Friendship · Goals · Motivation · Self Realization · Uncategorized

When Lovers and Friends Become Strangers

20141007-135916.jpg

It’s an interesting concept. You meet someone, get to know them, and at some point, determine that this is a person you want to form a relationship with. I’m talking about romantic relationships, of course, but what I’m about to discuss can also be applied when thinking about friendships, co-workers and even sometimes, family.

stran·ger
ˈstrānjər/noun
a person whom one does not know or with whom one is not familiar.”

We all start out as strangers. Something along the line then brings us together; whether it’s friends, family, work, other strangers, something brings us to the point of wanting to become connected. These connections, I think depending on your personal beliefs, can be fate or they can be by chance. Personally, I think we meet who we’re supposed to. They teach us what we’re supposed to learn and they either remain in our lives, or we are destined to be apart… to become strangers.

In a discussion with a close friend recently we discussed this. She had been in an on-and-off again relationship with someone she had cared about for a long time, and at one point, the relationship ended. Both tried to make it float, but fate jumped in and proved it couldn’t work. Recently, she heard of this person, years later, being in the same city as her, only a block away, and immediately questions of ‘is this fate’ and ‘what does this mean’ came to mind for her. Incredibly happy in a current relationship, guilt set in for her. Why and I thinking these things?; What do these thoughts mean?; I know I don’t care about this person anymore, why am I over thinking this?

My instant response: It’s OKAY and you’re human. It’s an unfortunate cycle sometimes, but often, we start out as strangers with some people and end as strangers. You will always remember the great times you had, what built your relationship etc, and our natural human-like instinct will be to go to those memories and wonder what if? Intense relationships have a habit of making us second guess, and that’s okay, as long as you’re able to pull yourself from those thoughts and remain current. These people become strangers once again, and the moments and memories you have, no longer dictate the kind of person they might be.

I say this applies to other relationships, because it does. I’ve recently ended two big friendships in my life, and while I never could have seen it happening, I often remind myself that I’m better off because of it. These two people, have become strangers. My friends ex boyfriend, a stranger. Your freeze-frame of what your relationship was is no longer. They have changed, you have changed, and what was might not ever be again. And I say again, that’s OKAY.

I think it’s human nature to want relationships to last, to fight for the ones we care about and to try and salvage the great moments we once had. I think the point of this post is the support you and remind you that it OKAY to move on from relationships that no longer serve you and help you grow. And in the moments where you feel weak, or wonder, don’t feel guilty. Sometimes people come in to our lives to teach us lessons, give us love, guidance, whatever it is we need, and then they are destined to move on without us. We are destined to move on, without them.

To the forever relationships in our lives and the ones that make us grow… And to the strangers…♡

-Aurora Beani

Friendship · Goals · Motivation · Self Realization · Uncategorized

The Impact of Moments

“Have you ever thought that if one thing hadn’t happened, a whole set of things never would’ve either? Like dominoes; a single event kicked off an unstoppable series of changes that gained momentum and spun out of control, and nothing was ever the same again. Don’t ever doubt that a mere second can change your life forever.”

20140804-122925.jpg

I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about these words lately; for over a month actually. It’s amazing how much time we can spend thinking about something, when it weighs so heavily on our conscious, dreams, life decisions etc. Have you ever stopped for a second and thought about the moment you’re in? How did you get there? Who are the people around you and where did they come in to your life? Was it a quick decision that got you to where you are right now, or was it a series of events that lead your there?

What makes me think a lot about this lately are some decisions I’ve made and how I am able to see the opposite outcome if I was to have chosen another path. An example would be my schooling… I was down to the wire between Penn State and another school when perusing my undergraduate degree. Based on a single conversation with a good friend I respected and looked up to, I chose Penn State for the amazing things the university has to offer. From that, I gained life long best friends, began my community outreach as a young adult, found my love for Penn State football and culture and so many other things. I don’t regret my decision to go to Penn State for a second, but have thought about what my life would have been like if I didn’t go there. The key significant life changers, heavy decisions, amazing moments, gained and lost friendships… What my life would be like if those things hadn’t happened… And wondering what my life would have been like if I was somewhere else.

The toughest part about decision making and single moments, is the uncertainty. Many tough decisions are like jumping without a safety net. “What if I chose this and don’t like it? What if I regret not going the other way? What if I’m unhappy with my decision?” This is the aspect that gets me the most. The type of person I am, I like to be in control of situations and am completely accountable to my own decisions- the idea of free fall and the uncertainty of it, scares me.

Is anyone else like that?

While new-ness and different journeys can be exciting, I don’t blame anyone for feeling like it’s scary,too. I think what I’ve been thinking most about this lately is that decisions and moments we create that have significant impact should in fact not be perceived as scary, but rather, brave.

The truth is, every decision we make is a gamble. The uncertainty will be there, our insecurities may surface and there might just be a time or two when we realize we should have chosen the other route– and that’s okay. The bravest of people are able to take life as it comes, learn along the way and changes paths when needed. No decision, or moment, no matter how big, can’t be changed. Be confident in your decisions, trust that you’re exactly where you should be and appreciate the moments. It’s these moments that dictate our memories and allow to learn and grow.

To the moments… ♡

-Aurora ✨

Community Giving · Friendship · Goals · Motivation · Paying It Forward · Self Realization · Uncategorized

Summer is Here! How Should You Spend It?

20140611-122857.jpg

Summer is right around the corner! WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR FUN? What’s on your list of things you want to get to before fall? I’ve compiled a list of things I’m making sure I do this summer, from pictures I took last year!

ENJOY this beautiful time of year, doing things you care about, with the ones you love! Let us begin!

1. PLAN A VACATION.

20140611-120133.jpg

If you’re like me, you work your butt off throughout the year. Your job is your main focus and you are less likely to take a tropical vacation in mid November or December than most. It doesn’t need to be anything exotic, it can even be 2 days or a week… and it can be close by or far away. You deserve the time to turn off from responsibility, work or other everyday routines and to recharge.

20140611-120731.jpg

2. VOLUNTEER.

20140611-120947.jpg

What cause is near and dear to you? Is there something you and your family or friends have gotten close to personally? Is there an organization out there that you want to get more involved in and learn more about? Last year my boyfriend and I planned a softball tournament to benefit The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and it gained so much popularity that we’re doing it again this year!! {Check my Give Back Tournament link at the top of the page} When people see how passionate you are about giving back, it spreads! So who can you bring along for the ride? Live in the Lehigh Valley? Check out my Community Outreach calendar above to find an event that interests you!!!

20140611-121628.jpg

3. SPEND TIME WITH FAMILY and LOVED ONES.

20140611-122432.jpg

Summer is that perfect time to take a trip to see someone you have missed and care about. Have a family member who lives a few hours away? Maybe it’s time to take that road trip to see them! Someone who lives hours away? Try and organize a meet up, or plane trip to see that person. Time keeps flying by, take a break from priorities and see the ones who mean the most to you. I mixed this idea with volunteering last summer. I threw a summer luau to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis and invited all of my family and friends with Pa, New York and beyond. It was an amazing time!! {Yes that’s my grandma in her little Hawaiian get-up!}

4. DO A FUN COMMUNITY EVENT! {Like a Color-Me-Rad-Run!}

20140611-122836.jpg

THIS was awesome!!! Google your local community and see the fun events going on, and GO! Any outdoor concerts or local kid friendly activities for the family? In the Lehigh Valley we have Discover Lehigh Valley which is your one stop shop for everything and anything going on locally! I bet your community has something similar, so look around! Many times if local event are selling tickets and it gets down to the wire, you can find discounted tickets on Groupon or the venues box office!

My advice would be to sit down and make a list. What is something your deserve to do this summer and what are some things you’d like to do with family, friends, etc.

On my list I have :
1. Beach Vacation (scheduled in OCMD!) with some of my best friends!
2. 2nd Annual Give Back Softball Tournament (to benefit Cancer).
3. Trying new a new brunch at Apollo in Bethlehem
4. Visiting my best friend in NYC🗽
5. Spa Day for myself 💆
6. To be continued!!….

Why not make your list today and check it off/ edit as you go!!

Happy Summer Sparkle fam! Let me know some fun things you have planned! I’d love to hear it!

✨🌟 Aurora

Friendship · Goals · Motivation · Paying It Forward · Self Realization · Uncategorized

How To Use Your Time Wisely

How to use your time wisely.

It’s funny I’m writing about this… Because I am a prime example of how to use your time poorly. Not consistently, of course, and probably not as poorly as most, {as you know I love volunteering, giving back, etc}, but where it has mattered lately, I feel like I’ve short-changed a few areas of my life.

But, this is the exact reason why I’m writing about it. I’ve thought long and hard the last 2 months about how I am spending my time: where I feel like I’m wasting it and where I need to give more.

To discover that you’re wasting your time is crazy… Which is where I am now. I’ve been wasting way too much time on situations and people who don’t mean a lot to me… And have watched people I love and places where I’m needed, not get what they deserve.

It took some time for me to get to this point and it took a lot of deep digging to realize I wanted to make a change. It’s interesting, but sometimes you find support and inspiration in places you least expect. My boss, who maybe could have been typical-boss status at times, is one person I bounce many feelings and situations off of. She’s open minded and listens. She listens. What a rare quality that means so much… But you don’t find in many people. It means a lot to know I can have real life conversations with her that help me think/sort thoughts out.

So here are the “actionables” I personally am working on to make sure I’m giving time where I feel is important. I’ve made it into a picture with hopes that it’s easy for you to save and use as you feel needed.

20140525-115044.jpg

How to Use Your Time Wisely:

1. Define what Quality Time means to you.
2. Create a list of people/things that are deserving of your time.
3. Take #1 and #2 and decide how much of your time each listed item deserves.
4. If something feels off, it probably is. Revisit #2.
5. KNOW that it is okay to say NO.
6. Say No.

My biggest take away from the list I’ve created is to say no. Like many of you, I choose to be a people pleaser. I say yes when I should say no, and too often it’s because I want to make others happy, rather than myself and the people in my life who deserve it.

It’s unfortunate that sometimes something big needs to happen, to help us see the bigger picture, but it’s moments like that where we need to listen, and make changes. I’m sure this won’t be as easy as I hope it would be, but here’s to saying No, and making sure you spend your time wisely.

✨🌟 Aurora Beani

Community Giving · Friendship · Goals · Military · Motivation · Paying It Forward · Self Realization · Uncategorized

10,000 Sparkles.

20140408-160115.jpg

So amazing. When I started TheWeeklySparkle.com I never thought it would reach as many people as it has! With a little over a year of posting inspiration and trying to add sparkle in others lives, today, the site has reached over 10,000 views worldwide!!!!!! CRAZY!!!!!

My dream of this site was to inspire others to look inward as well as to spread positivity and to pay kind acts forward… And we’re doing it!!!
Every week I’m receiving messages about how some of my posts have inspired individuals, helped them make a change or feel connected when they needed it most. This is the exact idea of what I wanted from the site, and I couldn’t be any happier to see the outcome!

To celebrate 10,000 I’ve committed
to completing the #100HappyDays Challenge! This world wide project challenges individuals to recognize 100 consecutive things that make them happy! We all have something that makes us feel good everyday, why not take a second to identify and appreciate it!? Sign up and get more info in my last post! You won’t regret it! I’ve begun the challenge 5 days ago and already have been feeling even happier than before!

It amazing what happiness you find in your life when you’re actually identifying it!

While I have no end result or goal with this site, I can tell you that it will continue to build, grow and change as it needs to over time. Please continue to check back and share the site with anyone you think could use a burst of positivity!

THANK YOU for the incredible support! I look forward to the next 10,000 views and hope to continue delivering a positive experience each time you’re here!

✨ Aurora Beani

Community Giving · Friendship · Goals · Motivation · Paying It Forward · Self Realization · Uncategorized

100 Happy Days Challenge

20140402-130035.jpg

This is it! The Weekly Sparkle has been active for the better part of a year now, and our 10,000th view is upon us! With this big milestone right around the corner, we wanted to think of the best way to celebrate and help our viewers continue to become their Best Self!

One of my amazing friends shared this incredible movement with me and I knew this was the best way to continue to motivate and inspire our viewers to STAY POSITIVE! It’s the #100HappyDays challenge and I’m adding a #DailySparkle twist to it!

20140402-233610.jpg

I want you to think about the last time you were truly appreciative. What did that look like? How did it feel? Remember how happy you were in that moment? I bet you can picture it in your mind right now, and it’s even making you happy in this moment.

THESE are the moments I challenge you to acknowledge every day.

I’m sure now you’re wondering WHY you should do this?

20140402-234613.jpg

Most importantly, you’re recognizing the amazing life you’ve been given, and while at times it can be hard, it’s your only guaranteed time here and you might as well make it worthwhile.

What you do!:: Take 1 picture a day of a moment in which you’re happy. Give it the hashtag #100HappyDays {and/or #DailySparkle} and upload it to a social network of your choice! What I’m going to do, is upload these to my Instagram page, as well as create a Facebook album {on The Weekly Sparkle} dedicated to my #100HappyDays showing my #DailySparkle and what inspired me to smile that day! At the end I will print the pictures and have a memory of 100 amazing, happy moments. Will you join me?

Day 1 begins today, April 3rd, 2014. Start any day you’d like, but why wait?

Thank you for 10,000 reasons to be happy. You guys are the best!

✨💖 -Aurora Beani

P.S. You can officially register here.

Community Giving · Friendship · Goals · Motivation · Paying It Forward · Self Realization · Uncategorized

It’s Not About You

20140325-225955.jpg

It’s Not About You

Wow. These four words, while small, are extremely powerful. I had the opportunity of standing among some of the most motivated and inspiring people in the Lehigh Valley last night, and some of their words really stuck with me. At the annual Lehigh Valley Suits Awards, one award recipient started her acceptance speech with these four words. I’ve read them before from the book The Purpose Driven Life and was reminded that these are the very first words in the entire book.

This is what giving is all about. It’s not you. It’s not for you to get something from it, it’s not for personal gain, it’s not for praise or awards. You give and do good things, for others, for them. I love this. This honoree continued by stating that giving and helping others is about the reward and not the award. We do things to benefit others, and then see the amazing impact that was made and how others, communities, etc are changed. You propel the change by your good acts, and then the ripple affect begins! It really is amazing to think about.

How can you give now and immediately? The easiest everyday example of giving would be to smile at everyone you see. Think about it. What if each person you walked by, made eye contact with, passed in the office, etc. you consciously made the effort to smile or say hello to. It’s a small gesture, but I can personally attest to the power of a smile when feeling down or in a bad mood. The easiest thing to give, a smile. Simple concept, great reward.

The other speakers last night were nothing short of inspiration and their impact in our Lehigh Valley community is remarkable. I am proud to have been able to stand among them, and am honored to have received the Emerging Leader Award sponsored by the United Way.

The award ceremony last night made me appreciate the efforts of those right here in our community who are make positive changes and leaving their mark every day. My challenge for you is to see where you can make a difference, and go for it. The first step to volunteering and making a difference is to actually get up and go.

Find your passion, light the spark and make it happen.

And remember, it’s not about you.

Pay it forward ✨
-Aurora

Community Giving · Friendship · Goals · Motivation · Paying It Forward · Self Realization · Uncategorized

How To Live Well

20140218-141225.jpg

“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”

Wait, what do you mean the purpose of our existence isn’t to be happy?! Don’t we all strive to reach a place of happiness and contentment? I. Love. This. Quote. It makes so much sense! It’s not telling us not to be happy, it’s telling us to think more.

The appropriate question to ask ourselves is how we define ‘happiness’ and where we get it from. Is happiness feeling good about ourselves mentally, physically, spiritually? Is happiness money? Watching your kids play? Getting good grades in school? Having a powerful position in the work place? What is your happiness? If it could be a picture what would it look like? Are the places we get out happiness from healthy? Do we selfishly gain our happiness?

The reason I ask all these questions is because whether we know it or not, much of what we do/ say/ feel stems from our own happiness and how we arrive to it. I firmly believe that. we learn from a young age that it’s important to be happy, but Emerson implies in this quote that happiness is not what life is all about. Life, and living well should be defined in our impact on the world around us. Are you leaving your mark and are you honorable in your pursuits?

I have to say this is the thing in our society that drives me crazy the most… When people don’t do the right thing. You know, that feeling in your gut when you’re making a wrong decision or doing something unjust? If you get that feeling, good for you. I’ve seen a lot of people lack those feelings or ignore them all together.

When we wrong people who don’t deserve it, or do the wrong thing, even to a complete stranger, you’re not contributing positivity to the world around you— you’re proving that the world still has a lot of changing to do.

This is what I love about the “Random Acts of Kindness” campaigns that have swept the nation over the last year… It feels good for a lot of people to see random good acts within our communities.

At the end of it all, the end of our roads, no matter where we personally believe they lead… I can guarantee the question we ask ourselves or that is asked of us, isn’t “How happy did you make yourself in your lifetime?” You’ll think back and be most proud of the times where you showed compassion, love, made good decisions, made the best decisions, had honor and respect and lastly, you’ll think about the people YOU MADE happy and the impact you made in their lives. That, to me, is living well, and leaving your mark.

As I’ve stated on this site in “About The Sparkle,” and time and time again, I’m here solely to leave my mark. I encourage you to think about how you’ll leave yours. ✨

Xo Aurora Beani

Community Giving · Friendship · Goals · Motivation · Self Realization · Uncategorized

The Meaning of Christmas-Your Meaning of Christmas

20131226-100330.jpg

Merry Christmas!!! What an amazing, warm, love-filled day! With how perfect of a day I had, I wonder what kind of day each of you had. What made it special? Who were the people you got to spend it with? Did you get or give an amazing present? What was your reaction or the reaction of the ones you love?

Think about that. Each answer to those questions IS Christmas. Memories that were made this year are memories that you will think of year after year around this time, so think about the highlights and treasure them!

In my family, we use this time as truly the most wonderful time of the year. We usually break Christmas into 2 days and spend it traveling to our other families homes, or welcome them all to ours. This is what my Christmas is. Knowing that I’m going to get two full days with all of the people I love, giving them presents, making memories and enjoying their company.

Just because the actual day is over, this is the Christmas season. There is a lot of time to spend with people you care about both near and far, so I encourage you to make the effort, during the magical time of year to enjoy one another’s company- whether or Christmas or the days surrounding.

The last, but not least thing I think about this time of year, are my hopes, dreams and goals for the upcoming year. What do I want to get out there and do? What can I bring to the table next year? What goals do I have and how am I going to meet them? We all should start thinking about this , as the new year offers a fresh start. I will be posting in a few days about New Year Resolutions and will offer some great tips and advice as we head into 2015! So check back!!

Merry Christmas friends! Sparkle brighter than you have this time of year, you deserve it. 🌟

-Aurora Beani

Community Giving · Friendship · Goals · Motivation · Uncategorized

Holiday Hope Chests- Your Opportunity For Holiday Giving!

20131113-002608.jpg

12/10 final update!! WOW what an amazing, feel good opportunity the Holiday Hope Chests provided for over 100 of us who put together, wrapped and GAVE an amazing box of presents to children in need here in the Lehigh Valley. To say I’m in awe is an understatement. Each and everyone one of you, near and far, who donated is making a difference in the life of a child. How incredible is that? In the end, 70 Hope Chests were donated in the name of TheWeeklySparkle.com and our initiative to adding a little sparkle into other peoples lives.

The Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley was so excited to receive our boxes and sent their thanks to our amazing group of givers! Total, they received over 4,000 Hope Chests!!!! Can you believe it? It’s hard to understand how 4,000 children in our community would go without getting a present this holiday season, but I’m grateful and humbled to know that because of you, and what we’re doing, that they’ll have a piece of Holiday cheer, just as we all love this time of year.

Please refer to my recent post for pics!! Thank you again! Xx

Aurora🌟

12/2 Update!!

Hi everyone! I just wanted to let you know I added another drop off day for the boxes right before the deadline 🙂 It will be this Thursday 12/5, from 6:30-8pm at the Panera on Airport Rd! Please try and drop your boxes off then. Affordable Pet Center will also be accepting boxes anytime between now and then at their business! It’s in Northampton on Main St by the Roxy!

Thanks again for giving!!

★Aurora

11/27/13 UPDATE!! Wow! Thank you all 65+ people involved in making all of Holiday Hope Chests!!! Together, we’re going to make the holiday spirit brighter for 65 children in need! Truly amazing.

Many of you have reached out to me about when you can drop off your Hope Chests and what would be convienant with your busy holiday schedules. Based on many conversations I’ve had, I think having two separate drop off points would be the most helpful!

That being said, this coming Sunday and Monday I will be setting up shop at Panera on Airport Rd in Allentown (across from Target, next to Logan’s Steakhouse) where you can drop off your Hope Chests when it works best for you!

I will be there Sunday 12/1 from 7pm-8:00pm and Monday 12/2 5:45pm-7pm. I am also going to be at the Panera in Whitehall Tuesday 12/3 12:30pm-1:30pm! If these times do not work for you please feel free to reach out to me and we can work something else out!! Thanks everyone! ✨🌟

Hey everyone,

Happy Holidays! While I know it feels far away, the Giving Season is upon us, and now is the prime time to start thinking about whose holiday you’d like to make sparkle. ✨

The Weekly Sparkle is dedicated to the sole idea of giving back and paying it forward. Why not do something really cool this holiday that you know is sure to make the season bright for another? I know of the perfect organization right here in the Lehigh Valley that provides presents/ little care packages for children in need right here in our community.

Holiday Hope Chests have been created and given to children in the Lehigh Valley over the years from caring individuals, businesses, families, groups and community partners trying to make a difference. The concept is simple: all you need is a shoe box, a little creativity and giving heart to make an amazing memory for a underprivileged child over the holidays. Help make the Holiday Hope Chest Project 2013 the most successful it’s ever been! The Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley provides the delivery of these items to children associated with non-profit organizations around the holidays!

Here is where YOU and the fun come in. Simply message me here, or shoot me an email in my contact information page to tell me you want to get involved. You need a shoe box, (which I’d be happy to provide), and to fill it with age specific items from a list that I will provide for you once we get a final donor count on Friday Nov. 22nd. . With a larger number of donors, each of us can have our own individual child to benefit this holiday season. Example gifts range from socks, nerf balls, gloves, stickers, shampoo, combs, dolls, flash cards, water bottles, picture frames etc.

All Holiday Hope Chests have to be delivered to the Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley drop off site by Dec 6th. That being said, I will have two different dates where I can meet anyone at Panera in Whitehall or off of Airport Rd (by Target), with flexibility to meet and pick up boxes up until Tuesday Dec 3rd.

We can do this!!!!.. And it’s going to be amazing to see all of the glowing smiles we create simply by giving a little of ourselves this holiday season. Get your kids, friends, families and co-workers involved! The more the merrier.

It’s the season to Sparkle, let’s do it together : )

-Aurora Beani 🌟

Thank you to our current committed donors!!::

–Joe Brunovsky (+10 Merck Co-workers!)
-Aurora Beani (4 chests)
Rosi and Fran Bauer (2 chests)
-Dan Yarros (2 chests)
-Steven and Kathy Beani (2 chests)
-Deborah Ledbetter- Estock
-Jess and Billy Ford (2 chests)
-Timmy Huertas (2 chests)
-Illona and Dan Golden (2 chests)
-Meghan (2 chests)
-Isbabel Szoke (2 chests)
-Kathleen McNeill (2 chests)
Janelle Margolis (2 chests)
-Ellen and John Herman (2 chests)
-Jeffrey Bilheimer
-Jessica McDermott (2 chests)
-Jessica Scott
-Katie Nemeth (2 chests)
-Ken Wickiser (chests)
-Mary Ann Sofronie (2 chests)
-Michael Ford (2 chests)
-Mimi Ochrank (3 chests)
-Kristie Smith (2 chests)
-Adam Beani
-Michael Ford
-Kathleen McKitosh (2 chests)
-Nicole Nemeth (2 chests)
-Linda and Dan Gunkle (2 chests)
-Karen Bouche
-Krissy Erat and Cole Shimer (2 chests)
-Megan Yaich (2 chests)
-Karen Clark and family
-Rochelle Metzger (2 chests)
-The Mudri Family
-Monica George
-Rochelle Metzger (2 chests)
-Mary Ellen Ford

Below is a list of suggested items for the children as well as a list of things to not gift for safety reasons.
Suggested Listing

Have a large group that you know will want to form a sponsorship together?
Click here

Check out the other volunteer and giving opportunities in the Lehigh Valley here!