"The world is not a dream, but a reality, of which we are the chief part, and in which we must be up and doing something... Come out into the world about you, it either wide or limited.  Sympathize, not only in though, but in action, with all about you.  Make yourself known and felt for something that would be loved and missed, in twenty thousand little ways, if you were to die; then your life will be a happy one, believe me."- Charles Dickens

"Peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work.  Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart."

I love what this quote emphasizes; that being at peace does not mean that you aren't climbing obstacles or that everything is perfect.  I love the idea even in a time of noise and trouble, your heart can be calm.

To be at ease in this fast paced life is hard to do. It seems that there is always something to worry about and always something to do. As you get older it is even harder to find peace.  People we love get sick, we get sick, we lose people, and the list goes on.  I think to be at peace in your heart, despite what the world throws at you, has to be one of the greatest gifts.  Everyday, I am still trying to learn how to find peace.  

It has taken a lot of soul searching and a year (and more) of just not feeling like myself to say that I'm finally learning peace. I understand more than ever how fragile life is.  I understand more than ever that I will be thrown obstacles and hardships.  And,I think it is understanding, that might be the first step towards having a calm heart.   When you understand and accept the facts of life, it allows you to cope more.  When you understand that hardships and ups and downs are apart of this life, you understand there is less to fear.

Maybe the key to a calm heart is to understand this cycle of life.  Our birth, our struggles, our accomplishments, our defeats, our dreams, and our passing.  To UNDERSTAND that we will face these things, that it is apart of this life and that we cannot fear the cycle.  I believe we should work to understand, so we do not fear. Because it is fear that stirs our heart......

I don't have the answer to peace within yourself.  All I know is  that I'm continually looking for the answer.  And the more I look, the more I realize, that finding peace is being happy with where I am now.   It is accepting my emotions and allowing myself to feel, but not allowing these feelings to consume me.   It is being okay with the storms and the tides, and knowing that all of this is the flow of life.  It might not be understanding WHY things happen, but understanding that things do happen.  With understanding, we conquer fear, and when we conquer fear, we can hopefully find peace.  

"The most fortunate of those who have a wonderful capacity to appreciate again and again, freshly and naively, the basic goods of life, with awe, pleasure, wonder and even ecstasy."

Sometimes I find myself getting in a mood of wanting things.  Wanting things I don't need.  I will catch myself browsing the internet wishing I had this, and wishing I had that.  I'm not a materialistic person, but my Dad use to always joke that I have an expensive radar.   You could line up a row of dresses that all look very similar (without a price tag showing) and I will almost always be drawn to the most expensive dress.  It's a curse!  It is true, I probably do like some of the "finer" things in life, but I know that I don't need them.  And, what I have and don't have does not define my happiness.

This past year the way I have lived and been able to spend has changed a lot.  I was never spoiled.  But, I also never had to necessarily watch so much how I spent my money.  At the end of the month if I ran out of my money, my parents never came to the rescue, but they also gave me enough money where I could splurge on  a cup of coffee (or two) and maybe even an outfit every now and then.  I'm now a proud bargain hunter at the grocery store who will buy the Kroger $1 pizza to save money, even if it means an upset stomach after dinner.   

I think that it has been a blessing in disguise to have to watch my money so closely.  I appreciate the times now when I have a little extra to go out with my girlfriends; or when I have a little extra money for a new shirt.  But, more importantly, I have learned how to live within my means and be happy.  I think that we live in a culture where we are always wanting more.  Consumerism has taught us to be conditioned that way.  If you have worked hard, and you earned the money to buy the things that you want, then it's wonderful.  Go and buy to your hearts desires. But I think its important to remember as your move your way through life and up the job ladder, that the more we accumulate does not equate to more happiness.  In fact, sometimes the more we get the more unhappy we are, because we start to depend on "things" for happiness.  I would rather live in a cozy home and spend money on traveling and experiencing and seeing different things in life, then spend the extra money on cars, a home too big for my family, etc.

I think one of the keys to happiness is to be thankful for what you have.  Work hard and play hard if you can.  But, remember the importance of living within your means.  Happiness does not equate to the things that we accumulate in this life, but my the experiences we have, the sights we see, and the relationships we develop.  I do believe in rewarding yourself if you have earned it, and you can afford it.  But I think that you have to find a balance.  And when I get in the mood of "more, more, more" I sit back and instead, count my blessings.  The happiest people in life are not rich in things, but rich in a love for life.

This past weekend we had wonderful winter weather.  And, I took the opportunity to take my dog out in the snow.  At first, she looked at me like I was crazy if I thought she was going to get her paws cold and wet.  But, eventually, by the end of the day she couldn't get enough of rolling in the snow, chasing snowballs.  She was a hoot.  I believe that everyone should own a dog.  Femmy, my dog, is my little heart beat always at my feet.  She has provided so much joy in my life this past year.  I really believe that dogs can add years to a person life.  They have a therapeutic way about them.  When I am down, Femmy makes me happy, as crazy as it sounds.  She loves me unconditionally.  Is always excited to see me.  And appreciates the little things in life like a good run or a ride in the car.  I always joke that she is the prissy girly version of Marley (from Marley & Me).  She is far from the perfectly trained and well mannered dog.  She is scared of still life objects (i.e. the snowman that was in our yard) and has the some of the quirkiest traits.  But, dogs teach us what unconditional love is and the importance of the simple things in life.  Her only imperfection, is that she won't be in my life forever.....