Read This

Ever have one of those days/months/years/centuries that are (pardon my french) just kicking your butt? I'll be the first to admit it, working 40 hours a week, while being a full time college student, and still maintaining to dance three days a week can be stressful (disclaimer, I am not trying to brag about my hectic life in any way, shape, or form).

So I just wanted to share five of my favorite quotes that help me get through some rough times. Sure, some words on a piece of paper may not impact your life in any positive way the first time you read it, but if you read it a second, third, even a fourth time and let the true meaning behind those simple words sink in it may shift your perspective in a different direction, and to me, that's when it is all worthwhile.

This is probably my all time favorite quote by a very inspirational woman:

Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring- Marilyn Monroe

To be a star, you must shine your own light, follow your own path, and don't worry about the darkness, for that is when the stars shine the brightest- Napoleon Hill

My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style- Maya Angelou

You were put on this earth to achieve your greatest self, to live out your purpose, and to do it courageously- Dr. Steve Maraboli

Xo~ Mandy

Find Inspiration

Have you ever really had a teacher? One that saw you as a raw but precious thing, a jewel that, with wisdom, could be polished to a proud shine? Lucky for me, I was fortunate enough to stumble across a rare precious gem. My high school Food and Nutrition teacher, Carolyn Gloster. Now I know what you're probably thinking, "Really, a foods teacher? Did she teach you healthy foods to eat?" Actually, yes she did, along with where to find healthier foods, how to make healthy foods a little more appetizing, and how to save money when purchasing your weekly grocery shopping list.

Aside from my foods class, she also taught another class held usually three times a week either in her classroom, or by the 500's hallway bathroom during her hallway duty. No grades, nor tests were given out, but you were expected to learn. Some physical tasks were asked to be done such as decorating the board outside her room every month, coloring the "pin the tail on the princess" paper for her daughter's birthday party, and helping to bake for various school events. You could also do dishes for extra credit.

Because there were no tests, there also was no final exam to be taken. But, you were expected to leave her class and proceed out into the world doing great things. One of these great things is this webpage.

This class had only one student, I was that student.

If you're familiar with the book "Tuesdays With Morrie" by Mitch Albom, you're probably aware this sounds alot like it. Mitch's Morrie Schwartz is my Carolyn Gloster.

During your high school years you spend alot of your time trying to figure out exactly who you are, and what your purpose is. I don't think I would be the person I am today if she wasn't there to help guide me in the right direction. She taught me that not everyone you meet in life is going to love you, heck they might not even like you. You have to show them why you deserve their attention. She taught me to be myself because there is no other person like me, so I should embrace myself and my quirks. If you're lucky enough to find your way to teachers such as Carolyn Gloster, don't ever take them for granted because they may just be your ticket to finding out how amazing you can be.


 "I just know you will do great things, even if they seem small now, they still matter to someone and that's what is so great!- Carolyn Gloster

Xo~ Mandy

Confidence Is Key

I know that confidence is something that some people struggle with, believe me I'm right there with you. You're constantly comparing yourself to others, while also being criticized, knocked down, and having your imperfections pointed out. People will tell you "You have a weird nose" "Your hair is so greasy" "Your teeth are too crooked" You don't feel pretty enough, and you don't know what to do. I think the problem is because you are just so used to comparing yourself to others, and so used to being put down by others, you wake up in the morning, you look in the mirror, and you just start to agree with every insult that has been said to you. "I hate my nose" My hair is so greasy" "My teeth are too crooked" I would know because its happened to me, but the biggest thing that helped me get through it was confidence.

I think confidence is something that everyone should have. To me, confidence is being comfortable in your own skin. Who cares what others think of you, your opinion should be the only opinion that matters. You can't always rely on someone else to tell you that you're beautiful because there isn't always going to be someone there to tell you that, so you need to learn be able to rely on yourself and your opinion.

Confidence is a good thing, but you don't want to be over confident because then you're being conceited. Confidence is key, but be humble about it. Beauty doesn't only show on the outside, beauty also comes from within. An ugly personality makes for an ugly person regardless of their outer appearance.

I think the main reason people point out others imperfections is because they are jealous. I always say jealousy is other people insecurities. Obviously especially if someone doesn't like you, they are not going to want you to feel confident so they are going to point out any feature you have that they wish they had. So the next time you're being insulted just think in the back of your mind that this person is jealous of whatever they're insulting you about.

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind"- Dr. Suess 

Xo~ Mandy

Smile, You're Beautiful :)

Hey you!

They do say a picture speaks a thousand words. Sure, a small piece of paper with some words on it may mean nothing to you. But there is a message behind it. No matter what you look, sound, or act like, YOU are BEAUTIFUL.

Everybody strives to be perfect. But what is perfect? Some might say Jennifer Lopez perhaps. Sure, she may look perfect with her flawless skin, and silky hair but underneath all that stage hair and makeup she looks just like everyone else. She has acne (or what I call face demons) and she has wild hair. Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge Jennifer Lopez fan (I mean who wouldn't be with a butt like that) but at the end of the day she is just like everybody else, imperfect.

I like to think my imperfections make me unique. Take my voice for example. My voice is probably about eight pitches (possibly a minor exaggeration) higher than a normal voice. But I don't let that bother me because it makes me different than anyone else. You weren't born to fit in, you were born to stand out! It's easy to blend in with the crowd, but it takes courage to stand out. If everyone was born to look, sound, and act alike the world would be boring. If there is one thing I've learned in my eighteen years of living, its to love yourself otherwise no one else will.

Xo~ Mandy