I Believe in Myself, and My Dreams.

As I close out a year long chapter of my life working a "career, big girl" oriented job I write this post in celebration, and understanding many things about life and dreams I did not fully understand or appreciate before. I am very thankful for the struggles of the last year, the job unhappiness, and overall new perspective that I have gained and needed from it:

Always believe in yourself, and always follow your heart. Not affirmations that I always believed in or allowed myself to think. In more recent times, through different life experiences and some recent drastic changes to my heart and mind I fully embrace these things every single day.

A year ago, I left my dream job. Yes, my ultimate dream job. I had dreamed of working at Walt Disney World as early as I can remember, singing Disney princess songs in the shower to the distaste of my family every day, planned our annual January Disney vacation to a T along with color coded itineraries, went on a behind the scenes tour of Magic Kingdom for my 18^th birthday where I cried, and even attended the University of Central Florida specifically so I could work at Disney in college. I began at Disney in May 2012 as a hostess at Cinderella’s Royal table (loved it), and 9 months later on my 21^st birthday after multiple heart breaking auditions and being turned down, I was celebrating in Disney at the time, I got the call that I would be transferring to Entertainment. My heart sang that day in a way I never believed was possible. I had the greatest job in the world where I could first hand feel the love and joy from guests, make parents cry in utter happiness, and live my greatest dreams every single day. As I walked across the stage at UCF in May 2014 I had even decorated my cap with Disney pictures and rhinestones because I was finally a full time cast member after 9 more months of waiting.

However, things changed. I put a lot of pressure on myself to “grow up”, to be serious, to not have fun if it meant not sticking to the schedules I had made for myself. Freaking out that future jobs and people wouldn't take me seriously because of my job, I furiously searched for other jobs and upon interviewing at a recruiting firm, took it with a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. “You have to do this Kelsey, you need to be serious now its time to grow up.” So although I knew it was not time, I went seasonal at Disney.

One year later today I feel like I have some great experience in what not to do in life. Don’t take jobs you know you may not enjoy simply for the titles and where they can get you. Hate sitting? Don’t take a desk/office job. I have gained a wealth of experience in two professional environments and am very thankful for both of them and what they can do for my future one day.

As of August 16^th, after only two weeks of waiting (rather than my previous torturous nine months), I will be a full time cast member again doing what I am passionate about.  I can really thank the last year for teaching me that you don’t have to grow up if you don’t want to. Life is far too short to do something you don’t enjoy for 40 hours a week just to bring home a paycheck. You should be happy and feel fulfilled in your passions every single day, not just on the weekends or your time off. You should feel HAPPY every single day, including at work. We have so little in this life time wise, why waste what we have? Read below for another inspirational article about following your passions
www.cosmopolitan.com

I came to these conclusions through running. Both go hand in hand, on runs I would pray to the universe in my darkest days of feeling lost that I would find the path created for me and that I would fulfill it. Only WEEKS after, I was handed back my beloved and precious job. I cannot feel more blessed in my life that I for one have the opportunity to have this job, and two that I am being given my second chance at it. I will do my best at it daily, on hard days remember the amazing happiness and love I feel from it, and be a positive ray of light to those that can no longer feel that what they do matters.

All in all, follow your dreams. When no one else believes in you, believe in yourself always. Conforming to society's labels of success will not bring you success in your heart. Your dreams will.

Keep running and BELIEVING friends :)

**Thank you mom & dad for always supporting me, no matter what <3

Run and Be!

Happy Friday my friends! It's been a great week in my new home, much closer to safe places to run, trails, and it is oh so quiet, absolutely amazing. I thought I would share some of the random things I eat (I almost always forget to take pictures before I dig in.)

Dr. Prager's California style veggie burger (Trader Joe's) with roasted sweet potato and carrots!

Made a healthy & vegan Chipotle burrito bowl for the boyfriend and I! Brown rice, black beans, tomatoes, avocado, Trader Joe's salsa, Daiya cheddar cheese and Tofutti sour cream! It was amazing and will be my new favorite and easy meal.

Some views post- morning run this week at my new complex :) Who else loves the morning sunrise peeking through the trees?

I can get pretty zen-ed out on my runs, today my thought was this: "You will never learn to celebrate, no matter what possessions or experiences you gain, if you cannot celebrate the NOW." www.richroll.com/podcast/the-zen-of-wude/ Thanks as always, to the Rich Roll podcast for tuning me into the real matters of life every day, and for making me life in the present moment. I recommend this to EVERYONE. Such an inspiring and invigorating man. I really look up to you Rich, "Peace + Plants." www.richroll.com/category/podcast/

Running inspires me to be the best version of myself. It starts my day with tranquility, just me and the road ahead and my thoughts. I believe you can fine tune your senses, seeing the grass a little greener, being thankful for the Earth and all her beauty, feeling your own body for exactly what it is and loving it more than you knew possible. Without running I don't know where I would be today; stuck in an endless cycle of work, going out to bars, watching TV for hours. Instead I plan my days around my runs and am a more peaceful and patient person. I like to learn, think, and feel. So get out there, and keep running friends.

The First Mile Always Sucks

Seriously, I don't think there is a runner out there that will tell you that they enjoy the first mile. I run early in the morning, I'm tired, my legs are not awake, and I just don't want to do it. But I put on my favorite podcast (currently the Rich Roll Podcast www.richroll.com ) and I make myself do it, because I know after that first mile I will find my groove, and I usually do.

However, today was not that day. Today was one of those days that nothing goes right on your run. Legs are sore/tired, breathing heavy, feeling sick, the whole enchilada. I just told myself 3 easy miles, and I would be home. 3 miles later I was home, stretching, and glad that I had finished.

YOU NEVER REGRET A RUN. Unless you injure yourself, then maybe.

Post-race running slumps are real people, and I am in one. I'm like, "Why run? I don't have a race rapidly approaching, I can take some time off." Oh no no no. I am still planning my weekly miles and sticking to it, because like I have done before I DO NOT want to start back at square one and have to solidly build back up my mileage. Yes, I am taking it easier and not running for time or a lot of miles, but I am incorporating more strength/tempo/fartlek work to make myself a better runner when the next races comes up. I am also signing up for fun runs, like an easy 5k and a 5 miler just to keep things interesting and giving me something to work towards! See the link for all you Central Florida runners! http://www.usantc.com/lace-it-up-series/

When the running gets tough, keep on running! You will never regret a run :)

Keep running, friends.

To Blog is to Inspire

I received the loveliest message from an old friend yesterday, about how I inspired her through my own running and how she has now run three half marathons of her own! Wow, what chills that ran up and down my spine and throughout my body after hearing that. If I could inspire one person from before I even began blogging just through photos on social media, then how many souls can I touch now? I did not expect to rub off on someone in such a profound way (yes profound, I find running to be the most exhilarating, calming, and refreshing part of my own life.)

 I have always been an open and my sister would say big-hearted, so the ultimate goal in my life has always been in one way or another to help others and touch other people in a positive way. Running is a great outlet for that; in my personal life and my work life others are always questioning about what and why I am eating certain things, when I am running, how my races are, etc. and there have even been friends and co-workers inspired to try running themselves! It can only do good and bring positivity into their lives, and they will see how they are transformed in every dimension of their lives. 

When I run I am more patient, more kind, loving of nature and animals, more positive, the list is endless. To wrap this little post up: give running a shot. No matter how fast or slow, or how long the distance it is still running and will always do good for your well being and your soul. Keep at it, it does not come easy but will feel amazing when you are done.

Keep running, friends :)