Terrific at 25

One day you wake up and you hear it faintly....what is that TICKING and where is it coming from? Your 25th birthday is quickly approaching and with it comes new thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Have you made the right career choices? Is it time to settle down? Are you taking care of your health? Sure this time is full of ups and downs, and yes the quarter life crisis beast has a few tricks up her sleeve. But with good family & friends, a sense of humor, and an open mind you can tackle anything that comes you way with a smile. Besides, who said your quarter life had to be a crisis???

Scholar, Activist, and Author. I'm a 25 year old woman enjoying and learning from every minute of every day!

March172012

Simply Having A Wonderful Christmas Time…

One Christmas, when I was about 5, I saw Santa Clause. My sister Candice and I were hiding behind the couch, and we saw Old St. Nick putting presents under the tree. As a child and a teenager, I would barely be able to sleep on Christmas Eve—- waking up when it was still dark the next morning to tear through my presents. Aunts and Uncles were always there to read a book with me or get on the floor and play with me. Laugher continually echoed through the house. I have always loved Christmas.

As an adult now, the Santa spotting is something that I could easily attribute to the ingenuity and creativity of my parents. Similarly, my sleep is far to precious to me for late nights of great expectation. When morning comes, I prefer to sit back and watch everyone else open their gifts before I slowly open mine—-always conscious to be gentle with the wrapping paper even though I never reuse it. The feeling of excitement and joy, however, is something that has never left me. I still love Christmas.

This Holiday season I have already been to 6 parties. I still have a few more to go, and while I enjoy being a “social butterfly” party hopping is not what I need to be happy. My favorite moments, however, all have to do with family. Nothing extravagant but most certainly exceptional—- it truly is the simple things that make this season, and each day worthwhile. As an adult, it is so easy for me to get caught up in the various components of adult life. While important, and often pleasant, it is nice to just take time to be silly and fun. This Christmas I remembered just how much fun playing games can be:

Jumping over rocks as I raft down a river in a video game

Remembering what it means to let go and have fun—-

and enjoying every moment!

The heart of Christmas for me is the unfailing love that exists between family and friends. This year, more than ever, I was able to relax into that feeling. I am so grateful for my family and friends. The ones who are still on this earthly plane provide me with the continual support I need as I try to find my place in the world. The ones who have moved on to dance with the Divine are my special angels, continually whispering, “try it one more time” when the world says “give up”.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Family Love Terrific at 25

1PM

To Be A Good Steward—-

With the New Year quickly approaching, I have been taking a good amount of time to think about what I have accomplished in the past year, and what I hope to accomplish in years to come. While I have not come to any firm decisions around resolutions or goals for 2012 (I will share them in a future post once they are fully developed), there is one thing I am positive of. This year, so many divinely inspired things have happened in my life, and I am committed to being a good steward of those things—-always.

I know that unlike simply being grateful, being a good steward will require me to act. I am hopeful that my desire to be a good steward of my body, my mind, my spiritual development, and my beloved will inform the goals I set for myself for the coming year…

Random Side Note: If you have not listened to Common’s new Album “The Dreamer/ Believer”, you are missing out. It is soul stirring to say the least—-and features some great folks like Mya Angelou…..FANTASTIC!

Faith Hope Goals

1PM

33.5 Inches

I am probably the biggest Dr. Oz fan in the universe. Leaving my love of all things Oz for another day, I will focus on his wonderful health and wellness advice. Of course, no person has all of the answers. That being said, I believe just about everything that wonderful specimen of man says. So, when he said that rather than focusing on the number on the scale, we should focus on our waist size, I took notice. According to the Oz, a woman’s waist should be 32 inches (or half of your height). At 5ft. 7inches, I should have a waist size of 33.5 inches or less. That was a challenge I decided to take on. Not because I wanted to be super thin, but because I know that looking at numbers other than weight can be a good way to understand your overall health.

If there is one thing I never do, it is back down from a challenge. So, I added a good bit more of strength training into my normal work out routine, and stepped up the intensity over all. This morning I pulled out my tape measure and to my shock my waist was 33.5 inches. Naturally I didn’t believe what I was seeing and measured it a second time, and a third just to be sure my mind was not playing games with me. Then I let out a squeal of delight and started dancing around my bedroom. I HAVE A 33.5 INCH WAIST!!!

All day I have been thinking about why I am so overwhelmed with feelings of excitement and pride. Even when I was at my heaviest, I was happy. I had good friends. My family was fantastic. I was a leader. I dated. I was a top tier scholar. All in all my life was great. That being said, my health was HORRIBLE. Today I can honestly say I feel healthy for probably the first time in my life. My body, my mind, my spirit——they all feel balanced. What an amazing feeling that is. When I started my personal health journey, my motivation was never “being skinny”, but rather getting healthy. I didn’t really know where I would end up, and today I am so happy with where I am. I am so excited to keep on the journey, and to let my body find its happy weight and size naturally.

Extra Curvy Charlotte

33.5 Inch Waist Charlotte

Ready to live a healthy, balanced, active life every day!

Three Cheers for Health and Wellness!

health Fitness Weight Loss Exercise Wellness Terrific At 25

12PM

“Impossible does not exist—”

September232011

The Dog Days Are Over

Dog Days:

1. (Earth Sciences / Physical Geography) the hot period of the summer reckoned in ancient times from the heliacal rising of Sirius (the Dog Star). Typically recognized as the time between early July and September.

2. a period marked by inactivity. A period of stagnation

This summer I turned 25. This summer I moved to my new eco- friendly apartment. This summer I reached new levels of success in my work. This summer love fell on me. This summer dreams where realized. This summer long time desires were actualized. This summer my heart ached. This summer I laughed. This summer I cried. This summer I realized something, that I find, quite astounding….

The dog days, at least as they exist in my lived experience, are over. The moving parts that frame my existence are running efficiently and on time. What exactly do I mean by this? Well I most certainly do not mean that life is rainbows and sunshine 100% of the time. What I do mean is that the time of inactivity and stagnation has completely passed. I am a full active participant in the story that is uniquely mine. Happiness really did hit me like a train on a track this summer.

I know that every choice I make makes a statement to the world about who I am and what my heart beats for. As we move into fall and away from the dog days I feel energized and ready to approach my life with strength and vigor. I am ready to keep pushing myself, to keep striving for balance. I am so excited to see what comes of it.

This summer I turned 25. This summer I moved to my new eco-friendly apartment. This summer I reached new levels of success in my work. This summer love fell on me. This summer dreams were realized. This summer long time desires were actualized. This summer my heart ached. This summer I laughed. This summer I cried. This summer, at the risk of sounding cliche, was life changing and unforgettable.

September62011

Who’s That Chick ?!?

While I was getting ready to go out for the night, I decided to see if I could squeeze into the size 9 jeans hanging in my closet (yes I bought them in the juniors section). They slipped on with ease! When I was finished getting ready I experienced one of those rare moments where all of the background noise in my head quieted as I walked past the mirror and I really saw myself as I existed in that very moment. In all honesty my first reaction was “WHO IS THAT??” Quickly I realized it was me. I saw a happy, effervescent, fit Charlotte Elise Collins. I saw a woman who had (quite literally) worked her ass off the past three years. I saw a woman who works hard every day to keep things in perspective.

I had a FANTASTIC night out. I felt eyes on me the ENTIRE time, and for the first time I was 100% positive it was not because I had a hair out of place or a button undone. Everyone wanted to talk to me, to know me, buy me a drink, or at the very least get a smile. While I enjoyed the attention (remember I am a LEO in the truest sense) none of that is what made the night fantastic. My joy came from the change in the way I view myself. I carry myself differently today than I did three years ago—-even months ago. I am finally getting to a point where my mental, physical, and spiritual selves are aligned and that makes me stand a bit taller—— and command a bit more attention.

Even better is the fact that the short glimpse I got of Charlotte when I took off my self-critical glasses has ignited a spark in me to keep pushing myself towards a balanced life. I am excited to work out tomorrow morning. I am excited to start a new book. I am excited to work on my Italian. I am excited to reflect and meditate. I am looking forward to doing the work it will take.

TODAY I FELT TERRIFIC!

2PM

They Say It’s Your Birthday!

So the big day has finally arrived——25. 25 years lived. 25 years full of laughter, joy, love, hope, hard work, sadness, regret, determination, failure, and success. I don’t feel any different. I didn’t wake up and start crying (Truth Moment: Yes I did cry today, but that was a direct result of the overwhelming sense of love I felt). What I did do was wake up, run with my dog, mediate, make some coffee, and take some time to reflect. Reflect on the past year; reflect on goals for the year to come. Trust me, there is nothing better than reflection over Greek Yogurt and Coffee….

So what truths did I unearth about myself? First and foremost I am very proud of my ability to cultivate a lifestyle where balance is the norm. Each day I work to exist in a paradigm of health—mentally, physically, and spiritually. Over the past year a continual attitude of gratitude has shaped my thought pattern. I am thankful for a career that speaks to my passions and strengths. I am thankful for the continual support of family and friends. I am thankful for strength of spirit. I am thankful for the way love manifests in my life. I am genuinely happy. I am also wise enough to recognize that happiness can lead to complacency….

I refuse to be complacent. Doing so will stall my growth, and I have so much more growing to do. For me, 25 is a marker of my adult life——as an adult it is my job to continually push myself out of my comfort zone and beyond my preconceived limits. What exactly will this look like? Honestly I am not 100% sure. But here is a little sneak peak of the elements that are solidified:

Charlotte the WARRIOR: In the past few years I have become rather healthy. It would be super easy to keep my current work out routine—— but where is the fun in that? I am officially registered to run in a Warrior Dash in 2012. What exactly is a warrior dash you ask? Well in a nutshell it is a three-mile race that includes several obstacles such as crawling under barbed wire, running through mud pits, jumping over fire pits, climbing walls, etc. It takes a minimum of 12 weeks to train for this race (and the training plan is INTENSE). I am not training to just be able to complete it; I am training to WIN IT!

Charlotte in Time Out: I recently finished reading a FANTASTIC book entitled “The Artists Way At Work”. This book helps you think about ways to be your best self at work—- specifically how to stay committed and rejuvenated. One suggestion in the book that I LOVE is the “adult time out”. Once a week, I am going to take an adult time out, which is basically time for me to do something fun, that I enjoy, ALONE! Essentially this time will allow for me to replenish my creative energy (which is depleted during the week)which in turn will allow me to always approach my work (and life generally) with strength and vigor.

I could go on and on about plans for the future, but I really want to take a minute to talk about my Birthday. I enjoyed every minute of today (and the past 5 days—I have been on vacation—-yes I actually took a vacation). My friends threw me a party. My co-workers threw me a party. I was bombarded with messages and emails and phone calls. I went on an adventure. I was able to find time to rest and rejuvenate. I was overwhelmed by butterflies. I felt loved, and beautiful, and appreciated, and cared for. It may have been dreary weather, but my outlook has never been so bright. I had my annual psychic reading with Derek (he is super expensive but really REALLY good—-everything he told me this time last year has come to pass) and he thinks this is my launch year. Even if he had not said it, that feeling is something my spirit has been gently whispering the past few months. This is it. I know in my heart of hearts this is it….

I am ready to embrace all that the coming year, my personal new year, has to offer. My wish is that I am always tender with myself and others, that I maintain the strength of spirit needed to be a champion of critical engagement for social justice, and that I always listen to the voice of the Divine so that I can answer the unique call placed on my life and career.