* 2147Miles.com *

    Out of the many things I've got to learn in this life, it's that we not only get bullied when we're little, but it can continue the rest of our lives - if we let it. If you really think about it, it's true. So many of us are bullied in our relationships, our friendships & our careers but we continue to put up with things that we shouldn't be putting up with. Why? And what is it that finally gets us to take action? Why does it take so much to get us to take action?

    When I was little, there was a big part of me that believed that standing up for myself would get me into big trouble. Granted, I wasn't about to punch someone or anything, I'm talking about my fear to even fight back verbally. I couldn't do it. I was too nervous or not quick enough or had too many people ganging up on me. It was exhausting. And this bullying continued somewhat through high school.

    It wasn't until I was 21 that I realized it was still happening. Even though I was out of high school, there were people in my life that were pushing me around & messing with me just because they knew they could, people who played mind games & always left me feeling like I was the one to blame. And when I realized it, my world crashed in a little.

    That's the other thing about life, when you start taking actions to defend yourself, sometimes your world will fall. You might lose friends and burn bridges, but you want & need to know what it feels like to not have that burden anymore. But you want to know the best part about it all crashing in? After crawling out of that rubble? There's sunlight & blue skies. And then, just when you thought it couldn't get any better, you start rebuilding... renovating your world. It's exhilarating. You find a passion for life that you didn't know you had because of all that was piled on before, & you get to build it however you'd like.

    I guess what I'm getting to is that standing up for yourself shouldn't ever be scary, because not only are you changing your life for the better, but you're building a strong, meaningful person. Standing up for yourself is your first step in gaining confidence; a gateway action you could say. Each time you take that stand, you learn something new about yourself, as well as those around you. You build character & you find people who would never treat you that way.

    Making a change is a big deal. It's intimidating & exhilarating & so unbelievably scary... but you need to start living life for you. And - trust me - when you live life for you, the world is a completely different - happy - inspiring - moving - and all around amazing - place. It's one of the most incredible things in the world & I would highly recommend it.


A.E.C.  

Adventures take you places you never thought you would ever go & give you knowledge you didn't even know you could gain.

Adventures involve risk, which is one of the many reasons why one might not go out on a limb to try something new.

Adventures are always bold. Whether you're traveling across the country or you're just trying a new food.

Adventures are fulfilling & help us to accomplish so much more.

Adventures push you, give you guts, & allow you to continue on to yet another adventure.

Adventures teach you & shape you... always for the better. We learn, we move forward, & we take more adventures.

If you've ever questioned who you are & what you want out of life - go out there & find out everything you can about yourself. Try different foods, take road trips, send messages in bottles, bury at time capsule, pay it forward, take chances & learn from the outcomes, do things you've only imagined. :) Because now's the time.

For my Cousin Lena. Xo

A.E.C.

For a pilot to earn his wings, he must land without the runway lights. This is something I find not only interesting but also rather symbolic. How many of us have the road lit in front of us?

Many of us aren't sure where we're going; those of us who do may not be sure how to get there, and on the rare occasion that we do know how to get there, we aren't sure which direction we should take first. We too are planning our landing on an un-lit runway, and most of the time on unfamiliar territory.

We're flooded with so many thoughts and emotions. How am I going to accomplish this task when it is so daunting? What will people think about me if I fail? Am I brave enough? Am I strong enough? Am I going to let myself down?

As we continue to fight with ourselves - before we've even gone into action - not only does the task at hand seem more daunting, but it can also seem further and further away. We're literally talking ourselves out of accomplishing our greatest goals and dreams.

Stop yourself before you go too far, because this is important. All dreams and goals involve risk - and whether it's big or small it can be scary. The main thing to focus on is why you wanted to accomplish this goal in the first place, and when you remember, it's time to prepare for takeoff.

A.E.C.

With important goals, we dream big & often. We think about what it would be like to accomplish something so amazing, how we will feel that day, & what we will do after that.

Some people just don’t understand this. Some might tell you that you are dreaming too far ahead, that you’re dreaming too big, or… (my personal favorite) that you’re just going to get your hopes up, because the odds are against you.

There’s always someone who will want to put you down, even if they say they’re trying to help you. And, though I value the opinions of others, I cannot help but laugh. Even if the goal you’ve accomplished doesn’t end up exactly the way you’ve planned, you’ve still got an infinite amount of options & possibilities involving that goal and many others. It would be one thing if you are dreaming things that you aren’t working toward, but when it’s obvious you’re fighting for something so important to you, I feel that these people should step aside.

Just think about all of the amazing places your dreaming has gotten you to. All of the new goals dreaming has lead you to. For me, it’s simple. Without dreaming this way, I would not have visited Nashville to begin with, let alone have moved there for three months on my own. I would not have auditioned for American Idol or have had the very first, of many, road trips with my mother to Salt Lake City. I would not see the world the way that I do today.

To me, it’s either dream big or not at all (otherwise you're just going halfway), and I know I’m not alone.

AEC

As I sat with my boyfriend, watching the highlights of the Royal Wedding, I found myself thinking... what is Happily Ever After?

Clearly, in the storybooks as children, we think to ourselves that the prince & princess marry, ride off into the hills, & live their lives to the very fullest. They have amazing adventures without any trouble, have perfect children, & are wonderful parents.

As we grow older, our definition of Happily Ever After changes... depending on who we are. Some of us are rather certain that it does not exist, others subconsciously believe that Happily Ever After is exactly what it should be, & that it all just starts with marriage.

In the past few months, I've realized that there is amazing Happily Ever After love... The love that allows you to trust someone with everything, a love that makes your heart skip beats... even after years together. A love that lasts always & forever. A love that's worth everything... & so much more.

Though Happily Ever After isn't automatic, it's completely possible. It takes work, involves heartache on both ends, frustration, disagreement & is sometimes unbelievably scary... but it's worth it. Those warm moments... the skipping heart beats... the tears of happiness... the passion. All of those moments are there too - & that's truly what Happily Ever After is.

A.E.C.

We've all burned bridges, lied, & hurt feelings, whether we've meant to or not. Some have asked for forgiveness, some have simply moved on, & others have made things worse...

Every now & then we'll catch ourselves in a memory, a great one, before everything in that friendship turned sour. Moments of laughter, clarity; moments where everything in the world seemed right... & we smile.

Whether we still dwell on those memories or wish we could have changed things, that all depends on the person, but every single one of us looks back on those moments... knowing that the good memories are what keep us going.

Betrayed or not, we've come to see that the great memories, not just the bad ones, have brought us to where we are today. And one day we realize that the people in those memories have also, in some shape or form, brought us to where we are today.

Today I want to thank every person who's ever helped shape my life, in good ways & in bad, because I've learned so much. Looking back, without each & every one of you, I'm not sure I would be in this moment. I'm truly the happiest I've ever been, & I owe it all to you.

Thank You,
A.E.C.

Every once in a while, there's a thought process that goes through my head when it comes to the nouns in my life. LOL (My peoples, my places, my things.) I sit and think to myself: Alright, if this is really meant to be, then I will receive a sign. This or that will happen if this is really meant to be.

This process happens a lot more in my head than I realize, & it's my way of trying to make a tough decision when I just don't know.

I've finally come to the conclusion that life's really all about taking chances. And, sometimes... you just need to go with your gut & try to make the best decision possible. This will never be easy. Often times, others can get hurt because of this. However, there will come a time when you need to think about you... & what this risk has to offer you. You can come a long way in two months, in two weeks, in two hours... if you just put yourself out there.

Many people are afraid to take risks because of the possible outcomes. And, yes, there will be times when the negative outcomes are more likely than the positive outcome. But, you need to sit yourself down & decide how much the positive outcome will truly mean to you. Sometimes, it can often out-weigh the negative outcomes with a land slide.

I no longer believe in fate - you create your own destiny. And I no longer believe in luck. Although there will be times when the world just won't seem to give you a break, change the path your on.

Don't be afraid anymore. Don't let those fears take away what your the greatest at. When you come across YOUR chance of a life time - take it. When you go to make that life-changing decision, & you simply know that not taking this risk will cause regret. Stop & think for a moment about what you truly want & what you truly deserve. Take Action. Change Your Destiny.

A.E.C.

People have been asking why I haven't written about friendship. Well, lately it seems like a very hard topic for me to really get into, especially online... to however many people visit my site.

A few months back, it dawned on me that I was letting myself go, almost completely.And, when I realized this, I knew something must change - and quickly. There were a couple of people who I knew would help me get through this hard time in my life, but there were some who let me down.
Today, I focus on the great friends I do have, and am thankful each and every day for my life, and for my future.

Lastly, I must say that it's amazing what you can find with independence. When you stop to focus on yourself for a while, you don't just learn about you. Even in hard times, when you're all alone, you'll realize that there will be people out there who just don't click with you, and that people grow apart.

That's okay. It's how the world works. And you just need to get brave and, like my mom would say, "Build A Bridge, And Get Over It."

Thank you's: Mom, KM, BS, MB, AR, AS, SW, & KR
A.E.C.