Thankful in all circumstances

After just having celebrated one of my favorite holidays, Thanksgiving, I started thinking about how there shouldn't be just one day dedicated to the things we are thankful for. Spending time with my family over the past week has been such a blessing. There are so many things that I take for granted, but it is important to remind ourselves on a daily basis of all of those things that we should be thanking God for. Every single person goes through difficult times in their lives, but we cannot dwell on those things. Each circumstance that we experience was introduced to us for a reason and we should ALWAYS be thankful for the lessons that we have the chance to learn. From those lessons, we can change the world.


I was inspired to make a list of all of the things I am thankful for. This list will serve as a daily reminder of all the ways that I have been blessed and all of the ways I should be thanking God and giving him my praise.


I am thankful for....
1) A supportive family that loves me for me.
2) A loving group of friends that is always there for me.
3) A Young Life family that urges me on in my faith.
4) A wonderful God that loves me always.
5) A beautiful home that provides me with shelter.
6) Food that nourishes me whenever I am hungry.
7) A job and an internship that provide me with money and opportunities.
8) A group of Young Life high school girls that I love so much.
9) The strength that I have from the struggles I have faced.
10) A wonderful mother that I will never forget.
11) The world's best dad who is my #1 fan. 
12) A faithful guy that I love being around.
13) The ability to laugh and smile on a daily basis.
14) The ability to run.
15) The opportunity of a wonderful college education.
16) Chai tea lattes 
17) Christmas lights 
18) Books/Journals
19) Flowers
20) Music
21) Flannel shirts and skinny jeans
22) Warm, fuzzy socks
23) Movie nights
24) Colorado mountains
25) The stars so I can stargaze at night
....The list goes on and on.


Keep track of the things you are thankful for and you will soon come to find that the list you can write will go on and on.

Pushing Through the Pain

Thousands of people were crowded around me as I stepped up to the starting line. Music was blaring as I looked on either side of me to see a couple of my best friends jogging in place, attempting to keep warm. The National Anthem played over the loud speakers but I was too distracted to even realize it until "and the home of the brave" followed by a lot of cheering chimed throughout the park. It was finally time to conquer something that I never thought I would be able to do.

The announcer yelled, "GO" and we were off. A few hundred yards down the road, a crowd member held a sign that said "Only 12.9 more to go!" I appreciated her humorous gesture, but I had to take some deep breaths as I realized that I had a long road ahead of me--literally.

Running a half marathon/marathon is one of those things that a lot of people aspire to do at some point in their lifetime. As I was looking over my bucket list this summer, I saw that running a half marathon found itself on the top of my list and I realized that the time was now to challenge myself physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. So I started training.

After 12 weeks of running, I decided to set aside my nerves about finishing the race and signed up for the half; now I was locked in. Picking up my race packet and shirt didn't even seem real, because I had been anticipating the Gobbler Grind for so long.

I can without a doubt say that the half marathon was one of the most challenging things I have ever done. I literally felt every emotion as I pushed my body further than I ever thought possible. I hit a wall around mile 8 and I felt like I wouldn't be able to keep going. Through the encouragement from friends, Missy Elliot's music and some prayer, I kept running through the pain. At mile 10 I stopped for the first time and felt like collapsing; my legs were so tight and my knees were throbbing. But as I looked behind me, I saw one of my friends Tami running up and she said, "We are finishing this together". We slowly but surely made our way to the finish and tears were welling up in my eyes as we crossed the line.

I didn't get the time I hoped for and I stopped to walk a few times during those last three miles, but I have never been so proud of myself in my entire life. I challenged myself to a goal that I almost didn't think was possible, but I did it. My experience goes to prove that you can do anything that you set your mind to.

Push yourself. Challenge yourself. Chase after your dreams, because you never know how much you can do until you try.

Going through the motions

As I flip through the pages on my planner, I am shocked to see how quickly the past 2.5 months have flown by. The pages are filled with events, assignments, tests and to-do lists, and I can hardly believe that I am now nearing winter break. This semester has been one of the most challenging but life-changing semesters of my life. I started the new school year with a new perspective--a perspective that more closely fits what I believe God is revealing my purpose to be. I have worked harder, studied harder and committed myself to more than ever before, but now as I finally take time to reflect, I am disappointed at the fact that I have been going against my motto and rather have been living my life unsure of where I am supposed to be going and what I am supposed to be doing. 


Live in faith. 


These 3 beautiful words reflect the way that I want to live my life, but why is that so difficult sometimes? I need to take time to allow God to fill me up again because once again I have allowed myself to take on too much. When will I learn to simplify? I have been at my breaking point for the past month or so, and I need to take a step back and truly see if I am living in line with God's plan...or if I am just continuing to hold on by a thread. 


This morning I felt this strong sense that I am supposed to be doing more...a different kind of more than I am already doing. I am going to continue to pray that God reveals to me what he wants me to be doing. I don't want to just keep going through the motions. It is time to find out where I am supposed to be--no more coasting through life. 

Don't forget about "ME"

To say that the last month has been busy would be a drastic understatement...I feel like I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off (as my Dad likes to say) and it's like I have to put breathing on my checklist to remember to do it. Just. Breathe. Camp, recruitment, school, work, Young Life, sorority commitments; what did I get myself into this year?! Something that I need to constantly remind myself to do is to spend time alone. I need me time, but I feel like my priorities are out of whack....sleep and alone time are at the bottom and I am definitely feeling the effects of my poor balancing decisions. Today, I need to learn how to take my own advice. It is absolutely VITAL to take time to do things for yourself. If you are happy, then that happiness will spread to others. While you might enjoy all of the activities that you do, when they start to become a chore or something that you dread, that's when you know that some changes need to be made. I encourage you all to make a list of the things that you enjoy doing...things that give you a release and make you feel at peace...do at least one of those every day. There is ALWAYS time for 20 or 30 minutes dedicated to yourself. Make yourself a priority as a change of pace if you find yourself only trying to make other people happy. I promise that when you are feeling better, you will do a MUCH better job serving others. Life advice: make a list of things that bring you joy...things that will never feel like a chore. Do these things, get some sleep and know that you are doing yourself a favor.


My joy list:
-Running/working out
-Reading for fun
-Quiet time/reading my Bible
-Drinking coffee
-Listening to music
-Spending time with family
-Watching a movie
-Going for a walk
-Driving around town

The Value of Community

This past month I have been absolutely blessed. I had the opportunity to serve at a Young Life camp in Minnesota and had the most incredible experience of my life. The group of people that I was surrounded with was amazing; I have never felt so loved and accepted in my entire life by people that I barely knew. Serving for three weeks was exhausting at times and there were definitely days that I didn't feel like I could wake up and fold one more shirt or set up for one more carnival, but through God's strength and the love and encouragement of those around me, I was able to serve my peers and kids from all across the United States. There are not many places that you can go where you get notes of encouragement, a bag of your favorite candy, kind letters and lessons about how much God loves you on a daily basis. What an amazing blessing it was to volunteer and serve. I was pushed, challenged, tested, encouraged, loved and accepted. Going into this next year, I have been given a fresh perspective on how to love those around me unconditionally..and not just when it is convenient for me. The past month was a slice of what I believe Heaven to look like and all I can say is wow. Two of my friends at summer staff, Chris and Spencer, wrote a song while we were at Castaway and the lyrics are such an inspiration to me. I find myself humming the song all day long, so this is the note I will leave on. Life advice: stop trying to do everything on your own and realize that relying on God is vital. LOVE everyone around you and be sure to show them your love and compassion toward them. Have patience in God's plan and realize that you don't have to carry the burdens of your past, present or future. Just like the song that Chris and Spencer wrote states...
Take this life. Take it all. You are by my side. You stand tall.

Chris and Spencer's song- You Stand Tall

Maximize the time in your day

Today I woke up incredibly motivated and ready for the day ahead of me. I grabbed a glass of orange juice and talked with my dad and grandma before walking about half a mile to our local community center. I stepped onto the treadmill thinking that I might do 2 or 3 miles at most, but the playlist I had going on my iPod and the talk show on the TV above me were enough motivation to keep me going until I hit 6 miles. Where that burst of energy came from, I have no idea. After helping out around the house and enjoying some sunshine by the pool, I got myself ready to meet up with a friend for some coffee. Tonight I am looking forward to dinner with my family and then a show at Starlight theater. How wonderful does this day sound? I have been so inspired lately to soak up every ounce of the day. 24 hours goes by pretty quickly, but if you have a plan of action for the day and a list of goals to accomplish that is reasonable, then you might just find yourself going the extra mile..or 3 (no pun intended). While there are definitely some mornings that are difficult to roll out of bed or the mornings where you seem to snooze your alarm at least 5 times, think about how great it feels to have productive days! Having one full, but enjoyable, day will lead you to want to have another and another...you see where I am going with this. Life advice: try to have a goal for the day and hold yourself accountable to it! Make realistic expectations for yourself, but don't be afraid to push yourself a little bit further. Have some alone time, spend time with your family, call a friend and take your time making a healthy meal. I guarantee that the combination of all of these things will put you in a great mood and motivate you to do the same tomorrow! 

Technologically Challenged

Today I was so excited when I looked outside and saw that the sky was full of clouds and that a rain storm was on its way in. And no, I am not being sarcastic! On days when it is sunny outside, I feel like I am wasting my day unless I am outside the entire time soaking up the sun and the beautiful weather. This means having movie days are out of the question on sunny, summer days. I woke up early this morning and got in my daily workout and after showering, making lunch and getting ready for the day, I grabbed my favorite blanket and snuggled up on the comfy couch in my basement for a day full of movies. However, to my disappointment, I popped in a DVD and became quickly overwhelmed by the wires and cords and colored things behind the TV...what the heck was I supposed to do with all of these strange objects?! After staring at the back of the TV for a solid 15 minutes and then moving cords and plugs around for about 30 minutes, I finally figured it out. Thank. Goodness. Watching the movie Drumline has never been so rewarding and I payed a lot more attention than I usually do when I'm watching a movie! I think that's how it can be in our relationship with Christ. At first, it is really overwhelming and confusing. What do I do? What is it supposed to look like? How can I put all of these things together to make something that works? There is a lot of trial and error in our relationship with Christ, just like there is when you are trying to figure out how to get a Blue Ray DVD player to work. Yes, there is an instruction manual, but sometimes it is better to figure things out for yourself. There is no instruction manual for life, and you will make many "errors" before you find the right path or the right colored plug-in, but the end result is worth it. Have some patience, dive into life and remember to enjoy the benefits of your hard work! 

The Golden Rule

I can't even remember the amount of times my dad told me to use the Golden Rule (Do unto others as you want others to do unto you)...I can still hear him saying it to me now as I think back to fights my sister and I got into and rude words that were exchanged. However, as much as I mimicked and fought the system, he was right. The Golden Rule is one that has been passed down for years and it makes a lot of sense. Treat others the way that you want to be treated--while this can be very difficult at times, it is worth the effort. Tonight I had the opportunity to meet up with a few friends that I have been blessed with the chance of knowing over the past few years. They have always encouraged me in my faith and I absolutely love the meaningful and intentional conversations we have when we are together. As we were discussing ways that we wanted to grow and goals that we had for ourselves, I summed mine up into one broad statement. I want to love others the best way that I can every single day. It is so easy to get caught up in our own lives and not concern ourselves with others, however, what joy does this bring to us? A petty, temporary self-satisfaction that does not go beyond our own selfish motives? I want to change this. I want to look for ways on a daily basis to reach out to those around me and love them. This can be a daunting task considering I have surrounded myself with many people that I care deeply about, but this is meant to be a challenge. I want to support my friends in what is important to them. I want to give to something bigger than myself. I want to offer words of encouragement to a friend that is struggling. I want to listen to a friend that needs it. I want to send a letter to someone I love, putting into words how much I care about them. All of these things will take time, but it is all about how I use the time in the day that God has given me. I want to love others. Period. God calls us to love one another and I want to do just that. I am going to change up the Golden Rule...I think it should say, "Love others the way you want to be loved". Think of how you can make someone's day every single day. Love them for who they are without placing judgement on them. Become selfless and look for ways to support those around you. The love that you spread will come right back around and I guarantee the feeling will be incredible. 

Airplane life lessons

Wow. I can hardly believe that it has been over a month since I have posted anything. I knew that this summer was going to fly by but I think I underestimated the rate at which it would happen. I am just a little over 2 weeks into summer break and just returned home from my second trip of the summer. I spent an amazing week in Colorado to start the summer off; there is nothing quite like the mountains to make you realize the beauty that surrounds us. My second trip was a family vacation with my dad and sister to Puerto Rico. We spent a week at a beautiful resort and soaked up the sun (I soaked up a little too much) and enjoyed some relaxation time together. On this trip to Puerto Rico I got to do one of my favorite things--yes I do love laying out on the beach, but I am actually referring to the flying part of the trip. I LOVE taking airplanes to various destinations. Actually, if I was to pick my ideal situation, I would get the chance to choose my own seat on the plane next to someone I didn't know. Think about it. Sitting next to a complete stranger by choice...this is where an explanation comes into play. I have gone on many trips whether it be with family, friends or by myself and I have had the opportunity to sit next to some very interesting people. It is crazy how much people are willing to open up to complete strangers about their lives-- family, struggles, beliefs and values. In addition, I have been helped out by many kind strangers when I got stuck in both Cincinnati and San Antonio for a night by myself due to plane problems. Complete strangers have bought me a cab, checked me into hotels and taken me out to dinner. So much for not associating with strangers! Luckily, I have chosen good ones to put my trust in! I think that's how it is a lot of the times with God. We sometimes feel like He is a stranger--someone we can't relate to because we haven't allowed ourselves the chance to get to know Him. The fact of the matter is, God wants to reach out to us even if we haven't made an effort to know Him yet. I think that we are intrigued by this idea but sometimes take a step back in fear of what others say, or our own inner thoughts. Take that leap of faith. Step outside of your comfort zone. Learn more about the people that surround you. Pretend your airplane ticket has seat 27A on it. Now picture God coming and sitting next to you with ticket 27B. Strike up a conversation. Learn what you can. Be open and honest about yourself and your life. However, this flight isn't one that will only last a few hours...this flight is one that will last the rest of your life. Don't plug in your iPod or nap through the trip; God has an amazing life to tell you all about!

It's not about the destination, It's about the journey

Oftentimes I feel as if I am working toward one goal. However, after I accomplish that one thing, I am on to the next thing without much thought as to how I got there in the first place. I think many people are guilty of this; focusing on those checklist items or destinations. If you start focusing too much on the destination however, you miss out on a lot of stuff in between--the things that make the destination worthwhile. Have you ever been on a road trip before? For me at least, getting there is half the fun. Creating a playlist, stopping at random gas stations, playing car games...it is little things like that, which make what can be a really long car ride, a whole lot of fun. Coming from someone who has sticky note checklists all over my planner...and even on my computer, I am challenging myself and everyone else to go with the flow. Life is not about specific events, but the way in which you got there. Live advice: Don't let yourself get too caught up in crossing one more thing off the list; enjoy each opportunity and look for ways to make each day a memorable one! Make new friends, go on adventures and remember that it's not about the destination...it's about the journey. 

Never Alone

Wow. I can hardly believe everything that has happened over the past week and a half. Projects were due, huge tests, fundraisers, Greek week, Young Life...it seems like everything piled up at once. Last Sunday at Young Life leadership, we were given a challenge. The challenge was to go and be a part of kids' lives every day. Now I must admit that the thought of this completely overwhelmed me. As I glanced down at my planner seeing just about every hour of every day filled up with something I "had" to do, I realized that I was going to have to move some things around in order to take this challenge head on. I should go ahead and say upfront that I am an incredibly competitive person; nothing puts a smile on my face quite like a little fun competition. It might have had to do with the fact that I was exhausted from a long weekend at the Ozarks, but I went into the week with a negative attitude. However, that negative attitude quickly changed when I got to see how great it felt to be around the girls that I love, every single day. Going up to the school, watching a soccer game, going to a swim meet and getting coffee with one of my YL girls were all the highlights of what could have been a very stressful week. I looked forward to seeing not only my YL friends but also getting to build community with the YL leaders. There was one event this past week however, that made me realize how crazy God is with His timing. This past week there was a student from MHS that was shot and killed. He went to Wyldlife and was a close friend to many of the kids at both the middle schools and high school. I could hardly believe it when I found out. A tragedy like this should never happen and I am in full belief that God did not want this to happen. However, God is here to help us through any difficult time that we may face. Ironically, that was the point of our area director's challenge to us leaders. We were given a challenge to be in the life of kids on a daily basis just like God is with us on a daily basis. He is the strength we do not have on our own and He never leaves our side. God inspired our area director to make this challenge...the timing couldn't have been any better. I feel blessed that I have had the opportunity to be with my YL girls and show them that I'm there for them and that I love them so much. We never really know what life will throw at us, but God places people in our lives for a reason. Life advice: Look for opportunities to reach out to others and show them that you are there. Embrace the challenges that life throws at you. Step up and try your best. We don't always know where our efforts will take us, but the beauty of God's love is that we will never have to walk alone. 

The art of being selfless

"Through selfless service, eternal peace is obtained."


I am not quite sure where I heard this quote, but it is one that has stuck with me like glue. What does it mean to be selfless? Doing something for another person just because. Not because it is something that you necessarily would do out of your own motivations, but rather because you notice that it is important to someone else. I have to admit that I don't always act in a selfless manner. I get overwhelmed as I look at my planner and see that my day is full of meetings, class, work and other commitments. I think that this is something that most other people can relate to. I don't often do things that I don't want to do because I look at time as such a difficult thing to give up, especially if it is for something that isn't directly benefitting myself. How awful does that sound? Pretty selfish if you ask me. However, as I was reading through some verses this morning, I stumbled across one that was a wake-up call. 


"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." -Philippians 2:4


Hmm...there are some verses in the Bible that are difficult to understand, but this one seems pretty straightforward to me. Last night my sorority had a workshop where we talked about ways that we could improve as a chapter. Our open motto says, "We live for each other," but that is not a motto that we always live out. The motto is focused around my blog topic for today which is selflessness. It makes me sad to think that I don't act out of selflessness on a daily basis but rather out of selfishness. I am selfish with my time and while I do feel like I am supportive of my close friends and family, I am sometimes ignorant to those that I do not hang out with on a daily basis. This needs to change. I need to start living for those around me by supporting them in the things that they do. I need to live for God everyday...not just when it is convenient for me. My goal and hope for myself is to become someone that people associate with selflessness. This adjective is a challenging but attainable reality if I start looking for ways to reach out to those around me without my own selfish desires as a motivation. So here is my challenge to you: Live for God and live for one another; only then, will you be completely at peace. 

One Day Without Shoes

I can hardly believe that it has been a year since the first day without shoes that I participated in. For those of you who don't know, TOMS shoes sponsors a day in order to raise awareness about children across the world that don't even have one pair of shoes to wear. How crazy is that to think about? There are some kids out there that can't even slide on a pair of flip flops or lace up a pair of Nikes. It makes me feel pretty bad about taking so much for granted, that's for sure. This day has really brought to my attention the ways that I have been blessed in my life. I have a wonderful family, supportive friends, a roof over my head and I never have to worry about not having a meal to eat. It is so easy to forget about all the ways that we have been blessed when we walk around in a world of ignorance. There is a reality out there that some of us become blind to as we get so consumed with our own busy lives. I am guilty of that. My hope and prayer is that I can remain aware of not only the ways that I have been blessed, but also make an effort to raise awareness about the struggles and difficulties that others face on a regular basis. Here is my challenge to you all: Do something that is bigger than just yourself. Reach out to others and lend a helping hand because big changes can be made if we all make a conscious effort. Also, don't make excuses! We all think that if we don't do something to help then someone else will, but that isn't true. Change starts with you. I absolutely love the quote by Gandhi that says, "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." So whether you decide to go a day without shoes, volunteer for an organization or reach out to that kid that no one else talks to, start making some changes. We can make a difference and create a loving world that God will smile down on. 

Sophomoritis? Didn't think there was such a thing...

Where the heck did my motivation go? That seems to be the question of the semester. It is hard to believe that I am only a sophomore and I am already having intense feelings of senioritis...I guess we will call it sophomoritis in my case. At this rate, it is going to be a long couple of years until graduation. However, I do have a lot of things to be looking forward to that will make the time fly by fast. Work week in Colorado, Puerto Rico with my dad and sister, my sister's wedding, summer staff in Minnesota, YL camp....this summer is going to be crazy busy but I will love every second of it. This time of year always seems bittersweet for some reason. Despite the fact that I want to be done with school SO badly, I'm not quite ready to accept the fact that I     am signing up for classes for my junior year of college and      the fact that I will be away from the amazing people in Manhattan that I love. While I dread my classes every single day, I need to continue to embrace these last few weeks I have before my life will really start to pick up! I would be lying if I said I hate being constantly on the go....in reality, I thrive on the fast-paced life that I live. I just need to continue to set short term goals for myself so that I stay on track and stay motivated because I don't want to regret a single moment of these next few weeks. Life advice: live in the moment and find your motivation! Don't allow yourself to get lazy...finish that homework, hit the gym, hang out with your friends....and finish unpacking your spring break stuff finally (this is advice that I definitely need to follow!). God doesn't want us to just constantly be looking to the next thing, but instead He wants us to live each day as if it is just as exciting as the next! 

                                                         SPRING BREAK 2011 in Gulf Shores :) 

Surround yourself with positivity

One of the most valuable things I have learned so far in my life is to surround myself with positivity. Whether it is the activities you are involved in, or the people in your life, it is absolutely vital that you seek out those activities or people that build you up. A laugh and a smile are not only contagious, but they are the perfect medicine for any Negative Nancy. I have been involved in some organizations before that just looked good on paper; they did not bring me joy or fulfillment whatsoever. What is the point of being involved in activities that you don't love? There is no point in the long-run. Young Life is an organization that I currently volunteer for and no words can even describe the amount of fulfillment I get from the things that I have the opportunity to do. In addition, I haven't always been friends with people that were the most positive influence. While it is completely fine to be friends with most people and to love everyone, check and make sure that the people you spend a majority of your time with have a positive affect on not only your actions, but your mood and well-being as well. A lot of people tell me that I am an incredibly positive person, which I believe to be one of the best compliments possible. However, I have my times when I have a negative attitude and look at the glass half empty. It is times like these when the positive environment you surround yourself with comes in handy. And while we are on the topic of positivity, quit being so negative! You are blessed with so many things in your life and it is important to acknowledge these things. You are allowed your bad days and bad moods, but try to look for the ray of light shining through each day. Life advice: Surround yourself with positivity and the feeling will be contagious. Don't let little things bring you down; people will notice your incredible attitude and the positivity will catch on like wildfire. 

We all have a story

I can say, without a doubt, that one of my favorite things to do is talk. I love communicating with people and more than anything, I love sharing stories. I truly believe that every experience we have is perfect criteria for a story that can be passed on and shared with others for years to come. A few nights ago, I spent about 2 hours sitting in the dining room of my sorority with a group of girls, telling and listening to stories. My face hurt from smiling and my stomach hurt from laughing by the end.  I am incredibly thankful for the memories that I have; I have enough stories to last a life time. Think back on the experiences you have had; remember the embarrassing ones, the happy ones, the sad ones, the scary ones...every single one of those memories you have is an incredible teaching and learning tool for you to utilize. Every single human being has a different set of stories. How cool is that? We all come from different backgrounds and have had different experiences; not a single person is the exact same. We are shaped by our experiences...that is why we are all unique from one another. Each one of us is writing our own book made up of chapters; some of them are short, some of them are long, but nonetheless, we are all creating our own best-sellers. Life advice: Don't keep these stories and experiences to yourself. Share your stories. Be open about your life. Re-live those memories. God gives us the opportunity to live our lives and create the stories that are ultimately inspired by Him; so get out there and keep the words flowing on the pages of life. 

Beauty sleep is good for the body and soul

Do you ever have those days where you just feel like you are constantly on the go? When you feel like the first time you get to sit down is when you lay down to go to sleep at around midnight, only to have to get up in about 5 hours...well, welcome to my life. It may sound absolutely awful, but this is a lifestyle that I have grown to be quite familiar with and to the surprise of many, I enjoy it. Each day when I curl up in my warm bed I feel like I have accomplished something. I learned in psychology a few weeks ago that we spend 1/3 of our life sleeping.....33% of our life is spent ASLEEP! How crazy is that?! Now, I am not saying that I am just going to cut that number down or anything, but I am going to make sure that I embrace the time I am awake. However, our bodies need sleep. Matthew 11:28 says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." God realized the importance of rest not only for our bodies, but our minds as well. It is perfectly fine to be on the go all day long if you allow yourself the chance to sleep and rejuvenate. In turn, you will be in a better mood and will be more willing and able to take on the tasks of the next day. Life advice: Stop depriving yourself of sleep! Take a nap, put the homework aside for a little while, relax---the people around you, your body and your soul will thank you for it! 

Carpe Diem

Carpe diem. This phrase is thrown around so often that we sometimes forget what it truly stands for. This is a Latin phrase that means to seize the day. Seize the day. What exactly does that mean? Today was an absolutely beautiful day. It was over 70 degrees outside...not your typical February day. However, I decided that it was absolutely necessary to enjoy every second of this wonderful day that God granted us with. Work was a blast and my only class of the day got cancelled; everything was falling into place for a perfect day. I was productive and took each and every opportunity to enjoy myself and have fun. However, something that I started to think about was why I didn't start each day with this attitude. Sure, the nice weather was definitely a mood booster, but I should be looking at EVERY day in the same positive light that I viewed today with. Every single day is a gift from God. Every second of every day counts, so why waste them?  Life advice: Carpe diem. Not just when the weather is nice or on days that you don't have to work, but every single day. Embrace each day for what it is and always be looking out for opportunities to seize the day. 

Perfection is not something to strive for

No, I am not quoting Miley Cyrus when I say that everyone makes mistakes; it is a fact of life. However, to someone like me who strives to be perfect in everything that I do, making mistakes is completely out of the question. I don't like disappointing or hurting people. I hate not doing as well as I think I should have on tests or projects. I hate not achieving goals that I set. Perfectionist does not even begin to describe me. Who decides what is perfect though? Yes, 100% on a test is technically a perfect score, but in other aspects of my life, who says what perfect is? Perfect is a high standard that I set for myself. Me. I do it. I set ridiculously high standards for myself and when I can't accomplish them, then I get frustrated and down. That isn't how it should be. The only person who could even fit the word perfect was Jesus. He walked among humans and was God's perfect son. No one else in the entire world is, was or will ever be perfect like He was. That being said, I need to re-evaluate what it is I am striving for. I want to be a good daughter, a good best friend, a good sister, a good student, a good member of my sorority, a good Young Life leader, a good citizen, a good worker....all of these things I can do, but there is no way of being perfect at any of them. Trying to do everything possible to make people happy can take a toll on yourself; you will find yourself being spread too thin and thinking of things as more of a chore than something you enjoy doing. I need to take a step back and stop striving for perfection but rather try hard to be the best I can be. My personal best needs to be good enough for me. Life advice: Stop trying to strive for perfection. Perfection is not a word that is attainable by any human on earth. Don't be mad at yourself if you make a mistake or let someone down...it happens to everyone. Be the best you that you can be and let that be enough. 

When you least expect it...

Has something ever happened to you...something that was so great and it seemed to come out of nowhere? Well I know the feeling. The past two days have been absolutely wonderful. Not only did we have two snow days in a row, but some things really started looking up in my life. I have been getting frustrated and fed up lately, but I feel like a weight has finally been lifted off my shoulders. I had an absolutely amazing time with the girls in my sorority these past few days. I feel refreshed, happy and content. There are times when things seem like they couldn't be worse, but before you know it, things will all of a sudden change; your luck will change for the better. I wish that this would happen at the snap of your fingers, but unfortunately it is not that easy. It is so true that it takes some bad things for you to appreciate when times are truly good. So here is my advice for the day: trust. Trust in God's timing and trust in the fact that great things will come along when you least expect it. Get through those tough times and stay optimistic...cuz things are bound to look up :)

A renewed sense of hope

"And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." -Romans 5:5
It is hard to believe that this weekend is almost over. As I sit down to work on some homework and send out a few emails I have been ignoring, I am enjoying the chance to finally sit down before an inevitably busy evening. For whatever reason, I have felt like I have been in a funk this weekend that I can't seem to get out of...the only word that comes to mind to describe how I am feeling is: discouraged. I am a person that likes to make a lot of plans and I put a lot of pressure on myself to fit in as many things as I possibly can into a day...even if that means I have no time to myself. I think I have literally driven myself crazy this time. I am typically a very positive person, but for whatever reason, I have become a negative nancy for the past few days. I have let people down and disappointed myself, but rather than climbing out of the hole I have been digging, I reached over and grabbed a shovel to dig myself deeper. However, I do believe that every experience yields some sort of lesson. And here is the lesson I am currently trying to digest: In my life I am going to disappoint people. I am not always going to make people happy and not everyone is going to like me...but that is okay. Whose opinion really matters anyway? Well...God's sure does. I need to stop worrying about letting people down, because most of the time I am probably just overanalyzing...a word that is all-to-common to me. Lately, I have been disappointing myself and that isn't good. I am putting my hope in all the wrong things and haven't been at all hopeful in God's plan for me. That needs to change. I need to be hopeful that today is a gift from God and I have no idea where all it will take me. I need to not blow off today as another bad day, but rather be confident in the fact that the day is what I make it. Here is my advice for the day: stay hopeful. Do not give up on yourself or on God if you have a few rough days. Stop worrying so much about letting other people down and just do what you can to be yourself. Don't be afraid to say no and don't over-commit yourself because that is where you will run into problems. I pray that I can put my own advice into practice....Everything is going to be alright :) 

Be a more beautiful you

          Three words: positive self image. These three words pose one of the most difficult challenges I have come to know in my 20 years. Oftentimes it seems like the world is constantly telling us that we aren't good enough; not skinny enough, not fashionable enough, not smart enough...all of these things could not be more false. Every single human being is beautiful in their own way because we are all made in God's image. What are some ways we can let this beauty shine through us? Here are some tips:
1) Do something that makes you happy- Try something new! A couple of years ago, I created a bucket list of things I want to do in my lifetime. I included everything from going skydiving to learning how to knit...I set short term and long term goals for myself. Each time I try something new, I get such a feeling of accomplishment. Or, if you aren't quite as adventurous, stick to the things you love! 
2) Do something nice for another person- Even if it is as small as a kind note, do something nice for another person every single day. Your beautiful personality will radiate when you do a good deed without the expectation of anything in return. 
3) Be good to your body- Go get some exercise! Even if it is a small amount, I promise that you will feel great about yourself...get those endorphins pumping! Eat healthy (yes, I need to practice what i preach!) and make sure you get plenty of sleep.
           These are just a few ways to be a more beautiful you. Do the things that make you happy, be good to your body and make sure you do something nice for other people on a daily basis. The beauty that you already have will shine and not only will you feel better, but everyone else will see how incredible you truly are. Beauty is more than just skin deep; challenge yourself to do things that will make you feel beautiful on the inside and on the outside. 

Lean on those you love

Last night was probably one of the best nights I have had in a long time. Some of my best friends from high school got together to cook dinner and watch a movie. Best Saturday night ever. We started off the evening by making a trip to Hyvee to get some ingredients. Angel hair pasta, Alfredo sauce, rolls, salad, sparkling grape juice....check! We ended up making wayyyy too much pasta (thanks to the boys....and no you don't need to use the entire box for 5 people...noodles expand), and spent a majority of the night just talking and catching up...until we popped Mulan into the DVD player! I absolutely love my friends. Even though we all live in different places, it seems like no time has passed when we get back together. I love making new friends, but there is just something about those friends that you have grown up with that you can't find anywhere else. They knew me in my awkward stages (which I feel like lasted way too long). They knew me when I got my first bad hair cut. They knew me when my mom passed away. They knew me when I was a mathlete (yes..embarrassing). They knew me when I had my first heart break. Every single person you meet is supposed to be in your life for some reason. Whether it is temporary or life-long, get to know the people that surround you. One of my favorite quotes by Nicholas Spark says, "People come, people go – they’ll drift in and out of your life, almost like characters in a favorite book. When you finally close the cover, the characters have told their story and you start up again with another book, complete with new characters and adventures. Then you find yourself focusing on the new ones, not the ones from the past." This goes to show that some people will be in and out of your life quickly, but I want to add on to this quote. Some characters (aka people you meet in your life) will hop from one book to the next...some will be gone when you read the last page, but others will stay with you for forever. Life advice: Lean on those around you--the people that knew you at your worst and at your best. Embrace relationships with the people that come into your life, but be willing to accept that not all people you meet will be in your life forever. 

Today is a new day

Day one of the spring semester and I don't think it could be more cold outside. In the sleeping rooms I heard a few alarms going off, and I knew that mine was going to go off soon. Sure enough, a few seconds later, the obnoxious ringtone I chose went off and I couldn't ignore it. It was inevitable...time to get up for the day. I put on my workout clothes and braved the arctic tundra as I made my way to the gym. Today I started training for a half marathon; it is going to be a 12 week process that is going to take every ounce of motivation I have. Next on the agenda was class...and then work....first day back in the routine always proves to be a challenge! However, now that I am sitting down and catching up on an episode of Jersey Shore, I realize how great it feels to get back in a routine. My excitement for this semester and the changes I plan on making has put me in a wonderful mood and I'm ready...ready to see what each new day will bring. Every single day is a new opportunity to do something great. Being motivated and productive is the best feeling ever and I can tell that this year is already off to a great start. I finally feel settled in and content; I love the girls that I live with, I adore my job, I enjoy my major, I love the activities I'm involved in...how could this year not be great?! Life advise: do the things you love doing and then every day will be exciting. Being in a routine is good, but don't be afraid to mix it up every once in a while and make things interesting. Brave that arctic tundra, stay motivated and get excited for what each new day will bring! 

Happily ever after

Hopeful. This is the word that I said on my profile described me more than any other word I have come to know in the English language. It is my blessing...but it sometimes feels like a curse. I believe that life should be and could be full of fairy tale endings (maybe I've watched a few too many Disney movies). That being said, I get thoroughly disappointed when things don't go the way I think that they should. I like to make up endings of happily ever after in my head for pretty much every situation that I am in, but not everything ends like a fairy tale. I truly believe that every experience we have shapes us into the person that we are today. The lessons I have learned in my life were not always easy, and I sometimes had some not so great experiences in order to get to where I am today. But rest assured; God has the pen and is writing each of our own fairy tales. We will all experience conflict and none of us know how our story is going to end, but that is the beauty of it. We aren't the authors. God is. God wants us to have those happy endings that are full of love and joy, and I believe that if we embrace the tough situations we encounter and learn from them, then we will achieve the perfect conclusion to our stories. Life advice: enjoy each of the chapters of your life and don't get too upset when they don't end the way that you want them to. Each individual chapter may not have the ending you are hoping for, but I can assure that you will be happy with the conclusion of the entire book. Take one day at a time, and I promise that you will eventually have that happily ever after that you are wanting...and it will be a better ending than you ever could have imagined!

Moving out and moving on

Procrastination seems to be the theme of the day for me as I am preparing to head back to K-State. Laundry is still tumbling in the dryer and I am doing everything I possibly can...to NOT pack. I have piles stacked all over my room and a list of things I wrote down that I will most likely still end up forgetting; phone charger, toothbrush, shampoo. Check. Check. Annnnnd check. Why did I decide to wait until the last day to get all of my stuff together? Denial that my winter break is almost over? The thought that organizing all my things wouldn't take all that long? Probably a little of both. However, this packing issue I seem to be having has been an ongoing problem with me. I am the stereotypical girl; I overpack and bring things back that I don't need because there is a one-in-a-million chance that THIS time I will need it. Packing is hard for me. Why is it such a difficult task? The answer is simple, really. I struggle with moving out and moving on. I get used to my daily routines and the places where I am located. Transitions from one place to another can prove to be a challenge because change is something that I am not used to. I have lived in the same neighborhood for 14 years. I have had the same core group of friends since I was in elementary school. I have had the same job (that I still continue to work at on breaks) for the past 4 years. Creature of habit? I'm thinking so. It is 100% true that time helps with change, but I am probably one of the most impatient people you will ever meet. Change is inevitable. In my future I will change friends, experience break-ups, move, work at different jobs...all of these things are going to throw me off for a little while. Rather than fearing change and trying to work against it however, I need to accept that changes will occur in my life. Advice for the day: change isn't a bad thing so stop trying to work your way around it! Pack up those bags, get pumped up for the day and embrace those inevitable changes.

You're never fully dressed without a smile

Do you have that one song that you seem to listen to on repeat? You know what I'm talking about. That song that you always seem to play when you wake up and get ready or the one you play whenever you find yourself in a bad mood. It's that go-to song that is full of upbeat rhythm, positive lyrics and an overall good message. My song is "Dog Days are Over" by Florence + The Machine. For the past few months I have played that song over and over again, and it seems like no matter what mood I am in, that song will get my day started right. I don't think I know a single person that doesn't love some form of music; it gets you pumped up, it relaxes you, you can relate to it and there is a song guaranteed to put a smile on your face no matter what...And that right there is the point of my blog post today. Smiling. Everyone has heard the quotes, "A smile is a curve that sets everything straight" and "It takes seventeen muscles to smile and forty-three muscles to frown," and as much as we may look past these, I challenge you to think about them. One of the biggest things I have learned in my life is the importance of a smile. It makes others feel good, it gives off positive vibes, it puts people at ease and it also makes YOU feel good. Laughing is contagious, but so is smiling. Think about it. Have you ever just smiled at someone who seemed upset or sad? Did they smile back? I'm going to hope that your answer to this question is a yes..if your answer was a no, I hope those people read this! I believe a smile to be one of the most beautiful things a person can have. Yes, you may have on an awesome new shirt or a pair of great shoes, but those things are negligible unless you finish the look with a smile. So with that being said, here is my advice for the day: Smile. Do the things that make you smile on a regular basis. Listen to upbeat music, dance around your room, sing at the top of your lungs, read a good book, eat a bowl of ice cream (I would do this right now if it wasn't 8:00 in the morning), go for a run, pray, play a game with your family, watch movies with your friends, go on an adventure. Do the things that draw the edges of your mouth up...up into a smile that will catch on like wildfire. This is one small thing you can do to make a huge difference in your life on a daily basis and in the lives of everyone else you encounter. Buddy the Elf had a line in the movie where he said, "I like smiling. Smiling's my favorite."---Well Buddy, I couldn't agree with you more. 

Wanting the right things

My alarm clock went off at 7 this morning. I reached over to silence the awful sound and found myself hitting the snooze button...Again. This wasn't a morning out of the normal by any means considering I have done this same thing almost every morning for as long as I can remember. For some reason those extra 5 or 10 minutes of being half asleep/half awake satisfy me...AND make me have to get ready that much faster after I finally roll out of my warm, comfy bed. All I wanted was more sleep, but did I need it? No. That is similar to how I approach many things: I think that I NEED them and convince myself that if I just had this one thing, then I would be happy or feel better. Those forms of satisfaction are temporary and if I really took a step back and thought about it, I would realize that. Yes, I am going to go ahead and admit that I make impulsive decisions and act before I think a lot of the times. Does that get me in trouble? Yes. That is the problem with me and a lot of other people; we do things without thinking of the consequences and then just figure we will deal with whatever happens after we are done doing what we shouldn't. Why do we look for a temporary fix? Because it makes the hurt seem less bad. Because it makes us not feel lonely. Because it gives us an extra boost of confidence (for a short while at least). However, a lot of these things end up hurting us in the grand scheme of things. No, that shirt that I decided that I needed because it was 40% off probably won't hurt me too bad down the road, but you get the idea. I dated a guy for a year and a half and things did not end very well at all. I thought that the only thing that would fill that void I was feeling was a guy (yet another temporary fix). However, now that I have taken a step back, I realize that what was lacking in my life was my faith; since when was my destiny decided by me? Well, I am here to tell you that it is not. God is the only one that knows what we really need in our lives and it would be smart of us to listen. So here is some more life advice: stop looking for a temporary fix to your problems, but rather listen and look for what God is showing you will bring you eternal satisfaction. The right decision isn't always easy, so accept that hard choices will have to be made in order to achieve the ultimate happiness you are searching for. Wake up when that alarm goes off, keep that PMA (positive mental attitude) and ask yourself if your decisions will truly benefit you further down the road. 

Hurry up and wait

I woke up this morning to the sound of my little brother watching TV. I looked at my clock and saw that he should be at school already and then I soon realized that there were a few inches of snow on the ground. Snow day. Those two words would have brought more joy to my life than anything else when I was in elementary, middle and high school. But now that I am on winter break as a college sophomore and realize that I have a ten hour work shift ahead of me, my excitement is instead replaced with the realization that I have some snow shoveling to do. Wonderful. However, as I sit here and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, I realize that regardless of my unfortunate work situation, the snow outside and around my house is beautiful. There are few things more gorgeous than fresh snow covering the ground and trees in a blanket of white. For the most part, people are forced to stay inside. This means finally getting a chance to sit down and read that book you have been wanting to get to or working on knitting that scarf you started weeks ago (knitting takes beyond forever in case you were wondering), or just sitting and relaxing with the family that you oftentimes are too "busy" for. We (and by we, I mean I) are always on the go and sometimes forget to appreciate the world around us. I feel like I am constantly on the move and don't even take time to enjoy the amazing things God has placed in my life. However, at times like these when we are cooped up inside our homes, we get to take the chance to soak it all up and realize that we needed this pause in our busy schedules. I needed this day. I am the infamous busy girl in my family and I try to move at a high speed pace every day. Snow day. I needed a snow day to slow myself down. God has a funny way of timing things so that we have experiences so eloquently placed, that even a romantic author like Nicholas Sparks couldn't tell the story better. Advice for the day: enjoy the world around you, stop running around like a chicken with your head cut off (a phrase my dad likes to use) and soak up the beauty of God's creation. Grab that book, drink that hot cocoa and be with that family that you always speed right past.

A fresh start

For many people the new year means a chance for a fresh start; an opportunity to achieve the hot bod you always wanted, a time to finally quit old habits, a reason to get your life back on track...and all of these things are wonderful goals that I hope are reached by many. My new year's resolution however, is a little different. Now I know it is already the 10th of January, and no, I am not already late on a resolution I decided upon at midnight on New Years; this is a goal that I set for myself tonight. I want to do just as my blog title calls for...live in faith. My hopes are that this goal goes past 2011 and continues for the rest of my life. My hope is that I inspire others...not through this blog, but through my words and actions on a daily basis. This blog is going to be my daily/weekly (lets be honest..I'm sure some days I will forget) outlet to share the ways that I am living my life in faith and seeing the benefits of this big goal I have set in place. Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase, and that is exactly what I am about to do -- take a leap of faith in my life in the direction of ultimate happiness, which I believe comes with complete belief in God's plan for us. I am letting go and letting God take my life in His hands. This is organized, controlling Emily allowing God to take me on a journey where I am in the passenger seat and not behind the wheel for once. I find myself so focused on being in control of my own destiny...but through various experiences I have had, I have come to realize that life doesn't always go how I plan. So that's that. Here is the official kick off of MY new year. January 10th at 1:30 in the morning...lets do this!