New video up this week! Topics: Update, Living in the Moment, and Dollar Tree Tag (Frugalnista tagged me six months ago, yikes! Sorry for taking so long!).
Showing posts with label CLARA'S CONFESSIONS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CLARA'S CONFESSIONS. Show all posts
Friday, January 8, 2016
MY GOALS for 2016
It's that time again! Instead of being sad or annoyed about the word "RESOLUTIONS", remember everything that you DID accomplish last year! What things happened last year brought you joy? What events made you cherish life even more and feel gratitude?
I too have goals that I did not accomplish last year, but for those that DID work out, I kept them on the list for my 2016 goals so that they don't get forgotten. I've added a few new KEY goals to the list, including ORGANIZING DIGITAL PHOTOS, a 365 DAY PHOT PROJECT, and spending NO MORE THAN $100 PER WEEK ON GROCERIES, and more!!! (See my YouTube video below or here: http://bit.ly/1OT43dJ )
For those goals that didn't happen, like particular physical goals (attending yoga, reaching a particular weight), I will simply try again but perhaps have a different way of approaching the goal. For example, my 2015 goal of attending yoga twice a week was too stressful schedule-wise, and I found that being stressed out in class RUINS the experience! (OF COURSE!!!!)
So what are the alternatives for me?
- Aim for one yoga class a week instead of two
- Do a yoga DVD instead
- Shorter spurts of yoga routines instead of an hour long class
For this particular goal (to incorporate more yoga), I've decided to take it on a month-to-month basis. I'll evaluate at the end of each month how things are going, and if my choice isn't working, I'll try something else. For January 2016, thankfully my gym has announced a new yoga class (Yin yoga, which I wanted) on Sundays, which are definitely doable for me. If I'm able to attend at least 3 of those sessions this month, I'll continue to purse this choice next month.
What are your goals for 2016? Do you want to spend more time with family? Drink more water? Save money for a little vacation?
love + light,
Clara
I too have goals that I did not accomplish last year, but for those that DID work out, I kept them on the list for my 2016 goals so that they don't get forgotten. I've added a few new KEY goals to the list, including ORGANIZING DIGITAL PHOTOS, a 365 DAY PHOT PROJECT, and spending NO MORE THAN $100 PER WEEK ON GROCERIES, and more!!! (See my YouTube video below or here: http://bit.ly/1OT43dJ )
For those goals that didn't happen, like particular physical goals (attending yoga, reaching a particular weight), I will simply try again but perhaps have a different way of approaching the goal. For example, my 2015 goal of attending yoga twice a week was too stressful schedule-wise, and I found that being stressed out in class RUINS the experience! (OF COURSE!!!!)
So what are the alternatives for me?
- Aim for one yoga class a week instead of two
- Do a yoga DVD instead
- Shorter spurts of yoga routines instead of an hour long class
For this particular goal (to incorporate more yoga), I've decided to take it on a month-to-month basis. I'll evaluate at the end of each month how things are going, and if my choice isn't working, I'll try something else. For January 2016, thankfully my gym has announced a new yoga class (Yin yoga, which I wanted) on Sundays, which are definitely doable for me. If I'm able to attend at least 3 of those sessions this month, I'll continue to purse this choice next month.
What are your goals for 2016? Do you want to spend more time with family? Drink more water? Save money for a little vacation?
love + light,
Clara
Friday, November 13, 2015
I Hate Most Mom Groups - Clara's Confessions
Moms have enough pressure as it is without us putting more on each other. Seriously, WHY do we do this? Why do we pass judgement on each other without learning the full story? Or, why do we pass judgement at all? Is it really necessary?
Are we REALLY trying to help other moms by "educating" them with unsolicited advice? Or are we trying to give them that advice (which was again, unsolicited) because insecurities? Are we trying to make ourselves feel better about our decisions? What do you think?
See YouTube Video Here: http://bit.ly/1PszJWF
love + light,
Clara
Are we REALLY trying to help other moms by "educating" them with unsolicited advice? Or are we trying to give them that advice (which was again, unsolicited) because insecurities? Are we trying to make ourselves feel better about our decisions? What do you think?
See YouTube Video Here: http://bit.ly/1PszJWF
love + light,
Clara
Sunday, November 8, 2015
let there be peace | journal entry
"This is one part, one role that I question if I really have what it takes to fulfill...Do I notice? Do I see her?"
I’d like to share something important that happened in rehearsal today. In preparation for our upcoming concert, we were rehearsing Mark Hayes’ arrangement of “Let There Be Peace on Earth.” I honestly never thought twice about this song in the past. However, this arrangement is just amazing (just like most of his arrangements), and even by the fourth rehearsal of the season, the choir’s performance of the song already sounded ETHEREAL. I became overwhelmed with how beautiful the song sounded, and became so tearful that it nearly stopped me from singing. It was one of those incredible moments that you don’t soon forget, that enters into your very core and touches your soul. It was incredible, and at that moment I truly felt the real message of the song.
There is a part of the song that says:
I’d like to share something important that happened in rehearsal today. In preparation for our upcoming concert, we were rehearsing Mark Hayes’ arrangement of “Let There Be Peace on Earth.” I honestly never thought twice about this song in the past. However, this arrangement is just amazing (just like most of his arrangements), and even by the fourth rehearsal of the season, the choir’s performance of the song already sounded ETHEREAL. I became overwhelmed with how beautiful the song sounded, and became so tearful that it nearly stopped me from singing. It was one of those incredible moments that you don’t soon forget, that enters into your very core and touches your soul. It was incredible, and at that moment I truly felt the real message of the song.
There is a part of the song that says:
Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now.
With every breath I take,
Let this be my solemn vow.
Let this be the moment now.
With every breath I take,
Let this be my solemn vow.
To take each moment
And live each moment
In PEACE, eternally.
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.
And live each moment
In PEACE, eternally.
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.
As with everything these days, in the midst of listening to the beauty of the song, my thoughts strayed to our battles in the first few days of Aria's life. Lately, I have felt so completely inadequate. Sometimes I feel like I should already know what to do as a mom… yet I feel like I am failing all the time. I had succeeded in many areas of my life, but this is one part, one role that I question if I really have what it takes to fulfill.
At that moment, singing “Let There Be Peace on Earth” reminded me that I am not nothing, that I STILL CAN MAKE THINGS THAT ARE BEAUTIFUL…things that have meaning, things that are powerful.
During these past few years, I have been searching for a sense of tranquility. Through the ayurvedic medicine, acupuncture, meditation, massage, etc., what I have wanted most for the moment was to have peace. I wanted to feel calm and a semblance of some kind of serenity.
Through the ups and downs, Aria's surgeries, Aria's hospital visits, and now Aria's developmental delays, I have become emotionally exhausted. What I want most for the moment is PEACE….peace away from the disappointment, peace away from the anguish, peace away from self-torment, peace away from feeling angry, peace away from the fatigue. Most of all, peace away from the guilt that it's still my fault. Yes, yes, there nothing I could've done to prevent Aria's medical diagnoses...still, will the guilt ever go away? “With every breath I take”, this is what I want.
Instead of being stuck feeling useless, today’s rehearsal reminded me that there are many things I CAN still do, that I have the ability to contribute some kind of beauty to the world. And beauty often times is in places and moments that you forget to look. Like how Aria looks at me while I change her dressing, change her feeding tube, or mix her IV medication....do I notice? Do I see her? Do I see the beauty that I had a part in making?
Through the ups and downs, Aria's surgeries, Aria's hospital visits, and now Aria's developmental delays, I have become emotionally exhausted. What I want most for the moment is PEACE….peace away from the disappointment, peace away from the anguish, peace away from self-torment, peace away from feeling angry, peace away from the fatigue. Most of all, peace away from the guilt that it's still my fault. Yes, yes, there nothing I could've done to prevent Aria's medical diagnoses...still, will the guilt ever go away? “With every breath I take”, this is what I want.
Instead of being stuck feeling useless, today’s rehearsal reminded me that there are many things I CAN still do, that I have the ability to contribute some kind of beauty to the world. And beauty often times is in places and moments that you forget to look. Like how Aria looks at me while I change her dressing, change her feeding tube, or mix her IV medication....do I notice? Do I see her? Do I see the beauty that I had a part in making?
She is happy. She is thriving. She is ALIVE.
“To take each moment, and live each moment, in peace eternally”.
Praying to never forget I can do this.
Love + light,
Clara
Monday, September 21, 2015
Fear the Walking Dead S1E4 | Clara's Commentary & Coffee
This week's Clara's Coffee Chat is a commentary on Fear the Walking Dead, S1E4.
What did you think of this episode? We only have 2 EPISODES left in SEASON 1 !!!
MAJOR SPOILER ALERT!!!!!
See video here: http://bit.ly/1iK4by4
#TWD #FTWD #FeartheWalkingDead #TheWalkingDead #zombies #apocalypse #claraslate #amctv
Thursday, September 17, 2015
Fear the Walking Dead Midseason Commentary - Season 1
Like Fear the Walking Dead? I have a midseason commentary for you! CLICK above or see this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhp0CJc-ai8
Here I discuss the Monopoly game, the hospital, the airplane, and multiple character analyses, including about Salazar.
What do you think of the show so far?
In case you missed it, I did a commentary on The Walking Dead Season 5 finale! CLICK below or see this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eChAV...
Let me know what you think of the shows so far!
Friday, September 4, 2015
Clara's Coffee & Confessions | Do you forget to be grateful?
CCC time! Remember, this is a JUDGEMENT-FREE zone!
This CCC is about the reasons I think people should and should not do YouTube, and what I think YT is really for. I also talk about the CRAZINESS of this week and how it seems like people are on edge - time for everyone who is so negative to just breathe, reboot, and refocus to remember what's really important. That goes for myself too, especially when remembering to BE GRATEFUL FOR EVERY DAY!!!!
This CCC is about the reasons I think people should and should not do YouTube, and what I think YT is really for. I also talk about the CRAZINESS of this week and how it seems like people are on edge - time for everyone who is so negative to just breathe, reboot, and refocus to remember what's really important. That goes for myself too, especially when remembering to BE GRATEFUL FOR EVERY DAY!!!!
Friday, July 31, 2015
Clara's Coffee & Confessions | Dollar Tree, Toxic Friends, YouTube Dangers, & More
Decided to take the plunge and venture into some new territory. My friend, Susannah, of the YouTube channel Susannahsaurus did a VEDJ (Vlog Every Day in July), and her candidness and encouragement is what finally gave me the final push to do this.
Some of my friends and I do something called "FFFC", or "Flame Free Friday Confessions", which is what these videos will likely be, or perhaps just some chitty chat with people who care to watch. And by confessions, I mean the light hearted ones that you may be embarrassed to tell a stranger, like Dollar Tree addictions.
These new GTKY (Getting to Know You) videos are more like "listening videos," meaning that visually it'll just be me on the screen talking, with no flashy products on the screen. SO, if you'd like some company while doing other things, like getting ready, driving on the way to work, or making dinner, I'm there for you!
It's definitely not for everyone (as I'm sure most of my viewers are subscribed for Dollar Tree hauls and organizing), and it's OKAY if not everyone watches. I totally get it.
Plus, if you're in the Dollar Tree community and love watching hauls, it's near impossible to keep up with all the channels nowadays! I myself don't watch EVERY video that is posted by people I'm subscribed to. Usually I watch the DT hauls first and then watch whatever else I can fit into my daily routine. But, if you do decide to spend a little time with me, thank you for listening to my silly thoughts and let's chat it up!
Oh, and THANK YOU to my amazing subscriber Frances M. for encouraging me into making this a series! This first video is about the Dollar Tree shopping, toxic friends, the dangers of YouTube, and more. See video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-aUd__aUsI
Some of my friends and I do something called "FFFC", or "Flame Free Friday Confessions", which is what these videos will likely be, or perhaps just some chitty chat with people who care to watch. And by confessions, I mean the light hearted ones that you may be embarrassed to tell a stranger, like Dollar Tree addictions.
These new GTKY (Getting to Know You) videos are more like "listening videos," meaning that visually it'll just be me on the screen talking, with no flashy products on the screen. SO, if you'd like some company while doing other things, like getting ready, driving on the way to work, or making dinner, I'm there for you!
It's definitely not for everyone (as I'm sure most of my viewers are subscribed for Dollar Tree hauls and organizing), and it's OKAY if not everyone watches. I totally get it.
Plus, if you're in the Dollar Tree community and love watching hauls, it's near impossible to keep up with all the channels nowadays! I myself don't watch EVERY video that is posted by people I'm subscribed to. Usually I watch the DT hauls first and then watch whatever else I can fit into my daily routine. But, if you do decide to spend a little time with me, thank you for listening to my silly thoughts and let's chat it up!
Oh, and THANK YOU to my amazing subscriber Frances M. for encouraging me into making this a series! This first video is about the Dollar Tree shopping, toxic friends, the dangers of YouTube, and more. See video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-aUd__aUsI
Friday, July 24, 2015
Introduction to New Blog
Oh my....how did this happen? I told myself over and over again that blogging will NOT happen. The amount of time and effort that goes into my YouTube channel is enough already! But yes, here it is. I keep hearing the first few words of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" in my head...
"IS THIS THE REAL LIFE? IS THIS JUST FANTASY?"...
Well, I'm thinking that blog is going to be closer to my "real life." While I LOVE making videos for my YouTube channel, it doesn't allow me the freedom to be myself 100%...not that a blog could really do that either, but at least I don't feel so restricted as to keep my thoughts and words under an "X" amount of minutes.
Making short, compressed videos, while fun (and much more rewarding than I had anticipated because it brought me to YOU!!!) is not "THE REAL LIFE"...no, how can it be? And yes, I could do vlogging, and even make videos up to an hour long just talking about my thoughts, but I don't know if I'm ready to do something like that.
SO, where do the remnants of my daily thoughts end up? Probably here. Will it last? Time will tell, I guess. WELCOME to the REAL CLARA SLATE....hopefully you weren't brought here simply because you were looking for Dollar Tree stuff, because there is definitely going to be some non-Dollar Tree topics here.
If you ARE only interested in Dollar Tree stuff, please feel free to visit my YouTube channel, at https://www.youtube.com/user/claraslate ! If you prefer to ignore this blog completely, believe me, I totally get it. I'm not hilarious, I'm not a supermodel, and I'm not a wonder woman with an immaculate house and Pinterest-worthy decorations.
So, hopefully what brought you here is merely a wish to get to know me better and discuss some things...whether you are a long time friend or family member, a new friend, or a new subbie to my YouTube channel! I'd love to hear your thoughts...but anything nonconstructive or disrespectful will probably end up in the trash, just fyi :)
Love + light,
Clara Slate
"IS THIS THE REAL LIFE? IS THIS JUST FANTASY?"...
Well, I'm thinking that blog is going to be closer to my "real life." While I LOVE making videos for my YouTube channel, it doesn't allow me the freedom to be myself 100%...not that a blog could really do that either, but at least I don't feel so restricted as to keep my thoughts and words under an "X" amount of minutes.
Making short, compressed videos, while fun (and much more rewarding than I had anticipated because it brought me to YOU!!!) is not "THE REAL LIFE"...no, how can it be? And yes, I could do vlogging, and even make videos up to an hour long just talking about my thoughts, but I don't know if I'm ready to do something like that.
SO, where do the remnants of my daily thoughts end up? Probably here. Will it last? Time will tell, I guess. WELCOME to the REAL CLARA SLATE....hopefully you weren't brought here simply because you were looking for Dollar Tree stuff, because there is definitely going to be some non-Dollar Tree topics here.
If you ARE only interested in Dollar Tree stuff, please feel free to visit my YouTube channel, at https://www.youtube.com/user/claraslate ! If you prefer to ignore this blog completely, believe me, I totally get it. I'm not hilarious, I'm not a supermodel, and I'm not a wonder woman with an immaculate house and Pinterest-worthy decorations.
So, hopefully what brought you here is merely a wish to get to know me better and discuss some things...whether you are a long time friend or family member, a new friend, or a new subbie to my YouTube channel! I'd love to hear your thoughts...but anything nonconstructive or disrespectful will probably end up in the trash, just fyi :)
Love + light,
Clara Slate
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