This Month’s Picks: September 2014

It’s official–October, baby!

Life continues at its slow-fast pace. Life can be looked at in different ways. It can turn into a waiting game. It can turn into a list of things to do. It can turn into a dream. It can turn into a telescope into the future. It can be an adventure. It can be a mystery.

I heard a quote this month I really enjoyed:

“Life is like a boxing match. Defeat is declared not when you fall, but when you refuse to stand up again.”

Truth.

I am in the middle of a great book. I reached the major suspense part, and ironically, I am too busy. It has been weeks since I have touched the book. I don’t even remember the protagonist’s name. That is actually hilarious. The name does not come to mind. Anyway…this is the life. 🙂 We’ve reached that point when the semester becomes a solid routine. It’s kind of exciting. It’s like being submerged in a lake that comes up to your nose, and your eyes are skimming the surface and seeing the tiniest details in the stillness; except in life we are immersed in routine and piles of paper. Piles of paper can be exciting. They mean something is getting done.

When autumn falls on the city, I get excited. The build up is slow, but then everything changes all at once. Life can be like that. Everything is one way, and then, BAM–colors change, things fall, things sleep, temperatures fluctuate and other things begin to sparkle. I think New York was made to be an autumn/winter place all year round. I think of Sinatra, the plaza hotel, and the bridges in Central Park. I think of the little lights that adorn everything and make everything glow in the permanent dimness.  October is the beginning of all of that. So, here is my list of random stuff I compiled throughout the month (some of it makes me seem stuck in the 90s–not far from the truth). As I tap my feet and whirl to Frank Sinatra, I leave you to check out this month’s list.

September, you were as busy and as beautiful as one of those secretaries writing everything by hand in a 1940s film.

1]

BE SOFT.

DO NOT LET THE WORLD MAKE YOU HARD.

DO NOT LET THE PAIN MAKE YOU HATE.

DO NOT LET THE BITTERNESS STEAL YOUR SWEETNESS.

TAKE PRIDE THAT EVEN THOUGH THE REST OF THE WORLD MAY DISAGREE,

YOU STILL BELIEVE IT TO BE A BEAUTIFUL PLACE. -unknown

2] Boy Meets World Goodness

“You’re gonna mistakes, you’re gonna make good friends, and Mr. Feeny will probably teach you every grade you’re ever in. And maybe you’ll meet a woman as wonderful as Topanga, how’d you like that? And maybe you’ll make a friend like Shawn. But when you’re not a little boy anymore, when the world taught you how to be this man, you know, you’re still gonna make mistakes. But your family and your friends that you made along the way are gonna help you. Even though it’ll seem like the world’s going out of it’s way to teach you these hard lessons, you’re gonna realize that it’s the same world that’s giving you your family and your friends, you know? And you’re gonna come to believe that the world’s gonna protect you, too. Boy Meets World. Now, I get it.” 🙂

[boymeetsworldgifs.tumblr.com]

3] Switchfoot–Love Alone is Worth the Fight

4]

I absolutely loved this quote I saw on a Tumblr somewhere:

“…Because I believe I was meant to live an epic life.” Yes. God wants us to live epic lives.

image

5] Power

6]

“To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable; and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly… to listen to stars and buds, to babes and sages; with open heart; await occasions, hurry never. This is my symphony.” William Henry Channing

7] Rules to live by:

“Don’t be so preoccupied with making a living that you forget to live.”

8] Kandee Johnson is hilarious. The truth about hair drama.

9]

10] BO$$

11] Kylie Jenner for Byrdie– Her hair looks fantastic.

12]

Praising other body types should not involve body shaming others. Certain song lyrics have been particularly hurtful recently, and this piece was interesting while analyzing them.

13] From the ABA Student Lawyer Magazine, Oct. 2014, Vol. 43, No. 2

“Legal education is a powerful drug; but if you are not careful, it can drown out your instincts, stifle your emotions, and numb your heart. Law school molds and enhances the intellect, but frequently neglects to enlighten and illuminate your soul. The damage is predictable.” pg. 8, Dare to Be a Compassionate Lawyer by Jordan Furlong

14]

image

15]

image

Does anyone remember building forts? I was a pro. Now that it is getting cooler, it reminds me of those days. Time for lots of blankets and coziness. DTBBF.

16]

image

17]

image

18] The weddings!

Sona Gasparian (makeup artist) and Kas. Congrats guys! [From @makeupbysona]
19]

jennysserendipity.wordpress.com

This month, when change looms on the horizon, when something unexpected happens, when decisions have to be made, don’t let your stomach twist itself into a knot. Don’t be nervous. Don’t hold your breath. Don’t imagine the worst scenarios.

Believe that good can happen. Believe the impossible can happen. Be at peace. Sometimes in life, there are things working in our favor, waiting for us to allow them– yet we doubt and do not allow things to grow in their beauty and unfold. Dare to have faith. Dare to hope. Dare to let life surprise you; maybe if we allowed it, it would happen more often.

Published by Gabriela Yareliz

Gabriela is a writer, editor and attorney. She loves the art of storytelling, and she is based in NYC.

Leave a comment