"old fashioned" things that we should not lose sight of

i always joke around saying that i could be born in a different generation & i would love it! i think it's just something in me that loves the idea of living a life that's just straight up simpler. ya know? now don't get me wrong i love me some social media and all the other new things that we have access to, but i do believe some of the generations before us had it right with somethings!! somethings that we might forget & that's kinda scary because i believe it's things that we need even more than ever in our world right now.

1. write letters. we have it at our finger tips to send a text to someone within seconds. while this is all fine and dandy, a letter means soOoooOoo much more friends!!!!! one of my sweetest friends sends me letters every few months & man do they put a smile on my face. something about the fact that someone took the time to write you a letter to share a piece of their heart with you is just super special. so slooowww dooowwwn & take the time to write to someone. it doesn't have to be super long- just send em a bible verse, encourage them, tell you your praying for them (& then do it!). i guarantee it will make someone's day!!!!!!!!!

2.  pick up the phone & call. just do it girl. texting is really great most of the time, but sometimes ya just need a good talk with your girls (aka my boos - s/o to y'all for listening to all my probs over the phone!!!) but seriously just trust me, it's refreshing for the soul;) and also, call your grandma if you can- they loveeeeee to hear your voice!

3. print out pictures. i loveee pictures, there is nothing better than just snuggling up with a cup of hot coco and looking through old pictures. so print them out!! don't just swipe through on your phone - it doesn't have the same affect. plus it is super easy. all you have to do is get the Walgreen's app and upload photos straight from your camera roll & then go pick them up! you pay in store so you don't even have to put in your credit card information! also a good tip is wait till they have a deal going on because it is wayyy cheaper and they always have them going on. printing out pictures may seem like extra work for no reason, but i promise you it's worth it!!

4.  no calls at the dinner table. just don't do it girl. it doesn't matter who you are with; friends, family, a date- talk to them!!! i know it can be super hard not to check that text really fast or open the snap to see what your best friend just sent, but it can wait- i promise. spend time with the person right in front of you. there is no better time than eating yummy food to get to know someone & talk about life....don't miss out on it ;)

5. the term "gentleman." okay, this is an important one that is getting sooo lost in our generation. what does the word "gentleman" mean to you? for me it's the guy that holds the door for you. the guy that has the guts to ask you on a date in person, risking you saying no face to face because your worth the risk. the guy that listens to what your saying. the guy that treats everyone he comes in contact with with respect. the guy that loves God more than you. yes, i said more than you. these are all the things that make "that guy" a gentleman. so while these things may be fading in our world, they aren't gone yet. it's our job to hold up these values- do not settle!!!! but also hold up your end of the bargain, act like a girl worthy of being treated like a princess. okay now don't get confused, every girl is worth being treated like a princess... but what guy is going to want to be "prince charming" to one of Cinderellas evil step sisters, ya know what i'm saying?

6. being neighborly. spread the love man!!! smile at people. give someone a hug who is having a rough day. hold the door. bake some cookies. live as Christ did - to serve others!! 

xoxo, j

oh and also everyone should watch the Brady Bunch, that should never be forgotten... like ever.