Fill Your Cup with...a List!

Happy Thursday, and happy weather wishes to you! It's been absolutely gorgeous in Arkansas the past week, so I hope spring is officially greeting everyone with its presence and is here to stay! It's about time, isn't it?

I'm a big believer in lists! Writing things down is a proven way to accomplish what you want to do, and I see this play out in my work day all the time. You may do this, you may not, but if you're on Facebook or any other social media outlet, you've probably seen the popular and over-abundant posts about lists. There are lists out there for everything right now, and I found one that has inspired me to make a list not just for work, but for life!

Nearing my late twenties, this list really resonated with me! There are some things that are common sense, but I think they are all important pieces to living a happy life and filling your cup!

I'm in the process of writing my "real to-do list" and hope you're inspired to write one, too! I know filling my cup is one item I will add :)

                                                    

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

Anna

Fill Your Cup with...a Random Act of Kindness!

While I'm well-aware I only posted 3 times in the month of February, I have no clue where the month went! Time is sure flying by incredibly fast, and there have been some wonderful things that have filled my cup over the last few weeks that I'm excited to share with you in some upcoming posts :)...but today, I'm going to keep it short and sweet with something that always fills my cup -- a random act of kindness.

I think the logic behind a random act of kindness is so pure and loving that its action is often overlooked by getting caught up in the day-to-day hustle and bustle (I know this is the case for me sometimes). We actually encounter these simple deeds and share them, too, a lot more than we think, and today, I was reminded of that!

We've had another round of snow in Northwest Arkansas, just as you may be experiencing right now as well. There have been closings and delays because of the hazardous road conditions, and since I'm not one to chance driving on ice/snow, I just decided I was going to brave the cold and wait on the bus to ride it to work today.

In the midst of getting ready to go, I got a call from a co-worker asking if I needed a ride to work. I unfortunately wasn't ready at the time so I couldn't take her up on the offer, but the act of kindness from her still made me smile while I was having to actually walk to work because the buses weren't even running today (oops...I got a laugh and some exercise out of that one)!

While it was a small thing, taking 1 second out of her day to offer and help me put a big amount of love in my cup today, and I'm so grateful for people who are sharing kindness with others. It doesn't take a lot for a random act of kindness to happen -- it can be holding the door open for someone, paying it forward when you're in a drive-thru, or simply giving someone a smile while you pass them wherever you are. The thing that I love about random acts of kindness is that they have a chain reaction, and what you start from sharing the love with one person could actually make it all the way around the world from the people that one person shares it with! Something so small can make such a big difference...and definitely your cup full :)

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

Anna

Fill Your Cup with...a Smile!

If the weekend isn't enough to give you a smile, this post definitely will (with a possible happy tear to your eye, too)! While perusing Facebook during some downtime, I found a story that touched my heart. You may have seen it yourself because it's been pretty popular this past week, but when I found what I'm sharing with you today, it made me love the story even more!

So without further adieu, here's a smile to fill your cup on this Saturday!

Colin, a young boy from Michigan, was diagnosed with a disability similar to Asperger's syndrome. When his mom asked him who he wanted to invite to his 11th birthday, he told his mom he had no friends to invite. When EIU Pikes heard Colin's story about being bullied in school for his disability, they took matters into their own hands by sending him a birthday check and this letter. Way to go guys! #ProudPike Find out more about Colin's story here: http://dailym.ai/LS12L4

*Story and photo credit given to The Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity Facebook Page. 

Having worked for my sorority, I'm a huge proponent of Greek organizations and their efforts to make a difference in the world. This specific instance is particularly special because Joe is a Pike, so we enjoyed sharing this smile together!

This story shows me how easy it is to make a difference every day. Something as simple as writing a happy note on someone's Facebook wall may start a chain reaction to change the world. The note the Pike chapter wrote to Colin even inspires me, so just think of all the peoples' cups we can fill by a simple act of kindness J

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

Anna

Fill Your Cup with...a Beautiful Morning!

Happy Tuesday, and a beautiful one it is! I hope your week has started off wonderfully and that your cup is overflowing, which is exactly what mine is doing this morning because it absolutely gorgeous here right now! Not so much the scenery, as everything is still a little dead and recovering from the winter weather, but the weather is perfect!

I love exercising and do it for many reasons, but this morning, I just went on a 30-minute run for the simple pleasure of enjoying the wonderful weather. It has been quite sometime I've been able to run outside because it's been so cold, so I wasn't sure my stamina could last for a full run. When I started off, that uncertainty left me because I just decided to take my time and soak in the sweetness around me. Starting off the day by focusing on the beauty and simple pleasures around me was just what I needed to fill my cup today, and I hope you get to enjoy a little of this day's beauty as well, no matter what time of day it is!

I know that some people are still experiencing the woes of winter, but know that beautiful mornings are on their way for you! Until then, I'm sending some sunshine and warm wishes your way!

Something we can all enjoy -- honeydew melon is pretty much perfect right now! I bought one at Wal-Mart this past week and was so excited when I realized how ripe it was cutting it up.

Beautiful!

If you like melon, this is something that can fill your cup and add to your beautiful mornings right now :)

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

Anna

Fill Your Cup with...a Puff Pancake!

Well, I must say that it's been awhile (again). The busy schedule over the last few weeks has made me neglect my new hobby, as well as, focusing on what fills my cup. I've been able to tell this too, so I'm very thankful for a snow day that has allowed me to take a breath, recharge, and have some me time! I think it's important to take some time for yourself every now and then, and when I do, it usually always involves a new cooking venture! So brace yourself....here comes the first recipe post!

I love to cook and love finding new recipes to try. While I also love to eat, I unfortunately can't eat anything with gluten in it. I found out I had a gluten allergy over 2 years ago, but luckily, almost anything can be made gluten-free! My favorite things to try are sweets and breakfast foods, so today, I combined the best of both worlds and filled my cup with scrumptious chocolate chip pancakes! 

The recipe I used is a version of german puff pancakes, and what drew me to it was making them in the oven -- so simple! Since I'm still making meals for just myself right now (although Joe is a big fan of all of my gluten-free food when we visit each other J), I cut the recipe in half and added some flavor of my own! Here's my chocolate chip pancake recipe:

And here are my step-by-step (well there are a few missing) pictures...along with my amateur photography skills!

Ingredients!
You can make this recipe with any kind of flour or
additional flavors - more pb, bananas, blueberries, etc.!

Going in the oven....

...and voilà! The pancake will definitely "puff" up!

I ate mine
(or the "whole" pancake rather because
there isn't anything left J)
with more peanut butter, half a banana, and syrup!

You can double the recipe as many times as you want to make as much as you want, and I promise, these pancakes are delicious, satisfying, and so easy to make! If you try the recipe, please let me know how it turns out -- it will definitely be something that fills my cup!

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

Anna

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