R-E-S-P-E-C-T...Find Out What It Means To Me

Sitting here today I started to think about respect. What happened to it? Let's face it, we can all say that we have respect for others but is that really the truth? If you were able to see yourself during the day would you be happy with how you treated others? Would you be okay with the way you acted? For some of us we show respect to others, whether we know them or not, but for a majority of us we preach one thing and do the exact opposite.

As time goes on, and I continue to grow, I've come to realize that respect for others have diminished and it is rare that you find some that lives by their values. Whether you are working or out with friends the reality is that respect goes right out the window when it isn't convenient for someone. Don't get me wrong, I do believe that there are a lot of good people out there, and I'm blessed to have many in my life, but I'm talking about the world in general.

Growing up I was taught to always have respect for others. I was taught that you should always be respectful in the way you act and talk no matter who it is. It doesn't matter if you don't have respect or like the person, you still act respectful. Today's world is so self-centered that respect doesn't matter anymore. Think about it...when you send someone a text message asking someone a question and they don't reply at all but you know they saw it, how is that respectful? Don't you think the respect that the person had for you is going to go straight out the window? Or if you decide to embarrass someone at work or in public, when the respectful thing would be to talk to them one on one or not say anything, how do you think that is going to affect your relationship with them.

Everything now a days is "when it is convenient for ME" or "ME, ME, ME." People don't think about others. Look back at relationships that you've lost, respect probably had something to do with it. As adults if this is how we plan to continue to act, I feel sorry for the younger generations and our future kids.

My sister and I taught Religious Education at our church. We had a class of 2nd graders. The way that they would take to us and each other was completely disrespectful. If any of you know us, that didn't last very long. We put a stop to it right away and created consequences if they were going to act that way. These kids were learning about respect from their parents. It was clear that the parents didn't even care what their kid was doing, or that's how they acted in their lives.

If people are rude and disrespectful to us, why do we keep them in our lives? Sometimes we don't have a choice. They are co-workers, family, or maybe a friend who you have known for years. No matter how we justify it to ourselves, when they do something that is mean or disrespectful, it still hurts. Even though we are hurt from it, face it, do you really think the other person cares, and even if you tell them you're hut, are they going to change their ways? Probably not! So why keep them around?

One of my best friends, Jenna, is truly an inspiration when it comes to this. She has cut people out of her life who are rude, disrespectful, and don't have her best interest in heart. I wish I could tell you right now that everyone who has been disrespectful to me, I've cut out of my life. The reality is, that I haven't. When I've had the choice to get rid of them, I have. It might not have happened right away, but we all eventually get to our breaking point and can't handle it anymore.

I'm dealing with a situation right now in my life where there are people that I want to cut out of my life, but the problem is that I don't have that option right now. If I had my perfect world, I would love to cut them out and then show them how they have been acting or give them a taste of their own medicine. It isn't in my personality to be rude or disrespectful to someone in return. Sometimes you just have to be the bigger person, and hope down the road they get what they deserve. We've all heard that saying, "Karma is a Bitch." It's only a matter of time until people get their karma.

We all make mistakes and can be disrespectful at times. It's a matter of learning from what we have done and then trying to change the way we act. People are going to make mistakes, no one is perfect. But learn from your actions, and try to show respect to everyone that you come in contact with. Why should anyone be treated less? What makes you better than the person standing right next to you?

All I'm asking is for people to show respect to one another. You never know the difference you are making in someone's life.

Have a magical day!! 

If I Could...

It is finally the weekend! All week I have kept praying that Friday would come around, and now it finally has. I hope everyone out there will be doing something fun this weekend. This weekend I have my cousin's bachelorette party. We are going to a hotel and then spa on Sunday. It will be so much fun and I can't believe that  she will be married soon! It's coming so fast.

Since it's Friday, I figured that I would do a fun question blog. Check it out below...

IF I COULD...
Travel anywhere, where would it be? I'd go back to Australia.
Meet anyone, who would it be?  Walt Disney
Bring anyone dead back to life, who would it be? Nana
Be anyone for a day, who would it be? A famous actress
Get anything for free for the rest of your life what would it be? All insurance 
Change one thing about your life what would it be? Some decisions I've made
Have any superpower what would it be? Either read minds or snap my fingers and be anywhere
Be any animal for a day which would you be? Dog
Date anyone who would it be? Jonathan Toews
Change one thing about the world what would it be? No war
Live in any fictional universe which would you choose? Neverland
Eliminate one of your human needs which would you get rid of? Acceptance from others
Change one of your personality traits which would you choose? Stubbornness 
Be talented at anything instantly what would you choose? Be the best wedding planner 
Erase an event from history (make it so it never happened) which would you choose? Losing my Nana
Have any hair/eye/skin color, which would you choose? Maybe green eyes
Live in any country/city, where would you choose? Venice, Italy or Melbourne, Australia
Change one law in your country, which would you change? Everything has to be hands free
Be any height, which would you choose? I like my height
Have any job in the world, which would you choose? Community Relations and Marketing for a sports team
Have anything appear in your pocket right now, what would it be? Winning powerball lotto ticket


What would some of you answer for these questions? Have a great weekend everyone!

Wedding Season Times Eight

This has been one crazy year. Between a new job, planning church events, and trying to balance a social life and possibly find a boyfriend, weddings seem to have taken over my life. What do I mean? Between August 2014 and March 2015 (except for February) I have had a wedding every month. Out of those 8 weddings, I have been in 4, attended 1, went to Disney for 1, and declined 1. Weekends have been packed solid with bridal showers, bachelorette parties, wedding planning, and the actual wedding.

Even though my bank account is not very happy with me, there is something special about being able to stand up there with the people you love and truly care about. It's a wonderful feeling watching two people stand there, giving themselves to each other in front of God and their family and friends. Each bride looks like a princess, every groom look likes prince charming. That day is the beginning of their "Happily Ever After" (or so you hope). One of my favorite things to watch is the groom's face when he first sees his bride walking down the isle. That look says it all.

I feel like I have been around weddings for years. When I worked at North Central I would help our office out with all the weddings. I would help them set up the rehearsal, get everything organized, assist the bride and groom on their special day, and eventually help the bride down the isle. Some brides were definitely bridezillas, but most of them were on cloud nine.

Being apart and working so many weddings always makes me want to plan my own wedding. Not only that it makes me think about what my wedding would be like. As little girls we always dream about what that day would be like and who we would marry. As time has gone on I have definitely changed how I imagine my wedding. When I was in my high school floral design class, one of the big projects we had, was to design our wedding. I have that project stored in my room. As I look back I wanted my colors to be pink and silver and I wanted a spring or summer wedding. I had a ballgown dress and my bridesmaids had long dresses that touched the floor, and I thought I knew exactly who would be in my wedding party.

The one thing I have no idea about is who I want to stand up with me. Some of the people that I thought would be in my wedding will definitely not be standing up for me (they may be attendance however). People come in and out of our lives so quickly, I want to pick people who are going to stay in my life forever and who hold a special place in my heart.
After being in so many weddings and seeing what people have done I have definitely changed my mind on many things and until I walk down the isle it will probably change with every wedding I am in or attend.

There are some things I know for sure about my wedding. It will be in the Catholic Church, my sister will be my maid of honor, my engagement ring and wedding band will be my Nana's (the one she left me), my dad will walk me down the isle, and I plan on honoring all of my grandparents one way or another. Let's face it though, I'm single and don't have a ring on my finger so I have plenty of time to plan all the details.

My sister and mom joke with me that by the time my wedding comes around I am going to know exactly what I want and don't want. They think that their will be very limited planning with it because I'm going to know everything I want. It's probably true. Who knows I might be the most stress free bride anyone has ever met.

First things first I need to find that special guy who is will to take that journey with me. Who knows what 2015 will bring. Let's face it...life is one magical adventure!