Treasures.

There are people in our lives that we treasure, people that impact who we are and make homes in our hearts.  Two of these people in my life visited me this weekend, stayed in our home, and reminded me what wonderful friends I have.  As I sit on my couch, listening to the rain hit the window pane beside me, I find myself wishing them back.  Moments, days, hours spent with those who hold special places in our hearts never last long enough.

Kristen, the wise one, is a true gift to my life.  I can count on her to provide me with advice and honesty when I need it most.  She is determined and true to herself in a way that is truly exemplary.  In many ways I find myself hoping I am like her, hoping others consider me to have the amount of integrity I have witnessed her to have in so many aspects of her life.  She is a stunning and, in many ways, very independent woman.  I was thrilled to talk about her upcoming wedding, discuss details and share tips.  Dustin, her soon-to-be husband, is one lucky man.

Allyson, the passionate one, has also proven to be an inspirational woman and friend.  She has a tenacity and drive that many would only associate with cold, business-driven individuals; however, her love for her family is unbelievably genuine and touching, proving the size of her very warm and open heart.  She too is remarkably independent and smart.  I find myself in awe of her passion and conviction.  She is firm in her beliefs and shows no fear, which I love about her.

The three of us caught up over good food and wine.  In many ways it was the perfect weekend.  Friends have a funny way of tugging at our heart strings, reminding us of who we are and who we strive to be.  These two are wonderful women that I feel blessed to have in my life.

We did, however, miss our other halves, the two that could not make it.

Libby, the healer, and Jenny, the nurturer, complete our circle.  We have created, over the years, a tight-knit group that, in many ways, has become closer apart than we were when we lived down the hall or across the hall from one another the years we spent together in that beautiful sorority house.  I love that as our lives have progressed and we've taken big leaps that we have found a deeper rooted friendship, one that is sure to last and grow in ways that I look forward to with great anticipation and excitement.

These are beautiful women and wonderful friends.  I cherish each of you and look forward to the memories ahead, memories that are sure to include all of you because I cannot imagine it any other way.

Self-reliance.

"Envy is ignorance, imitation is suicide."

I knew I loved Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Every year I surprise myself when I rediscover my love of the Transcendentalists.  I mostly love teaching the ideas of nonconformity, self-reliance and confidence to my high school students, because who could possibly be a better audience for such ideas?

Nonconformity.  Self-reliance.  Confidence.

High school students generally stare at me, shaking their heads, confirming their understanding of the lesson I preach.  My hope, however, is not just that they understand Emerson's argument, but that at least one student reconsiders his or her desires to be anyone other than him or herself.

We are our best when we are ourselves.

After considering how much I hope these words, these lessons, will affect my students, I am always left wondering how well I have taken Emerson's words to heart.

While I am at a point in my life where I can confidently say I have transcended any desire of "imitation", jealousy is another story.  I am not above admitting that there are moments envy finds its way into my life.  I might be ashamed that this immature and selfish emotion still lingers in my life, but I'm not too proud to admit it.

What bothers me most about envy is that it blinds us in our ability to be thankful for what we DO have. I choose, therefore, to rise above such trivial feelings and find fulfillment in what I have, because I have so much.  What do shoes and clothes and smart phones have on love and friendship and family?  Absolutely nothing.

Thank you, Emerson.  Every year you remind me how trivial it is to want anything other than what I have.

I have everything I could possibly need.

The inevitable.

It has happened.  Cold season has found me and taken me under its vicious and relentless wings.

This means several things:

1.  8:00 bedtime.  DO NOT DISTURB.

2.  Christmas music will be on repeat.  Why?  It makes me happy.  Deal with it.

3.  Lots of soup and tea.

4.  I'm grouchy - you were warned.

5.  I'm worse at filtering my attitude (if it wasn't already obvious).

Best to stay away.  Blog updates will come when this monster has passed.