Category: Must-Haves

To be truly fabulous… you must constantly expand your mind… Intelligence is a critical component to becoming a remarkable woman.  On that note, here are a few words that should be in your personal repertoire {add them to some of the words that should already be in your dictionary… which you can review here}.

bib·li·o·phile / bib-lee-uh-fahyl/ {noun}: a lover of books; one who loves to read, admire and collect books.
In a Sentence: The slim woman in the pencil skirt and glasses sat in the corner of the cafe with a stack of worn books on her table; he was drawn to the curious nature of the bibliophile.
In Your Life: I am a self-diagnosed bibliophile; and I wouldn’t have it any other way.  Books of all kinds fill my living room, coffee table, bookshelves, and bedside tables.  The recent invention of the Nook and Kindle are the only two things saving me from literally getting lost in my collection of pages.  People who read are fascinating.  They are also incredibly clever.  {Both of those things are likely an overgeneralization… but they are oftentimes valid assessments}.  A reader is someone who has realized that they can experience another world, another person, another perspective and, arguably, another life just by leafing through one novel, short story, or tome.  Avid readers also tend to have active imaginations, which can turn a mundane life into an extraordinary one with a simple turn of perspective {and a page}.  You should seek to read as frequently as possible.  In doing so, you will develop a richer view of the world {each experience gained through reading helps extinguish a facet of ignorance that may be lurking, unseen, in your mind} and it will give you a lot more to talk about at happy hour than the standard gossip {which you are above taking part in, regardless}.  On top of this, it will broaden your perspective in a way that is utterly disarming to others… they will be waiting to hear what fascinating tidbit you will share at the next cocktail party you attend.

phos·phenes / fos-feens/ {noun}: the stars and colors you see when you rub your eyes.
In a Sentence: After working at a computer for hours, she furiously rubbed her eyes and had to wait a moment before the phosphenes dissipated.  {Or, the more enticing sentence: After she kissed him, she rubbed her eyes; she was frozen in confusion, attempting to decipher if she was literally seeing stars due to the magnitude of the kiss or if it was merely self-inflicted phosphenes.}
In Your Life: Phosphenes are a result of rubbing your eyes… and, if you are leading a full life, you should be doing this often {though not so vigorously as to cause some sort of an irreparable injury}.  Examples of when rubbing your eyes occurs: when you think you are imagining something wonderful and wish to clear your view to understand if reality is truly as marvelous as you perceived; after you have spent hours creating something remarkable in the form of a written, painted, crafted, etc. art form that required intense focus; after a particularly long night spent with close friends or that certain someone; after crying {hopefully happy tears… but a well-lived life also includes its fair share of genuine sorrow}; upon waking from a truly restful {and hopefully dream filled} sleep; after peering through a camera for hours capturing the beauty around you; the list goes on… I hope that your life is frequently filled with moments that result in a plethora of phosphenes.

te·na·cious / tuh-ney-shuhs / {adjective}: persistent in maintaining, adhering to, or seeking something valued or desired; not easily pulled apart.
In a Sentence: It was her dream job… It had been and it always would be; throughout the moments of discouragement and perceived hardships, she remained tenacious in her pursuit.
In Your Life: I am a proponent of tough love {meaning that I feel that I should hand over the cold hard truth instead of sugar-coating it}… So, simply put: Life can be hard. It is hard. The true testament of a tenacious individual is that they make life look easy.  When life knocks them down, they get up swiftly {without missing a beat} and gracefully.  They respond to difficult times seamlessly; they are up for the challenge and realize that the challenge will always {at some point or another} present itself.  Be dogged in your pursuit of something worthwhile.  A tenacious individual is also a brave individual {as pursuing a goal that may result in some form of defeat can be terrifying}.  Have courage, love.  It is the singular thing that separates the leaders from the sheep.  You are tenacious, brave, and courageous.  And, if you’re not… the New Year is fast approaching.  It appears to be time for a resolution.