Jun 11

#SilverLining

This just happened– I’m driving home from Tulsa (a 30 minute drive) and my car dies 4 times. Why did I decide to keep driving after the first time? I think it was some combination of not wanting to call AAA and somewhat believing I could will my car to keep going (like if you believe it you can achieve it, kind of thing). For whatever reason, I kept driving and got my car to my family’s mechanic, just so he could tell me my car needed a new fuel pump and THAT would be $600.00.

“Seriously? You’re kidding?”, I asked him half expecting him to jab my shoulder and inform me he was just joking. I had recently paid another large chunk of money to fix my car and now this!?

I needed that $600.00– I have big plans this summer– a trip to LA, a move to a new apartment and at least a little bit of shopping. All of these activities depend on the little nest egg I have built for myself over the past few months and here this guy is threatening to take it all away. Sadly, he was not kidding.

Since my car was staying put I had no other choice but to start walking home and feel completely sorry for myself. I cried, I cursed, I text everyone in my phone book and told them how rough life was and then, after a good hour of mild insanity, I decided to look at this slightly different.

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While it’s true, I most likely won’t be able to move into a new apartment next month or go to LA this summer. There is still so much to be grateful for in this situation– I was safe on the car ride home, it’s $600.00 not $6,000.00 and I have a lovely place to live right now with no REAL need to move. Initially, I was annoyed that I had to walk home, but with the change in perspective I was able to see that at least the weather is beautiful, I’m getting my exercise and it’s really not all that far.

I know this whole incident may seem a bit trivial, but I’m writing about it to explain that even in inconvenient, less than desirable situations we have a CHOICE to look at the surface or to look at the silver lining. Although things may not play out the way we want them to, if we look hard enough we always have something to be grateful for.

The cool thing about gratitude is that when we are grateful for what we have, we attract more of what we want to us. On the other hand, if we focus on how rotten life is and how nothing seems to work out, we invite the universe to give us more of what we don’t want.

At times it is easy to see the silver lining, and other times we have to look a bit closer, but in everything there is a lesson, an opportunity to grow and a blessing in disguise. Don’t get me wrong, I know it’s not easy. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve sulked and felt sorry for myself because that certain someone didn’t call, that job didn’t come through or that event didn’t go as planned. That’s ok too, feeling our true emotions is just part of the healing process, but once we’ve gone through the feeling process, it’s time to look for the lesson and find gratitude for the silver linings.

I’m writing this post from the little coffee shop in my hometown, I came across it as I was walking home. I’m so glad I decided to stop by, have my favorite drink and write. My day may not have gone exactly how I thought it would but I’m grateful that in the big scheme of things, all my needs are met and even in this, there are plenty of silver linings.

Blogging at Scoops and Grinds in Collinsville, OK

Blogging at Scoops and Grinds in Collinsville, OK

 

To very shiny silver linings,

Katie Hoffman

Jun 07

The Bucket List: Travel Edition

I have always loved travelling. There is something about experiencing somewhere new, befriending strangers and being totally out of the routine that is inspiring to me. Over the past couple of years I have had the privilege of  flying, road tripping and living all over the US. Although I’m happy with my travels so far, there is still plenty I want to do and see. Which is why I have created my travelling bucket list. In no particular order, here it is:

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1. Visit (and enjoy) all 50 states

Recently I said this to a good friend of mine and she responded with, “Why would you want to visit all 50 states?? Some of them are so boring!” In case you’re thinking the same, allow me to explain. I know not every state is going to have the glitz and glam of NYC or the eccentric flair of Portland, Oregon, but every state has it’s own charm I want to experience. I can’t wait to lay in some field in the Middle-Of-Nowhere, Wyoming and look at the stars or see miles of snow somewhere in North Dakota. As much as I want to travel the world, I love the beauty that we have right here in the US and I can’t wait to discover more of it. (PS: All my trips to Arkansas and Missouri as a child don’t count. I’m only counting recent, grown-up trips)

2. Have a place to stay in every state

My FAVORITE part of travelling is making new friends. There is something so refreshing about knowing that at any moment, I can call up one of my friends in New York, Los Angeles or Florida and have a place to stay while I travel. I want a friend to stay with in every state, and of course I will always return the house sharing favor.

3. Travel on a Budget: Be a couch surfer

So there is this fab website, www.couchsurfing.org, that allows you to securely access travelers and host from all over the world. On this site, people open up their couches and guest bedrooms to travelers and offer to show them around when they visit. Sound a little sketchy? No worries. In order to be “certified” you have to pay a small membership fee and have a general background check done. I have several friends who have had wonderful experiences with couch surfing and I’m excited to try it myself.

4. Travel in Luxury: Stay in a 5 star boutique hotel.

While doing red carpet interviews and movie junkets, I had the chance to stay at a couple of  New York City’s  most luxurious hotel. Let me tell ya: It is amazing! Although I can’t do it JUST YET, I fully plan on splurging a bit and staying in some of my dream hotels. The Morgans Hotel Group has boutique locations in LA, Miami,  Boston, San Francisco and NYC as well as internationally in London and Morocco.

5. Live in a foreign country

I’m not sure where yet, or for how long, but immersing myself in another culture is a must-happen. I’ll keep you posted on details.

6. Dance on a bar on 6th Street

There is nothing I love to do more than dance, and where better to dance than on a bar in one of the funnest, liveliest cities in the US– Austin, TX. 6th St. is where all the night life and bars can be found. It’s such a party that every Friday and Saturday night they close down the streets so participants can make their way from bar to bar.

7. Swim with dolphins

I don’t care where– maybe Greece, Hawaii or the Dominican Republic– as long as I get to swim around with the cute little critters.

8. Explore the Costa Rican rain forest

A friend of mine recently returned from her Costa Rican honeymoon and I am in love with all the stories I’ve heard! Snorkeling, hiking and pictures of rare birds and animals are just a few of the activities I look forward to.

9. Road trip down (or up) Route 66

Route 66, The Mother Road of the US, starts in Chicago, Illinois and stretches all the way to California. With plenty of states being covered, this gives me the perfect opportunity to check visiting some of the states off the list.

10. Make a difference

Go to Guatemala to teach people life and business skills? Love to. Travel the country speaking on women’s empowerment? Let’s do it. Help cities recover from natural disaster? I’m there. It’s my desire to use my love of traveling to make the world a better place.

11. Start where I’m at

There is so much more I want to see and do not only abroad but right here in my home state of Oklahoma. I look forward to saying yes to as many opportunities for day trips, camping adventures and hiking explorations as I can. With beautiful lakes, rivers and forests no more than three hours away, there is no reason to not start the travelling right now.

12. Above all else: Be open to where ever life takes me

I am big on saying yes. It’s my goal in life, as well as my travels to stay open to all that comes my way whatever that may mean– moving abroad, back packing across Europe, going to space (just kidding on that one!)– I’m up for it! I’ll be sure to keep you posted.

What’s on YOUR bucket list? I can’t wait to hear it! Let me know in the comments below.

To living life as a daring adventure,
Katie Hoffman

Jun 03

Mid-Year Makeover

Confession: I kind of, sort of… ok I ACTUALLY believe in numerology. In the same way some people follow their astrological charts, I follow numerology. With the being said, I don’t make decisions and take action based solely on what the charts say, but I do tend to give them a little more than a passing glance. So this January, I greeted 2013 like any other year– with a meditation, a review from the year before and a glance at the numerology for the year to come.

 

[NUMEROLOGY 101: in numerology there are nine numbers (1-9) each having it's own set of characteristics and energy. Every person, place, and date in time has it's own set of numbers assigned to it and those numbers indicate what personality/energy the person, place or thing (nouns in general) will carry. Back to the story.]

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Back in January, I was pleased to find that for ME, 2013 was a 1 year, meaning it was a year to transform, progress and go-get-em. After having a challenging year in 2012, I was pleased to hear that perhaps THIS year I would have the universal energy to pursue my dreams moving in my direction. So I set out to make 2013 count by finishing up another year of school, being the social butterfly that I am and starting a new organization. On the surface, these advances seem to be exactly what the year called for, and in many ways it was. However,  they also came at a cost.

True to form, I had been pushing so hard and moving so fast that I had lost myself and my focus in the process. I didn’t realize this until two weeks ago, when I sat on my bed and cried, feeling more hopeless then I have felt in along time. “I did it again!”, I sobbed, feeling completely exhausted, uninspired and discontent. I had gotten so busy doing and going that I had forgotten the things that allow me to stay inspired and energized– being with friends, eating right and taking care of me. Although no one likes an afternoon of tears, I am grateful; this mini meltdown has been the catalyst for the consistent change I have been looking for and the inspiration I needed.

For years… yes years, I have put my accomplishments and achievements front and center, regardless of the cost. My recent meltdown has taught me, it ain’t gonna work anymore. It’s time to refocus and create the feelings I want to feel. I desire to feel inspired, grounded and vibrant and in order to do that I need some consistent action steps to make that a reality. There are still 7 months left of 2013, and I plan to make it count by giving myself a Mid-Year Makeover and writing about it once a week. After a lot of soul searching, I came up with the 10 things I will focus on in order to feel the way I want to feel:

The List (In no particular order):

1. Cut out Boy Drama!

For some time now I have either been dating, in a hot-mess of a relationship or somewhere in between. I can not think of a time in my young adult life that I have not been analyzing or obsessing over some romantic mini-drama and frankly, I’m sick of it.  I have always been a firm believer in being complete as an individual before committing to someone else and it’s time to take my own advice. Although I’m not swearing off dating for the rest of the year, I am taking a break and focusing on other areas of life.

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2. Get on a Schedule

Consistency has always been one of my weaknesses, so I have made a schedule and plan to stick to it. This will help me eliminate distractions and feel productive.

3. Start a Budget and STICK TO IT!

I’m learning that no amount of travel or fine dining can replace a sense of financial security. It is my goal to create a budget that allows me to enjoy the travelling and going out I love while still building a nest egg and saving for more permanent investments. (Yes, it can be done!) `

4. Clean up my diet

This one is HUGE! I am constantly exhausted and I am convince it’s because I pretty much eat like crap. I will be blogging about my journey to healthier eating by cutting out caffeine and sugar and incorporating juicing into my daily routine.

5. Incorporate Hobbies

For my whole life, I’ve wanted to be a dancer— I mean REALLY dance. I feel so present and free anytime I get to express myself through dance. I am starting dance lessons next week and can’t wait to post videos and pictures of the progress! In addition, I want to continue my yoga practice and keep writing and blogging consistently.

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6. Build Friendships

No one makes me feel more loved and supported than my inner circle of friends and family. It is my intention to return the support by being the best friend I can be by making my inner circle a priority.

Me and my besties... Love these girls :)
Me and my besties… Love these girls :)

7. Be Present

Where ever I am, I’ll be all there

8. Practice Excellence

In his book, Secrets of a Millionaire Mind, T. Harv Eker says, “How you do anything is how you do everything”. I’m guilty of thinking I can half-ass my way through my job waiting tables and then somehow turn on the charm when I step on stage to speak, but this quote tells me differently. It is my goal to make excellence a habit in all aspects of my life, not just the ones I view as most important.

9. Commit to a Spiritual Practice

A spiritual practice is an intricate part of every one of my role model’s lives, so it’s essential that I develop a consistent practice that works for me. I will start and end everyday with some form of meditation, prayer or journaling.

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10. Love ME unconditionally

This experiment is not about perfection; it’s about continually looking within to heal myself and create the life I dream of. I’m not looking “out there”, I’m looking within and loving myself in every step of the process.

People, we are half way through 2013 and I’m SO EXCITED because I fully believe the second half will be even better than the first. What do YOU want to get out of the next 7 months? What do you want to create? Please join me as I share my Mid-Year Makeover, it’s going to be great!

 

To the year ahead,

Katie Hoffman