July 18: National Toss Away the "Should Haves" and "Could Haves" and...MY BIRTHDAY

One of my absolute favorite books (and movies) is The Great Gatsby. Something about it, draws me to it. And the reason I like the movie (the new one anyways) is NOT just because Leonardo DiCaprio plays the part of Jay of Gatsby. (That might have a little something to do with it though. That man, he is beautiful).

My favorite line: "So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past."
- The Great Gatsby

This quote has intrigued me. And one day, it will be one of my tattoos. I know a lot of people have this tattoo, which is the only thing holding me back from getting one right now. I like to be different.

This quote reminds me that the past is important as it is often times is involved with what will happen in the future. And even if we are fighting to move forwards, there will be things holding us back. That's the boat fighting against the current. The future is trying to pull us back into the past. It's a never ending battle.

People always say to forget the past and move on into the future. But these two things, they can only exist with each other. In order to be a future, there has to be a past.

So I think it is important to learn from the past, and take that new knowledge into the future.

Now how does my semi-sane ramblings relate to today's post? Because today is about writing down things you "should have" or "could have" and throwing them away, and moving forwards. (But don't forget about them completely, they are things that make you, you.)

So I made a list of things I Should Have or Could Have Done

 
And then I crumpled it up and threw it out. (No, I am not going to let you see what I wrote.)

On a happier note, today was also my birthday! I spent the weekend in Portland with one of my dearest friends I have known since Kindergarten. We went to the beach.

The beach is my happy place.

And had an amazing mud pie ice cream treat.

And got in some puppy lovin' with this super sweet and rambunctious golden retriever pup, Poppy.

It was a good day to be alive.