It's my birthday!
I was overwhelmed today. Sure, facebook does the friendly reminder that it's my birthday, but it still takes a bit of effort to click on my profile and post a comment and it made me smile each time I read one. I went to work this morning greeted by smiling campers giving me cards and saying "Happy Birthday" at least 100 times throughout the day. My wonderful co-workers also got them all to sing the song to me... it was awesome to say the least. This evening, my dad made me a delicious steak and my mom made me my favorite dessert and I got to sit around the table and eat my favorite meal with the people I love most!
I feel so incredibly blessed to have people in my life that care so much about making me happy... they do a really great job! God did me good! :)
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Living by the Clock
I got to spend the weekend camped out by the Guadalupe River. Our camp was surrounded by tons of trees and gorgeous hills that could almost pass for Texas mountains. It was hot, but we had shade and the occasional breeze, not to mention the river was freezing! The first night I slept in the tent unzipped to allow the breeze to come in. The second night, I had to sleep outside. Had to in the sense that it would be crazy of me not to-- I fell asleep to bright stars and a full moon and woke up to a beautiful sunrise. And all I needed to enjoy that beauty was the grass to lay on.
This weekend also taught me a lot of things. My friends and I were all in the same campsite, however I don't think many of them got to experience what I did. The lifestyle that I witnessed I'll call "Living by the clock." The question asked more than any was "What time is it?" And my answer everytime... "Why does it matter?"
Many of us are obsessed with knowing time and we don't realize it because we live by a clock in our everyday lives. The clock controls our plans throughout the day. Vacations, like the one to the Guadalupe, are a time given to us to take a vacation from the clock. We could of gone the entire weekend without knowing what time it was... but we didn't. The result: nothing except for a more organized planned day. Boring!
Although it's a challenge for many to take time out from living the same way we do when we're in the comfort of our homes, it's worth trying. I measured time by the horizon. I slept with a sleeping bag and a sheet on grass under beautiful skies. Think of the opportunities you'll have before you get there.... think about the things that may limit you from experiencing everything that you're meant to experience there. Take a risk, keep the clock home.
This weekend also taught me a lot of things. My friends and I were all in the same campsite, however I don't think many of them got to experience what I did. The lifestyle that I witnessed I'll call "Living by the clock." The question asked more than any was "What time is it?" And my answer everytime... "Why does it matter?"
Many of us are obsessed with knowing time and we don't realize it because we live by a clock in our everyday lives. The clock controls our plans throughout the day. Vacations, like the one to the Guadalupe, are a time given to us to take a vacation from the clock. We could of gone the entire weekend without knowing what time it was... but we didn't. The result: nothing except for a more organized planned day. Boring!
Although it's a challenge for many to take time out from living the same way we do when we're in the comfort of our homes, it's worth trying. I measured time by the horizon. I slept with a sleeping bag and a sheet on grass under beautiful skies. Think of the opportunities you'll have before you get there.... think about the things that may limit you from experiencing everything that you're meant to experience there. Take a risk, keep the clock home.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
"Do everything without complaining or arguing." _Jesus.
What a crazy concept. I can't imagine going a day without hearing a complaint or an argument or having done one of the two myself. So why does Jesus give us a command that is close to impossible to obey?
Jesus knows we are complainers and will always create or be involved in arguments because we're human. And although I believe no one enjoys these things (unless an imbalance in them causes them to thrive on drama... I call it an imbalance because I don't think it's the way our minds naturally work), we still do them. All the time.
Try for a day to not. Don't complain. Don't argue. Everyday I'm around forty kids who sometimes I believe create situations so they can complain or argue about something. Not intentionally I think, but they do. What if when my camp walks to the aquatic center down the street in 100 degree weather, the only conversation was about Justin Beiber or how good the Burger King smells? What if after we played dodgeball, the teams congratulate each other for doing a good job? What if we as adults, enjoyed the company of our friends and family without complaining about the food, the wait in the restaurant, the heat, or the bad service? How different would conversations be with complaints and arguments? How different would our world be?
I think that's the point Jesus was trying to make. He gave us this command because He wants us to think outside the impossibilities we have as humans... to try. He doesn't tell us things that would make our lives worse or more depressing. He gives us guidelines to make our lives more enjoyable. How much more enjoyable would your life be if you tried to follow just this one request from Him?
What a crazy concept. I can't imagine going a day without hearing a complaint or an argument or having done one of the two myself. So why does Jesus give us a command that is close to impossible to obey?
Jesus knows we are complainers and will always create or be involved in arguments because we're human. And although I believe no one enjoys these things (unless an imbalance in them causes them to thrive on drama... I call it an imbalance because I don't think it's the way our minds naturally work), we still do them. All the time.
Try for a day to not. Don't complain. Don't argue. Everyday I'm around forty kids who sometimes I believe create situations so they can complain or argue about something. Not intentionally I think, but they do. What if when my camp walks to the aquatic center down the street in 100 degree weather, the only conversation was about Justin Beiber or how good the Burger King smells? What if after we played dodgeball, the teams congratulate each other for doing a good job? What if we as adults, enjoyed the company of our friends and family without complaining about the food, the wait in the restaurant, the heat, or the bad service? How different would conversations be with complaints and arguments? How different would our world be?
I think that's the point Jesus was trying to make. He gave us this command because He wants us to think outside the impossibilities we have as humans... to try. He doesn't tell us things that would make our lives worse or more depressing. He gives us guidelines to make our lives more enjoyable. How much more enjoyable would your life be if you tried to follow just this one request from Him?
Monday, June 21, 2010
Donald Miller is the biggest inspiration in my life. His story makes me want to buy a plane ticket to anywhere or feel like I have the strength to ride a bike across the nation. He writes to inspire. And I believe that's the most inspiring part about it. Not only do I want to live a great story, but I want to write about it in hopes to inspire others to do the same.
A friend of mine is an example to me of someone who lives his life. He takes risks and finds rewards in them. He hikes ridiculous mountains and ski's down dangerous slopes. But never once has he told me he regretted doing those things. Because risk in life is exciting and exhilarating! I couldn't count the number of times he's said to me that he's going to die each time he begins another dangerous adventure, but he continues on doing them. Many people would think he's crazy, but I hope that many are inspired by his lifestyle.
Each day we make a choice on how we're going to live out that day. Many people have excuses right when they wake up without realizing it. Another word for excuses is plans. I used to be a nut about planning! Not that I don't enjoy the occasional organized activity, but spontaneity is so much more fun. Everyone makes plans, I know. But in my life, the most exciting moments are the unplanned. Because I think when we think about things too much, we create them to be something completely different than how they turn out to be. We create human thoughts when our awesome Creator has planned out everything already-- and he's by the far the greatest event planner I've ever known.
So I hope this is an encouragement- written for you and me. To wake up EVERY day knowing that there's something incredible planned for that day. Don't allow your excuses (plans) ruin what God has already planned.
A friend of mine is an example to me of someone who lives his life. He takes risks and finds rewards in them. He hikes ridiculous mountains and ski's down dangerous slopes. But never once has he told me he regretted doing those things. Because risk in life is exciting and exhilarating! I couldn't count the number of times he's said to me that he's going to die each time he begins another dangerous adventure, but he continues on doing them. Many people would think he's crazy, but I hope that many are inspired by his lifestyle.
Each day we make a choice on how we're going to live out that day. Many people have excuses right when they wake up without realizing it. Another word for excuses is plans. I used to be a nut about planning! Not that I don't enjoy the occasional organized activity, but spontaneity is so much more fun. Everyone makes plans, I know. But in my life, the most exciting moments are the unplanned. Because I think when we think about things too much, we create them to be something completely different than how they turn out to be. We create human thoughts when our awesome Creator has planned out everything already-- and he's by the far the greatest event planner I've ever known.
So I hope this is an encouragement- written for you and me. To wake up EVERY day knowing that there's something incredible planned for that day. Don't allow your excuses (plans) ruin what God has already planned.
Friday, June 11, 2010
here I go...
I arrived in Panama City, Florida last Sunday night and arrived home this afternoon. During my trip, I started reading Donald Miller's book "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years." A book that has the ability to make anyone passionate about life do something out of their comfort box. In just a few days, it has inspired me to face fears of height with parasailing, to face unknown fears with embracing the night ocean, and jet ski across miles of beautiful waves. Don Miller says if you feel resistance towards an ambition or even an opportunity, that resistance is from something that doesn't want you to enjoy life. I've found through facing fears and challenging myself to do things I wouldn't normally do, I'm living a pretty fun life. But of course it's easy to live that way while on vacation for just a few short days... my goal now is to apply the Don Miller lifestyle to everyday life which proves to be a challenge already. Routine isn't living life though... it's merely just using the moving sidewalk, watching people walk on the hall next to you, just being a figure in your own life.
Sometimes I see movies or read books or blogs about people who go out and seemingly save the world with their bravery and courage. There's even resistance in that. Resistance leading me to believe I'm incapable of achieving greatness like the characters I see or the people I read about.
Fight resistance. Achieve greatness. Fear only the beautiful God who is admiring your writing. Spend time with people. Say yes to opportunity. Live the way you think God would want you to live... Live the way you want to live. No regrets, only memories- whether they have a negative or positive turn isn't the issue... stepping out, being willing to create a better story is all you need to do it.
Sometimes I see movies or read books or blogs about people who go out and seemingly save the world with their bravery and courage. There's even resistance in that. Resistance leading me to believe I'm incapable of achieving greatness like the characters I see or the people I read about.
Fight resistance. Achieve greatness. Fear only the beautiful God who is admiring your writing. Spend time with people. Say yes to opportunity. Live the way you think God would want you to live... Live the way you want to live. No regrets, only memories- whether they have a negative or positive turn isn't the issue... stepping out, being willing to create a better story is all you need to do it.
Friday, June 4, 2010
My First Blog
Hey! Thanks for taking time to read my blog :) Happy reading!
"Fear is a manipulative emotion that can trick us into living a boring life." _Donald Miller
As I was googling Donald Miller quotes the other night (he is my favorite author/blogger!), I came across this one. In the past few days, it has been a quote that has been stuck in my head actually forcing me to act it out in my life. I haven't had many moments in the past few days that would require courage to face fear, however even the minor moments I believe make you feel empowered.. just by a quote. The first time I got to use this quote was during a day trip to a local waterpark with two girls that I babysit. There were two rides at the waterpark the girls refused to ride, however I was determined to ride every ride there. I found a nice teenage girl who agreed to ride with me and with the quote continuously repeating itself in my thoughts, I conquered the fear of riding "The Torpedo." There at the bottom of the slide as I sneakily fixed my swimsuit wedgie, I felt the feeling. I was unstoppable. Later that evening, I was able to tackle a spider in the bathroom and a moth in the kitchen. All because of that quote!
Many times I come across quotes that are beautiful, sweet, and meaningful. Rarely do I come across a quote that has the power to change my attitude and my thoughts. Perhaps this quote from Don Miller can empower you as well. Fear is manipulative. It would be insane to not do things in life because you let an emotion take over your being. So, GO CRAZY!
"Fear is a manipulative emotion that can trick us into living a boring life." _Donald Miller
As I was googling Donald Miller quotes the other night (he is my favorite author/blogger!), I came across this one. In the past few days, it has been a quote that has been stuck in my head actually forcing me to act it out in my life. I haven't had many moments in the past few days that would require courage to face fear, however even the minor moments I believe make you feel empowered.. just by a quote. The first time I got to use this quote was during a day trip to a local waterpark with two girls that I babysit. There were two rides at the waterpark the girls refused to ride, however I was determined to ride every ride there. I found a nice teenage girl who agreed to ride with me and with the quote continuously repeating itself in my thoughts, I conquered the fear of riding "The Torpedo." There at the bottom of the slide as I sneakily fixed my swimsuit wedgie, I felt the feeling. I was unstoppable. Later that evening, I was able to tackle a spider in the bathroom and a moth in the kitchen. All because of that quote!
Many times I come across quotes that are beautiful, sweet, and meaningful. Rarely do I come across a quote that has the power to change my attitude and my thoughts. Perhaps this quote from Don Miller can empower you as well. Fear is manipulative. It would be insane to not do things in life because you let an emotion take over your being. So, GO CRAZY!
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