Give Light Giveaway

Giving Light – Katie M.

Giving Light – Katie M.

Follow Along on Instagram: kjmye8                             Personal Blog: www.livestepbystep.com

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Small bio: Hi! I’m Katie. I’m a late twenty-something trying to take daily steps towards something beautiful, both in myself and in life. I’ll never say no to sushi, chocolate, hugs, or a trip to a coffee shop. Make me laugh or laugh at my jokes, and we’ll be fast friends.

I love this idea, giving light. My world has been a bit dark for a little while, and there have been things that have been beautiful and anchoring.

1. Coffee

I love everything about this daily ritual. Journeying to the coffee shops, enjoying conversations with the baristas, sitting and journaling or reading or studying, drinking the delicious mix of almond milk, vanilla and espresso (my go-to). I have lived in coffee shops this past year, and although it can get pricey, it’s worth it to me.

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Latte art gets me every time.

2. Conversation

Whether it’s a small conversation with someone on the elevator, or a deep conversation with a dear friend, it’s these pieces of conversation that keep me tethered to what matters to me. I’ve always loved people, their stories, the small moments that can change a day and remind you that we’re all human and living this beautiful, challenging and changing life. We have a choice to fill each other up in these conversations, and that’s what I try to focus on.

3. Laughter

Who doesn’t like to laugh? But stand-up comedy on Netflix is something I thrive on and was the only thing I would watch at points this year. I also cherish laughs with friends and family. When you’re both laughing so hard you can’t breathe and tears come to your eyes, that is the absolute best.

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My brother and I: the beatboxing-ukulele duo.

4. Dogs

Is there something that always makes you happy? For me, that’s looking at a dog (usually big and/or fluffy ones). And maybe even more so, people’s reactions to dogs. It’s like they melt, and their eyes light up with glee and they start speaking in a “dog voice.” “PUP!” … “I want him!!”… “He’s SO CUTE!” All of these spoken by yours truly when a big dog or puppy crosses my path. Someday I will get one of my own.

5. Spontaneity

My favorite plans are the spontaneous ones with other people. I think because they are created out of a desire that feels most like myself in that moment, and the stars somehow align perfectly to create a space where anything can happen and everyone’s in. “Hey, this band is in town and playing tonight! Wanna go?” or “let’s take a roadtrip” or “I want tacos right now. Let’s go!” I have met some life-changing people through spontaneous choices. I am grateful for spontaneity and the friends that join me in it!

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(Source: http://weheartit.com/entry/180250043)

Thank you for reading, friends!

If you are interested in giving your own light, click here to learn more.

Giving Light – Emily A.

I was so excited when I noticed an email light up my phone this morning! Our first entrant! I wished I could have rushed home to put this post together. Thank you to Emily for being the first to share her 5 beautiful things.

Giving Light – Emily A

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Small Bio: I’m Emily. Momma by occupation. INFJ. Lover of nap time, justice, being outside, efficiency and learning.

1.My exuberant and exhausting six month old son’s sweet, gummy grin.file_001

2. Mountains

Last night I had a dream that Hazel Green, Alabama was only a 15 minute drive to the snow covered glory of Alaskan mountain ranges. I was so frustrated I’d lived here a year before figuring this out. If only.

3. Long distance friendships.

We are different people than we were 12 years ago in our freshman year of high school, but despite all the changes and the separation of miles and months, our loyalty and commitment have grown. Long live the group text.

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4. Me

I AM BEAUTIFUL. Without exception or apology. Even if it feels like a lie or an arrogant thing to say, I will keep reminding myself anyway. Because as a woman, there is hardly anything more radical and revolutionary than self-love in the face of a consumer culture that wants to convince us we’re not and sell us the solution. I AM BEAUTIFUL. You are, too.

5.The small gifts in the daily grind.

Since reading Ann Voskamp’s One Thousand Gifts, I have tried to make a discipline of noticing the holy handouts in the mundane. They are many.

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I love this quote by Andy Rooney about such gifts.

“For most of life, nothing wonderful happens. If you don’t enjoy getting up and working and finishing your work and sitting down to a meal with family or friends, then the chances are that you’re not going to be very happy. If someone bases his happiness or unhappiness on major events like a great new job, huge amounts of money, a flawlessly happy marriage or a trip to Paris, that person isn’t going to be happy much of the time. If, on the other hand, happiness depends on a good breakfast, flowers in the yard, a drink or a nap, then we are more likely to live with quite a bit of happiness.”

If you are interested in giving your own light, click here to learn more.