Simply Living: Who looks inside, awakens.

I've watched and read in books or movies where someone doesn't like a certain part of their personality or something in their life, wakes up one morning and says, "I don't like this, I'm not going to do it anymore." The story line goes on to say how their views have changed overnight and they're no longer the way that they once were. It's a huge deal because they've changed so dramatically. For example, someone doesn't like their eating habits, therefore they tell themselves, "I'm going to eat healthier and workout 6 days a week." Overnight they turn into Jillian Michaels from 'The Biggest Loser,' and are participating in triathlons twice a week.   Realistically, this does not happen. I personally have had multiple epiphanies in my life where I feel as if my whole world is going to change and I feel like I've finally found my niche (after all, I've changed my college major three times). I do believe that...

I was 6 years old and my dad threw his arms in the air, yelling (what should have been singing) "Where the Sidewalk Ends" by George Strait, while in the middle of the bathing suit isle in Wal-mart. How I remember this, I could not tell you. But, that song has such an important place in my heart and brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it. It doesn't have somber lyrics and isn't about a love story; it's just a memory that really hits home. He used to sing it to me all the time (mostly just to embarrass me in public places). He was an incredible man who danced to the beat of his own drum. As an only child you can assume that I was a daddy's girl and couldn't get enough of his attention. Although I was his little girl, we wrestled as if I were a boy fighting for the t.v remote. I used to go to school with bruises on my arms from our wrestling matches and basketball games. Teachers and friends would ask me what happened, and as if it were normal...

There's a bridge I drive over every time I visit the beach that provides the most beautiful view of the Indian River (I'm sure my local friends know of it). Each time I look at the calm and peaceful water with boats floating slowly across its surface, in my head I strike up the same conversation with myself. It's amazing to me how calm it looks from my view, but I know that underneath it is a crazy, nonstop flow of traffic and confusion-- each fish pushing through other schools and different species of marine animals. It didn't occur to me until today after leaving the grocery store that human characteristics are very similar to the surface of the water. Although on the outside we look composed (unless we're yearning for a coffee at 8AM on a Monday morning, which is not so composed looking) and beautiful in the eyes of an onlooker, underneath our minds are going in a million different directions, pushing through various thoughts and scenarios. As I ...

Happy hump day! Or better described as "umph," day for me. I work a double today at my restaurant (my feet are already screaming at me). I have to admit, I am prematurely writing this post, which makes this Tuesday night. But, I won't be posting it until the morning. Working in the hospitality industry has taught me to be proactive. To be completely honest, I am sitting down watching 'The Hills' and asking myself, how in the world are all of these girls so flawlessly beautiful? And how in the hell do some of them still speak to each other after throwing the 'B' word the night before.. "Aurdrina, you're a bitch!" ... Next morning, "Wanna get coffee?" But as I was saying (warned you I fall off track) I'm watching this reality show, which reminded me of a time recently where I threw some not-so-nice words too quickly (once again, proactive) and a stereotype backdrop. My left front tire has been giving me a hard time lat...