"Friendship is the golden thread that ties the heart of the world."
John Evelyn
Live Sweetly :)
Rachel
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sweet Things Sunday
This Sunday's sweet thing is friends. I have the best friends that a girl could ask for, and it became clear how lucky I am when I had to pick between pictures to put on today's post. So, here is a random sampling of the special women who I am lucky to call my friends.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Stick Together
photo originally posted by Pirates and Fireflies
"And it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out into the world it is
best to hold hands and stick together.”
Robert Fulghum
Live Sweetly :)
Rachel
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Live What You Love
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Who Should I Cheer For?
A little over a week ago, I had the opportunity to spend and evening with my cousin, Sam. Sam is a sweet 6 year old boy who I have been lucky to watch grow up since he lives in one of Chicago’s neighborhoods that isn’t to far from me.
On this particular Friday evening, Sam’s parents were juggling responsibilities between the two kids…and on this particular evening, Sam’s mom and dad were committed to waiting in line all night out in the cold at one of Chicago’s local park districts in order to get Sam at the top of the waiting list for a baseball league (which is supposedly the best in the city). Sign up began at 10:00 am on Saturday morning, and my uncle learned after a failed attempt last year that parents begin lining up the day before to secure their child a position. Raising children in the city hasn’t always proved to be easy for my aunt and uncle, but they are dedicated to making sure that their kids will still have the same experiences as children in the suburbs even though it may require a larger effort on their part. Through this, they are showing their kids how much they love and care for them, and Sam is a true reflection of this…
When Sam was over, I convinced him to watch the opening ceremonies for this year’s Winter Olympics with me. Of course it took a little negotiation, and we agreed to first watch an episode of his latest obsession, The Pink Panther.
Between the old cartoon (which Sam thought was hilarious…I love having my apartment filled with the sound of a child laughing) and the start of the opening ceremonies, the video for the 25th anniversary of “We Are the World” had its world premiere, which you can see here. Since the song was redone in order to raise money for Haiti, footage of the earthquake’s aftermath was intertwined with footage of the talented artists and celebrities.
I found myself wanting to rewind the video to see which musicians, singers and songwriters were featured. I wanted to make sure that my favorite artists were a part of this awesome collaborative effort. However, Sam was just sitting there with his jaw dropped.
Part way through the song, Sam asked, “Rachel, why are those people standing on top of their homes?”
I said, “Well, their homes were ruined by the earthquake so they’re standing on what’s leftover.”
He then says, “Oh…there are people who have to live like that?”
Trying to use this as a teaching moment, I say, “Unfortunately, Sam, there are people in the world who aren’t as lucky as you are. There are people in the world who don’t have clean water to drink, or food to eat, or even a nice home to live in. We are very lucky and we need to thank God everyday for everything that he’s blessed us with.”
He says, “Yeah, you’re right.” Then after thinking for a minute, Sam looks at me with a furrowed brow and says, “Rachel, I’m not sure who to cheer for. Should I cheer for Haiti or the US?”
I was surprised at Sam’s sweet and thoughtful question. After watching the countries walk out, we realized that there was no one from Haiti participating in this year’s Olympics, but Sam’s question had me asking myself a question about my life…
…who am I cheering for?
On this particular Friday evening, Sam’s parents were juggling responsibilities between the two kids…and on this particular evening, Sam’s mom and dad were committed to waiting in line all night out in the cold at one of Chicago’s local park districts in order to get Sam at the top of the waiting list for a baseball league (which is supposedly the best in the city). Sign up began at 10:00 am on Saturday morning, and my uncle learned after a failed attempt last year that parents begin lining up the day before to secure their child a position. Raising children in the city hasn’t always proved to be easy for my aunt and uncle, but they are dedicated to making sure that their kids will still have the same experiences as children in the suburbs even though it may require a larger effort on their part. Through this, they are showing their kids how much they love and care for them, and Sam is a true reflection of this…
When Sam was over, I convinced him to watch the opening ceremonies for this year’s Winter Olympics with me. Of course it took a little negotiation, and we agreed to first watch an episode of his latest obsession, The Pink Panther.
Between the old cartoon (which Sam thought was hilarious…I love having my apartment filled with the sound of a child laughing) and the start of the opening ceremonies, the video for the 25th anniversary of “We Are the World” had its world premiere, which you can see here. Since the song was redone in order to raise money for Haiti, footage of the earthquake’s aftermath was intertwined with footage of the talented artists and celebrities.
I found myself wanting to rewind the video to see which musicians, singers and songwriters were featured. I wanted to make sure that my favorite artists were a part of this awesome collaborative effort. However, Sam was just sitting there with his jaw dropped.
Part way through the song, Sam asked, “Rachel, why are those people standing on top of their homes?”
I said, “Well, their homes were ruined by the earthquake so they’re standing on what’s leftover.”
He then says, “Oh…there are people who have to live like that?”
Trying to use this as a teaching moment, I say, “Unfortunately, Sam, there are people in the world who aren’t as lucky as you are. There are people in the world who don’t have clean water to drink, or food to eat, or even a nice home to live in. We are very lucky and we need to thank God everyday for everything that he’s blessed us with.”
He says, “Yeah, you’re right.” Then after thinking for a minute, Sam looks at me with a furrowed brow and says, “Rachel, I’m not sure who to cheer for. Should I cheer for Haiti or the US?”
I was surprised at Sam’s sweet and thoughtful question. After watching the countries walk out, we realized that there was no one from Haiti participating in this year’s Olympics, but Sam’s question had me asking myself a question about my life…
…who am I cheering for?
Live Sweetly :)
Rachel
Quieting the Noise
"We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass - grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls."
- Mother Teresa
Live Sweetly :)
Rachel
- Mother Teresa
Live Sweetly :)
Rachel
Monday, February 22, 2010
Music Monday 02-22-10
I realize that Music Monday isn't the most original idea, but Monday seems like a great day to share some of my favorite songs of the moment. I really like alliteration, too. :)
And my life wouldn't be nearly as sweet without the soundtrack that goes along with it....
Here are some of my current (and past) favorites:
Passion Pit - Little Secrets
Owl City - >I'll Meet You There
Carla Bruni - >L'Amour
Live Sweetly :)
Rachel
And my life wouldn't be nearly as sweet without the soundtrack that goes along with it....
Here are some of my current (and past) favorites:
Passion Pit - Little Secrets
Owl City - >I'll Meet You There
Carla Bruni - >L'Amour
Live Sweetly :)
Rachel
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Sweet Things Sunday
This Sunday's sweet thing is my family....
"Other things may change us, but we start and end with family."
-Anthony Brandt
-Anthony Brandt
I hope you all had a great weekend.
Live Sweetly :)
Rachel
Live Sweetly :)
Rachel
Friday, February 19, 2010
My First Post
Hello there, readers,
First I would like to introduce myself. My name is Rachel. I live in the Roscoe Village neighborhood of Chicago
The inspiration for my quest (and this blog) comes from a book that I recently read by Max Lucado titled “>Cure for the Common Life: Living in your Sweet Spot.” I came across this book during a time
of transition. I’m a mid-twentysomething who is finding herself at a bit of a crossroads. I’ve been out of college for almost 3 years (scary!). I live in one of the greatest cities in the world. I have the best group of friends that a girl could ask for. I work for a great company with a job that I’ve dreamed of having since I was young. I could list the blessings in my life for days and days. However, I still don’t feel that I am living in my sweet spot. I don’t feel like I’m living in that place where I’m using my strengths to their fullest potential to make the biggest impact on this earth. I want to find that place so the rest of my days can be lived…sweetly.
of transition. I’m a mid-twentysomething who is finding herself at a bit of a crossroads. I’ve been out of college for almost 3 years (scary!). I live in one of the greatest cities in the world. I have the best group of friends that a girl could ask for. I work for a great company with a job that I’ve dreamed of having since I was young. I could list the blessings in my life for days and days. However, I still don’t feel that I am living in my sweet spot. I don’t feel like I’m living in that place where I’m using my strengths to their fullest potential to make the biggest impact on this earth. I want to find that place so the rest of my days can be lived…sweetly.So, here I will be sharing many sweet sentiments from my corner of the internet world…with hopes that someday I will find that one big thing that brings me to my…sweet spot.
Live Sweetly :)
Rachel
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