I love the music on Glee!
It makes me want to dance, sing and makes me wish life were more like a musical.
However the final song performed on this week's episode really made me think, so here is where I attempt to explain my thoughts in a not so drawn out way.
The song is called "Roots Before Branches", originally done by Room For Two.
The entire episode was about the characters graduation and how far they have come since the first season. Oh, graduation...I remember how sad I was about leaving high school. It was an amazing four years. However, while the last three years since graduating from high school have been filled with many challenges, stress and lots of changes I think I have to say that I have truly come to appreciate them much more than I did my high school experience.
Florida is a great place to live. Where I live especially; it's paradise, but I knew that if I wanted any sort of growing experience I would need to go somewhere after high school that would give me more opportunities to do so. To make a long story short, 3 years and 4 schools later I have finally found the place where I belong (please excuse the very cliche phrasing, I simply couldn't think of any other way to say it).
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So what does this have to do with the song? Well it is all about growing up, finding out who you are and becoming the person you want to be. The song pretty much put into perfect words what I feel like the last few years have been for me; growing those roots, creating a foundation, learning lessons and going through experiences that have helped me really grow up and realize that while high school was great and I definitely had my standards set, that was really the time in my life when seeds were being planted, and now is the time for roots to begin growing. Okay, I feel as though I have sort of exhausted that metaphor for life, so to end I will just say that I don't completely agree with those who say its good to just put the past behind you. I think it is good to look back on the past in order to see how far you have come, and to remind yourself that there is always room for growth in life. We can always be growing those roots, and the stronger the roots we have the stronger we can become.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Sunday, May 6, 2012
"God Be with You Till We Meet Again"
The last month I have thought a lot about loss.
I have never really known anyone that close to me who has passed away, until a month ago.
I met Rachel Kekauoha this last semester at BYU-I. I remember walking into the competitive futsal meeting and she was the first person to introduce herself to me and I was so grateful for that because I am not the most outgoing person. What I quickly noticed was how easy she was to talk to and I was so excited to hopefully get to know her better and luckily I did. We didn’t end up playing on the same team but our team’s practiced at the same time and we always scrimmaged them, so every Monday and Wednesday I could look forward to seeing Rachel’s smiling face. We both wore the #12, so we always joked about having some sort of special connection. I have never enjoyed playing against someone so much. Every time we scrimmaged Rachel’s team or played them in real games there was never any doubt that it would be a blast because Rachel was there. She was one of those players that I enjoyed going up against because I knew it would be a challenge. She always gave it 100% and it forced me to do the same, plus she always made it fun. If she ever knocked anyone down or pushed them too hard she would instantly apologize and you could tell she was always genuinely sorry. One of the things I loved most about Rachel was how after every single game, whether she had won or lost she would always come up to me and my other teammates and tell us how amazing we played, when she was the one who really deserved all of the praise. I can honestly say that I have never met someone more humble. Rachel really made this futsal season such an amazing experience for me.
I am also incredibly grateful for the fact that we were able to become friends outside the soccer world. That I was able to talk with her about life and school and church and all those things that friends talk about. Being around someone like her with that much light, kindness and humility just made me want to be a better person. That is why I feel so blessed to have had the chance to meet Rachel, while I may be a few years older than she was I learned so much from her in just those 4 months of knowing her. She was an amazing soccer player; friend and just an all around incredible person and I know that she touched the lives of every single person she met. She definitely made an impact on my life that I will be forever grateful for.
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So now let me go back to my thoughts on loss. When I found out about Rachel's death the flood of emotions that came over me were indescribable, after all I had never known someone who has passed away. I was, to put it simply, heart broken. I sat there alone in my sister room in Utah trying so hard and failing to stop the constant flow of tears that were escaping my eyes. I didn't want to believe it. This friend of mine that I had just starting becoming so close with and had just talked to a couple days before was gone.
Well since then the Lord has reminded me several times of what I believe and know to be true. The words in particular that really helped me find comfort these last few weeks came from the devotional given at BYU-I by President Clark and his wife entitled, "We Lived After the Manner of Happiness". In one section of this devotional they talk about overcoming challenges to happiness and say...
As hard as it was, and as hard as it still is at times to think that she is gone from this earth, it gives me great comfort to know that the Lord has a plan for her just as he does for each of us, and through the atonment which I feel like I understand so much more clearly now because of this experience I know that because He died she will live again and I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for her.
Another part of that devotional that reminded me of Rachel was when Sis. Clark stated that "our work is to let the light of Christ shine in us that others may feel and see Him through us." That is exactly how Rachel lived her life, and so I feel like the best way to let her memory live on would be to strive to live the way she did.
I know this is a longer post, but I just want to end it by sharing this beautiful message I heard was shared at her funeral that is just perfect. It reads...
I love and miss Rachel beyond words, but I look forward to seeing her again one day!
I have never really known anyone that close to me who has passed away, until a month ago.
I met Rachel Kekauoha this last semester at BYU-I. I remember walking into the competitive futsal meeting and she was the first person to introduce herself to me and I was so grateful for that because I am not the most outgoing person. What I quickly noticed was how easy she was to talk to and I was so excited to hopefully get to know her better and luckily I did. We didn’t end up playing on the same team but our team’s practiced at the same time and we always scrimmaged them, so every Monday and Wednesday I could look forward to seeing Rachel’s smiling face. We both wore the #12, so we always joked about having some sort of special connection. I have never enjoyed playing against someone so much. Every time we scrimmaged Rachel’s team or played them in real games there was never any doubt that it would be a blast because Rachel was there. She was one of those players that I enjoyed going up against because I knew it would be a challenge. She always gave it 100% and it forced me to do the same, plus she always made it fun. If she ever knocked anyone down or pushed them too hard she would instantly apologize and you could tell she was always genuinely sorry. One of the things I loved most about Rachel was how after every single game, whether she had won or lost she would always come up to me and my other teammates and tell us how amazing we played, when she was the one who really deserved all of the praise. I can honestly say that I have never met someone more humble. Rachel really made this futsal season such an amazing experience for me.
I am also incredibly grateful for the fact that we were able to become friends outside the soccer world. That I was able to talk with her about life and school and church and all those things that friends talk about. Being around someone like her with that much light, kindness and humility just made me want to be a better person. That is why I feel so blessed to have had the chance to meet Rachel, while I may be a few years older than she was I learned so much from her in just those 4 months of knowing her. She was an amazing soccer player; friend and just an all around incredible person and I know that she touched the lives of every single person she met. She definitely made an impact on my life that I will be forever grateful for.
.............................................................................................................
So now let me go back to my thoughts on loss. When I found out about Rachel's death the flood of emotions that came over me were indescribable, after all I had never known someone who has passed away. I was, to put it simply, heart broken. I sat there alone in my sister room in Utah trying so hard and failing to stop the constant flow of tears that were escaping my eyes. I didn't want to believe it. This friend of mine that I had just starting becoming so close with and had just talked to a couple days before was gone.
Well since then the Lord has reminded me several times of what I believe and know to be true. The words in particular that really helped me find comfort these last few weeks came from the devotional given at BYU-I by President Clark and his wife entitled, "We Lived After the Manner of Happiness". In one section of this devotional they talk about overcoming challenges to happiness and say...
"Opposition is part of Heavenly Father’s plan. Sometimes opposition to happiness comes from things that happen to us. Sometimes opposition comes from things we do to ourselves. No matter where the challenges to happiness come from, the questions for us are: do we overcome them, or do they overcome us? As we work to overcome life’s challenges, we gain experience, grow in faith, and add to our foundation of happiness. We want to consider with you today three challenges to happiness that seem especially important for us. We begin with pain and suffering.
Pain and suffering come to all of us. Illness, accidents, death, natural disasters, depression, disappointments of all kinds, and the actions of others cause physical and emotional pain and suffering. They disrupt our happiness.
The pattern of holiness the Lord has given us helps us overcome the effects of pain and suffering. Here are the lessons: Trust in the Lord Jesus Christ—trust in His love, mercy, and power, and in His timing. Resist thoughts of anger, bitterness, or despair. Act with faith in Christ to do His will, no matter what comes. Remember, the Savior sees the end from the beginning. His will is the very best thing that could ever happen."
As hard as it was, and as hard as it still is at times to think that she is gone from this earth, it gives me great comfort to know that the Lord has a plan for her just as he does for each of us, and through the atonment which I feel like I understand so much more clearly now because of this experience I know that because He died she will live again and I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for her.
Another part of that devotional that reminded me of Rachel was when Sis. Clark stated that "our work is to let the light of Christ shine in us that others may feel and see Him through us." That is exactly how Rachel lived her life, and so I feel like the best way to let her memory live on would be to strive to live the way she did.
I know this is a longer post, but I just want to end it by sharing this beautiful message I heard was shared at her funeral that is just perfect. It reads...
"You can shed tears that she is gone, or you can smile because she has lived. You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back, or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left. Your heart can be empty because you can't see her, or you can be full of the love that she shared. You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday, or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday. You can remember her and only that she is gone, or you can cherish her memory and let it live on. You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back, or you can do what she would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on."
I love and miss Rachel beyond words, but I look forward to seeing her again one day!
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
I Won't Give Up
I often find songs that I really like falling asleep to.
Lately that song has been "I Won't Give Up" by Jason Mraz.
I was thinking about it today and realized that I have been listening to Jason Mraz for about 10 years now. I don't know why I find that so cool? Maybe because I like the thought that maybe I have been a fan of his for longer than most people? Or just because it is cool to know that I had good taste in music back then? It really doesn't matter I guess.
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I don't really know how to put my thoughts into words today, so I would just suggest listening to the song and let it create some thoughts of your own. It's always nice and healthy I think to just take some down time and think about life while listening to some calming music. Or maybe thats just me?
Lately that song has been "I Won't Give Up" by Jason Mraz.
I was thinking about it today and realized that I have been listening to Jason Mraz for about 10 years now. I don't know why I find that so cool? Maybe because I like the thought that maybe I have been a fan of his for longer than most people? Or just because it is cool to know that I had good taste in music back then? It really doesn't matter I guess.
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I don't really know how to put my thoughts into words today, so I would just suggest listening to the song and let it create some thoughts of your own. It's always nice and healthy I think to just take some down time and think about life while listening to some calming music. Or maybe thats just me?
Sunday, April 29, 2012
working on my fitness
I have pretty much been active my whole life.
According to my mom as a kid I was always running around and playing.
I can recall many many days when we lived in Washington spending time outside playing basketball, baseball, football, kick ball, climbimg trees, roller blading, riding bikes and just loving it.
Then I started playing soccer. Soccer was my life in high school. High school season was always intense, and then when that season was over we started another for rec. And if a season wasn't going on we were always practicing. There is nothing more fun than the competitivness amongst teammates to make eachother better and nothing more fullfilling than reaching a new goal of number of juggles you can do in a row.
I also did cross country in high school. That opened my mind and body up to the world of running. To those who have never competitively ran in a race before there is a lot more strategy to it than one might think. And as fun as it is to race, it is even nicer to just run and have time to think about things other than how fast of a pace you should be running, who to pass, when to pass them or when to start your final sprint.
Then college came and life got "too busy" to be as active as I was before. It is not the fact that I have been in this sort of cycle of "gaining some weight and then losing weight", that has had me thinking about how active I was but more of the fact that with my major being "exercise physiology" I feel like unless I get back in the habit of being active everyday I will have to consider myself a hypocrite. So starting tomorrow my days of being "too busy" are over. Not only am I going to start eating better and exercising more but I also want to just do more outside. Florida may be hot, but I feel like after living here for so long I should be use to it.
Lesson to learn here: If its not easy then its not worth it. I am really going to have to work hard and push myself to do these things. I know I can but it will take time before it starts to get easier and more or the norm. Im excited to see how it changes my life though. When I live this way it makes me feel just more happy overall, and that is a great way to feel. Plus a healthy body is more inviting to the spirit too because it shows that you care about this precious gift that was given to us. That will be my motivation!
According to my mom as a kid I was always running around and playing.
I can recall many many days when we lived in Washington spending time outside playing basketball, baseball, football, kick ball, climbimg trees, roller blading, riding bikes and just loving it.
Then I started playing soccer. Soccer was my life in high school. High school season was always intense, and then when that season was over we started another for rec. And if a season wasn't going on we were always practicing. There is nothing more fun than the competitivness amongst teammates to make eachother better and nothing more fullfilling than reaching a new goal of number of juggles you can do in a row.
I also did cross country in high school. That opened my mind and body up to the world of running. To those who have never competitively ran in a race before there is a lot more strategy to it than one might think. And as fun as it is to race, it is even nicer to just run and have time to think about things other than how fast of a pace you should be running, who to pass, when to pass them or when to start your final sprint.
Then college came and life got "too busy" to be as active as I was before. It is not the fact that I have been in this sort of cycle of "gaining some weight and then losing weight", that has had me thinking about how active I was but more of the fact that with my major being "exercise physiology" I feel like unless I get back in the habit of being active everyday I will have to consider myself a hypocrite. So starting tomorrow my days of being "too busy" are over. Not only am I going to start eating better and exercising more but I also want to just do more outside. Florida may be hot, but I feel like after living here for so long I should be use to it.
Lesson to learn here: If its not easy then its not worth it. I am really going to have to work hard and push myself to do these things. I know I can but it will take time before it starts to get easier and more or the norm. Im excited to see how it changes my life though. When I live this way it makes me feel just more happy overall, and that is a great way to feel. Plus a healthy body is more inviting to the spirit too because it shows that you care about this precious gift that was given to us. That will be my motivation!
Friday, April 27, 2012
Failed Blogger
So basically the title says it all. Thus far in my blogging experience I have failed. Failed to have a point to my blog, failed to keep up with it. I have just failed, and I have accepted that. Well now that I know I have failed I have decided to once again try to do this again only this time I want to succeed. My motivation to do so came from a couple of very spunky sisters I met a couple months ago who keep wonderful blogs themselves. Reading through their posts made me miss typing out my thoughts for people to read, that is if they care to.
With a new name, a new layout and with having summer(so I will actually have time to write), I think I am ready to begin this new online journal-esque experience. To those who will actually read this I hope I don't bore you, and I will apologize in advance for any rambling that may occur in future posts.
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This will be my first little thought. My new name "Another Day Wiser".
I have to thank "Yours Truly, Madison" for coming up with it, as well as for designing my header since I was too lazy to do it myself :)
Anyway, as I was thinking about the title "Another Day Wiser" and how I could tie that in for a sort of theme for this blog it made me think about this past semester I had at Brigham Young University-Idaho. It was an amazing semester and I can honestly say that my experience there has made me the happiest I have ever been in my life. A main part of that came from the people that I met, my roommates in particular.
We would always have hour long talks about the gospel and life, and one principle amongst the many that I truly came to appreciate through those talks is the fact that in this life we are constantly progressing, and that progress will never end unless we let it. While we may think we know a lot, there is ALWAYS something new to learn and that is so exciting to think about. So with this blog I want to try and focus on that principle. The lessons I learn each day, and how I become in a way "another day wiser".
With a new name, a new layout and with having summer(so I will actually have time to write), I think I am ready to begin this new online journal-esque experience. To those who will actually read this I hope I don't bore you, and I will apologize in advance for any rambling that may occur in future posts.
............................................................................................................................................
This will be my first little thought. My new name "Another Day Wiser".
I have to thank "Yours Truly, Madison" for coming up with it, as well as for designing my header since I was too lazy to do it myself :)
Anyway, as I was thinking about the title "Another Day Wiser" and how I could tie that in for a sort of theme for this blog it made me think about this past semester I had at Brigham Young University-Idaho. It was an amazing semester and I can honestly say that my experience there has made me the happiest I have ever been in my life. A main part of that came from the people that I met, my roommates in particular.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Let's try this again
So I seem to have been slacking on the whole blog thing. Not that it really matters since Im sure no one reads this, but oh well, I have decided to try and keep up with it again.
It's crazy to think of how quickly the months have gone since my last post. My trip to Utah was amazing. I got to enjoy being part of Leesh's wedding and got to see all my family and friends! Definitely a very memorable trip!
Christmas break was perfect! I got to work and make a decent amount of money. I got to race and play soccer, spend lots of time with my family and friends, and just relax!!!!
Im back in Orlando now and it has been an interesting return. With bug bites and extremely difficult classes and unsuccessful job searches, things just haven't seemed to go the way I planned on them going, but what can you do? Just taking one day at a time.
The most recent big news is my waiting to hear back from BYU about summer semester. Yes, once again I have applied to BYU. Im trying not to get my hopes up, but I want to get in so much more now than I think I ever have. Should be getting that news in the next two weeks!
Whatever happens will be what needs to happen. If I don't get in I will be going home and figuring stuff out. Either way I just feel like things will work out the way they are suppose to and I feel very peaceful about it, which I haven't felt in a while.
Kind of a random story now. . . So after a long day of classes today I came home layed in bed and just turned up the music. It didn't take long for me to just fall asleep and I had an interesting dream. I was standing in an airport with two planes tickets, one that read DESTINATION HOME and another that read DESTINATION BYU. As I stood there staring at the two tickets I heard the first few lines of Silversun Pickups "Lazy Eye" re-playing over and over in my head. "I've been waiting, I've been waiting for this moment all my life, but it's not quite right". I have never had dreams like that before. Usually dreams to me are confusing and I wake up thinking, "what in the world did that mean?" or "where in the world did that come from?". This perticular dream obviously was obviously a good way of showing the one thing that has constantly been on my mind for the last 2 weeks. Even if I woke up before seeing which ticket I used, I can't help but love a good dream.
The End.
It's crazy to think of how quickly the months have gone since my last post. My trip to Utah was amazing. I got to enjoy being part of Leesh's wedding and got to see all my family and friends! Definitely a very memorable trip!
Christmas break was perfect! I got to work and make a decent amount of money. I got to race and play soccer, spend lots of time with my family and friends, and just relax!!!!
Im back in Orlando now and it has been an interesting return. With bug bites and extremely difficult classes and unsuccessful job searches, things just haven't seemed to go the way I planned on them going, but what can you do? Just taking one day at a time.
The most recent big news is my waiting to hear back from BYU about summer semester. Yes, once again I have applied to BYU. Im trying not to get my hopes up, but I want to get in so much more now than I think I ever have. Should be getting that news in the next two weeks!
Whatever happens will be what needs to happen. If I don't get in I will be going home and figuring stuff out. Either way I just feel like things will work out the way they are suppose to and I feel very peaceful about it, which I haven't felt in a while.
Kind of a random story now. . . So after a long day of classes today I came home layed in bed and just turned up the music. It didn't take long for me to just fall asleep and I had an interesting dream. I was standing in an airport with two planes tickets, one that read DESTINATION HOME and another that read DESTINATION BYU. As I stood there staring at the two tickets I heard the first few lines of Silversun Pickups "Lazy Eye" re-playing over and over in my head. "I've been waiting, I've been waiting for this moment all my life, but it's not quite right". I have never had dreams like that before. Usually dreams to me are confusing and I wake up thinking, "what in the world did that mean?" or "where in the world did that come from?". This perticular dream obviously was obviously a good way of showing the one thing that has constantly been on my mind for the last 2 weeks. Even if I woke up before seeing which ticket I used, I can't help but love a good dream.
The End.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
attitude change
I read my last post which was about a month ago and I feel like I was being so lame and depressing. Sure life in Orlando may not be the most amazing thing ever but, life is good and I have notice I haven't found as much to complain about lately. I think what really made me turn my attitude around was General Conference.
President Monson gave a talk about gratitude. He talked about how we tend to focus on the negative things in our life and don't focus enough on the things we have and should be grateful for having. It really made me realize that the hard things that may have been going on in my life at the time are really nothing compared to the things I have been blessed with in my life. One thing he said that I loved was that "to have gratitude in our hearts is to touch heaven". How awesome is that? Who wouldn't want that? Ever since hearing that I have just tried my best to focus more on just trying to find the best out of situations and it has really helped me get through this semester. I don't feel miserable and while I may not go out and have fun every weekend or get to do all the fun stuff I did in UT, I love my life and am so grateful for the people and things I have in my life.
Now it feels like the semester has gone by so fast. I get to go back to Provo in 19 days for Leeshee's wedding(crazy)!!! The week after that I have 3 days of school and then get to go home for thanksgiving. The week after that is the last week of classes, finals the next week and then home for a month for christmas break!!!!! It is going to fly by and I cannot wait! Now it's time for colder weather!
President Monson gave a talk about gratitude. He talked about how we tend to focus on the negative things in our life and don't focus enough on the things we have and should be grateful for having. It really made me realize that the hard things that may have been going on in my life at the time are really nothing compared to the things I have been blessed with in my life. One thing he said that I loved was that "to have gratitude in our hearts is to touch heaven". How awesome is that? Who wouldn't want that? Ever since hearing that I have just tried my best to focus more on just trying to find the best out of situations and it has really helped me get through this semester. I don't feel miserable and while I may not go out and have fun every weekend or get to do all the fun stuff I did in UT, I love my life and am so grateful for the people and things I have in my life.
Now it feels like the semester has gone by so fast. I get to go back to Provo in 19 days for Leeshee's wedding(crazy)!!! The week after that I have 3 days of school and then get to go home for thanksgiving. The week after that is the last week of classes, finals the next week and then home for a month for christmas break!!!!! It is going to fly by and I cannot wait! Now it's time for colder weather!
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