a time and a season

Just a quick thought that I had this morning. So during most of my college life I have been bothered by the fact that I don't have all the time and means to do everything I want during this "prime years". What has always given me hope and lifted me up is the fact that during life there is a time and a season for everything. Being in school is not the season to do a lot of extravagant things (for me at least)--it's for studying and doing well in classes.

However, isn't it always time to serve others? Isn't it always the season for health and keeping your body strong with good nutrition and exercise? Shouldn't our lives be in a constant spiritual growth season?

Yes, being in school is a season for me to get good grades and prepare myself for a future career. But I have to remember that I can't just focus on one thing for a period of time. That's how I go crazy. We must have moderation in every aspect of life so we can get it all in each day. If I can plan well, and have a little flexibility, I can get my homework in, get to the gym, and maybe visit some friends I haven't seen in a while.

The key for me is to not get hung up on "all or nothing". So often I feel that what I do doesn't make any difference if I don't do it all or don't do a lot. Only an hour of workout will count as exercise, so if I don't have an hour I can't go to the gym. Because of course a half hour doesn't count at all. Not. I can go to the gym for 20 minutes. I can just stop by to say hello to someone. I can read scriptures for 5 minutes and then ponder them as I get ready--doesn't have to be a 30 minutes study session every single day.

I can do this! You can do this! Somehow we can figure out a way to do it all.

it's the people

Before I start my official post, I just have to say that I have the best parents. I love them and they love me. I respect them and they respect me. I look up to them, and they live lives worthy of praise. I understand that not everyone feels that way about their parents, and that this relationship may be rare. That just makes me all the more grateful. Thank you Mom and Dad for all you do for me.



Now along those same thoughts: life is good. And it's all because of great people.

The past couple of weeks have brought on a lot of random emotions, some high and some low. I feel like I'm still trying to figure myself out professionally, spiritually, socially, and romantically. It's a continuous journey with many ups and downs, but at this very moment I feel good. And I owe that all to wonderful people like these:








Whether they know it or not, there are so people, some close and some distant, that make me want to be a better person. I see the way they live their lives and I want to be just like them. There are incredible people in history and in current society that do really amazing things, and are very inspiring. But they don't even come close to those that I interact with. They do the little things that make their life, and others' lives better.

There's still a lot for me to figure out, a lot of growing up to do. But it's going to be great because I have the best people to look to.

my life this summer

Here I go again. Getting so excited to blog about every little thing and the life gets busy and the first thing I put off is my blog. I guess if we're talking being productive in a school sense this is good--putting school above all else. But my poor blog. Maybe someday I'll figure out a balance.

Well, if you haven't guessed, my life the last few months has been school and work. My social life has literally gone down the drain. I know we all feel busy, but I can honestly say that I have never been more busy than this summer. I feel like every moment is planned, and if I'm being social (or blogging) I'm putting off school and being "unproductive". It sounds nasty, but it surprisingly hasn't been torture...yet. I've been able to do well, keep up my energy level for the most part (mainly because I pass out around 11 or 12, which can be early to some college students), and I'm still happy.

I'm probably most happy because, even though I'm always studying, I have the best roommates who come into my room and distract me. It's moments like these that I make it through the 8 hour study sessions:


Sometimes I wonder if I act my age, but then I just tell myself I better get all this craziness out during my "prime" years, before I get all mature.

I put off an assignment to go to a movie. I thought I needed more "spontaneity" these days. Well so much for that. The movie was lame and now I'm just tired with no caffeine to help me out.

Thinking of giving my blog another make over... we'll see.

In memory...

Today is an opportunity to put aside our everyday and celebrate those who have sacrificed so much for us. I want to publicly thank every soldier in every branch of the military, as well as their families for the sacrifices they make to give us freedom. Those beloved freedoms of speech and religion, as well as every other freedom we enjoy, is possible because of those who are willing to devote their life to defending our country and our beliefs. Thank you.

I've been thinking about my Grandpa a lot lately (possibly because of Memorial Day, but maybe just because). He passed away about 2 months ago, and it's been somewhat of a journey for me going through the grieving process. His death was fairly sudden, but at the same time not much of a surprise. Due to a random visit home I had the opportunity to say good bye to him and that has been a huge comfort to me. After his funeral I had a tough time coming back to school because I didn't want to move on from mourning. I didn't really have a choice but to get over it (which looking back now I know that was the best thing). But every so often I just get sad at the fact that I can't call him or see him when I go home. I haven't had the chance to see his grave since the funeral, and that is especially hard today since that's something you do on Memorial Day.

My grandpa was such an incredible man, someone I can only hope to be like some day. He spent his life in service of others and appreciating all that is beautiful. I owe my love of art, dance, and theater to him. We would have the most incredible discussions about life and everything you could think of. He has always been someone I have wanted to make proud, and I will always want to make proud. I miss his counsel, his physical presence, and his reminders to me of my potential.

I saw a movie not too long ago that I think says it perfectly:

"When King Lear dies in Act V, do you know what Shakespeare has written? He's written "He dies." That's all, nothing more. No fanfare, no metaphor, no brilliant final words. The culmination of the most influential work of dramatic literature is "He dies." It takes Shakespeare, a genius, to come up with "He dies." And yet every time I read those two words, I find myself overwhelmed with dysphoria. And I know it's only natural to be sad, but not because of the words "He dies." but because of the life we saw prior to the words."
--Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium

My grandpa never wanted anyone to make a fuss over him. He passed away quickly with no fanfare. But it's not his death that makes me sad, it's the most incredible life he lead before that. I miss him so much. On this Memorial Day I am thinking of all the past, current, and future veterans, but I'm also thinking of my grandpa. I want to live a life that doesn't take my freedoms for granted, but instead uses those freedoms for living the best life I possibly can, bettering myself and serving others always.

Happy Memorial Day everyone! Please take a moment today to think of and thank our military men and women. We wouldn't have anything without them.

Spoons

So I have been working at a cafeteria for almost two years now. I know everything about that cafeteria like the back of my hand (then again, I don't think I've ever stared at the back of my hand enough to have it completely memorized. I mean I recognize what's on my hand, but I don't know if I could give detail on the spot. But anyways...) Sometimes when I'm working a job that's more seclusive, my thought process can get pretty interesting. I don't know if it's because I'm bored or maybe I just try to be more deep and intellectual than I probably am :)

So today I was in charge of washing all the silverware that was used. Let me give you a brief explanation of the process: When the silverware is returned to the dish room it is placed into a bucket of soapy water. After soaking for a little bit it's put into an intense washer. I take it out of the washer, kind of throw it all onto a table, and sort the pile into knives, forks, and spoons. Once it's all sorted, then it's washed again and then finally placed into containers to be used again. Now, I have to tell you that when I sort the large pile I pick up all the forks first, then I pick up spoons, and save knives for last.

I decided tonight that spoons were my favorite utensil. However, once I decided that, I began to ask myself why (this is where I tell myself that I have been working there way too long...trying to find meaning in silverware). But really though--do I love spoons because I use spoons to eat the majority of my diet (cereal, yogurt, ice cream, soup, etc) or is it just because they are easier to pick up once all the forks are out of that big pile? I know that's kind of a weird thing to wonder, but it got me thinking even more... Are there things that I only like because they are easy and things I don't like just because they are hard??

Take running for example--I think running is extremely hard. But do I not like it because it's hard? Have I even given myself a chance to try and enjoy it? What about cooking? I have never been really good at cooking actual meals for myself. Do I do that because it's hard to make time or do I like eating "on-the-go" food all the time? And my Food Science class--same question.

I don't want to go through life not doing great things, not liking great things, just because they are hard. Hard things can be amazing, and finishing something hard is probably the best feeling ever. Life in general can be hard, but that doesn't mean it can't still be enjoyable. I feel a rejuvenation to go forward and not let difficulty determine my interests and my life. Here's to loving things that are hard!!

A special thank you to all the spoons in that cafeteria that made me see life in a whole new perspective.

called it!!

Congrats Olivia for winning Biggest Loser!! I'm off to the gym :)