Perspective!

Today I asked a friend this question, "How many things have to go wrong before just one thing can go right?" His answer was simple and actually kind of humored me he said, "Idk....4?" It wasn't until later on that day I realized that I was asking the entirely wrong question and looking at my situation with the wrong PERSPECTIVE.
I think most people can relate to the fact that no matter if it is 1 or 20 things going wrong it is all we notice and think about. We to quickly look over the 1 thing that went right. It is all about perspective. Yes, there are things in this life that will never seem right no matter which way you look at it or which way you cut it. I truly think that it is not until heaven that we will have perspective for some things. But think of things like not getting the job you wanted or finding out that some of the people you trusted most were not that genuine after all. Things like this can often ruin our day. We let them take over. But with a different perspective we may come to see that these things were a blessing. They showed us that maybe our dream job was actually something totally different than we originally imagined or even pointed out that our true friends were a lot closer than we thought we just never lookws to our left and right.
After a rough day yesterday of feeling sorry for myself, having car trouble, and a little bit of a breakdown. I was sitting at the bar in the kitchen in my apartment trying to focus on homework. But I was avoiding with Facebook like all great college students....haha. Anyway, for those of you that have Facebook you know on your news feed, if you have it up a while, it will let you know when there are new stories. You then click and these things are updated to your news feed. Well I saw there was 1 new story, which is kind of weird to only have one, and when it popped up it was a status update from a friend in high school. He had posted a video and it was one of my favorite christian artist. I had never heard the song so I was excited. As the song began and I listened to the words I began to gain some perspective. The video is below and if you listen I think you will understand why. I will let the video and lyrics speak for itself. But this video coming up yesterday at that moment was an incredible God thing and I had to share!

A Fairy Tale Life

My grandfather always use to say, “It Builds Character” when it came to things in life that seemed difficult or unfair. Of course when I was younger I thought this was just a way to get me to do something I really didn’t want to do. It was not until later on in my life that I began to realize the simple truth behind this small saying.

Growing up we all envision a fairy tale life like the one that we read about in books and see on television. Sadly these fairy tales often don’t exist. Not because fairy tales are not real but because fairy tales are not scripted or cut and dry. What I am saying is that there is not just one way for a fairy tale to go. It would be pretty boring for everyone to have the same fairy tale story. I think sometimes we feel like our life is nothing like a fairy tale because it is not like the story of Cinderella or Snow White. However I think if we could adjust of perspectives that our ideal definition of what a fairy tale truly is would drastically change. 

Fairy tales don’t begin when Prince Charming comes into your life. They begin long before that. From day one your life is a fairy tale. Everyone’s is different but for me my fairy tale began with the love of two wonderful parents and two heaven sent siblings. My fairy tale continued with the love of an amazing family. I was blessed with more than I ever needed and loved more than anyone could ever hope for. My fairy tale really took flight on October 29, 2003 when I gave the reigns of my fairy tale over to the true Author of my life and was blessed when my brother was there to baptize me as I declared to the world who was truly in charge of the direction of my fairy tale life. From then on my life has continued with good and bad. Some of these things were emotional, disappointing, defeating, and maybe even a little bit tragic. Life wouldn’t be life with out a few ups and downs and a fairy tale wouldn’t be interesting without pain before triumph. While some of these things in life seemed unbearable and as though there was not light at the end of the tunnel I wouldn’t change a single thing.

Just like my grandfather always said, “It builds character.” He was so right. Every thing both good and bad impacted me as a person and the perspective of my fairy tale. But no matter how you slice it I am beyond blessed and everything that has happened in my life from day one has been a small piece of my fairy tale life.  

Mommy and Daddy: Thank you for always believing in me! For believing that my fairy tale is a beautiful story and loving me in spite of everything. You are both such a beautiful picture of love! Mommy, your strength is beyond words. You have a way of making things feel ok and making sure we all are taken care of before you ever stop to think of yourself. Daddy, I am beyond proud to call you my father. You are loving and brave. You have also been an encourager of dreams and a reminder of blessings. No matter what I will always be your little girl. I love you both more than life itself!

Anna: Thank you for being the best big sister of all time. You are strong and courageous. You take life by the horn or whatever that saying is….haha! You are one of the most inspiring people in my life. I mean where would I be if I didn’t have you to call 10 times in one week with question about my homework! Thank you for always following your heart and reminding me everyday why I want to be a teacher too! I love you!

John: You have been such an amazing brother-in-law. I defiantly brag on you! You have been there for with some tough love sometimes and plenty of need advice. You are so wonderful to my sister and even to me. Thanks for being a fantastic role model in my life! Love you!

Parker: Thank you for being a strong support and a great mentor of faith. I just know that God is going to use you to rock the world for him. Your passion is contagious and your love for others is inspiring. Thanks for being there for me and for being part of one of the most special days of my life. I love you!

Mitchell and Marshal: Thank you for being sweet and loving lights in my life. For always loving me and for being you! Remember this quote by Dr.Seuss, "Today you are you, that is truer than true, there is no one alive who is youer than you"

To my grandmothers: You both and amazing women full of strength and wisdom. You both lead life of love and faith and set amazing examples for your children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. I am so blessed to have such strong and inspiring women in my life. Yall have taught me to be grateful for all of life’s many blessings.

To my Aunt and Uncles: Thank you for loving me unconditionally. For always being there when I needed a reminder that I could handle anything and I could succeed if I tried my best. Thank you all for always supporting me and loving me no matter what.

To my cousins: I am blessed with so many of you. Thank you for always loving me and encouraging me. You are all amazing and I love each of you.

Ashley: While you have only been in our lives a short time. I want to thank you for being such an amazing role model and a great support. It is such a blessing to look down at my phone to see an encouraging text on my first day back to school, my birthday, and even when I have a big test that day. You are beautiful and I love you.

I could go on and on and on. I know this post may seem a little strange but the truth is that sometimes we all need a small reminder of how blessed we are. I know I did and in the process of thinking about my many blessing I thought about yall. Because no matter how hard things get we always have each other. We always have our Lord and Savior pouring out his love and guidance but sometimes these blessing are hard to see because we are blinded by pride, fear, sadness, etc. We are all living a fairy tale and it may not be at the most happy part or the funniest part. It very well might be at the part where we are fighting off a dragon, dealing with a dark and twisted witch, or crossing a gully to get to the other side. But these are the parts that “Build Character” and I am so glad that these parts exist. Without these parts the best parts would not be a good. I am glad that each one of you are part of my fairy tale!

The Pursuit of Happiness

Getting back in to the swing of things with school has been kind of hard for me. Five classes and a new job plus my observations in six different schools. It's not more than I can handle just hard to stay focused sometimes. Needless to say, sometimes its hard to stay positive. I love this website called stumbleupon.com and I was stumbling this morning and found this list of little quotes that help with this issue I have been dealing. I thought they were really great so I wanted to pass them on. It can be hard to stay positive in light of all the things going on in life and in your head. I hope this make you smile and think as much as they did for me.

1. The only person that can ever truly make you happy is yourself. Stop depending on everyone else.

2. People lie, stuff happens. Don’t take it too personally.

3. Want people to think you’re amazing? Start believing you are, and then they will too.

4. Smiling is the ultimate anti-depressant. Smile and laugh out loud, it doesn’t look stupid, I promise.

5. The world is never just black and white, right or wrong, one way or another. Try and see things from as many points of view as possible.

6. "Let everything happen to you
Beauty and terror
Just keep going
No feeling is final"
— Rainer Maria Rilke

7. Have empathy.

8. Gossip, problems of the past, events you cannot control, negative thoughts and negative people; time spent on these is time poorly wasted.

9. When you're jealous or find yourself filled with hate for someone/something, stop. The only person its hurting is you.

10. Although the newest, most expensive material things may make you feel as if you’re a better person, they won’t hold you at night or listen to you when you need it. Make sure your priorities make sense.

11. Step outside your comfort zone- it’s when you’ll really feel alive.

12. Don’t be afraid to be yourself, the people who really matter, don’t mind

13. Let your emotions out sometimes, humans have them for a reason.

14. Celebrate the things you have. Think only positively of the things you don’t (but would like to have) and they too will come.

 
      15. Love unconditionally ♥.

Enjoy! :)

Let's Get This Party Started!

I keep telling myself that I am going to start blogging but just can never get going. I am going to do my best to keep up and actually post stuff on here. Haha. I want this to be a place where I can share with my friends and family about what is going on in my life and what things I am interested in currently. Probably going to be a pretty boring blog! We will see how this goes....
I am about a month into my Junior year of college. Hard to believe! College is going by so fast. I have an amazing job in the Education Department at school and I am living in my first apartment. A lot of positive new changes. But with those comes more responsibility....of course. Paying my first bills and dealing with what's for dinner tonight. It has been good but new and a little stressful. I know that this will be a good year full of new experience and life lessons. Look forward to sharing with everyone about what's going on and what is new!