Current habits

A friend forwarded me an article from Relevant just prior to my twenty-fifth birthday on 15 Things to Start Doing by the Time You're 30 and I've recently returned to it because I think it's such a great list. I really do believe in the importance and value of all 15 habits listed and I plan to work on all of them.

Today I thought I would share a few of the habits I've specifically been working on lately:

• Waking up earlier than you have to. Whether it's to get a morning work out in, spend some time reading my bible, or just taking the time to enjoy my coffee out on the balcony, I've grown to appreciate that extra time in the morning as a necessary way for me to start my day with a clear head and refreshed spirit. Because if I'm being honest with myself, I am never at my best until at least two hours after I wake up. Life is waking up an hour early to live an hour more.

• Actually caring about what you eat. I remember more than one night back in university when I ordered a medium panago pizza and polished it off that same night, without feeling awful. {Of course, I also remember having little confidence in my body and piling on unnecessary layers to try to cover it up.} I definitely am not capable of doing that anymore without feeling ill the entire next day and certainly notice how my energy levels are positively impacted when I make good food choices. Mostly I've realized that I'm the only one who can truly care about what I put into my body, and so it's up to me to make my food choices healthy ones.

• Making margin in your life. This one is huge. I've always been the type of person who liked loved being busy, but since graduating from university I've come to learn the value of evenings or weekends without any commitments. I think 20-year-old Karla would think "what a waste of time" but having "time to waste" by reading, going for a walk, or just sitting out on the balcony and thinking can feel such a luxury these days. So I try to be intentional when planning out my week and allowing for that time in my schedule because I know how thankful I'll be to have it.

• Actively combatting spiritual complacency. Because I'm the only one who can do this for myself. Yes, I can surround myself with mentors and go to church on Sundays, but unless I invest in my own forward movement I will continue to stay where I am. Maintaining habits of reflection and reading each day - and genuinely looking forward to that time - helps me do this.

• Being content with the life you have {while still trying to accomplish your dreams}. I think more than anything, this one sparked a little bit of an epiphany for me simply in the way it was written. I think we so often get caught up in the "I'll be happy when..." that we forget to enjoy each day. I know that I will always have goals and dreams that will motivate me to continue moving forward, but it's just as important to be present in those in-between moments as your dreams are being built.

...and away we go!

It's back to blog here at Twenty-five & vine. I've been seriously neglecting this little corner of the internet {with the exception of the CMF series, of course} and it's time to fix that. I'll be using Twenty-five & vine as I have in the past - a space to both share projects I'm working on, as well as to reflect on life in general.

Hope you can sick around!

Karla

CMF: Fireworks and beards and love.

Welcome to Tuesday? Friday!

I hope you all had a wonderfully patriotic Canada Day and enjoyed a BBQ hot dog and some fireworks!! I, of course, did neither of those things. Why?

a) I’m vegetarian.

b) I was so exhausted from the day that I was in bed by 10pm which meant I missed the fireworks. I did hear them, however. I also heard the choir of dogs in my neighbourhood barking at the fireworks (and the resulting humans yelling at said dogs, because that’s apparently necessary) until well past 11pm. Charming.

Let’s listen to some country music, shall we?

The First: It’s All Good by Jojo Mason

This guy. Who is he? Where did he come from? It doesn’t really matter because he rocks this tune and I look forward to many other wonderful and oh-so-fittingly-Friday jams from him in the future. Apparently Tim Hicks co-wrote this song, which I find interesting because I think it would sound quite different if he was the one singing it. Either way, it’s aaaaall good.

The Second: Some Day by The Washboard Union 

All the beard. All the banjo. What else could you want in a country music video? A truck? Some hay? Oh don’t you worry, they’ve got you covered there too. My favourite part of this video – and I think what really speaks to the goofiness of this group – happens nice and early on at 0:24, in case you were wondering (don’t lie, you were).

The Third and Final: Everyday Love by Rascal Flatts

Taking us back to this lovely oldie in honour of my friend David’s wedding this weekend. I have no doubt you and Kim will share a life no less wonderful than the one described in this song. Thanks for being my country music buddy for those years in Victoria when I so desperately need one – wishing you both the best! (P.S. Specifically linking the lyric video here because the real music video is too Y2K for my liking.)

  

Thanks for listening!

Karla

Find me and the CMF playlist on Spotify @karcarr8.

CMF: Rollin', tumblin', and then leaving immediately.

Hello CMF Friends!

This week’s Country Music Friday will feature songs with titles that include actions which may result after you trip. Something that kind of klutzy people like me do more often than I care to admit. How fun!

The First: Slow Rollin’  by Dallas Smith

He really does need to give it a rest.

The Second: Tumblin’ Tears by One More Girl

Thoughts: That is a significant amount of black mascara that lady is wearing. How does their hair stay so perfectly manicured if they’re driving fast on the highway with the top down (Answer: magic)? Do you think the Zac G. impersonator was planned or they just found him and decided to include him? Let me know if any of you have the answers.

The Third and Final: I Wanna Go Home by Sundy Best

Because after I embarrass myself in public by tripping over my own feet, I typically want to go home and hide for a bit.

  

Thanks for listening!

Karla

CMF: a deer(e) and a cougar walk into a bar...

Hello and welcome. Lovely to have you here, as always. I hope the last seven days have been pleasant for you all.

  

We’ve got a little bit of a motley crew selection this week, but that’s just what happens sometimes so you’ll just have to trust that it will all be alright.

The First: John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16 by Keith Urban

There was NO.WAY. I could avoid including this song today. It has been following me all week and I’m not complaining. This song in a strange way reminds me of Kenny Chesney’s American Kids and I can’t quite put my finger on why. If you figure it out, please let me know.

Since I know you’re wondering, I knew the latter two Johns but will admit that when I was explaining this song to my father* this past weekend, I had to google who John Cougar was. I know now: It’s John Mellencamp. Just in case you were pretending to know but didn’t. Now when someone comes up to you tomorrow and asks you who all the Johns are that you’re singing about – because good luck getting this song out of your head – you’ll be able to tell them and not look foolish.

Finally, I feel it is my duty to tell you that this song sounds best when played at a high volume. In a car. With them windows rolled down.

The Second: Oh, Tonight by Josh Abbott Band feat. Kacey Musgraves

A favourite of mine from many summers ago, this song found its way back into my brain this week, which has obviously resulted in me continuously hitting repeat every morning as I’m getting ready for work. Please enjoy it.

The Third and Final: Nowhere Fast by Old Dominion

Can’t stop, won’t stop. As you’ve undoubtedly noticed, these boys are very quickly becoming serious favourites of mine. It cannot be helped. I did struggle to find a recorded version of this song on the youtube, which is a real shame (although you can find it at other sources like iTunes and Spotify) but as I am also a big fan of live music, I’m really not that heartbroken about it. Hope you enjoy it!

*FATHERS DAY SHOUT OUT! I love you, Dad <3

Here’s a song dedicated to you by another father who, though also a talented musician with almost as many kids, cannot possibly be anywhere near as hilarious as you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbIJeMniHKU

Thanks for listening!

Karla