Friendship · Goals · Motivation · Self Realization · Uncategorized

New Year. New You. 2015

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One of my all time favorite posts I’ve written & it’s all about RESOLUTIONS 2015!

You personally deserve nothing but the best. Click the link and think! What are you going to do differently in the new year? Me… total focus on financial and health wellbeing. Prioritizing bills, saving for our wedding and making those pesky doctor appointments I’ve been pushing off! This year I’ve been working on myself a lot and am happy with some changes I’ve made- with financial and health wellbeing becoming a primary focus, I know 2015 will be even more promising. How about you? Click the link & comment below on what you’re doing to better yourself in 2015!

To a sparkling new year ✨✨
-Aurora Beani

Community Giving · Friendship · Motivation · Self Realization · Uncategorized

10 Days Before Christmas- Mental Preparation

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We are in my favorite time of year. For as long as I can remember, Christmas has been the most anticipated time of year for me. Since I was little my parents always made sure to make this time of year very special and full of family time and memory making. One thing they always made sure I understood, was how important it was to be grateful for the things we had, even though this time was so heavily focused on present giving and receiving.

This idea has had me thinking a lot lately. While I’ve been so worried about what presents to buy family, friends and coworkers, I really haven’t taken much time to be present myself and focus on what I’m grateful for. I think that’s common though, a lot of us spend so much time trying to find that perfect gift that I think it’s easy to get caught up and forget what exactly the point of the season is- being thankful.

It’s interesting when you think about it, we begin the season with the holiday Thanksgiving which stresses how important it is to appreciate your life and what you have and your loved ones around you. I think it’s perfect that this season begins with such a holiday because it kicks off that emotional feeling and awareness of what you have around you. This has got me thinking most specifically about the next 10 days and how Christmas is right around the corner. You begin going through the checklist in your mind of what you need: did I buy all the presents I need? Is there someone I missing on my list? How many more work days until I’m finally off? What time was that party I’m going to again? Did I send that all my Christmas cards on time? While all of these questions are sure to help you have a wonderful Christmas season, lately I’ve been feeling as though the real question should be am I prepared for Christmas?

Take the next 10 days to think about these questions:

1.Am I remembering the reasons why I’m blessed?

2. Is there love in my heart, thoughts and messages?

3. How have I made a difference in the life of someone less fortunate than me?

4. Am I appreciative of my circumstances: job, housing, relationships etc?

This will help you be present in this season of giving! Write in the comments what you’re doing to prepare your heart and mind for the Christmas holiday. I will be selecting one person this Friday 12-19 to win a $20 gift card to Target to help with last minute shopping! Can be shipped anywhere in the US or Canada!

Your 10 Day Timer starts…. Now.

✨- Aurora Beani

Uncategorized

25,000 Views Celebration!-Holiday Hope Chest Campaign

***Update*** 12-1-14

Hi Everyone!!!! I will be at the Panera on Airport Rd tomorrow night {Tues 12/2/14} from 6pm-730 to accept boxes from those who have not been able to meet me or drop off at Target! I will also be there again on Thursday {12/4/14} from 6:30pm-7:15pm!!! Please let me know if you’re going to stop by and drop your boxes off!

If you are unable to make these times, Target on Airport Rd in Allentown is also accepting them on our behalf at their guest service counter! Please leave your boxes and name and let them know to give them to Janelle {she works there and is making sure I receive them}!!

Pleaseeeee message me with any questions! Each of you are truly making the difference in a life of a child, and it’s SO incredibly inspiring!! Love you all!

-Aurora
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Oct 28th Post:::

Hello Everyone!!

Can you believe we are already less than 2 months away from Christmas? Where does the time go? It feels like just yesterday I was asking who would be interested in donating Holiday Hope Chests for Lehigh Valley children… and here we are again for another year!

SO LET’S DO THIS!!!!

When I started The Weekly Sparkle, I set out to make a difference through social media by inspiring others to do good locally. Whether it was through thought provoking blogs, The 100 Happy Days Challenge (http://wp.me/P2TGRQ-nO) a one stop shop to locally volunteer in our “Community Support Calendar” or above all, promoting positive thinking, the goal of The Weekly Sparkle was always to spark change. Over the last year and half, I’ve been able to speak with people from all over the world (53 countries to be exact) who have gone to my site and expressed appreciation or wanted to share a similar experience they had to topics on the site. This has been nothing short of amazing. I can honestly tell you that I feel as though this website has done more and has gone further than I could have ever dreamed, and that I feel so thankful for the incredible support I’ve received.

From the bottom of my heart.. THANK YOU for all of the messages, kinds words, re-posts, Facebook likes, Twitter retweets and every other bit of support all of you have provided. I love you more than you know.

So, to celebrate The Weekly Sparkle reaching out to 25,000 individuals since it’s first post less than 2 years ago, we have decided to run a campaign to help others!!! (Surprise, surprise)! This years the goal of the Holiday Hope Chest campaign we are running, is to donate 250 gift boxes to children in need across the Lehigh Valley! Can you help us make this happen? Do you and your friends at work what to commit to boxes? How about some family members? We had a small goal last year, and ended up donating over 70 boxes for children! How incredible!

Here is how it works: You let me know how many boxes you’d like to donate (or your coworkers, friends, family, etc) and I give you the ages and sex of the child whose Hope Chest you can create! For example, if you receive a six year old girl, you could get them barbie items, coloring books, stickers, gloves, etc… basically ANYTHING that a child may want/need that fits in a shoe box. We ask that you wrap the base of the box and the lid of the box separate, so that each box can be examined before giving it to the child, but that it stills appears wrapped.

I will announce numerous drop off points throughout the Valley in the upcoming weeks, with a few nights that I will be at Panera off Airport Rd for drop offs. Until then, I would LOVE to see some committments for Holiday Hope Chests!!!! I would like to have them all in by Monday December 1st, to ensure proper delivery by Christmas!

Below are pictures of an example box and myself with some of our boxes from last year!!!! Check it out!

Let’s inspire the Lehigh Valley to sparkle more, shall we 🙂

Xo – Aurora Beani

Holiday Hope Chest 2

Holiday Hope Chest

Friendship · Goals · Motivation · Self Realization · Uncategorized

When Lovers and Friends Become Strangers

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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

Goals · Motivation · Self Realization

Move. You’re Not A Tree.

You Are Not A Tree

” If you don’t like where you are, move. You’re not a tree.”

What a quick reminder of reality. Sometimes we think we’re stuck in a situation or worry about circumstances, and don’t realize that they are just that- situations and circumstances. Too often, I think we forgot that have have power over both of these things in all aspects of our lives. This sits most recently with me, as I’ve come to the realization that things I am currently unhappy with, can change… and that I have the power to make that happen, when I want. That’s the key to getting what you want, deserve, are looking for… you make it happen by flipping the switch.

Do you want to lose weight/create healthier habits? Are you in a relationship that you feel you shouldn’t be? At a job where you know you need to try something new? Or maybe you’re looking to start a relationship, get on the dating scene, or take up a new hobby- YOU have the power to jump-start all of these things and to make them happen for yourself-NOW.

That’s what this means… YOU, ARE NOT, A TREE. The only thing rooting you down is yourself. The things you want to change, can change, you just have to hit the start button.

From one former tree to another,

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.”

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

Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone

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Great people do things before they’re ready. They do things before they know they can do it… Doing what you’re afraid of, getting out of your comfort zone, taking risks like that — that is what life is. You might be really good. You might find out something about yourself that’s really special and if you’re not good, who cares? You tried something. Now you know something about yourself.” -Amy Poehler

I recently had an amazing opportunity to attend an all women’s night out for the Summer Solstice. For those of you who aren’t too familiar with the solstice, it happens each year around June 21st, (which is the beginning of summer) and has the longest period of daylight. While many worldwide interpretations are different, many recognize this event in festivals, rituals, reflection and it sometimes has a theme of religion or faith.

A very well know women in my Lehigh Valley community, Jane Wells Schooley, invited me to attend her women’s night out with about 30-40 other women. I didn’t really know anyone else attending, nor did I know much about the Summer Solstice, but I knew I wanted to continue to get more involved locally, especially with someone as inspirational and influential as Jane is. I was honored to have been invited, so although I felt a little out of my comfort zone and unsure about what to expect, I decided to go anyway.

This brought me to think about how many other opportunities we miss out on simply because we aren’t sure what to expect or what the outcome will be. Our comfort zone is the area we’re used to, stand by and most likely don’t even think about everyday. But, is staying there going to help us grow? It might seem like a small deal… “Come on Aurora, how hard is it to go out with a bunch of women for the evening?” I get, it does sound silly when you pose it like that, but think about it. The small voice in the back of my head telling me, “you don’t know anyone, you might feel uncomfortable,” could be enough to make any of us turn down an invite.

Without going into tons of detail about the event, I can tell you that it was amazing, and I’m so glad I went. I’ve never been in a group of women like that before, where everyone was encouraging, supportive and getting to know one another openly. While I was nervous in the beginning and unsure of how I would feel, I took the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and to meet new people. I’m beyond thankful for the invite and know it was a great decision to attend regardless of what my little voices told me.

This is the reflective part… Think about one time you wished you had later done something that you chose not to, because of stepping out of your comfort zone. Did you miss out on something new, different or exciting? Are you afraid to say or do something you normally wouldn’t because it’s not normal to you?

Try it out. Life is still going on when you’re not ready or sure of the path you want to travel down, so why not just go? Be uncomfortable, take chances, be open to vulnerability and allow yourself to grow. It’s okay to be scared, nervous or unsure, but why limit yourself and stay there? They say life truly begins at the end of our comfort zone, and while I’m not 100% sure of that’s true or not, I’m gonna give it a shot.

To our personal comforts… And leaving home without them. ✨

-Aurora Beani

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

Summer is Here! How Should You Spend It?

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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.

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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.

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2. VOLUNTEER.

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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!!!

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3. SPEND TIME WITH FAMILY and LOVED ONES.

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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!}

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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.

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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

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

Being Able To Move Forward From Personal Fears And Suffering

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“People have a hard time letting go of their suffering. Out of fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar.”

I’m so hard on myself. Do you ever feel the same? Ever have something happen to you, whether it’s a moment of something hurtful or it was over a period of time, and you just can’t let it go? You allow this occurrence to take up so much room in your heart and mind, and feel like you’re about to drive yourself crazy? In reality, I’d say it’s comparable to self torture.

You take the occurrence that happens, and allow it to snowball in your mind {to places it shouldn’t be} and let it effect your daily thoughts and mood. It’s so sad, and unnecessary for us to do this to ourselves.

While I know it is easier said than done {I’m living proof of this all time!}, it’s so important to take these burdens off your shoulders and try to move into a more positive, suffer-free future.

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately, as I’ve had things over the last few months I let continuously bother me. Where I found that many of us do it too, is in recent situations where friends and family have shared their suffering as well.

We hold onto relations we shouldn’t, hurt ourselves with past disappointments and rather than move on from it, we sometimes stick with that suffering because it’s familiar and what we’re used to. It’s easier to stand still sometimes rather than deal with the fear of moving forward. I get it… Because I’ve done {and do} it.

So what do you do to move forward? You tell yourself what you would tell a friend… And do it. Ever feel like you can give great advice, but when it comes to taking it, you can’t? While it’s always easier said than done, you owe yourself the opportunity to move past the negative in your life and to open a new perspective.

So as I write this, I am committing to closing a door that has bothered me for awhile, and am choosing to put down a cross I have carried, knowing it will improve my overall well being and mental solitude.

Take your advice you’d give to a good friend and run with it. You deserve to put the past BEHIND you and move forward. And I’m not saying it’ll be easy, I’m saying you can’t head down the road, until you take the first step.

♡-Aurora Beani