Long Read: Train Station

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She was instinctively drawn to the spontaneity of her desires and very much  a stranger to the notion of conformity. Propelled by the longing for a mid-afternoon adventure, she threw on her favorite leather jacket, wrapped her silk scarf around her neck, and found herself skipping down the stairs to the nearest train station. After spending the morning within the midst of Jung and Freud she desperately needed a Yuengling.

The Black Keys echoed in her earphones as she met her stride on the cool concrete. Her insatiable avidity to discover, to travel, left marks upon the same pathway many times before. It was a cool November afternoon and the brisk air pierced her porcelain cheeks. Her thick black hair fell upon her shoulders twisted in loose braid. Those who passed her on her journey often stopped to stare, smiling politely revealing their appreciation.

He had seen her leave her apartment around the same time every afternoon. The gravitation to meet her drove him to follow her. He could not explain his overflowing eagerness to wrap his hands within her hair, to taste the sweetness of her skin. He was not threatened by her beauty, but drawn to it as if he was destined to toss her upon a wall, to make love to her.

Her high heels struck the concrete with force. She was a tantalizing creature, refreshingly aware of her sexuality. He quickened his pace, throwing aside his cigarette. A thick cloud of smoke left his mouth, filtrating the air with the aroma of tobacco. He assessed that the station was about another block away and searched his pockets for a handful of quarters. Unsure of the impending destination, he had decided to pull a few more from the jar on his counter.

“Just one”, she said. Her voice, my god, could serenade a cobra. The accentuation of her words set him into a frenzy, wildly amiss a fantasy. He imagined her cries of pleasure resonating within his ears, the warmth of her breath upon his neck. “Just one for me too”, he managed to summon. At the sound of his voice, she turned around, smiled, and headed for the train.

She opted for a window seat, a row after the emergency exit. She sat elegantly crossing her legs, fetching a pair of black rimmed glasses and a copy of Baudelaire from her bag. Again, she met his gaze. He appeared to be in his late twenties. Thin lines around his hazel eyes revealed experience, perhaps a certain ounce of pain. He was undeniably attractive, strong, masculine.

Little distance separated the strangers; a mere three feet and a candy wrapper, if technicality was to be considered. Yet, neither of them spoke. For the duration of her trip however, she periodically met his eyes exchanging silent subtleties. He was captivating and she found herself tempted to wrap her arms around his neck and kiss him.

Bright lights signaled her stop. Normally, she would gather her book and leave, but her thirst for the stranger before her, prompted her to grab his hand. She signaled him to follow her.  He obliged, anticipation burning throughout his veins. Within moments, she reared the corner of the station and led him to the Hilton. A crisp hundred dollar bill fell from her wallet on the receptionist’s desk. “One bed will be fine,” she whispered as she smoothed the falling pieces of her hair from her delicate face. “Here you go miss, have a nice stay.”

His palms were sweaty, and he could feel his heart beating faster and faster as she led him to the elevator. Once the doors closed he lost control. His hands moved fervently, pulling her against him, his tongue meeting hers. She sighed heavily, meeting his fervor; intoxicated by his forwardness. Ding. 

They landed upon the Fifth Floor, Room 222. Struggling to maintain her composure, she slid the key revealing a welcoming green light. The sense of urgency prevailed as they walked through the door. In one swift motion he had her long legs wrapped around him, and her back to the wall.

-KristinaC

5 Steps to Sensational Eyelashes

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I am a certified lash addict. I LOVE falsies. Although I don't wear them everyday, I can't help but apply them on the weekend for a dramatic, flirty look (even if I am sitting around my house drinking wine) I love, love, love them!

But what about work days? Is it possible to achieve the same look without having to glue your fingers to your eyelids? According to one of my favorite beauty blogs, Beauty High, yes, there is! Listed below are 5 Steps to achieve Sensational Eyelashes 

Step 1: Choose the right kind of mascara. Depending on whether you’re going for lengthening, volume boosting, separating, waterproof, etc. you should choose the kind of lashes you want and get a mascara based on that. A favorite at the Beauty High office is CoverGirl Lash Blast because it does pretty much everything in one. Also, don’t be afraid to apply more than one coat.

Step 2: Curl your lashes. A lot of women forgo this incredibly important step because they’re either afraid of the curler or they don’t believe it actually works. Curling your lashes before applying mascara is like moisturizing before putting on foundation – the end result looks much cleaner and more put together.

Step 3: Begin applying mascara with the wand at the root of your eyelash and wiggle the wand at the root before swiping upward. This separates the lashes and cuts down on any clumping that may happen by doing a thorough swipe through.

Step 4: During the application, hold either a plastic spoon, business card or mascara spoon against your eyelid, above the lashes, so that excess mascara gets on the spoon, not your lid. By having less to clean up afterwards, there’s less chance of displacing your carefully applied mascara.

Step 5: Use a good eye makeup remover. Even if your mascara isn't waterproof, we’d suggest using a waterproof remover. The less pulling and scraping you have to do on your eyelashes, the better condition they’ll be in. 

How To Dance With Uncertainty

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1. Practice integrity, intention, and purpose.

That is the basic choreography. It requires that you pay close attention to your beliefs, thoughts, words, choices, and actions. What lends purpose and meaning to your life? Natural talent matters, but practice is what develops skill.

Integrity: Be honest in all aspects of your life. Seek to know who you are and who you ultimately want to be.

Intention: Be clear about what you most desire and take steps in the direction of your dreams.

Purpose: Know why you want this new reality. Does it add meaning to your life?

2. Be flexible. 

See every challenging step as an occasion to stretch. Stand tall as you grow in resilience. Breathe deeply and rise to the occasion when presented with new choreography.

3. Know when to “freestyle.”

Freestyle is improvisational dance. We are creative beings and while there are necessary steps to be taken, there is still plenty of room for spontaneity and artistic expression.

Take risks and embrace your unique style. You might step on a few toes, but always remain true to what is essential in you.

4. Trust your partner.

Whether you practice a traditional religion or view spirituality in universal terms, trust life to lead the way. Unleash your greatest effort and then relax into the arms of grace.

Know that there is divine order to this dance we call life. Whatever is meant to happen, will. Whatever is meant to be, will be. Do what is within your power and surrender the rest.

5. Enjoy the dance.

Life is meant to be fun. Lighten up and release the need to get it right the first time. Perfection is subjective and trophies collect dust. Laugh at yourself and keep moving. It will all come together. At times,better than you expected.

Source: Tiny Buddah, by Kathleen O'Malley

 Kathleen O’Malley, DC is someone who is passionate about transforming lives. She is the author of Messages from Within: Finding Meaning in Your Life Experiences. Her second book, Messages from Children and What They Can Teach Grownups is scheduled to be released in May 2013. Visit her at www.kathleenomalleymessages.com.

Hey You: Stop Complicating Your Life

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* Start communicating clearly. Don’t try to read other people’s minds, and don’t make other people try to read yours. Most problems, big and small, within a family, friendship, or business relationship, can start with bad communication.

* Stop wasting time and money trying to acquire more of everything. Start focusing on quality. Live a comfortable life, not a wasteful one. Too many people buy things they don’t need with money they don’t have to impress people they don’t know. Do not spend to impress others and manage your money wisely so your money does not manage you.

* Stop spending time with negative people. Surround yourself with people who reflect the person you want to be. Choose friends who you admire, and who love and respect you – people who make your day a little brighter simply by being in it. Life is too short to spend time with people who suck the happiness out of you.

* Stop trying to change people.  Start accepting people just the way they are. In most cases it’s impossible to change them anyway, and it’s rude to try. So save yourself the stress. Instead of trying to change others, lead by example.

{Source}

Beauty & Mastectomy

To you, she may appear confident as she walks through the grocery store or makes her family dinner every evening. She may smile and laugh with her girlfriends, perhaps even accompany them to Pilates. But do you know she is carrying a burden? Do you know that she may or may not be diagnosed with breast cancer?
The statistics are staggering. According to the American Cancer Society, the chance of a woman having invasive breast cancer sometime in her life is 1 in 8. The chance of dying from breast cancer is 1 in 36. Alarmingly, 232,340 cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed this year alone. While again, she may appear to be brave, to be able to presume her responsibilities of being a mother, a daughter, a sister, a best friend, or even your favorite actress on the big screen, the physical and psychological effects of breast cancer remain.

Recently, Angelina Jolie, most notably recognized for her work as an actress, published an article in the New York Times highlighting her decision to get a preventative double mastectomy. Her doctors estimated that the actress had a 87 percent risk of developing breast cancer and a 50% chance of developing ovarian cancer. Upon discovering this reality, the proactive actress underwent three months of procedures, staring with a procedure known as "nipple delay". This particular procedure, she writes "rules out disease in the breast ducts behind the nipple and draws extra blood flow to the area." Two weeks later Jolie had the major surgery where the breast tissue was removed and temporary fillers were put into place. Nine weeks later, Jolie completed the final surgery with the reconstruction of the breasts with an implant. Amazingly, she concluded that the reconstructive aspect of the surgery did not make her feel any less of a woman. "I feel empowered that I made a strong choice that in no way diminishes my femininity."

While Jolie's confidence and bravery is most certainly something to be admired, not all women walk away form the procedure with such confidence. In fact, many women walk away from the procedure feeling unfeminine and have a difficult time accepting their new bodies. Many years ago my mother experienced this first hand. "Will I ever be beautiful again," was all my mother's best friend managed to whisper as stood naked. The mastectomy, in her opinion, had robbed her of identity; the curves that made her beautifully feminine. Silently, my mother wept for her best friend; a woman who had once tackled life so vivaciously. Her beauty, from what I recall from old photographs, was astounding regardless if she had breasts or not. 

Angelina, in my opinion is truly an inspiration to women. Although she is undoubtedly a symbol of modern femininity, she found the courage to get the surgery. For the most part, women are bombarded by images of sexuality and beauty. We are programmed to believe that we should emulate the models and the celebrities in  our favorite fashion magazines. Sometimes we even feel like we can't compete. It is undeniably refreshing to see such a symbol of beauty describing her experience without the pink ribbons, the 5K races, or the "Save The TaTas t-shirts. 

She was real. She described one part of her surgery as a "scene from a science fiction movie." 

She didn't mask the side effects. 

She had bruises. She has scars. But she is still a woman. 

Happy Hour Mixology: Great Gatsby Inspired Cocktails

"I like large parties, they're so intimate. At small parties, there isn't any privacy."

-Gatsby 

Hornitos "The Aristocrat"

What you need:

2 parts Hornitos Plata Tequila

1 Part Lemon Juice

1/2 Part Agave Nectar

1 Barspoon of Blackberry Jam

What you need to do:

Pour ingredients in shaker, shake and double strain into a shot glass and garnish with a mint leaf. This recipe makes two shots. 

West Egg Punch:

Named after the town from which Gatsby hailed, this festive punch can be prepared in big batches ahead of time. Make in a glass drink dispenser for guests to serve themselves. 

What you need:

1.5 oz. SkinnyGirl White Cherry Vodka

1 oz. lemonade

2 oz. sparkling water 

Strawberries

Watermelon slices

What you need to do: Muddle strawberry and watermelon slice. Add vodka and fill with sparkling water and add lemonade. Garnish with a watermelon slice and a strawberry. 

The Garden Party:

Champagne was a Gatsby party-goer favorite. This modernized champagne cocktail is perfect for toasting with friends. 

What you need:

1 oz. SkinnyGirl White Cherry Vodka

2 oz. champagne

Frozen cherry

What you need to do: Pour champagne into flute, top with vodka, and garnish with one frozen cherry. 

Gatsby Gimlet:

Simple yet sophisticated like Mr. Gatsby himself

What you need:

1.5 oz. SkinnyGirl Bare Naked Vodka

1.5 oz. fresh lime juice. 

What you need to do: Shake with ice, strain into chilled martini glass. 

{Source: OKMagazine}

6 Ways to Live a Life of Passion and Adventure

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"I've come to believe that in everyone's life, there's one undeniable moment of change, a set of circumstances that suddenly alters everything." 

-Nicholas Sparks, Safe Haven

1. Just do it

2. When faced with sink or swim, choose swim. 

3. Erase expectations from your mind. 

4. Make mistakes as often as possible.

5. Live in a constant state of wonder

6. Stay in touch with those you love. 

Waiting

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"There are two types of waiting. There's the waiting you do for something you know is coming, sooner or later--like waiting for the 6.28 train, or the school bus, or a party where a certain handsome boy may be. And then there's the waiting for something you don't know is coming. You don't even know what it is exactly, but you are hoping for it. Your imagining it and living your life for it. That's the kind of waiting that makes a fist in your heart."

-Anonymous (found on Tumblr)

6 Powerful Questions to Ask Yourself This Weekend

"This life is what you make it. No matter what, you're going to mess up sometimes, it's a universal truth. But the good part is you get to decide how you're going to mess it up."

-Marilyn Monroe

1. What do I absolutely love in life?

List anything that you love about the world and the people in your life. Think about any activities that get you excited and enthusiastic and make you feel most alive. This can be absolutely anything: music, sports, cooking, teaching others, learning, watching movies—anything. Within your love for these things lies deep passion.

2. What are my greatest accomplishments in life so far?

List all of the moments that you are proud of as well as the times that you’ve succeeded. To have accomplished these, you would have used some of your key strengths. See if you can identify why you succeeded. Also, list any activities, hobbies, or anything else that you do that you complete with ease. Within these lie greatest strengths.

3. What would I stand for if I knew no one would judge me?

List everything that you would do if you weren’t afraid, even your wildest dreams. This will help you discover your greatest values.

4. If my life had absolutely no limits and I could have it all and do whatever I wanted, what would I choose to have and what would I choose to do?

Describe your ideal lifestyle. List what you would do throughout the day if you knew that you were bound to be successful, what kind of person you would be, how much money you would earn, and where you would live.

This question allows you to realize who you would truly want to be if there were no limits. By aligning with this you can begin working towards the life that you truly want to create. Know that you wouldn’t have a desire if you didn’t also have the ability to fulfil it.

5. What would I do if I had one billion dollars?

List everything that you would really love to do if you had all the money in the world. Okay, so you would probably travel the world, buy a house or two, and give some money to your family. Then what would you do with your time?

This question helps you to think without limitations. When we are able to remove limitations and boundaries, we can discover what we really want to do.

6. Who do I admire most in the world?

List your greatest inspirations and the qualities that you admire about these people. Think about what really inspires you in this world. What you admire about others is also a quality that is in you. Know that you admire someone because they have similar qualities to you.

Taking the time to answer these question will change your life. The more that you can implement your passions, strengths, values, desires, and motivations into your days, the happier your life will become!

You can study to become a doctor, lawyer, teacher, or anything else, but this knowledge will only take you so far. Meanwhile, discovering the deep wisdom of self-knowledge will ensure that your life is far more meaningful and fulfilling. I’ve got a feeling that is what Einstein meant when he said “Information is not knowledge.”

The most valuable knowledge that you will ever discover is, and always will be, within.

About the Author & Source

TinyBuddha

James McWhinney is the author of The Wellbeing Revolution. James is committed to living an incredible life and empowering others to do the same. If you want to boost the love, happiness, and fulfillment in your life, check out his website at www.thewellbeingrevolution.com

Balance: The Art of Finding & Maintaining

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“You get what anybody gets - you get a lifetime.” 
― Neil Gaiman, The Sandman, Vol. 1: Preludes and Nocturnes

I regret that I have been abandoning this blog. For a very long time it was my project, the thing that I looked forward to every morning as I was enjoying my cup of coffee. Lately however, I have spent much of my time and focus on another blog; a writing project that I am not prepared to show all of you yet. Surprisingly, I have built quite the audience and it has fueled my desire to continue writing and to continue cultivating. Despite my enthusiasm, I have realized that I have been neglectful of previous passions and long to find balance in the symmetry of all my endeavors. 

My goals for May can be summarized in one word: Balance.  Balance for many can be a difficult thing to maintain. It's easy to get sidetracked, to find yourself quitting. After all is it worth it? Am I wasting my time? The answer is simple. No. 

A few weeks back I read a quote that smacked me in the face. 

"Do one thing a day that makes your dream a reality."

Regardless of what that one thing should be, it makes perfect sense. It won't happen overnight. You won't roll over one morning and find your dream wrapped in a big, beautiful red bow. It takes small efforts, day in and day out. Even if you don't want to commit to the time to make it happen. Excuses, will not make you successful. 

There have been many times over the last few weeks where I have sat behind a keyboard and cursed at my inability to put something on the page. It was like pulling teeth, which in hindsight would have be more appealing. But, I did it anyway. I wrote and I wrote crap. But I still did it. 

Balance. 

Such a hefty word. 

Is there a simple solution? One can argue that there is. But in my opinion it takes time, and takes skill. One can find balance by prioritizing and finding the time to make each of your goals more attainable. Again, excuses need to be left at the door. Easier said than done, but again, small efforts will be rewarded in the long run. 

My goal is find balance. With this blog, with my other blog, my 5 mile runs that I have committed myself to at least 3 times a week. 

Happy Hour Readers: Have you abandoned a passion lately? How do you maintain balance? 

4 Ways To Make That Dream a R E A L I T Y

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“May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you're wonderful, and don't forget to make some art -- write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.” 
― Neil Gaiman

1. Believe that it’s possible.

So often we think of dreams as things most people don’t get to do—luxuries reserved for people who are privileged, wealthy, or well connected.

It’s true that some people have more advantages than others. What takes one person five years of planning and saving may require another to do little more than sell a stock and make a call.

It’s also true that the second person may have worked incredibly hard for said stock. The point is: We’re all starting from different places, for different reasons, with different levels of work required to get from A to B.

If your dream is something you’re physically incapable of doing, it may be improbable (but not impossible—we’ve come a long way with technology!) And there’s no denying that certain dreams are more difficult to achieve than others.

But most of the things we dream about are things we could do if we were willing to work toward it, align our choices to support it, and stay flexible in terms of fulfilling it.

You don’t need to believe it will be easy, or it will happen quickly, or it will look exactly like you visualized it. You just need to believe in the possibility, which really means you need to believe in yourself.

2. Take tiny steps to work toward it.

Working toward it entails aligning with the right people, disregarding discouragement from people who don’t support your growth, and taking tiny steps each day to move toward your vision.

“The right people” are those who help you, support you, encourage you, believe in you, and guide you on your way to this dream. It may include people who’ve done what you want to do, people who also want to do it, and even people who just plain find it cool.

Share your enthusiasm and progress with them. They’ll keep you excited and help you stick to your plan.

As for those people who don’t support your growth, there will be many of them, and they most likely won’t be malicious. They’ll be well-meaning people who aren't able to do step one for themselves, and, therefore, think they’re doing you a favor by discouraging you. Politely decline that favor.

Their words may seem to keep you down, but it’s how you internalize them that holds you back.

And as for taking consistent steps, they really can be tiny. It may not seem like much to make a call, bookmark a site, or send an email, but the little things add up over time—and because they’re easily doable, each one may inspire you to do more.

3. Make choices that support it.

Much of our experience stems from our choices. Not all of it; there are some things that we can’t control.

This isn't a suggestion that if we make all the “right” choices, everything will line up and magically work out. It’s just that we have more power than we often realize—and our power lies in our choices.

Whatever your dream, the first choice is to prioritize it. As you’re able, dedicate time to it, money to it, attention to it, love to it. Give what you can, as you can, and back that giving with belief, passion, and enthusiasm.

The other side of this coin is realizing which choices don’t support your dream—when you’re doing too much or pursuing other dreams that conflict, for example.

4. Stay flexible about how you’ll fulfill it.

It’s tempting to be rigid about a dream—when it needs to happen, how it needs to happen, and who it needs to include. But sometimes when we’re too busy clinging to a specific vision, we miss an opportunity to experience it in different shades.

This isn't meant to discourage you from reaching for the stars. It’s just a reminder that there are a lot more of them than you may realize, some far closer than others.

Being a singer may include a jazz club, not a fan-packed stadium. Writing a book may entail self-publishing, not a six-figure advance. And traveling may include teaching abroad or a string of budget bed-and-breakfasts—

They may not be the ultimate dream, but they are, in fact, reflections of it.

And in that moment when you’re doing something inspired, passionate, and in line with your deepest intentions, you’ll feel two things that you may not have realized weren't exclusive to one specific vision:

You’ll feel alive. And proud.

And now, two final thoughts on making dreams come true: know that no dream is better than any other, and stay open to the possibility that your dream may change.

Source: {TinyBuddha}

10 Ways To Complain Less & Be H A P P I E R!

“Instead of complaining that the rose bush is full of thorns, be happy the thorn bush has roses.” ~Proverb

We all complain. Even if you argue that you are the happiest person in the world, you still complain sometimes.

Here are some tips to stop complaining and ditch the negative thoughts to focus on finding solutions:

{TinyBuddha}

1. Change the way you think.

This is definitely easier said than done. Our brains tend to gravitate toward the negative. Much like the quote above, we are bothered first by the thorns in the rose bush instead of being marveled by the sight of the beautiful roses.

This requires a new practice of being mindful. When you find yourself thinking or saying a negative comment about something or someone, stop and force yourself to say something positive instead. Enlist the help of a cheerful friend to stop you when you complain and help you to see the positive in the situation.

2. Allow yourself to vent every once in a while.

Constantly ignoring your negative thoughts could add up. If you are really going through a rough time, don’t be afraid to share your feelings with a close friend or family member or see a therapist. Don’t feel ashamed if you need to talk through negative feelings.

3. Practice yoga.

Yoga is a great way to exercise, relax, and learn to be mindful. Yoga focuses on breathing, movement, and meditation and helps you to control your mind and body. Our minds often race in a million directions. Yoga can help you calm your racing thoughts and be more positive with your intentions.

4. Train yourself to be less judgmental.

We often complain about others because we think they are not up to our standards. Once you stop judging people without knowing their stories, you will most likely complain less about the things people do.

For example, constantly complaining about the service in a restaurant is not helpful. You don’t know what kind of a day your waiter or waitress has had or what problems are going on behind the scenes. If you put yourself in their shoes for a minute, you may be more kind and relax about the situation.

5. Make a list of things you’re grateful for.

Stopping for a minute and thinking of all the great things and amazing people in your life will probably put any silly complaints you had to rest.

6. Be the change you wish to see in the world.

Next time you’re with your friends, family, or co-workers and engaged in a complaint fest, speak up or quiet down. Depending on the crowd, either speak up to stop the complaining and change the subject to something sunnier or simply be quiet and don’t complain yourself.

7. Accept responsibility.

If something is bothering you, either fix it or accept that nothing can be done right now, so why complain? Complaining is a passive activity. Change that complaining into action to solve the problem or simple accept it and give your mind something else to focus on.

8. Find what makes you happy.

Sometimes this list can be easy, full of hobbies you enjoy. Sometimes it requires deeper introspection. Are you constantly complaining about your job? Maybe it is time to make the hard decision to move on to another job or career. Uncover what your biggest complaints are about and see if you can change the situation to make you happy.

9. Take care of yourself.

Stress and a busy lifestyle can often take over our lives and break down anyone’s positive spirit. Take time out from your life for just you. Make sure you get to see that movie you were dying to watch, take a hot bath, head to your exercise class, get a manicure, play sports, or do whatever relaxes and energizes you. It could just put you in a new frame of mind.

10. Simply ask yourself when you open your mouth: would you rather complain or be happy?

Choose happiness, focusing on the positive, and being kind always! It is your choice and no one else’s.

What is your foolproof way to stop complaining?

An Excerpt: Chance Encounter

It was at the light house; the light house at the end of the sandy beach where he left the tarnished bottle of Merlot. The letter, slightly torn, was placed delicately inside and concealed with the remnants of the cork she had playfully thrown at him upon opening the bottle. It was one of her favorites, slightly expensive, but rich with a varietal blend of grapes that made her delightfully flirty and intoxicated by his arguable sense of humor. They had shared the bottle just to celebrate the simplicity of living and being able to breathe the mystery of the salty sea air. 

They had met by chance. She was running along the compact beach, merely an inch or two away from the waves that threatened to engulf her within their hefty arms. He had been fishing that early morning, not because he wanted to, but because it was ritual. He and his father had done it since he was a little boy, and he could not find the heart to abandon his father's passion. It had been a year that very day, that his health deteriorated and took away his last breath. 

He could see the outline of her body, slim, yet muscular, through the rays of sunshine that kissed her ivory skin. She appeared happy, lost within the rhythmic trance of her steady heart beat and the slight pounding of her feet. Her hair, loosely held in a ponytail moved gracefully with each of her passing strides. He remembers casting the line out into the ocean, careful not to stare. Politely, she nodded as she ran past him, revealing an enticing aroma of lavender, perhaps from the perspiration leaving her pores. Her smile, was that of a movie star, bright and undeniably welcoming. He responded by waving and smiling back at her. 

He was certain that there are very few moments where beauty truly stops the blood from pumping through ones heart. And as she ran past him that early June morning, he knew that he was in trouble of losing himself within the layers of her beauty.

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