We Are The Starry Eyed 28-Day Challenge

Sometimes being a grown up is hard, which makes us way too serious.  Our hope is that this challenge will leave you inspired to live a happier, less stressed and more wonder-filled life.  It’ll help you become the truest version of yourself, all while relearning how to have fun.  When you look back on these 28 practices to becoming Starry Eyed, you are going to find that you rediscovered parts of yourself you forgot existed and found glimmers of light in the darkness.  The only thing you need to do is commit – for 28 days in a row – to either taking a risk or to get really honest.  Because it’s often the smallest things that can bring us to life.  Are you with us?

Share photos of your journey using #wearethestarryeyed… make sure to post on Emilia’s Wings facebook page too!

DAILY PROMPTS

-DAY 1:  SWELL SEASONS

TRUTH:  In what ways do you feel out of control in your life? In the last two months, I have learned that there are times when we are never truly in control of what happens in our lives.  We plan for one thing and are sometimes surprised when life deals us a set of different cards.  My entire life feels out of my control right now.  I had planned on bringing a baby into this world – and I did – but my arms are empty.  I think what is important is realizing and remembering that we are never completely in control and it’s how we react to those changes that matter.  Emilia may not be with me to hold in my arms, but she will always be in my heart… and that is something very special.  05/17/2017

DARE:  Jump into some water.  Skinny dip in a pool, swim in a lake, wade in a river.  Let your skin touch water that has been coursing over the Earth since the beginning of time.

-DAY 2:  BLESSING THE NIGHT

TRUTH:  What is your favorite thing that has happened in the dark?

DARE:  Go outside at night and count 100 stars.  Then make an audacious wish on the brightest star.  After all, wishes are simply hope-filled prayers.  Yesterday evening I waited for the sun to go down and for the night sky to reveal a multitude of stars.  One stood out among them, brighter and more beautiful than the rest.  It made me think of a quote I read shortly after we left the hospital… “Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pour through and shine down on us to let us know they are happy.” Was that bright and lovely star my Emilia telling me she was happy and reminding me that she is always near? It fills my heart with joy to imagine that she is speaking to me through the night sky and shining her love in a way that I can only see it.  My audacious wish last night was asking Emilia to come to me in my sleep – the next best thing to holding her again in my arms is to relive it all in my dreams.  What I would do for one more moment to tell her how much I love her and to give her all the kisses in the world.  That would be a dream from which I would never want to wake.  05/18/2017

-DAY 3:  BECOMING OUR MOTHERS

TRUTH:  What are two things you hope your kids will talk about as adults when they describe their memories of you?

DARE:  Dance in the grocery store.  Grabbing a partner is encouraged.  Today was our weekly shopping day and I think I thoroughly embarrassed Dan at our local Super Target.  I chose to dance in the apple section of the produce for one funny reason.  Those who know me really well know that I am a very emotional person.  I can cry at the drop of a hat.  Add in the crazy hormones from pregnancy and I am an emotional mess… poor Dan.  Months back when I was about 20 weeks pregnant with Emilia, Dan and I were shopping after what had been a long and exhausting day for me.  Shopping that evening just added to my exhaustion.  I don’t particularly remember the specifics, but I was searching for different items and for the life of me could not find them.  This eventually ended in a big pregnant lady having an emotional breakdown in the middle of the produce section at this same Super Target.  It wasn’t very funny at the time and I think I thoroughly embarrassed Dan that night also, but now we can look back on the evening and laugh.  I could not have picked a more appropriate place to dance like nobody was watching.  05/19/2017

-DAY 4:  SISTER COURAGE

TRUTH:  What do you value most in a friend? Are you that kind of friend? What I value most in a friend is someone that will be there for me when I have just hit rock bottom.  A friend that will be by my side even during my worst and most miserable moments.  They don’t need to say the perfect words to comfort me – the fact that they are near, caring for me, and giving me a listening ear is the best gift they could give.  I want a friend that I can share all my insecurities and vulnerabilities with and know he/she isn’t going to judge me but instead embrace my differences.  I was fortunate to have a few friends who were all the above for me while I grieved and mourned the loss of Emilia.  I will forever be grateful for the love and compassion they showed me when I needed someone the most.  I would like to think I am and could be that kind of friend to someone.  I am sure there is always room to improve for anyone who wants to be a great friend.  In this chapter of my guidebook, it talks about how we are capable of so much more – of love and empathy and sweetness and connection – so much deeper than we even understand.  From now on I want to consciously make an effort to be that kind of person to not just the ones I love and care for but to complete strangers too.  I want to be that one person that everyone knows they can count on for anything.  05/20/2017

DARE:  Widen your circle.  Start a conversation with a stranger who would normally make you uncomfortable.

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