Thank you, Stress

Stress. We all experience because it's part of life. But there are different kinds of stress, eustress and distress. The first kind is the good kind and it makes us alive and able to keep on living. I felt stressed after a busy week of various things going on. My mind felt like it was racing and like I was on a roller coaster with timing and deadlines floundering in my head. I decided for yesterday to be low key and relaxing with very few commitments and places to go. Being at home re energizes me  and gives me space to relax and process things.

I decided to go on a  run and being in nature since that always uplifts the spirit, mind and soul. After a nice run, I just wanted to sit on the grass and watch the clouds pass by and be more aware of my beautiful surroundings. The trees are slightly fading into oranges and reds and the coolness of the air tastes like pumpkin spice and autumn looming around the corner. I could finally breathe deeply and literally take in the beauty of nature and 'smell the roses' as they say.

I watched a video from Fr. Mike Schmitz about how stress is actually good for us because it keeps us energized and alive. Stress is something that we should challenge on instead of trying to avoid he says, instead of just trying to get something done and over with. That's how I've been feeling lately and how I've been handling stress for the most part. Stress is good for us and it's a natural part of life.

I remember a year ago today attempting at going on a faraway hike with my sister and meeting up with another group there. We didn't manage to make it to the hike because we were seriously lost, frustrated, tired, and dare I say stressed. We arrived safely home after a disappointing turn of events and then decided to go back in nature on a local hike to calm the air and the fumes.

In the car, trying to figure out how to get home. Frustration, as well as laughs while eating our bagged lunch at a gas station.

On a relaxing, local walk :)

Here are some pictures from this week that lifted my spirit and energized my creative soul.

At my alma mater, and the place I would always go- the library!

I have learned that stress is quite needed and should be looked upon with gratitude, excitement and energy. Stress makes life interesting, I guess. So thank you, stress!

The Beauty of the Veil

I have been contemplating the mystery as well as the beauty of being hidden. Some of the most beautiful summer nights are when the bugs and crickets are hidden yet still make their joyous sound to be reminded of the glorious summer day that was lived. I wouldn't necessarily want to see the crickets in the day time. Perhaps it's better that way since we can enjoy their notes and the beauty of their prime season when the curtains have fallen for the day. Their state of being visibly hidden makes them beautiful and appreciated.


I went to adoration earlier this week. I wanted to sit and pray quietly and reflect upon some things that were going through my mind and heart. At first, I was the only one there in the chapel and it was nice, prayerful, peaceful. I felt that I really needed that time because I did not fully feel at peace after coming from one of my classes. I needed to sit and rest with God and contemplate. The Eucharist was exposed and not kept securely in the tabernacle but I was not aware since there was a covering like curtain over the monstrance where the Eucharist is placed during exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. I only realized this once the person who is in charge of taking the host out of the tabernacle or unveils the host in the monstrance came into the chapel. Jesus was right in front of me and I wasn't aware of His presence until the person drew back the curtain.

It dawned on me that this is what it means to have faith and what Jesus is wanting and asking of us when we are in His divine presence, in front of the Eucharist. The Eucharist is merely a veil of His presence, a meek and humble hidden appearance of bread so He does not blind or scare us of His divine light.  But regardless, He is there. The humble and gentle heart of Jesus makes it so that we can come to Him and welcome us into His loving embrace. This hidden appearance is inviting and it is beautiful.

The late, green summer leaves are slowly turning and changing into their next state of oranges, browns, yellows and reds. Some trees leaves still remain green and intact during the cusp of Autumn, and their beauty and the next season of their life is still hidden, and unfolding. Their last season of growth, marvel and wonder is underway before they all crash to the floor to kiss the icy ground. The hidden beauty of Fall is approaching and slowly unfolding. It is here. I can draw back the curtain.

Looking at 50

I have accomplished one of my goals for this year. Some people encouraged and inspired me through it, while one or more made fun of me for it or thought it was weird. I chose to listen to the positive majority.

The goal was to read 50 books. But just because I can cross it off doesn't mean I'm done for the year. I'm still going to keep on reading and learning, and in the  meantime cross off other goals and challenges I made for this year. I think the sparkle of the Autumn sun and the beautiful shades of the leaves distract us from the near future of the holiday season and the end of the year. I'm just trying to enjoy this season, my favorite season that brings along comfort, food, family time, slower rays and pumpkins and a time to process and reflect more. And of course these days bring about more time to stay inside and enjoy a good book.

I've learned through reading more that I'm more productive and have more creativity and inspiration. I encompass another world that brings about ideas, characters and story lines that I couldn't have imagined or created in my own. I also notice that reading (good) books enhances interesting conversations and helps with conversation starters. Reading has kept up my interests and passions and has allowed me to bring them everywhere I go (I always bring a book with me in case I have time to kill). Ultimately, I have learned a lot about various topics, people and ideas that have become important and of interest to me. Though the value isn't so much of the quantity of books, but rather the quality. Reading inspires, uplifts and energizes me. I hope to continue to read inspirational and thought provoking, turn pager books throughout this Fall.

Fall Lights

This cute and fun piece of wrapping paper brings back a lot of memories. It's from my sister's birthday last year and when I saw her unwrapping a gift, I wanted to keep it. I decided to paste it onto the front cover of my new notebook (as of last year) that is a different shade of green of which I can't think of the name for right now. I was reminded of this when I opened this notebook recently, and use it fairly often to jot down notes, thoughts, ideas and the like. These party zebras brought me back to a time and place last year that is very vivid, and distinct, yet a place that I am no longer in.

Early September and the rest of Fall last year was an interesting time. I was trying to adjust to all the changes in my job but felt the severity of sinking rather than swimming. On the contrary, I was living up the excitement of postgrad and finally felt the weight of it all lifted, as well as behind me. My tutoring freelance was starting to evolve more after a slow spring season and everything seemed just right. I made my schedule filled with variety and I was enjoying every moment of it. My runs were filled with energy and enthusiasm, and that compelled me to have the same feelings for Fall and cornflakes leaves scattered over the ground (which I often take pictures of). This energy made me eager to continue on learning regardless of being a non student, and I was proud to say I wasn't to those I volunteered with to serve local seniors their meals. This motivation reached to a point of interest to learn more about the Holy Land and Israel, and my desire to travel there one day strengthened more. I decided to continue studying Arabic on my own and to help teach myself as well as others, I made videos of myself teaching Arabic. This has helped me to continue to stay inspired and challenged throughout this year too.

All in all, I have very fond, personal and lovely memories of this time of year last year. I'm not sure what this year will bring, but I want to savor and appreciate it for what it is. It's a special, unique and personal time that needs to be lived and embraced. Maybe the zebras with the party hats can help lighten the mood, and God will take the lead.