The MLK effect

Let's take race out of this for a second.  I want to remove the precedences of color of skin, or the home you grew up in, or the way you talk, or the car you drive.  I just want to talk about Mr. King as a man, a man of compassion, justice, and love, and his fight for what was right and what was wrong.

MLK was powerful in every sense of the word.  He was powerful in his message, his speech, in his actions, and his influence.  And he understood that this kind of power was the unbridled kind that could force an entire country to face what was unjust and lead them to what was right.  King could move oceans.  He brought humanity.  And he was just one man.

Martin Luther King had expectations.  And if he could travel to the present, he would be sad to find how this power was lost to millions of individuals who kept it for themselves.  Without violence but love, King was able to unveil the truth of mankind and make them see people by "the content of their character."

This isn't a remembrance of Martin Luther King Jr. as the person, but the doctrine.  This is to remind everyone that humanity cannot be lost.  It's in the hands of every single person.  It's in your actions and in your speech.  It's in your influence. "I am not interested in power for power's sake, but I'm interested in power that is moral, that is right and that is good."

.............................

"Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

and this will be a sign

i love christmas. everything about it. i love the songs. i love the laughter. i love the food. i love the celebration. and usually i've always looked forward to the giving and receiving of presents.  i mean, come on, who doesn't? i make mental lists in my head at least a month before of what i want (ahem...post below..) and what i plan on getting friends/family. and once the 26th hits, it's all over.  food is put away, stockings taken down, and gift wrapping tossed in the trash.  but tonight, i was reminded that in no way is christmas over.  christmas has just begun on the eve of the 24th.  as cliche as all those reminders of "what christmas is really about" make you wince with guilt, and "how commercialized holidays have become" makes you roll your eyes, you know it's true.  the night before christmas i like to think about all the true gifts i have received over the year--the gifts of generosity, forgiveness, health, friendship, warmth, and love---all which were given to me through the sacrifice of jesus christ. it makes me so so happy to know that this is why i'm celebrating christmas.

i hope all of you get what you want this year. i know i've received more than i need.  but i know i am loved and undeserving of this love. i wish you all the happiest christmas days ahead!

2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

santa dog doesn't want anything to do with me

wishiest wish list

1. wrap coat
2. studio easel or A-frame easel
3. sheer/cream heart or dot tights
4. white frames of all kinds
5. ear warmers
6. lace up black booties
7. cream colored circle scarf
8. fair isle leggings

also
9. pleather skinnies
10. new apartment accessories

*note this is like the christmas list of my dreams.

this is a happy house

this day, this week, this month.
- it's weird to switch showers, also it's weird to switch up morning routines
- i officially don't like carpet. it grosses me out.
- red gogi...isn't really anything. what is that flavor exactly?
- all my dreams are short term memories, when am i going to go on adventures again..
- i cannot wait for christmas. can not wait.
- i don't really need anything for christmas, i have everything i want/need snuggling in my bed right now.
- can someone suggest a new drink for me? vodka gingers are getting old.
- if the world was going to end. i don't know.
- these pictures below have nothing to do with this post. they're just nice to look at.
- and
- be curious. not judgemental.

source: ffffound.com | tumblr | pintrest

life goes easy on me

in blogging tradition i am going to do another T-day post. here it goes:

i am thankful for...
- the most wonderful mom and dad, both have been so generous in the past years, i can't thank them enough.
- my brother who has honorably joined the navy, so proud!
- my chartreuse flannel sheets (that soak up adam's nasy bed sweat)
- all things potatoes: tater tots, french fries, baked potatoes, chips etc
- the benefit of the doubt
- couture and ankle boots
- my job (yay stability)
- huxley bear (the sweetest cutest animal friend)
- adam my soulmate and kindred spirit
- his family and how good they've been to us (and me!)
- law & order svu and house...because watching them makes me feel like i'm an authority on the subjects of law and medicine
- grace
- the hunger games series (katniss is one of my new favorite role models)
- listening to records while cleaning (secrets adam doesn't know about)
- alone time
- pbs sunday morning
- the pen tool in adobe
- ryan adams, bon iver, and the format and lyrics that speak to me
- my friends, old and new
- second, third, and fourth chances
- used paint brushes and a blank canvas
- fart jokes
- and cottonelle wipes
- giggles, snickers, and guffaws
- dark chocolate covered marshmallow you can only get during holidays
- and love.

we're like a lullaby

source: topshop.tumblr.com, my pinterest.