feel like the world is passing you by
never done all the things you would need to try
stuck in one place, got a pain in your face from all your stressin’ out

you ask yourself there’s got to be more than what i’m living for
you ask yourself there’s got to be something else, something more

---

bear with me here. this is a rather unusual post for my blog since it's my first real personal one. but this is me speaking to you.

first, again, i have to thank all of those who commented on my haiti fundraiser/campaign. YOU helped me raise a grand total of $750. i sent off the checks on tuesday and i felt so very blessed that i was able to do that. it might result in a slight missing-in-action phase from me with the social activities, but it's money i believe that will be well spent and i hope enriches someone else's life even if it's in the most minor/minute way. i urge everyone else to do a little something. please don't just sit there.

i am blessed. blessed that i was able to do that, but more importantly, blessed to be surrounded by many who believe in me. it may be people who i love dearly like family or even people who have become fast friends through this wedding world OR people who come together through one movement started by two people who truly believe in making things happen.

this past monday, i was blessed to share an experience. at first, i have to say i felt utterly intimidated. i was surrounded by photographers, event planners- people who seemed as though they were there already. as a wedding blogger, what was my purpose of being there?

throughout the day, Lara Casey and Jeff Holt made us lay it out on the table. and i mean lay it all out there. they made us go right deep into the inner core of ourselves and re-examine every aspect of our lives. from realizing our daily distractions to thinking about our life's purpose, we each went to a place where our bellies began to bubble with anticipation, joy, and excitement with the realization that we could make things happen. it was a long, intense day, so for those that are going, be prepared- this is not for the weak. but know this, you will leave fired up. guaranteed. you'll leave feeling like you just ran a marathon, but you totally could run another. you'll leave hungry for more for yourself (well, literally hungry in the case of the Los Angeles group).

Lara and Jeff helped us realize where we ought to be going. i'd like to thank them both for believing in me. and their energy- ack. i die. literally.
it sounds as though i may be talking crazy, but making things happen has literally woken me up and i'm even more stoked for what's coming for me this year. Lara and Jeff armed us with the tools. it's now up to us what we do with them and how we do it.

so taking what i've learned from making things happen:

i'm ready to fall, and i'll fall often.
i'm ready to take a leap of faith and face those risks head on.
i will say no to complacency, but yes to consistency.
i won't try to stand out from the crowd, but avoid the crowds altogether.
my ideas won't be big, but they will be mine.
i will choose to be remarkable.
more doing, less planning, more dreaming, even if it means sleeping less.

i hope that this will pour out of me, for me, through Ever Ours in 2010. there are many things that are coming this way for my blog and for myself as well. can't wait to share because things are happening and i'm super excited for them all.

thank you so much again to the los angeles group, to Jose Villa, and especially to Lara Casey and Jeff Holt. can't wait to hear and share what happens for all those involved with the making things happen movement. i'm thankful to not only have found a fantastic support group who i know can't wait to pay it forward with all that they've learned, but who are so fired up and will make things happen.

and since i don't have a cool video blog to show you my crazy enthusiasm for making things happen, check out here, here, here, and here.

but i shall leave you with this. i was going to do barbara streisand (inside joke) but this rendition (glee fans go there).
but i felt that this one below was more appropriate and it's one of my favorite songs ever. listen and pay attention to the lyrics.