Moments of Musing

On being strong

Filed Under: life //

Why do sucky things happen to not sucky people? I’ll never know. Not that it matters, because I don’t really wish for sucky things to happen to anyone. It’s just that some days it’s harder to be strong. But that doesn’t mean I’m any weaker. Instead, I decide to challenge myself because I find that it’s one of the best ways to face my fears. If you’re facing any obstacles, I recommend you do the same and challenge yourself. In being strong and finding our true strength, we can each be our own greatest strengths.
 
 


Moving my baby brother to college

Filed Under: life //

And as excited for him as I am, I am also quite sad.

We are 6 1/2 years apart so some people might not expect us to be as close as we are but I’m his second mom, sister, and best friend wrapped into one. When he was little, he’d sit by the door to prevent me from going out with my friends. Some nights, my mom didn’t let me out because she didn’t want him crying the whole night. I hated that. Now, I want to sit in front of the door and stop him from going away.

I’m so excited he’s keeping the PSU legacy in the family and he’s even been awarded the scholarship I was given and will therefore be living in the freshman dorm building I lived in, too. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t sad. Due to my college years, we spent a big chunk of 4 years apart. And now, it’s his turn, which equals another 4 years.
 
Of course, I am more excited than I am sad. I know he’ll love it there and he’ll do great. I can’t imagine what my parents are feeling. My brother and I are both leaving the house… and state. Just as the sign in my kitchen at home says, though:


 

Maybe 30 isn’t really the “new 20”

Filed Under: life //

I’ve decided to dedicate {most of} my Monday posts to motivational and inspiration topics until I regain my freedom from studying.
 
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I recently came across this motivational speech by clinical psychologist Meg Jay and it was definitely one of the best 15-minute study breaks I’ve taken thus far soooo I think you should check it out.
 

 Here are some of my favorite snipits:
“Too many 30-somethings and 40-somethings look at themselves and say about their 20s, ‘What was I doing? What was I thinking?’” says Jay. “When a lot has been pushed to your 30s, there is enormous 30-something pressure to start a family, have your career, pick a city. Many of these things are incompatible to do all at once.”
 
3 things that every 20-something, male or female, must hear:
1. Forget about having an identity crisis and get some identity capital. Do something that adds value to who you are and is an investment in who you want to be next. Now is the time for that cross-country job, that start up you want to try. Exploration that isn’t supposed to count is not exploration – it’s procrastination. Explore work and make it count.
 
2. Our weak ties -friends of friends of friends – are how we get ourselves into the employed group.
 
3. The time to start picking your family is now – consciously choosing who and what you want rather than just making it work or killing time with whoever happens to be choosing you. 
 
“30 is not the new 20 so claim your adulthood, get some identity capital, use your weak ties, pick your family. Don’t be defined by what you didn’t know or didn’t do. You’re deciding your life right now.”
 
 Cheers to trying my best to make my 20s count 🙂
 
 
Linkup: I<3bloglovin
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Not Quite There Yet

Filed Under: life //

When one of my best friends posted this on my facebook wall last night, it literally spoke volumes to me. And made me smile and feel so great that others share this sentiment with me and that it’s not the end of the world (sorry for my excitement-induced run-ons…).

 Back in October I wrote a post labeled “Perspective” that touched on how “I’m Not Quite There Yet” and how that is more than okay. After seeing the above picture and with graduation approaching, it’s very fitting. Please note these are my thoughts specific to my life. I admire each and every one of you who have made the best decisions for yourselves 🙂 Here’s an excerpt of the post with some updates/edits:

“Sometimes when I think about how old, or young, I am, I feel like I should be married, buying a house and maybe have, or planning to have, kids by now. Yet here I am still in school and without a job – or even an engagement. But then I stop and think. Really think. Let’s take this week – I had my last law school class (EVER!) because I am graduating with my Juris Doctor this month! I’ve went on many an interview for a full-time attorney job. I have applied to jobs all over the country... someone’s bound to hire me, right? I’ve been lucky enough to travel 3 times (Chicago, Hawaii & NC) this year already and have at least 2 more trips (Hawaii and Vegas!) in the works, and I have a family, partner and friends who support me in all that I do.

Would I have been able to do this all if I was married to T and potentially a mother? Possibly. But during these years it would have been very difficult, if not impossible.

Ultimately, I am very happy with my decisions and the way my life has panned out thus far. Sure, I may not be getting married at 25 and having kids at 26 like I had hoped when I was a little girl BUT I’ve been blessed nonetheless every step of the way. God willing, I will be a successful attorney, and marriage and kiddos will follow – when the time is right. And yes, maybe my career plans will change as life happens, but it’ll be because it’s for the best and that bridge will be crossed when need be. Right now, though, these are my dreams and if I’m not reaching for them now, then when? I will be the first person in my family to cross the stage at a graduate school graduation ceremony, just as I was the first to do so at a college graduation ceremony. I will be the first attorney in my family. And all of this makes me feel so empowered at the age of 24.75 and more than okay that my life isn’t turning out exactly how I planned… because, in many ways, it is actually turning out better.”

Welcome back to the link up unlike any other…

Not Quite There Yet!
This link up is specifically for non-mommy and/ or unmarried bloggers.
(We still love all you married with kids folks!)
This will be a weekly link up rotating through different social media outlets for us to connect through. I hope that this link up will facilitate the making of many new friendships and partnerships. We are all in the same boat, let’s get to know each other and support each other through life’s twists and turns.
We now have an Instagram giveaway happening! 
Be sure to repost this picture with the #ilovecoffee and tag me (@dalaynalanee)! A winner will be chosen next Wednesday, May 8th.
Alright, let’s kick this thing off!
We will be linking up our INSTAGRAM accounts this week.
You know the drill…
1. Follow your host. That’s me! 😀
2. Follow ALL of your co-hosts. please and thank you!
3. Link up your INSTAGRAM account.
Next week we will be linking up our Bloglovin’ accounts!
4. Find some other great bloggers and follow along.And be sure to leave us a comment so we can all follow you back!
5. Button up and spread the word!Share this post on Twitter & Facebook!

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If you are interested in co-hosting email me at dalayna {dot} dillon {at} gmail {dot} com.

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Happy ~9008th Birthday to Me!

Filed Under: birthday, grateful, life //

This past weekend I was away in Greensboro, NC for a school competition. On Saturday, my teammates and I walked around the many vintage shops that were downtown. I came across this birthday card in one of the shops and instantly fell in love with the first part of the cover words:
 
“When people asked how old she was, she would say 1009365, more or less, 
because she was so glad to be alive that she counted every day a birthday.”
 
So today, I celebrate my 9008th birthday, more or less, because I too am happy to be alive every. single. day. Rain or shine. Happy or sad. Calm or stressed. Life is so wonderful and I thank God everyday for it. Sure, some days might be harder or less pleasant than others but that doesn’t take any of life’s beauty away – it actually helps to contribute to it and make the good days all the better. 
 
This card reminded me that every day is a beautiful gift and that we should all live day by day. I myself am guilty of looking forward to the future – after all, I am constantly counting down to when I’ll be reunited with Tim again – so this was a great reminder to be grateful for my “everydays.”
 
Linkups: I ❤ Bloglovin’, I Love Mondays, Weekend Shenanigans & YOLO Mondays.

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