Prayer Balloons.

in TNTT (what we call the vietnamese eucharistic youth movement that i'm in), the older kids were split into groups & we all had to come up w & execute a community service project kind of thing. 

one of the groups decided to do Prayer balloons.

basically, what we did was have balloons (filled w helium) that the kids could write prayers on & let go, as if sending the prayers up to heaven & to God. a canopy was set up so that we could fill up the balloons w the helium, the balloons were tied to ropes that would hold them, & the kids would come get a marker, pick a balloon, write their prayers, & when there were enough who were done, they would group up, say a prayer & let their balloons go.

i was the sign/poster maker & photographer.

we set up while the kids were in class (Vietnamese class):

 

 

time for prayer balloons:

after all of the little kids went back to class, we decided to do prayer balloons w our own little group: 

every time i wear this shirt, i feel all cute & it reminds me of Pierce The Veil's song: Bulls In The Bronx.

On another note, when i woke up today, it was 68 degrees outside. IN TEXAS, THAT IS A BLESSING.
it was 68-80s all day & it felt amazing out. it might not have been cold enough for Autumn weather, but today was a taste of what could be October weather.

BRONX men's long sleeve shirt (aeropostle)
black leggings (forever 21)
faux septum piercing (hot topic)

Sept. 20-26 | Week Vlog.

Download the Turtle Berry app.

hey guys! so recently, my cousin created an app called Turtle Berry. Basically, you are a turtle, & you are trying to get all of the strawberries. It's a game that's kind of like flappy bird, any game where you're trying to collect something. 

it's free, & available for apple & android.

so anyways. he asked me if i could do some graphics for him, 

so of course i said sure. so in the game, you start out as this cute tortuga:

i believe that if you collect 1000 strawberries, you can upgrade to other turtles, 

& the one i designed is the Samantha turtle:

other graphics that i designed include:

so, if you like turtles, or strawberries, or games, go check out my cousin Tommy's Turtle Berry app,

 & check out my turtle drawings! :D thanks! <3

Same Old Love by Selena Gomez.

Selena Gomez's newest song, Same Old Love, had the music video released today!
watch here:

i just want to say that i love love love Selena, i always have, & i always will. 

i love her acting, her music, everything, & i support her 100%. & even though i didn't get the same feels from Same Old Love as from her other songs, i still loved it.

i liked the concept of the music video, there were different types of couples shown, there was Selena in a car heading to an event, seeing the couples, her getting out of the car, & running off, to the event & then she ended up on stage. & if you guys didn't know, Selena Gomez had an fan-event, called Revival, where she sang the song, & her fans were recorded & put into the video! i think she looked beautiful, as always, in a low-cut little black dress & her black boots & lately she's been trying to show a new side to her, a sexier, more grown up side, & i think that's great.
she's really loving herself more & there's nothing wrong w that. i think that the choreography was interesting & sexy & i loved it. i've read that the song was co-written by Charli XCX, another artist that i really like, so that's really exciting.
so, you guys should listen to the song & let me know what you think! do you guys like Selena Gomez's new songs? do you like her old songs better? what do you think about her coming out of her shell & being/dressing more "sexy" & "revealing"?

Sept. 16-19 | Week Vlog

DRESSed up.

it was a nice day today, so i decided to wear a dress. my friends asked why i was dressed up, & whether i was trying to impress some people at school, but why would i do that, when i could dress to impress myself? i felt cute today. & honestly, putting on a dress is way easier than picking out an outfit, so why are dresses considered "dressed up"? 

Floral Dress (Forever 21)

every morning, i check the weather since houston weather is a terribly terribly bipolar thing.

it said that there was a 15% chance of rain, but it would be 80-98 degrees. that makes it a bit hard to choose an outfit for the day. however, i succeeded. i wore a tank & shorts since it would be hot, but since some of my classes are cold, & i don't like the feeling of the rain on my arms, i put a flannel on & some red lipstick. i love red lipstick bc it just makes me feel more confident. also, my friend complimented me, saying i always look cool or edgy! :D

Basic Gray Tank Top (Forever 21)
Red Skull Flannel (Hot Topic)
Denim Shorts (GLO)

9-11

Debris flew.
Buildings fell.
People died.
Others cried.

We lost loved ones.
We cried many tears.
We never really thought about it,
until it was really here,
on 9-11.

Volunteers.
Ambulances.
People everywhere.
We all united.
We wanted to help,
and so we came together,
on 9-11.

To those who lost loved ones,
they're still in your heart.
To those who helped out,
you made a great difference.
To those who were a comfort to others,
we are thankful to you all.
This is to all those who lost and passed,
on 9-11.

Since my laptop is updating, & I'm studying for interpersonal communications, I thought I might share a passage that I just stumbled upon while reading my textbook. It says:

"We need to understand how we manage to maintain a self-image that others may regard as unrealistic. For example, we might suppose we are great thinkers while others believe our thinking lacks depth. Perhaps because we are overly concerned with how we come across to others, we put all our energy into presenting ourselves in as favorable a light as possible. When we focus on ourselves, however, we are less likely to notice others' reactions to us, and we may miss feedback cues revealing how they really see us. In addition, sometimes we persist in holding on to an unrealistic self-image because others are reticent to reveal their true responses to us for fear of hurting our feelings. Instead, they tell us what they think we want to hear. Other times, we base our assessment of ourselves on obsolete information- we opt to cling to memories rather than face current realities. 

Just as we can view ourselves more favorably than others do, we can also be our own worst critics and view ourselves more harshly than is warranted. For example, we might convince ourselves that we are fat despite others insisting we are a perfect weight. Why do we do this? We might be acting on the basis of outmoded data- information that was true at one time but is no longer true. Or we might receive distorted feedback from an overly critical friend that warps our view of ourselves. Or we might criticize ourselves simply because we believe that is what society expects us to do. We might feel that society prefers we own up to our inadequacies while downplaying our strengths."

National Suicide Prevention day.

hey guys, so today is national suicide prevention day. i just wanted to make people more aware of this bc many people don't understand or aren't aware of just how many people are actually suicidal/have committed suicide/have had suicidal thoughts. this day is about speaking up about suicide so that we can stop the idea that it's something we shouldn't talk about, something we should hide, or something that we can't go get help for.

there are many organizations/sites/communities for suicide prevention, you can find them easily.

Check out To Write Love On Here Arms, an organization that i'm really in love with: 

https://twloha.com/blog/welcome-to-national-suicide-prevention-week-2015/

other links to check out:

http://www.hrc.org/blog/entry/honoring-world-suicide-prevention-day

http://wspd.org.au/

 https://www.afsp.org/news-events/in-the-news/national-suicide-prevention-week

check R U OK out here: http://yourstruly.org.au/#/story

for the people who have been suicidal/are thinking about suicide, did you know that:

to everyone else: 

article about how to talk to your teen about depression/suicide: 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/parenting/wp/2015/05/18/how-to-talk-to-your-teen-about-depression-suicide/

some signs of suicide can be: 

• substance abuse
• purposelessness
• feeling trapped
• anxiety
• depression
• hopelessness
• anger
• recklessness
• mood changes
• withdrawal
• giving away personal possessions
• inability to sleep
• talk of wanting to hurt/kill self (even if you think it's just a joke, be aware!!)
• seeking access to pills
• writing/talking about death/dying
• there are many many more, but the main idea is to STAY AWARE. keep your eyes open.

"1. Develop a good group of friends. If possible, try and have quite a wide group of friends. That then means if someone moves away, or you change your school, your hobbies and so on, 

you’ll still a healthy support system in place.

2. Learn to appreciate solitude. Isolation isn’t the same as solitude. Isolation is being cut off from others for negative reasons; solitude is enjoying space and time for yourself – 

so you can recharge your batteries, and enjoy just being “you”.

3. Invest time in get fit. People who are fit and healthy generally feel better about themselves. Also, exercise releases feel good hormones so we feel happier, more optimistic and relaxed.

4. Allow yourself to “goof off” and have a laugh – as too much work will drain your energy.

5. Discover your passion and invest time in that. We all have something that brings us alive, and seems to resonate with who we are inside. So investing in your passion is extremely satisfying!

6. Plan for difficulties and problems. We all encounter problems and hard times in this life. Expecting that to happen helps us feel more in control- as we understand it’s normal- so we don’t just fall apart.

7. Work on increasing your self-awareness. As above, we all have blind spots and idiosyncrasies. If we can learn about ourselves, and our natural tendencies, we can learn to master weaknesses, 

and work to change and grow.

8. Be willing to take risks. Though it’s hard to step out into unknown territory, you’ll find it’s more rewarding to stretch yourself and grow.

9. Watch out for energy vampires. There are plenty of people who will drain your energy so learn how to say “no”, and to set some boundaries.

10. Ask for help when you need it. We all need support and encouragement at times.

And offer help to others when things are tough for them."

“I’ve stopped being sorry for all my soft. I won’t apologize because I miss you, or because I said it, or because I text you first, or again. I think everyone spends too much time trying to close themselves off. I don’t want to be cool or indifferent, I want to be honest.”

Blog Renovations.

okay, hey guys! so, recently i've been thinking about doing a real blog. like a blog for the public to see. i have had & have deleted many many blogs in my lifetime & i didn't want to delete this blog, just to make a new one, so instead, i went back through my 4000+ posts, & deleted about 95% of them. i changed up the template, the title, added some things on the sidebar, & voila, the blog is practically unrecognizable.

so this is kind of like a new beginning for this blog- though at the same time, not really. this is the first time i'm telling people to go LOOK at one of my blogs, that's for sure. hopefully i'll get more into it soon, & finally start really blogging & not just posting pictures or quotes or videos. so yeah, welcome to my blog!

dress code sexism | Laci Green

Plain tight-fitting gray dress (Agaci)

There Is Still Some Time | If You Feel Too Much by Jamie Tworkowski

"if you feel too much, there's still a place for you

    here.

if you feel too much, don't go. 

if this world is too painful, stop and rest. 

it's okay to stop and rest. 

if you need a break, it's okay to say you need a 

    break. 

this life- it's not a contest, not a race, not a 

    performance, not a thing that you win. 

it's okay to slow down. 

you are here for more than grades, more than a 

    job, more than a promotion, more than keeping 

    up, more than getting by. 

this life is not about status or opinion or 

    appearance. 

you don't have to fake it. 

you do not have to fake it. 

other people feel this way too.

if your heart is broken, it's okay to say your heart is 

    broken. 

if you feel stuck, it's okay to say you feel stuck. 

if you can't let go, it's okay to say you can't let go.

you are not alone in these places.

other people feel how you feel. 

you are more than just your pain. you are more 

    than wounds, more than drugs, more than 

    death and silence. 

there is still some time to be surprised. 

there is still some time to ask for help. 

there is still some time to start again. 

there is still some time for love to find you. 

it’s not too late. 

you’re not alone. 

it's okay- whatever you need and however long it 

    takes- it's okay. 

it's okay. 

if you feel too much, there's still a place for you 

    here. 

if you feel too much, don't go. 

there is still some time."

Moon T-Shirt w rolled up sleeves (created by me)
White High Waisted Shorts (Blue Asphalt)
Panda head tights (Hot Topic)
Faux Septum piercing (Hot Topic)

Blind Devotion | Jubilee Project Short Film

Matt Maher | concert

first ever AYC (Archdiocesan Youth Conference)

Faux Collar (Ebay)
Bronx Long Sleeve (Aeropostle)

Hipster glasses
Red Flannel (Hot Topic)
Superman Bow Tie (H&M)

“Self-sabotage is knowing exactly what you need to do to improve but not doing it. It’s procrastinating doing the very things that you know will make you happier. It’s waiting till things are 100% perfect till you do them, but that of course never happens. It’s remaining in the comfort zone because of the fear of failure or uneasiness of change. It’s a mindset that you may be completely unaware of until you really think about it. So think about it. Are you a prisoner of your own thoughts? If you are, take responsibility and acknowledge you put yourself into that prison. But know that you have the power to free yourself.”

Garden of the Gods | Colorado

Good Vibes Sleeveless Shirt (created by me)
American Flag shorts (created by me)
American Flag bandana

“When you do something beautiful and nobody notices, do not be sad, for the sun every morning is a beautiful spectacle and yet most of the audience still sleeps.”

Black Fringed Linkin Park Tee (created by me)
High Waisted White Shorts (Blue Asphalt)
Green Plaid Flannel (Timing)

“When did loving yourself become so rare, that it’s revolutionary to do so?”

Diamond studded choker
Camouflage V-neck Tee (Wet Seal)
Black Skater Skirt (Agaci)
Cat tights (Hot Topic)
Black Vans

Daisy Choker
Sunflower 3/4 sleeved top (Rue 21)
Black Skirt (Agaci)

Black & White Striped sweater (Forever 21)
Denim shorts (GLO)
Spotted tights 

3/4 sleeved hearts & arrows top- cropped (I Love H81)
Camouflage shorts w zipper (K too) 

"Take me to the moon" 3/4 sleeved shirt (Pacsun)
Daisy skirt
Panda head tights (Hot Topic)
Black Vans
Daisy Choker

Fox sweater (Forever 21)
Turquoise collared button up
Jeggings (Abercrombie) 

"There’s nothing to be “fixed” about you; people cannot be broken, fractured, shattered. You are not a puzzle to fit back together, as a whole or as a single person. You’ve probably accepted this already, but please look at yourself right now as best you can and realize that you don’t have to be perfect to be normal. Ten years from now, your system will go about its daily life, enjoy sitting in the sun or making coffee in the morning. Whichever book whoever’s fronting decided to pick up with be open, spilling sunlight and words across your fingers and you’ll be okay. In the end all this fighting with yourself about being “whole” or “one” won’t matter; you’ll find a way. I promise."

"do you really know me?" challenge w Christy

what is love?

happy halloween!

Black knitted swear
Black high-low skirt w crosses (Forever 21)
Star-fishnet tights (Claire's)
Black boots
Black roses flower crown

Austin + San Antonio | labor day weekend

back to school | outfits | days 1-4

White tank top w lace
Gray lace cardigan (Zenana Outfitters)
Perfect Stretch Jeggings (Abercrombie & Fitch)
 Skull shoes (that look like TOMS but they aren't??)
Superman Watch (mall)

White tank top
Denim tribal print button up (Life in Progress)
Black jeans, rolled up
Black Vans
Superman watch

The Fault in Our Stars "Some infinities are bigger than other infinities" tank top (Hot topic)
Tribal print leggings (Charlotte Russe)
Mint green cardigan?? (Shasa)
Black Vans

Gray top (SO)
Blue jacket (Aeropostle)
Ankle denim leggings (Mossimo Supply Co)
Black Vans

“There will come a time when you want to cut off all your hair. Do it. Realize that the thing you want rid of doesn’t lie in the long curls that frame your face so perfectly. Live with short hair for a while. It’ll grow.

You won’t always want to talk to people. That’s okay. When it’s late and you hear your friends talking in the next room, you don’t have to join them. You’re allowed your solitude. It makes company sweeter and it teaches you how to survive alone. You will need that skill.

In the winter, you’ll believe that nothing will ever grow again. You’re wrong. Every year, London looks like it’s on its last legs, wheezing through those last cold days in March. Every year, spring comes like an explosion and the city shakes off its sleep.

Mundane problems will get the better of you sometimes. Don’t worry. Try as you might, life cannot be an endless, beautiful, intense moment. Find comfort in money worries and late trains; they’re a welcome rest in between heartbreaks and breakdowns.

People will call you a cynic, a wry smile on their faces. Pay them no mind. You alone know that you are capable of a love greater than anything they can comprehend. You alone know that you are not willing to sell your identity and respect to the first smirking halfwit to pass by. It is not cynicism. It is reverence for your own vast and fathomless heart, and it makes sense only to love someone who understands that and is awed by it.

You will not always get what you want when you want it. Accept it. Your goals are not set in stone and you are not on a fixed trajectory. Sometimes, life will take its time and you will have to play the long, interminable game. Play it well and with as much grace as you can muster. Live at your own pace.

At night, you will occasionally wake up afraid, wanting to die. Don’t give in. Night plays its tricks, but you are not so easily fooled. Your mind will play its tricks, too. It will make you believe that you’re not who you are, but you must not give in. You take a breath and you tell yourself that you are here. That you always were.”

"1. Don’t shut down. You have to feel pain because once you turn it off, you can’t get it back. And then you’re left prying open your veins and breaking your bones, drowning in vodka, choking on pills, bleeding out, swallowing cigarettes, fucking boys who rip your heart out of your chest and slam it against the wall and then smile at you like you’re the prettiest thing in the room. It turns out that feeling nothing feels worse than anything else.

2. Cut him out of your life. It doesn’t matter how many times he called you beautiful and told you he loved you. I know he was a sweet guy but he’s not the same person anymore. He hurt you. He doesn’t deserve to occupy a thought in your head let alone drown you in your own tears. I know you loved him. Maybe you always will. But if you want to stay alive, you’ve got to let him go. Delete your old texts with him because baby I swear to god you will read over all the “I love you’s” and “baby girl’s” and you will crack your ribs with them.

3. It’s okay to cry. It’s okay slide down a wall in tears at three in the morning aching and screaming. If you want to sit on your bedroom floor with your head buried in your knees, tears spilling out of your eyes and filling the room up to your waist, do it. It doesn’t make you weak. You could never be weak. You’re alive and that’s the hardest thing to be. I’m so proud of you. Always.

4. Don’t do anything you’re uncomfortable with. When you’re at a party and you’re sitting next to a boy who’s words are dripping with cheap alcohol and he’s grabbing your thigh and spitting liquor down your neck in sloppy kisses, push him off you. You don’t owe him anything. You’re not being mean or hurting his feelings. If you’re not okay, leave.

5. Don’t hurt yourself. If you think you feel shitty now, imagine how terrible you’re going to feel when you accidentally cut too deep and you feel your life spilling out of your wrists. I know you want to get rid of him and the heartbreak he left behind. I know you want to get rid of the numbness and the headaches and the shaky hands. I know you want to get rid of the pain. But when you’re lighting your skin on fire or tearing into your veins, you’ve got pain spilling out of your bones. But you’re dripping everything good too. You’ve got a tangle of outer space inside of you and you can’t lose the darkness between the stars without losing the stars too.

6. Save yourself first. I know you’re in love with a pretty boy who writes you poetry and slits your wrists. I know he falls asleep crying. But so do you. I know he’s your world. I know you’re in love. But you can’t be up at four in the morning talking him out of suicide when you’ve got six tests the next day. You can’t stop him from ripping his heart out when you’re still trying to figure out how to get yours beating again. You can’t save him. You’ve just got to love him with all you’ve got. You have to love yourself too.

7. Terminate toxic relationships. It doesn’t make you a bad person. You need to be self-preserving for once in your fucking life. When your best friend kisses the boy you would die for, stop sleeping on her floor when she calls you crying because she got her heart broken by a boy who’s name she couldn’t remember. When your father kicks you out of the house and tells you he wants you gone, stay gone. When your boyfriend comments on how much you’ve been eating and makes you feel guilty for feeling the world, delete his number. You don’t need people dragging you down. You don’t need anybody poising you. You’ve got enough pain already.

8. It gets better. I know right now you’re on the verge of killing yourself. You’re on the edge and you’re waiting for the fall. But there’s nothing good at the bottom, just a lot of broken bones and blood and sore throats. I know how much you want to die and I know how hard it is to stay but you have to. Because one day you’re going to wake up smiling. You’re going to fall in love and your heart will stay whole. You’re going to travel and swim in the ocean and you’re not going to pray that you drown. You’re going to go for a drive in the middle of the night and feel free instead of hoping you crash. You’re going to be alright.”

"1. lay on the floor of your shower until you can breathe again. 

water will always love to love your skin.

2. start writing w the intention of filling up one page. 

write until your pen stops working.

3. re-read a book that once made you cry. learn something new on every page. 

notice how different chapters make you sad. notice how the book didn't change and grow; you did.

4. sleep w your windows open. you can hear both the rain and boys drunkenly singing Frank Sinatra on their deck. both are equally good.

5. don't forget that honey will always taste sweet, 

but the best way to eat it is off your fingers, laughing.

6. remember that, sometimes, getting out of bed is enough."

"1) Stop falling in love with the boy next to you in class that gives you attention. I know he has captivating eyes and a smile full of potential and hair made of the sun, but it won’t be worth it in the end. You’ll thank yourself later.

2) Do not try to listen to happy, upbeat music when you are crying and alone late at night. It will only make you feel lonelier. Learn to embrace the sad music and only then should you wipe away your tears.

3) When your heart feels too heavy, tie balloons of good things to it. Count them as you tie the knots and keep counting until they help pick up the barely-beating organ off the ground.

4) During those moments when you see your former best friends in the hallway, do not sneak away. Do not avoid them. Do not ignore them even though they did the same to you. Square your shoulders and fix your million dollar smile on your face. Talk to your new, better friends. Flip your hair over your shoulders. Be confident.

5) When everything disappears in the room except for one person and you can start to feel your lives connect in a second of eye contact that seems to last an eternity, trust your instincts.

6) The day you see a young yet frazzled mother of three giggly children while you sit in your car, get out. Offer to help get her groceries in her car. Return the cart and wave good-bye to the kids fighting over the front seat.

7) Do not hold grudges against those who did you wrong.

8) When someone spills water all over your work, do not get mad. Instead, help them clean up the mess and start it over. Assure them it’s fine and make jokes. This is how you can make a lifelong friend and a good story.

9) Put flowers on random gravestones and tell the souls beneath that they are loved, if only for a moment.”

"Balance is hard. I’m learning to stop pleasing others but to ultimately please God. I’ve learned that pleasing others was toxic to me, I was constantly worried about whether or not I’m making this person happy or not, or if my actions are good enough for them. It’s detrimental to my mental health and I done letting it consume my life. Don’t get me wrong, I love making others happy and I will continue to try to every chance I get, however, if it’s making me unhappy or uncomfortable I will stop. I don’t want to please others by the way I live, I want to please Christ. Nothing will ever be good enough for humans, they will judge, bring you down, and it’s all for their own good. I’ve accepted that. But the Father knows my heart and my intentions and loves me unconditionally. He is so full of grace that he looks last my mistakes unlike fellow human beings. I think I’ve made my point here. So don’t message me on anon assuming things or saying that what I did made you “sad”. My life is my life, your life is yours. Don’t depend on me for your feelings.Live your life, and I will gladly live mine. Lastly, ask yourself if what you’re saying is building others up, because your words to me certainly did not; and that, my friend, makes ME sad."

“Another year is fast approaching.
Go be that starving artist you’re afraid to be.
Open up that journal and get poetic finally.
Volunteer.
Suck it up and travel.
You were not born here to work and pay taxes.
You were put here to be part of a vast organism to explore and create.
Stop putting it off.
The world has much more to offer than what’s on 15 televisions at TGI Fridays.
Take pictures.
Scare people.
Shake up the scene.
Be the change you want to see in the world.”

"1. Make sure you own a nice bed.

2. Sleep in it frequently.

3. Remember how nice it feels to flip over your pillow to the cooler side.

4. Check your pulse and hum along to the rhythm because it is music.

5. Write clear and make a lot of spelling errors. Get the poison out and 

don’t worry about it being neat.

6. If you can, do not shut people out. You will have good days and they should see them.

7. If you feel overwhelmed, go outside and scream. Find a nice empty park in the middle of the night and scream as loud as you can until your throat is bleeding. The world wants to hear you.

8. Let yourself fall in love. Believe it or not, there are people out there 

who want your blacks and blues.

9. Keep waking up.

10. Keep waking up.

11. Keep waking up. Maybe with someone next to you."

“1. there is going to be a day or two or three where nothing goes right and it seems like everyone is against you, do not forget that you can crawl in bed and take a break from the world for a little while, tomorrow will be better and you will be okay.

2. there is going to be a boy who tells you that you are the moon and who will make your heart race every time his skin touches yours, do not forget that you are not his, if he kisses you and makes you cry, you are allowed to run away. people come and go and you will be okay.

3. there is going to be a girl with wolf teeth who rips out your heart and cuts at your throat, you will love her because she is everything you are not and you will hate her because she is everything you could be, do not forget that her bones are made of stardust like yours, everyone is a little lost and you will be okay.

4. green should be the color of plants and not people, do not envy the girl with dead eyes and flushed cheeks who sleeps in the beds of boys you dream of, she is a small human just like you and she gets lonely and angry and afraid sometimes too.

5. cocaine makes you sad so that you lust to do more, love does that too. do not play with matches if you are standing in dry grass. do not fall in love if you are not ready.”

"Stop it. You are not worthless or hopeless or helpless. There is nothing less about you. There is nothing lacking within you. You are a poem made out of matches that haven’t been burned yet. You’re not an abandoned building or the Christmas jumpers that you knitted last year that no one, not even your grandparents wanted to wear. It always starts quietly, it always starts with a whisper and you’ll spend the first few years of your teenage life thinking that nothing loud is going to happen to you, that your insides are the kind of quiet that look like a hospital room after someone died, stop. Think fuse, think burning candle, think a wave that starts at the horizon and breaks the sea."

“We need people in our lives with whom we can be as open as possible.
To have real conversations with people may seem like such a simple, obvious suggestion,
but it involves courage and risk.”

“Continue to share your heart with people even if it’s been broken.”

“Breathe. You’re going to be okay. Breathe and remember that you’ve been in this place before.
You’ve been this uncomfortable and anxious and scared, and you’ve survived.
Breathe and know that you can survive this too. These feelings can’t break you.
They’re painful and debilitating, but you can sit with them and eventually, they will pass.
Maybe not immediately, but sometime soon, they are going to fade and when they do,
you’ll look back at this moment and laugh for having doubted your resilience.
I know it feels unbearable right now, but keep breathing, again and again. 

This will pass. I promise it will pass.”

“Pain, you just have to ride it out, hope it goes away on its own, hope the wound that caused it heals. There are no solutions, no easy answers, you just breath deep and wait for it to subside. Most of the time pain can be managed but sometimes the pain gets you where you least expect it. Hits way below the belt and doesn’t let up. Pain, you just have to fight through, because the truth is you can’t outrun it and life always makes more.”

"You're cheating yourself out of today.
Today is calling to you, trying to get your attention,
but you're stuck on tomorrow, and today trickles away like water down a drain.
You wake up the next morning and that today that you wasted is gone forever.
It's now yesterday.
Some of those moments may have had wonderful things in store for you,
but now you'll never know."

"Hey. It's okay if you didn't do your best today.
You are trying, that's the most anyone can ever ask of you.
Things will be better tomorrow. Chin up."