#thefirstdayoftherestofmylife

[joeyostrander]

#thefirstdayoftherestofmylife #vtpmknfrp [_________________________________________] #rehab #Autumn #fallingforfall #basic #pumpkin #pumpkinspice #psl #Starbucks #frappuccino #overcast https://www.instagram.com/p/BnBcekbAuvU/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=11u1qv0tyukpo

[vegan4jesus]

Things will never be the same. #Victory #Success #TheFirstDayOfTheRestOfMyLife

[kayxlew]

What is happiness?

I’m re-reading my favorite book that I haven’t read since high school. I’ve been out of high school for four years now. Why did I choose now to read this book? I don’t know. I was drawn to it. It was sitting on my bookshelf and I had just finished a book I had never read before and I was looking for another book to read. I took that book with me to college. I took the books I had read and haven’t read before with me to fill my book shelf so it looked liked I read. I do. But that book called out to me almost when I was decided which Sarah Dessen book to pick up next. This isn’t a Sarah Dessen book. This book is called The First Day of the Rest of My Life by Cathy Lamb. It was published in 2011 and has touched my heart to this very day ever since I first read it.

I won’t give away what it’s about but I will tell you what I learned about myself while reading this book. I learned about woman empowerment. I learned that I am my own person and no one but God can judge me. No one. No one single human being has that power or should ever have that power over me. I learned that your voice matters. If you believe it whole-heartedly and you have the knowledge and wisdom behind it, you need to stand up for it. Whether that be religion, politics, advocating for a certain group or just for you, it’s important to you so use your voice. I learned that embracing yourself and being completely honest with who you are is what drives us to success. It may be success in your family, relationships, careers or your hobbies. Whatever it is, be honest with yourself because being a lie will get you no where and it will not help you emotionally or mentally.

This book made me angry to the point I wanted to scream outside so everyone could hear my hurt. It mad me reevaluate my life. I had to sit for a good thirty minutes after a single sentence because it had affected me that much. It made me bawl my eyes out to the point I was red in the face and couldn’t see to continue reading. it also made me so happy, so so happy. It made me realize that life is short and that it’s worth every single moment. Happiness is in moments. That’s the final thing I will tell you that it taught me.

Happiness is in moments. It’s not found in a book, in material things. It’s not in the places we travel or in a person. It’s those little moments that make us think, make us really think, and make us smile in slightest way without effort. Happiness is effortless in those moments.

So go and read this book. It’s an emotional rollarcoaster. It makes you think and makes you sit in your comfy chair staring at your coffee cup in awe and wonder and even in a blank state. Read this book and let it change your life, your perspective. Then go and read your bible because God loves you and wants you to see him in everything. Change starts with him but can be helped by a book such as this one.

Tell me your experiences with books. I love books. I want you to tell me your favorites and I will go and read them. Thank you.

With love,

Kaycee

[gearsofstrength-blog]

New day. New me.

Ya know, it is silly that we start new things on specific days. We usually keep our changes for the first day of the year or a special month because that kind of uniformity makes sense to us. Well, tomorrow I start the new me. Being who I actually want to be, not who I've been carved out to be by those around me. Is it scary? Yeah. Will it be worth it? So. So. Much.