Laura Bowers

Writer, runner, reader, RunDisney addict, and blogger/vlogger @joyful-Miles Visit http://laurabowerslit.com BEAUTY SHOP FOR RENT and JUST FLIRT

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Lessons to Learn from 50 Shades of Grey

Lessons to Learn from 50 Shades of Grey

Let’s talk about 50 Shades of Grey. I’ve never read it beyond the sample chapter nor have I seen any of the movies. Not because I’m a prude who shuns erotica, but mostly because I have issues with the unhealthy glorification of an abusive relationship so I’m simply not interested. Despite this, however, I learned a tremendous lesson from the book series. It happened on a day when I was running…

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If you ain't first, you're ... probably having fun!

If you ain’t first, you’re … probably having fun!

I love the movie, Talledega Nights, and I can quote pretty much every line. Especially the dinner scene ’cause I like to picture Jesus in a tuxedo T-shirt. As a two-time boy mom with a cynical sense of humor that has me laughing at fart jokes, it’s hard not to love that movie. And, of course, one of my favorite lines is the oh-so-dark … … said to Ricky Bobby by his father at a young age. And I…

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Passion before Publication: A Lesson from Author Christine Lincoln

Passion before Publication: A Lesson from Author Christine Lincoln

There are some lessons in life that stick to you like spaghetti sauce stains to plastic storage containers. Others, however, are often quickly forgotten, forcing you to learn them over and over again. For me, Passion before Publication falls in the latter category. I first learned this lesson about twenty years ago when I decided to take a writers workshop class at my local community…

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Book Review: The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins

Book Review: The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins

I’ve read a lot of personal development books. I mean, a lot.

Some were game-changers like Deep Work by Cal Newport and Atomic Habits by James Clear. Some were lovely motivators that added to my subconscious in subtle, inspiring ways like You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero and Girl, Stop Apologizing by Rachel Hollis. And some ended up being DNF because I just couldn’t connect like The Happiness…

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MasterClass Review: Neil Gaiman Teaches the Art of Storytelling

MasterClass Review: Neil Gaiman Teaches the Art of Storytelling

If you’ve come to my small corner of the blogosphere to find out if Neil Gaiman’s MasterClass: Teaches the Art of Storytelling is worth the money, let me answer in three words:

Good. God. Yes.

Before I dive in, let me clarify that I’m not an affiliate for MasterClass nor did I received this for free, so all opinions are my own. I’m also an All-Access Pass member, which currently costs…

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You coulda been dead all this time and Other Words of Wisdom from My Mother

You coulda been dead all this time and Other Words of Wisdom from My Mother

I have my mother to thank for my healthy attitude toward aging.

She’s the reason why I never lie about my age and why I think the whole ‘you should never ask a lady her age’ is an outdated concept that needs to go. I mean, honestly. Nobody ever says, ‘never ask a man his age,’ so if us older gals want society to view our age as an asset instead of a liability … then it begins with us and how…

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What’s your last #Disney day tradition? 💖 🌸 Mine is spending time at Animal Kingdom’s gorgeous Pandora, my happy place! Na’Vi River is so pretty and peaceful. I just love the colors!! Flights of Passage is my absolute favorite ride and thanks to there being pee on my seat, @sarahud5 and I got to ride it twice as well as score another fast pass! 💖 Sheer happiness. I hope all the #PrincessHalf runners got home safe and sound, or will soon! 😘 🌸 #rundisney #princesshalf #phm #princesshalfmarathon #disney #disneyworld #animalkingdom #pandora #mossywall #wallsofdisney #phmtribe #joyfulmiles #writerunrejoice (at Disney's Animal Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9AbPjnnw9S/?igshid=lxemorfrbkse

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For my fellow #Schofferhofer lovers ... draft, bottle or can? Draft is my favorite but all of the above is just lovely as well!! Cheers! 🍻💜 🌸 #rundisney #princesshalf #phm #princesshalfmarathon #epcot #grapefruitbeer #disney #disneyworld #wdw #disneylife #instadisney #disneyig (at Epcot) https://www.instagram.com/p/B894frkHJWh/?igshid=1p0a7jc0ebak4

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Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo!! 💗💙💗 🌸 #rundisney #princesshalf #phm #fairytalechallenge #teamsparkle #princesshalfmarathon #disney #disneyworld #wdw #epcot #fairygodmother #runningcostume #writerunrejoice #joyfulmiles (at Disney World Orlando) https://www.instagram.com/p/B886OXrnKFL/?igshid=1wo8kqm97q7j3

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We had to go BIG with our costumes since this was our 5th annual #PHMtribe #PrincessHalf weekend together! 💖 Amazing friends, amazing race!! #runDisney 🌸 #phm #princesshalfmarathon #royalminnie #runningcostume #medalmonday #fairytalechallenge #disney #disneyworld #wdw #joyfulmiles #writerunrejoice (at Disney's Hollywood Studios) https://www.instagram.com/p/B881A63H6eJ/?igshid=1q71jkf0jjmk1

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Royal Minnies Unite!! 💜💖💜 Best of luck, #PrincessHalf runners! 🌸 #rundisney #princesshalf #phm #princesshalfmarathon #phmtribe #disney #disneyworld #writerunrejoice #joyfulmiles https://www.instagram.com/p/B83Z0__HoeL/?igshid=1oc7mxh4ub12p

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The boat rides to #DowntownDisney always take soooo long ... which is why I love them!! Heading for some chill time before my girls get here! #bliss #blessed #gotmychillon 🌸 #disney #disneyworld #wdw #disneylife #instadisney #disneyig (at Disney Springs) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8wOsquHON6/?igshid=1dy8w72dia82v

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Traditional pre-flight açaí antioxidant smoothie from Jamba Juice! Boarding now. Next stop: ORLANDO!! 💖 Can’t Wait to see my #PHMtribe 💖 🌸 #rundisney #princesshalf #phm #fairytalechallenge #disney #disneyworld (at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8vvnR_HhMr/?igshid=1ap6zstww9rhl

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My mom. 💜 Not only did she save my rear with last-minute ear making, but she also kept me hydrated with these lovely water cocktails! 💜 #runningcostume 🌸 #rundisney #princesshalf #phm #fairytalechallenge #disney #disneyworld #mymomisawesome https://www.instagram.com/p/B8vsj6anNl2/?igshid=t6iivvepefji

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NEW #PrincessHalf video with lots of singing and dancing and rhyming!! 🌸 Oops, I thought I had already finished and uploaded last year’s #PHM mile marker video but turns out, I didn’t! So in the spirit of #betterlatethannever >>the link is in my bio! 🌸 Oh, and we’re giving this tradition a fresh twist next weekend although we’ve gotten some great suggestions for mile 12. We’ll have to use them! 💖 🌸 #rundisney #princesshalfmarathon #fairytalechallenge #princess10k #disney #teamsparkle #disneyworld #epcot #rundisneyvlogger #phmtribe #disneylife #instadisney #disneyig #bubblegumwall #runningcostume #bubblegumwallprincesses (at Epcot - Walt Disney World) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8hUtWIHff5/?igshid=kwhzoa95rlai

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#tbt to the time I pulled off a nice #DisneyPrincess costume! 💖 Gotta tell ya. I’m still super proud of that crown because it took FOREVER to get right!! So I had to wait forever after the race to get this picture with Aurora! #makeitPINK 💖 🌸 And yes, I am posting tons of #PrincessHalf pics. It’s because I’m SO EXCITED!!! One more week!!! 💗 🌸 #rundisney #runningcostumes #teamsparkle #disney #disneyworld #wdw #enchanted10k #fairytalechallenge #epcot #disneyrunner #runhappy #phmtribe #writerunrejoice #ichoosejoy (at Epcot - Walt Disney World) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8gcw3xnNYe/?igshid=ppm3du1t5djm

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A #waybackwednesday to my absolute toughest #PrincessHalf Marathon! 🌸 In 2017, I was still recovering from a #plantarplatetear - a total bugger of an injury. My doctor gave me clearance to walk, which I was grateful for, but oh my gosh. Talk about stressful!! I worried the entire time about being swept, I missed my friends, and I feared never being able to run again considering I’d been injured for five months by that time. 🌸 Despite my fears and worries, I forced myself to set them aside as often as possible and take in lovely moments, like getting this Gaston/Beast showdown picture with a gal on the course! (@celeste.l.b - is that you??) I also grabbed character photos when lines were short and managed a one-legged #joyfuljumpshot 💖 And because Gaston’s line was way too long, I also hauled my sweaty rear into #magickingdom afterward for a pic with him! 😍 🌸 So if you’re filled with worries and fears about next weekend’s #PHM ... I understand!! Just please. Try to set them aside in order to take in your surrounding - the sights, the sounds, the camaraderie with fellow runners, EVERYTHING!! You don’t want to miss it!! 💖 🌸 Best of luck and if you’re curious about my toughest race, (and my emotional venting on the bus afterward,) a link for my race recap is in my profile!! xoxo!! 😘 🌸 #rundisney #princesshalfmarathon #fairytalechallenge #epcot #spacemountain #runningcostume #gaston #disney #disneyworld #wdw #disneyrunner #writerunrejoice #rundisneyvlogger #runhappy #womenwholift (at Disney's Magic Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8d3ZwDnECr/?igshid=1mhe0h7ay3q5n