Fill Your Cup with...a Soul Sister!

Ever since I joined Chi Omega, I've been blessed with an endless amount of women who I can truly say are my soul Sisters! The things you hear about being in a sorority and finding your friends for life is so very true, and I get reminded of this every time I hear the song "Hey, Soul Sister" by Train.

While this song is about a relationship, it makes me think about the very first thing I did with my fellow Chi Omega National Consultants, which was share the song that was the soundtrack to our lives. Mine was "Footloose" (of course!), but one of the consultants chose "Hey, Soul Sister". I hadn't even heard it until then, and this song has made me smile ever since!

I was blessed to have an hour-long conversation over the weekend with my Sister who introduced me to this song, and it reminded me of how my many soul Sisters fill my cup. From my Chi Omega pledge class to the women I worked with as a consultant, we live all over the place. But, regardless of how long it's been since we've seen each other or talked, we always pick right back up from where we left off. There have been lots of laughs, tears, new experiences, and many more to come (lots of weddings coming up J) we all share together that have filled my cup so full! 

Some of my favorite Soul Sister moments!

The Chi Omega Choir!

Pledge class picture to celebrate Lauren's engagement!

Chi Omega Consultant Christmas party!

To all of my soul Sisters out there, this ones for you! Thank you for always filling my cup!

Whether you're in a sorority or not, I hope you have a song that makes you think of your friends for a lifetime and that you get to let them know how much they fill your cup every day!

May your cup always be filled with happiness, joy, and love!

Anna

Fill Your Cup with...a Reminder!

Hello, hello! It has been a busy past few days, hence my absent presence here. So many things are going on right now that I've felt a little overwhelmed this week. It's natural to have moments of uncertainty and feelings of nervousness -- we're human! But, there are simple reminders in our daily lives that let us know everything is going to be okay, and I had one of those moments that has definitely reminded me of how full my cup is!

I was fortunate enough to visit Joe this past weekend! We all know how difficult being away from loved ones can be, so when we get to spend time together, it's so special! This weekend was even more wonderful because we got an extra day together thanks to the 3-day weekend, but this also made saying goodbye even harder than usual! While we've been in a long-distance relationship for over 2 years now and know being apart won't last forever, I still get sad when our time together comes to an end. This being said, I was feeling a little uneasy all-together about how I was going to handle everything I knew I had to be prepared for this week. I woke up Tuesday morning and just needed something to help me get with it. As I was getting ready for work, I picked out a dress that I hadn't worn in a while.  In fact, the last time I wore it was when Joe and I exchanged our Christmas presents. I didn't remember this at the moment I picked it out, but when I laid the dress out to start getting ready, I found the thing I needed to help me get with it -- a bow that Joe used to wrap one of my presents!

                             

It was such a little thing, but it immediately made me smile and gave me a reminder I needed. A reminder that love is all around, even when we aren't physically able to be with the people we love. A reminder that no matter how long the to-do list is or how unsure we're feeling about something, everything is going to be just fine. A reminder to cherish the little things in life...because they really are important and can make a big difference. A reminder that even though we may not always understand it, everything happens for a reason. A reminder that life is a gift, so challenges and all, there is something good in every day!

I don't know how this little bow that Joe used for my Christmas present got on my dress and stayed on it for over a month, but I know it was there for the simple reminder I needed that my cup is so full. Whether it's a picture, little note, something in nature, an article of clothing, talking to someone, or just the opportunity of waking up each morning, I hope you're able to find little reminders all around you that make your days brighter and hearts happier! It's amazing how we're reminded about how full our cups are just when we need it :)

May your cup always be filled with happiness, joy, and love!

Anna

Fill Your Cup...and cut Footloose!

I'm so excited it's Friday with a 3-day weekend ahead! If that's not enough to fill your cup today, here's something that will be sure to bring some sunshine your way -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrqrpMFxMo8.

And cue the dancing because it's Footloose -- my absolute all-time favorite song ever! Anyone who knows me knows this has been the theme song to my life for quite some time now, and whenever I need a break to regroup, a fun workout (because trust me, you can break it down to this song!), or a simple reminder to celebrate life, I always listen to Footloose! Dancing is required; singing is optional...but I promise, it will fill your cup full!

So in preparation for the weekend, I hope you can fill your cup by cutting loose to Footloose!

May your cup always be filled with happiness, joy, and love!

Anna

Fill Your Cup with...a Compliment!

Hello, Wednesday! If you feel like you're having a hard time getting back in the swing of things after the holiday, snow days, start of a new year, or just because it's the middle of the week...you're not alone! Things are back in full force with school and work in my life, which is providing me with multiple things that fill my cup, but I've still been feeling a little out of it as far as getting back on track goes.

One thing I thought would help me with getting things in order was returning a few holiday purchases that didn't work out. While I wasn't too excited about having to brave the mall crowd, I endured the adventure and am so happy I did because I had a very rewarding experience.

The cashier who was accepting my return was actually the one who checked me out when I bought the items. We both remembered each other and started talking about the holidays and how our year had started off. The pleasant conversation was enough to fill my cup from my trip to the mall, but the cashier ended my experience with something that filled my cup to the rim! He asked me how old I was (which is always something I'm not sure is a good question or not J), but as I replied with my age, he said, "You seem very professional."

My simple thank you to him was not enough to express the feelings his little compliment gave me. I have been smiling ever since that moment, and it's because those words from a stranger gave me the boost of reassurance I needed to know that regardless of how I feel things are going...I've got this!

So if you're feeling like I've been, know that you've got this too! We're making it just fine, and we can remind each other of that through kind words. Share a compliment today, and see how it makes you feel! It can completely change someone's outlook on life, brighten their day, and make them pass on that good feeling you gave them to someone else, too! Everyone's cups would be filled this way, which is a rewarding experience for us all J

May your cup always be filled with happiness, joy, and love!

Anna

Fill Your Cup with...a New Seat!

Happy Monday! It's the start of a new week, and I hope you were able to refill your cup this weekend with some relaxation and sunshine! My experience at church Sunday morning has done enough to already fill my cup to the rim!

Since I travel frequently on the weekends to visit Joe, my family, or friends for celebratory occasions, I don't get to attend church in Fayetteville as much as I'd like to.  When I am able to go, I'm a creature of habit and sit in the same spot in the back. So, when I arrived at church and saw my usual seat was taken, I started feeling a little uneasy about having to sit somewhere new. I looked around for an open seat close by, but there wasn't one in sight. I hesitantly started making my way to the front, feeling very unsure about having to sit by myself in front of so many people. I passed about 10 pews with still no luck, and then at the third row from the front, I found a spot! I first asked a few people around me if that seat was taken, and they replied with, "Yes, it's for you!" That response immediately made me feel better, and as soon as I sat down, conversations with 4 different families around me started happening. It was like that spot had been my seat for as long as I've been attending there, and as the service started, I felt happy that my usual spot had been taken so I could venture out and have new experiences with new people...all that filled my cup.

So wherever you are, whether it's in church, at a work meeting, a volunteer event, or in a class this semester, break out of your habit and take a new seat -- it will be different, but it will fill your cup with new things you wouldn't even know about if you stay in the same place!

May your cup always be filled with happiness, joy, and love!

Anna

Fill Your Cup with...Another Year!

2014 is here, and we all have another year to fill our cups with wonderful things! I could go on and on about new adventures, ideas, and passions for this new year, but this post is about filling your cup with another year because it's exactly what one of my favorite people in the whole world is doing today -- it's Joe's Birthday!!

This sweet man I'm lucky to have in my life has finally caught up with me and is 26! Since Joe and I live in separate places right now, we're not able to be together today to celebrate. However, he knows there is a big celebration in store because I absolutely love birthdays!

Some people dread birthdays, but I look forward to them because birthdays are a day to celebrate YOU! I think it's a big milestone to make it to another year, and I also think that comes with great privilege, meaning you need to embrace the opportunity of another year because you have it for a reason. Whatever you accomplished, survived, or endured, every experience under your belt will help make your next year even better that will let you accomplish more, survive more, and endure more! So when your birthday or someone's in your life comes around, CELEBRATE! It's one time a year when everyone else will be celebrating you, too, and another year will only fill your cup even more!

Since Joe fills my cup so full every single day, this post is in honor of him on his special day! May it be just as special as you are to me, and I hope this year fills your cup with all of the blessings you deserve! 

Happy Birthday, Joe -- I'm so thankful you were born on this day 26 years ago!

May your cup (and your birthday) always be filled with happiness, joy, and love!

Anna

Fill Your Cup with...Perspective!

I'm sure it's no surprise to anyone when I say it's cold outside! The polar express that has moved through nearly every state in the country the past few days has been a little bit different ride than the one in the movie to the north pole with hot chocolate. Even though it may look like the north pole where you are, the winter weather has caused a lot of problems for everyone. While chilling temperatures, hazardous road conditions, cabin fever, or hat hair (oh, I've had fun with that the last few days) may have you down, here's a quote to put things in perspective about this winter world we're living in right now:

I received this quote in an email I got from The Foundation for a Better Life, and it seemed so fitting for the current conditions.  Regardless of the weather, we live in a beautiful world...and we can find that in any forecast! So feel the sunshine and see the beauty that's all around us J

I hope you're staying safe and warm wherever you are, and that happiness, joy, love and a little hot chocolate are filling your cup!

Anna

Fill Your Cup with...Football!

The time of year college football fanatics anticipate all season long is coming to an end tonight (and shouts of joy are heard from women everywhere J).  Whether it's the tailgating, friendly rivalries, a cute new shirt with your favorite team's logo on it, or just the love of the game, sports in general are something that fill many people’s cups. In my opinion, there’s nothing quite like a good game of football to get your cup overflowing, and that's exactly what every Arkansas State University fan is experiencing today!   

The Red Wolves are back-to-back GoDaddy.com Bowl Champions! This is actually their third year to play in the game, and the Pack fought hard for this win with a final score of 23-20 over the Ball State Cardinals. You can see highlights of the game here, which includes coverage of a trick play many sportscasters said they have never seen pulled off before. Can I get a Howl Yes?!

While many people are getting ready for the big game between Florida State and Auburn (go SEC!), nothing can overshadow the pride my state is feeling right now! I’m always happy to be a Red Wolf, but today, it feels extra-good J.  Congratulations ASU Red Wolves! I know this victory is something that will fill cups for a long time!

The ASU Red Wolves with the GoDaddy.com Bowl Trophy!
Photo courtesy of www.astateredwolves.com.

Good luck to both NCAAF teams and all other NFL teams playing the rest of the season – the fact that you’ve made it this far is reason enough to have a very full cup of delight!

What do you do to fill your cup during football season? Do you have a favorite team or bowl game you enjoying watching? I actually love sports, so reading your comments will be fun J

May your cup always be filled with happiness, joy and love!

Anna

Fill Your Cup with...The First Post!

Hello world! My cup is overflowing right now out of the sheer excitement I have from my very first blog post!

I'm so blessed to share my journeys of life with you that fill my cup each day.  The opportunity to do this is already filling my cup in more ways than one, so I know great things are in store for this new adventure.  

God has given each of us a cup for a reason, and He wants us to embrace the opportunities He provides us with each day to fill it with wonderful things. My hope is for you to find ways you fill your cup through my blog, and for us to rejoice in the experiences this wonderful life brings us together. So grab your cup, take a seat, and join me for a fun, healthy, and definitely delicious dose of the little things that make a big difference in our lives!

Here we go :)

May your cup always be filled with happiness, joy, and love!

Anna