If someone emailed you right now, asking you what your dream life would be, how would you answer? Would you know right away, or would you have to think about it?
And, for that matter, how would you describe that perfect world - your absolute happy place?
We are all different, & would have all different answers, but what's important is knowing what you want.
THINK ABOUT IT: You deserve a good, happy life. - And knowing what you want will
1) Make you aware of the opportunities available to you, & 2) Possibly even bring those opportunities towards you.
*** What you think about expands. ***
Find what you want & fight for it. That way, no one can say you never tried.
Having problems figuring it out? Scared? Email me. :)
CoeurdalenesGirl@gmail.com

Until Next Time,
A.E.C.

46 Day & Counting...
Where does the time go?
This weekend my family & I traveled to Victoria, BC to celebrate my Grandparents' 50th Wedding Anniversary. Boating, shopping, walking, zip-lining, & shopping some more... it was a complete blast. But, I must say, I had a hard time focusing.
Lately, I've done my very best when it comes to living in the moment, but this time there was a little bit of panic mixed in that made it nearly impossible for me to take everything in.
With my cousins & I often spread separately across the city, I found myself thinking about everyone going their separate ways... starting with my two thousand mile journey. Symbolic, yes. Slightly sad, yes. Making me feel old, incredibly.
This panic was, in no way, tied in with the zip-lining experience that was ALL fun, & completely exciting. (If you want to here more, click Goal Stories.
With that said, I must also add that I am still looking forward to the next adventure in my life & cannot wait to see what their next adventures will be. I know that there are many adventures at every age, in nearly every way, & I cannot thank my amazing Grandparents enough for teaching me that, among SO many other things.

*Again, Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary to my perfect Grandparents: GoodmansJourney.com*

Still looking ahead...

A.E.C.

About a year ago, I found a musician on facebook with the same last name as mine. He was kind, generous, had many amazing music stories, & was an inspiration to me, & so many others, in so many ways.
Sunday, Steve lost his battle to cancer & I will never forget him. He changed my world with just a few words, encouraged me to go after my dreams with all that I have, & he barely knew me.
Though very sad that I was unable to meet this amazing man in person, I'm forever grateful to have met someone so wonderful.
He is a reminder that life is short, that you must live it to the fullest, but most importantly, that you can make an impact on anyone's life with just a few words. You have the power, & it's your decision if you're going to make the most of it.
To Steve: Thank you so much for every word you've ever written to me. You've changed my life, & you will forever be in my memories.

Thankful for every day,

A.E.C.

Familiar is good. Familiar is comforting. But familiar is not always the best. It's possible that familiar can keep us from everything we've ever wanted.
Many of us let the fear of letting go dictate our future. We use someone or something as an excuse. We pretend we are not completely frustrated or confused with our lives. We do not let go... We settle. And we see others settling every day.
Do we not feel like we deserve better? Are we not willing to fight & work our way up to get the lives that we deserve? Why? Because to me, that's not living at all.
Ask the boy who took over the family business instead of going after his teaching degree, or the girl who settled for a controlling husband because she wanted a family now.
Don't you owe it to yourself to truly go after what you want?
As scary as it sounds, as many feelings that may get hurt, as long as it may take, no matter what anyone else thinks, you DO owe it to yourself. Taking that leap may be one of the hardest things you ever do in your life, but I can promise you that it will prevent a lot of regret in your future.
Like I said before - Go, Fight, Win...
And if all else fails, no one can say you never tried.

A.E.C.

They say that, when one door closes, another door opens... 2010 has taught me just how true that is.
There are days when we're at our very best & days when we're at our worst... But on both of those days there are open doors... Opportunities everywhere.
That means that, even on your worst day, there are ways to change your whole world. It also means that we need to start looking for these opportunities - & taking the risks. Turn your bad day into a good one, turn someone else's bad day into a good one, turn your good day into an amazing day. - It's really that simple.
Find the opportunities & truly live your life.
Only then will you have really lived life at all.

A.E.C.

Jealousy has a way of catching us quickly. We're afraid, uncertain, & suspicious... bad 'What If' situations are flashing through our thoughts... the minutes go by slowly... & it could all be for nothing.
These thoughts can turn us into people we've never wanted to be, & we often blame it on the person causing us to worry.
Well, what if this worry is just us? What if there's absolutely nothing to worry about at all?
*Don't get me wrong, there are often times when someone should go with their gut... moments when you need to separate yourself from a person who keeps betraying you... but there are also times when we need to stop & ask ourselves what it is we're really worrying about.
Are we ruining this moment for ourselves? A moment we will never get back with someone we car about?
Maybe he is texting another girl while he's with you. The important part is that he's with YOU. Maybe he is friends with a hot red head. The important part is that he calls YOU his girlfriend.
There are many other situations, far more complicated than the ones I've described - Many situations that should not be handled lightly. But, if it's something small, stop & think about your actions & how they will make the other person feel first. If there's nothing to worry about, you could possibly ruin something wonderful.
Stay calm, talk to them, maybe bring up how you're a bit jealous & let them reassure you.
Live life to the fullest, with no regrets. Enjoy the time that you have now & only look back on the good memories... thus, be happy.

A.E.C.

It’s amazing how your life can change within seconds… Within hours… Within just 1 week. You’re whole outlook on life could be changed by even the tiniest moment in your life. Kinda scary, huh?
To some extent, each & every one of us is afraid of change, even when we know that it’s inevitable, even when a majority of the changes are good. The fear that life is flying by so quickly, that at any moment you could lose someone you love, that the lake water is too cold, or the fear of walking your daughter down the aisle & giving her away.
What we should be worried about is how much we cherish the moments we’re in now. No matter what happens, we know that we’ll never be in this exact moment ever again…
Maybe that's a good reason to truly take in every moment of every day.

Don’t dwell on the past.
Live in the moment & dream about the future.

A.E.C.

Have you ever thought about the decisions that have gotten you where you are today? Would you change them? 
Every decision you've made up until now, even in middle school, has lead your life in a specific direction. If you were to change anything, no matter how small, your life would change dramatically. Your decisions are like ripples in water. To change things... you'd be risking every memory since that regretted moment.
We're meant to learn from our mistakes. Don't regret what you cannot change. If you regret what you can change, take the chance... knowing you tried is better than always wondering.
And if you - by chance - stumple upon a time machine, think about the ripples you'll cause before jumping in. That time machine may be your worst regret yet.

A.E.C.

Every day we take risks. When we step into the shower, when we get into our car, even when we have breakfast. We take these risks because we want to live our lives.
But for some, it's just not enough.
Ask them why they want to go zip-lining, why they decided to go flying with their friend, or why they're trying to concur their fear of heights... They want to TRULY live their lives, to prevent the "What if..." moments that so often come later in life.
Don't let your fears take control, make goals, accomplish them, & live the life you've always dreamed.
Blog Songs: Anyway, Martina McBride & I Hope You Dance, LeAnn Womack

PS - If you get the chance to ride over your home town in a private plane, go! Trust me, you'll regret it if you don't. :)
I even have photos! :D Thanks Lucas!
LOL - Coeur d'Alene Areal Photos, St. Maries Areal Photos

A.E.C.

Every day, each person we come across has the opportunity to change our day, our week, or sometimes even our lives.
The choices each of these people have are limitless but many of them make their decision without a second thought.
Think about the coworker who complimented you on your shirt today, the driver who cut you off in traffic this morning. Their day, good or bad, has come to effect yours & they may not even be aware.
Though it should not these tiny pieces can set the mood of your entire day in one blink of an eye...
Now think about that second thought... you'll start noticing your actions towards the people you encounter every day... and you'll wonder what effect you've had on them. You might even compliment them or even let that person in your lane during traffic... making them feel good, you feel good, & preventing a possible accident.
:D Aww the possibilities to make our world a better place!
LOL

A.E.C.