47-Quiet Your Mind

So I suppose it's time to account for the lack of updates on my part lately. The honest truth is I've been struggling, in every sense of the word. I'm not complaining, quite the opposite, but I think it's due time that I admit to myself and everyone else that it's not the best of times for me. I've had a lot thrown at me recently, and my life has been thrown in all different directions. Every day I feel like I have a new mountain to climb, and the whole time, I'm wearing flip flops, struggling to get up the first hill.
I'm lucky to have the people in my life that I have. I've got the best friends and family I ever could have asked for. But sometimes it's hard to see through the muck to the brighter side.
Assume what you will, because I know people are going to, but my problems don't revolve around just one thing. I was telling a friend yesterday that 2010 has had my highest highs and my lowest lows. I can't call it a bad year, nor would I want to. If anything, it's taught me some of the most valuable lessons I've ever learned.
I'm beginning again in so many ways in my life, and it's scary, but it's also really, really exhilarating. I know that once this storm (or series of storms, rather) breaks, I'll be able to see the sun and it will be brighter than it's ever been for me. It just takes time, and for the moment, I'll just have to wait.

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45-Put Your Brave Face On

Product Name: Yes to Tomatoes
Product Type: Facial Mask
Purchased at: Target
Price: $$
Purpose: According to the website: "Yes to Tomatoes Facial Mask is a total deep pore treatment that refines, purifies and even moisturizes your skin, while keeping your complexion clean, clear, and balanced."
Review: I've used this mask several times since I've gotten it and I'm absolutely in love. It smells amazing, it takes 5 minutes out of my day, and I've already noticed an improvement in my skin (my pores and blemishes, especially). I have very oily skin, which is what this mask was made for, and I've noticed less oil production throughout the day, but it doesn't dry my face out either. I definitely recommend this mask, but only to those of you with oily skin. The rest of you will probably find it a bit drying. However, the "Yes To..." brand offers different masks for various skin types.
The Bottom Line: A bit pricey compared to your every day drugstore facial masks, but definitely worth the price you're paying.
Overall Rating: 8.5/10


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43-Different Kind of Fine

Things don't always work out the way you want. That's just life, and it's a hard realization for a lot of people. Everyone struggles, day in and day out, with their own demons. Some people shout their troubles from the rooftops and others keep it all bottled up. I can't personally say which is right, because everyone is different.
I just know that when things seem like they couldn't get any worse, and when you feel like you'll never be able to find the strength to pick yourself up off of the ground, something...even the smallest moment, breaks through and proves otherwise. Even the tiniest detail can turn your whole day, your whole outlook around, and it's in those little moments that everything gets turned around. Let the little things into your head and your heart. Don't shut them out, don't turn them away. Embrace them, and listen to them because it's in those moments that (if you're really listening), you'll realize that everything is going to be okay.

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25-Headed Down South to the Land of the Pines

Life can change so instantly that you never see it coming. Things you didn't plan or even want to happen come in and swoop down and take over your life and they usually end up being the biggest blessing. Six months ago, I thought I had my life figured out for the next 10 years. I had it all laid out. But then, as it often does, life happened and knocked me on my ass in a big way. I made an impromptu decision to do something that I'd never considered and while it cost me quite a bit in some ways, it's changed my life for the better in almost every other way.
I couldn't be happier than I am right now, and that's the honest truth. I've been learning to lean on myself in a big way, more than I ever have before, and it's teaching me that I'm a lot stronger than I ever gave myself credit for. I can do anything and I am, and that is the most empowering feeling in the world.

14- I See the World With Brand New Eyes

7/365- Cap, originally uploaded by monica jennison.

This is one of my favorite self-portraits. I just really love how it turned out.

I've been starting to see a lot of things very differently lately, including myself and the world around me, and I think that this photo is a reflection of that. I think that's an important part of growing up. You realize a lot about the world and the people around you, and who you are as a person. The things that you begin to realize as you get older (and wiser) start to shape you in ways you never thought possible. Thus far, it's only been a positive force in my life. I've got an amazing support system helping me along the way on this bumpy journey, and that means more than I'll ever be able to properly put into words.

I've come to terms with that fact that people change, and not always for the better. People grow apart, some grow up, and some never do. That's just life, and you have to take the good with the bad in order to truly understand and appreciate everything. Yet, I feel like each and every day, especially lately I'm waking up and seeing things that I had never noticed before, or even seeing things in a different light. I'm becoming more aware of so much that is around me. It's difficult to accept that you're simply seeing things in a new and intriguing way, but if I hold back from admitting it to myself or others, I'm going to miss out on all the things that are happening. It's a beautiful world, and it has it's share of goods and bads and ups and downs, but I don't want to close my eyes and miss out on a single minute.

6-I'll Follow Your Lead

Feet, originally uploaded by monica jennison.

It's getting closer and closer to 2010. For a lot of people that means new beginnings. Many have suffered pain, loss, struggle, torment, and extreme difficulty in 2009. Even if you haven't endured any great tragedy in the past year, who says you cannot start over, start fresh in the new year?
This doesn't necessarily mean setting any goals or resolutions. Maybe that's just setting yourself up for disappointment. Instead of resolving to work out, lose weight, write more, why not just resolve to be more of who you truly are? Be yourself, do what makes you happy, fight for your soul and your sanity. You're what counts in the end, and if you've got yourself squared away, everything else will surely fall right into place.