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/2010/07/07/looking-back-to-look-forward/ http://www.kaileenelise.com/2010/07/07/looking-back-to-look-forward/#comments Wed, 07 Jul 2010 10:02:00 +0000 kaileenelise http://www.kaileenelise.com/?p=1630

Every memorable act in the history of the world is a triumph of enthusiasm. Nothing great was ever achieved without it because it gives any challenge or any occupation, no mater how frightening or difficult, a new meaning. Without enthusiasm you are doomed to a life of mediocrity but with it you can accomplish miracles.
(Og Mandino)

The middle of 2010 has come and gone, and yet I’m finding it hard to believe that half the year is behind us. For weeks, I’ve been referring to February like it wasn’t that long ago—and I’m still finding myself writing 2009 at the top of my journal.

Time is a tricky creature that I’ve let run wild for the first part of this year. Even though the last 6 months have felt like a whirlwind, I’m proud of my top 6 accomplishments from January to June.

When I sat down to reflect, I came up with the following list:

*Landed a new job that’s better aligned with my core values

*Became a guest blogger and recorded a podcast with Kimberly Wilson

*Celebrated 2 years of love and fun with my mister

*Increased my net worth significantly and took a big chunk out of le debt

*Connected with a rock star mentor, @GwenBell

*Created an inspirational ‘office’ area in a tiny nook of my apartment

The image above is a slice from my journal. I am excited about the goals I set for the 2nd half of 2010. There aren’t a lot of numbers or deadlines (a departure from my typical goal-setting strategy), but more of a focus on how I want to feel when I reflect back on these next 6 months at the conclusion of this year.

What about you? Have you spent some time considering your accomplishments from the last 6 months? This part of the process is often overlooked, but it is just as important as setting goals. Take a moment to praise yourself for all you’ve done!

We are part of a world with more data at our fingertips than ever before. Our computers, smart phones, and iPads hold answers to an unlimited array of questions. There’s no need for encyclopedias, National Geographic or newspapers. TVs, CD players and radio broadcast have been rendered useless by Hulu, Pandora and podcasts.

In a day and age when business conversations are over gTalk and romances blossom online, we are all seconds away from replacing our doctors, travel agents, stock brokers and movie critics. We are a society that’s dialed in to information of all kinds, we are friends with Ashton and share our caloric intake with the world.

I witnessed an interesting thing the other night while was at a bar playing a game of trivia with my coworkers. A tricky question was asked—What flower does vanilla extract come from?—and without blinking, one of my teammates said, “I don’t know, let’s Google it!!”

Quick internet searches have become an extension of our natural thought processes. Random facts that once lived in our minds are now stored as bits of data in the the cloud.

I see Google as an unlimited access phone a friend. When my brain goes blank and I can’t remember an awesome site or inspirational quote, I type a stream of conscious batch of words and Google reveals the answer. In my eyes, this is an efficient use of time and resources. There is no need to bother someone else  if Google’s got it covered.

brilliant image credit: via dullhunk

Breath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness,
which unites your body to your thoughts.
(Thich Nhat Hanh)

It’s hard to believe that I’ve been practicing yoga for 10 years. I never thought I’d find a connection to anything else besides swimming.

For 12 years, I raced up and down the lanes. Diving into the water at 5:00 am was something I never got used to, but sleeping every night with wet hair was my norm. I spent a long time—the majority of my childhood, high school years and even a splash of college—as a competitive swimmer, focused solely on earning a scholarship (which I did) and maybe qualifying for the Olympics (which I didn’t).

It was through swimming that I came to yoga. At 15, I searched for a way to calm my mind and my nerves. I found a Sunday morning yoga class that I quickly worked into my weekly routine. Yoga’s focus on the breath resonated, working towards my edge intrigued me, and the concept of not being competitive with myself or others was a unique challenge. (Just Googled “yoga is not competitive” and found this swimmer’s perspective as the 4th entry.)

My yoga practice followed me to college and it was there for me when I retired early from collegiate athletics. Throughout senior year, my love for yoga deepened when Donica and I took classes through our university. When I lived by myself in San Francisco for 6 months, I toyed with meditation and tried to get an at-home yoga practice off the ground.

Once I moved to Raleigh, I joined the YMCA and came back to the mat. For awhile there, yoga and I had a good thing going, but I let go of my routine when I started my new job.

The beauty about yoga is that I know it will always be there for me. It’s in the way I stand while waiting to check out at Whole Foods. It’s in the way I sit at my desk. It’s in the breaths I take on my drive home from work, and in the way I open my heart to strangers.

I might have a shaky Half-Moon and a Wobbly Warrior 3, but my belief in yoga is strong and I know my mat will be there for me when I need it.

image credit: moi ~ training camp ‘03

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/2010/03/29/birthday-wishes/ http://www.kaileenelise.com/2010/03/29/birthday-wishes/#comments Mon, 29 Mar 2010 06:45:47 +0000 kaileenelise http://www.kaileenelise.com/?p=1328

The more you praise and celebrate your life,
the more there is in life to celebrate.
(Oprah Winfrey)

Hello there happy friends. Today’s my 25th birthday and I can hardly believe it! This one feels significant, as if I’ve crossed an important threshold. A lot has happened since last March 29 and I’m excited to see what unfolds this year. I spent the last few days celebrating with a manipedi, hair appointment, solo shopping, and a fun night out with friends on Saturday. Sunday was relaxing and filled with love.

Today should be a wonderful workday, followed by dinner with my mister and quiet time at home. I’m planning some artist dates and journal writing sessions to help me set my intentions and inspiration for the year ahead. I wish to continue to nurture my dreams and live with intention. I wish to connect more with you, my inner artist and spiritual self. I wish to rock this year and make it the best one yet.

image credit: papaya art

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!

Laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live.

Can you believe that this little journey began just 5 months ago?

We were strangers then, but I like to think that we’re friends now. Friends who were put on this earth to connect, create and enjoy life as side-by-side companions. There may be many states or even oceans between us, but we’re soul sisters through and through.

Since we’re starting a fresh decade and new year, I thought I would share some bits of me that you might not know. I hope you enjoy a few lists of ten for twenty-ten—please feel free to indulge in some listing on your blog. Email your link to hello {at} kaileenelise {dot} com and I’ll include it below.

Things You Might Not Know
1. I don’t read books unless I like the cover.
2. Birds scare me.
3. I don’t have a tried and true favorite color.
4. I was once a nationally-ranked swimmer.
5. I’ve lived in 5 different states: CA, KS, TX, NV, CA & NC.
6. I’ve been a Mac since 2002.
7. I once played soccer with an elephant.
8. I don’t have a passport.
9. I have naturally curly hair.
10. I’ve been practicing yoga (on and off) since 1999.

Movies, Music & Books I ♥
1. The Giver by Lois Lowry
2. The Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman
3. The Secret
4. Romeo + Juliet
5. O by Damien Rice
6. Sula by Toni Morrison
7. Garden State
8. Anchorman
9. Boxer by The National
10. Drops of Jupiter by Train

The Trouble* with Kaileen is…
1. Her opinionated nature can come off as “bossy” to others.
2. She has a tendency to focus on the end result instead of enjoying the process.
3. Her eyes are way bigger than her mouth.
4. She loses out on the joys of the inbetween by being so all-or-nothing.
5. A serial procrastinator, she stresses herself by waiting for the last minute.
6. She periodically forgets about the power of the universe.
7. She wastes energy by worrying so much.
8. Her loyalty sometimes gets her hurt.
9. She should be nicer to her mister when she is crabby.
10. Her desire for perfection sometimes gets in the way of getting the job done.

Reasons Why It’s Good to Be Me
1. My mister keeps my cold feet warm.
2. Speaking of feet, I have very long toes.
3. My handwriting is neat and feminine.
4. My friends & family live all over, which means I’m loved near and far.
5. YOU—my readers & community of online lovelies—keep me going.
6. As a kid, I taught myself sign language during time out.
7. I’ve been to Disney Land more than 10 times.
8. I’m flexible & double jointed, which makes for cool party tricks.
9. My college town is a sweet vacation spot.
10. I have the incredible ability to say the alphabet faster than anyone you know.

photo credit: moi
*inspired by The Trouble with Lisa

Be always at war with your vices,
at peace with your neighbors,
and let each new year find you
a better [wo]man.
(Benjamin Franklin)

I may be a bit tardy in presenting my resolutions, but I figure there’s still plenty of time with 350-ish days left in 2010. In addition to my modern girl’s manifesta, there are a number of things I want to focus on this year.

As I planned my intentions for 2010, I thought of ways to begin living my ideal life. An ordinary, yet completely fantastic, everyday existence. Keeping in mind that it’s the journey (not the destination) that matters, I resolve to:

practice yoga weekly

be kind to the girl in the mirror

eat with the intention to fuel my body

support my spine by sitting and standing up straight

wear my hair down more often

treat money with respect

consider tomorrow when spending today

enjoy time with friends and family

embrace my mister with love and kindness

adore my art & writing

relish every bit of my creative being

send invisible parcels of love into the ether

This year’s resolutions are much more abstract than normal, but I am tired of setting out to lose 10 pounds. It’s a new decade and certainly a good time to adjust my goal-setting strategy. By incorporating these resolutions in my daily routine, I will be well on my way to living the life of my dreams.

photo credit: via weheartit

Breathe. Let go.
And remind yourself that this very moment
is the only one you know you have for sure.
(Oprah Winfrey)

Can you believe it?! The weekend is already here. I am especially excited since it’s my first non-travel and non-holiday weekend since the middle of December. Time to relax, recoup and begin to embrace a new decade. Here are a few creative resources and ideas from my to-do list for the glorious days ahead—

write a love letter to 2010 in my journal

discover other bloggers through this creative tribute

listen to chill tunes on my new favorite pandora station

enjoy a candle-lit bubble bath

re-read this inspiring post

create a collage that represents my word for 2010

wrap a friend’s birthday gift with style

register for an exciting online creativity circle

read a few chapters in an eye-opening book

I’m also planning on building on the intentions I shared in my 2010 modern girl’s manifesta. Enjoy your weekend my lovelies, and let me know what creative mischief you plan to do with your next few days!

photo credit: boomboxblitz via {etsy}