Fear (and how to overcome it)

First of all, I want to say thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog!  It always puts a smile on my face to see my page views going up (Or it could be a robot... which is entirely possible!)

I hope your september has started off beautifully, and that you are excited about the many exciting opportunities ahead in the upcoming month!

I wanted to write a post about fear.

Fear is a fearful word, because as living species we all can identify and feel all kinds of fear.

Fear of being hurt, fear of spiders, fear of thunderstorms... The list goes on!  But the thing about fear, is that for many of us this fear is not real.

Now, let me back it up a minute.  Yes, I said that fear is not real.  I'm not talking about fear not being a real emotion, because it most certainly is.  I feel fear everyday, from all aspects of my life.  But what is fear really? And why would I say it doesn't exist?

Fear is essentially a survival mechanism we have all evolved to encompass.  We never know when a lion is going to come and chase after us, right? But many of our fears are not fears that make sense biologically.  What about a fear of public speaking? Or a fear of failure?  These examples are all fears that our brain tells us that we should fear, yet there is no real danger. 


These fears are a biological response to a situation that does not necessarily need a biological response. 

And once you can detach from the fear your brain is telling you, and listening to your higher being, the world is your oyster!

So I want to tell you all about a little exercise I do, especially before having to speak in front of my classroom!

First, I begin to recognize that my body is reacting to a signal my brain sent.  I can feel all of the emotions and biological processes that come with that (adrenaline, sweat, faster heart beat) and I begin to detach those emotions from my actual self.  I recognize, and then I detach.  Recognize, detach!

I wish you all a wonderful day!

Mcfly <3

Feeling Alone

Good morning!

So, an exciting new semester has started for me.  I am in my Senior year, going to graduate in May!  Woohoo!

After 5 years (yes, 5) in college, I can not believe I have come this far.  I have had some amazing experiences along the way, and it is just the beginning for me!

Yesterday, however, was one of those days...

What is it about starting a new year, with a new apartment, and new classes, that makes you feel even more alone?

I was feeling particularly lonely yesterday, as I was wandering around my campus trying to figure out why I was feeling this way.  As the day went on, my slump became even worse to the point where I started to cry.

Why was I feeling this way, when I had more friends now than I ever have in my entire life?

The answer is simple.  We ALL feel this way sometimes.

And it's OKAY!

The thing we should all understand about this is that all of us get lonely sometimes, and all of us know that we aren't actually alone. 

We have our family, friends, significant other, roommates, pets, wild animals, nature, etc. around us that are there for us whenever we need them. 

There truly is an abundance of good company in the world!

If you need the company of your Aunt, call her up! If you need to company of nature, go for a walk!  Life is not about trying to constantly steer around our feelings, but to embrace them and go with the flow.

So next time you are feeling lonely (and this includes myself) understand that it is okay to feel this way, and let the feelings go with ease.

Have a beautiful day, Mcfly <3

God Never Blinks

Good morning loves!

I haven't done a book review yet on my blog, so why not today?

There are a lot of amazing books about happiness, about the law of attraction, with lots of ideas and understandings by hundreds of wonderful authors.

But as I was browsing the aisles of Barnes and Noble, this book seemed to gleem at me, silently saying 'read me'. 

Okay, maybe it wasn't that dramatic of a moment.  You get the idea!

I sat at the coffee shop, opened up to the middle of the book, and began to read.

God Never Blinks is written by Regina Brett, who's writing is incredibly personal and interesting to read.  She is also an incredible inspiration.  She tells many personal stories in her book, yet she has the amazing ability to reflect and understand why she was feeling the way she was, and what lesson she took out of it.  

I had to immediately send a photo to my friends and family to read this book.  It was like a warm cup of tea for your soul. 

Not to mention, I had just the right amount of money on my Barnes and Noble gift card to purchase it.  ;)

Have a wonderful day <3

Mcfly

It's Okay To Get Emotional

Good Afternoon, loves!

Sometimes, we all get emotional about things.  I had a particularly emotional day yesterday, where I randomly started to cry for no reason. 

I was feeling a lot of things, for it was a beautiful day with my love, but also I had crossed paths with a man whom was not all that nice to me. 

I started to cry almost immediately, and I didn't quite understand why I was getting so upset over something so small.  I was searching inside myself for some deeper reason why I was getting so emotional.  Maybe I had pent up feelings? Was I about to break down all day?  Why was I crying about a chance encounter with someone who was of lower vibration than I was?

But my boyfriend told me something very intrigueing.  He told me that people are people.  You never know how someone is, whether they are having a good day or a bad one.  You will never understand why people do the things they do.

It is how I choose to react to those people.  How interesting, right?  Just because he was having a bad day, and decided to take it out on me, does not have anything to do with me.  I can choose how to react, and how much it will affect me. 

I hope that all of you can turn a situation around, not by feeling bad about how others treat you, but by understanding that you have a choice.  You can choose to react, or choose not too.

Have a beautiful day

Mcfly

Happy First of August!

Good morning my loves! 

Today is a fresh new start for the upcoming month of August. The summer is still here, and many new and exciting things are happening. 

I am most excited for my break from school, visiting home, and a brand new start to the upcoming school year. 

What is even more exciting is that this will be my final year for my bachelors degree. Incredible! 

I wanted to post an affirmation that I received today by the amazing Louise Hay, who is one of the most inspirational people I have ever come across. 

Her light shines through every word she writes, and I am so grateful to read her words every morning. 

I love it! 

I can't explain how many blessings I feel, although the obstacles come and go I am still always thankful for something. Whether it's my morning cup of coffee; or listening to the summer rain, every experience is worth living. 

What are you most excited for the month of August? 

Mcfly <3 

That Feeling You Get..

Good Afternoon, Readers!

Sometimes, we all get in to a funk.  My funk has been happening for over a month now.  This is not okay.

I have always considered myself an extremely happy person, yet my microscope on my life has been zoomed in so far that I have been unable to focus and look at the big picture.

Until today.

I have been so caught up in the drama, and the details.  And it is exhausting!

I have not sat down, and just been grateful for all of the wonderful things in my life.

My boyfriend, whom is my world.

My friends, whom we have a mutual respect and love for.

My family, for always being there when I need them.

My life.  My life is amazing!

My funk is now over.  Now, it is time to zoom out and stop focusing so much.

I am just grateful!

Mcfly <3

Unhappiness

Good Morning!

My blog post today is something that I have been experiencing recently.  I have had this overwhelming sense of negativity come into my life. 

For whatever reason it has happened, this spiral of thoughts has been keeping me in a stressful state that I know is temporary, but it is still tough to experience.

The thing is, everyone goes through stages where they feel either stuck or overwhelmed.  Heck, I go through these rollercoasters bi-weekly.  However, learning to recognize and understand what is going through your head is essential to raising yourself up from the depths of negativity and back into the positivity.

So, I have compiled three steps you can do if you are feeling stuck in a negativity rut!

Let's start with one, shall we? :)

1.  Recognize.  Take a look at what exactly it is that you are feeling.  What kind of negative emotions are you experiencing?  Is it anger, hurt, anxiety, stress?  Pin point where your emotions are going, and recognize that they are there, and that it is okay to be feeling them!

2.  Embrace.  Embrace the thoughts, let them be.  Just like The Beatles advised.  LET IT BE.  I guarantee after a small amount of time, you will start to clear your head, and begin to focus on smaller positive thoughts.

3.  Move Forward.  This is my favorite step!  Move forward with these smaller positive thoughts.  Once you have recognized and embraced, move forward to the larger positive thoughts.  Move from feeling anxious to feeling slightly more calm.  From anger to contentment.  Whatever thoughts get you there, do them!  I promise, you will start to feel so good.

Here are some of my favorite things to do when I am feeling down:

Read a good book
Take a walk
Listen to the birds
Appreciate a flower
Listen to my favorite songs
Watch a movie
Watch funny youtube videos
Call a friend
Eat peanut butter!

You deserve to feel amazing every day, Enjoy!

Mcfly <3

Pay It Forward

Last night, I gave a homeless man $3.00.

Now, I am typically not the kind of girl to hand out money to someone who is on the street looking for some extra change.

However, Last night was seemingly different.

I was meeting a friend in the city close to where I live, and was waiting out the rain just a few feet away from the metro station I had just came out of.  I had noticed the man standing there as hundreds of people rushed in and out of the station, either ignoring him or shaking their heads at his request for change.

I had witnessed something that was really heart breaking for me.

I watched other human beings disregard another human being, over, and over, and over again.

Not that I was any better, I was standing right next to him and didn't say one word.  However, I knew that I had a few dollars in my wallet, and I knew that giving those dollars away would benefit someone more than keeping them for cab fare or for my dinner that I could easily afford.

So I decided to give him my change.  And I put my shoulder on his, and told him to have a good night.  I couldn't help but notice his shirt was soaked from the rain, and how cold he must have been.

I hope that my spare change could have made a difference in his night.

But, an interesting thing happened as I was heading back home.

I had to take a taxi, because the bus had stopped running after midnight. The taxi driver was incredibly friendly, and we got into a philosophical conversation about happiness and the meaning of life.

And you know what he did?

When he dropped me off, he let me have the cab fare for free.

I begged him not too, that I had money to pay for my ride back.  But he insisted, and I couldn't help but think about how in our lives, looking out for each other is what we are supposed to do.

The kindness that I experienced from the cab driver, and the gratefulness that the man had when I gave him my spare change was what made my day.

So, pay it forward.  It is worth more than just getting home as fast as possible, or worrying about your next promotion.

Until Next Time.

Mcfly <3

Choices.

Good Morning!

Today, I wanted to write a small post about the choices that we make in our lives.

Every situation that we are in, we have a choice on how to think, how to react, and also how to not react.  Our life is filled with these decisions that inevitably shape the future.

However, I am a firm believer in that the situations that we are in are not by chance, but by the choices we have made in the past.

For example, about a year and a half ago, I had just come out of an abusive relationship with an ex boyfriend.  I was trapped in this negative way of thinking, that had sent me down the rabbit hole of self loathing and hatred. 

I had lost 30 pounds, and was sucked into a thought pattern that was not serving me in the slightest.

But, you know what happened?

I realized, that I had a choice.  I could be stuck in this cycle of negativity, or I could pick myself up and understand that I could choose to be positive.  I could choose to be healthy.  I could choose to be present in my every day life and be mindful of my thoughts and emotions.

And a funny thing happened. 

Amazing things started to unfold for me. 

I had started to attract men into my life that were sweet, and kind.  My weight started to level out to a healthier, and sustainable place.  I embarked on an incredible adventure working in Kenya, and I had been accepted into the university of my choice. 

I chose to be positive, and to pinpoint what I wanted in my life.

And it happened.

I know you can too!  I have no doubts that whatever you want, you can choose to go after it. 

Now, on to my daily gratitude list!

1. Myself.  I am so thankful for myself.  For living, for choosing to be positive, and to go after the things that I want in my life.  I believe in myself, with every fiber of my being.  It makes me so happy!

2.  My Dad.  The man has taught me so many things, and tells me that whatever I want to do, I should go after it.  He is my inspiration and I love him dearly.  I am so lucky to have my dad!

3.  Love.  It is so funny, but once I became okay with where I was, and chose to not let anyone dictate my happiness, love becomes affluent in my life.  It is true that once you love yourself, others can love you just the same.

4.  Books.  I love to read, and I love to write.  Reading and writing are so therapeutic to me.  Some of my favorite authors include Paolo Coelho, Elizabeth Gilbert, and J. Maarten Troost (Can you see the travel writing pattern? :P)

5.  Coffee.  I know I write this down almost every time I write a gratitude list.  But man, I do love my coffee. Ha!

Have a fabulous day, and ENJOY!

Mcfly <3

It's the little things.

Ever wake up in the morning and had this amazing revelation that you slept so incredibly that your back is sore and your eyelids are still heavy?  And once you realize this you have this appreciation for sleeping soundly and for the day ahead of you, because you got enough rest to carpe diem anything that comes your way.

This morning I had one of these mornings!

Granted, it's not every morning.  But I love when I can wake up and appreciate my body for giving me the gift of incredible rest.

So, that's what I want to talk about today.  The little things.  There are always those small instances that bring about joy in our lives.  From what I described as sleeping on cloud 9, to an amazing cup of coffee that follows.  To the smile of a stranger, and the warmth of the sun on your skin.

Life can be described as a series of mini moments where the experience is so joyful you could jump out of your skin.

Those are the moments I live for in my life!

Now, on to the gratitude list on the little things I am enjoying in my life!

1. My good nights sleep.  I feel so refreshed and ready to take on the day!

2. Coffee.  The first thing I do when I wake up, is to make my coffee and enjoy it's sweetness (yes, I put a lot of sugar and cream!).

3. Flowers.  A special someone got me flowers the other day, what a beautiful sight to see every day ;).

4.  Animals.  There are these geese near where I live, that had babies a month or so ago.  Now, the babies are almost grown and into full geese!  I am so delighted every time I see these little babies all grown up, just watching them waddle around brings me joy!

5.  Peanut Butter.  This butter is the butter of my life.  It can be creamy, chunky, sweet, savory, you name it, you got it!  Ahhh, the taste of peanut butter.

That is my list for the day, I hope you start making a gratitude list of your own!

Enjoy!

Mcfly <3

Self Love

Loving yourself...

What an easy to understand concept, but so much harder to actually implement.  I'm sure every one of us has at some point struggled with loving yourself.  It is so much easier to beat yourself up over past mistakes, the way that we look, our life and surroundings.  We are in this perpetual state of working away from just being okay with the way that we are right now.

However, loving yourself is the number one thing you can do to change your perspective, and to change your life.

I have not always loved myself, and I still have days where I talk to myself in a way that I would never want a friend or lover to talk to me.

But every day I remind myself that I am the most important person in my life, and to love myself is to accept everything about me.

I love my large feet, my naturally highlighted hair, being 5'10, my positive attitude, kindness, empathy, being laid back, and a hundred other things!

I also want to do another gratitude list today!

June 25th, 2014

1.  My job.  I am a college student, and the place I work at is just amazing.  Such great people who love what they do, and I am so grateful I get to work in such a fun loving and positive environment.

2.  Summer.  Oh, how I love summer. It's warm, it's humid, it's amazing.  I love being outside and in nature, and being in the summer heat while reading a book and birds dancing around me brings me extreme joy!

3.  Ham and Cheese.  I had a ham and cheese sandwich today.  With lots of mayonnaise.  And tomatoes.  I saved the other half for dinner.  I can't wait!

4.  Friendliness.  The past two days, I have had numerous people in my classes, and whilst I am going about my life, express an interest in talking to me about various things.  I am so grateful that I have had the chance to connect with such amazing people.  I am creating many great friendships!

5.  Love.  I am just in love with my life.  Every twist and turn gives me contrast into what I want and where I want to be.

Mcfly <3

Moving Forward...

Hello bloggee's! 

If you had read my last post, I had been in an emotional state of hurt.  Although I felt that I was fine, things did not turn out that way until a couple of days ago, when the birds really did make me happy and the anxiety was starting to die down.

During this transition period I wanted to write a small post about moving forward with your life.  Because, as hard as it may seem at this very moment, life goes on and my world does not stop moving just because someone ended their time in mine. 

I think the hardest part about change in your life is that sometimes, what you had before seemed to be better than what you have now. 

This way of thinking is not at all what is happening when a big life change happens.  Big life changes happen when you need to experience growth and learn to understand that life brings you an array of contrast and if you just accept it, let go of the oars, and ride the wave with as much joy as you possibly can, your next experience will be even more enlightening. 

Also, I know as cliche as it sounds, time really does heal all wounds.  It's a fact.  Through every break up of mine to every life change (like moving to college across the country, living in Africa for two months) it just took time to become comfortable and to understand that this is all about the experience of life.

So, ENJOY!

Also, I wanted to write a small section on my gratitude list.  Just because... :)

1) My body.  This sounds strange, but through this transition my body has been one heck of a machine and keeping me from binging to deal with my emotions and still continuing to grow and change with each weight I squat.  I love you, body!

2) My Freedom.  I took a mini staycation this weekend, and I am just so blessed to be able to drive for amiable amounts of time to wherever it is I want to go.  Time has always been at an abundance for me, even when working and going to school.  Don't ask me how, I've never had a problem with too little time!

3) Music.  Yesterday was dance party central.  I forgot how much fun it was to shake my booty to a song that gets my groove on.  It also has an amazing ability to heal, and to help you remember old memories. 

4) Books.  The book I'm currently reading is called Wanderlove.  Basically this girl backpacks through Central America and falls in love with a backpacker guy.  My perfect book inside 300 pages. 

5) Friends.  Again, I am just so blown away by everyone's support and love that I have received.  It makes me feel so grateful and I can't thank them enough.  I know I would do the same for all of them if they needed someone to be there.  I love you guys!

That is my post for the day.  Remember, life is so abundant and positive thoughts are what create your reality.

McFly <3

Gratitude Lessons

Hello Blogosphere!

I have recently been experiencing some grief, as relationships come to an end and a new change happens.  I have always been someone who remains positive, at least I would like to think.  However the past few days has been quite the roller coaster.  Fortunately, the past two mornings I have started to wake up with happiness and gratefulness that the sun was shining and the birds chirping! 

Finally, my old self is coming back!

I wanted to create a gratitude list, because as things come to an end, there are still an abundance of things to be grateful for.  For some reason, putting it out there on a blog seemed to be more of a ritual 'I am sending my list out into the massive universe!' So here goes...

I am grateful for...

1.  My mother.  She is such a wonderful personality, and I am so thankful that she gives me so much support and encouragement.  Even if my ideas are outrageous!

2. My friends.  I have one... two... three... four... five... six... the list goes on for how many friends I am thankful to have in my life.  This time especially, I have been blown away by the support I have gotten.  These people rock!

3. My coffee maker.  That machine is really a happiness creator.  Waking up to a fresh pot of coffee is always going to be the highlight of my day.

4. My breakfast.  Same as coffee.  Delicious and essential.

5.  My body.  This is an interesting one, because I have not always been grateful for the body that I have been gifted with.  Lately though, it has been giving me the results I want with my weight training, and giving me the right signals in satiety, muscle repair, and beauty.

6.  My softness.  Now, I am not talking about my skin being so soft (although I do moisturize daily!) I am talking about in my personality especially, I consider myself a soft and kind person who really does try her best to be kind to people.

7.  My professor.  I am taking a summer class here at my university, and I am truly blessed with an inspiring and helpful professor who is intelligent and kind.  He is approachable and explains everything incredibly well.  Not all professors are like this, and I am so grateful that although I am in summer school for a short time, I was given such a great teacher.

For now, that is my list.  I hope that you decide to start your own gratitude list!  Put some things you are grateful for in the comments, I'd love to hear them!

Macfly <3

Learning Languages: A Brief Guide

If you've got a bad case of wanderlust just as bad as mine, I'm sure you've considered studying a language to either enhance your experience abroad, or in my case, hoping fluency will just get you on a plane with a salary already discussed. 

However, you might find once you buy the language book, take the class, or listen to the audio tapes, your efforts seem a bit, lacking. 

As a university student studying Mandarin Chinese, as well as taking an interest in learning Thai, I have a few tricks up my sleeve as to how to get past the initial fall out of learning a language, and get you right back on your road to fluency. 

Tip #1: Motivation. 

The most important part of learning a language and sticking with it is finding your inner motivation. Ask yourself: 

'Why do I want to study this language?' 

Is it because you have fallen in love with the particular culture of that country, including the language? Maybe you have a very special someone whose first language is not English, and you'd like to get to know them, their family, and culture a bit better? 

Whatever your reason, find out exactly what your motivation is and why you'd like to continue on the journey of learning a new language. 

Tip #2: Good Textbook and Teacher are a Winning Combination 

It's true, the combination of a textbook that is clear and concise plus a teacher that has patience and understanding is the winning formula for once you find your inner motivation. 

I am lucky enough to have gotten both of these things for studying mandarin. The text book I'm using in my university class: 

Has clear lesson plans, lots of pictures, and teaches Chinese characters along with pinyin to maximize your road to fluency.  As for my teacher, she had clear lesson plans, lots of in class discussion, and she made the class fun and enjoyable. I am so excited to start Chinese level 2 with her this next semester!  

Again, when you have inner motivation, a good textbook, and a concise teacher who is clear in her expectations and lessons, you're on your way to learning a new language! 

Tip #3: It's Not Just About Words (or Characters) 

You can't learn a language without learning the culture along side it! Almost all language textbooks will give you a culture highlight section that emphasizes specific customs that coincide with the lesson plan. 

Study these up, you never know when you'll get a chance to hop on a plane and practice your new language! 

Tip #4: Practice 

This has been the toughest tip for me to implement in my day to day life. If I am not in a classroom studying or preparing for an exam, my idea of practice is having Netflix on in the background as I mindlessly flip through my textbook. 

Do not do this! Practice means practice, which means repeating commonly used phrases, memorizing characters and vocabulary, and maybe making some friends whom can help you with every day conversation. 

Make it a routine to study a little bit every day, whether it's conversing with your loved one, studying a culture high light, or watching a tv show in the language you want to learn. The more you do it, the closer you are to fluency! 

Tip #5: Immersion 

This might not be possible for you, as many of us have work, school, and other obligations that prevent us from a total immersion for the period of time it takes to obtain fluency (which is years unless you're just super talented at languages!) if you have the opportunity to study abroad while your at school, or to just take a vacation to your desired country, every little bit helps with learning a new language. 

From my experience, locals are always excited to help you with learning their native language, and you can easily make a friend or two. Even if you're struggling, a smile and a hand gesture go a lot longer than you think! 

So there you have it, my tips to learning any language you desire! 

Remember: Life is about having fun and enjoying the moment. If you are confident you can learn a new language, then by all means you certainly can! 

再见！

Macfly <3 

(This photo was taken at Khao Phra Wihan national park in Thailand. I'm in this orange shirt!) 

Welcome to your inflight guide: the simple girls introduction

Valkommen! Bienvenue! Any other way you can say welcome in another language! As my first post I am obligated to introduce myself, which isn't quite as hard as maybe I thought it would be. My name is Mackenzie and as an attendee of university for the past 4 years (and still have one more to go) I am an introvert who has a passion for travel and the little things in life. My quest for happiness and a spiritual awakening has taken the road commonly traveled, attending a Catholic Church, yoga classes, and Buddhist temples. However, I still come out of these experiences as a 21 year old who is still stumbling through this life and relies on late night netflix binges and occasional chocolates too. 

So, you're probably reading this and thinking, 'Okay Mackenzie, why are you writing a blog?' Well, ma cherie, I have no explanation for you. As strange as it may seem (or more perhaps common) this blog is a template to share my passions, feelings, tips, and all things I deeply care about. 

To give you an idea of what could possibly be featured on this blog, my passion for travel as taken me to faraway places such as New Zealand, Thailand, Kenya, England, and Costa Rica. My passion for health has taken me on a road of ups and downs where I lost, gained, and now continuing to lose 30 pounds again. And a passion for appreciation and gratitude has taken me to experience many beliefs and ideas, that I believe makes for some pretty cool stories. 

I do hope you enjoy reading as much as I do writing, and be sure to contribute whatever thoughts or ideas you have! I am a firm believer in that if we didn't have each other then where would we be in this world. And I can't express how excited I feel to be able to connect with others that I wouldn't otherwise connect with if it wasn't for this expansive network of computers and online networks. 

Macfly <3