Quiet time was never a punishment

It's amazing how clear the mind is when you don't have music jamming, your phone buzzing, or social media filling your head. We all need these moments to take a step back and think about where we are, where we are trying to go, and if the steps we are taking are the right ones. Today I sat down to do my daily readings and it hit me how off track I've gotten from where I was. What started this? How did this happen? When did the train switch tracks?!

Then it hit me, it wasn't just one decision which led me here. It was one excuse, which made another excuse acceptable, which inevitably led me to fall asleep as I let life take me wherever it wanted not noticing the train switching courses.

Quiet time used to be the time I had alone with God to talk to, listen, and contemplate. When that was cut out of my schedule, so was mental clarity. Resulting in frustration and ranting to friends and family, thinking that would solve problems. But they have their own life to consider and only you know exactly what your heart is calling you towards.

Parents had it right when they sent you to the corner for time out to think about what you did. I don't know about you but I spent that time thinking about how mean my parents were, or how I would get my brother back for getting me in trouble, or just simply how pretty my next art project would be. But as time dragged on more slowly than we thought possible, eventually it hit that maybe I shouldn't have tripped my brother on purpose and that I really did owe him an apology.

If only life's problems were that simple now! But whether we like it or not, we needed that time to take a step back and think about why we were where we were. I truly believe that Our Father now tells us we need time out whenever we become anxious or lonely. He's telling us to sit down and think about what we did. That He's always right there and we just need to be quiet and listen. Life's not as hard as we make it out to be when He's the one who we let conduct our train.

So I challenge you to start today by spending just 15 minutes alone, no phone, no laptop, no friend. Try this everyday for one week and let me know if you see a difference!

Ultimately I strive to live up to St. Francis de Sales advice: "30 minutes meditation with God is absolutely necessary, unless you are busy, then an hour."

Until next time,
~Mina

"You don't know you're beautiful"

 Famous words we hear in songs like this makes us stop and wonder how beautiful we are in the eyes of others. But then we stare in the mirror and see our image staring back at us. The person we know speaks the words we wish were different, the one who does things that we regret, the only being we can blame for where we are today.
You know what? Every other person on this earth is thinking the same thing. We are human. But that's what is so amazing about relationships. We are here for each other to encourage, to point out the beauty we see in each other. Not to take away from it.

    Yesterday as I got ready for church, everything I put on just didn't look as beautiful as it did on the hanger. And as I watched the clock tick away I realized it was time for me to settle on a outfit. But it was then that it hit me, I'm not going to impress others, I'm going to glorify God. So I threw on a pretty dress and some comfy shoes and headed to church.

    I hoped no one I admired saw me as I felt like a mess. Mass began and I remembered the real reason I was there. Afterwards I said a few prayers in hopes that my relationship with God would become miraculously stronger as I told Him everything I wanted. But I heard my subconscious telling me to wait and listen for Him. I heard nothing. So I impatiently went to Mary. Nothing. St. Joseph? Nothing. Well here I am, asking, wretched, pleading. I've laid it all at your feet Lord. It's time for me to go. I picked up my purse and began walking towards the door. He pulled me back. I shook my head and looked at the tabernacle, "No, you're just going to make me cry and I don't need that". So I walked closer to the door, and He pulled my heart more. "What do you want? I'm here and I can't hear you so I don't know what more you want. Why won't you just let me go?"

  Then He answered, "Just sit still. I love you". "I know" I said. "You say that all the time". He said, "No, I really love you. You are so incredibly beautiful, you are my creation", as makeup running tears ran down my cheeks and rainy weather frizzy hair popped out of my veil. He described it in words that I cannot explain but that made perfect sense. He spoke right to my heart. Quite literally. I knew it was Him. Not a made up- self encouraging- voice to pick up and move along. It was the only voice I knew could keep me going. The reason I have to strive for perfection. The reason I fail time and time again only to pick myself up and move onward.

    As we reflect on this Lenten season, let us remember the reason for the season. Our Lord, our Great Almighty, The One and Only, King of Kings, Yaweh, Our Savior Jesus Christ, died for us on a cross. The most humiliating death that He did not deserve. He did it for us. He humbled Himself for us, on this lowly earth, to show us how much we are worth, how much He loves us.

   So this Lent, let us stop looking in the mirror and comparing ourselves to the latest magazine cover in the checkout line. Rather, let us look in the mirror and see who He has created us to be. Let us look at all He has given us and ask Him how we can give it back to Him. How can we tha nk Him? How can we stop degrading ourselves and start realizing how involved He is in our lives?

You are worth more than you can fathom.

Until next Monday!
~Mina

Happy Valentine's Ash Wednesday!

Valentine's day and Ash Wednesday?!

At first when I looked on my calendar to see what day Ash Wednesday fell on, I immediately laughed as I realized what day is was.

To all my single girl friends out there, we all know how much we already dread Valentine's day. The constant reminder in the store from months before of how you are alone is hard enough as culture pushes us to feel like we can only be happy with someone to fulfill us.

But as I counted down the days to the day I despise, I found myself looking forward more and more to this day!

It's Ash Wednesday, the day so many people flock to church even though they may not go every Sunday. I'ts the day we remember we are from dust and to dust we shall return. The day we reflect on Who we rely on most, that we would be nothing without Him. The day we fast to clarify our thoughts and hearts to remember to say no to self and listen to God.

So how fitting that this day to remember how dependent we are on the one who loves us more perfectly than anyone ever could, fell on the same day that we express love to the one dearest to us. Instead of buying chocolate and thinking about how much we are loved, we get to say no to ourselves and express to Him how much we love Him.

He is always reminding us how much He loves us, whether we listen or not. So this Lent let us focus on how we can show our love for Him. What can we do in our lives to repay Him for all He's given us?

May Freedom Ring

Happy 4th of July!!!

How wonderful it is to live in such a free country! One of my favorite holidays, not only because of the food and fireworks (dynamic combo!), but also because of the unity that it brings to our great country on this day. Heck yeah, I'm proud to be American!
However, there is a responsibility that we have due to the freedom we are given. It doesn't mean that we can do whatever we want, rather that we have the ability to live our lives to the greatest extent possible! The beauty in that idea is that we are free to enable ourselves beyond measure. It gives us the chance to open our mind to more, to grow, to share, to not be restricted. Yet somehow we all tend to flow with the trends, to follow whatever is most popular, we restrict ourselves by what others are thinking. I dare you this 4th of July to truly celebrate your freedom by stepping out of the box. To spend time thinking about how you can utilize this gift and not to abuse it.

What are you most thankful for about this opportunity that we were given 241 yrs ago?

How about the fact that you get to be whoever you want? Lately I've been worn down by trying to follow the world, prioritizing money and appearance. But that's not who I want to be. Would it be nice to be rich and everyone love you? Heck yes it would! But not if that doesn't make you happy. Use this opportunity to become the best version of yourself!

This 4th, I'll be celebrating my freedom by working on my clothing line. To help enable women to dress to express their beauty. Not revealing their body, but revealing who they are as beautiful women. This way I'll be utilizing the gifts I've been given and stepping outside the box.

God bless America!

Parisian experience

Paris, France- The dream destination. 

Never did this seem possible to actually see the Effile tower!

As we planned our day, it hit me how silly it was to long so much to see this one structure. I've seen it in so many pictures, why was it such a big deal? Maybe I could go without seeing it... yet I couldn't resist! 

We set out for the long walk to see this one monument. And oh how glad we were! It was larger and just overall more glorious in person than ever imagined. As we stood underneath and stared up in amazement we couldn't understand why we were so fascinated!

After that spectacle, the whole of Paris looked more beautiful. Now, we saw this historical monument, the whole city was historic in our eyes. Even though the fashion designer in me wished to see a chic and fabulous fashion province, we got to see this historic city where so much has happened. This was why it was so beautiful! Society is built off of history. Mistakes and accomplishments. Betterment is only possible through learning from what has been done. This city is a prime example of all that has happened and continues to build upon that, not in place of it.

 Notre Dame! 

Sainte Chapelle  

 

 

 

  

Ultimately, the lesson learned here was that beauty is not in perfection alone. The beauty of Paris is not in all its glory, but the history, the accomplishments. 

So often we get frustrated and avoid taking chances for fear of not reaching perfection. But once you achieve your goal, there is always another one to strive for. In such a way, we aim for perfection and therefore slowly conquer our fears. Try to do one thing that scares you every day and see just how much you grow in a year! ~Mina

Satisfying the Wanderlust

Florence, Italy more commonly known to the locals as Firenze, is officially when I fell in love with exploring.

If you look at an overview of the map of this city you'll see the center becomes so intricately webbed with streets. It was so easy to get lost!

So that is exactly what we did. We rented some bikes, grabbed a map, then let ourselves get lost. It was the epitome of thrilling. Racing through winding, narrow streets, every other one crowded with people, no idea where we were, but enjoying every new discovery made.

Instead of being stressed about making plans and getting to see specific places, we went wherever. This is what adventure is. This was the satisfaction of wanderlust.

So easy it is to become entrapped in a schedule of everyday life that we often forget to open our eyes, breathe in our surroundings and find the beauty that's right in front of us.

Sure, Florence is one of the most beautiful cities, but it taught me my next greatest lesson.

Life is beautiful

This city will forever be dear to me for all it has taught me.

Here are some highlights of this beautiful city!

Starting off down the alleyways

piazza della signoria

I can officially say I've seen a ghost ;-)

Bridge over alley way

This was just too perfect

Overlook from Michelangelo Square

The Duomo, No shot could cove the majesty of this Church! 

If you haven't been here already, I hope you can one day experience this city too!


~Mina

Dreams Can Become Reality

Blogging was once again put on a halt, this time due to a European adventure including my two feet,
a backpack, and a camera.

 For six weeks I traveled through Italy, France, Germany, Scotland, Ireland, and England!

I've heard stories of how this trip could be life changing, but always just assumed it was just something Hollywood made up, you know, like Eat, Pray, Love. 

Well, those six weeks were truly transformational!

Through the next few weeks I hope to share as much beauty and lessons that I experienced with you through this blog. Now that I am back and refreshed, you will also be included in the growth of Mina Designs and the new adventures that it's bringing!

To start off the adventure, my brother and I arrived in Rome.

Lesson #1-
       When traveling account for mishaps! Allow one extra day per city for adjustment/rest time.

We landed safely and smoothly in Rome headed for our hostel when... I realized my passport was still on the plane where I so thoughtfully put it on my seat. Hours later we tracked it down from information, to police, to information, to security, to information, to security, to police... Needless to say we slept well that night.

Then we enjoyed a full day of sightseeing around Rome!

 Sancta Sanctorum

 

Basilica of St. John the Latern

The Colleseum!

Roman ruins

Trajan Column

 The Vatican!

 Piazza della Repubblica

 Trevi Fountain still under construction :-(

 Day three was spent hiking with our backpacks searching for our Eurail passes which were being held by the carrier. We started at 11am and finally made it to the correct carrier by 6pm. By the time we made it to the train station there were no more trains out so we were left wandering the streets of Rome for our final night. We found a nice spot by the fountain to rest, thus the picture below :-)

Due to adjusting period being mixed in with the great adventures we had not planned for, we were excited to leave Rome. We saw all we wanted to see and learned our lesson. The rest of our journey had to be enjoyed, not just experienced. So we went through all the cities we had planned to see and scratched them down to the most important ones.

So long Roma! Thank you for the memories! Until next time ~ Mina