Hannah Montana

So I am not sure why I am on this "one year ago today" kick but I am! 

This is going to be another one of those posts.

A little bit of silliness from 2007 (not a year ago more like about five when I was a senior in high school)...

"In speech today, Mr. N was gone. We had a sub. Our assignment was to get with our debate partner and make a poster and color it and make a name for our debate team and make up a slogan. McHale (the sister) and I are partners. We made the best poster out of all of his classes! His daughter Makenna, who is ten, is choosing the winner. So ours will win! We are "The Hannah Montanas" and our slogan is "We got the best of both worlds". We put glitter and hearts and stars all over it! It's awesome. Poor Ali (our friend and classmate)! Josh wouldn't let her put glitter on theirs but we did anyways! They are "The Master Debaters". We got to hang out pictures on the board when we were done."

Alright so that story isn't all that interesting or inspirational, but I didn't write in any of my journals on this day in the past so that's all I have.

I am sick with this virus this week and it's contagious so I've had to miss school/work on doctor's orders. :(

I am going stir crazy. There is nothing (well almost nothing) that I despise more than being cooped up in your house sick. Not fun. I can't stand not being busy and feeling useless. 

I have already cleaned up my already clean room and have been doing lots of reading and writing.

Oh and I am on this Private Practice marathon watching seasons 1-4 that I own on DVD. 

I love love love that show and Kate Walsh.

I finished re-reading Anne Frank: The Diary of A Young Girl. I hadn't read it since elementary school so I didn't really comprehend the whole thing and appreciate it.

I so admire her and her bravery and optimism. 

This quote by her stood out to me:

"For in it's inner most depths youth is lonelier than old age. That's the difficulty in these times: ideals, dreams, and cherished hopes rise within us, only to meet the horrible truth and be shattered. It's really a wonder that I haven't dropped all my ideals, because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them, because in spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart."

I would go crazy being cooped up in hiding for 2+ years. She was such a strong girl. Words can't describe how amazing she was. Just being stuck in my house for the past few days is driving me crazy and I have the Internet and TV and plenty to keep me occupied. 

I can't wait for Thanksgiving. I love being around family and celebrating what I am thankful for.

What I am most thankful for is my dear family and friends. I am so blessed to have them. They make my life and complete it. I love them more than all the words in every language could begin to explain. My heart is bursting with love for them. I'm not just thankful for them one day a year... I am thankful everyday. I think we should express our thankfulness every single day of the year. However I am grateful that we can all come together that one special day as well.  I am thankful for all of you lovelies!

With love,

Charley Brooke

The Importance of Being Important

YOU are important.

Everyone of you is significant.

Humans have a universal need to feel important. However, most have entirely different definitions of what it means to be important. Some people think unless you are famous then you are a nobody, nonexistent, and definitely not important. I have seen celebrities who have egos nearly bigger than the world we live on who just reinforce these beliefs into girls and boys of all ages. I am ashamed at the actors and singers and performers act like they are royalty and fans are just peasants that don't matter. Why do we stand for this? Our society has always perplexed me when it comes to this issue. Everywhere you go you see and hear about these "perfect" famous people who we put on a higher level. It's ridiculous to me.

Now don't get me wrong, there are a number of celebrities out there who are genuine, down to earth, and truly, madly, deeply care for their fans. The cast of Private Practice is a prime example of this. I admire and adore them for their unconditional love towards their fans. Caterina Scorsone, Kate Walsh, Amy Brenneman, and other cast members communicate with their fans via Twitter. They take the time out of their busy schedules to talk to us like we are their friends. They listen to our questions and try to help answer them. Words can never fully express my love (and the love all PPP fans) held in my heart for them. I also appreciate the time they dedicate to various charities.

You don't have to be famous to be important. You may not be able to change the world, but you can change your world and the world of those you love. I know we all dream at one point or another of being in the limelight with millions of adoring fans chasing us all over, but it's more than that. Find out who is truly important to you. You can be important by reaching out and helping others. Always express your love and appreciation to those who are important to you. Be kind. Fame isn't everything. Love is what counts. In the end, love always wins. I love all of you lovelies. You are important to me. Making someone else feel important is like a chain reaction, it makes me feel happy. What's that old saying... people may forget your name, but they'll never forget the way you made them feel. Truth.

What is important to you?

"Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved."

-Barbara Johnson

"Ican is 100 times more important than IQ."

"The salvation of a single soul is more important than the production or preservation of all the epics and tragedies in the world."

-C.S. Lewis

"It is important to remember that we all have magic inside of us."

-J.K. Rowling

"It's important to give it all you have while you have the chance."

-Shania Twain

"We're constantly being told what other people think we are, and that's why it's so important to know yourself."

-Sarah McLachlan

"There is only one time that is important--NOW! It is the most important time because it is the only time that we have any power."

-Tolstoy

"The most important things are the hardest to say, because words diminish them."

-Stephen King

"It is extremely important for you to believe in yourselves not only for what you are now but for what you have the power to become. The Lord will unfold your future bit by bit. Trust Him."

-Neal A. Maxwell

"It's astonishing how important a person becomes when they die."

"Family is the most important thing in the world."

-Princess Diana

"I believe that as much as you take you have to give back. It's important not to focus on yourself too much."

-Nicole Kidman

"The aspects of things that are most important for us are hidden because of their simplicity and familiarity."

-Ludwig Wittgenstein

"I had found a kind of serenity, a new maturity... I didn't feel better or stronger than anyone else but it seemed no longer important whether everyone loved me or not--more important now was for me to love them. Feeling that way turns your whole life around, living becomes the art of giving."

-Beverly Sills

"What is important is not what someone is but what he is waiting for. Not the events of life but its possibilities."

-Dorothee Solle

"Trust is really important, just in relationships in general. I really don't like people that aren't real people around me at all. I don't like people that are 'yes' people. I don't like people that tell me what they think I want to hear."

-Beyonce Knowles

"It is important not to have the unrealistic expectations that we will find a magic key to get rid of all suffering. It takes determination and patience."

-The Dalai Lama

"It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice."

“Any time you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don’t, then you are wasting your time on Earth.”

-Rolberto Clemente

“Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given, then to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing…”

“We do not need magic to change the world. We carry all the power we need inside ourselves already, we have the power to imagine better.”

-J.K. Rowling

“We are not powerless. We have tremendous potential for good or ill. How we choose to use that power is up to us; but first we must choose to use it. We’re told every day, ‘You can’t change the world.’ But the world is changing every day. Only question is…who’s doing it? You or somebody else?”

-J. Michael Straczynski

"We are told to remember the idea, not the man, because a man can fail. He can be caught, he can be killed and forgotten, but 400 years later, an idea can still change the world.”

-V For Vendetta

#20 Dye My Hair Little Mermaid Red 8/4/11

The Girl Whose Hair Was On Fire

 #20 Dye My Hair Little Mermaid Red

I am so in love with my hair right now.

I wish I really was a mermaid princess.

Everyone has been receptive and leaving me the sweetest compliments about my hair. 

I've never had such a thing happen when my hair was blonde or brown. 

I guess red is my color! Everyone is loving it.

I must give credit to my darling sister McHale. 

My mom was a cosmetologist and taught my sister how to color hair so my sister does a fabulous job always! 

I wish I could pull off the red hair as stunningly as Kate Walsh, Liz Lee,  and Hayley Williams, but I think it looks decent on me. 

What do you think lovelies?

I adore you all! If you have red hair I'd love to see it! Post a comment/send a picture of it!

Kate Walsh & Walshies Rule The World

A post called "To Change The Things I Can" I posted earlier on my blog was chosen by my role model Kate Walsh (aka Addison on Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice) to be on her website for Walshies :) Can you say I am speechless and was in tears? I was (and will forever be) overwhelmingly grateful and happy to have this honor. You can read/see it on Kate's site by clicking here. This is a dream come true. The kind comments people & Walshies all over the world are leaving me touch my heart and inspire me beyond comprehension. There is no better feeling than knowing your writing changes someone's life or touches it. 

I dedicated this post to the brilliant, beautiful, amazing-in-every-way Kate Walsh & all the Walshies. 

KATE is the most beautiful gal ever--inside & out! Most people with her talent & fame & supermodel looks would be conceited & selfish yet she has the sweetest heart & cares for others with a passion. I am proud to be a Walshie. She is my favorite actress not just because of how well she can ACT (which is Oscar/Emmy deserving-out-of-this-world-AMAZING) but because of her true character in REAL life. I am grateful for her not just on Gratituesdays but Gratieveryday ♥ She's f'awesome :) OH & her Tweets are the best! Also, Walshies (Kate's adore fans who she treats like friends) are just as wonderful as Kate. 

The outpouring of love and support I have gotten from fellow Walshies is incredible... I am making great friends with many of them. They inspire me in more ways that I can count. I'd like to send a shout out to a few of them here and so they can catch a fraction of a glimpse of the adoration I feel in my heart for them... Emma Wicks , Nicole Franco and Hanna Jackson you girls are F'awesome!  

To Change The Things I Can

  Change.  It comes unpredictably for the most part. It's something we all have this desire to control, but it's a force of its own. Sometimes change is voluntary, sometimes it's slow and steady. Then there are times when change is like a huge storm, hitting you out of nowhere and making you feel like you're drowning and can't catch your breath. It's like a roller coaster you're stuck on and all you want to do is get off. It can turn your life upside down, make people you love and are close to complete strangers, and leave you standing in the wreckage not knowing where to begin on the road to recovery and finding normalcy.

Change is never ending. Everything changes. The key learning to adapt and move forward. Sometimes change is good. Sometimes we need to make changes in our lives for the better. Other times change can be the worst. But you have to remember life can change in an instant.  As you grow older, oftentimes you are forced to make changes alone. You and your friends go separate ways but that’s life. You have to do what’s right for you. The people that truly love you will understand. Trials make us stronger. Change helps us grow

 How fitting that the season 4 finale of “Private Practice” was titled To Change The Things I Can. Addison Montgomery has been the poster girl for change ever since “Grey’s Anatomy” and now on “Private Practice”. Addison has had to handle and make changes she caused, didn't cause, liked, disliked, and had no control over. The thing I love most about her is that she is this gorgeous, lovable character that isn't perfect (like the rest of us—except for her perfect red hair and style). She struggles with change and choices like you and me. Addison has been in multiple relationships--from Pete to Sam and the others in between  Dating can be frustrating. There is no map to finding your true love. You have to take risks and chances when it comes to love. Many single women of all ages can relate to Addison's relationship situation. The fact that she's refused to give up her dreams and settle with any of the men she's dated is admirable. She knows what she wants-a family and baby, like so many others-and will wait until she finds him. 

What I adore most  is how Addison learns from her mistakes and gracefully grows from the changes that surround her. When it comes to her patients, she always advocates for what she believes is right even if she's standing alone and causes disagreement between fellow doctors and friends. Addison refused to give up on Oceanside Wellness group and would do anything to save it. Sometimes it's better to start over than to go back and fix what is broken. I loved the quote in the finale, “We start over. We start fresh. We start clean. We stay a family. We make a change for the better.” Addison remains hopeful and optimistic despite the chaos threatening the practice and her friends.

 The lovely Kate Walsh has also experienced her share of change—good and bad. She is not only a talented actress, but I also considered her talented at handling change and remaining positive even when the changes she is experiencing are challenging. Her parents divorced when she was only six, forcing her to move at least ten times. I know that I (and thousands of others) can relate to divorce and the trials that follow it. Kate didn't let it stop her from accomplishing her dreams. She proves that despite the circumstances you can't change, you can change the way you see them and react. 

 She inspires me to change the things I can and let go of the things I can’t (and be okay with the fact that you can’t change everything). Kate never gives up or lets change bring her down. She has said she relates to Addison in this respect. In her own words “I’ve always been the girl who keeps on trying.” When you are threatened by change, turn the change around, make your own change. You might not be able to change the world, but you can change your world and not let setbacks define you. Anything worthwhile is never easy. The best things in life are worth the wait.