I recently decided at the beginning of my summer that it was time for a life re-haul. I've been sitting a rut as of late, and it's been bothering me a lot. I do the same thing day in and day out, and it's boring. I need some spontaneity and a change up in the things that I do on a daily basis.
I craft a lot, I read a lot, and I enjoy doing little things. So I decided "hey, i'll start an Etsy and see if I can bring in extra money that way while spreading joy through the things I create. Well that's all fine and dandy, except for people just seem to simple "like" it and not want to buy it. Which creates a dilemma... "do I continue, or do I give up like I always do?"
Well the answer to that question came when I realized, that while I'm changing my life, I realized that I'm afraid of success. Like I know that i'm capable of achieving all of these great things, i'm just scared of if I do.... then what? So i've decided that I would much rather live my life with "oh wells" than "what if's." Because let's just be honest, who really wants to look back on their life and go "well, what IF I had done this? what IF I had done that?" I would rather it be an "oh well that didn't work, let me try it this way."
I never thought I would be a "what IF" person, but surely that has changed since high school. Part of me is in a comfort zone, and I don't want to leave it. But yet another part of me, says to myself on a daily basis, "come on, get out there, do something different with your life." So I'm answering the part of me that is calling me out of my comfort zone. God didn't just create us to live in our comfort zone, He fills us up to send us out to do His will, not our own. If i'm to just stay complacent and just sit in my comfort zone I will never be able to spread His love to anyone but myself, and i've already been saved by grace.
So this Summer 2011 is going to be different. I'm getting out of my comfort zone and going on adventures and not just sitting at home in my room, reading, sleeping, crafting, all of that. I'm getting out there and spreading God's love to those who haven't heard it, need to hear it again, or just need a gentle reminder that God is always there. I also realized that I don't take NEARLY enough pictures to document the things that I do and the people that are important to me in my life. That's about to change too. This Summer 2011 is about me in a way, but it's also about God and the thankfulness in my heart that He has chosen to save ME, by His wonderful grace. I know I am loved by a God that created all things, other people should know of Him and His great love for the nations.
Until next time... this too shall shape me <3
Friday, June 3, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
It's been awhile. A ton has changed. I'm a new person. My friends are different. My life looks different. I'm different. A lot is well, different.
It's taken some time but i've finally gotten to a point in my life where different things matter to me. Like for instance, the people in my life, i've decided to deepen relationships with. I've decided that different things need my attention now that i'm older. Life isn't alway just fun and games anymore. There's money to worry about, there are grades and figuring out what i'm doing with the rest of my life, and many other things. People sometimes ask me, "why are you worrying about that now? you have your whole life to worry about that." It's not that i'm worrying about things that I shouldn't be, I'm just looking at the world from a different point of view. Through more grown up eyes.
Since i've started investing more of my time into the people that are important in my life, i've started to notice different things about my friends and family. I have friends that feel completely alone in a world full of people, I have friends that are so outgoing they turn people away, I live with people that love me unconditionally, at school I live with people that make me laugh so much my stomach hurts, every stinking day, and I have grandparents that love me more than I will ever understand. All of these people mean the world to me, so it makes me wonder why i'm JUST NOW realizing how important these people are to me.
I go to a University that is committed to the Great Commission. They frequently mention missions, and going out into the world to spread God's love and his word to those that may not even know, or have ever heard the name Jesus Christ. What does this have to do with this post you might ask? I'll tell you. They talk about going OVERSEAS frequently. Well I frequently tell my mom, yes that's great that they want people to go overseas and help, and for us to save the starving children in Africa. Don't get me wrong, I think it's wonderful that we have people willing to do that and give from God's love. But what about the people here? What about the people in our streets that are without food and water, and without a home, and the starving children on our streets? What we don't realize is that sometimes God doesn't call us overseas, sometimes he calls us into our own backyards. If we were to open our eyes and look around we would see the desperation in people's eyes.
People lie, we all know that. People plaster on smiles to hide the hurt and the pain of everything that has ever hurt them. People fake it just so they don't have to deal with everything that is going wrong in their life. People hide it to help other people that are hurting instead of dealing with their own pain. I feel like God has laid it upon my heart to go out into my backyard. It breaks my heart to listen to conversations around me and hear the pain and suffering that everyone feels. Our worlds are crumbling but no one wants to admit it. What would happen if everyone reached out and did something nice for three people every day. THREE PEOPLE EVERY DAY! Imagine how quickly we could change the world.
Ok, I realize i've been all over the place, I just hope when this is read someone gets something out of it.
I have so much love in my heart, and I just want everyone to feel it. God's love is never ending and his grace endures forever. I pray that someday everyone will know God's love and find a reason to smile even when their hearts are breaking, because they know God's love.
:D
It's taken some time but i've finally gotten to a point in my life where different things matter to me. Like for instance, the people in my life, i've decided to deepen relationships with. I've decided that different things need my attention now that i'm older. Life isn't alway just fun and games anymore. There's money to worry about, there are grades and figuring out what i'm doing with the rest of my life, and many other things. People sometimes ask me, "why are you worrying about that now? you have your whole life to worry about that." It's not that i'm worrying about things that I shouldn't be, I'm just looking at the world from a different point of view. Through more grown up eyes.
Since i've started investing more of my time into the people that are important in my life, i've started to notice different things about my friends and family. I have friends that feel completely alone in a world full of people, I have friends that are so outgoing they turn people away, I live with people that love me unconditionally, at school I live with people that make me laugh so much my stomach hurts, every stinking day, and I have grandparents that love me more than I will ever understand. All of these people mean the world to me, so it makes me wonder why i'm JUST NOW realizing how important these people are to me.
I go to a University that is committed to the Great Commission. They frequently mention missions, and going out into the world to spread God's love and his word to those that may not even know, or have ever heard the name Jesus Christ. What does this have to do with this post you might ask? I'll tell you. They talk about going OVERSEAS frequently. Well I frequently tell my mom, yes that's great that they want people to go overseas and help, and for us to save the starving children in Africa. Don't get me wrong, I think it's wonderful that we have people willing to do that and give from God's love. But what about the people here? What about the people in our streets that are without food and water, and without a home, and the starving children on our streets? What we don't realize is that sometimes God doesn't call us overseas, sometimes he calls us into our own backyards. If we were to open our eyes and look around we would see the desperation in people's eyes.
People lie, we all know that. People plaster on smiles to hide the hurt and the pain of everything that has ever hurt them. People fake it just so they don't have to deal with everything that is going wrong in their life. People hide it to help other people that are hurting instead of dealing with their own pain. I feel like God has laid it upon my heart to go out into my backyard. It breaks my heart to listen to conversations around me and hear the pain and suffering that everyone feels. Our worlds are crumbling but no one wants to admit it. What would happen if everyone reached out and did something nice for three people every day. THREE PEOPLE EVERY DAY! Imagine how quickly we could change the world.
Ok, I realize i've been all over the place, I just hope when this is read someone gets something out of it.
I have so much love in my heart, and I just want everyone to feel it. God's love is never ending and his grace endures forever. I pray that someday everyone will know God's love and find a reason to smile even when their hearts are breaking, because they know God's love.
:D
Monday, December 6, 2010
Christmas it's right around the corner...
With the Christmas season upon us it's come to my attention, that America is consumed with consumerism. It's sad really, black friday started earlier than ever this year. Some stores opened up shortly after many families finished up Thanksgiving dinner, did the dishes, and bundled up to go find the best deals. Other stores opened up right at 12am friday morning, others at 3am, and yet others at 4 and 5am. People were lined up in hours in freezing temperatures, long lines, and complaining people just to find THE perfect deal or THE perfect gift for someone. America is so consumed in material things that people tend to forget that Christmas isn't about the best or most expensive gift, it's about family, Christ, and celebrating the blessings and the goodness in your life.
People lose the real meaning of Christmas behind all the sales and gifts that they think make up the holiday. American's spend close to 4.2 BILLION dollars on Christmas a year. What if we took that 4.2 billion dollars and instead of buying the biggest, the best, the most of everything this year, we took that money and put it into feeding those that are without, clothing those without, making sure that those without a home have a place to celebrate this year, and making sure that we don't lose the sight of what's really important, Christ. I'm pretty sure God wasn't mad when his alarm clock didn't go off at the obscene hour of 3am to go find that perfect deal. Let's not forget what Christmas is really about.
http://adventconspiracy.org/
let's try and follow their lead this Christmas Season.
Merry Christmas everyone! (:
People lose the real meaning of Christmas behind all the sales and gifts that they think make up the holiday. American's spend close to 4.2 BILLION dollars on Christmas a year. What if we took that 4.2 billion dollars and instead of buying the biggest, the best, the most of everything this year, we took that money and put it into feeding those that are without, clothing those without, making sure that those without a home have a place to celebrate this year, and making sure that we don't lose the sight of what's really important, Christ. I'm pretty sure God wasn't mad when his alarm clock didn't go off at the obscene hour of 3am to go find that perfect deal. Let's not forget what Christmas is really about.
http://adventconspiracy.org/
let's try and follow their lead this Christmas Season.
Merry Christmas everyone! (:
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
It's All in the Timing.
Some people tell you to pray about your situation, others tell you to do what your heart tells you to do. I'd have to say I agree with the people that tell you to pray about your situation. The only catch that comes with that, you actually have to listen to what God says. Interesting concept, yeah I know.
In the past 8 months, i've prayed about a lot... and gotten a lot of answers... that I didn't like. So I did what most people do, I ignored what God said and instead did what I wanted. All that did was make me more miserable about the situation than I already was. So, I tried doing what God laid on my heart and told me to do, and found that once it was done, I was so much happier. I learned that everything relies on God's timing and not your own.
If I had listened 8 months ago to what God was telling me through prayer, I may have been happier a long time ago. Needless to say, listen to God when you pray. He's telling you what you NEED and not what you WANT.
Anyways, something else I learned over the course of the last 8 months that life is too short to worry about the things that make you unhappy, that laughter is the best medicine, laugh until you cry, laugh because it feels good, laugh because it's what you want to do, but always remember to smile too. Take chances, seize opportunities, sing in the shower, jump in rain puddles, do something you're afraid to do, fall in love again, do something nice for someone you don't know, take a drive just to enjoy the scenery, and take a day make no plans and see where life takes you. Because... "twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do." - Mark Twain
In the past 8 months, i've prayed about a lot... and gotten a lot of answers... that I didn't like. So I did what most people do, I ignored what God said and instead did what I wanted. All that did was make me more miserable about the situation than I already was. So, I tried doing what God laid on my heart and told me to do, and found that once it was done, I was so much happier. I learned that everything relies on God's timing and not your own.
If I had listened 8 months ago to what God was telling me through prayer, I may have been happier a long time ago. Needless to say, listen to God when you pray. He's telling you what you NEED and not what you WANT.
Anyways, something else I learned over the course of the last 8 months that life is too short to worry about the things that make you unhappy, that laughter is the best medicine, laugh until you cry, laugh because it feels good, laugh because it's what you want to do, but always remember to smile too. Take chances, seize opportunities, sing in the shower, jump in rain puddles, do something you're afraid to do, fall in love again, do something nice for someone you don't know, take a drive just to enjoy the scenery, and take a day make no plans and see where life takes you. Because... "twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do." - Mark Twain
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Learning to Look at the Bright Side of Life
As of recently I started to realize that I was only focusing on the negative parts of my life... well when you do that, you aren't a whole lot of fun to hang out with. I realized that I was bringing down other people as well as myself. So naturally I started to re-evaluate what I wanted from my life and where I stood with myself and God.
Yes, i've been through a lot, and yes not all of it has been good, but it hasn't been bad enough to complain about. I've been given so much to be thankful for in my life. I have a wonderful family who loves me very much and has been there with me through thick and thin. I have a best friend whose more like a sister to me and still loves me even when i'm a jerk. I have a "little sister" who reminds me that life isn't always serious. I have awesome friends who I wouldn't trade for the world because they mean everything to me. I have a heavenly Father that will never leave me even when I don't live like I should. With all of that said I really have nothing to complain about.
The last six months have been me taking a good look at myself and realizing that i'm okay with being me. I don't want to change for anyone. I'm okay with being a dork, being able to laugh at myself, being able to be open and sincere about my feelings, and telling people what I really feel. I'm me. I text way too much. I love the rain. I love cloudy days. I love cuddling. I love hanging out with people who make me laugh. I love going to college. I love where I go to college. I love my job. I love long drives. I love to laugh. Basically it's the simple things in life that make me happy. It doesn't take much to make me happy anymore and that's what I've realized. As long as i'm grateful for what I have in my life and I live each moment like it's my last and enjoy what i've been given there's nothing that could get me down. One more thing I've learned in the last six months... smile always. There's never a reason not to smile. There's always beauty in the breakdown.
"Never frown, because you never know who might be falling in love with your smile." :D
P.S. Longer Letter Later
Yes, i've been through a lot, and yes not all of it has been good, but it hasn't been bad enough to complain about. I've been given so much to be thankful for in my life. I have a wonderful family who loves me very much and has been there with me through thick and thin. I have a best friend whose more like a sister to me and still loves me even when i'm a jerk. I have a "little sister" who reminds me that life isn't always serious. I have awesome friends who I wouldn't trade for the world because they mean everything to me. I have a heavenly Father that will never leave me even when I don't live like I should. With all of that said I really have nothing to complain about.
The last six months have been me taking a good look at myself and realizing that i'm okay with being me. I don't want to change for anyone. I'm okay with being a dork, being able to laugh at myself, being able to be open and sincere about my feelings, and telling people what I really feel. I'm me. I text way too much. I love the rain. I love cloudy days. I love cuddling. I love hanging out with people who make me laugh. I love going to college. I love where I go to college. I love my job. I love long drives. I love to laugh. Basically it's the simple things in life that make me happy. It doesn't take much to make me happy anymore and that's what I've realized. As long as i'm grateful for what I have in my life and I live each moment like it's my last and enjoy what i've been given there's nothing that could get me down. One more thing I've learned in the last six months... smile always. There's never a reason not to smile. There's always beauty in the breakdown.
"Never frown, because you never know who might be falling in love with your smile." :D
P.S. Longer Letter Later
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