Your Journey

Enjoy where you are.

Love who you are.

Find joy in what is around you.

Don't compare your journey to anyone else's.

Let the good times roll,

and disregard the bad. 

Most of all- cherish your journey because it is your own.

It is not about the destination.. But the up, downs, switchbacks, roundabouts, and detours of the journey. Someone who is truly happy- will enjoy the scenery of a detour, rather than curse the delay.  

Right Now

I always believe if I was somewhere else I would be happier.. That if something extravagant happened in my life it would solve all my problems. Well, WRONGO. 
Living in the NOW is hard. Personally, I don't like to focus my attention on school, so I use my energy elsewhere. But it does nothing but make you miserable. 
If you have gratitude for all you have in your life right now, living here in the present is not near as hard.
Be thankful for your blessings you have right now! That way, when time goes on you will be grateful for everything in your future. As it comes along.. 
This Thanksgiving season make a list of the things you are thankful for. It may be a tiny list, or it may be forrrrrever long. No matter what, list everything you are thankful for.

Like the quote says- channel ALL your ENERGY into living RIGHT NOW! And.. love it. 

Fear, Love, & Loss

I think this is a great quote. We often forget as human beings that everyone has a past. Everyone has had their own struggles, and we shouldn't judge. Ever. But especially before we know a person and their story.

--It isn't fair that some people suffer or hurt more than others. That inside ourselves we rip our own confidence to pieces. It's not ok. But that is what life consist of. Things that are not ok, not enjoyable, in fact it consists of heart wrenching pain everyday! But, that is the test. The test that determines who is strong enough to overcome it. We may never thank God for our trials, but they certainly make us who we are. 

If you are reading this I hope that you look inside yourself and realize what makes you- YOU. It is not your fancy material items that we waste all our life working for, but something much greater than that. I hope you recognize the bigger picture of things. Don't let your struggles, or sadness define your character. There is a light in you, and it will always be there if you ALLOW it to be. Remember to love before you judge, and never forget that everyone has a past, and everyone has their own story.

-Treat Others How You Would Like To Be Treated

Veterans

Veteran's Day

What an amazing today to honor the people who have done so much for us. We had a Veteran's Day assembly yesterday, and a guest speaker James Golbal(sp?)came and spoke to about his experiences with war. It was a shock to me to hear his story. He was captured after his plane was shot down. He had broken his left leg, but he did his best to land correctly preventing him from breaking any other bones. Luckily, there were armed guards who intercepted him when he hit the ground or he believed he would have been murdered by the mob of people who were also there. He talked about how he was taken to a prison camp and stuffed in a small cave. Where he remained the majority of his capture. He said they would allow the people from the village to come in and beat on the prisoners. They would punch, kick, and spit on them. However, he did his best to find something positive about this capture. When his leg had healed he was able to participate in saying the Pledge of Allegiance, and reciting the Lord's prayer. 

I thought it was such an amazing example to find something positive about such a horrible situation. His patriotism was astonishing, and it was such an example to me to be more appreciative about the freedom I have today.

Don't Take Your Freedom For Granted! 

Be Who You Are

Hola Comrades! Been a few days.. But I am back to my quotes! I absolutely love this quote by Dr. Seuss for many reasons. First off, I am a lover of rhymes, secondly; it is so true. I think this is such a good quote to live by! I don't know if you feel this way, but I have always tried so hard to keep everyone around me happy. No matter who they were. If they were having a bad day and I couldn't fix it I always took it personally. Plus in my tiny school everyone thinks it is 'ok' to make fun of everyone. Which I really hate... BUT! I have decided that I just do not care anymore. Because those who love me for the weirdo I am are the only ones that matter. Don't think for a second that you deserve to be treated poorly just to be in the popular crowd, or because 'you're a part of something'. That is such bull, and I challenge all reading this that you will give up being treated poorly, and seek out friends that will appreciate you for YOU! Don't settle to be a crappy, second-hand, version of someone else. It is not worth it! 

And along with that don't be afraid to stick up for what you believe. With personality comes integrity. Don't forget that.

Don't waste your time and energy on a place you don't belong. If you don't feel respected for who you are when you are there- then don't continue to show up. 

Respect yourself enough, to NOT care what others think of you.

T.G.I.F.

Thank goodness its Friday. I am switching it up today! Not going to write about a picture or quote.. Just gonna write how I feel. If you have been following my blog you know I jump around a lot- so stay with me the best you can.

--This week has been a long one. It has also been an emotional roller coaster. Constant up and downs. It is really frustrating when you put your best intentions forward but continue to get nothing but disappointment in return.I just don't know what to do! I am sick of feeling inadequate when I am trying my best to be kind, or be a good friend. I am sick of giving people the benefit of the doubt hoping that they will come around.. But it doesn't happen!! So why do I keep trying!? Life is just a blur for me right now.. I am doing my best to keep my head up and be strong for those you rely on me. But it is becoming an exhausting task. 

Also, I am confused about religion, sick of trying to impress people that don't matter. I am tired. Tired of feeling like the glue that keeps too many people together. 

I am not trying to put myself on a pedestal, or make myself look like a victim. 

I'm just tired. 

When I get in these funks I try to remember all those out there who are worse of than me. There is a funny "E-card" that says, "no matter how bad it gets, just remember that someone out there has to clean the bathrooms at taco bell." Haha! That would be so terrible! 

--I know I am extremely blessed, and spoiled in many ways. I know I take too much for granted and am not appreciative enough. Sometimes things get in your sights and you forget all that you have.. That is where I am at today. 

BUT! I will do my best to clear my head and be back to my positive self on monday! 

XOXO

Keep your head up...... <3

Move On

This is the perfect quote. I wish I would have found it earlier in the week! Because it would have been nice to have on a constant repeat inside my head.
-There is another quote somewhat similar to this that says- "the one thing I know about life, is that is goes on." It's so true. 
Everyone has days where they don't believe in this. But things are going to get better- in most situations they do. You are going to wake up and see the sun in the morning, you can find hope in the smallest things, and don't forget that laughing is the best medicine.
      Some advice I have for those lonely souls out there who feel hopeless and wavering. Don't give up. I have been there. I have had dark days. But things will get better. The most prominent thing that has been keeping me a float lately is my friends. I bounce around a lot with friends, but I always end up feeling like a one man wolf pack, and I know how horrible that can make you feel. However, as of late I have a few friends that keep my spirits high! That is my suggestion to you.. Find someone. Doesn't have to be a bunch of people, or even a human necessarily! Could be your dog! Find just one person that you can confide in- that will listen to you, and accept you for who you are. It will make a world of difference! I even confide in my journal when I feel like no one else will understand.. But don't bottle your feelings. Because eventually they explode, and the outcome of that is never pretty.

Keep smiling! :)

Don't Judge A Book

Right? Everyone adds their own flavor to things! Doesn't mean the way they dress reflects their lifestyle.

I love this! Because I am a big supporter of individuality! I feel like without the right to express yourself the world would be so devastatingly bland that no one would know what to do with themselves. I think it is AWESOME to see those people who are happy to take that risk in expressing themselves through fashion! It is something that everyone can see! Honestly, I know everyone does it- we see someone who dresses funky and we automatically judge! Well I am here to say- knock it the crap off! You don't know their story! Plus, it is fun! Fun to flaunt your style and see the different feed back you get. I am such a stickler for people being themselves! I cannot stand those who try so hard to be someone they aren't! It makes me sick! Embrace YOU for who you are! If you wanna wear studded boots, and shave off your hair- be my guest! If you want to wear leather pants, and leg warmers on your arms (which I suggest, BTW) freaking do it! It is so worth it for everyone to be able to get a glimpse of you, and your fashion. Difference is like a breath of fresh air! Individuality is something so simple to be upheld! Love your own view of things.. Be excited to show who you are! It is nothing to be ashamed of! Flaunt your personal style, and let those people out there know that you aren't afraid to be yourself! :)

You're UNIQUE let that SHOW! 

Just Keep Swimming

Just keep swimming..

I know I sound like a broken record. I keep encouraging the same things. To live, laugh, love, and be grateful for everything. To not let yourself get down.. yadda yadda. 

But SERIOUSLY! 

I have a hard time getting through things if I can't constantly tell myself that I am strong enough to do it. So.... That is what I am going to do. Refuse To Sink. I have been trying very hard lately to really accept myself. To love who I am and not allow myself to get down as much as I do. I hate that we are our own greatest critics.. To outside eyes we are beautiful. But to ourselves- there is always a place to improve. I am tired of feeling that way! I want to love me for me.. I was just thinking the other day that I wanted to get an old pair of pants and write all my insecurities on them. I know that sounds a bit dramatic, but I feel like if I do this- its almost as if I am embracing it. I would take this pair of pants and write thunder thighs, cankles, fat, gross, not enough, weird, dumb, etc, etc, which- in a form I am taking the words out of myself so I don't have to think them anymore. This way... I allow myself to float. To love myself, no matter my imperfections. Because that makes me who I am.

I challenge whomever is reading this to do something to that extent. Create something that will allow yourself to extract those hurtful words from your body. Life is hard enough as it is without our own critical input. Write out your self hatred, or the things you'd like to change, and get rid of them. Put them away from yourself. 

Allow yourself to float.. Don't be so hard on yourself! When life gets you down- which it most definitely will- 

REFUSE TO SINK.

Gratitude

Really though. Appreciate EVERYTHING and EVERYONE in your life. You don't realize how much other people do for you until they aren't there to do it.. When I was younger I hardly ever said thank you. I would remember to say it after everyone else had said it, or when something big was done for me.. But I never said it enough. One day, my Padre got sooo mad at me. Well, not just me, but my family. He was mad that we weren't thankful enough for what he did. WHICH WAS A LOT. Since then, I honestly notice the small things that everyone does. I try to say thank you as often as possible. I notice also when people do not say thank you! I mean- not trying to sound like a raunch, but when I hold the door open for a course of 20 people, and not one of them says thank you- I want to friggin' scream!! I feel like.. Are you kidding me? I didn't have to do that for you! I know its a simple thing, and I shouldn't be mad but it makes me frustrated. SAY THANK YOU! Have gratitude for what is around you! 
Yesterday in seminary, we talked about gratitude. I don't know if any of you out there reading this are LDS, but you don't have to be to appreciate what your surrounded by.. Honestly, look out the window. The world we live in is so beautiful. We have access to so many things.. We don't have to worry about where our next meal will come from. We don't have to worry about clean water, or electricity. We are given so much. It infuriates me that people don't appreciate the immaculate amount of blessings they have. There is a bottomless list of blessings that each and everyone of us could write!
Even if life doesn't treat you the way you would like, there is still so much to be thankful for. 
Try your hardest to find the small things in your everyday life to be thankful for.
--What if the things you weren't thankful for today, were gone the next?  

Live A Little - But When I Say Little I Mean A Lot

This is the truth.

I was talking with my friend today, and she was telling me about all of her travels, and all the amazing things she has seen and done! I was extremely jealous, because I have always had the dream to travel and experience people and FOOD and the sights to their fullest capacity! That is my biggest goal in life! But she said to me, "honestly, you have not yet experienced life." And.. At first, I thought- well I kind of have. I have had lots of experiences. Lots of trials, and hardships, that test me personally, but as I was thinking about those words that she said I discovered that she was so right! I haven't experienced life! At least not to the capacity I would like to! 

But not just in travel, or with material things necessarily- but with friends, and education.. With love and risks and chances! Sometimes I feel as if I am too safe because I have the greatest fear of being abandoned or lied to. I am scared to trust people, because I constantly give the wrong people the benefit of the doubt! Which they don't deserve, and I am let down! WELL! I am done being safe.. Well, at least I am going to try not to be as cautious. However, I am not saying cautious is the wrong way to be either! It is safe, and it does prevent you from doing stupid things.. But I want to take risks, I want to love, and feel loved! I want to make someones day, or surprise someone when they were least expecting it. I want to broaden my horizon! See things, and learn things- and BETTER myself! I just want to experience things to the upmost possibility available! 

Really, I just want to love life. I am sick of dreading the mornings.. I roll out bed with the thought "ugh! MOTHER FATHER- just another stupid day I need to get behind me.." Instead I want to be the person who is the sunshine to others, who springs out of bed with a song in their head.. someone who makes the day BRIGHT! I just want to live tastefully, and love life. I am sick of being sad. I am sick of being depressed. I have felt so HIGH ON LIFE lately, and I must say I owe it to my friends.. I have friends, sure! But the group of friends I have right now, including my brothers, and cousins <3 Best group of people I could ever ask for! Love them to pieces! 

ANYWAY- I want to challenge everyone who is reading this to take one risk! That one boy you've dying to ask out? FREAKING GO FOR IT! Honestly, the worst he could do is say no! And if so? MOVE ON! Life is soooo so so so so too short to let yourself dwell on stupidity that isn't worth your energy! Like discouraging yourself.. Don't do it. Love you, ok? Most important thing you could ever do! 

BE COURAGEOUS! Do something wild! -but stay safe-

Try something new, people!!!

Because the purpose of LIFE is to LIVE IT.