to be trapped in a world of chaos and stress. It gives us anxiety, sleepless nights, and debilitating migraines and pain. It may seem almost impossible to relax and find zen and peace in the midst of work, school and our social life, but if we take several minutes out of our day to take care of ourselves, tranquility is waiting for us.
1.) Try to find a quiet place that has no distractions. Ideally, it should have dim lighting and can be secluded from traffic
2.) Make your bedroom into your sanctuary. Don't keep your television in your room and don't let work or office life creep into it. Get rid of any trash or junk. Invest in some table lamps to keep things dim and cozy. Fill your room with positivity.
3.) Lie down or sit down in your quiet spot. Dim your lights and gently close your eyes. Place one hand on your heart and one hand on your stomach. Then slowly take a deep breath in through your nose. Try to not move your chest, but instead feel your stomach move in and out. Then exhale slowly through your mouth. Repeat for as long as you'd like.
4.) Weather permitting, you can take a brief walk outside. Nature has some very soothing effects if you listen carefully to what is going on around you. What does it smell like? Are birds singing? Does the breeze make the leaves rustle? Is there any other people? If so what are they doing? Try to make some mental notes but don't judge it or yourself. Just observe and enjoy each second.
5.) Listening to classical music can also help ease built up tension. i like to enjoy a cup of hot tea while listening to my classical music playlist.

Your brain and heart coordinate stress reactions through your autonomic nervous system (ANS). It consists of two branches. There is your sympathetic branch which controls the fight or flight response. This tells you that there is a stressor and your body needs to find relief. Then you also have another branch called the parasympathetic branch. It controls the relaxation and restoration response. This allows your body to release tension and restore homeostasis. (Homeostasis is when your body is at an optimal point of well-being. Thus your body is always trying to achieve homeostasis.) 

Truth For Every Day

Some people fear dying. But I think the majority of people fear truly living in the present moment. There's so much pressure in our society to be the best, get rich, earn recognition and even fame that we can easily lose sight of what's really important. We either plan so far into the future or we become enslaved in our past. Sure the past can teach us some valuable life lessons, and the future can motivate us to dream big, be innovative, and stay creative but isn't the present such a beautiful and unique place to live? (given we actually realize and appreciate our surroundings) I'll learn from my mistakes and just keep trying to be the best that I can be, knowing that today is the miracle and today is breathtakingly beautiful, just like all of us.

Attitude of Gratitude

With the excitement of a new year, there comes a whole lot of wanting to change. We all want to change our looks, change our habits, change our goals, and some of us dream of changing the world. Change is great but sometimes I feel like whenever I try to keep changing things, I can easily feel less content and unsatisfied. Maybe it's because I keep striving without realizing how blessed I really am. I have a beautiful, and wonderful family, amazing friends, a great school, and compared to a majority of the world, I am quite rich. I've never had to worry about where my next meal is coming from, or where I would sleep safely for the night. So many people in the world would do almost anything to live the way I do yet so many times, I catch myself thinking, "If only I had this." or "If only this could be different." When I think about it, it's really ridiculous. I am so blessed. I guess the only thing I really want to change is my lack of gratitude and contentment. My ways of thinking can be very selfish and greedy. I can be such a spoiled brat. But I am determined to try my very best to stay grounded in the fact that I am richly blessed and there's absolutely no need to try to keep buying more stuff just to make my self more unhappy.