New Pages!

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Check out my new Puppy Pictures page to meet our new puppy, Addie!

Check out my new Favorite Things page to get to know me J

PS. Happy early Holiday weekend! I have the day off tomorrow- I think it’s time to break out the camera and do a little fun photo-shoot!

Peace.Love.Inspiration.

Meaghan

Thrill of Success.

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Do you get excited like me when things are going well? When things start to go my way, I can’t help but get really passionate and emotional… what can I say, I am a writer.

I have recently started writing for College Gloss online magazine, and I have had several articles published so far this summer on the website. Every time I see one of my articles published, I am beyond excited. It’s like the best kind of surprise- the one you know you have coming, but you still get giddy and thrilled when you see it happen. I just love seeing my name as a journalist on an online magazine. It makes all of my writing and blogging worth it. It makes all of the little things I do to reach my goal worth it. I know it’s not a lot, but it is definitely fun to be able to call myself a published online gossip/lifestyle journalist. SEVENTEEN MAGAZINE HERE I COME. WATCH OUT NYC! I truly hope I can make it that far… anything is possible right, why not?

It’s exciting when things start to go your way. It’s exciting when you see doors opened for you. It’s exciting when you can start tasting your dream. It’s never too early to start making plans or following your dreams. It’s also never too late. Do you have something still lingering in your heart?

I encourage you to go for it- who knows, if you want something and try for something bad enough, it just may happen for you J.

Check our College Gloss for some awesome Summer Articles!

www.collegegloss.com

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, Never will I leave you; Never will I forsake you.”

Hebrews 13:5

Peace.Love.Inspiration.

Meaghan

Life is Good.

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Ultimately, I truly believe life is good.

Things happen for a reason, doors are opened when we least expect them, and God will provide for us when we have nothing left. It’s hard to have faith. It is hard to believe that watching my dad lose years of accomplishment in one phone call is meant to be. Yes, my family is going through changes- career changes, relationship changes, and trust changes… But the good news- the past couple days, the changes have been surprisingly good? I think it is a blessing in disguise… isn’t that funny how those just seem to happen at the right times?

I think that there are two types of people in the world.

1.      People who let things happen to them and accept them as fate.

2.     People who believe that they can make things happen, and do whatever they can to make the most of what they are dealt.

Thankfully, my family makes things happen. We stick together in times of change (for the most part) and support each other in hardship.

I think that all we can do in life is spread happiness in times of distress and hope that it lands on ourselves as well. Reach out for support. Ask for a helping hand.

Know that you are not alone.

"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let
God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.
Then you will learn to know
God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."


Romans 12:2

Peace.Love.Inspiration.

Meaghan

New Fun Stuff!

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Hello there! How do you like the new updates to my blog page?

I love the new font I found on Google, the header image I made, and the color combos that I updated! I think it makes the page look a little more current, yes?

Here’s a quick life update!

I spent the day working and writing J. I got up around 7 am and played with my puppy while I ate breakfast (something I can’t seem to skip now). I love having bonding time with my puppy when no one else is around. I did my usual walk/run on the treadmill- once again relying on One Tree Hill to keep me motivated. Then, I ran downtown for a few hours to help out with final edit for Women’s Lifestyle Magazine! It is so fun to watch the pages put together and finalized. After my intern gig, I spent the afternoon at Noodles serving the lunch shift. We weren’t too busy- but there is always stuff to be done around the restaurant. I even got to talk with our area supervisor today- kind of intimidating, but fun too. When I got home I caught up on some TiVo (Bachelorette and Pretty Little Liars- my kind of night) and went for a walk with my mom and puppy. All in all- a very good day!

Now, to the deeper part of my post- thinking about my passions and dreams. I know that writing/editing for a big magazine is my goal, but how am I really going to get there? I know it is not going to be easy. It is going to take time, dedication, hard work, and a little bit of luck (my Irish roots may come in handy). The point is, it is not going to happen overnight. I am going to have to work my butt off.

But, it will be worth it. Every second of pain and struggle and defeat and hardship will be worth it. I will make it. I will become someone.

My hope is that I can learn to enjoy the journey to get there. I want to appreciate the hardships as something that can make me a better person. I want to love the struggle and pain. I want to recognize that every step towards my goal will define who I become.

Enjoy your journey. Never give up. You can do anything.

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.”

Psalm 32:8

Peace.Love.Inspiration.

Meaghan

Doubts and Insecurities.

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I hope you had a great weekend! Mine was busy... but that's always the best kind for me. On Friday, I went to see Hangover 2 with my mom and sisters (save your money, see a nice chick flick instead). I worked a double shift on Saturday. Funny thing, I actually like being back on the JOB.

Working at Noodles is pretty enjoyable. I really like the people I work with, interacting with customers, and making people happy. :) Mac n' Cheese can make people happy like no food I have ever seen.

I also like being back on my routine. I agree that I am a bit of a routine freak, but hey, it works for me. That is one thing I would like to work on though in the long run... learning to be more flexible, roll with the punches, be okay when something isn't exactly in order.

That being said, a lot of my self-doubts and insecurities in life have to do with always wanting order in life. I freak out when things are a little different than normal.... and I don't know how to handle life when it's not under my control. I convince myself that I have to be absolutely perfect to be loved. I believe that anything less than perfect makes me inadequate and incapable of finding true love.

A great life lesson... I am not going to find anyone to love me if I am not in love with myself first. It is not that I don't like the person I have become, I am just extremely hard on myself. I have unrealistic expectations sometimes, and I worry that it may drive people away.

I would love nothing more than to find someone that loves me for me. I know he is out there and I know he is worth waiting for, but it is so hard to be patient. Can't he just jump out and scream WAKE UP, I AM THE MAN FOR YOU?

Until then, I will keep waiting and praying. I will keep learning to love myself- and all of my doubts and insecurities as well.

How do you continue to love yourself? What's your secret to self-acceptance?

"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."

2 Corinthians 12:9

Peace.Love.Inspiration.

Meaghan

I'm Back!

Pin It Now! I have to apologize, I took a little bit of a blogging break for a while. I learned that keeping up with a daily blog can be quite tiring and stressful!

My new goal: Use this blog as 'daily journal' where I can get thoughts out and hopefully send some inspiring messages at the same time!

That being said, a quick RECAP:

We made it home from our trip to Orlando yesterday! We were there for 9 days to watch my sister play in the AAU national volleyball tournament. It was fun, extremely hot, and a little bit exhausting. Our hotel did have a very nice pool, lazy river, water slide, and exercise room, however. :) Those are a few things that will always make a girl happy. A quick picture pre-departure. (Me and the volleyball player)

She played extremely well. Her team placed 23rd out of about 70 teams (although there were more below that in the club division). Although it wasn't exactly what they wanted, I am extremely proud to watch her and cheer her on. It makes me so happy to see her having so much fun and competing in something that I used to enjoy just as much. Oh, the joys of being an older sister. Here are a few things I thought about while I was watching her play:

1. If you want something, you really have to go after it. No one is going to hand you a win- you are going to have to work for it. But having to work for it... makes the end result so worth it.

2. Having a great family and support system is crucial. I love having the people around me that know how to motivate me. I love them so much.

3. It always feels great to come back home.

Although I do love vacations, it always feels so nice to come back home to my normal routine. I am a woman of routine- I like my schedule, my lifestyle, etc. Sometimes I hate being so particular about my life- but wanting and craving a 'normal' schedule isn't so bad, is it?

Do you have a normal routine that you like to stick to?

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

Galatians 5:22-23

Peace.Love.Inspiration.

Meaghan

To Wish I Was Little Again :)

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Happy Sunday! 

Sundays have to be my favorite day of the week for a few reasons... I always feel a strong sense of accomplishment (just getting through another week, i guess?), I usually get to sleep in a little bit, my family is usually in a very good, relaxed mood (and we are all together for dinner- rare occasion), and I love digging into my Bible for some scripture and alone time. Although I really should devote more time to my spiritual life throughout the entirety of the week, it is always so easy to be excited about it on Sunday!

This morning, I got up to a quiet house. My dad had left for MVP to run a volleyball tournament, and my mom and sister had left for downtown for her volleyball tournament (STATE CHAMPS- if I can brag a little bit). I made some coffee, had a few animal crackers and hung out with my puppy for a while. Mornings seem to be Addie-Meaghan time. So nice. :)

Then... time for WORK! Apparently, lunch time at Noodles & Co. on Sunday is like a daycare feeding time!! There were so many little kids that came through our restaurant today! It made me realize how much I truly love little kids. The way they are so carefree about everything. The way they look up to their parents with such respect and love. The way they are so excited to say hi or hand you a credit card. 


And my absolute favorite of the day...the way they look you at when you put a big bowl of mac and cheese in front of them. I loved watching the little kids and the families from the 'church rush' at work today. It made me truly appreciate the beauty of family and friends. There is nothing more intimate than sharing a meal with someone- or so I have been told :)It is so nice to see happy people, who are more than willing to treat you well and enjoy good food. 


So much love and happiness at the restaurant today- and who said jobs were supposed to be boring and depressing??


When I got home from work I made some oatmeal raisin cookie dough(a little after-work sugar/energy rush was needed), and then took a nap until hamburgers were ready for dinner! Also, my favorite summer meal! After dinner, we took Addie for a car ride and settled in to watch The Next Food Network Star (my mom and I's guilty pleasure).

I hope you had an incredible, blessed Sunday as well. Everyone deserves days where things just seem to 'go right.'

"He lifted the needy out of their affliction and increased their families like flocks."

Psalms 107:41

Peace.Love.Inspiration.

Meaghan

I'm Back!

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I have to apologize!

Sorry, I have been M.I.A the past few days- life got busy for a second and the internet kind of slipped my mind! Who knew that my new job and puppy would take up so much of my time?

Have you ever been so busy but yet so relaxed- that time seems to just slip past you day by day?

In a good way, of course. You will always have those things in life that eat up all of your free time- the annoying time-suckers that are seemingly pointless. And then you have those things in life that take up your time without you even realizing it... those are the things that we should be thankful for, the things in life that make us blessed and happy.

Here's a quick puppy update:

The love of my life :)

Doesn't she look like a little white, fluffy teddy bear? She is honestly the cutest, most energetic/hyper, loving, adorable, handful out there. One minute she cuddles in your arms and the next she is running fast laps ('zoomies' as my mom calls them) around the kitchen. As much work as she is- she needs constant love and care- it is so worth it. It is truly like having a little baby around the house... I may like it a little too much. :) No worries though- no baby in my immediate future, I have big dreams before that happens!

In Noodles News (catchy huh?), I am starting to feel more and more comfortable on the job! I am finally starting to get the 'workplace atmosphere' and starting to understand where my place is and what I am supposed to do. I love working there, the people are all great and the food isn't too bad either... :)

Where are you at in life? Are you taking the time to sit back and enjoy your summer nights? I sure am... I spend days at Noodles and nights cuddled in my bed watching One Tree Hill.

Did I mention how much I love being home?

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

Peace.Love.Inspiration.

Meaghan