day 3 ::: throw back Thursday

That is 7th grade Brooke. Naive, self conscious, funny 7th grade Brooke. This Brooke didn't know the real feeling of heartbreak or the devastating sting of loss. But what she did know was how to be a people pleaser, to follow the crowd, to use her words to hurt others to make herself feel better. Because her opinion of herself was so negative, she felt like she needed others to feel that way too. 

Oh 7th grade Brooke, if only I could go back and tell you to hold your head high because you had so much to offer your little piece of the world. I wish I could tell you to choose words that encouraged people not tore them down. I would tell you that your worth is so much more than what the popular girl or that crush says about you. I would tell you to not ignore your dad when he embarrassed you but instead spend those moments embracing him. So many life lessons I would teach you...

I hope 35 year old Brooke is listening too...

day 2 ::: measuring up

If I were to be honest with you or really myself, I would tell you that I have an unhealthy desire to be good, actually great at everything I attempt.  Growing up, the multiplication drills in Mrs. Griffin's 3rd grade class were cut throat, I had to win.  As I got older, this same mentality drove the goals I made for myself, the activities I chose to involve myself in, the people I associated myself with.  Don't get me wrong, wanting to be good at something is not a bad thing.  But where this desire led me was that I knew I couldn't be good at it, I would just not try.  I can think of countless experiences that I missed out on because I was afraid I would not measure up, that the people involved would not accept me, that I would somehow look foolish and not be perceived as good.  And this my friends is something I can't stand about myself...

Because of this fear of not measuring up or being good at something, I keep my mouth shut when I should share a great idea.  I don't reach out to people in new situations, they might not want to talk to me.  I don't call my friends on the phone out of the fear that I would be bothering them.  Time after time I have let fear of failure run my life.  If I can't succeed at the task, why even try?  

As I am getting older, I am learning that all those missed opportunities have possibly kept me from meeting some amazing people, from blessing others or being blessed in return.  I think it's time I let go of that fear and take the risk...

31 days

365 days, a year, that is how long it has been since I thought about posting on this blog.  I feel like I often set myself up for failure with this little piece of my world.  I set lofty goals for myself, I need to have lots of followers, comments or I must find the perfect words to write, but for these next 31 days my goal is just to write.  Some days it might just be a caption to a photo or some song lyrics that made me smile or brought me to tears.  You see this time, these 31 days are going to be for me.  Not some list of things that are unattainable, just simply, to write!  

So let's get this journey started and here is to the next 31 days...

B

Now let's pretend it is Saturday :)

As stated on Friday's post, I have been blessed with some pretty amazing people in my life.  One of my absolute favorite traditions that I have established with some of those people is our annual Girls Weekend!  A group of college friends made the commitment several years ago that our friendships were pretty important and annually we gather for  a weekend getaway to catch up on life, share our hearts, eat some pretty delicious food, laugh til we cry, cry til me laugh and most of all encourage each other.

One of my favorite things we do is take turns hosting the weekend.  Meaning, 2 girls out of the group will take the leadership role in planning the events, special treats, meals and all the other really important details of the weekend.  And my friends, well they go all out!  From decorations, to gifts on our pillows, to treat bags for the ride home complete with our favorite snacks.  These little details are the things that make us all feel so special.

These friendships are sweet indeed.  These are the relationships that I treasure, that I am so thankful for.  No matter how long we go between phone calls, emails, texts or visits, these are the kinds of friendships where we can just pick up where we left off.  We  have seen each other through celebrations, grief, confusion, happiness, you name it we have experienced it.  But isn't that what makes life sweet?  What makes us wanna come back year after year...

These are the memories that we hold dear to our hearts.  The memories that encourage us even when the distance is great.

These are the friendships that were started in middle school yearbook class and have continued through the grown up years.  These are the people you call family, who you treasure.

These are the people who know us inside and out and love us anyway.  So grateful!

These are the people whose hearts encourage me to be more loving, whose smiles encourage me to be more kind, whose faith encourage me to be stronger. 

Already counting down the days til our next gathering...

Day 5

Pretend it is Friday :)

I have been blessed with some really great friends and family.  These are not just your ordinary friends and family, I am talking the best.  Seriously the best!  So on Friday's during this journey, I will highlight  one (or two or three) of my friends or family members who have been an encouragement to me!  It is high time the blog world (or all 2 of you who read my blog) heard just how great these guys are!


Today it is this little lady...

Friends, meet my Mamaw.  Isn't she the cutest thing you have ever seen?  I love this woman.  I admire her strength, her motivation, her giving spirit and and her sassy personality.  She has modeled for me what it means to work hard and never give up, even when things get hard.  Her selfless spirit has encouraged me to care about people even when they aren't easy to care for and to value those we love above all.  As my grandfather's health started to decline, I was amazed at how much my grandmother sacrificed to care for him.  I know that I am a better woman, because of how she has poured into my life and set an example of love and grace for me.  She makes me laugh, she makes me smile, and yes sometimes she kinda makes me want to scream, but even in those moments, I know that she is only doing things out of love for me!  I am so very thankful for all the ways she has poured into my life and encouraged me to follow my dreams, whether that be to become a teacher or fly halfway around the world to love on babies in Africa.  Mamaw, I know that I don't say it enough, and I don't even know if you will see this, but thank you!  Thank you for loving me!  I sure do love you!

Who has encouraged you friends?

Be encouraged!

Day 4...a little late :)

Just for these next few minutes, pretend it is Thursday!  :)

On each Thursday of this month of blogging, I am going to post an encouraging playlist!  Sometimes it might be music that encourages my relationship with the Lord, sometimes it might be a playlist that just encourages me to sing (scary, I know), sometimes it might just be a playlist that encourages me to be happy.  Music is really good for my soul, really good for my soul.  So maybe during these posts of playlists, you will find some tunes that bring a little lift to your soul too!

Songs that ENCOURAGE me to SMILE:
DISCLAIMER:  My music taste is very eclectic, please do not be offended by any of the songs that are posted and remember these are songs that make me smile, they might make you not smile.  Either way, I hope you enjoy! 

1.  Bella's Finals Mash-up (Pitch Perfect Soundtrack)
Yeah, if you haven't seen this movie, drop what you are doing and go...NOW!  So good, great songs and this one just makes me smile!

2. Beautiful Day (U2)
Every morning when my alarm goes off, this is the song that plays.  While I might not be smiling at 5:30 in the morning when I first hear this song, most times I do!

3.  Always Be My Baby (David Cook, American Idol)
Seriously love this song...and while Mariah Carey did an excellent job with it, David Cook makes me smile!  Great rendition, great voice, great song!

4.  I Will Wait (Mumford and Sons)
You might be surprised that this whole playlist is not Mumford and Sons songs, and really it probably could be. Everything about this group makes me smile from the fact that they are British to the face that they put on an awesome live show!  This song is super catchy and certainly brings a smile to my face!

5.  How Far We've Come (Dawes)
First heard this band when they played a festival with Mumford!  I really just love the easy sound of this song!

6.  Ant's Marching (Dave Matthews Band)
Oh, Dave.  You make me smile for many reasons but this song always make me grin and brings back some pretty fun memories.

7.  Blow Me (One Last Kiss)  (Pink)
I am in love with this song...not really sure why.  I love Pink.  I think we would be fast friends.  Her name is my favorite color after all, but after a long day of school, I get really giddy when this song comes on the shuffle!

8.  Crazyboutya (Dave Barnes)
When I think about Dave Barnes, I can't not smile.  He is hilarious ya'll!  If you have not seen him in concert, you should fix that now!  And this song, well...I will let it speak for itself!  Listen to it and then tell me you aren't smiling!  I dare you!

9.  You're the Inspiration (Chicago)
I smile when I hear this song, because I have this vivid memory of belting this song out with my little brother. Not sure why this one was the the song we chose at the time, but it is a precious memory I treasure for sure!

10.  Crazy in Love (Beyonce)
College days, Nina's wedding, made up dance moves.  Yep, this is a good one for sure!

11.  Will You Return (The Avett Brothers)
I could make a playlist of Avett songs that make me smile but I will let this one represent the band that I love so much!  Love the sound, love the feel, love these guys!

12.  Hanginaround (Counting Crows)
I started listening to Counting Crows in high school.  Everything about them makes me smile.

13.  Your Smiling Face (James Taylor)
This song makes me think of so many people and experiences.  The countless James Taylor concerts, sitting in the rain, singing with my momma, so many memories!

14.  You Got It (The Right Stuff) (NKOTB)
NKOTB...enough said!  I wish I could tell you all the happy memories this song brings up!  First concerts, concerts at 30, first loves, elementary school...oh man, smiles galore!

15.  Party in the USA (Miley Cyrus)
She mentions a dream and cardigan in this song, how can you not smile!

16.  Yellow (Coldplay)
Everything about Coldplay makes me smile as well, but this song especially.

17.  If It Makes You Happy (Sheryl Crow)
And this little ditty...reminds me of my daddy!  He used to sing this song to the top of his lungs!  Seriously, top of his lungs.  Everytime I hear it, I picture him and well, that is good stuff!


This is just a sample, so many more songs that make me smile and this playlist could change everyday!  But here is just a little sampling!

So check them out and be encouraged...maybe one or two of these tunes will bring a smile to your face too!

31 days of Encouragement Day 3...a day late

Well, my internet at home has been out for a while and yesterday I did not have time to post from work, so forgive the lack of posting yesterday!

Yesterday started off in a crazy and frantic way.  I woke up late...not a new thing.  I rushed around the house to get ready to leave for work, wasn't able to fully dry my hair and had to skip my Starbucks stop.  It was just one of those mornings when I felt like I had already started the day 10 steps behind.   When I got to work, I remembered that the principal was not there and that would mean a bit of extra work for me.  I kinda felt defeated before the day even started.

I had been working in my office and needed to go visit a classroom when I passed a group of students in the hallway.  I greeted them quickly, focused on where I was going, when I heard a sweet voice say..."Ms. Simpson, you look very pretty today."  I paused, looked in those precious eyes, and just smiled.  What sweet encouragement from the most innocent of voices.  I didn't question whether or not she was sincere, as I probably would have if it had come from one of my peers.  I didn't immediately try to come up with some kind of excuse as to why I did not look pretty.  I just took her compliment and held it close to my heart all day!

We forget how a compliment, a sincere compliment can encourage and bring joy to someone's day.  How a simple gesture that comes from the heart can make us walk a little taller, feel a little prouder, and bring a smile to our faces.  How can you do that for someone today?

Be encouraged friends...