Giving Up and Moving Forward....

Sometimes in life, we as people begin to create certain habits, that are either unhealthy in the beginning, or become unhealthy after too much use... In my case at this moment, it's cigarettes... Yes I know, many of you will say, "Well you shouldn't have started smoking in the first place", and I do agree, however I did become addicted to the dreaded cancer sticks, and now it is time to give them up and move the hell on...

The road to my decision to FINALLY once and for all quit cigs has been very long and difficult for me, especially since every time I decide to quit, many of the people in my life who smoke, really made it hard for me to keep my commitment because what I was trying to keep away from was around ALL the time... But something has definitely got to give... I've smoked for probably almost 7 years, that's damn near a decade, and since I'm still young and my health is still intact as of now, I might as well give it up so I can begin enjoying my life even more fully without that old ball and chain holding me back from the things that I want to do...

For some reason, a part of me feels like I am losing a friend, but in a different way, I have to look at it as losing a friend that has held me down and held me back for far too long, and now it's time for me to take back control of myself and my life, and move toward a much healthier, much more positive way of thinking and way of life...

Now, through all my reading on quitting, everyone at some point says that you have to start creating new positive habits to replace the cigs... So in honor of my commitment of being smoke free, I am going to commit myself to picking up my old friend (my Nikon camera) and force myself to go out and find something interesting or inspiring or wacky (you get the point) to photograph and share with all of YOU!! Basically in an attempt to get this blog really going and in an attempt to keep on the path of creating new and healthy habits, I am going to post probably REALLY random stuff, so bear with me, as I am sure this will be a long journey for me!! However, one post per day for the next 10 days, tomorrow, March 1st being Day 1!!!

Be on the look out!! March 1st thru March 10th!! 10 days of seeking inspiration, seeking health, seeking peace of mind and self...

The Great Chicago Snowstorm of 2011

For those of you that weren't in Chicago about a month ago, I'm sure you heard of the snowstorm that took place here. We accumulated over 20 inches in one day!! It was crazy and enchanting all at the same time!

You already know I went outside to play in the snow plenty of times, which is probably why posting in February was non-existent, sorry about that... However, I did enjoy walking around my neighborhood and helping out my friends and neighbors who I haven't seen in months, considering everyone is in hibernation during the winters here!! Also it was great to see how well people were acting towards one another for a little while, everybody helped, because no one could tackle that amount of snow alone...

I also saw many different household items that people drug out from their homes to dig their cars out... I think it was really funny because most people here underestimated the storm and figured it would be bad, but not THAT bad, like so bad that Lake Shore Drive was a parking lot!! Fun time fun times!!!!

So in honor of the Great Chicago Snowstorm of 2011 (which I keep calling it), I created a poll to see what all of you think!!!

I want to know which do you think is the #1 dumbest household item to use to dig your car out the snow?

According to those that voted, the #1 dumbest household item to use to dig your car out the snow is a tie between a dustpan and a kool-aid pitcher! Thanks for voting!

Oh, and for your viewing pleasure, a glimpse outside my front window during the storm looking at the street! As you can see, Chicago was a still city that night!! And that was just during the snow, more snow accumulated!!!

Some say I am a...

...well if the shoe fits, I might as well wear it!

My god-sister found this door plaque for me on her travels and I just swooned when I saw it! The colors, the texture, the message! I mean, I myself am not a huge fan of labels, (especially in a world where everyone wants to label people) but when I am called a "hippie" that's one label I embrace rather than despise!

I don't know why I began thinking about this term so literally all of a sudden, but I had an urge to look up the word hippie and learn the actual definition, rather than continue to allow people to place a label upon me that I have a vague knowledge of...

Here it is, according to Dictionary.com the term hippie is:

a person, esp. of the late 1960s, who rejected established institutions and values and sought spontaneity, direct personal relations expressing love, and expanded consciousness, often expressed externally in the wearing of casual, folksy clothing and of beads, headbands, used garments, etc. (also see flower child)

Also according to Merriam-Webster.com the definition of hippie is:

a usually young person who rejects the mores of established society (as by dressing unconventionally or favoring communal living) and advocates a nonviolent ethic: a long-haired unconventionally dressed young person

WOWZERS!! Well apparently hippie is a good word to describe me in a nutshell! After reading the definitions and taking a look at myself and a look at my belongings, it seems as though I am more of a hippie than I ever realized!! And to add on to that I am a huge fan of the 60s! Like almost everything 60s! I love the 60s so much that I used to believe I was supposed to be born in 1965 as opposed to 1985, but hey, everybody has to deal with the hand their dealt! =-)

Anywho, I snapped a few photos of some stuff in my bedroom to share with you, and you can decide if you think I'm a hippie or not! =-) Until next time! Peace.