Another Natvice Hiatus!?

     Yes, it's true, I just returned from a hiatus and I'm going on a slight one again.. But don't worry, I promise you this one will be much more short lived and beneficial to the both of us! Tomorrow I will be going on a project serve missionary trip with my church and will be documenting it in full for you guys! This is the first time in my 17 years of living that 1. I've been on a missionary trip and 2. Have ever been away from home without family (I can also be hopelessly awkward when it comes to meeting new people, it all depends on the day) so this upcoming week is going to be full of exciting and slightly nerve-wracking firsts. Please keep me in your prayers for a safe trip and that God will use me as a blessing to bestow his love upon those around me and that everything will run smoothly! I can't wait to share my journey with you guys, see you soon!

~ Nathia

Four Ways to Make Your Day Absolutely Sweet!

(Photo via linda_lomelino)

     The best way to live an all around happy lifestyle full or glittery-filled moments is to take it day by day, making the best of each of them as they come rather than looking at them (future and present) as a whole (which, may I add, just may drive you insane), save that for your final bow, when everything has fallen into place, I guarantee you, that will be much less of a stress-provoking, optical illusion. Take an artist for example, say you are working on a masterpiece, each day, little by little, you work on your painting, adding new detail and embellishes rather than trying to tackle and perfect the whole thing in one go, all it's parts will come together in due time, simply, keep working. Finally, it's finished, and it's not until then you step back and are able to admire all your work, there is something overwhelmingly beautiful about witnessing this unveiling. Despite this, the in-between process of creation in general is just as beautiful as well, just as enjoyable. When applying this poor attempt at an analogy, to life, looking at how far you have come is much more satisfying than looking at how much left you've got to go, however, in order to be able to do so, you must make a conscious effort to make every day better than the last, do something different, be... proactive (as soon as I wrote that I thought of the commercial) and enjoy life's in-between's . Do not wait for good days to come to you, make them, or you may just be left waiting for a good while; your happiness, your responsibility. 
Here are four pretty simply ways to kick-start your day on a positive note, making sure your "in-betweens" add up to be a beautiful masterpiece.

1. Leave your blinds partially open before bed: Now, normally I tend not to sleep with the blinds cracked open in fear of waking up in the middle of the night to a large man staring back at me, (keep in mind I'm on the second floor)  but I've been utilizing this tip for a while now and it's been pretty effective! By keeping your blinds open, it gradually lets the light in, in the morning, waking you up slowly as the sun comes up, naturally setting off your internal clock (Which is much more sympathetic than the unremorseful, never-ending IPhone alarm clock which resembles that of a nuclear bomb warning). Waking up gradually and naturally, places you in a pleasant mood which ultimately sets the tone for a pleasant day! 

2. Morning runs/ workouts: This is one at first, I had dreaded. 8am workouts? No thanks, give me pancakes or give me bed. However, once I started doing it, I realized how much of a mood booster working out truly is, working out is one of those things you never regret after. Working out releases what I like to call "Happy endorphins" or, if you would like to get all scientific and fancy-medical-term like: Serotonin. it's the feel-good hormone responsible for your good moods, so what better time to release them than the start of your day!?    

3. Take time to truly look for the beauty in things:

You don't have to travel across the world to find beauty or jump out of a plane to truly be able to say you lived your life to the fullest. Beauty and adventure can be found in your own back yard as long as you never lose your inner child-like spirit. Never lose your curiosity or appreciation/amusement for the said "little things", the things that go overlooked like the way all bus drivers wave at each other and watching raindrops race on car windows or looking up at the sky and realizing the phrase "It's a small world" is an insult at best. Really take the time to look and realize how majestic your surroundings are, you are living in a masterpiece.

4. Pray: Time spent with God is time well spent. First thing in the morning, take this time to meditate on the word. Every morning I personally thank God for a new day and ask for his guidance and favor through out it and to make me a blessing to the people around me. Spending time with the Lord helps me clear my mind, get everything off my chest, provides me with guidance and appreciation for all that he has done for me.

Starting your morning off right is key to to a successful, positive day, overall. One last thing I would advise you to do is to set goals. An organized life is a stress free life, knowing what you have to accomplish and setting time frames in order to get them done then leaves you with ample enough time to take out of the day for yourself and give you an accomplished feeling once you've checked everything off your to-do list. Live Happily.

~Nathia

Imagination Motivational Monday #5

     So, this one's a little different. Not photos, no quotes, no songs, just this one, beautiful, empowering video. I encourage you to simply listen keenly to everything that is being said to you in this video and then compare it to what you are or aren't doing in your own life. I love videos like this, they always really make me think on things, provide me with revalations and "aha" moments. They make me feel as if the person speaking is speaking directly to me and knows exactly what I may be going through. I hope this prompts some of you to take leaps of faith or the steps towards things you've been pushing off or hesitant to pursue:

"VISION"

CLICK HERE TO VIEW MOBILE VERSION OF VIDEO

~ Nathia

A New Season for Natvice!

                                                         

(Photography via yours truly, me! Hehe )

     Yes, it's true, I am officially back from my highly involuntary hiatus. Believe me, if it were up to myself I would have been banging out posts left and right every day but with final exams, end-of-the-year jitters, college tour scheduling and all that highly boring and equally as stressful yadda yadda, I was forced to put a few things on hold. With the majority of all that taken care of, I feel like life is now scheduled to take a long overdue deep breath, loosen up a bit, and shake it off (to be quite honest I feel like I'm going to take up yoga or something). On to my Natvice ventures however, I feel as if this is the start of a new season and great things are in store for us! 

I've been brainstorming Ideas for mini docu series, projects (artsy ones of course) and I'm also partaking in a lot of really exciting, new things and can't wait to share it with all of you. With that said, Natvice is basically getting a face-mask, just to freshen everything up and I definitely want to start involving you readers much more as a whole, as I had intended to do from the beginning (If you've been here with me since December you'll know I used to do weekly topic polls in which you guys let me know what you wanted to hear, I may just be resurrecting that idea, stay tuned!)

As for posting, I am going to try my best to post at leas 3 times a week. I want to provide you with both interesting and relatable content, things YOU want to read and know more about, topics YOU want to discuss and address and questions and or advice YOU are seeking answers for. One of my main goals is to transform this blog into a community, I want this blog to be as much YOURS as it is mine, which entails me involving you a lot more. I'm also going to put a lot more of myself in my writing (not that I didn't before, my posts definitely reflect who I am as a person and I've shared a chunk of my story with you and you'll definitely learn more about me in future posts) so maybe that's not the best way to explain it. It's more the fact that when you read a Natvice post, I want you all to feel as if you are chatting with friend: comfortable and light, full of "aha" moments. In the making of Natvice, in the back of my head there was always something longing for pish-posh-pirm and perfection not wanting to be controversial, and in some ways striving for professionalism etc, etc, therefore I may have held back a micro bit on capturing all of myself in posts. I've come to the conclusion that I am a chunk of imperfections, facetiousness, sarcasm, love and occasional accidental innuendos, and that's fine, I am not a blue blazer and dress pants aficionado, I am full of quirks, and as I said, that is A-OK! (Don't get me wrong however, when In Rome can certainly do as Romans do, I can turn on professional business woman mode at the drop of a hat if the time calls for it.) 

I hope you're all as pumped for this new season in which Natvice is walking into as I am. Don't be afraid to get involved, leave comments, ask questions, email me, all my contact links are on the homepage and you can check out my "How to Submit" posts in order to gain further information on how to send topic suggestions, questions, ask for advice etc, just CLICK HERE . I am ALWAYS here for you guys if you need me and am so excited to hear from you, whether it's through giving you advice, you leaving comments, sharing topic suggestions, collaboration ideas, questions, sharing your personal stories and anything in between! Both my mind and heart are open wide enough to fit all of you comfortably, I promise.

YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME HERE AT NATVICE. 

~ Nathia

Does the bible condone slavery?

Here's a short twitter conversation I had a few months back:

So, let's start with the verse in which he (the person in the above photo) is referring to: 

Colossians 3:18-4:1 (NIV):

"Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for The Lord. 

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for The Lord, not for human masters, 

since you know that you will receive an inheritance from The Lord as a reward. It is in the lord you are serving. 

Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs and there is no favoritism. 

Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven."

When I first read this, I felt a strew of emotions, I was pretty, dare I say, pissed off, hurt and confused, it ultimately turned me off. Then I remembered my God, his promises and exactly what he stood for and knew that there was no possibility of him advocating for our definition of slavery. This is a literal interpretation of the bible therefore I looked deeper and caught up on some of my history. Once I did so,I realized, the question "Does the bible condone slavery" can be answered pretty simply. 

In biblical days, a "slave" was someone who provides a "Master" with their loyalty/allegiance, working for them in exchange for food, clothes, proper housing etc. the basic necessities. In Medieval times, this was referred to as a "vassal". In today's 21st century society, this is called a Job. The Bible's definition of slave is not the modern-day, westernized rendition of the word, similar to the fact that in the bible, an "ass" is referring to a donkey, however, In modern western society, it surely does not translate into that anymore. 
This clarification was genuinely a breath of fresh air for myself because it had initially raised a lot of questions. 

As for the comment "this is what western slave masters utilized in order to oppress a race" that simply goes right back to what I said before in the photo about having a false interpretation. Take God's word for what he intended it to be not for it's man-made interpretations. In order to be able to decipher between What The Lord said/intended and what man has manipulated the word into for their own benefit, entails spending time with The Lord, meditating on the word and praying for clarity, wisdom and understanding. In this case it also entailed having a bit of historic knowledge which you'd be sure to find when reading on in the bible.

This Natvice post was pretty short and sweet, Hope that clears the air!
If you have any questions at all you can always reach me at my email,or the other links provided on the homepage!

~Nathia

A Sprinkle of Inspiration

  

(Photos via sprinkleofglitter.blogspot.com)

     When asked "who inspires you?" The first person who pops in my head is Louise, also know as Sprinkle of Glitter. Louise is a woman of many roles, including a full-time British YouTuber,  blogger, wife and mother to the worlds cutest curly cube of sugar, her daughter, Darcy. Louise's spirit lights up a room, even if it's only through a computer screen; her smile is contagious and her bubbly personality never seizes to brighten up my mood. 

If you know me, then you know, i'm not exactly a size zero, I'm a curvy gal and I absolutely love it, however, it wasn't always that way. There was a point in time in which I had convinced my self that as long as my thighs rubbed together (which is crazy because I naturally have more "meat" on my thighs/hips than my torso, therefore, no matter how much weight I lose, unless it were an unhealthy amount, my thighs will continue cuddle each other when I walk), I'd never look good in any sort of clothing. The absolutely ridiculous saying "Skinny looks good in clothes and fit looks good naked" is a pretty adequate way to describe my mindset at the time.

About a year ago, I was looking through LookBooks on YouTube and all of the ones I saw consisted of cropped-tops and stores who sell Extra-Smalls disguised as a Medium/Large. Finally, I stumbled upon Louise' "Curvy Autumn LookBook" and she demolished every stereotype I had of myself and or women of a particular size. Louise is absolutely bright and beautiful and proved to me that us curvy gals can pull off just about anything in a tasteful way; that I could follow the latest trends and look just as good as the model it was originally displayed on. But this is only a highlight.

Louise's personality is ultimately what drew me in (Kinda sound's like I'm speaking about a 20 year soul mate, haha), as I watched more of her videos and daily vlogs (on sprinkleofchatter), I was introduced to a hilarious, strong, caring, bubbly, emotional, quirky and sometimes clumsy (in the most gracious and lovable way possible) individual with a child-like glow, or should I say, sparkle. The fact that she shares both her good and bad days with her viewers is admirable, and quite brave, (considering how cruel the blank faces of the internet can be). Louise seems to be as genuine as it gets and unknowingly inspires others to do the same. I grew to admire Louise for how much of her self she gave to people (which is ultimately 100%). She also has provided viewers with many advice videos from relationships to body image, to "how to say no", to shopping for clothes as a curvy woman and everything in between.

Aloha, I'm proud to be a Sprinklerino

~ Nathia

Here's a few of Louise's videos to watch if you'd wish to love her has much as I do, or you can simply explore her YouTube for some of her other ones which suit your interest I will also leave some of her other social networking links to her twitter, blog and all that jazz below!:

The first video, which is a Lookbook, is very recent, as in, posted about a week ago. The other two videos are some of  her much older videos however, they are very inspiring and allow you to get to know miss Louise better as a person, I highly recommend you check them out.

Sprinkleofglitter "Mini Boho Lookbook": CLICK HERE FOR MOBILE VERSION OF VIDEO

Sprinkleofglitter "Draw My Life" video: CLICK HERE FOR MOBILE VERSION OF VIDEO

Sprinkleofglitter "I Go To Church": CLICK HERE FOR MOBILE VERSION OF VIDEO

Sprinkleofglitter "Being Body Confident": CLICK HERE TO VIEW MOBILE VERSION OF VIDEO

Other Lovely Louise Links: 

LOUISE'S BLOG

YOUTUBE

TWITTER

INSTAGRAM

Motivational Monday #4

Hey guys and gals, welcome back to another Motivation Monday, where I prove to you that mondays are awesome (as is every other day of the week, no "day of the week" discrimination here).

"Be happy not because everything is good, but because you can see the good side of everything. #optimism"

What a silly thing it is to think you’re no one’s ideal just because you aren’t someone’s. 

Someone is going to love you with a deep and meaningful kind of love.

You are not too much. 

You are not too emotional. 

You are not too unstable.

You are just right.

Short and sweet inspirational video:

CLICK HERE FOR VIEW MOBILE VERSION OF VIDEO

"Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow - Doug Firebaugh"

TheDailyPositive.com (via thedailypozitive)

"Nothing will ruin your 20’s more than thinking you should have your life together already.

"When you screw up, skip a workout, eat bad foods, or sleep in, it doesn’t make you a bad person.

It makes you human.

Welcome to the club.

There’s like seven billion of us."

"Maybe the soul is tired because all it needs is more time with the Lord. Maybe the heart is tired because it has been fed with all the wrong things. Maybe the mind is tired because it hasn’t been nourished with beneficial knowledge."

Believers 

"If we grew our own food, we wouldn’t waste a third of it as we do today. If we made our own tables and chairs, we wouldn’t throw them out the moment we changed the interior decor. If we had to clean our own drinking water, we probably wouldn’t contaminate it."

Mark Boyle

"Never give up on a dream because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway."

Earl Nightingale

"You were put on this earth to achieve your greatest self, to live out your purpose, and to do it courageously."

― Steve Maraboli

Am I Wrong - Nico Vinz : CLICK HERE TO VIEW MOBILE VERSION OF VIDEO

"The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts."

(via thedailypozitive)

“You’ve got to embrace discomfort. It’s the only way you can put yourself in situations where you can learn, and the only way you can keep your senses fresh once you’re there.”

—	Louis C.K.

“Is it so bad, then, to be misunderstood? Pythagoras was misunderstood, and Socrates, and Jesus, and Luther, and Copernicus, and Galileo, and Newton, and every pure and wise spirit that ever took flesh. To be great is to be misunderstood.”

—	Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self Reliance