The most important skill in staying calm is not to lose sleep over small issues.
The second most important skill is to be able to view all issues as small issues.
(Paul Wilson)

I lost my calm this weekend. Along with it, my Coach wristlet, license, credit card, camera and favorite lip gloss vanished into thin air. Some act of sheer providence saved my iPhone, which was in my hand when I realized my purse and its contents were gone.

The disappearing act took place late into the night on Saturday, proving once again that nothing good happens after 2 a.m. I’m a bit frustrated and confused that this happened because it wasn’t a crazy night. In a time when identity theft and other unsavory crimes are abundant, there’s a nakedness in losing important bits of plastic.

I’m heading to the DMV today, which will undoubtedly provide time for quiet contemplation. I’m trying to step back and see this as an opportunity to evaluate some of my standard operating procedures. It feels like there’s room for improvement:

more mindfulness. less coffee. more sleep. less pressure. more movement. less tension. more time enjoying friends. less indulgence. more calm. less chaos. more journaling. less judging. more joy. less worry. more laughter. less sass. more love.

Of course, life goes on. I’ve canceled the card and started searching for a shiny new camera. I know where to find my favorite lip gloss and Coach has some amazing writstlets for sale this season.

image credit: rolands.lakis

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]]> http://www.kaileenelise.com/2010/07/13/keeping-your-calm/feed/ 7 http://www.kaileenelise.com/2010/05/26/hide-seek/ http://www.kaileenelise.com/2010/05/26/hide-seek/#comments Thu, 27 May 2010 01:11:59 +0000 kaileenelise http://www.kaileenelise.com/?p=1490

When we engage in what we are naturally suited to do,
our work takes on the quality of play and it is play that stimulates creativity.
(Linda Naiman)

I am so grateful that summer has arrived. I love how my heart warms as the temperatures rise. There is magic in poolside parties, friendly barbecues and late night walks. Even a good thunderstorm awakens joy in my soul. With the long weekend ahead, I find myself looking out the widow at the office (just like a little girl who wants to go play outside). It is time to kick back, relax, and enjoy a little summer fun.

Things have begun to settle at work. I’ve been with my new company for 15 weeks and I no longer feel like the new kid on the block. It took awhile to get adjusted to a different way of doing things, but new habits are beginning to form.

As I continue to play hide and seek with blogging, life speeds along at record pace. I feel so alive when I’m sitting at Starbucks, typing away on my laptop—and I miss being actively engaged in conversations with you through our emails, tweets and blog comments. It’s only a matter of time before I’m back into a routine of reading, writing, connecting and blogging. I can feel it in my bones.

My darling Beetle has had a few hiccups lately, and I have begun to consider purchasing a new car. I heard once that a person’s values are revealed in the way they spend their money. While I have paid good money to fix my car, I don’t exactly value a product that is in need of constant repair.

I’m a Mac user, an iPhone addict, an IKEA fangirl and Target shopper for life. I value smart designs, neat packaging and effective uses of space. I get excited about ingenious innovations like Apple’s MagSafe power connector and healthy & yummy treats like Larabars. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I want a cute, functional, safe and reliable car that is fun to drive and fits in with my aesthetic. Is that too much to ask?

image credit: edenpictures’

There are so many ways to invoke creativity and inspire brilliance in your day to day life. If you look closely, there is magic and beauty everywhere.

Seek to find a remarkable, yet completely ordinary, moment each day and I promise that you will make astounding discoveries.

In the meantime, check out a few treasures I’ve uncovered recently…

Happy phrases that sparkle and shine, via Cup of Jo.

Sex in the City 2 and Eat Pray Love, trailers for two movies I must see this summer.

Curiously cute Red Velvet Cake Balls, recipe by Bakerella.

Justified and Treme, my love for these two new shows is surprising.

Micaela’s delightful giveaway, join in to celebrate Dolce Vita’s 300 followers!

A woman and her passion for photographing animals, video via Etsy.

“Good for you” food bars with ingredients I can pronounce.

Women Food and God, an interesting read that I’ve found difficult to put down.

Thanks to all of you who extended kind words of encouragement in response to my confessions. I love being part of this amazing blog/tweet/webbie community and am looking forward to getting back into the swing of regular posting soon!

image credit: via banter banner

We realize our dilemma goes deeper than shortage of time;
it is basically a problem of priorities.
We confess, We have left undone those things that ought to have done;
and we have done those things which we ought not to have done.
(Charles E. Hummel)

I’ve been thinking a lot about goals and intentions. Since turning 25, my idle thoughts have drifted towards the future and where I want to be in the next (gasp!) 25 years. For some reason, it’s hard to imagine that far into the future.

That might be because lately I’ve been really concerned with my day-to-day and have been less focused on my long-term dreams. Even though I’ve shared my musings on priorities and perspective, it still feels like I’m stuck in a rut.

This is a positive, inspirational blog meant to shine with love, sparkle and joy. It’s my sacred creative outlet and a piece of our cherished community. A place where we can explore our hearts and do our best to make every day an extraordinary adventure.

Because of this, I have shied away from revealing too many dark or twisty pieces of my life—the negativity and gloomy days that find their way into otherwise beautiful weeks. It can sometimes feel like I’m being dishonest or hiding bits of who I am. I know this is a common struggle amongst bloggers. I’ve been touched by those who have shared similar feelings before.

Like I said, I’ve been thinking a lot about goals and intentions. I have also been wondering why I let being busy become such an easy excuse for blogging less. I truly love blogging, tweeting and connecting with all of you. I’ve had to make small adjustments because of my new job, but there’s another reason why I’ve been quiet that I have been too scared to share with you.

Remember back when I hosted the Good Karma Gift Swap? A truly amazing group of bloggers participated. It seemed as though the swap was going to finish up as planned, with everyone sending a gift and everyone receiving one in return. It was my intention to wrap it all up with a comprehensive post that linked back to all the swappers’ individual blog posts on the experience.

Somehow (snow storms, postal service mishap, indifference, disorganization, life) there were a few participants who sent gifts and received nothing in their mailbox. I fell behind on my answering of emails and management of the project, and eventually let time slip away. It’s been two months since I launched the swap and since then I’ve wondered how to reconcile the situation.

It might sound strange, but I’m embarrassed the swap didn’t turn out as planned and I wish I had dealt with it head-on when things began to slip up. As the weeks crept by, it seemed to make more sense to just carry on without a recap post.

What would you do? Would you be interested in reading a review of the bloggers who swapped good karma gifts back in February? Or would you recommend moving on and learning from the experience?

In my heart, I think it’s time I pick my head up and out of the sand, resurface, reconnect and begin to look towards the future. Dream about what lies beyond today’s to-do list and tomorrow’s agenda. Remember to make every day an extraordinary adventure.

Maybe even work on hosting another swap someday…

image credit: tanakawho

We don’t see things as they are,
we see them as we are.
(Anaïs Nin)

Do you ever find yourself in need of a fresh perspective?

Do you seek wisdom from mentors or pursue truth in solitude? Do you reorganize, make lists, categorize and work from the bottom up? Do you walk away for a breath of fresh air? Do you make yourself a cup of tea? Do you bounce ideas off of a friend? Do you write in your journal or paint in your notebook?

It seems that sometimes a new perspective is all we need to unlock creativity, solve a mystery, or answer a puzzling question. Yet I find myself slowly realizing that a step back is the remedy to my challenges. During the last few months, I’ve shared moments in my struggle to establish priorities and intentions, I have been upfront about the pace life has set for me lately, and clearly I have been in need of a new perspective.

From the start of this new year, I have cursed my busy to-do lists and overflowing inbox. I have cringed at my mismanagement of time and my eager desire to do more than is necessary. Somehow though my bellyaching and complaining, I stopped reading other blogs, connecting with my readers and finding gratitude in the small, quiet moments that make life so beautiful.

This month my goal is to seek a fresh perspective in my everyday life.

To rediscover my inner artist, adventurer and sparklista. To stop making excuses and to begin with doing what I can. To shed a new light on my creativity and curiosity. To connect, inspire, nurture and grow.

image credit: modern girl’s manifesta via wordle

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]]> http://www.kaileenelise.com/2010/04/06/a-new-perspective/feed/ 10 http://www.kaileenelise.com/2010/03/15/when-wants-become-too-much/ http://www.kaileenelise.com/2010/03/15/when-wants-become-too-much/#comments Tue, 16 Mar 2010 01:12:35 +0000 kaileenelise http://www.kaileenelise.com/?p=1307

Every moment of your life is infinitely creative and the universe
is endlessly bountiful. Just put forth a clear enough request,
and everything your heart desires must come to you.
(Mahatma Gandhi)

Hello there my friends. It has been too long since our last chat. The beginning of this year has been such a whirlwind I don’t even know where to begin. I’ve dropped in and out of my blog a lot lately, and I’m not pleased that my posts all sound like my journal entries, “I really should write more often… I’ve been so busy… It seems like time is flying by…”

One thing that has tripped me up recently is not knowing where to begin. Thinking about all the things I want to do (and all the things I think I should do) spins me into the worst possible mood. I tell myself there’s no use in trying to get it all done because that’s an impossible feat for anyone… and then I spend 2 mindless hours watching Kell On Earth, completely avoiding all semblance of productivity.

I want to share my musings, tweets, creative thoughts and sparkly spirit with you. I am dying to get back into reading and commenting on your blogs. I am thirsting for new discoveries and fun links to pass your way. I wish I could just press pause and “get things in order” so that I could start living a more organic, happy, healthy and joyful life.

I know that no such pause button exists. I realize that I need to reorganize my thinking and establish priorities. I understand that I have complete control of my to-do list and schedule. I guess the trick is just getting back on track and trying my best to make every day an extraordinary adventure.

PS. I’m deeply saddened to announce that not everyone has received their Good Karma Gift Swap package. This is probably due to the terrible weather we’ve experienced the past few weeks. Unfortunately, it might also be because some packages didn’t make it to the post office in the first place. As this was a very successful swap in most cases, I am searching for ways to remedy the situation. Please email me or comment below if you are interested in earning some Extra Extra Good Karma by replacing a lost gift.

image credit: Erin Tyner via etsy

Decide what you want, decide what you are willing to exchange for it.
Establish your priorities and go to work.
(H. L. Hunt)

It’s been awhile since I sat down and took stock of my priorities. I feel like I’ve been swept up by life’s demands and have done little to anchor myself. I don’t know about you, but I have a tendency to get overwhelmed by my ambition. When I think about all the things I want to do, all the places I want to see and all the people I want to meet—I lose sight of the tiny treats my everyday life can offer.

Does this ever happen to you?

In order to make every day of this week extraordinary, I’m going to…

to take my time
sip peppermint tea
keep a gratitude list
remind myself that I’m doing enough
enjoy the ride
be patient with myself
send some snail mail
practice yoga
snuggle with my mister
read some blogs
smile at strangers
make my priorities a priority!

photo credit: theogeo on flickr

Hello sweet souls. I hope you are enjoying March so far. It’s definitely one of my favorite months. Winter begins to fade, spring colors hit the shelves and I get to blow out birthday candles. This year is an exciting one because I’ll be celebrating my 25th birthday on Monday, March 29th!

A small update to those of you who participated in my Good Karma Gift Swap—some people are still waiting for their packages, but I should be able to do a recap post soon. Thanks again to everyone who joined in! I’m in the beginning stages of planning another swap, so stay tuned for more details.

Thanks for all your congratulations and well wishes about my dream come true. I will definitely let you know when my podcast with Kimberly Wilson goes live. Also, I appreciate everyone who sent kind thoughts about the new job! I love my new teammates and am enjoying the work a great deal.

I’m excited to share my intentions for March soon. In the meantime, check out my thankful thoughts on lovely anomaly’s blog and upcoming post on Tranquility du Jour.

image credit: via weheartit

The grand essentials of happiness are:
something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.
(Allan K. Chalmers)

Welcome to another fabulous Monday. My goal for this week is to dwell in the beauty of the present. I have a tendency to focus on to-do lists and plans—which means that I sometimes forget to enjoy my life for what it is at this moment.

Does this ever happen to you? Do you find yourself overwhelmed by your plans and forgetting to cherish what you have today? If so, take a few seconds to smell the roses and sip your tea. Breathe deep and center yourself. Enjoy today!

Each friend represents a world in us,
a world possibly not born until they arrive,
and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.
(Anais Nin)

Hello friends. I’m sorry for being so out of touch. I hope you are doing well and surviving this crazy winter weather!

Many of you have sent your love and support via comments, emails and tweets. My new job is going really, really well. Since this is my first week, I have been shadowing one of the top performers in the company. I’ve learned a ton and am excited to get up to speed quickly. It feels great to be a part of a firm that cares about my success. I think I definitely made the right move.

Unfortunately, I came down with a terrible sore throat on Monday and have been going to bed super early every night this week. Between starting the new job and trying to get healthy, I’ve had little time to keep up with things in the blogosphere.

The beginning of this year has been full of twists and turns. I’m certain these changes are for the better, and I’m hoping to reclaim my time-management skills soon!

In the meantime, please know that we are soul sisters and miss you with all my heart.

photo credits: via weheartit ~ 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7