Be Your Own Kind Of Beautiful

Lately I have been thinking. Life is a journey that is made better through the grace of God, excellent friends and family, and your own personal choice and attitude. The more I grow up, the more I realize that the place you come from doesn't really matter. What matters more is that you know where you are going and to know without a doubt that you are not alone!

I strongly believe that there needs to be more love in this world. That kind of brotherly love, where we take care of one another. I think everyone honestly just needs to feel they are loved. To know they have a friend. To be comfortable, secure, and learn to see the beautiful them that has always been there.

A kind word is never forgotten. In reverse a mean, rude, insensitive, ignorant type words are remembered and soon opinion and judgements are formed on both ends. Should we not speak kindly of one another? How about towards each other? Each of us is beautiful, special, and incredible! Kind words spring from kind thoughts. Lately I have been thinking about what sort of thoughts am I thinking about others? I would like kindness to begin with me.

I think inner beauty is worth more than a handsome face. I truly believe everyone is beautiful.

Like the beauty of discovering a new soul, a new story, a new personality, a new perspective. Perhaps with different or similar passions, dislikes, and experiences as you! I love people. They offer so much with so little effort. I love it when people are just themselves and no one else--yes flaws and all! I am starting to figure out who I am; which I am beginning to realize is a life long process. I am starting to figure out how to shine brightly by just being me, and no one else!

Each one of us is a child of God with infinite potential. Each of us is loved of God and we all need to feel of His love. Our capacity to love is endless. Honestly try it, you will never run out of love. I think it is  a personal choice to let that action become regular and to not be afraid to give of our time and personality. We all need love. We all need to know that we are worth something. To me, you are beautiful, talented, amazing, good, and worthy of love. This is my challenge to Be My Own Kind of BEAUTIFUL!

Dreams

Lately I feel as if my idea of a dream is changing. That there is a lot more to a dream than just "a wish your heart makes" (Cinderella). That it is the idea that you can change. To take a leap of faith, to not just sit stagnate in your life because it make sense. But to grow, to express, to reach. I feel as if my idea of a dream has changed into reaching that complete me. It is like changing from being a caterpillar to a butterfly. It is up to me to make that choice. To choose to get into a "cocoon" of sorts, to not be content with the life you have, but with the life you could have if you left the light of the Lord shine in your life. In  2 Corinthians 4:6 it reads,

"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of knowledge of the glory of God int he face of Jesus Christ."

I hope to one day be my "butterfly" self. To face a new way of thinking, of life, of  beauty, and letting my wings take flight. I hope to reach everything that God has in store for me, that he may shine the light through me. I came across this video the other day. I loved it. I have to remind myself that "what we are is more important than what we've been, and what we can become is more important than we are".

Please feel free to watch this video, its kinda long (22:00) so make time, it is inspirational!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p98KAEif3bI

Puddles to Peaks

I am so happy. Why? Because I just accomplished my first semester and pass/excelled in all my classes! I am grateful to now know--I can do hard things! College. It is difficult, (no duh) but it is different for every person. We go through different trials and problems. We have different room mates then our neighbors do. We also have a lot of different "why me moments". Like I got super sick with Broncitis and a sinus infection and then got my finger cut open. I was in the Health Care center way too much this last semester.

There is also a feeling of change in my life. I feel great. Like I have so much in front of me. I feel like my next mountain is right in front of me. My dad told me, don't stop and make puddles at the bottom, (he meant crying...). Get on your hiking boots and hike. Work for it! See you at the top sweetie!" I love that. He has been through these mountains. He is now encouraging me on wards and up wards. I see my next mountain. Here. I. Come. =]

The Weaver and Why not's

My friend once said, "Dear Lord, Why me?" She then felt the words, "Why not". Things happen, whether good or bad and we ask why? When it comes to trials and tribulations we ask why yet it is not till after the tempest is done raging that we look back and realize just how far we have come. Through the Lords hands "nothing is impossible".

Growing up my mother allowed us to expand our active minds on things that were most edifying. They create so much of who I am. She presented us with a poem that I know I shall always remember. It is entitled, "The Weaver" by Benjamin Malachi Franklin. It reads:

My life is but a weaving between my Lord and Me,
I cannot see the colors he worketh steadily
Oft times he weaveth sorrow and I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper, and I the under-side.

Not till the looms are silent and the shuttles cease to fly
Shall God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why.
His dark threads are as needful in the Weavers skillful hands
As His threads of golds and silver in the patter He has planned.

He knows what we are going through and lately I have found the need to praise His name through it all. For it is His merciful hand that sustains me in this mortal journey.

I have a new dream. To look at people the way the Lord of Heaven and Earth does. I have a desire to be an example and say "Thy will O' Lord be done".

Free to Be Me

Today was one of the best days. Even though I was running all over campus and not really having any time to rest or think about anything else but the task at hand. Yet the whole day I felt like me! I truly feel like because I focused on the right things Heavenly Father blessed me this day. It was a beautiful bright day, the sun was warming and the wind less violent, and I truly felt confident as I went about my day. Not only that but I pushed my "loosen up button" (as my mom calls it) and enjoyed giggling and being structurally random (if there is such a thing). Today was an all around good day.

A smile from up above :) carried me through the day!
It was not challenge to sing, dance, and pray.
I am me, it is who God wants me to be.
Open all your doors,
who knows what way God will take you.
Perhaps over a rainbow or through purple moors.
Yet I have found this day,
that my trust in God will remain and stay.

Poetry on the spot, it is within my thoughts :) I do hope a day may come your way, in which you can sing, dance, and pray! Let yourself be you! For if you aren't, then who will be?

Mind Over Matter

Sometimes the only thing holding you back are your own words of "I Can't"

There are times when I personally feel like the harder I try to be good, the harder the adversary sends the wirl-winds. "Master the tempest is raging" is my call towards the heavens and then I remember that trials are for my good. It is at this point I know it is time to brace myself and stand firm having trust and faith in the Lord.

"Most of our obstacles would melt away if, instead of cowering before them, we should make up our minds to walk boldly through them." --Orison Marden--

We all wish we did things perfectly. I know there has been a times in my life I could go back and change. Perhaps it was a relationship I hadn't made or a harsh word that could have been prevented. Yet I also feel like those experiences I learned from and now strive not to repeat. Learn, change, and move on, trying each day to be the better you!

Honestly I don't think we realize just how much each one of impacts those around us. Being ourselves gives "others the right to do the same" (Our Greatest Fear quote).

Perspective is a key to a new understanding, a new view, perhaps a change of opinion. A challenge to myself is to try to prevent those things I regret from the past and constantly think, "how can this person impact my life?" and "What can I learn from this experience?" and last but not least "Love being Beautiful me". God loves me, you, and all of us. May I never forget it!

If My Soul Could Dance

One of my biggest dream is to dance! I think I will learn, to a certain extent, how to do it because it is something I wish to learn. Then I saw this youtube video from off of America's Got Talent, and her name is Beth Ann Robinson. The way she dances. Beautiful. It looks effortless. I love the way she dances. Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_X42G4viXCI&feature=related

One day. :)

This Doesn't Only Happen In the Movies

Saturday night, at around 8:30 our neighbor hurriedly knocks on our door. Hey can I used your bathroom?! I am locked out of my apartment. Sure my room mates and I say. She leaves for her date who comes and picks her up at our Apartment (I know random). Then we are just talking and Holly is like, "our toilet sounds weird." She walks around the corner and EYES WIDE is like guys!!! We come around the corner to see our entire hall way, bathroom, and back two bedrooms flooded! Yes flooded. It is about a foot deep in water. Holly and I instantly kick off our socks and pull our pants up inside out." NO! What is ruined?" Runs through our thoughts as we wade through who knows how dirty of water. Holly ends up loosing her ipod and phone charger. Mine and Dallas back packs got ruined as well as Dallas's entire ipod. Fareaking out, we gather all of our stuff and start moving every thing to our front living space. Later the water is soaking into our carpet as we wait for the janitorial staff to come and vacuuming up all the water and emptying it outside. What an adventure. That night we all slept in the front room while the fan blew loud and long. Dallas did not sleep one wink.
Then just today Monday, Feb. 27, 2012 I was casually washing the dishes. To my surprise and horror I felt a twinge of sorts and pulling my hand out of the water, it was gushing blood in an enormous amount! Freaking out, called for Holly. Hearing my freaked out voice, she came and evaluated the situation then set to work repairing me. It hurt so badly! I started feeling woozy and nauseated, Holly held me in focus best she could, but I went into shock. Losing control over my body and which way was up, I fell to the floor, focus was uncontrollable I felt weak, Holly was an angel, she helped me regain focus and breathe deeply.
Later (10 minutes) I was in the Health Center, getting prepped for stitches. I attained 5 strong stitches for my cut. They said it went deep and that they had seen worse. For me this was bad--my worse. Exhaustion over came me. All I wanted was Holly or my Mom. Neither which they let me have. The needles and pain. I am such a baby I know! Yet honestly I found something about myself, I can tolerate pain and I nearly faint at my own blood.
Who knew that today would be so eventful when I woke up this morning....
Thank you Lord for not taking my whole finger, for allowing me to feel comforted by thy hand, and for assisting the doctors in sewing my finger up effectively. Thank you for still allowing me to be able to do the things I love like playing my cello or even writing in my journal. I am blessed to have a calm, "nurse major" room mate who was there to help me, and another room mate who helped me laugh and keep my focus off my injury.

A Dream Come True!

A dream has come true! I have been accepted to the London Study Abroad through Brigham Young University (BYU). Rich in culture and an incredible history behind this Nation that will make the entirety of this experience--AMAZING!
Also this weekend is one of those awesome and rare 3 day weekends for overloaded-stressed college students, like myself, who are able to visit home. :) This has been such a treat. There has been much relaxing and lots of family time.
One of the things we did as a family was go to the Mountain View High School performance entitled, "Timeless Movies". It was here I met Richard Sharrah from Kid History. YES! I like Kid History! :) quite a lot actually and I was so excited to meet Richard Sharrah! He is such a nice guy and super tall. He also said that they just finished filming #8 and that it will be out soon!! YAY!! (happy news for all kid history fans alike).
Some awesome things are happening in my life and I am so excited to continue my experinces and work towards my goals! Life, ready or not, Here I come!!

And So it Begins!

Hello Friends! I hope you enjoy this blog, I recently discontiued my Facebook and I have decided to keep you all updated because adventures are all around and I still would like to share, just not on Facebook, please join my blog to keep up with what I am up to.