be real

It's easy for me to be happy all the time. Even when I'm not happy, I'm good at faking happy. But how real is that? How are people going to see God's love in me if I'm happy (or faking to be) all the time? Let me explain. People appreciate real people. Real people have emotions. Happy, sad, angry, giddy.... the lot of it. It's easy to be happy all the time and be all "if you're happy and you know it clap your hands" - and claim that that's God. "God is love, God is happy, God is joyful, we need to be those emotions all the time to show God's love to the world." I think that's a lie a lot of people believe - or - it's a lie I believed for a long time. 

Read the Bible. God has a lot of other emotions. He gets super angry. And frustrated. And disappointed. And loads of other things that aren't super happy. And that's okay... because He's real. I think we, as people, and as Christians, need to be more real. We need to be real in a world full of plastic and show our emotions... whatever they are. Yes, do it in a responsible manner. You can't go around beating people up if you're upset. But you can be upset, and figure out why, and fix it - without having to hide behind a wall of happy glass. Be real. The world needs more real people - and they will appreciate you as as Christian if you are. If you can show that, yes, being a Christian isn't sunshine and lollipops all the time. But my God is bigger than that and I can still love life and love God even if I'm frustrated about something. 

I don't know if that made sense. But it's what is on my heart. Don't fake your emotions. It's not worth it for anyone. 

things I'm learning part II

Intentions. Having good intentions is great. Seriously!!! But good intentions are rather pointless if you never act on them. Keep that in mind. Don't just intend to do things. Actually do things. 

rainy days

Today, I enjoyed some chocolate I was saving for a rainy day. Except it didn't rain today. So I thought that maybe the creator of the "save it for a rainy day" saying meant something other than literal rain. Weather, water, type of rain. What if they meant if you were in a rainy mood? If you are sad, down, not the happiest, I think your mood could be described as rainy. And if so, it would be a grand time to have something special that you saved for a rainy day. I suppose that's the English major in me to take something as a metaphor. Kind of cool to think about though.

Today was a rainy day for me. Except it didn't literally rain today.

things I'm learning part I

Sooo there is a lot of stuff in my life that has caused a lot of strife and turmoil, and I've come to a spot where I'm just like "okay God, I can't deal with anything anymore. I'm giving it all to you". Which is a good place to be, I'm sure of that, but it's not easy. So right now I'm in an intense 'seek God and find Him and His plan' kind of time. I'm going to share stuff I've learned and am learning.


Pride is horrible. And it's very humbling when God shows you something you were prideful about, that you had no idea about.

Relating to family at age 21 can be tricky. There's a lot of conflict between Bible, friends, how you want to act, how your parents want you to act, how you're expected to act.

Wisdoms is an amazing gift to have. We need to be seeking after it like its the world's most priceless jewel. Finding knowledge, wisdom, understanding. Not much can beat that.

It's better to obey God than man. Find what obeying God is for you (I'm in the finding part now), and roll with it with enthusiasm. No matter what anyone else says.


And more to come. 

NYE

It's 2013!


Yay!


I guess.


:D
Tonight, was fun. It was my first NYE party without my family. I love my family. I do. I promise. But! It was really fun to hang out with other twenty-somethings on NYE and party it up hardcore.

By hardcore I mean.... we....

• drank lots of Mt Dew and cream soda 
• played Catchphrase. crazy intensely. 
• ate oreos. 
• played Settlers of Catan. 
• laughed. a lot. 
• watched Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs. 
• laughed some more. 
• counted down from 10, really loudly........ 15 minutes before midnight. 
• talked about building a blanket fort. 
• threw pillows (and a cat) on the youngest dude there. 
• talked. met new people. laughed. 
• had an overall really good time
• didn't drink alcohol*

I think there was like 11 people there.... everything from single to dating to engaged to married. It was a wide assortment of twenty-somethings, but we all got along great (for the most part) and had a blast. I'm super glad I got invited.... I doubt the hosts will read this, but if they do, THANKS! 

And Happy New Year, blogging peeps. Have an epic 2013. If it's not epic, make it so. Cause your attitude will determine whether you have a fantastical year..... or not. 

Carpe Diem! 

*proof that you can have a really great time without it. 

BATMAN!

So a good friend made me watch the new Batman movie with him last night. It was pretty good! For being someone who likes Pride and Prejudice (but who also has seen her share of action/adventure movies) I enjoyed it. Maybe I enjoyed who I was with more.... but anyways. :) We watched The Dark Knight Rises.

There is a part of the movie where Batman is stuck in this deep prison/hole/thing. The only way to get out is to climb a solid rock wall. A bunch of people have tried it, while being tied to a rope to be safe, and can't make it. Because of how the wall is, they have to jump from one ledge to the other while climbing, and most everyone who has tried it has failed. Batman tries it (so he can get out and save Gotham City - and all that heroic stuff), while being tied onto the rope (the rope, being there, in case you don't make it, you don't fall and die... whatever). And he misses. It was pretty downing. But then there's this older blind dude in the prison and he tells Batman to stop fearing death, and just climb the wall. Without the rope.

It was a pretty powerful moment, as Batman slowly climbs up the wall, with the rest of the prisoners watching, cheering him on. With one last fateful breath, Batman attempts the jump, without the rope.... and makes it! It was really cool. It made me think.... are there things in life that are weighing me down from doing something, because I think it's safer that way? What could I be doing that is more out of my comfort zone, maybe doing something God wants me to do.... but I don't because I'm scared it might be harmful? I know the whole "trusting in God" thing wasn't a part of the movie, but I'm applying it here anyways. Trust. It's hard. Like really hard. But God knows what He's doing, always. Sometimes we have to just jump, unhindered, and trust that He's going to help us land. 

life lessons from... show choir?

All through high school I had the impression that show choir was a big joke. I had never really seen a show, but I had seen my friends who were in it practicing and whatnot. All they did (or so I thought) was stand there, sing, and maybe do a grapevine (one of the easiest dance steps - for all you non-dancers out there). Super lame, right? To make a long story short one of my coworkers/good friends is a show choir choreographer and he asked me to help him teach a workshop today. Sure - yeah - it's easy - show choir is lame anyways - I'll be able to pick it up fast - I can help - no problem. Ha ha ha. It's kind of a killer little sport, there! To do all the choreography, and sing, and move around on stage (and there are these riser things - crazy)...... but not for one song. For anywhere from 5-12 songs. Like 3-5 minute songs. Let's just say, that after today, I have a much greater respect for show choir!

All in all though, it was a fabulous day. I love to dance, I love to dance with my friend, and even though the kids didn't pick up the choreography super fast, they tried their hardest and were doing a fairly good job! I'm super excited to keep working with them.

I was talking to another friend about this and they said something like "it's good to do things you aren't used to doing - expanding your horizons and whatnot". Which is so true! How many of us just stay in our perfect little circle, our little bubble of life. It's safe there, we know what's going on, and life is peachy. That's all well and fine but is that really living life to the fullest? Go! Try something new! Even if you suck at it (believe me, I messed up more times than I want to admit with this show choir business today) - you should try it.

This post slowly morphed itself from a random life story to a random life lesson. Not how I planned for this post to go but sometimes my fingers have a mind of their own and I just roll with it. Perks of being an English major. So yeah - go try something new. Step outside of the comfort box you're in, and experience life. I highly doubt you'll regret it in the end.