Category Archives: Success
Liebster Blog Award
I’ve been confronted with a wonderful opportunity from two of my fellow bloggers. They have nominated me to receive the Liebster Blog Award. I feel honored and privileged to have been chosen and can’t wait to choose my nominees. May I just say that the support from the IFB community is outstanding!
So what is this award? The Liebster Award is meant to recognize the work done by upcoming bloggers and show support within the blogging community.
How does it work? When you have been nominated, you have 11 questions to answer. Answer them, then create 11 questions and nominate 11 other bloggers that you think need some recognition for their work!
Because I was nominated twice, I would like to answer both sets of questions. Please take some time to check out the blogs of those who nominated me, “Sweet With Envy” Be Inspired and Taticeballos. Thanks again, ladies! I truly appreciate it.
First Set
- I started this blog about 2 1/2 years ago after I graduated from college. I was feeling anxious about graduation, life after college, and what would come next. I started reading and compiling articles and realized that this information could not only help me, but others in a similar situation as well.
- I absolutely love high heels. I work in a corporate office, so I’m constantly having to dress the part. When I’m not in heels, you’ll find me in Nike gear, especially their Lunarfly running shoes. I’m a fitness fanatic, so when I’m not working I’m either in the gym, going for a bike ride, or at a bikram yoga class.
- I have a lot of favorite designers. Alice & Olivia, Elizabeth & James, Paper Crown, Phillip Lim, and Sam Edelman all top my list. However, my absolute favorite designer right now is Tory Burch. I love every collection she showcases, from the purses to the jewelry to the shoes. Her style is so simple, yet it’s elegant and crisp. Her collections stand out in a way that differs from most in the industry.
- My favorite magazine is FitnessRx. I always find what I’m looking for and it’s not bogged down with ads like most magazines these days. They always feature new work-outs that are perfect when I feel like I’m doing the same mundane routine!
- Simply put, I want to inspire. I want to act as a beacon of hope, inspiration, and motivation. Good things happen to people everyday, and I feel very fortunate to be able to share my wonderful journey along the way.
- Yes, I used to volunteer all the time. My most recent volunteer activity was “Rebuilding Together”, an event where we rebuilt run-down houses in the Houston community. I was also an active member in Junior Achievement, a program designed for working professionals to go to schools and teach children important lessons learned from the corporate world. I haven’t volunteered much lately, but I plan to be more active in 2013.
- A dance lesson like tango or salsa? No. But I did dance for many years when I was little as well as throughout high school. It’s definitely one of my favorite past times. I miss it greatly.
9. How often do you post on your blog?
- I try to post everyday. If I miss a day, I always try to catch up. We’re all human and we’re all busy, but I do my best to stay on top of it!
- Yes, I love shopping online. Lately, I’ve been too lazy to drive to the mall and park knowing that I have to deal with crazy herds of holiday shoppers. Surprisingly, I’ve never ordered a “wrong size”. I think that’s because I know my body type and what will look good, as well as what won’t.
- I love Urban Outfitters. I always seem to enter the store with one thing in mind and end up walking out with multiple bags. Not to mention, their shoes are to die for.
Second Set
1. Why did you start your blog?
- Same as #1 above 
2. How did you decide your blog’s name?
- I wanted to choose a name that would be different and unique. I found myself asking, “Now what?” quite often my senior year, so “College Graduate, Now What?” seemed to fit just right.
3. Which of the four seasons do you look forward to the most?
- Winter. I absolutely love cold weather and everything that comes with it- building snowmen, making snow angels, skiing & snowboarding. And my favorite holiday is Christmas, so it all works out!
4. What’s your biggest pet peeve?
- People who pretend to be someone they’re not. It sounds very cliche, I know. When you make poor choices in the past, it’s extremely hard to make up for them in the present. Own up to your poor choices. Admit your mistakes, learn from them, don’t repeat them, and move on.
5. What is your favorite item in your closet?
- My Tory Burch riding boots. I love them. A lot.
6. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
- London. Hands down. The location, the culture, the atmosphere. It is perfection.
7. What is your secret indulgence?
- Kolaches. My mom, sister, and I always make these cookie-like treats around the holidays. They’re filled with apricot jelly and they’re absolutely delicious.
8. Your least favorite color?
- Army green. I just don’t think it looks good on anyone.
9. What did you want to be when you grew up?
- A writer. Still a dream in progress
10. Who takes the photos for your blog?
- Yours truly.
11. What is your favorite quote?
- “It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” – E.E. Cummings
Now for my 11 questions:
1. What is the purpose of your blog?
2. What is your favorite past time?
3. If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be?
4. If today was your last day, what would you do?
5. What is your favorite book?
6. What is your favorite holiday and why?
7. What is your dream job?
8. If you could take back one thing in your life, what would it be?
9. Share a pearl of wisdom or piece of advice that has benefited you.
10. If you could turn back time, where would you go?
11. How do you hope to be remembered?
And my 11 nominees:
Puggle Wears Prada
Undiscovered Worth
Fashion Edible
Fashion Love Unlimited
Really Risa
Jodie’s Closet
The Vanity Effect
Soul of a Fashionista
That Fashion Chick
Crime of Fashion
J’Adore La Mode Chic
Wishful Wednesdays
I’ve been on cloud nine ever since yesterday afternoon at work. I was sitting at my desk working on numerous spreadsheets and project data analysis, as per usual, when I noticed an email notification pop up in Outlook. I briefly saw the email address of the sender and realized that it was from the admissions director for a Master’s program I had applied to. Let me tell you, there’s nothing like fear and anxiety to completely break your concentration. My heart started beating rapidly and I literally thought it was going to burst out of my chest.
After taking a deep breath, I finally had the nerve to open the email. This was it. The moment I had been waiting for for a solid month and a half. I scanned the email for the word “accepted”, and there it was on the second line. I let out a sigh of relief, sat back and smiled, then reread the email just to be sure. Yep, there it was:
Hello Kristen,
This email is to confirm that you have been accepted into the MID Program. Congratulations!
You are an excellent candidate for the program; the directors were very impressed with how much you have accomplished at such a young age! You should be receiving your welcome packet within a week or so. I am looking forward to working together.
Talk about a Merry Christmas to me, a couple weeks early! In a previous post, I had mentioned that I’d been accepted into The University of St. Thomas and planned to pursue a Master of Business Administration degree (MBA). Surely enough, those plans have changed. I am proud to say that I will be attending Texas A&M University’s Master of Industrial Distribution (MID) program beginning in Fall 2013. Aggie Class of 2015, I’m comin’ for ya! Whoop!
For this Wishful Wednesday, I already got my wish. But as always, my excitement took over and I started making a list of things I wanted with my new school’s logo (nerd status). I may or may not have already bought an Aggie blanket. Yeah, that definitely happened.
Here’s what I’ve come up with:
Texas A&M Aggies Ladies Maroon Team Player Racerback Tank Dress - $25.46
Texas A&M Aggies Women’s Heather Adidas Original Shirt – $20.39
Texas A&M Aggies Black Arch Crewneck Sweatshirt – $27.99
Texas A&M Aggies Charcoal Huddle Up Hooded Sweatshirt – $44.99
Texas A&M Aggies Pillow Pet – $22.74
New Job, New Apartment, New Me
Well, the cat’s outta the bag.
It’s no secret that I’ve had more than a few changes as of late. Let’s see, where to begin…
I came into contact with another company in The Woodlands (north of Houston) in mid-July. After one phone interview and two face-to-face interviews (and a lot of anxious waiting), I was offered a position as a Supply Chain Project Manager. The benefits, salary bump, and responsibilities were too great to pass up, so of course I jumped at the opportunity. I left the company I had been with for two years on August 31st to start anew.
Timing was perfect because I was able to have one week off before starting my new job. I visited my boyfriend in California over Labor Day weekend – we toured Universal Studios, went shopping, and watched a lot of movies. It’s nice having someone to help clear your head and enjoy the little things. I’m very blessed to have him in my life.
When I returned to Houston, my father flew in to help me move to my new apartment. Like father like daughter, we were insanely productive. As busy as we were, we did get to enjoy some nice dinners and scenery once the move was over. I’m so lucky to have a father who is so supportive of my career choices and the moves I make. Thanks, Dad!
Yesterday was my first day at my new job. Everything was so organized when I walked in, I didn’t feel lost at all. My new, still-in-the-box laptop and desktop were delivered to my office promptly at 10AM (oh yeah, I have an office!), and my company cell phone is on its way. My boss took me to lunch at a little Italian restaurant on The Waterway, and afterwards we went shopping for office supplies. I’ve already met many people in the office that I truly connect with. This company is a great fit which is what this is all about. Making a career choice that fits you, and only you.
Here are some snapshots from the past few weeks:
- Ombre hair (Aug)
- Boyfriend & Me
- Dad & Me
- Views of The Waterway
- Cupcakes at Frost (featured on Cupcake Wars)
- View from my balcony at my new apartment
- My office building
Now if only I could figure out the timing of my MBA…
Until next time,
–
US Women’s Gymnastics Takes the Gold
Congratulations to the Fab 5 for joining the Fab 7 and taking the gold in the 2012 Olympics for women’s gymnastics. It’s the first time the U.S. has won gold since 1996! If you missed it, head over to NBC for full coverage. You won’t want to miss McKayla Maroney’s flawless vault and Jordan Wieber’s incredible balance beam and floor routine.
The Fab 5 (2012)
The Fab 7 (1996)
Photos via Google
Top Five Areas of Study for Bachelor’s Degrees
I was perusing some Yahoo articles and came across one I wanted to share. We all know a college education can dry up your bank account. It’s important to make sure your educational investment has the
potential to pay you back. So really, what is your education’s potential value?
“The rule of thumb is that someone with a bachelor’s degree makes about a million dollars more over their career than someone who doesn’t,” says Cheri Butler, associate director of the career center at the University of Texas at Arlington.
In fact, according to a 2011 Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce report titled “The College Payoff: Education, Occupations, and Lifetime Earnings,” a worker with a bachelor’s degree generally earns an average of $2.3 million over a lifetime – a significant amount more when compared to someone with only a high school diploma, who generally earns an average of $1.3 million over a lifetime.
Since the possibility of earning an extra million bucks sounds pretty nice, the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ (NACE) April 2012 “Salary Survey” report to pinpoint five bachelor’s degree level areas of study that are among the highest paying for college graduates.
In no particular order, here are the top 5 areas of study to consider for those pursuing Bachelor’s Degrees.
Area of Study #1 – Business
Overall Median Starting Salary: $47,748*
From selling newly developed products to marketing time-tested products in new ways, business people are always looking for a competitive edge when it comes to winning over consumers. So, if you have a competitive spirit, earning a bachelor’s degree in the business field could offer a potential return on investment.
For one thing, the numbers appear to be adding up just right for graduates with a bachelor’s in economics. With the median starting salary for 2012 economics grads at $54,800 (up 5.6 percent from 2011), it’s one of the top-paying majors in the business sector, according to NACE’s “Salary Survey.”
Starting Salaries for various Business Majors include:
- Finance: $49,700
- Accounting: $47,800
- International Business: $31,200
Potential Value: “In business, you have to take in a lot of information, digest it, and make sound decisions,” says Butler, who adds that business majors get value from being taught how to identify “the next big thing.”
“But it’s not just in business; it’s in economics and finance, too. A finance program shows you how to make predictions and forecasts and how to make sense out of them.”
Area of Study # 2: Communications
Overall Median Starting Salary: $40,022*
Whether you aspire to write a popular blog or head up the corporate communications division at a Fortune 500 company, being able to successfully deliver ideas to an audience is crucial.
During a bachelor’s in communications program, you might learn how to communicate in various mediums, which is likely a valuable skill in today’s high-tech, information-driven world, says Paul Timmins, career services director in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota.
How valuable? The $40,022 overall median starting salary for 2012 communications grads represented a 3.8 percent increase from 2011, according to the “Salary Survey.”
Starting Salaries for various Communications Majors include:
- Advertising: $44,700
- Communications: $39,400
- Journalism: $37,500
Potential Value: “Communications is one of the top skills that we hear employers want,” says Timmins. “They might need you to communicate in a variety of ways, in a small group, one-on-one, large-group setting, or in writing. It’s a skill that can be applied in a lot of different places, such as sales, customer service, top management, writing, journalism, public relations, or advertising fields.”
Area of Study #3: Computer Science
Overall Median Starting Salary: $56,383*
Home computers have been on the market for a number of years, and new gadgets like smartphones and tablets continue to introduce new technologies. That begs the question, who’s behind all these technological advances? Tech-savvy people, that’s who.
Perhaps that’s the reason the NACE survey found starting salaries for graduates in the computer science field increased by 2.4 percent in the past year. That translates to a median starting salary increasing from $55,087 for 2011 graduates to $56,383 for 2012 graduates.
The “Salary Survey” also reports that employers in the information sector – the collection of businesses that produce and distribute information and develop the products that transmit and process data, such as software publishers – had the highest number of new graduate applicants, with starting salary offers of $64,400.
Starting Salaries for various Computer Science Majors include:
- Computer Science: $58,300
- Information Sciences and Systems: $52,000
Potential Value: “Do you know an organization that doesn’t have a computer system? I don’t,” Butler says. “They are a fact of life, and we need people who can keep them running and make the most of those important tools. Your company is dead in the water if it doesn’t use computer technology.”
Area of Study #4: Health Sciences
Overall Median Starting Salary: $43,477*
Ever been interested in working in a hospital setting as a nurse? Want to learn what it takes to keep a body going strong into its twilight years? If so, a bachelor’s degree in one of the health sciences could be the vehicle that helps drive you to your destination of helping others.
And check this out: the median starting salary for all health sciences graduates was almost unchanged, with a noteworthy salary of $43,477 in 2012 – less than a one percent change from the previous year, which was at $43,802, according to the “Salary Survey.”
Starting Salaries for various Health Science Majors include:
- Nursing: $48,400
- Health and Related Sciences: $36,400
Potential Value: Butler says health sciences majors could see added value in their degrees because health care workers are in great demand as the baby boom population ages.
“We are healthier and living longer, so we need assistance in maintaining a livable lifestyle,” Butler says. “The 79 million boomers need a lot of infrastructure to take care of them, so there are jobs in the health care field. It’s supply and demand in my opinion.”
Area of Study #5: Engingeering
Overall Median Starting Salary: $58,581*
Do you have natural problem-solving skills that you’d like to use on a professional level? By earning a bachelor’s degree in engineering, you might be able to hone those skills, and even get some potential value from your education.
How so? Consider this: The “Salary Survey” found that engineering grads hold the bragging rights for being the highest paid of all disciplines that NACE evaluated. Engineering grads who majored in computer engineering, for example, had a median starting salary of $67,800 in 2012.
Starting Salaries for various Engineering Majors include:
- Aerospace/Aeronautical/Astronautical Engineering: $64,200
- Civil Engineering: $55,300
- Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering: $41,800
Potential Value: Butler credits the creative aspects of the engineering field for providing value to this degree. “Engineers are the ones who create new things,” Butler says. “Next year, we will be using technology that hasn’t been invented yet, and engineering is at the core of that.”
*Overall median starting salary figures for 2012 are taken from the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ April 2012 “Salary Survey: Starting Salaries for New College Graduates.” NACE Salary Survey data is produced through data taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Census Bureau, and a master data set developed by Job Search Intelligence.
Full article at Yahoo Education
Post College Blues Part Two
The Turbulent Twenties. Isn’t this the stage a lot of us currently find ourselves in? Maybe you just recently graduated and have no idea what I’m talking about. Or maybe, you graduated over a year ago and understand precisely what this stage is. It’s a stage of confusion in your self-identity; a stage of wondering how to separate and individuate your college identity from this newfound, ever-changing professional identity.
I’ve tweeted and posted on Facebook mentions of a book I am currently reading. To be quite honest, this book has been my guiding light and salvation as of late. This masterpiece is called The Turbulent Twenties Survival Guide by Marcos R. Salazar.
Although I am only through the first section, I figured I’d post about it anyways. As I continue reading, I’ll post more ideas and thoughts I deem noteworthy.
Chapter One focuses mainly on one seemingly simple, yet complex question: Who are you after college? For the most part, we’ve found ourselves facing the reality that our view of ourselves, the world, and our place in it has been circumscribed by college and we’re now inadequate to cope with many of the challenges we’ll face. Soon after entering the working world, we quickly realize that who we were in school and who we were in class is often inapplicable in an environment that does not revolve around studying, writing papers, or taking exams. It is this lack of preparation that is making it so difficult for twenty-somethings to separate and individuate into our new post-college lives.
It is very clear that colleges are not fully preparing students for the new challenges of the twenty-first century. The result is a generation of young people who feel a sense of helplessness because our vision of self cannot effectively cope with the new matrix we’ve just entered into. (Amen.)
One critical aspect in determining our vision of self is that we are what we think. What can prevent us from accomplishing all of our goals is the idea that what we desire out of life is outside who we think we are and what we believe we’re capable of. If we think we’re not good enough to do something or that somehow we aren’t meant to be happy or successful, we will circumscribe who we are and continually prevent ourselves from achieving all the important desires we have during this period of life. This is especially easy to do after graduation because our confidence in what we are capable of can become seriously weakened.
This is why it is so important to separate from our old student identities, even if we are not fully prepared for our new lives, so that we don’t continue to have a vision of self that will limit us in accomplishing all that we want during our twenties.
The first step is building self-esteem.
1) Self-Efficacy is confidence in who you are. When you have confidence in your capacity to think and act effectively, you trust in your ability to create and achieve what you desire out of life, and persevere with grace under pressure in the process.
2) Self-Respect is your right as an individual. Giving up your goals and sacrificing who you are is the easiest thing in the world to do because, in reality, it takes a tremendous amount of strength, courage, and self-respect to honor your desires, to formulate independent judgments, to remain true to them, and to fight for your goals and passions when everyone else is telling you to be “practical” and stop dreaming.
3) Self-Respect is the foundation of respect for others.
The second step is developing a solid sense of self. You can find my previous post about that here. If you don’t click that link, this post will seem incomplete. Trust me.
The third step is accepting yourself. This starts with acknowledging the reality of who you are at this moment. If you admit to yourself, “I don’t know who I am”, it doesn’t mean you are saying, “I don’t know who I am, and that is okay with me.” What it means is, “I don’t know who I am, and I know it. I may not like it. In fact, sometimes it makes me feel weak, but right now I am putting my judgments and feelings aside and just facing the facts.” By accepting the reality of who you are and what you are thinking and feeling, you will begin to develop a stronger vision of self.
Remember, you have the power to say “This is who I really am at this moment. I may not like it, but I am not denying it either. I accept who I truly am right now.”
Learning to follow and integrate these types of psychological principles int your life is not an overnight process. It’s something that should be seen as a lifelong journey that requires ongoing commitment to self-examination and developing a better sense of who you are. By strengthening your self-esteem, you will begin facing postcollege life with greater confidence and optimism, and expand your capacity for happiness and fulfillment.
The next post in this series will discuss using the knowledge of who you are as a springboard for developing who you want to become during your twenties.
Handbook for Life
So simple, yet so true. It’s easy to forget…
HEALTH:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is
manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E’s — Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.
5. Make time to meditate.
6. (Breathe)
7. Read more books than you did in 2009.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minute walk daily. And while you walk, smile.
PERSONALITY:
11. Comparing our lives to others is fruitless. We have no idea what their journey is about.
12. Replace negative thoughts with positive ones especially about things out of our control. Invest energy in the positive present moment.
13. Try not to over do. Understand limits.
14. Why take ourselves so seriously. No one else does.
15. Gossip drains precious energy.
16. Dream more while we are awake.
17. Envy is a waste of time. We already have all we need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Let go of our partners mistakes of the past. Focus on our present/future happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20. Make peace with our past so it won’t spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of our happiness except us.
22. Realize that life is a school and we are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons we learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. We don’t have to win arguments. It’s ok to agree to disagree.
SOCIETY:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is insignificant compared to what you think of yourself.
31. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends & family will. Stay in touch.
LIFE:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. (Higher powers) heal everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36. No matter how we feel, get up, dress up, and show up.
37. The best is yet to come.
38. When we awake alive in the morning, be thankful.
39. Our Inner most is always happy. Release your “Inner Happy” on the world every day!
Source: www.prana.com/blog/2010/01/02/handbook-for-life-2010/
Little Yogini
As the Bhagavad Gita once said, “Yoga is difficult for the one whose mind is not subdued”.
This could not be more true. As stated in previous posts, I had started to feel complacent, yet simultaneously felt anxious because things had come to a standstill. Non-moving. Static.
I am easily able to multitask and focus on numerous things at one time. I’ve come to find that the problem with this is that I am never absolutely focused on one single task. They float around in my head and I focus on one, move to another, shuffle back to the previous one, and jump to the third. While this helps me get things done at an incredibly fast pace, it’s completely and utterly exhausting. I end my days feeling tired, grouchy, and restless- restless because I haven’t given my mind the opportunity to be still. To be silent.
I have finally discovered how to rid my restlessness and feel calm again- through bikram yoga. I’ve taken a few 90 minute sessions, and I can honestly say it gets better each go-around. Yesterday I arrived at YogaOne studio earlier than usual. I unrolled my yoga mat and laid in shavasana. I laid there for about 15 minutes before class began. I felt my body temperature rise, matching the temperature in the room, and found that my breathing had become long and deep.
About 30 minutes in, I was sweating more than I ever had in my life. Every square inch, every follicle of my body was covered with beads of sweat. I could feel these beads running from my hairline, along the side of my face, to my jawline and finally dropping all the way to the floor. Usually this would gross me out and I would towel off immediately. But not this time… something was holding me back.
I could finally feel every feeling in my body. I could feel the tingling in my toes, the looseness of my calves, the strength in my back, the struggle in my arms, and the heat radiating from my neck. I was able to focus on one single thing -how I felt. It didn’t matter that I was dripping with sweat. It didn’t matter that my hair was matted and stuck to my neck and side of my face. It didn’t matter that my eyes were dry and warm. All that mattered at that point in time was feeling, and I felt everything.
We finally moved into Lord of the Dance, a section many find difficult. I was amazed at my focus and strength throughout this exercise because I was able to complete it fully, which I can honestly say I have not done before. I felt all inner stress melt away, and I was able to close my eyes and maintain my balance. Powerful. Unimaginable. Serene.
My body, mind, and soul finally feel as though they are one.
Never conflicting.
Never disconnected.
Always moving together.
Always facing forward.
Ever searching.
Everlasting. Always.
Step out of your comfort zone
My best friend sparked a wonderful idea one evening over Skype. This week (and future weeks) will be about stepping out of my comfort zone. (I owe you a lot, Ry. Thank you)
First, a little bit of background. I recently found myself becoming complacent. Every day was the same. Wake up. Go to work. Drive home from work. Cook dinner. Watch TV. Go to bed. Repeat. I knew something needed to change. I never used to be this way. I was the girl who always had something to do, whether it was a sorority event, a dinner, a night out with friends, or an extracurricular activity. Work can drain so much energy and time from our day, causing us to forget to do the things we actually enjoy. Hell, I didn’t even feel like running. And we all know how much I love to run. Clearly, something was wrong.
I started this week off going to the gym after work. I actually ended up running 3 miles each session, so it was easy to transition back into. In my heart though, I knew this wasn’t enough.
My best friend challenged me to do something I had always wanted to do since I moved to Houston, but never found the time or energy for: Pinot’s Palette. Pinot’s Palette is an art studio where you can sign up for a class (for only $35-$45), bring your own bottle of wine or two, and paint a picture with guidance from wonderful artists. I signed up immediately for the next day’s session.
Pinot’s Palette was amazing. It was everything I had hoped for and more. I’ve always thought of myself as having absolutely no artistic ability. I went into the class with an open mind, which is hard to do after a long day of work. But as soon as I started painting, I found myself completely relaxed and focused. For once in my life, I was actually able to focus on one thing, and one thing only: the smooth strokes of paint gliding across my canvas. A wave of emotions washed over me from relaxed and relieved to giddy and proud. When the class ended, my jaw dropped. I looked at this piece of art in front of me and realized… I created this. I felt so proud and accomplished that I promised myself I would sign up for a class at least once a month.
The next day I went to work, still floating on clouds from my painting rendezvous the day before. I suddenly remembered I had purchased a Groupon awhile ago for 10 sessions of bikram yoga. I hastily pulled the Groupon out of my planner and checked for an expiration date. March 26, 2012. Perfect. I had over a month to use it.
I bopped over to yogaOne studio after work that day and completed my first 90 minute bikram yoga session. Yes, it was tough. Yes, I had buckets of sweat pouring out of me. And yes, I was completely and utterly exhausted. My legs and arms were shaking and fatigued. My contacts were dry and stuck to my eyes. My breath was shallow and my skin was covered in thick, sticky sweat. But I felt so healthy, powerful, and focused within my mind and soul, that it didn’t matter. I had found the old Kristen, and that was worth everything I had just put myself through.
I know it may be frightening to step out of your comfort zone. Maybe there is a fear of doing something alone, or an uncertainty of what lies ahead. Maybe you don’t know what kinds of things you want to experience or even where to start. All I can say is once you begin, it’s impossible not to continue. And that’s the best part.
The Do Network
I found something really interesting that I figured I’d share. It’s a website called The Do Lectures. It is a compilation of inspiring talks from people who are changing the world, and we’re all invited to listen in:
The idea is a simple one— that people who Do things can inspire the rest of us to go and Do things, too. So each year we invite a set of people down here to come and tell us what they Do. They can be small Do’s or big Do’s or just extraordinary Do’s. But when you listen to their stories, they light a fire in your belly to go and Do your thing, your passion, the thing that sits in the back of your head each day, just waiting, and waiting for you to follow your heart.
To go find your cause to fight, your company to start, your invention to invent, your book to write, your mountain to climb. The one thing the Doers of the world Do, apart from Do amazing things, is to inspire the rest of us to go and Do amazing things too. They are fire-starters.
David & Clare Hieatt
Co-founders of The Do Lectures
