link party

Can you believe Christmas is only 6 days away?! December seems to have flown by and Christmas will be here and over before you know it.

This is also about the time I realize that the New Year is right around the corner – 2013! – and resolutions are already piling high in my head…

I think for many of us, 2012 has been a year of heartache and tragedy; personally for some, and nationally for most. Indeed, this is a time for reflection. And while I’m sure many of you have found yourselves asking why? how? and perhaps even questioning the virtue of humanity, it is also a time to ask yourself what? What can you do to make life just a little sweeter, for yourself and for those around you? What can you do to seize each and every day? What can you do to live life to the very fullest?

For me, 2013 is The Year to Pay it Forward, and I think it should be for all of us. If we each took a moment out of our very busy and oh-so-important lives to acknowledge and appreciate those around us; a simple smile, a helping hand, or a friendly nod of the head…it’s truly amazing how far camaraderie can carry us, and perhaps save a life in the process.

Because camaraderie is so much more than a simple gesture. It is a feeling of solidarity, of being present and recognizing yourself in those around you. It is about having patience, providing encouragement, and holding your head high and your back straight for those in need of a strong foundation.

So Pay it Forward my friends, by being true to yourself and those around you…

My 13 Resolutions for 2013:

Wake up every morning appreciating the new day, no matter what that day may hold.
Take a deep breath and have a little more patience.
No wallowing! Life is too short to waste on misery.
DO what you SAY.
Stop feeling guilty. Stop making excuses. Stop doubting yourself. Just DO it.
And if you fail, dust yourself off, and try again.
Smile. Even when you don’t want to.
Be there. For friends, for family, for yourself. Never forget to reach out to those you love.
If you need help, ask for it.
Look people in the eye when speaking to them. It’s amazing what you will learn!
Don’t be afraid to express yourself. Remember, “those who throw dirt only lose ground.”
Never take for granted what you have NOW because it very well may not be there later.
There is no day like today. Make the best of it.

What are your resolutions and how do you plan on paying it forward?

I think one of the greatest joys of blogging is the community and camaraderie it provides. And this is the perfect time to join forces, offer support, and give encouragement to those that may need a little extra sustenance. This is the time to pay it forward, my friends!

If you have written an encouraging, heartfelt, or motivational post, please link up below! And if you have resolutions you would like to share, or ideas to “pay it forward,” feel free to link away. But PLEASE, be considerate and only link to uplifting posts. I think we are all in need of a little joy and inspiration.

These are the rules:

DO link to inspirational, positive posts.
DO NOT link to political or negative posts.
DO link to a relevant post. Now is not the time for a marketing ploy.
DO pay it forward: leave positive and encouraging comments for others.
Please link back.

I will include a couple of new links in my Sharing the Love post each Friday for the next few weeks. And yes, I will be monitoring links closely for inappropriate content!

Now let’s begin the camaraderie! (click on the frog below to add your link and view others)

LINKED TO:

I’m back from the beach and despite the cold, windy, and rainy weather, I feel so much more relaxed!

I’m a true believer in taking the necessary time for oneself; to unclog the mind, liberate the soul, and rediscover a healthy and happy perspective. Whether this consists of a spontaneous drive to the beach, a brisk walk, or simply a 30 minute bath…however you’re able to manage, I think it’s important to, for a brief period, be purely within your own thoughts and feelings.

This is a picture I took the last evening I was at the beach and even now, it gives me a sense of serenity.

Of course, upon returning from my mini-vacation, I had much to catch up on and dove right into productivity. I had a house to clean, laundry to do, overnight guests to entertain the following day, a shed to organize, a blog and corresponding social media to attend, and all the little things in between.

Serenity now. Serenity now. Serenity now!

At the end of my fun-filled and productive weekend, I had the opportunity to sit back and do a little Pinterest browsing – the perfect Sunday evening activity, if you ask me (you can follow me here.)! During this browsing, I came across a room that immediately reminded of me of my last evening at the beach:

The pale blue against the natural wood, the pops of pink and yellow, the haze of light filtering through…it’s like a tangible sunrise! I love that despite the individual boldness of the colors, they all seem to meld together to form something peaceful, soft, and serene. I can imagine myself curled up on the couch, pink throw over my shoulders, good book in one hand, and cup of hot cocoa in the other. And that armoire…oh, be still my heart! I could only be so lucky to stumble upon something so gorgeous.

Needless to say, I am trying to maintain this sense of serenity and I am happy that Pinterest is cooperating with me! Another serene Pinterest find:

*Sigh* Look at that sunrise!

These amazing rooms and the sense of serenity they offered inspired me to create my very first photo inspired linky party!

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Each Monday, I will attach an inspiring photo for you to interpret as you wish into your favorite room of the week. I will do my very best to visit, comment on, and/or follow every blog that links up – and I hope each of you will visit, follow, and comment on a few fellow blogs in return! The party will close on Sunday at 11:59PM and I will feature my three favorite photo inspired rooms the very next day (and for additional exposure, these featured rooms will also be included on my Featured Room of the Week Pinterest Board)!

And if you have an inspiring photo of your own, please feel free to email me (kekaylor@gmail.com) and I would be happy to use it for next week’s inspiring photo (and credit will be given where credit is due!).

Obviously, today’s inspiring photo is: