words of wisdom: be all there

I love this little reminder... So helpful, because I've been working on focusing more on the joys of the present, instead of planning for the future. This summer really has been full of spontaneous decisions (I'm heading to Austin in 2 weeks, just 'cause!). Here's to living with a light heart, grateful for the present. 

(photo via here)

words of wisdom: what succeeding really looks like

I always found this so poignant...

“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends. To appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

(photo via pinterest)

living with purpose: the best advice I've ever heard

What's the best advice you've ever heard? Today I had phone conversations with friends in which I literally raced to grab a pen to jot down their wisdom (thanks Neetu, Emily, and Jasmine!). Here are some favorites pieces of advice that I'm treasuring in my heart...

From Neetu on taking risks and living fully: "Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards." This is Neetu's favorite quote and really resonates with me because how often have things only made sense in hindsight? So why not take risks and live boldly-- knowing that life will all make sense someday?

From Emily on faith: "God's timing is perfect." Relating back to the previous piece of advice, wouldn't it be amazing to not only believe that we'll understand things in hindsight but also that timing is absolutely perfect? As I grow in my faith, trusting in God has given me such an amazing feeling of freedom and hope that everything is going to be okay, and all will happen in its perfect due time.

From Jasmine on relationships: "Don't focus on the leaves and the branches. Focus on the roots, because when the wind blows, the leaves and the branches will inevitably fall. Only the root will stay firm and secure throughout the storms." To break down the metaphor: the leaves and branches are superficial ideals (how often have we heard "I only date men over 6 feet" or "he needs to have so and so job"). But all of these things will fall away -- beauty and success are temporary. Look at a person's roots: his/her heart and character.

So thankful for my wise, encouraging friends. Any words of wisdom on your mind that sticks out? What I most often tell my friends is to be unconditionally gentle and loving with themselves, as one would love a child... and as God loves us. (Cheesy, but I think it works :)

(photo sources: 1, 2, 3)

words of wisdom: abandon impatience

I think this one was made for me...

"When you plant seeds in the garden, you don’t dig them up every day to see if they have sprouted yet. You simply water them and clear away the weeds; you know that the seeds will grow in time. Similarly, just do your daily practice and cultivate a kind heart. Abandon impatience and instead be content creating the causes for goodness; the results will come when they’re ready." -- Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron

words of wisdom: sail away from the safe harbor

I definitely needed to hear this....

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." — Mark Twain

(Photo via Pinterest)

on faith: from cottage to palace

I absolutely love this C.S. Lewis quote. Take a look...

“Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense.

What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.”

(photo via A Well Traveled Woman via Pinterest)

happy friday, keep it classy

Friday, I am so happy to see you. Looking forward to some much-needed R&R after an intense work week. A large glass of wine is definitely due (and I will be sure to show respect, per above!). This weekend will be all about good food, catching up on sleep, and just unwinding. What are your plans? Since we often get caught up in the details, I think we should read this list of "things to remember" (which sounds like it's coming from a sassy best friend)...

(photos via 1, 2)

living with purpose: right now is the best time of your life!

What’s your biggest worry in life? When I was in high school, my biggest worry was getting into college. In college, my biggest worry was getting a job. Now that I’m working, my worries seem to multiply, running the gamut from what my life purpose is, to what my true professional calling is, to who I’m going to marry and where I’m going to settle down and live into my old age… super neurotic, right?

Worrying is universal – who doesn’t think about these life questions? But our worries are also connected to our own self-imposed expectations and standards. Expectations like “My mother got married at 23, so I should too” or “My dad has a Ph.D, so I need one as well” can turn into rigid standards which can ultimately make us lead our entire lives mimicking and pleasing others. 

I’m guilty of these expectations. I often try to fit my life into neat little time buckets, setting mental checklist of to-do’s with specific deadlines. The need to actively direct my life is something that I have always indulged in, from the smallest task (organizing my week) to more abstract challenges (planning my career for the next 5 years). But the older I get, the more I realize that it takes a village to nurture an individual.... not just said individual's Type A personality ;)

 

Two important lessons I’ve learned in the past year is A) that no matter what, there will be things that I cannot control, and B) Sometimes, that’s for the better. Learning to let go of control was the best advice I’ve ever taken, and the first step is to have a little faith… that good things can happen without you exerting your own direction; that not everything should happen when you want them to (because fate can be sweeter than your own imagination); that mistakes and failures can make you a better person than success.

 

My daily motto is: Right Now is the best time of my life. Does that make sense? If right now is the best time of my life, then maybe I don’t need to strategize so much about the future....because when tomorrow, next week, or next year comes around, Right Now will still be the best time, at that time. No wonder Pepsi’s new global campaign is called Live For Now… seems like the perfect prescription for our worry-prone generation, no?

(Photos: A young, ravishing Julie Andrews; a couple kissing at a cafe; people with masks from the book, Masquerade by Saul Steinberg and Inge Morath.)

PS: Previous Living with Purpose columns on the pro's and con's of accountability and taking a 25 minute vow.

helen loves: edition #6

Excited to browse through my new coffee table book Paris in Color; can we bring this fun yet chic tie dye dress back in stock, Steven Alan?; Marc Jacobs "Big Hearted" iPhone case-- is it a surprise that I love this?; cool clock via Design Atellier Article's Etsy shop; a sweet handmade card via Oh My Deer's Etsy shop; two pieces of encouragement: take risks & be open to learning from mistakes; raspberry sorbet in lemon bowls -- so crafty; too bad this "Mischief" necklace via Asos is out of stock... love its spirit!

Some more things Helen Loves...

moment in the present

Everybody take a breath. Inhaaaaale. Exhale. I know we're all busy bees, always on the go go go! Let's stay still for a moment and enjoy the present, okay? I'm liking this idea more and more, putting a pause on planning and thinking about next steps...

(photos via here)

escaping our own negative thoughts

Phew, this weekend was a tough one. Friday and Saturday found me worn down and anxious. I hadn't felt so gloomy and defeated since junior year of college.... sometimes the uncertainties of the future (and my need to control) are so overwhelming, they're all I think about! I'm so glad I've cleared my head since yesterday. Here are a few gentle reminders from the web that helped me pull away from the negativity....

(photos via pinterest)

barack & michelle

I found this wonderful story of the Obamas on Facebook and would love to share... It made me smile from ear to ear! :)

"One night President Obama and his wife Michelle decided to do something out of routine and go for a casual dinner at a restaurant that wasn't too luxurious. When they were seated, the owner of the restaurant asked the President's secret service if he could please speak to the First Lady in private. They obliged and Michelle had a conversation with the owner. Following this conversation President Obama asked Michelle, why was he so interested in talking to you. She mentioned that in her teenage years, he had been madly in love with her. President Obama then said, "so if you had married him, you would now be the owner of this lovely restaurant", to which Michelle responded, "no, if I had married him, he would now be the President."

Michelle is my kind of woman for sure!

what a wonderful thought

"I think you could fall in love with anyone if you saw the parts of them that no one else gets to see. Like if you followed them around invisibly for a day and you saw them crying in their bed at night or singing to themselves as they make a sandwich or even just walking along the street and even if they were really weird and had no friends at school, I think after seeing them at their most vulnerable you wouldn’t be able to help falling in love with them. ” (Unknown)

Would you agree? (I love that photo of Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin up top, btw :)

(photos via 1, 2)

wisdom corner

“
Loneliness is the human condition. Cultivate it. The way it tunnels into you allows your soul room to grow. Never expect to outgrow loneliness. Never hope to find people who will understand you, someone to fill that space. An intelligent, sensitive person is the exception, the very great exception. If you expect to find people who will understand you, you will grow murderous with disappointment. The best you'll ever do is to understand yourself, know what it is that you want, and not let the cattle stand in your way.”
― Janet Fitch, White Oleander

(photo via wit+delight)

amazing quote

I've been seeing this sentiment everywhere and thinking lots about it...

Doesn't it make you feel so motivated? I'm also focusing on the "sleeping" part, because you can't live your best life and "move mountains" without some quality rest. So make sure to take gentle care of yourself :)

(via 1, 2)

sweet encouragement

I took myself on a little date yesterday -- lots of walking, some window shopping, frozen yogurt, and some self reflection...

I'm loving my "me" time so much more than I used to. I'll go for jogs or read magazines in a park, and think about the new things I want to try, and what I'd like to learn... All of which has been super encouraging, like this Dr. Seuss quote. Do you cherish your quiet time too?

(photo via sun-shower)

mind and matter

Dear readers: If you're ever curious about all the aesthetic fluff that lingers in the right side of my brain, this is what you'll find...

This wall

This interesting coat

This photograph

This classic messenger

This quirky print

Yes, LOTS of beauty on my mind lately. I just bought a new bright red moleskine at McNally J's to write down all my thoughts, since they tend to come to me at the oddest times (3AM, mid-class, while thrift shopping). What's on your mind?

straight talk

“I’m a modern woman in the sense of I take care of myself, I’m fiercely independent and I’m really ambitious; yet I have these old-school thoughts ingrained in my mind. I do like to belong to a man. I love having a man in my life and being his woman at the end of the day. I know it’s a dichotomy.” -- Eva Mendes to W Magazine

Isn't that so honest? And so very true? Go Eva!

wise words

This week is passing by so quickly - no, scratch that, the weekend passed by so quickly! Brooklyn Flea, rooftop reading, drinks on a boat docked on the Hudson River, buying even more books... mmm, summer weekends are so yummy. They're such great opportunities to muse and dream. Instead of thinking about schoolwork or jobs, we're reflecting on the things that inspire us and the personal philosophies that shape the way we live our lives, like the messages in these great photos. So exhilarating, no? Both weekends and these wise words!

(Dreamy polaroids by Parker Fitzgerald)

I love Tina Fey... and Liz Lemon!

"I want someone who will be monogamous and nice to his mother. And I want someone who likes musicals, but knows to just shut his mouth when I’m watching 'Lost.' And I want someone who thinks being really into cars is lame, and strip clubs are gross. I want someone who will actually empty the dishwasher instead of just taking out forks as needed - like I do. I want someone with clean hands and feet and beefy forearms, like a damned Disney prince. And I want him to genuinely like me. Even when I’m old. And that’s what I want."

- Liz Lemon, 30 Rock