Make Someone's Day

I'm just going to say it, this was just not my week. I'm sure most Woodbridge High School students would agree. As I walked through school, there was a definite feeling of gloom hovering everywhere. Most agreed that it seemed it would never end. Yet here we are, we got by. I think we see the best and the worst in people when times are tough. It seems like everyone just knows that others are stressed when everything falls at the same time, whether it be a test, essay or some sort of social issue. Some choose to take the high road, while others use rough circumstances as an excuse to be rude.
Goal: take the high road and make someone's day rather than ruining it.
When that girl helps you with the books you just dropped, or your friend wishes you good luck on your huge test, that's the best of us shining through. Its when you show you care, and love others more than yourself.
I get by with a little help from my friends.
Even when it seems everything is going wrong, and you are overwhelmed, there has to be something good. This time the "something good" was in a most unlikely place. I found an act of kindness in the J-building girls' bathroom. The entire room was full of sticky notes, at least 500, all with little motivational sayings. "You are smart," "You are loved" and It seemed to come exactly at the right time, and everyone in the room agreed. I walked into third period after being pushed to see it during break. The room was full of "who did it" and "that was just what I needed." I don't know who did it, and I don't know why each of those girls needed it.
I know that even in the midst of chaos, there is beauty.
Sometimes it is hard to find for ourselves, but it is there. We can all be the good in someone else's life. Its that smile, that "hi," that text, that helps me know that everything will work out. Seeing someone else's effort to make a difference in all of those girls' lives makes me want to do the same. Maybe not the impression they made, but smiling more, encouraging more, and listening more are certainly a start.

Goal: through everything, be grateful

Ok, so It is way way past Thanksgiving, but I think its important to be grateful all year round. I am grateful for so many things, but often find it difficult to see the good in life when life is cluttered with stress, drama, and everything. Always having an attitude of gratitude has proven to be a challenge for me. In fact, just a few days ago, as I was sitting in my car at the gas station, texting my friend about all my troubles (do you see the irony here too?) a skinny old man with a trash bag reached in to the trash and started digging. At first, I didn't really give it much thought, and continued on my rant over text. But after my dad finished filling up my tank of gas, he got back in the car and said "count your blessings that you don't have to dig through the trash for your dinner." It was as if he knew exactly what was happening. It was the perfect wake up call. Through everything, be grateful.

Even if it seems we can't do it, can't get through the day, can't finish our homework,

can't get that dream GPA, or can't mend that friendship, by looking at the positive,

I don't feel as sad.

I've found a trick: counting your blessings. Look for the good things in life. Keep calm and

carry on.-Winston Churchill. The truth is, everyone is going through something, but

every one has something to be grateful for.By looking at the brightside, I've found that nothing

seems to be as bad as you think.

Goal: Use trials and blessings to help someone else

Because we have all been given different trials, blessings and talents, wouldn't it be logical to

use tothings to help lift others? Every one can see, hear about, and relate to each other's issues.

Thats just high school. By serving one and other we are really benefitting ourselves. Its a lesson

I've learned over and over again, but need to work on applying.

You can think you have every thing, but everything is nothing if you throw it away.

-What a Girl Wants

Just Another Goal..

I'm no writer. I'm not even good at essays, in fact, I hate writing most of the time. However, this blog isn't an essay, it's a way to remember what I've learned. It's a way to continue to grow. My inspiration comes from several sources, including a seminary lesson, a role model, and several coincidences. This new task I have taken on is just another goal on my long list of things I have yet to accomplish, but I am dying to do. It's just a small thing, but in doing so I hope to record my thoughts, not get laughed at, and maybe get a few "followers."

Already, this new goal is proven to be a great challenge for me. But, as Will Smith put it, "the greatest dreams are unrealistic." I know it sounds dumb, but becoming a "blogger" or whatever is probably one of the most unrealistic things I have ever attempted. But, for the sake of goals, I might as well try.

Being this goal-oriented person I have become stems from my earlier childhood, when my parents would give me those dreaded saturday "jobs." I remember complaining and whining, only to hear my dad say "someday you will thank me for teaching you how to work." Much to my 8-year-old self's dismay, this day has come. I'm grateful for that feeling of accomplishment my dad showed me the beauty of. I'm grateful for the work ethic that my dad's dad showed him. I'm not trying to say I'm such a hard worker or anything, because I know there are millions of people who work a lot harder than I do for a lot less benefit. I'm just trying to point out the joy that comes from a clean room, or a finished project, or a submitted outline. I'm grateful I wasn't cursed with a hatred for learning and working.

Wow, my first post! Not my crowning achievement, but I have started on the path to accomplishing this small goal of mine. In this half hour of writing I have learned 2 things: first, this is a hundred times more difficult than I thought. Second, I love the feeling of accomplishing a post, much like that great feeling my dad taught me to love.