new home, new goals.

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As we make yet another move, I can't help but think about what I want to do differently with our fresh start. Brian and I started talking about goals on Sunday afternoon while sorting through our filing system and packing up books. It was so interesting to hear about the things he hoped to improve upon and grow in, and also fun to dream up my own ideas along with him.

I came up with a few goals that I'm going to strive for upon our return to San Diego, and it reminded me of the January goals I set at the beginning of this year. Before falling asleep last night night, I reflected on them and thought—in addition to sharing my new goals—I should share my progress with you.

First, these are my new goals for when we get to San Diego:

• Read the bible in a year. This is something I've always wanted to do but never seem to find the motivation to commit to. Brian and I agree that we first and foremost want to focus on knowing God more, so I've decided to finally tackle this! I'm using the One Year Bible plan via the Bible app on my iPad. It's super convenient, and oh-so-motivating, as it has you check off a box for each section of reading you do. Talk about a sense of accomplishment!
• Run 25-30 miles per week. Last year after training for a half marathon, I was determined to continue running so that 25-30 miles a week became my new normal. Well, as you can imagine, life happened and the additional training never came to fruition. While my current fitness level is quite a few notches below when I was in half-marathon shape, I've decided this is still a goal on my radar and I'm going to work toward it—especially now that I can do all of my running by the coast again!
• Be committed and involved in our church. Before we left San Diego, I attended the Tuesday morning women's bible study every week. I loved the way it made me feel connected to the church, and I plan to resume where I left off as soon as we're back in town. Additionally, Brian and I both want to find ministries to plug into and invest in on a regular basis to really make our church feel like a home and a family.
• Get published in another publication/online magazine. This fall, I will have two articles published in the print version of Darling Magazine—my first-ever articles in print!! The excitement of it reminds me that I do love the art of writing and want to continue to pursue more opportunities to get my writing out there.

Now, a reflection and update on my 2012 goals:

• Read more books. While I'm still not reading quite as much as I'd hoped, I am at least making small steps toward progress. This year I've read The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, One Thousand Gifts, The Hunger Games Trilogy, The Castaways, and Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? I'm currently tackling the second book on my summer reading list, Unsqueezed.
• Write more. In January I said, "In 2012, I think writing (and editing) is going to be my thing," and I really couldn't have been more correct! This year I had the privilege of co-authoring a book with Wonderfully Made, overseeing and editing for Know Your Value, continuing to write for Darling Magazine, and joining Darling's Core Team as Online Editor. So far, so good.
• Live beautifully. I'd be lying if I told you I didn't still struggle with connecting my beauty solely to my appearance, but I will say that I've grown more in this department than I expected. Brian has been the biggest helper with this goal—he's committed to complimenting me twice as much on my character than my appearance in order to help me refocus my mind (such a good guy, he is!). Probably the greatest signifier of growth has been understanding my relationship with mascara and realizing that I actually don't like having it as part of my daily life.

Do you set goals? If so, what are some that you're working on right now? If not, why not?

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relaxation station.

Today at Darling Magazine I'm sharing my ideas and tips for making your home a spa-like retreat. Although it doesn't specifically fall under my usual beauty and body image topic area, I decided to share it for this simple reason: when I feel comfortable in my home, I feel more comfortable in my skin (Isn't it so much more difficult to hate your body when you're surrounded by soothing scents and wrapped in a soft robe?). Read the article in full below, or check it out—along with articles by the many other Darling contributors—over there.

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The spa is a place of relaxation, serenity and peace—three things most of us probably need more of in our lives. Light fragrance, fluffy towels, pretty storage containers and soothing artwork are all signature elements used to create a tranquil atmosphere and that can be easily created at home. That’s exactly what I did after my husband and I took an anniversary trip to Las Vegas in April. Feeling so inspired by the relaxing ambiance at the hotel spa, I came home determined to redesign our bathroom to feel the same.

Want to give it a go? Try incorporating some (or all!) of these items into your bathroom to make every day feel like a soothing vacation:

Scented reed diffuser. This is remarkably effective in the fragrance department. Instead of lighting candles, which require some supervision for safety, a diffuser is a more practical way to keep a room smelling nice at all hours of the day. The scents are not usually overpowering, and the diffuser adds a nice design aesthetic.

Woven baskets. Nothing robs you of relaxation quite like clutter. Storage baskets help keep things like toilet paper and extra towels out of sight, while also acting as decoration.

Calming art. Black and white photography, nautical paintings, images of flowers, abstract art in a complementary and soothing palette—whatever makes you feel at peace is what should be on the walls. Not sure what to look for? Try something predominantly blue or green, which are known to be calming colors.

Hanging magazine rack. One of the best parts of a spa visit is sitting in the waiting room before a treatment. It’s typically well-stocked with flavored water, healthy snacks, and unlimited amounts of magazines to read while waiting. After all, who has time to read a magazine unless they are, in fact, relaxing? Keep the rack stocked with current issues of positive magazines, such as Whole Living, Real Simple and the upcoming print issue of Darling.

Eucalyptus oil. Keep it in the shower and sprinkle a few drops on the shower floor while rinsing off. The scent rises with the heat of the water, making the whole room smell like a sauna. So refreshing and energizing!

Soft robes. What’s a spa without a robe? Keep one hanging in your bathroom so it’s ready to wear when you’re getting ready or waiting for your hair to dry—and try to find one that has some weight to it. Studies show that pressure can calm the nervous system.

Cushioned bath mat. Place one right outside of the tub or shower, and another by the sink where you get ready. Letting your feet sink in to softness is soothing and cozy, not to mention good for your feet, legs, and back.

While expensive vacations are not in most of our annual travel plans—or budgets—simple home transformations can create the much-needed daily relaxation to hold us over until we can get away. Bring the spa to your home today and enjoy the simple gifts of less stress and more serenity. It’s the little things that make all the difference.

Do you agree that you feel better about your body when your surroundings are more relaxing? What makes your home feel most comfortable to you?

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packing day.

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Today marks two significant events: the first day of the 2012 Olympics, and Borton packing day. We have the music pumping to keep us motivated while we sort through our things and make a million phone calls to change our address, bank accounts, insurance, etc.

We have SO MUCH work ahead of us (I still remember our last move quite well, considering it was only 7 months ago), but of course I'm glad to do it because I know it means we're getting closer and closer to living in California again. Wish us luck as we bury ourselves in boxes, will you?

What's your least favorite thing about packing?

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help daisy beat cancer.

Have you heard about Daisy Love Merrick—the little 8-year-old girl who after 6 surgeries, 22 rounds of chemo and 2 courses of radiation, is facing cancer for the third time? Her family is planning for more chemotherapy and even a stem cell transplant in hopes of helping her kick cancer's butt once and for all. Unfortunately, those treatments aren't cheap and will probably cost around $500,000—money her family simply doesn't have.

In order to fund Daisy's treatments, they've created Pray for Daisy in hopes of raising the support they need for treatments—and this week, all profits from Allie Marie Smith's BodyBeautiful app will go straight to that fund! Promoting positive body image while helping fund a little girl's cancer treatment? Making the world a better place is just $0.99 away.

Get the app here, and visit Pray for Daisy to learn more about how you can support Daisy's family during this difficult time.

Will you help me spread the word by sharing this image on your social media sites? Let's join together to help Daisy beat cancer!

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chained to our masks.

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“That’s what real love amounts to—letting a person be what he really is. Most people love you for who you pretend to be. To keep their love, you keep pretending—performing. You get to love your pretense. It’s true, we’re locked in an image, an act—and the sad thing is, people get so used to their image, they grow attached to their masks. They love their chains. They forget all about who they really are. And if you try to remind them, they hate you for it, they feel like you’re trying to steal their most precious possession.”

Jim Morrison

It's so easy to find our identity in something outside of ourselves: our looks, our salary, the relationship we're in, the house we live in, etc. They define us whether they're good or bad. If we find identity in our looks, it could be because we are considered attractive or because we think we're terribly ugly. If in our salary, it could be related to earning a lot, or to being poor.

The thing is, whether positive or negative, all of those identities are hollow. They aren't who we really are. Jim Morrison hit the nail on the head when he said we love our chains. Since college, I've found my identity in my accomplishments and in my appearance. For several years my identities were thin, disciplined, and hardworking. Then suddenly (while recovering from anorexia), my identities switched to heavy, lazy, and unattractive.

Those identities were as real to me as yours are to you, but they do not comprise what's really real about us. We are more than the images we are chained to. We were knit together by the One who made the universe, fearfully and wonderfully created. Let's stop settling for cheap masks and dig deeper to discover what we're made of. I think we'll be pleased to find that we're so much more than the silly things our culture encourages us to define ourselves by.

In what ways do you wear a mask?

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sweet home california.

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The image above of the bear hugging California is an excellent representation of my feelings toward The Golden State, and that's why I'm bursting at the seams with excitement to tell you that we're moving back to San Diego!! I know, I know, didn't we just move to Texas this year? Yes, we did. But I guess when I said "Texas Forever," what I really meant was, "Texas For-Seven-Months." My bad.

The reality is, we are thankful to have moved to Austin and thankful to be leaving. If you're a regular reader, it's no secret that this has been a challenging season for me, filled with depression, loneliness, and a significant amount of writer's block. While I love to feel good and happy as often as possible, I wouldn't trade our brief stint in Texas for anything.

With our upcoming return to the golden coast, I've been doing a lot of reflecting about what this season has taught me and what I want to carry back with me to California. These are the biggest lessons I've learned:

BE A TEAM
Brian and I immediately felt divided when we got to Austin. He was in his comfort zone (he grew up in Texas and went to UT), and I felt more out of place than ever before—Texas is like a foreign country to a California girl! My frustrations with Texas were difficult for him to process, and he even confessed to me that he thought I wasn't making enough of an effort to get settled. I, in turn, accused him of having absolutely no empathy.

It was lonely enough being far from my comfort zone, but even more so when I felt I didn't have the support of the person I'm closest to. We eventually realized that the way we were interacting with each other was not sustainable (I was trying to pretend I wasn't sad; he was focusing too much on work because it was easier than making himself available to listen), and that we needed to be a team who loved and supported each other, even when life wasn't all cookie-cutter perfect.

SIT IN THE SADNESS
My past is a basket full of negative coping mechanisms: overworking, starving myself, emotionally eating, binge drinking. I have a very addictive personality, and have dealt with my pain in tragic ways in the past. This time, however, I'm so thankful that God spared me from that. Sure, it was a lot more painful at the time (negative coping mechanisms have a beautiful way of numbing things...temporarily), but I wouldn't trade one single crying-induced puffy-faced morning.

Feeling my true feelings was something I needed to learn to do, and this move gave me that opportunity. I felt the depth of my sadness and loneliness in a way I never did before, and it was a beautiful thing to see that it did not consume me. I made it through the storm—I learned how to sail in high winds by practicing gratitude for the small joys of each day.

DIG INTO COMMUNITY
By far, the best thing about living in Texas has been our Wednesday night small group. Every week, it is my biggest highlight. While I didn't know any of the people in the group when we started, they immediately welcomed me in with open arms. Our group has such a rare combination of vulnerability, true friendship and genuine interest in knowing Jesus. We often spend way too much time talking at the beginning, but it's not time wasted. Through it we've developed deep friendships and become prayer warriors in each others' lives.

So often small groups are awkward and forced, but this one was different. We became real friends who cared for each other, grew closer to Jesus together, worked through our marriages together, and actually prayed for each other throughout the week. While I'm truly sad to say goodbye to that special group, I can't wait to take what I've learned from them and create something like it with our San Diego community.

APPRECIATE THE COAST
I confess, after spending four years at Pepperdine and another four years post-college in Southern California, I became fairly numb to the beauty and privilege of living by the coast. Now, I realize just how silly I was. Living in Texas has given me brand new perspective. I see now just how much my soul craves the smell of salty sea air, the feeling of sand between my toes, and the refreshing chill that comes with coastal mornings and evenings.

Have you ever made a big life decision, only to return to the way things were before? How did it go?

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sail in high winds.

Photo Credit: Biljana Kroll

"We must free ourselves of the hope that the sea will ever rest. We must learn to sail in high winds."

-Aristotle Onassis

Brian and I have recently started watching Lost on Netflix. While I've seen the first few seasons already, Brian is experiencing it for the first time, and I love seeing it through his eyes. Last night we finished season one, which ends with a speech from Jack about having hope that everything will be okay. When I saw this print and read the quote above, that was the first thing that came to mind.

We seem to be so programmed (perhaps we're hardwired that way, or perhaps it's a result of our surrounding culture) to believe that the rough seas of life will calm down and stay that way, but that's not the case at all. Big waves will come one after the other—unemployment, death of a loved one, loneliness, disease, mental illness. Life will not rest, trouble is always here.

I don't mean to be a pessimist or a downer. I am a big advocate of savoring those sweet times in life when everything seems to be going right—when we feel known and loved, when we are healthy, when we love our jobs, when we have the spare time to watch the sun set. Those times are to be cherished, noted and savored. And I think learning to sail in high winds is exactly that: gratitude.

Through thankful hearts that cherish the little things, we prepare ourselves for the times when our boat is rocking. We learn to see the good that comes from the bad, and we stand firm on the understanding that there is beauty despite the darkness.

What do you think it means to "learn to sail in high winds"?

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through my lens 7.23.12

This a series where I share snapshots from my daily life. If you're new to the series and would like to catch up on previous posts (or just missed a few along the way), click here for past posts. All of the photos in this post are from my trip to San Diego with Brian this past weekend.

In-flight reading material.

My heart belongs in California.

Afternoon snack.

Writing & caffeinating at my old stomping grounds.

Breakfast with Karen & Greg!

Hiking adventure.

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hello, instagram.

I've finally done it...Thoughts by Natalie is now on Instagram! I'm eager to share with you girls bits and pieces of the world as I see it through pretty filters and my best effort at witty captions. I do hope you'll follow :)

Are you on Instagram? What's your username?

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a dose of cute.

Happy weekend! Since I'm away for the weekend and missing my sweet little Maggie, I thought I'd share some of my favorite puppy Pinterest finds and give you a hefty dose of cute for your Saturday.

Source: frenchiefriends.ning.com via natalie lynn on Pinterest

Source: wastedseductions.tumblr.com via natalie lynn on Pinterest

Source: repinly.com via natalie lynn on Pinterest

Source: via natalie lynn on Pinterest

Source: observando.net via natalie lynn on Pinterest

Do you share my love for pups? If so, what's your favorite kind of dog and why?

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summer stripes.

Stripes are a pattern that seem to always be in fashion. They have a classic, nautical feel that I just can't get enough of. Here are some of my favorite ways to wear stripes in the summer:

Source: richesforrags.tumblr.com via natalie lynn on Pinterest

Source: richesforrags.tumblr.com via natalie lynn on Pinterest

Source: jcrew.com via natalie lynn on Pinterest

Source: shabbyapple.com via natalie lynn on Pinterest

Source: brooklynblonde.com via natalie lynn on Pinterest

Source: seamsforadesire.com via natalie lynn on Pinterest

Are you a fan of stripes? How do you wear them in the summer?

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loving someone.

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“Loving someone isn’t just about holding hands and kissing in public. Sometimes it’s just as hard as not having someone to love. Harder maybe.”

Jim Keeble
Men and Other Mammals

I came across this quote earlier this week on one of the blogs I follow, and immediately it struck me with its truth. Being single is difficult at times, for sure; but nothing is quite at hard as daily choosing to love someone.

It's safe to say that I emotionally love Brian every day. He is my best friend, my dance partner, and travel buddy. He makes me laugh, he washes the dishes, he plays with Maggie so she's tired enough to want to snuggle with me. He's the best person I know, and yet loving him in action is an entirely different story.

I can think affectionate thoughts for him all day, every day, but love takes intentionality, effort and discipline. It requires observing, encouraging, challenging and serving. It demands complete denial of my wants and needs—something that my selfish nature does not want to do.

Longing for love is tough, but living out love is certainly the most difficult thing God asks from us. So simple are His most basic desires: love God, love others. Yet, we can't seem to do it—at least not without some help from Him.

Love is a gift that we are freely given, and one that we must freely give out to the ones we are committed to. In receiving it we are nourished and filled up like nothing else; and in pouring it out, we are reminded that these lives we live are not about who we are, but rather what we can do for others.

Do you agree that it's more difficult to love than to not have someone to love? Why or why not?

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wanderlust: a guide to seattle.

I'm excited to introduce you to a brand new series, completely inspired by by recent getaway with Brian to Seattle. It's called wanderlust, and it's essentially a series of travel guide posts for all of you who have the need to explore, adventure and discover. Seattle is going be my first post since it's the freshest in my mind, but I'm planning do some retrospective guides based on places I've traveled to in the past. Happy travels, my dears!

W Hotel
Located in the heart of downtown Seattle, the W is ideally located for those who like to explore a city by foot. It's luxurious, but not over the top. You can count on hot coffee and flavored water in the lobby, a cozy-chic room, delicious food and drinks at TRACE (their in-hotel restaurant) and complimentary umbrellas to borrow for the inevitable rain showers.

Cherry Street Coffee House
Though Seattle is best known as the home of Starbucks, Cherry Street Coffee House is where it's at if you're looking for a caffeine boost. It is a quirky sort of coffee shop that makes you feel more like a local than a tourist, and the home of what I can now say is the best soy latte I've ever had.

Homegrown Sustainable Sandwich Shop
Recommended to me by my friend Sarah, Homegrown uses nothing but fresh, sustainable ingredients to make their tasty gourmet sandwiches, soups and salads. They have a talent for mixing flavors and ingredients in a way that makes your mouth explode with pure joy, and have vegan as well as gluten-free options to choose from. My recommendation? Try the Seasonal Squash + Snap Pea Pesto sandwich on the whole grain bread. It's heavenly.

Kerry Park
If you've never been to Seattle, Kerry park is a must-visit. Home of the iconic Seattle view of the Space Needle, it's an ideal spot to rest on a bench, soak up some beauty and enjoy a picnic lunch.

Golden Gardens
Nothing is quite as beautiful to me as a beach that sits next to a forest, and that's exactly what you get when you go to Golden Gardens. Located in Ballard on Puget Sound, the park offers views the Sound and the beautiful Olympic Mountains. Another bonus? It has an off-leash area for those of you traveling with your pup!

Plum Bistro
If you're looking for fresh, organic, nourishing food, this is an absolute must on your Seattle itinerary. The menu is 100% vegan, though certainly appealing to vegan and non-vegan eaters alike (Brian ordered the Portobello Buffalo Burger, fried and smothered in buffalo hot sauce and vegan ranch). It has something for everyone, a bright & urban atmosphere and food that is beyond delicious.

Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream Shop
This Seattle favorite pairs hormone-free dairy milk from Western Washington cows with seasonal, local and often organic fruits and spices to make tasty, mouth-watering combos. Their always-available flavors include vanilla bean, theo chocolate, strawberry, balsamic strawberry, salted caramel, stumptown coffee, maple walnut, "scout" mint, honey lavender and earl grey. Lucky for Brian and I, they also have one seasonal vegan flavor in rotation at all times.

Purple Cafe & Wine Bar
Just down the street from the W Hotel, this local wine bar is an ideal way to end an evening. They have a massive selection of wines, delectable small bites and entrees, and even do special food & wine pairings.

Have you been to Seattle? What would you add to my list?

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a love letter to my body.

This post is part of the SheLoves Magazine synchroblog. Join the movement by writing your own love letter to your body and then linking it back to SheLoves.

Dear body,

You are remarkable. You are strong and capable and for that I am so grateful. You help me run by the ocean and breathe deeply of salty air; prepare and taste nourishing meals; snuggle with my husband and my sweet puppy; cry with those who are sad and laugh with those who are happy.

I have abused you in the past—neglected your needs and desires in the name of vanity, self-obsession and even emotional coping. I've starved you, hated you and emotionally beaten you down with my negative thoughts. I've wanted to trade you in for a different model, certain that I'd be happier without the curves you came with.

I've done those things, yes, but now I see you for what you truly are: my home and my friend. Through you, I experience the world with each of my senses: I see beauty, hear music, smell flowers, taste chocolate and feel the softness of a cozy blanket. While I know you will not always function the way you do now at age 25, you are truly a gift to me—today, tomorrow, and for as long as my soul dwells within you.

Forgive me for all the pain I've put you through and help me continue to honor your God-given desires. I promise to use you for good and treat you with respect, because you, my dear body, are fearfully and wonderfully made for so much more than fitting in skinny jeans.

Will you participate in A Love Letter to My Body? If so, please leave a link in the comments below so I can read your letter!

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braids of glory: the double braid.

Today I'm excited to share with you part two of the braids of glory series, which includes the double braid and a variation of the double braid with a bun. They are ideal for hot summer days and bad hair days alike, as they keep all of your hair pulled back and in check. Both options begin with braided bangs, so make sure to refresh your memory with the first video in the series if you're not sure how to do that.

For those of you eager to try the bun variation, all you have to do it turn the bottom braid into a bun for a chic, pulled-back style. Here's what the end result looks like and three quick steps on how to do it:

1. Do the double braid as shown in the video.
2. Twist your braid toward the back of your head, and loop it around until it forms a cinnamon-roll sort of bun.
3. Grab some bobby pins and secure around the bun to hold it in place.

P.S. Catch up on the rest of the series here, or by clicking on "braids of glory" under the posts by series section in the sidebar.

Was this helpful? If so, what made it so? If not, how can I improve in the future tutorial videos?

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through my lens 7.13.12

This a series where I share snapshots from my daily life. If you're new to the series and would like to catch up on previous posts (or just missed a few along the way), click here for past posts. All of the photos in this post are from the 4th of July trip Brian and I took to visit my parents in Massachusetts.

4th of July sunning on the deck.

Evening sky.

Boating motto: "safety is sexy"

Neighborhood BBQ by the dock.

Sunset.

Window shopping.

Brian lounging with his big friend.

Savoring our last evening with my parents' wiggly pup Daisy.

What's one highlight from your past week? I'd love to hear about it!

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10 thoughts for july/august.

This is a series where I share 10 thoughts from Whole Living Magazine, as well as my personal takes on the ones that relate most to my life right now. You can catch up on previous posts in this series right here.

Photo credit: Whole Living Magazine, July/August 2012

#4 Summer tomatoes: the universe's way of reminding us that good-for-you food tends to be delicious. I live my life according to the belief that God created fruits and vegetables for our nutrition and our eating pleasure. In my book, nothing beats a farmer's market full of fresh produce and free samples of ripe, juicy fruits. Delicious and nutritious.

#7 Perpetually good advice from James Brown: "Get up offa that thing—and dance 'til you feel better." Not only do I have a dear friend named James Brown (who never hears the end of James Brown jokes, might I add), but I also love to dance. I've been known to dance by myself in my kitchen, my bedroom and the car; and while I don't love to toot my own horn, Brian and I may or may not have had the most epic dance party ever at our wedding. Dancing is one of my favorite things to do, and it always brightens my mood.

#8 Running on the beach beats trudging on a treadmill every time. I relate to this thought especially during this season of my life when the weather is too warm for my liking and I've resigned to running on the treadmill in the air-conditioned gym facility in our apartment complex. While I appreciate the cold air blowing on my face during my run, I'd take salty sea air and squishy sand beneath my feet any day.

#9 Ever notice how people brighten up when you recognize their efforts? Girls, we don't encourage enough. We get caught up in our own worlds, and even succumb to the temptation to compare ourselves to others, forgetting how essential it is to recognize when the people around us do something good. Next time someone opens a door for us, works hard on a project, or does volunteer work, let's not forget to tell them, "Good job!" and spread those good thoughts around.

Do you relate to any of these thoughts right now? How so?

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not defined by the past.

I'm blogging about mistakes, the past and identity over at Know Your Value today. You can check it out over there, or read it in full below.

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Friend, you are worth so much more than what you've done. Whatever is in the past is behind—unchangeable. Yes, there may be some shame you need to overcome. Yes, you might need to dig deep and learn something from your personal history. But be defined by it, like a name tag on your sweater?

No way.

Our mistakes help us become who we are, but they do not define who we are. Mistakes from our past do not have to be pervasive in our lives—if we've lied, we don't need to be liars; and if we've stolen we don't need to be thieves.

We are women, made in the image of God. And each of us is created uniquely to love, be loved, and reflect that glorious image. So if this message speaks to you today, I say let it go. Turn to the One who made you the beauty that you are, and invite him to help you overcome the past. Refuse to be defined by your old actions, and instead choose to make new ones with the knowledge you have now.

When have you let your mistakes define you? How did you overcome that false identity and learn to be someone new?

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that summer.

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I read this quote on a blog last week and found it too relatable to ignore. It speaks of that summer that we all inevitably experience when life simply changes as we know it...

“It’s funny how one summer can change everything. It must be something about the heat and the smell of chlorine, fresh-cut grass and honeysuckle, asphalt sizzling after late-day thunderstorms, the steam rising while everything drips around it. Something about long, lazy days and whirring air conditioners and bright plastic flip-flops from the drugstore thwacking down the street. Something about fall being so close, another year, another Christmas, another beginning. So much in one summer, stirring up like the storms that crest at the end of each day, blowing out all the heat and dirt to leave everything gasping and cool. Everyone can reach back to one summer and lay a finger to it, finding the exact point when everything changed. That summer was mine.”

Sarah Dessen
That Summer

When was that summer--that time when everything changed--in your life? How was your life different after that?

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better than yesterday.

Hey girls! Today I'm blogging about comparison and worth over at Know Your Value. You can check it out over there, or read the post in full below.

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Comparison is a nasty little beast. It creeps into our heads when we least expect it, and fills our hearts and minds with lies about who we are and what we're worth. So tempting it is to measure ourselves against others, we are constantly seeking out the perfect diets, the best clothing and the jobs that make the most money.

Girls, it's time for us to stop. Let's take a moment, breathe deeply and reflect. What do we really love? Who have we really been made to be? What are we most gifted at? What natural beauty do we possess that is unique to us?

Rather than constantly lose the comparison game (because we all know that we'll always perceive others as having better lives), why not focus on a game we can win? We cannot control others, but we can control ourselves: how we behave, how we view ourselves and others, how we love, how we interact with God. I'm not suggesting that we all launch personal self-improvement campaigns, but instead that we stop looking outward for our value and worth.

Your worth has been given to you by the One who made you. So talk to Him about it, and invite Him to help you become the best version of who He's created you to be—better than you were yesterday.

Do you battle the temptation to compare yourself to others? How do you strive to overcome that?

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through my lens: 7.4.12

This a series where I share snapshots from my daily life. If you're new to the series and would like to catch up on previous posts (or just missed a few along the way), click here for past posts. All of the photos in this post are from my recent trip to Seattle.

What were some highlights from your week? Do share!

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