Don't forget to breath

So after 3 weeks of chaos including three projects, two papers, two presentations, two finals, two counseling self evals, one research conference presentation, one 25th birthday, one (nasty) cold, I am finally finished with my first semester of graduate school. 

I can't say I was incredibly stressed like I was in undergrad because I know I am fulfilling my purpose. BUT I took it incredibly serious because I want to be the best school counselor I can be for my future students and I am paying for this education.  This semester, we've wrestled with a lot of hard topics including : poverty, school to the prison pipeline, tracking, gender inequity, ethics etc. Throughout this season, I was balancing all of these topics and I realized -  crap - I'm going to be responsible for these kids. By mid November, I spent a lot of time in tears and frustrations. NOT because I didn't think I could do it, but because I knew I needed to see the hard stuff to see my role. I knew I had to balance each piece of this profession. 

But you know...it wasn't until I breathed that I felt like could juggle
 each piece of this journey. I am being pruned and shaped for this position. 

Funny how the last four weeks are representative of life's struggles. We may get so bogged down in the many roles we have, the weight of the responsibilities...that we forget to breath.  We forget to see that the challenges we are facing or the journey we are taking are ultimately transforming us for the next step in life. We get caught up in the busyness of life...we don't breath, pause, and reflect.

Today, I randomly attended a yoga class and for the first time in three years, I finally appreciated the fullness of my breathing. Instead of focusing on my instructor twisting us into pretzels, I listened to her cues for breathing in and breathing out. I controlled my breathing....one...two...three...breath in....one...two...three...breath out. I felt the rise and fall of my chest...the expansion of my belly. Before I knew it, my mind was incredibly still. I didn't focus on the challenging poses, I focused on my breathing.  It was empowering to be in tune with the very faculty that gives us the blessing of life everyday.

Yes...the three weeks of chaos came and went. I definitely learned a great deal about balancing the great deal of information. Finals week(s) reminded me that it won't get easier. Life will throw many responsibilities and challenges at me. Life will throw many responsibilities and challenges at you. How will we deal? I will suggest sitting down to think about what makes you happy. Create a wellness plan for dealing with craziness and busyness (#selfcare) AND stick with it. 

Don't sacrifice your well-being for work and things that will always be there.

Instead,
    pause
    care for yourself
    and...
    don't forget to breath <3 

“The Lord Almighty has sworn, ‘Surely, as I have planned, so it will be and as I have purposed, so it will stand.’” — Isaiah 14:24

run with patience.

Taken from the lovely Lauren Mim's Tumblr

After a long battle with my health this past March, I had to make the very difficult decision to slow down this weekend. Since January I've been training for a 10 mile race and I injured myself on Tuesday. It was difficult because I didn’t want to let up. Even though I have been sick, I have tried my hardest to get back in the game and not give up. I decided the morning of the race I wouldn’t run and I cried. Definitely upset me on so many levels because I worked so hard to reach this goal, but I’ve been so sick this month it’s crazy. I can’t even begin to explain how crazy it’s been. 

Oftentimes our minds and our visions are so huge and beautiful. I know mines are for sure.  But we have to stop and slow down and check in with our physical and mental health. I am so exhausted from being sick and my feet are really messed up.

As much as it hurts that I couldn’t cross that finish line today, I had to be fair to my body. God literally was telling me to “slow down Tonyette” and I stopped to listen. 

Even though I didn’t race, I went to support my director, asst. director, co-advisers, and our program’s alum/family support. I was blown away by how people ran faster when we (me + two other advisers) cheered on people. We stood at one of the many hills and at the 7.5 mile mark. Many of my co-workers told us that we gave them the push to keep going to the end. How amazingis that?! Wow - truly powerful. I was reminded that not only is it important to run a race (whether it is an actual race or reaching a goal), but it is important to support and cheer on those in our circles.  I am so proud of my co-workers and I am beaming with joy! Today was a great day and I am so grateful I was given the opportunity to watch them run the race set before them<3 

This has been my memory verse for training and definitely for the past two years after being challenged in so many ways spiritually. 

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews 12:1-2

Stay lifted. Every goal and dream will come to past - you just have to grow with the challenges and be patient with yourself <3

xoxoxo,

Tonyette

What's in My Bag

Hi lovely people <3

So happy to be back and I want to do the famous "What's In My Bag?" challenge that I've seen throughout YouTube and Instagram. 

So this is my tote bag that carries a billion things. LOL. When I bought this I was definitely thinking it could carry a lot of books. I LOVE huge bags and I hadn't came across many like this one until I saw this one last summer on blogs, Pinterest, Instagram. It is Madewell (J.Crew's sister store) "Transport Tote".Due to its price, I was definitely reluctant to purchase the bag, but I've saw a lot of great reviews of it. I finally broke down in late October and purchased this baby and I love it. Actually - I am attached to this bag yall. I haven't stopped carrying it since I purchased it. The leather is gorgeous and it's sturdy...beautiful...timeless...a staple piece....amazing. Okay...I am obsessed. 

Positioned on the left side of my bag is my "wallet" lol but it's a clutch.It is the Madewell Medium Pouch Clutch in English Saddle ! I've worn this by itself and it has a cool pocket for change and slots for cards and it's roomy. It's super pretty and it's all leather as well. I've had this since I bought the bag and it's super sturdy.  

I have a crazy love for notebooks and planners (Thanks to Alana and her organizational skills lol and to my  memory which isn't as great as it was in college. I have to write down everything these days smmmh. Signs of age ha). The White planner is by Moleskine and it's apart of the Peanuts tribute collection and Peppermint Patty graces the cover of mines. I purchased this in late December via Ebay for a great price. Alana also has a Moleskine planner that she purchased from Amazon. This is my first one and I love it so far. 

Next to the planner is my journal! I journal everyday and that mint green notebook keeps my thoughts, prayers, and breakthroughs in writing. 

To the right of the journal is my pocket-sized Bible! I purchased it at a Lifeway Christian Store. It is super cute and in the shape of a wallet and you can actually secure it in the front so that it doesn't fall open. 

Next to my Bible, is my iPad Air! I love the iPad and I can throw it in my bag when I don't need my to lug my Mac around the world. FYI - I am not a techno whiz but it definitely takes WAAAY better quality photos. 

I am currently reading Love Does by Bob Goff - one of my friends mentioned that this book changed his life and I love it so far! I will have to do a book review on this one for sure. The book talks about the fact that love is lived out and is an action word. Whew. It's awesome!

Direct your attention the bottom and you will see Pacifica Tuscan Blood Orange Body Butter and my Pacifica  Color Quench Lip Tint in Blood Orange - I looove this set and I bought it with a roll-on perfume at Marshall's for 8 dollars. The lip tint leaves a beautiful creamy color that moisturizes the lip! 

Beside the Lip Tint is the 

Sephora Cream Lip Stain in True Red and I LOVE THIS STUFF. It goes on as a cream and dries matte and it's so rich and it just adds color to all of my outfits. Definitely worth the money for sure!!!

My Lancome Pink Safari Eyeshadow Palette just happened to be in my bag. My mom bought this for me two summers ago and I love it because it has a good balance of neutral tones! 

In the little pink box are NYX Tea Tree Blotting Papers and I purchased this last week at Target for like 2.50 (steeeaaaaaal) and I like them so far

Annnnd of course I have my keys, a Pilot pen (can't leave home without it) and my Kleenex Pocket Tissues touched behind my Eyeshadow palette (because I apparently have year round allergies now and I have to blow my nose smh)

I hope you all enjoy! Please share your bags and items on your social media and definitely let us know by using the hashtag #allbasescovered

xoxo,

Tonyette