Striving for peace.

"Peace is the result of retraining your mind to process life as it is, rather than as you think it should be."

{Wayne W. Dyer}

I have to admit, at times it is very difficult to feel 'at peace.'  Today was one of those days for me.  Seemingly the work week thus far accumulated into one large unsurmountable pile of stress.  Multiple minor things, when occurring back-to-back, end up weakening my sense of inner homeostasis.  That doesn't necessarily mean that's the reality of my week to date, only my perception of it.  I have a tendency to harbor and dwell on mistakes (one might argue I'm a perfectionist), rather than simply learn from them and let them go.  I carry the weight of my day-to-day like it's an accessory to my outfit.  The odd thing is, if I take a step back from said events, remove myself emotionally, and analyze as a third party (or as I would if giving a friend advice), it's easy to get my head back in the game.  The older I get the more I learn about myself, and this is one of the things I'm trying to expand upon.  I can almost talk myself out of having a serious brat moment when I perform the aforementioned scenario.  I have to remove my emotional attachments from the events knocking me off kilter, and then process them from that standpoint to regain a positive outlook.  Once I do that, I'm able to regain my equilibrium and carry on with my day; I'm able to see that my 'bad day' is hardly anything close to it.  I get caught up in work, which is just that - work.  Not life.   I don't live to work.  I work to live and enjoy life.  Though issues at work arise, my speciality is not life or death, nor will it ever be.  Therefore nothing I do should create such a heavy burden that I carry it with me for the remainder of the day.  When concerning work, I need to simply learn, improve, and move on.  In the grand scheme of things, nobody looks back on their life and thinks about the great days they had at work, they think about the rest of their lives that they truly felt alive and 'at peace.'  That's what it's all about...

Upcycled Clothing: Junky Styling

I've been attracted to the concept of recycled clothing for quite some time; deconstructing pieces that are no longer considered in style or "fashionable," and giving them a new life.  The statistics for textile waste products are rising along with everything else, but Junky Styling is one of many companies making an effort to change that.  Below are a few images pulled from their website along with a video of the 2011 air catwalk show.  I know it's a little dated, but it still gives you an idea of their inspiring abilities to transform clothing.  

Florence Welch does it again.

I don't know what it is about this woman but I cannot get enough of her music.  Actually, I do know what it is, it's so unique it's entrancing.  Nobody else on the scene can touch her originality, versatility, and vocals in my eyes.  Keep on keeping on, Florence! 

Music is a scent

"Music can be like perfume. It's almost a scent, you know, where the right smell changes an environment and makes life more bearable."

Frou Frou/Imogen Heap

Asian Cabbage Salad

Ingredients:
1 head of cabbage, shredded (I use a food processor)
3/4 cup slivered almonds
3/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup sesame oil
1/4 cup PLUS 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon organic raw honey


Directions:
In a large bowl, add the cabbage, almonds, and cranberries (I like to pull the cranberries apart so they're not all clumpy in the salad). Mix everything together.

In a small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients. Pour over the salad and mix until the cabbage is well coated. Taste, and adjust seasonings as needed (may need a little more or less depending on the size of the head of cabbage).

The salad can be enjoyed immediately, but I prefer to let it marinate in the fridge for a few hours before serving...and it tastes even better the following day.

(image & revised recipe from sweetpeonyblog)