Your Kiss is on My List

            Okay this title is not to induce some sort of subliminal message or even convey that I mean something other than I am saying, like some anonymous sophomore-girl tweet. There are so many things "on my list of the best things in life," as cliche as it may sound. At the top of the list this evening: my amazing, talented, interesting, witty, intelligent, faithful, impressive friends. The friends you want your parents to meet. The friends you want to live next to, or your sister to marry.

            I have been so blessed to spend the last eight months being influenced by the crème de la crème. That is to say, the best of the best. I don't feel like I live up to the amazing examples they set for me. I'm sounding melodramatic and I'm sorry. But I've learned so much from the people I have been surrounded with in these past months that I feel an emptiness now that I don't see my family of friends everyday. They are going off to spread their light across the globe, instead of just keeping it in that sleepy P-town. 

            I have learned things that I could talk about for a post each, but I will keep it short in order to maintain my dry eyes. I've learned to love and tell others of your love for them. Not even in a romantic way, but just in the way that because of them you are so happy and glad to be there. I've learned to love the people you are with rather than the moments you spend with them. Love is shown through many outlets, it comes through an encouraging comment, or even being comfortable enough with someone to laugh at them. I have felt love from people that I'v known for a month, yet they treat me like a sister. The bonds formed with this base in love are the hardest to say goodbye to.

           I have learned to do anything for anyone at anytime. Give of yourself for another and you will be happy. I have learned that, in fact, the only way to be happy is to give of yourself for others. There is no better way to feel closer to heaven, and for the past eight months I have felt that 24/7. I'm not saying there weren't hard times, because there def were. But you learn to pull through them by helping others. 

          You become like your friends, that is something I truly believe. I also believe that if I have become any more loving, giving, caring, or excellent because of the friends I made this year, I am very proud. I hope to emulate what I have learned this year, and I hope that in some small way, my friends have learned something from me, even if it is just to embrace your weird secret sappy side. I hope to soon learn "There are far better things ahead than any you leave behind"but for now, I will try to become better from what I have learned. 

Pretty vs. The World

 Apparently, on Sunday nights on Kiis fm the host picks up-and-coming artists to interview and discuss what is coming up next for them. Tonight, an "artist" I had never heard of was the spotlight. I think her name was Eve. The host played her newest single called "Put Your Body on Mine" (I know, just by the name you are probably disgusted). Seriously? Put your body on mine? This is why there is a song called "Where is the Love." Where is the love? Show some Respect.  I was baffled not that this song was on the radio, but that a young woman was singing it. She was literally degrading her own kind. I get it that rappers constantly feel the need to rap about getting with sexy girls and whatever. But this definitely made me mad. The song wasn't even original or catchy, it literally just said "put your body on mine" like one hundred times, over and over! There are so many better female musicians that crush her talent yet go unnoticed. That song doubled my respect for Ingrid, Lenka, and especially Lady Gaga (okay she is out there, but this is below her. She speaks what she loves and believes in. none of this garbage.) Why have we come to this? Where women need to degrade themselves to get attention. This is dorky, but where are Joan of Arc and Moulin when you need them. Where is Ester and Amelia Earhardt and Princess Diana? They would not condone this "loss of pretty." Too many people now feel the need to act a certain way to get attention. Instead of the idea that beauty comes from an inner purity and an outward light about someone, today it comes from  gaudy pieces of fabric passed off as dresses and acting unlady-like. I'm calling for a return to the loveliness which only comes from good manners, modest dress, and above all, class. Class is my favorite. Much like grace, class is a quality that is only obtained if constantly strived for. Why must so many change who they are and what they stand for in order to get attention. I think now, one would receive more attention for acting classy rather than trashy. 

Why Is This So Difficult

 When I made this blog I made a pact with myself to not be a complainer. I hate those blogs where some emo girl writes about how much her life sucks and just whines about everything. But let me tell you something I am sick and tired of the meaness I see all around me everyday. It's not complicated, just think about how your own actions affect others. All you really need to know we learned in kindergarten. Where it was simple. Share. Think about others. Do your best. Eat fruits and veggies. Pay attention. Be on time. No put-downs. It's okay to color outside the lines, sometimes. I know that I can't ask for things to be simple again. If I did ask that, it would be asking to stunt the progression of the human race. I know, life has to be difficult and we must deal with people we don't want to at some times. That which doesn't kill us, makes us stronger. (I'm pretty sure I use that in every post.) So here is the goal: Don't find fault, find remedy. --Henry Ford. Sometimes the remedy for a situation where one is being treated poorly is just leaving. Other times the problem stems from them, but it's up to you to fix the problem. Most often, I have found, it stems from within. You must be the change you wish to see in the world. --Ghandi. When people with power make a change, it seems to rub off onto others. People always say you become like your friends, which I believe after so many times thinking "Oh my gosh I sound like ____(insert friend's name here)." With all the actions I see people with power make, I can't help but wish they made better choices. There are some people that have so much influence on a school, town, church group, or other social organisation who make bad desions, which then rationalises said decsion. If only the leaders out there set good examples, every one would benefit. I truly believe some people just do not realize their influence on others. Perhaps we should look back to kindergarten, not to refuse to grow, but to look at the example children set.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T find out what it means to me. (see below.)

Respect comes in many forms and often comes in unexpected places. Today, as I was finishing up my workout at the gym and heading over to the drinking fountain, something small and simple made the difference in my day. As I walked up to the fountain, I noticed a boy had beaten me too it. However, instead of insisting his right because he had reached the destination first, he backed up, motioning to me I had the right of way. Now, I don't know whether to call this respect, chivalry, or just manners, but whatever it was, it made me pause and think for a second. Perhaps i only thought about it because I'm a girl who is easily impressed by a boy with good manners. But what does that tell you? Obviously we are living in a world, or maybe just a time/city/school where the simple act of opening a door or telling someone something important in person rather than over text, is not a priority. By using proper manners, it shows others that you respect them and honor their company or friendship. Never fail to hold the door open, always look people in the eye, and give people common courtesy. It seems so simple, but I am constantly needing a reminder. I think if I constantly thought of others before myself, manners and respect would come naturally, right?  It's so simple to treat others with respect, there is no reason not to. I think that people, including myself, make judgements-whether good or bad-so quickly, that the simplest act, such as waiting a few seconds longer for the drinking fountain so another can go first, really makes the difference. Good Manners=Putting Others First=People Like You.  I've discovered that making other people happy is truly the key to finding our own happiness. I know it's a stretch, saying that manners can make you happy, but I think in some abstract way, that is a true statement. When you put other people first,  by showing them how important they are to you,  it makes them happy, right?  When you are around happy people, you then in turn become happy. Why? Because when you treat people how you would like to be treated, people do the same in return. The Golden rule is a terrific tool to help you decide what to do. Lets be honest, good manners are attractive. As the great Og Mandino put it "I seek constantly to improve my manners and graces, for they are the sugar to which all are attracted." To put it simply good manners make one more attractive, because they make people around them feel comfortable. 

Don't Ever Let Anybody Tell You You Can't Do Something

My favorite scene in one of my fave movies, it gets to me every time. "Don't ever let anybody tell you you can't do something. You gotta dream, you gotta protect it. People can't do something themselves, they wanna tell you that you can't do it. You want something? Go get it. Period."

That was before, this is after.

I've spent a lot of time the past few weeks trying to figure out why life isn't like the movies. I'm not saying that the quote above isn't true, but sometimes you "Strive valiently, [but]...come short again and again, because their is no effort without error and shortcoming"The truth is, sometimes you give your all to something you are so passianate about, but things don't end up the way you want. It's a sad reality. But, the thing is, I'm not one to be sad. I tried that for a day, and I really couldn't stand it! Wallowing just isn't for me. After I realized that, I started looking for a reason. I knew there had to be something to take from this experience. Although it has taken a while, I've finally learned the lesson I have been searching for. My Race is not yet Run. You know how I said "this is after?" I lied. How could one tiny setback in high school be "the end?" That's just getting dramatic. This is only the beginning of a well planned journey, that I may not know the details of quite yet. I don't have time to sit and think about what has already happened, because its time to stand up and make the best of what I've got. "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are" (thanks for all the awesome quotes Teddy R.) I don't even know what I can do yet, but I intend on having a fabulous time finding out. Because in the timeless words of "Pre-Taylor-Swift-Incident-Kanye:" "Tha-tha-tha-that that don't kill me, can only make me stronger."

The Song of the Righteous is a Prayer to the Heart

I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders. Baby I was born this way. This is just the half-life. God is the DJ, Life is the dance floor, love is the rhythm. Every now and then I get a little bit terrified. Every now and then I fall apart. And I need you now. I will never say never. Gonna give everything I have, its my destiny. Everybody wants to be loved. My world crumbles when you are not near. I keep my cool but Im fading. Its a beautiful day, don't let it get away. Blackbird singing in the dead of night, take these broken wings and learn to fly. I'll stand by you. You're original, cannot be replaced. Imagine all the people. When you're dreaming with a broken heart, the waking up is the hardest part. She will be loved. Speak now. Fathers be good to you daughters, and daughters will love like you do. We're one, but we are not the same, we've got to carry each other. I need a sunrise, I'm tired of the sunset. After a hurricane, comes a rainbow. Hello world, hope you're listening. Just enjoy the show. I throw my hands up in the air sometimes. Just dance. I hope you dance. A face without freckles is like the sky without the stars. Trouble is a friend. Vienna waits for you. Viva la vida. Where is the love? Caught in between ten and twenty, and I'm just dreaming. Life is a mystery. You're a firework, come on let your colors burst.

Ok, I know. I should have just titled this post "Holy Cheese Ball!" But I just had to do it. Music plays an important part of my life. Especially with swim season starting, I'm going to need some good tunes. Those 500s can get pretty boring without it. Good music can change everything. It changes your mood, and changes how you interact with others. At least for me anyway.

Music makes the hard things in life more enjoyable. So thats my goal:

Make the difficult things in life more enjoyable. Whether this happens just by having a good attitude, "Fakin' it til you make it" or some other profound thing, I don't know just yet. I don't want to make the more difficult and boring things more enjoyable for just myself. I really want to help other people not dread seminary, or practice, or cleaning. I have no idea how to do that, but its a work in progress for now.

I think it probably starts with ourselves. I mean, if one person is enjoying themselves while doing something rather unenjoyable, wouldn't everyone else around them start enjoying themselves too? Its like being the music in life. I think that by having a good attitude during times of trial, its like blasting your favorite song....and dancing to it.....then saying "Bring it!" to your biggest enemy. Basically, what I mean is good attitude=I'm ready for anything. Kind of like great song stuck in my head=I'm ready for the hardest swim practice ever.

Bring it.

Get a New Years Resolution

Howdy Partner, It's been a while. Kind of ironic that I haven't posted any new goal or resolution for this year, as this is my little way of setting goals! I have actually struggled a lot this year on picking a really important New Years Resolution. It's not because I don't need to improve on anything, thats for sure. I think its because there are too many things for me to improve on. I have to admit that even now I don't have a clear cut New Years Resolution. I've definitely thought about it, however. I started off with "wear my retainer everyday," much too simple. Then I started thinking broader and bigger and got a little lost.

As of right now, my goal is simply to get a goal, and always have a goal.

I think that without goal, where am I even going? Nowhere.

If you aren't moving forward, you are moving backward.

2 days later....

After much thinking, post-it notes, organizing, getting ready for the new year, searching for quotes and even borrowing ideas from others, I think I may have my New Years Resolution. But, the thing is, a New Years Resolution gives off an image of weight loss, or quitting smoking, and eventually failure. Since mine has nothing to do with any of these, I refuse to call it a New Years Resolution.

Its simply a resolution. It will not end when a New Year begins.

I resolve to become happier, and the inspiration comes from one of the happiest people I have ever seen, Gordon B. Hinkley. He said "generally speaking, the most miserable people I know are those who are obsessed with themselves. The happiest are obsessed with the service of others." So there it is, my goal is to become obsessed with the service of others. Whether it be through a smile, a soup kitchen, or some other form of service, I will try to always have it on my mind.

Check back in 2012.