Oh goodness! Where did this morning go?! I always get up early to get writing done, including the bulk of my 1st post of the day, and time has slipped away. Perhaps its lost in the tent that is my bridesmaid’s dress?

I had to go to an alterations appointment last night. It wasn’t my favorite thing to do, but I figure wedding guests don’t want to see me in my skivvies because my dress won’t stay on. I almost wanted to channel my inner kindergartner and shout “I told you so!” to the sales representatives because I knew I wouldn’t need 3 sizes too big to accommodate my pregnant body. Luckily, I’m more mature than that. On the outside at least.

I even have proof of my maturity. I read books like Eat, Pray, Love and experience a few head nods, “Verrryy interesting point you make there Ms. Gilbert” statements (in creepy psychologist accent), and tips of the eyeglasses down my nose.

Now that’s mature!

So, since you asked, I will take you on a journey through my mind and the thoughts which occupy it after a particular EPL snippet.

So, when the old man (a medicine man) asked me in person what I really wanted, I found other, truer words. “I want to have a lasting experience of God,” I told him. “Sometimes I feel like I understand the divinity of this world, but then I lose it because I get distracted by my petty desires and fears. I want to be with God all the time. But I don’t want to be a monk, or totally give up worldly pleasures. I guess what I want to learn is how to live in this world and enjoy its delights but also devote myself to God”.

Who can relate to that? *Raises hand* I know in my heart of hearts God is out there supporting me and loving me, and that my life satisfies me the most when close to Him. I also know life gets in the way of that feeling of closeness because so many things act as distractions. They can wriggle their ways into our lives in good and bad ways. We can overschedule ourselves with good tasks or hold plenty of respectable responsibilities that remove our attention from God. Or we can worry about worldly issues like money, gossip, how others view us, jealousy, anger, and more. So, how do we live a life the pleases us, but also still allows us to not lose sight of “the divinity of this world” and the power within it?

I don’t have THE answers. I only have MY answer. Like I mentioned in this post, I think finding those areas of your life that provoke an encompassing sense of passion is where the focus of our lives should lie. The people, the “work”, the hobbies, etc. Find what ignites you and revolve your life around it. That will give you the delight of this world. Then, never forget that those passions…those things that make you who you are…they are from God. He gave them to you. Praise Him for that,keep it close to your heart, and His presence will abound in your life.

Also, thank you for all the compliments on my post about finding my blog voice last night. It provides the strength to post things like this today. 🙂 You all are a big part of why I keep up this blog and why it fulfills me so much. Thank you. From the bottom of my heart.

• When do you feel the happiest with your life?
• For fun – how are you immature? I can’t help to laugh at certain words that sound dirty or like something else. Or it could also be laughing when M farts or burps. The child knows “please” and “thank you” but “excuse me” is not in her vocabulary. May need to fix that.

Are you all out there? Are you getting my posts? Google Reader is irking me a bit right now. Normally, my posts would go straight through to Readers. Now, they disappear into la-la land and the abyss of cyberspace. Thankfully they are still posting here so those of you finding your way to the blog still have something new to read. I appreciate it! Just like I appreciate these ladies for sharing the 30 Days of Self Reflection on their blogs 🙂

• Lauren – Fun, Fit, & Fabulous
• Elizabeth – Eat Clean Fun
• Melinda – Strength for my Journey
• Holly – Couch Potato Athlete
• Holly – The Balance Broad

Nab yourself a button, like you see to the left on my sidebar, to share on your blog or simply learn more about the 30 Days of Self Reflection coming in September HERE!

So, how are you all this fine Friday? I’m doing pretty well. Although I can barely believe Friday came so soon. Like I mentioned in last night’s post, I spent a lot of time working hard on preparing the 30 Days of Self Reflection for this week. I hoped to make it to yoga this week to stretch out some of the tension in my body from traveling, sitting at the computer, and the bundle of nerves and excitement coursing through me.

Low and behold, the husband had to use my car yesterday and today. Not a problem. It just meant it would the perfect time to break out a yoga DVD I picked up.

The yoga schedule at the gym has been difficult for me to get to, so I wanted an at home option to get my stretch on. I decked myself out in stetchy gear. Then baby & I got to posing and stretching. Peter shot the following picture. He didn’t want to get the warrior pose I asked him to because me bending over is apparently more funny. Gotta love him!

Was it a success?? You betcha! I still prefer the class at the gym, but the DVD provided a good workout and many of my favorite poses. I had to adapt a handful of the moves because a) I’m not insane flexible like the hosts and b) my belly gets in the way sometimes. The only complaint I have is that the dude’s voice and tone remind me of Hannibal Lector. Creepy.

Today called for a rest day from formal workouts. I’ve still had my fair share of activity though, including rotating out normal clothes for maternity ones in the closet. Ick. Anyways, this morning I craved some waffle + pb action like I had this past weekend. We don’t have a waffle maker, so I went for the next best thing. Whole wheat waffles dug out from the freezer. They still worked well for this delicious breakfast.

Upon restocking my energy stores for the day, miss M and I headed out for a quick stroll around the hilly neighborhood. I always like to have a conversation with God during my walks. It’s so crazy to me how not that long ago I spent most of that time asking for strength or help related to what I faced at that time. Today I said some prayers for the 30 Days, for guidance on how to better handle the bad friend situation, and for a healthy pregnancy – but always “interrupted” myself by having to simply praise God. I can’t get over how much He does in our lives! On the walk I saw things that caused celebration for the beauty that surrounds us. For the freedoms we have. For the fabulous area in which I live. For simply everything.

The other day, Mama Pea shared a post on how her being vegan, vegetarian, a stay-at-home mother, or any other label you can stick on her isn’t what makes her happy with her life. I related to it so much. We all have the opportunity to be so happy. It simply takes a choice to focus on the positives in our lives. For me, it also helps to not ever forget what God has done for me and the fact I know He will continue to bring great things. Even in crappy times, I can know life will just get bigger and better. That is what brings me joy! And I hope each of you feel it yourselves.

• Have you ever felt that you have to reach a certain goal or become something in order to achieve happiness? I know I have! Namely, a belief that reaching a certain size brought happiness.
• Do you have a favorite at home workout? I love all my DVDs. I will be breaking them out a lot more after the baby comes. Cathe, TurboJam, and hopefully Insanity & TurboFire by then too. 😀