I haven’t posted in awhile. Without an assignment, blank pages intimidate
me. I thought instead of a witty blog
post with one central theme, I would share what I’ve learned this year in a
de-clutter sort of way. Like the trunk
of my car, my mind is full of wacko and intense things; this page is going to
help me maneuver them in paragraph/list form. OH, and the random pictures, are exactly that... random pictures of my year. You're welcome.
**Disclaimer: All of these lessons are learned because of
my actions. In other words, I made these
mistakes. This is not just a passive rant
to the world of the all wrong done to me… the opposite. I am convicted of doing all of these, and
trying to improve these areas in my life.
Oh, I’m not perfect in these areas either.**
- Do not speak for anybody but yourself. “I think _____ and I know so-and-so thinks this, too.” People are not meant to be used as a buffer when stating an opinion. Be confident in your statement, or don’t share it. Well, here’s the thing, you know that thing you do? The one where you smack your gum and sniffle your snot in my ear when I’m trying to turn in an essay on a very strict deadline? It’s very annoying. Your boyfriend, professor, and bank-teller agree…
- Eggnog is not the new pumpkin spice.
- Humility is attractive—well, that is true humility is attractive. C. S. Lewis defines humility as, “not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.” Thinking about how crappy of a person you are 24/7 is still considered egocentric. Take the focus off yourself. One of the scariest prayers is found in Psalms 139 where he says, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” God will reveal the areas in your life that are broken, but he will reveal your strengths, too. Stay humble. Root all your confidence in God, not yourself. It will not waver.
- Don’t try to
please people.
- Celebrate
everything. If it’s good and exciting in
the slightest bit, give it the credit it deserves. When I was feeling a little hungry, I wanted
a good snack. I found out there was
extra chips and salsa, and I freaked out!
It’s one of my favorite snacks. I
ordered some pictures and it was only 63 cents. I had exact change! I got eight hours of sleep! Make it a big deal. But here’s the kicker—celebrate everything
for others, too. This used to be easy
for me. As a kid, it comes naturally for
most. The joy of a four year old is
easily impressed on the four year right next to them. But as adults, it gross more difficult. We work harder, and unfortunately, it doesn’t
always pay off. Most think jealousy is
the root. I disagree. Jealous is the byproduct of comparison. If you’re not comparing, there’s nothing to
get jealous over. If you’re not jealous,
you can celebrate. You got straight A’s! You lost weight! You got a job! You found your sunglasses! You made a great dinner! IT’S TIME TO CELEBRATE!
Me being one of the only students to dress up on halloween. 
I was a bat. - Your roommate will forgive you for using their toothbrush. (Especially if you tell them for the first time in a public blog.) Sorry, Dani.
- Not shaving is not a sin. Okay, 14 year old girl and mom in CVS? Why don’t you just back off… your stares are not subtle. Stop judging. (This one is a little passive. Like I’ve said, I’m not perfect. Refer to the disclaimer.)
- “Agree to disagree” is a treasure. But like all treasures, treat that saying with care and rarity. It’s not an excuse to not fix things. Also, tying along with fixing things, hanging up on somebody is not good. Sitting at twenty years old, unfortunately, it had to be a topic of conversation. “It just seems so obvious. I shouldn’t be having this conversation to convince you; it’s rude.”
- If your face-wash burns, it’s working.
Before face-wash. 
After face-wash. - Don’t hang up on people. Especially the ones who are closest to you.
- Apathy is extremely dangerous. The danger stems from the unique subtly of it. (Unlike the stares of that 14 year old. Sorry. I’m still offended.) It can destroy all relationships—faith, parental, romantic, or friend. There’s a difference between content (finding the joy and satisfaction in the relationship) and complacent (not moving forward or engaging in developing it further.)
- Just because you
don’t remember farting doesn’t mean you didn’t.
I just like my nose in this picture. - Fake it ‘till you make it. AAA’s got a point. Even if you don’t feel great, fake it. I’m not saying you need to raise your voice five octaves higher and hug strangers as if they’re going to deliver your baby. But what I’m saying is, even if you don’t feel like being happy, say positive things anyway. I believe this, because after awhile you’ll realize it releases you. You’ll be released of all that jealousy, bitterness, and anger. What you declare will be. If you just say negative things or harbor pessimistic thoughts all the time, your day will be just that—negative. Let me reiterate, I am not condoning being a “fake” person. (That sounds like middle school.) I’m encouraging you to muster up a teaspoon of positive attitude, even if it’s not 100 percent genuine, and after awhile of acting positive, you’ll see the results of living positive, and it will become natural. That was a run-on sentence, and I loved it. Speaking truth, even if your emotions don’t agree, will have a positive effect.
- The only power a stigma has, is the power you give it.
- Every person has a platform and a purpose. The main struggle I’ve wrestled with is my talent. I love to write. I know this blog doesn’t do me justice. However, I have found my passion. Writing scripts and short stories brings me so much joy. I got mad at God one day as I was driving. I did well on a paper, (keep reading, this isn’t a backdoor brag) and I genuinely got annoyed. I verbally asked God, “Why writing?” I won’t be a doctor healing small children around the world. I won’t be a counselor helping people find hope in unlikely circumstances. Or a registered dietitian helping cancer patients find an appropriate meal plane. (SHOUT OUT TO MY ROOMMATES WHO ARE GOING TO BE ALL OF THE ABOVE!!!) I said, “Why do I find my passion is this?” Art seems trivial in the greatness of the world. I felt small. But the Lord is unconditionally patient with me. He has gently reminded me I have a platform. I have a calling. I am very aware it is close to impossible to be successful in the literary world. But I serve a Big God, and I will dream big. More importantly, I will be obeying big. I say all this to remind you, if you are an accountant, a mom, a greater, or a cashier—you have power and purpose. Your platform is exactly where you are now. My pastors have repeatedly said, “be faithful where you are.” Martin Luther said, “The Christian shoemaker does his duty not by putting little crosses on the shoes, but by making good shoes, because God is interested in good craftsmanship.” In other words, be the best student you can be, be the best mom you can be, be the best doctor you can be, be the best ____________ you can be.
As I finish this blog, I keep
remembering more lessons I’ve learned. But If I don’t end now, I’ll be forced to
keep smelling myself and drinking more coffee, and everybody knows emotional
PMS symptoms get worse with caffeine, and I might get depressed looking at this
screen, and start to contradict everything I just said about joy and happiness
and living and balloons, because I’ll start hating myself. So I guess lesson 16. Women’s hormones do
mess with their emotions. We’re not crazy. **whispers to self** “I’m not crazy. Ssshhh. I’m not.”
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| I'm officially twenty in this picture. |
