The Happiness Project: Morgan Kennedy Miller Day 2

   I am overwhelmed in a great way with the response received about The Happiness Project. Ms. Ryn Sapp is an unbelievable  person and if you ever cross paths with her in your life make sure to stop and enjoy cause she will add the greatest most positive things to your life.
   Todays post goes to another very special lady that God has placed into my life I can't say I have ever seen her with out a smile on her face or a positive word coming out of her mouth: Mrs. Denise Zook. Mrs. Denise is one of the sweetest, most caring, and adorable people you will ever meet. I am inspired by Mrs. Denise not only for her dedication to God but her dedication to family. In part Mrs. Denise is also a big reason I decided to do this project. On my 19th birthday as my family busied themselves with chores I decided to go hand deliver my thank you card for the most incredible gift to Mrs. Denise and pay her a little visit. We sat and talked for over three hours over a plate of the most delicious gluten free cookies that I highly recommend. We talked about everything, from family, relationships, to school, and my future. Sitting there and hearing myself say what I wanted out loud was more effective then me just thinking it to myself. So as I went home that afternoon I decided this is what I have to do. We only get so many trips around the sun and I want to make mine worth something. So a big thank you to Mrs. Denise for that conversation. God puts people into our lives for a reason and man am I glad that he does. So below is Mrs. Denise's response to my questionnaire.

My Name:  Denise Zook, My husband Ron and I have a home on Lake Weir, Fl where we have been living the last couple of years. Ron and I have two beautiful daughters. Jacquelyn, who lives in Burbank, CA where she pursues her acting career and Casey, who is married to Scott Sabin and lives in Metamora, IL where she is a first grade teacher and Scott works for Caterpillar. Casey and Scott are expecting their first baby, our first grandchild, a little boy in May. YES I am excited!!

  I have been a stay at home mom and homemaker since our daughters were born. Ron is a football coach and we moved about 13 times during our 33 years of marriage, so working outside the home just never happened for me. I will say that working at home and raising our daughters was an amazing privilege, one that I look back on with no regrets. Oh yes, We are about to move again, Ron has taken a job coaching in Green Bay, WI.  The winter coats are coming out of storage ;0).

My favorite song, I really had to think about this one as I love to listen to music. I especially love praise music. One of my favorites is by Chris Tomlin, called Indescribable.

Favorite Quote: A quote I heard every time we would move, "For a man to gain new horizons, he must have courage to lose sight of the shores" and it is a good quote, but my favorite would be from the bible in Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the Plans I have for you, "declares the LORD" plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. (NIV)

Who has been an inspiration to me and why? I would like to say first would be my husband, his loyalty to his family and his friends, his dedication to his job and his tireless work ethic all inspired me to be a better wife, mother and friend and homemaker. As I did get to stay at home, I had the opportunity to take a few bible studies where I was introduced to a wonderful bible scholar and leader, Beth Moore, her passion to teach others about God's Word and her love of Jesus inspired me to dig deeper into God's Word which in turn gives me a hope only God can provide everyday.

What makes me happy:  Boating with my husband, our family and friends, and our two miniature Schnauzer's, Frances and Fred. 

What is something I would share with the younger generation I wish I would have been told!

 Where do I start!!! Wow, I would say do not settle, evaluate and be patient, all things that I was probably told but did not really listen.

 Listen to your parents and  those in authority, obedience is key.  Watch, listen, evaluate, be patient and do not settle. God has a plan, and it is a good one, always better than our own.

 

Mrs. Denise is also the recipient of #20 a Random Act of Kindness which I will be posting about later this week! She is who I will be visiting when I travel alone to Green Bay to go support Coach and the Packers. This world we live in is an amazing place filled with amazing people. When God puts those amazing people in your life respect and love those relationships. Allow those relationships to help you grow as a person and you my friend will become a better person. (not that you are probably terrible but we can all always learn something.)

Well I hope your humpy day is going well!

 

Oh and P.S.: Mrs. Denise's quote about "For a man to gain new horizons.." is now like my new fave

 

  With love always and forever,

         Politics, Pearls, and Monograms

Happiness Project: Morgan Kennedy Miller Day 1

   So today is the first post for The Happiness Project. I share with you my first response back from a former art teacher of mine. Ms. Sapp was more than just an art teacher, she was an inspiration to me when it came to creativity and being yourself. I took art with Ms. Sapp my 7th and 8th grade years. Her class is where I made my replica Jackie O painting I still have to this day even with her terrible eyes. Ms. Sapp's class taught me how to work outside my comfort zone and showed me my love for John Mayer. (lol) I am ever so thankful for the impression she left on me and hope it is something I carry with me forever. Ms. Sapp's responses to my questions alone make me so happy and remind me why I have thought she is one of the coolest people I know! Here is her response:

 

Your Name: Ryn Sapp

A little bit about you:  Only child of 2 amazing parents, graduate of FSU, on my 2^nd career ( I had to do my first job in order to be good at my 2^nd one!), high school teacher, sports junkie, part-time artist, gypsy, sci-fi nerd

 

Your favorite Song?: “Baby, You’re the World to Me” by David Gray

 

Your favorite Quote?: “Be the change you wish to see in the world” – Mother Theresa (I have a pair of Toms that has this  saying on it!)

 

Who has been an inspiration to you and why?: My mom, who taught me that working hard is its own reward and Pam (Roberts) Brewer, who taught me to never do anything half way…to put your whole entire heart into doing what you love!

 

What makes you happy?: speaking of what makes you happy…finding new music, painting on a rainy day, FSU football (more specifically, singing the fight song and doing the “tomahawk chop’ with 80,000 of my closest friends at a night game when it’s cold!!), tailgating, road trips (full tank of gas, open road, windows down, music blaring), flea markets and yard sales, exploring a new city, having a student contact me and tell me something I did for them or taught them was important or valuable to them!!

 

What is something(s) you would share with the younger generation you wish you would have been told?:  What you get a degree in or what you think you want to do in college ISN’T necessarily what you’ll make a career out of.  It’s OK to take time to figure out what really makes you happy.  Making money is great and you need it to survive, but it’s way more important to be happy.  Nothing is worse than going to a job you hate, but not much beats going to a job you love and find meaningful.

 

Anything else you would like to add: advice for life…1) TRAVEL!  2) If you love someone, tell them. You never know when you might not have the opportunity to tell them one last time.  3) Do one thing that makes you happy every day, even if it’s a small thing. 4) Don’t let your mistakes in life consume you. Learn from them and don’t make the mistake again.  5) Sing in the car.  Loud.  Don’t be embarrassed if someone sees you.

 

****Thanks for asking me to do this, Morgan.  I am honored that you did.  You are precious and I am so proud of the amazing, altruistic and enterprising young woman you’ve become!!! 

 

 

Along with being one of the coolest art teachers you will ever find in her spare time Ms. Sapp creates some pretty cool masterpieces that you can buy. I am super excited cause I just received one for my birthday and look forward to buying some more for my new apartment. I highly recommend you go check out all her great pieces on her facebook and Instagram and get yours today! I connected the link to her facebook to all my pictures! Well happy hump day and hope you have a great Wednesday.

 

 

 

The Happiness Project: Morgan Kennedy Miller

 Lately  I have been reading the book, "The Happiness Project," by Gretchen Rubin. The book is all about the wife and mother of two deciding one day to find what makes her happiness. The book has inspired me to try my own happiness on a bit different scale. On my bucket list of 20 Before 20, I have things like create a work of art, find a hobby, and exercise more. I feel like these are all going to tie into things that make me happy. I don't want to count on just these couple actions though, so I will be doing guest post with other persons whether it be fellow bloggers or inspirational people to me in my everyday life.
  My motto lately has been that, "We only get so many go rounds," and I have decided I don't want to waste any of mine. I am excited to see what comes of all of this and hope that it will inspire of you to do the same and figure out what makes you happy!
  Hope everyone has a wonderful Tuesday. Get excited for the happiness project post to come!
Here are a couple things that are making me happy today:

1.) Oceans by Hillsong united: this song is on replay in my car and I cant get enough of it!

2.) Glory is Yours by Elevation Worship

3.) I was given another day on this wonderful earth
4.) My journaling
5.) Chick-fil-a sweet tea. It's a weakness I must answer to everyday..lol

20 Before 20

   Today has been one big blessing of a day. I can not say how much I appreciate the love and support of all the those today.
   For the past few weeks I have been working on my 20 before 20 list and I am very excited to share with you the list I have created!

1. 20 new restaurants before 20: I am a food junkie. I love all types of food. Greek, Chinese, Hispanic, you name it and I am in love. So for this next year I want to broaden my horizons and try 20 new restaurants!
2. Take a road trip: I plan on literally getting in the car and just driving and seeing where I end up. We only get so many go rounds on this earth and I want to make the most of mine.
3. VOTE: I missed the Presidential election by a couple months last time so I am so very excited to get to vote this time. I wil be voting in my Governors election and you can bet I will be voting for Governor Rick Scott.
4. Write more handwritten letters: I have always said that a hand written letter is one of the most caring and intimate things a person can do. This next year I plan on writing more hand written letters to people. If you wish to receive one let me know. I am always game for a pen pal!
5.  Find a hobby: I want to find a hobby that I will carry with me through the years. Whether it be yoga or something artsy I want to find something I love to do!
6. Keep a journal: Call it a diary if you must but I want to journal more this next year. I feel that by keeping a journal I will be able to better keep track of the progress I make in the next year. As well as have a cool memory of my new journey.
7. Straight A's one semester: A girl can always dream.. lol
8.Write a letter to one of my living inspirations: I have a couple people who are serious inspirations to me each and every day and this next year famous and not so famous I plan on letting them know what they mean to me. We only get so many chances to share how we feel and I would hate to never say how I truly felt.
9. Have my fortune told: I have always wanted to stop in at one of the palm or card reading places and have them read me my fortune. Well this year its happening. I am about to embark on a new milestone and would love to know the possibility for my future.
10. Join Big Brother Big Sisters: This is a charity I have read up on for the past year or so and have decided I am ready to take that next step and join.
11. Learn to cook: I am about to be a big girl and should probably learn a recipe or two. I'm not looking for housewife status but a yummy meal wouldn't hurt.
12. Invest in something: Whether it be my retirement or some form of stock I want to invest in my future!
13. Exercise more: I mean if I end up with a six pack I wouldn't be upset! JK but I do want to form some exercise habits this next year that I can carry on with me as I get older.
14. Learn to juice: It's all the craze and to be honest looks really yummy so this next year I want to learn to make juices.
15. Travel alone: I want to take a plane ride by myself somewhere. When I get to the other side of the trip I want there to be people I know but I want to tackle the airport and airplane by myself!!
16. Learn a new language: Obviously I will not be fluent by the time I turn 20 but I want to start to learn a new language.. After travelling to Costa Rica I really am drawn to mastering my Spanish. I am down to learn French though too!
17.  Caricature: I have never had one of these done!
18. The News: Read the news more often. I want to in this next year be more aware of what's going on in the world around me. I am going to read news articles and watch the news from many different news stations to understand what's going on in the world around me.
19.Create a work of art: I'm not looking for Vangough status but something I created start to finish.
20. 20 awesome acts of random kindness before 20

So here is to a year of so many news. So excited for this journey!

FIGHT LIKE A GIRL..

Lizbeth Benacquisto fights like a girl... and wins.

She's a mom. She's Majority Leader of the Florida Senate. Majority Leader. She may fight like a girl, but there are forty members in the Florida Senate and she's the one they call Leader.

She fights to cut taxes and balance the budget and she wins.

She fought for the Cancer Treatment Fairness Act and she won. She fought for the Florida GI Bill for our Veterans and she won. She's fought against the expansion of Medicare and stood up for local control of our schools - and she wins.

Lizbeth has fought to protect the unborn - and she wins.

In nine days, the people of Southwest Florida will go to the polls in a special election for Congress and they'll have a clear choice. A choice that will impact all Floridians - because the person they choose will go to Washington to either fade into the fray or fight for us all.

I hope and pray they send Lizbeth. She'll fight like a girl - and we'll all win!

I hope after reading this you will stop by and contribute to Lizbeth for Congress. I just made mine and would love for you to join me in supporting Lizbeth for congress.

Study, Study, Study!!

Holy smokes it's already Thursday and tomorrow starts SB2K14 part 2 for me. This Sunday I leave with family along with family friends for a week of pure bliss to the lovely Costa Rica. I am beyond excited to zip line and hopefully catch a fishing trip along with so many other great things! Before I do that though I have so much school work to accomplish and what feels like so little time. I have sat down though and prepared a list of things (I am a list person.. I make need to do's, should do's, and could do's list all day long.) that I need to do to prepare for a successful week. These are tips you can us whether you are in college or in high school. I don't discriminate! So below are my tips!!

1. No multitasking: Put that darn phone away. Yeah that probably sounds super hypocritical coming out of mouth and as I post this blog. I did this in my break time though which will come later in the list. These phones though seem to bring all kinds of distractions. Whether its Facebook, Instagram, or SnapChat we find ourselves giving hours to these apps. I find that when I put my phone down I get more down and spend more time focused on my work.

2. Study for long periods of time: No I am not suggesting you go pop some addy and study for 12 days strait. I am saying study for at least an hour. When we study in short cram sessions our brains tend not to retain as much information.

3. Start at least 3 nights before exam: You should get a good head start so you have more time to retain and really learn the test material!

4. Make the info sticky: Make flash cards whether they be on paper, quizlet, or study blue for easier mobility make a way to have access to study material at any time of the day.

5.Stay out of that bed: DONT STUDY IN BED.. We accomplish nothing when we get cozy in that bed. Stay out, go find a desk or study room somewhere quiet that you can accomplish big things in.

6. Prepare: Prepare yourself for anything. Make sure you truly understand all the material. Be so prepared you could do the whole test in essay form if you had to.

7. Stay Calm: make sure to stay calm and relax. Getting stressed instead of preparing will do you no good. Take little breaks while studying to go take a walk or check that phone that you put away.

I hope these tips help you as much as they have helped me this week! Prayers would be greatly appreciated today for my test and I wish you all the most blessed and happy Thursday!

So many fun and exciting things!

   Wow what a week/weekend it has been here in the city of Tallahassee. On Monday I started my job at The Orourke Group which is Governor Rick Scotts fundraising staff. I couldn't be more excited and honored to get to be a part of a group of hardworking smart individuals. I look forward to the many opportunities this job will bring me!

   Along with the wonderful first week at the new job I had an awesome weekend with my boyfriend and friends. I always love a good relaxing weekend. I spent time shopping and, at the lottery, and stopped by the Rez here near campus.

   Well I am ending my weekend writing a minimum 3 1/2 page paper and watching Modern Family on Hulu. I hope everyone has had a blessed and lovely weekend.

*Along with a lovely week/weekend this is my 30 post. How exciting is this? Make sure to keep posted on some fun exciting things to come for the blog!