So I'm super lame. I haven't posted since the 16th. So today's post is all the things beautiful in life since then (or at least as many as I can remember).
- Making vanishing rolls and Oreo balls with my next door neighbors.
- Baking bread/rolls.
- Spending time with my family.
- Having a bed to sleep in.
- My car hasn't had problems despite how much I've been traveling.
- I'm learning new things in all my classes.
- My roommate and I hung up Christmas lights in our apartment.
- I have a good job and a good bus.
- The bus is generally on time.
- My former roommate got married in the temple. She and her husband were radiant at their reception.
- That my FHE bro gets to go to the beautiful country of Costa Rica. ;)
- Three of my favorite college friends are on my calendar in stick figure form.
- My self-made quilt keeps me warm.
- I'm caught up on all my payments.
- I have awesome visiting teachers.
- Playing guitar with my friends.
So basically this is a really short list. But it'll do for now. I'd love to hear what YOU find beautiful.
-M
I'm a slacker. It has been so long since I've posted. I will say that I have been extremely busy but I don't know if that counts like a legitimate excuse. Anywho, moving on. Lately I've been really grateful for awesome roommates.
I don't want to brag (actually I do) but I have the greatest roommates. Sadly one is getting married and moving out (sad that she's moving, not that she's getting married. That part is happy) but I've still loved having her as a roommate. The reason I like them so much is because of the qualities they emanate. We could all learn from them ;)
To distinguish we'll call them M1 and M2 (were M&M&M in this apartment). M1 is very studious. Not in a weird anti-social way, but in a way that shows she cares about getting an education. She's also diligent about learning new things, even if it means teaching herself. I admire her ethic. M1 is also very willing to serve and serious about her religion. She's willing to stand up for her beliefs and not be swayed by the opinions of others if they are contrary to her morals. She's always got a smile or a hello for those she knows and is a great comic relief.
M2 is a doll. She is so kind and selfless. She is truly a wonder-woman in my eyes. Somehow she has managed to stay on top of school while planning a wedding. She understands the importance of education but also of preparing for marriage as well. She is so mature and a great example to me. M2 always looks for the good in life and in people.
M1 and M2 help me gain perspective on life and help me figure out this weird stage of life. I'm so fortunate to have them as friends and examples. They are both truly beautiful inside and out.
That may have sounded gushy but you can just deal with that ;) They needed recognition. I hope you can all look for the good examples in your life and see their qualities that help make you a better person.
-M3
I don't know why it was so striking this week, but my Humanities class really struck a chord. I think the arts are so important because they are really cathartic for some people and have the ability to touch and teach us in a way nothing else can. This week we focused on adaptations and it was really fascinating.
One of the most striking things about adaptations is how impressible the first medium we experience a piece in is. For instance, you read a book and love it. They create a movie based on the book but the book will always be your favorite. The book is what got you attached and will be what continually holds your interest. This concept doesn't always hold true, but it is interesting how frequently it does. This started making me think of how often this idea holds true to life in general. For instance, our first experience with religion is often the one that makes the greatest impression on our morals and concept of God. Or when you make a friend and later gain more friends, the first friend often is the one we're closest to. Disagree all you want, but I see these kind of things all the time.
The idea that art is cathartic or therapeutic also stuck out to me. One of the best examples we viewed was the song Hurt by Nine Inch Nails redone by Johnny Cash. The song is really deep and sad. It was meant to be that way, I'm sure, but despite the sadness it conveys an incredible message. This was particularly poignant when we listened to Johnny Cash's version. If you know anything about the man, you know he had a pretty screwed up life. He had lots of family struggles as well as drug addictions. As he performed his rendition of this song you could really feel his pain and remorse, how much he wished things had turned out differently, how hard his life really was despite the celebrity "glamor". To preview this song click here.
Never underestimate the power of art. You never know when it will find you and make a lasting impression on you.
-M
So I've been hearing two sides of an interesting debate lately: is it better to be an optimist or a realist. The realists argue that it is pointless to be overly positive because the world isn't perfect, but also pointless to be pessimist 'cause the world doesn't entirely suck. You just need to see things as they really are. The optimists argue that it can't hurt to be a little extra positive. It's kind of the whole life is meant to be enjoyed not just endured concept. I'm not sure who I side with but I would love to share some great experiences ;) (of course).
During church yesterday this guy shared how he felt lately that, for whatever reason, his life was just really good and he was able to find the good in every day, even when his roommates couldn't. It sounded a little silly at first, but then I thought, well, that's kind of what I'm sellin' on my blog: every day can be beautiful. There is always something good that we kind find about life, even when it is really really hard. So I quickly grew to agree with him, and even though I probably can't face each day as perky-like as he probably can, it doesn't hurt to complain less and enjoy what is good in life more.
I had a realist story to share but I'm kind of tired and forgot. But I think it was along the lines of: I was complaining and my friend gently reminded me that I was wrong and how the situation really was. It wasn't necessarily a pep-talk, but it certainly made me reframe my thinking.
So moral of the story is that we could all do well to change our outlook on life a little. Shift your thinking until you can see the good in each day. I think a clearer outlook helps us see the beauty of life easier.
much love always
-M
I don't know what it is, but holidays seem to put us in better moods (generally speaking). Something about celebrations makes us more willing to give, more willing to be kind, and more willing to be outgoing. I love it :) You make think this is only around Christmas but it's not. I think that is what makes holidays special; it is the few times a year when we can just enjoy different aspects of life.
For example (there is always an example), yesterday was Halloween and boy was it fun. Quite a few people dressed up in amazing costumes (as seen here) and a majority of my professors brought us candy! They didn't have to, they chose to because they wanted to lighten the mood and make the day fun. I think they are champions.
Another great observation from the day was the Jamba Juice in the Wilkinson Center. First of all, the glass panels surrounding the counter were lined with Harry Potter books in many different languages. Second, they covered the lights with blue paper and hung stars and candles from the ceiling. Third, they had this giant coloring page attached to the front of their counter. Fourth, when they took your order they gave you a list of Harry Potter characters and you picked one for the name of your order (ie they called my order as Luna Lovegood). Best experience there ever. The festiveness of it put me in such a good mood.
Point being, every day should be a holiday ;) Just kidding, that would ruin the specialness of them. But I do believe we could all do a better job of treating each day like the best day ever. It would make life so much more enjoyable.
-M
