Carrie Elias

silver lining seeker

[carrieelias]

🕎🎄🥂 Neighborhood Holiday Progressive Dinner Party!! Delicious potluck dinner, followed by scrumptious dessert, followed by a gift exchange which ended in roaring belly-laughs! It also happened to be the 8th night of Hanukkah, and I had the pleasure of sharing my tradition with #friendswhoarefamily. I am blessed to live among these kind, inclusive and loving humans. • #HappyHolidays #Hanukkah #MerryChristmas #neighborsquad #LoveMyFriends #progressivedinner #progressivedinnerparty https://www.instagram.com/p/BrU-QkKhseW/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=3b0kxomus24t

[carrieelias]

👭🎄🕎 I'm a big fan of time honored traditions, and our holiday celebration ~ SF style, is one of my faves! I'm also a big fan of this beautiful woman - my ride-or-die Bestie of many years. We are soul sisters, family of choice, partners in silly shenanigans, and we speak the same language of the heart. I'm so grateful for you, Meeshie.♥️🙏🏽👭✨ • #HappyHolidays #HappyHanukkah #MerryChristmas #loveher #Meesh #Marg #LoveMyFamily #LoveMyFriends (at San Francisco, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrF2YZ5hMEG/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=11wxrt6c3e3ny

[carrieelias]

🕎✨ Chag Sameach • #hanukkah #happyhanukkah #FirstNight #letyourlightshine #chagsameach (at San Francisco, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq6Iq1uhzhw/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1727qmvka54jf

[carrieelias]

This fabulous adventure has literally (in the true sense of the word) been planes, trains and automobiles! Today we began our train adventure and it far surpassed my greatest expectations! Breathtaking landscapes coming soon (don't ask me how many photos I've taken 🤦🏻‍♀️) but for now, this is my #FamilyOfChoice and I love them more than I can say. 🙏🏽♥️ • #MondayMantra #Family #LoveMyFamily #LoveMyFriends #grateful #amtrak #planestraonsandautomobiles #adventure #justgoshoot #girldiscoverers #girlborntotravel #travel #travelgram (at Amtrak Train Station) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqqejMnhq5N/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1najmi39fw62r

[carrieelias]

🎂🎈 🎶 I don't know about you 🎶 🎶 but I'm feelin' 52 🎶 😉🎉 As each year passes, my gratitude deepens, and that is the greatest gift of all. Profoundly thankful for friends who are family. 🙏🏽🙌🏽 Swipe to see some birthday fun with a few of them! My heart is full and smiling ♥️🙂🙏🏽 🎶Tonight's the night when we forget about the deadlines... 🎶 • #blessed #grateful #LoveMyFriends #LoveMyFamily #MondayMantra #birthdayblessings (at San Francisco, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqYOusjBAg8/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=twaz49ynnqsd

[carrieelias]

🦃🌮🍗🍁 Last night my Neighborhood Family gathered for our Neighbors-Thanksgiving~Mexican style...because, obviously! It was brilliant and fun; it was bittersweet. While we enjoyed food, drink, laughter, stories, and the blessings of community, we also grieved for our brothers and sisters who are victims of the California fires. Beginning to feel helpless, I remembered: "just do one thing." One thing - no matter how big or small - makes a difference. There are many opportunities. Swipe to see a few. #DoOneThing #MondayMantra #NeighborsThanksgiving #CampFire #WoolseyFire #HillFire #california #californialove #californiapride #westcoast #westcoastisthebestcoast • #instagood #picoftheday #createandcapture #gramslayers #moodygrams #gramnation (at San Francisco, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqHHOfKhNri/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1pymel98yq614

[carrieelias]

⚖️🏛 The Ruth The whole Ruth And nothing but the Ruth!! Happy Halloween!🎃👻 • #RuthBaderGinsburg #HappyHalloween #Halloween #Halloween2018 #Justice #SCOTUS (at Genentech) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpnIw4YBtlZ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=15ncaxrs9fqxw

[carrieelias]

🐑💚 👆🏽Remedy for the Monday Blahs. Uses: counteracts lack of inspiration, motivation and other common Monday feels. Elicits smiles and spreads joy. Recommended for all humans, all ages: Directions: Gaze, Giggle, Repeat 🐑 • #MondayMantra #alpaca #alpacalove #islandalpacacompany #MondayMotivation #DailyPositivity #CreateMagic #BePowerful #SilverLiningSeeker #icanalwaysfindasilverlining #justgoshoot #photography #picoftheday (at Island Alpaca Co. of Martha's Vineyard) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bph-DZPBFGW/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=jm23axb9de02

[carrieelias]

🌳🌿☀️ Okay Monday, I surrender! I was reeeeally fighting Monday, but ultimately, I conceded. Not that I actually had another choice 😉 but when I remembered to focus on the good stuff, enthusiasm replaced apathy and gratitude replaced irritation. #MondayMantra #DailyPositivity #MondayMotivation #BePowerful #CreateMagic #FocusOnTheGoodStuff • #awe #wonder #nature #mountains #californialove #justgoshoot #livewhereyouvacation #caligirl #california #bayarea #westcoast #westcoastisthebestcoast #californiababe #girldiscoverers #instagood #picoftheday #createandcapture #gramslayers #moodygrams #gramnation (at Saratoga, California)

[carrieelias]

🐱🌈🐱🙏🏽♥️ My sweet princess Juliet crossed over the rainbow bridge today. 🌈🐱 Juliet, you taught me so many important lessons, not the least of which was - there is endless love to give and receive. You were the most beautiful, sassy, independent, all-knowing, adorable, loving, CUTE, hilarious, wise, wonderful kitty, teacher, sister, goddess. You touched and shifted and changed and transformed my life indelibly andforever. There are not enough adjectives or superlatives to describe you. There is not enough space to express my endless love, devotion, respect and gratitude for you. My heart broke💔 when I felt you go, and it cracked wide-open when I felt you soar. Forever my sweet kitty, my baby, my sister, my teacher.... Go play with Tigger! I love you forever! • #rainbowbridge #Juliet #LoveMyFamily

[carrieelias]

Happy Father's Day to my forever hero. I love you Dad. #HappyFathersDay #FathersDay2018 #Hero #LoveMyFamily

[carrieelias]

#MyPersonIsHere 😁 Life is good! Happy #lNationalBestFriendDay! Also #GoCavs🏀 (at Estrada's Restaurant)

[carrieelias]

🌸🌺 Ever receive an apology that felt more like you were being blamed instead? “I’m sorry you feel that way” Uhhhhh, nope! NOT an apology! “I’m sorry, if I hurt your feelings.” Wait, you’re sorry IF you hurt my feelings? So if my feelings aren’t hurt, then you take back the apology, even though you said something that was hurtful? Huh? Nope! Also NOT an apology. #sorrynotsorry 😉 I think we sometimes feel resistant to apologizing because we might think it makes us weak, or puts us in a vulnerable position. But why are we so resistant to being soft and vulnerable at times? Especially in those moments when we’ve actually done something that warrants an apology! A true and authentic apology can be a game changer, a wall-buster and a bridge to deeper understanding and connection. A sincere apology, from the heart, is something of an art form. As with everything else, practice makes it more natural. Up on the blog, I dissect the no-apology-apology and break-down the art of a true apology. Link in bio. 🌸 #MondayMantra #sayimsorry #sorrynotsorry #BePowerful #Respect #MondayMotivation #DailyPositivity #CreateMagic 🌸 #instagood #picoftheday #createandcapture #gramslayers #moodygrams #gramnation #justgoshoot #flowers #springhassprung

[carrieelias]

🌊 As it turns out, it’s not our job to predict the future or control everything. Well ain’t that a kick in the pants? For a while there, I thought I was getting pretty good at it! 😂 (S.O. to my fellow #controlfreaks!) But here's the problem. Every time I have attempted to predict, control, arrange, rearrange, manipulate, in order to ensure a certain outcome, I have been, in fact, pushing against myself, against fate and the natural evolution of my journey. The thing that was in the way, blocking me from moving forward, was ME! In other words, these were the times I needed to get out of my own way! Eventually, after lots of stubborn stumbling, I saw that when I allow things to unfold in their own timing, the answers bubble-up and all the solutions reveal themselves when it’s time. Getting out of my own way has been a challenging lesson for me. It’s ongoing, and the good news is, over time it has gotten easier, and I get out of the way quicker. Recovering control freaks rock on! The rest is up on the blog. Link in Bio. • #MondayMantra #ControlFreaksUnite #TrustTheProcess #GetOutOfYourOwnWay #NoRegrets #BePowerful #MondayMotivation #DailyPositivity #CreateMagic • #awe #wonder #ocean #californialove #caligirl #california #bayarea #westcoast #westcoastisthebestcoast #californiababe #livewhereyouvacation #girldiscoverers #justgoshoot • #instagood #picoftheday #createandcapture #gramslayers #moodygrams #gramnation (at Point Reyes National Seashore)

[carrieelias]

🌼🌺🌸 ♥️💚🧡 Happy Mother’s Day, Mom! I'm not sure if I can ever fully convey how lucky I feel🍀 how grateful I am🙏🏽 how much I love you♥️ and it will be my greatest pleasure to keep trying!♥️💚🧡 #BestMom #BestFriend #EternallyGrateful #LoveMyMom #LoveMyFamily #HappyMothersDay #MothersDay2018

[carrieelias]

🎈🎈 Remember this childhood chant?👉🏽"I’m rubber and you’re glue, whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you!” Another's judgment of you is not about you, it's about them, and you don't have to believe or subscribe to it. But yes, be willing to be judged. Why? Because it's an unavoidable piece of Life’s Puzzle, and there is no truth or integrity in denying or avoiding it. And here’s the really important part: How we respond and cope with being judged is what matters, and what makes the difference. When we believe in ourselves, make deliberate choices, and act with integrity and truth, the judgments can no longer stick, and we are able to let them bounce off of us. Children are quite brilliant, aren’t they? 😉  • Find the rest of this one on the blog. Link in bio • #MondayMantra #SilverLiningSeeker #icanalwaysfindasilverlining #seekthesilverlining #BePowerful #MondayMotivation #DailyPositivity #CreateMagic #authorsofinstagram • #instagood #picoftheday #createandcapture #gramslayers #moodygrams #gramnation (at San Francisco, California)

[carrieelias]

🌎💚 Somehow, gentleness and kindness and meekness got lost (meekness, btw is not the same as weakness. Merriam Webster: having or showing a quiet and gentle nature : not wanting to fight or argue). Somehow (and HOW is still beyond me), it seems that permission has been implicitly granted to say whatever we want, without regard for how it might affect another, casting aside politeness and all levels of manners. If you happen to hold this understanding, then please read this next part carefully: It's still not okay - I repeat - NOT OKAY, to be rude, obnoxious, cruel, intolerant or hateful. Same goes for blatantly expressing racism, bigotry or any other kind of discriminatory, prejudiced behavior. Futile (and failed) attempts at [not so] cleverly disguising it as ignorance or arrogance, is also not okay. The next time you feel compelled to “share” your opinions, whether verbal or posted carelessly on social media, check your nasty at the door please, and dust off your "polite" and "kind" and "do unto others." #MannersMatter, so use them. Read the rest on the blog. Link in bio. #MondayMantra #BeKind #MannersMatter #IfYouDontHaveAnythingNiceToSay #LoveWins #NoH8 #MotherEarth #authorsofinstagram