Tornado Watch

Yesterday the whole state of North Carolina was in a tornado watch, and Raleigh actually got hit pretty hard (my hometown).
There was some flooding and houses and buildings were torn up near the downtown area.  Thankfully my family didn't end up having too much damage where we live, and everyone was safe.
Then the storm made its way over to Wilmington area, but it missed wilmy and only brought black skies and wind.

I was walking around outside, letting the wind rearrange my hair and blow my hat off.  It was the strangest weather, with it being warm and muggy but at the same time it made you chilly.  Then the sky was clear blue with big white clouds but was covered up by a layer of fast moving black clouds, making the whole area a gray orange color.  It was breathtaking to stand there and experience this strange combination of weather..and it made me thankful that I got to see and feel it.

Just 5 Minutes

Today in class we were exposed to the healing powers of humor therapy, by watching a video of comedy.  I have to say that I completely agree with the idea that laughter can flip a bad mood upside down, and make anyone feel happier and more ready to take on the day's challenges.
We also went outside for a few minutes at the end of class to meditate. I was thinking, 'why meditate if we only have 7 minutes left of class?', however, the meditation proved to be really helpful and relaxing.
Just 5 minutes of quiet meditation and peace is all it takes to reframe your state of mind and make you feel more in control of your life.  I left class with a huge sense of relief and confidence that I would get through everything today.

bloggsss

So yesterday I was looking up blogs that I could post on my PWLN thing, and I looked up spiritual awareness and this blog popped up about being in tune with oneself and nature.  I was thinking...."PERFECT!" thats exactly what I needed for my page.
I got to reading it and it was so interesting.
It talked about how when bad things happen, they shouldn't always be looked upon as bad, but as things that help you look at the good things in a newer light. It was saying how we wouldn't have good times if we didn't have bad times to compare them to.
I completely agree with this blog, and I love how it is inspiring its readers to be more positive about life and to live in the moment as best as they can.

Wildflower Preserve

So for my PED 101 class we took a nice leisurely stroll through the wildflower preserve to get our blood pumping, as well as bond together as a class!

Walking through the reserve, I noticed how the flowers had yet to bloom.  It was somewhat of a letdown, as I had never been through there before and was expecting huge blossoms of flowers everywhere.

I got to thinking throughout this walk that it didn't matter what the reserve looked like now, because it's potential for beauty was overwhelming.  I also appreciated that there were signs like this "quietpoint" sign, because if forces people to truly connect with the nature that is surrounding them and admire its greatness.

This little quote on the sign, by Henry David Thoreau, is a quaint touch to a peaceful moment.  It allows people to feel blessed by their environment and to be grateful for being alive and able to experience that moment in time.

Above The Clouds

Over Spring Break I mainly stayed home and had some much needed rest and recuperation.  It gave me time to sit back and do some honest thinking and reflecting on my life and where it was going.  I have been inwardly struggling with my faith recently, and everyday life choices and redirecting my thoughts and behaviors to be the person I want  to be.

In class, too, we have been discussing alot about spiritual wellness and our beliefs, which always gets me thinking about what do I believe.  Some days I doubt all the evidence that there is a God and that he knows my choices because he knows everything about me.  Some days I just dont know what to believe, but then I have days where I would be blind not to see that God is very much present.

One such day happened just last week, when I started off my morning by checking my inbox.  I always get spiritual messages forwarded to me by a neighbor of mine, and I love reading them in the morning because I leave my computer feeling brighter and more confident about my day.  This particular email went as follows:

VERSE:
     God is our refuge and strength, an
ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give
way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.
          --
Psalm 46:1-2
      
THOUGHT:
     God is our protector and our helper.
Even when our world seems to be crashing around us, He is there. He will deliver
us from death or deliver us through death. He will deliver us from evil or He
will deliver us to overcome evil. Our task is to trust that in the midst of our
earthquakes and tidal waves that we are not alone and not abandoned.

Whenever I read emails like these it gives me hope and I feel surrounded with peace and purpose.
During the last half of spring break I went to Greensboro to visit my best friend, Whitney and was further reinforced that there is a God with these pictures I took:

I need to find the time

As I have been trying to stay on target with my goals for this hlw class I find myself not having the time to connect with nature and chill.  I tell myself "oh i'll just be spiritual tomorrow; I have way too much to do today that takes priority" and I don't normally get around to it.  I wish I could just let go of my school constraints for just 30 minutes at least without counting down the thirty minutes until I can finish getting things done.  Sometimes that's why I find it so easy to go to yoga class, because it is time I scheduled myself to set aside school work and do relaxing stretches and techniques.  I feel like its ok to not be doing anything 'productive' because I have this hour-long class penciled in already.

I want to change this attitude and be able to relax myself and take a walk or read a book outside, so I can continue to reach my ultimate goal of connecting with and appreciating my surroundings.

Thankfully I have my best firend Whitney to keep me on track, whether its going to the beach and walking around at midnight or sitting with me while we search for Orion's belt or that pesky big dipper that I can never ever find.  Man I love my bestie :)

star-gazing while being stalked from behind by whit

The ever-stylin' Whitney

Add caption

Total connection to nature on one of our beach runs

Sign My Cast!

Hey guys sorry for the delay in posts!
Anyways, in my effort to connect with the environment this past weekend I took a ski trip to Wintergreen Resort in VA with my stepmom [Cole] and brother [Luke]. Snowboarding has been calling my name ever since I started skiing when I was 10. So when Cole called me and told me that we were going, I was thrilled to finally start being "one of those cool people who snowboards."

I was basically pro by the end of my lesson on Saturday... a pro beginner that is. I was owning those bunny slopes. I got up Sunday thinking, "Heck yeah, Im so cool! I can snowboard!" Little did I know, the resort couldnt make new snow that night, and what was left from the previous day had hardened over. I literally put on my snowboarding gear, strapped up outside the rental lodge, and next thing you know Im cradling my broken wrist in my hand, face first in the snow. After people realized, "oh snap, theres a girl lying there in the snow" the ski patrol came down and whisked me away in their wooden basket. From the uncomfortable wooden basket, I spent the next hour and a half in the ski recovery room waiting for the patrol guys to find my family on the ski slopes. Once they found my stepmom they splinted my arm up and we drove 50 miles to the nearest hospital. After that everything consisted of alot of pain and waiting in hospitals (I was told that I had a fracture on my radial bone).

With all this time sitting around, I had alot of time to debate about whethere it was worth it coming out this weekend only to end up with a broken wrist. Then I remember standing on the top of the slopes, on top of the mountain, feeling literally on top of the world. And I remember the rush of starting down the slope. And how awesome it felt to just sit there after falling and let my breath come back while I tookin the beauty of the scenery around me. I was in no hurry to get up, just enjoying the whole experience!

So if you ask me, it was worth it. Plus I have this cool pink cast, and a great story to go along with my first broken bone!