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.