A few of the things I was reminded of this weekend..
I love laughing and joking around with people.. Seriously, it is one of my favorite things, especially when it is purely for fun with no hidden cut you down agenda.
I LOVE hugs.. I am pretty sure I say this every fourth blog.. But, I do. They just make my day better.. And, I got a whole heck of a lot of hugs this weekend.. Seriously.. LOTS!
I love weddings (although I admittedly am a little weddinged out).
I love dancing.. With music everyone can hear... or just the music in my head. I love moving around and being ridiculous and just laughing through my whacked out sense of rhythm.
I really love getting to know new people. I enjoy learning about them, what their thoughts are, what makes them tick, and what they are passionate about.
I love having my hair done and did.. haha I just feel better :)
I love the water.. (and the sun) even if that means driving a jetski for hours on end to avoid anyone else getting on and potentially getting a ticket ;)
I love my friends.. all of them.... old, new, older, younger.. they are just wonderful people... and somehow I always feel so special and distinctly cared about when I am around my friends.
I love when people use my full name instead of just my first, not many people do it, but the ones that do always are full of such life, energy, and humor.. And usually they say my name a ridiculous number of times for effect...
I love watching people's reactions to my ridiculousness.. and my total and utter lack of self-consciousness... The array of facial expressions I see while I am the one who is actually making a fool of myself in front of people provides endless amounts of amusement for me...
I love when people feel close enough to me to clue me into their first impressions of me... like this weekend when I was informed the first impression someone had of me about a year in a half ago was that I was very shy and incredibly reserved... Which turned into quite the amusing conversation about the first time we met and why I did not talk much... and how different his perspective of me is now.
I love sleep.... but never seem to get very much of it!
I love how blessed I am... Even when life is rough.. I am so blessed.. even when I don't deserve it, I am so blessed... and weekends like this past one just remind me of how amazing God is, and how much He knows exactly what I need when..
Showing posts with label Laughter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Laughter. Show all posts
Jul 5, 2011
Jun 28, 2011
Nothing Serious...
There are days and people that just remind me how much fun life can be..
Even though nothing outwardly changed throughout the majority of my weekend or my day yesterday, there were little things that reminded me of the fact that life is meant to be enjoyed, not ever to be drudgery. Praise the Lord.
Over the weekend I was finally able to NOT travel... Don't get me wrong, I love to travel, but every weekend for a month, plus some week days is a lot... I was in multiple states, on a incredibly high number of airplanes, and I spent more hours in my car than I have logged in a very long time.. I acquired laugh lines (I'm sure), a cough (thank you dry airplanes and sick people), a ton of great memories, a severe lack of sleep, and a whole lot of time to think and pray (which I was really in need of). But, there is also nothing like being able to stay home and do whatever I want or need to for a weekend..
I was able to try a Krav Maga class (not real impressed) and go salsa dancing for the first time in a month (yess!).. I had a chance to lay in our hammock with my roomie and catch up on life over the course of the last month. Talk through thoughts and feelings about various things going on in each of our worlds, and laugh over random things.
I also was informed this weekend throughout the course of a conversation with a couple of friends while out dancing I that, apparently have the very muscular/athletic build, and that is a good and attractive thing. My friend told me that the girl we were all watching dance (and amazed by) reminded him of me, and which was interesting since she looked nothing like me, and was a way better dancer, but he went through the process of explaining that it was the muscular/athletic build... (I maintain that I never know how to respond to the "you look like/remind me of/sound like etc.." comments that I get all the time.) However, it caused a fairly amusing conversation to ensue about the differences between "cute, tiny, and petite" and what I would describe myself as "large, muscular, and athletic." (not in a bad way, but also not in an attractive way) It was interesting to talk about the differences between what guys and girls see as attractive, but my other friend who was there with us is the classic small, pretty mexican girl, and her perspective was that she is average and normal, but that I was more attractive one of the two of us... when my view was that she (who I happen to think is just stunningly beautiful) is the more attractive one.. and then our guy friend who thought we were both crazy haha
Last night I was reminded how much I love certain aspects of my life, mostly because of the people in it... my sister was gchatting with me while I did homework, she just updated me on life, telling me one hilarious story after another about things going on at home, and we just laughed while we talked and shared perspectives.. then, I was able to have dinner with my roomies (4 out of 5 of us is a win with our schedules!) for the first time in a month or more, and we also laughed, made fun of each other (which really was mostly them all harassing me), swapped random stories, talked about things we were wondering or thinking about, and were typical girls for the first time in a very long time. It was really nice to hang out and just laugh...
I appreciate when life is interesting, when I have no idea what to expect or how to anticipate what is coming next.
Even though nothing outwardly changed throughout the majority of my weekend or my day yesterday, there were little things that reminded me of the fact that life is meant to be enjoyed, not ever to be drudgery. Praise the Lord.
Over the weekend I was finally able to NOT travel... Don't get me wrong, I love to travel, but every weekend for a month, plus some week days is a lot... I was in multiple states, on a incredibly high number of airplanes, and I spent more hours in my car than I have logged in a very long time.. I acquired laugh lines (I'm sure), a cough (thank you dry airplanes and sick people), a ton of great memories, a severe lack of sleep, and a whole lot of time to think and pray (which I was really in need of). But, there is also nothing like being able to stay home and do whatever I want or need to for a weekend..
I was able to try a Krav Maga class (not real impressed) and go salsa dancing for the first time in a month (yess!).. I had a chance to lay in our hammock with my roomie and catch up on life over the course of the last month. Talk through thoughts and feelings about various things going on in each of our worlds, and laugh over random things.
I also was informed this weekend throughout the course of a conversation with a couple of friends while out dancing I that, apparently have the very muscular/athletic build, and that is a good and attractive thing. My friend told me that the girl we were all watching dance (and amazed by) reminded him of me, and which was interesting since she looked nothing like me, and was a way better dancer, but he went through the process of explaining that it was the muscular/athletic build... (I maintain that I never know how to respond to the "you look like/remind me of/sound like etc.." comments that I get all the time.) However, it caused a fairly amusing conversation to ensue about the differences between "cute, tiny, and petite" and what I would describe myself as "large, muscular, and athletic." (not in a bad way, but also not in an attractive way) It was interesting to talk about the differences between what guys and girls see as attractive, but my other friend who was there with us is the classic small, pretty mexican girl, and her perspective was that she is average and normal, but that I was more attractive one of the two of us... when my view was that she (who I happen to think is just stunningly beautiful) is the more attractive one.. and then our guy friend who thought we were both crazy haha
Last night I was reminded how much I love certain aspects of my life, mostly because of the people in it... my sister was gchatting with me while I did homework, she just updated me on life, telling me one hilarious story after another about things going on at home, and we just laughed while we talked and shared perspectives.. then, I was able to have dinner with my roomies (4 out of 5 of us is a win with our schedules!) for the first time in a month or more, and we also laughed, made fun of each other (which really was mostly them all harassing me), swapped random stories, talked about things we were wondering or thinking about, and were typical girls for the first time in a very long time. It was really nice to hang out and just laugh...
I appreciate when life is interesting, when I have no idea what to expect or how to anticipate what is coming next.
Jun 24, 2011
Summer Oh Summer...
I do not know about anyone else, but summer's mere presence makes me feel better.
I love having the freedom to walk outside with anything and not be blasted by bitter fridged temperatures. It honestly makes me excited every time I do it.. (26 summers down.. who know show many left!)..
I think it is important to point out that my favorite outfit is comfy capris or shorts and a tank-top.. I love being barefoot or in flip flops and having little to no makeup on with my hair some sort of wrangled out of my face (It has been a long time since I have had to figure out how to do that with short hair..).
I always feel better and more confident tan and fit.. and summer and tan go hand in hand for me.
I love driving with my windows down, hair flowing, and music blaring. I love the smells of summer, when you can tell it is going to rain, just rained, or the scorching heat just soaks in and it feels like very bit of my body is filled with sunshine... The heat never bothers me.
There is some sort of excitement and energy about getting caught in a warm summer storm and getting SOAKED before you can make it to shelter... Which leads me to...
I would be remiss to point out that I love the water.. I am a water baby to the core, and would spend every day next to some sort of water if I could. Hence why the summer job of a boat driver was wonderful to me.. Sunshine AND water... mixed with laughing and screaming kids. Loved it!
I seriously treasure night walks in the summer with the residual heat from the day mixing with the attempted cool of the night.. Moonlight, firefly's, crickets, and frogs creating a surreal ambiance that always makes it feel slightly like a fairytale.
Besides, what would summer be without ice cream, ice drinks, slushies, and lots of fruit!... Some of my favorite things.
There is a freedom that comes with summer, even to this day, even though I work full time and am in school, I always feel more hopeful in the summer. The days are longer, the opportunities feel endless, and the energy is contagious.
I love summer, it is by far, hands down, my favorite season.
I love having the freedom to walk outside with anything and not be blasted by bitter fridged temperatures. It honestly makes me excited every time I do it.. (26 summers down.. who know show many left!)..
I think it is important to point out that my favorite outfit is comfy capris or shorts and a tank-top.. I love being barefoot or in flip flops and having little to no makeup on with my hair some sort of wrangled out of my face (It has been a long time since I have had to figure out how to do that with short hair..).
I always feel better and more confident tan and fit.. and summer and tan go hand in hand for me.
I love driving with my windows down, hair flowing, and music blaring. I love the smells of summer, when you can tell it is going to rain, just rained, or the scorching heat just soaks in and it feels like very bit of my body is filled with sunshine... The heat never bothers me.
There is some sort of excitement and energy about getting caught in a warm summer storm and getting SOAKED before you can make it to shelter... Which leads me to...
I would be remiss to point out that I love the water.. I am a water baby to the core, and would spend every day next to some sort of water if I could. Hence why the summer job of a boat driver was wonderful to me.. Sunshine AND water... mixed with laughing and screaming kids. Loved it!
I seriously treasure night walks in the summer with the residual heat from the day mixing with the attempted cool of the night.. Moonlight, firefly's, crickets, and frogs creating a surreal ambiance that always makes it feel slightly like a fairytale.
Besides, what would summer be without ice cream, ice drinks, slushies, and lots of fruit!... Some of my favorite things.
There is a freedom that comes with summer, even to this day, even though I work full time and am in school, I always feel more hopeful in the summer. The days are longer, the opportunities feel endless, and the energy is contagious.
I love summer, it is by far, hands down, my favorite season.
Jan 26, 2011
My Questions...
I read this article on CNN's website, it was talking about 20 questions that women should ask themselves to stimulate thinking and growth.. Some of them were dumb, some were beyond hysterical ("My mind is a two-bit whore.." LOL), and a few were actually thoughtful. So, while you can read the article here if you would like to, I have created a quasi-new list of my own using some of the questions posed in the article and some of my own.. Thoughts or answers?
**The "quotation" marks are so you know what I stole...
"Where am I wrong?"
I do not know about you, but I hate being wrong... And, lets be honest, no one holds to an opinion they do not feel is correct. But, how many times a day am I wrong.. just straight up, slap me in the face wrong.. and I will not take 2 seconds to reevaluate if I am in fact anywhere in the vicinity of correct?.. Shameful.
"What's so funny?"
"Adults tend to put this question to children in a homicidal-sounding snarl, which is probably why as you grew up, your laughter rate dropped from 400 times a day (for toddlers) to the grown-up daily average of 15. Regain your youth by laughing at every possible situation. Then, please, tell us what's funny -- about everyday life, about human nature, even about pain and fear." - I had to include this actual quote from the article because I love laughing.. about most anything, but so many times I forget to laugh... It can be healing and the more I laugh at myself often the better I feel.
"How can I keep myself absolutely safe?"
"Ask this question just to remind yourself of the answer: You can't. Life is inherently uncertain. The way to cope with that reality is not to control and avoid your way into a rigid little demi-life, but to develop courage. Doing what you long to do, despite fear, will accomplish this." - Besides, what is so wonderful about staying safe all the time? It is a false sense anyway. Aka it is a lie we tell ourselves. So, why not embrace the lack of control.. and learn to dance in the uncertainty knowing that ultimately the good guys win, and Jesus not only Loves me, but wants me to unabashedly follow Him... Then He will REALLY open my eyes to new things... Just sayin...
Now what?
Sometimes, I cannot help but feel like I have attained all the good or great things in life.. And, now what? What is left to accomplish, see, attain, move, create etc... But, the reality is this is a HORRIBLE place to linger because it lends itself to laziness, apathy, carelessness, hurt, pain etc.. None of which are pleasant or praiseworthy things. So, Now what?... There is inevitably the one answer in the far recesses of my mind that knows, but that I am not necessarily willing to let loose in my mind or life. Too bad that is often where Jesus starts to clean house again.. Dang it!
Attitude is a choice.. What am I choosing?
"Your situation may endanger your life and limbs, but only your thoughts can endanger your happiness. Telling yourself a miserable mental story about your circumstances creates suffering. Telling yourself a more positive and grateful story, studies show, increases happiness. Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, choose thoughts that knit your heart together, rather than tear it apart." - I sing this mantra a lot.. But, really.. it might be the only thing I can truly choose. I mean look at Job in the Bible, he really had it "bad" and yet he chose his attitude well... I love the idea that God can honor and bless me because I choose a better perspective. Feelings do not always lead us in the right direction.
How do I change the world by being in it?
I have always wanted to change the world.. and I definitely have a fun bucket list... My goal is to be the old woman (if I live to be old) that has a ridiculous number of stories of places I have been, things I have done, the lives and circumstances that have changed my life and those around me, and all the times and places God has answered my prayers and proved to be faithful yet again. I am excited for that.. I want to change the world!
So, there are a few questions.. I plan on adding to them..
**The "quotation" marks are so you know what I stole...
"Where am I wrong?"
I do not know about you, but I hate being wrong... And, lets be honest, no one holds to an opinion they do not feel is correct. But, how many times a day am I wrong.. just straight up, slap me in the face wrong.. and I will not take 2 seconds to reevaluate if I am in fact anywhere in the vicinity of correct?.. Shameful.
"What's so funny?"
"Adults tend to put this question to children in a homicidal-sounding snarl, which is probably why as you grew up, your laughter rate dropped from 400 times a day (for toddlers) to the grown-up daily average of 15. Regain your youth by laughing at every possible situation. Then, please, tell us what's funny -- about everyday life, about human nature, even about pain and fear." - I had to include this actual quote from the article because I love laughing.. about most anything, but so many times I forget to laugh... It can be healing and the more I laugh at myself often the better I feel.
"How can I keep myself absolutely safe?"
"Ask this question just to remind yourself of the answer: You can't. Life is inherently uncertain. The way to cope with that reality is not to control and avoid your way into a rigid little demi-life, but to develop courage. Doing what you long to do, despite fear, will accomplish this." - Besides, what is so wonderful about staying safe all the time? It is a false sense anyway. Aka it is a lie we tell ourselves. So, why not embrace the lack of control.. and learn to dance in the uncertainty knowing that ultimately the good guys win, and Jesus not only Loves me, but wants me to unabashedly follow Him... Then He will REALLY open my eyes to new things... Just sayin...
Now what?
Sometimes, I cannot help but feel like I have attained all the good or great things in life.. And, now what? What is left to accomplish, see, attain, move, create etc... But, the reality is this is a HORRIBLE place to linger because it lends itself to laziness, apathy, carelessness, hurt, pain etc.. None of which are pleasant or praiseworthy things. So, Now what?... There is inevitably the one answer in the far recesses of my mind that knows, but that I am not necessarily willing to let loose in my mind or life. Too bad that is often where Jesus starts to clean house again.. Dang it!
Attitude is a choice.. What am I choosing?
"Your situation may endanger your life and limbs, but only your thoughts can endanger your happiness. Telling yourself a miserable mental story about your circumstances creates suffering. Telling yourself a more positive and grateful story, studies show, increases happiness. Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, choose thoughts that knit your heart together, rather than tear it apart." - I sing this mantra a lot.. But, really.. it might be the only thing I can truly choose. I mean look at Job in the Bible, he really had it "bad" and yet he chose his attitude well... I love the idea that God can honor and bless me because I choose a better perspective. Feelings do not always lead us in the right direction.
How do I change the world by being in it?
I have always wanted to change the world.. and I definitely have a fun bucket list... My goal is to be the old woman (if I live to be old) that has a ridiculous number of stories of places I have been, things I have done, the lives and circumstances that have changed my life and those around me, and all the times and places God has answered my prayers and proved to be faithful yet again. I am excited for that.. I want to change the world!
So, there are a few questions.. I plan on adding to them..
Jan 20, 2011
Laugh...
When the first thought you have in the morning is "Why isn't this Friday!?!??!?!?!?!" ... you KNOW it is not going to be a good day... And, it wasn't.
Still reeling a bit from the news of last night, I woke up, not in a bad mood, but just tired.. in almost every sense of the word, and certainly physically tired. But, mostly I was just worn out emotionally and mentally. So, because my mind was not totally coherent this am, it took me a bit longer to pick out an outfit (which I usually do mentally while laying in bed as I fall asleep the night before), my hair took a while to fix.. I missed my long "pull up in a pony tail and go" style this morning.
Thankfully I "accidentally" made the coffee a little strong.. Thank you Jesus!
I am learning a lot. I know, I keep reminding myself of this. I am purposefully learning in school, and dragging my feet learning at work, but even still I will praise Him. Work was not pleasant today, and I still am working through how to change my attitude and perspective because it is not good nor anything resembling it.
I left work thinking "what am I doing?!?! I. Am. Stupid...."
Thankfully my coworker/friend and I made plans to go out for dinner.. and we did.. and laughed at random things and the ridiculousness that is our life, and the things that make us "that girl." Then, I returned my mom's phone call because she somehow always knows when I am not ok, and had left me a voice mail saying "I was thinking of you, wondering how you are doing, and hoping you are having a good day..." I. Love. Her. We chatted for a while, swapped frustrations from work, and were reminded how much life can suck, but how much that ultimately does not change things.. I love her, she loves me, God loves us both.. and in the end, at the end of the day.. God makes the stupidity that is us ok again.
Life is crazy, but God will get me through this, and whatever is coming around the corner. I have NO idea what His plan is for this seemingly never ending plight of either stupidity or insanity on my part.
Thankfully I was able to then come home and laugh with a couple of my roomies, about I am not even sure what.. But, regardless, we laughed for a while.
Life is hard, God is good.
Still reeling a bit from the news of last night, I woke up, not in a bad mood, but just tired.. in almost every sense of the word, and certainly physically tired. But, mostly I was just worn out emotionally and mentally. So, because my mind was not totally coherent this am, it took me a bit longer to pick out an outfit (which I usually do mentally while laying in bed as I fall asleep the night before), my hair took a while to fix.. I missed my long "pull up in a pony tail and go" style this morning.
Thankfully I "accidentally" made the coffee a little strong.. Thank you Jesus!
I am learning a lot. I know, I keep reminding myself of this. I am purposefully learning in school, and dragging my feet learning at work, but even still I will praise Him. Work was not pleasant today, and I still am working through how to change my attitude and perspective because it is not good nor anything resembling it.
I left work thinking "what am I doing?!?! I. Am. Stupid...."
Thankfully my coworker/friend and I made plans to go out for dinner.. and we did.. and laughed at random things and the ridiculousness that is our life, and the things that make us "that girl." Then, I returned my mom's phone call because she somehow always knows when I am not ok, and had left me a voice mail saying "I was thinking of you, wondering how you are doing, and hoping you are having a good day..." I. Love. Her. We chatted for a while, swapped frustrations from work, and were reminded how much life can suck, but how much that ultimately does not change things.. I love her, she loves me, God loves us both.. and in the end, at the end of the day.. God makes the stupidity that is us ok again.
Life is crazy, but God will get me through this, and whatever is coming around the corner. I have NO idea what His plan is for this seemingly never ending plight of either stupidity or insanity on my part.
Thankfully I was able to then come home and laugh with a couple of my roomies, about I am not even sure what.. But, regardless, we laughed for a while.
Life is hard, God is good.
Sep 9, 2010
The Smiles in My Day...
Sometimes, when I pause and think about all the random little things going on in my life I cannot help but smile and laugh at the ridiculousness of it all... and, often times I feel like I should be living in a comedy version of the Truman Show! ;)
Things that make me smile today:
Emailing throughout the day with my best friend. - Our conversation are a comedy routine themselves!
Completing a matting/framing project and looking at it, proud that I still have that skill!
Watching a video posted by one of my friends and his wife of someone else's adoption "gotcha" day.
Reading old facebook picture comments from my little brother.
Coffee... Always, always makes me smile :) Especially if the flavor makes your taste-buds dance!
Friends of mine leave tonight for a missions trip to Panama... I'm REALLY excited for them! :)
Random people trying to "help" me... Seriously, it makes me laugh.
Running commentary...
Realizing how ironic God can be with His timing...
I am so very thankful today has turned out like it has... For whatever reason I woke up feeling ok, but as though that state was fragile, and a bad encounter would send me off the crappy crap crap day cliff... Thankfully I had some time to wake up, listen to some great music, and get a cup of coffee before I had to deal with any obnoxiousness in my day.
Still job hunting, nothing really new to report other than, I continue to apply for jobs wherever I find one that interests me.
I was talking with my dad the other day, and it was really nice to just sorta go through my thought process with him. One of the points I brought up was my curiousness at why God felt it was important to tell me two years ago this is how everything was going to go down... My dad said that part of it he thinks is how I am always saying that if God would just give me a basic direction I would feel ok, safe, and secure... The ironic thing is... I do. I am not worried, I know without any doubts this is exactly how things are supposed to play out, and I am doing my best to hang onto the ride, and gracefully handle whatever comes my way. I'm really excited about what God's preparing to do next, even though I am totally blind. :)
Things that make me smile today:
Emailing throughout the day with my best friend. - Our conversation are a comedy routine themselves!
Completing a matting/framing project and looking at it, proud that I still have that skill!
Watching a video posted by one of my friends and his wife of someone else's adoption "gotcha" day.
Reading old facebook picture comments from my little brother.
Coffee... Always, always makes me smile :) Especially if the flavor makes your taste-buds dance!
Friends of mine leave tonight for a missions trip to Panama... I'm REALLY excited for them! :)
Random people trying to "help" me... Seriously, it makes me laugh.
Running commentary...
Realizing how ironic God can be with His timing...
I am so very thankful today has turned out like it has... For whatever reason I woke up feeling ok, but as though that state was fragile, and a bad encounter would send me off the crappy crap crap day cliff... Thankfully I had some time to wake up, listen to some great music, and get a cup of coffee before I had to deal with any obnoxiousness in my day.
Still job hunting, nothing really new to report other than, I continue to apply for jobs wherever I find one that interests me.
I was talking with my dad the other day, and it was really nice to just sorta go through my thought process with him. One of the points I brought up was my curiousness at why God felt it was important to tell me two years ago this is how everything was going to go down... My dad said that part of it he thinks is how I am always saying that if God would just give me a basic direction I would feel ok, safe, and secure... The ironic thing is... I do. I am not worried, I know without any doubts this is exactly how things are supposed to play out, and I am doing my best to hang onto the ride, and gracefully handle whatever comes my way. I'm really excited about what God's preparing to do next, even though I am totally blind. :)
Aug 17, 2010
New...
For the first time in more than 8 months I finally feel normal. Not because of a drug, alcohol, a boy, or anything tangible... I just feel like myself again. Laughing comes easily once more, and energy is not something I merely remember having a lot of.
My schedule is about to explode again (which I love), all my best friends are back to work (they are all teachers), and several of them are either taking college classes or teaching college classes, and then there is my wonderful roomie who works at night... My classes start on the 2nd, and then of course there's all the normal trying to fit time in for people, which I feel like will be doing a lot of inviting people over to hang out or to join me somewhere with wifi...
My roomie has finally returned to me for good, no more galavanting around the country... After this last stint I told her she is never allowed to leave me for that long again (almost a month!). I love having her home... even if we just sit on opposite ends of the awesome couch she bought with our dog between us and watch a movie on a lazy Sunday afternoon... I love it... We laugh a lot, and have more inside jokes then I can count.. we recite one liners from movies constantly, and we purposefully seek to do things for one another all the time. She has no idea how much living with her makes me feel like I belong, like I have a place that is my home, and that my mood at home does not effect how much she loves me and will try to take care of me.. She's wonderful, and I am not really looking forward to her disappearance in the evenings due to work... so we have decided on a plan of dinners at her work, and probably more than my fair share of sitting at her games (probably doing homework) just so I can be around and see her more than Sunday mornings haha
Even though the start of a new school year means THOUSANDS upon THOUSANDS of college students who do not know how to drive once again are taking up space on the roads and parking lots.. I really do look forward to the new school year each fall, because for whatever reason I seem to work off a fiscal year better than a calendar year haha! I am looking forward to the bonfires, dinners, sweatshirts, and the mass amounts of laughter from the ridiculousness that is my wonderful friends and their antics and one liners :)
I love that from this point in my life I can look both backwards and forwards and see God moving, I can see His hand in every aspect of my life, holding me when I was too broken to keep going, cheering when I made the right choice, I can feel His arms around me as I was hurt and cried more times then I can ever remember crying before, and I can feel His encouragement when I was so frustrated at Him that I had to choose things I knew were right instead of what I wanted. I can see how patient my Lord was when I was angry and let Him know exactly how I was feeling. But, more than any of it... I can see His faithfulness.. Even through all the suck that was this year, I can see how much stronger I am, how much more I have written Him into the fibers of my heart, and I can see all the people He placed around me to care for me... the moments when I did not even know I needed something suddenly I had exactly what I needed to keep going. Even when I was being a brat and really did not deserve it my sweet Savior was there taking care of me unconditionally. I have been through a lot this year, but never once have I felt like God left me hanging to dry, I felt Him with me every step, even when I was so angry at Him and this plan that seemed to contain nothing but one crappy thing after another... He was still there.. ever faithful.
I would do every bit of it again knowing the painful outcome, and the work it would take to come out hopefully being found faithful on the other side.... Only to know that the hard times will come again at some point.
Tonight was the first night in a really long time that I just felt normal.. like laughing just came naturally, that I was surrounded by people who love me, and that I will be ok, and in fact things will be awesome because I am not controlling my future!
My schedule is about to explode again (which I love), all my best friends are back to work (they are all teachers), and several of them are either taking college classes or teaching college classes, and then there is my wonderful roomie who works at night... My classes start on the 2nd, and then of course there's all the normal trying to fit time in for people, which I feel like will be doing a lot of inviting people over to hang out or to join me somewhere with wifi...
My roomie has finally returned to me for good, no more galavanting around the country... After this last stint I told her she is never allowed to leave me for that long again (almost a month!). I love having her home... even if we just sit on opposite ends of the awesome couch she bought with our dog between us and watch a movie on a lazy Sunday afternoon... I love it... We laugh a lot, and have more inside jokes then I can count.. we recite one liners from movies constantly, and we purposefully seek to do things for one another all the time. She has no idea how much living with her makes me feel like I belong, like I have a place that is my home, and that my mood at home does not effect how much she loves me and will try to take care of me.. She's wonderful, and I am not really looking forward to her disappearance in the evenings due to work... so we have decided on a plan of dinners at her work, and probably more than my fair share of sitting at her games (probably doing homework) just so I can be around and see her more than Sunday mornings haha
Even though the start of a new school year means THOUSANDS upon THOUSANDS of college students who do not know how to drive once again are taking up space on the roads and parking lots.. I really do look forward to the new school year each fall, because for whatever reason I seem to work off a fiscal year better than a calendar year haha! I am looking forward to the bonfires, dinners, sweatshirts, and the mass amounts of laughter from the ridiculousness that is my wonderful friends and their antics and one liners :)
I love that from this point in my life I can look both backwards and forwards and see God moving, I can see His hand in every aspect of my life, holding me when I was too broken to keep going, cheering when I made the right choice, I can feel His arms around me as I was hurt and cried more times then I can ever remember crying before, and I can feel His encouragement when I was so frustrated at Him that I had to choose things I knew were right instead of what I wanted. I can see how patient my Lord was when I was angry and let Him know exactly how I was feeling. But, more than any of it... I can see His faithfulness.. Even through all the suck that was this year, I can see how much stronger I am, how much more I have written Him into the fibers of my heart, and I can see all the people He placed around me to care for me... the moments when I did not even know I needed something suddenly I had exactly what I needed to keep going. Even when I was being a brat and really did not deserve it my sweet Savior was there taking care of me unconditionally. I have been through a lot this year, but never once have I felt like God left me hanging to dry, I felt Him with me every step, even when I was so angry at Him and this plan that seemed to contain nothing but one crappy thing after another... He was still there.. ever faithful.
I would do every bit of it again knowing the painful outcome, and the work it would take to come out hopefully being found faithful on the other side.... Only to know that the hard times will come again at some point.
Tonight was the first night in a really long time that I just felt normal.. like laughing just came naturally, that I was surrounded by people who love me, and that I will be ok, and in fact things will be awesome because I am not controlling my future!
May 27, 2010
Deflating...
So, I feel like the last 6 months have been one continuously growing stress ball...
Like every little thing was just adding more helium to my balloon, and I was getting dangerously close to exploding....
Like every little thing was just adding more helium to my balloon, and I was getting dangerously close to exploding....
Then, slowly.. little by little I have watched the stress begin to fade, to deflate and dissipate. A whole slew of things are finally changing, such as getting into our new house, getting most of the painting done, some of the moving... Getting the major work projects done, or mostly completed.
The last couple days have been really great. I have gotten all kinds of things done, which always helps me feel better and more accomplished. I have gotten to practice martial arts again, allowing my body to be active and move in familiar patterns again... not to mention, I have gotten to talk about martial arts and allow my mind to dive deep into a topic I am so intimately acquainted with, which, that alone is a huge stress reliever. My roomie finally closed on the house and we began the mass exodus of painting and moving last night... Simply being able to be active and not in a holding pattern has proven to be a huge help for both her and I...
But, mostly, I have been laughing more. And, while I have continued to laugh, I have not laughed even a fraction of the amount that would be considered normal for me in the last several months. I have commented several times that laughter has this weird healing, relaxing, and restoring ability. I am not sure how or why God made laughter that way, but He has, and it is a great thing. What I do know is, I have been laughing a lot more the last few days, and it has been a great thing for me. Last night I laughed a lot while we were painting the new house... It may possibly have been aided by the paint fumes, but, I am ok if that is the case ;) We had SO much help last night, it was such a wonderful reminder of how our friends are simply amazing.. and dedicated people.. not to mention funny, it was just nice to laugh at funny sayings, inside jokes, voices, comments, hip checking the wall and losing, people singing along with the music... whatever it was. And, even though my painting partner for my bedroom was more entertaining then painting help, it was exactly what I needed.. to just laugh and be kept company.
So, the marathon that is the next week is not over, but I am finding the stress beginning to deflate. Thank you Jesus!
So, the marathon that is the next week is not over, but I am finding the stress beginning to deflate. Thank you Jesus!
Mar 17, 2010
Amuse Me...
I cannot help but laugh at just how funny things can be that are normally aggravating or at least ironic. Yesterday is a prime example of the "whoa.. what just happened?!" And for the record.. my day did not get any less entertaining after I was done sewing myself into my skirt...
I love how God uses days like yesterday to remind me of Him (and thanks to my friends who echo His voice to me). My life was crazy yesterday, and lets be honest, I couldn't have planned a more stressful, obnoxious, ironic, and funny day then I had.. I am convinced I live in a dramatic comedy.. But, through and because of it all I just laughed... and as odd as it sounds it restored so much joy to my soul that I have been missing terribly and trying to get back desperately.
I love how Jesus can use things to just remind me how unimportant it is to stress over the little things. I have said numerous times how much laughter can change things, and this is no exception. There is just something about laughing that makes you feel like "ahh.. ok things will be ok.."
Other random things.. I am going to be a bridesmaid in my friend's wedding in a month.. I'm really excited about it, plus the dress looks super cute! (always a bonus!)... Now to tan a bit so I don't look pasty...
Also, my passenger headlight went out... after I just replaced the drivers side one three days ago.. and by I just replaced, I mean a friend did it for me haha so.. "I" will have to replace this one now too.... lol I am so very thankful for the guys in my life that so willingly and cheerfully help me with my car repairs. They have no idea how much it means to me :)
I am excited (and maybe a little scared too) of what God has planned for the next while... It will be interesting that's for sure :)
I love how God uses days like yesterday to remind me of Him (and thanks to my friends who echo His voice to me). My life was crazy yesterday, and lets be honest, I couldn't have planned a more stressful, obnoxious, ironic, and funny day then I had.. I am convinced I live in a dramatic comedy.. But, through and because of it all I just laughed... and as odd as it sounds it restored so much joy to my soul that I have been missing terribly and trying to get back desperately.
I love how Jesus can use things to just remind me how unimportant it is to stress over the little things. I have said numerous times how much laughter can change things, and this is no exception. There is just something about laughing that makes you feel like "ahh.. ok things will be ok.."
Other random things.. I am going to be a bridesmaid in my friend's wedding in a month.. I'm really excited about it, plus the dress looks super cute! (always a bonus!)... Now to tan a bit so I don't look pasty...
Also, my passenger headlight went out... after I just replaced the drivers side one three days ago.. and by I just replaced, I mean a friend did it for me haha so.. "I" will have to replace this one now too.... lol I am so very thankful for the guys in my life that so willingly and cheerfully help me with my car repairs. They have no idea how much it means to me :)
I am excited (and maybe a little scared too) of what God has planned for the next while... It will be interesting that's for sure :)
Aug 17, 2009
Sigh Some Relief...
So, I definitely needed this break I got with my brother here.. It was the first time in a month that I got more than one day of in a row.. or in a couple weeks I guess... I needed a break, more than I was able to accurate convey to those around me.
Elijah and I laughed like whoa. He and I just get each other's sense of humor.. and we pick on each other like crazy.. I slapped his phone closed 150 times.. he honked my horn at ANY guy walking down the road.. regardless of how hard I hit him as a retaliation... He tickled me and threatened to tell a guy I find attractive that I like him.. which isn't the case, but he thought it would be funny.. I hit him where he is sunburned.. lol he called me a jerk.. I laughed.. he laughed.. he sang about me living in the "Gheettoowwww" as though he was the lead singer from Creed... He blasted Miley Cirus as I talked to a lady on her front porch for work... We laughed and talked about all kinds of things we saw or heard, found amusing, like, dislike, find annoying, heard a different perspective... We sprayed each other down while washing my car... He hated the muggy heat, he mowed the lawn, I made him home made sushi and chicken alfredo... We had ice cream, and iced coffees and ate at Moe's... We snuggled on the couch and took a bazillion pictures... And we laughed.. a lot, with each other, at each other, with my friends, at people.. we just laughed. We laughed hysterically at telephone charades with our friends.. and talked for half an hour afterwards about the funny faces each other made while acting out the scenario. We created some pretty sweet memories together with my friends down here.. surprised a friend with birthday brownies, climbed and hiked up a mountain in the middle of the night, went salsa dancing, tubed a lazy river, went to a birthday party, went out to dinner and lunches, church, game night, work, I cut his hair, he helped me pick out a pair of sunglasses (which he's picked out 3 of the last 5 I've had lol), we saw Gi-Joe... He met a million of my friends... It was good :)
I forget the power of laughter sometimes. Between my brother, my roomies, two of my best friends down here, and multitudes of other friends I have, I laughed a ridiculous amount the last couple days... I laughed so hard several times that all I could do was cry..
This morning we (my roomies and Brit and I) woke up at 6am to work out.. I love it.. but hate it at the same time. One of my roomies was hysterical.. but it took me a while to realize it cause I was so tired and still waking up.. but I giggled all day because of her comments in the first 10 minutes of me being awake. In the middle of the day I got real bogged down with life.. just obnoxious things coming up at times that are just not conducive to the plan I had for the evening. Nothing big, nothing life threatening, nothing that alters really anything accept my plans... And that always seems to happen when emotionally I do not feel patient enough to handle it.. But, regardless things had to get done.. just not what I wanted.. And lovingly my roomie and I shared our frustration.. which made us laugh, and then another friend who is a wizard when it comes to figuring out what calms me down.. just hugged me for a bit. Which sounds dumb and not a big deal.. but for a TOUCH/Quality time person such as myself.. it was a big deal.. And then my friend proceeded to make my roomie and I laugh... It was perfect and needed... And I had to choose a better attitude. Later, we played Telephone Charades and it was so incredibly funny! Watching a couple of my friends and my brother seriously get into it with facial expressions was HYSTERICAL!.. I laughed SO ridiculously hard...
Then, to end the day I got to video chat with my best friend from home... It's been a good week. I couldn't have planned it out any more perfect, God knew what I needed to refresh myself for work again :)
Elijah and I laughed like whoa. He and I just get each other's sense of humor.. and we pick on each other like crazy.. I slapped his phone closed 150 times.. he honked my horn at ANY guy walking down the road.. regardless of how hard I hit him as a retaliation... He tickled me and threatened to tell a guy I find attractive that I like him.. which isn't the case, but he thought it would be funny.. I hit him where he is sunburned.. lol he called me a jerk.. I laughed.. he laughed.. he sang about me living in the "Gheettoowwww" as though he was the lead singer from Creed... He blasted Miley Cirus as I talked to a lady on her front porch for work... We laughed and talked about all kinds of things we saw or heard, found amusing, like, dislike, find annoying, heard a different perspective... We sprayed each other down while washing my car... He hated the muggy heat, he mowed the lawn, I made him home made sushi and chicken alfredo... We had ice cream, and iced coffees and ate at Moe's... We snuggled on the couch and took a bazillion pictures... And we laughed.. a lot, with each other, at each other, with my friends, at people.. we just laughed. We laughed hysterically at telephone charades with our friends.. and talked for half an hour afterwards about the funny faces each other made while acting out the scenario. We created some pretty sweet memories together with my friends down here.. surprised a friend with birthday brownies, climbed and hiked up a mountain in the middle of the night, went salsa dancing, tubed a lazy river, went to a birthday party, went out to dinner and lunches, church, game night, work, I cut his hair, he helped me pick out a pair of sunglasses (which he's picked out 3 of the last 5 I've had lol), we saw Gi-Joe... He met a million of my friends... It was good :)
I forget the power of laughter sometimes. Between my brother, my roomies, two of my best friends down here, and multitudes of other friends I have, I laughed a ridiculous amount the last couple days... I laughed so hard several times that all I could do was cry..
This morning we (my roomies and Brit and I) woke up at 6am to work out.. I love it.. but hate it at the same time. One of my roomies was hysterical.. but it took me a while to realize it cause I was so tired and still waking up.. but I giggled all day because of her comments in the first 10 minutes of me being awake. In the middle of the day I got real bogged down with life.. just obnoxious things coming up at times that are just not conducive to the plan I had for the evening. Nothing big, nothing life threatening, nothing that alters really anything accept my plans... And that always seems to happen when emotionally I do not feel patient enough to handle it.. But, regardless things had to get done.. just not what I wanted.. And lovingly my roomie and I shared our frustration.. which made us laugh, and then another friend who is a wizard when it comes to figuring out what calms me down.. just hugged me for a bit. Which sounds dumb and not a big deal.. but for a TOUCH/Quality time person such as myself.. it was a big deal.. And then my friend proceeded to make my roomie and I laugh... It was perfect and needed... And I had to choose a better attitude. Later, we played Telephone Charades and it was so incredibly funny! Watching a couple of my friends and my brother seriously get into it with facial expressions was HYSTERICAL!.. I laughed SO ridiculously hard...
Then, to end the day I got to video chat with my best friend from home... It's been a good week. I couldn't have planned it out any more perfect, God knew what I needed to refresh myself for work again :)
Jul 11, 2009
Laughter...
So, I have heard my entire life how distinct and different my dad's laugh is. Everyone comments on it.. it's loud, joyful, and you can't help but laugh with my dad when he laughs. His whole body gets involved in the laugh, almost as though it is coming from the very core of who he is, and that causes his body to react the way it does. Pure joy that you can see and hear... It is one of a couple of my all time favorite sounds..
And then, as I got older I began hearing the same comments about my own laugh. I never really thought much about my own laugh growing up because it doesn't even come close to rivaling my dad's... I mean my older brother is the closest, and sometimes his sounds exactly like Dad's... So, in comparison, I had never really thought my own laugh because I had always heard about his... I just never thought about it because it was nothing like the way my dad's is.
And, then one day I was sitting next to my dad and someone in our family said something funny and Dad and I busted up laughing.. and I realized.. we laugh the exact same, only his is deeper and louder, and mine basically is just the feminine version of his. Haha I love it! Now, THE single most comment I hear is about my laugh, and I mean virtually everyone comments on my laugh. It doesn't bother me at all, I find it rather amusing, especially since I have had people detail out the pattern of my laugh, and I have had people explain to me the way it sounds to them... I love my laugh, it can be loud, and I am sure to some it's obnoxious... especially since I laugh so much... But, I love my laugh because it does come from the core of me. I can't laugh without my whole body taking part in the laughter, and I can't help but find most things in life amusing to some degree. I like the fact that my name means joyful, and that I express that all the time.
Sometimes I can't tell if my laughter draws people in.. or if it's just their desire to "be in the know"... but, whatever it is it draws attention because there are sometimes that I feel like all eyes are on me, just watching me react to things. Not in a "I want to be center of attention" kinda way, but just a... feeling or I'll notice people watching me as I Laugh, and joke around, being incredibly animated (because apparently that's another thing I do). There are times and places, that I feel like people are just... observing and, almost taking it all in. Maybe, I am just crazy and paranoid, but honestly I tend to be fairly perceptive about those kinda things.
So, if my only interaction with someone is their observation of me laughing and interacting with others... I hope they see the Joyful Little Christian, and it strikes a chord inside them down to their core. I hope that they can see my joy, even when I am not happy or worse, when I am angry or hurting. I hope they can still see the joy and hear it in my laughter when life is not easy. Because honestly, laughter helps me heal. Somehow God uses it to restore me when I am broken inside. He uses the laughter to mend, comfort, remind, and hug me when I am in need of my Savoir. I don't know how, but it works.
And then, as I got older I began hearing the same comments about my own laugh. I never really thought much about my own laugh growing up because it doesn't even come close to rivaling my dad's... I mean my older brother is the closest, and sometimes his sounds exactly like Dad's... So, in comparison, I had never really thought my own laugh because I had always heard about his... I just never thought about it because it was nothing like the way my dad's is.
And, then one day I was sitting next to my dad and someone in our family said something funny and Dad and I busted up laughing.. and I realized.. we laugh the exact same, only his is deeper and louder, and mine basically is just the feminine version of his. Haha I love it! Now, THE single most comment I hear is about my laugh, and I mean virtually everyone comments on my laugh. It doesn't bother me at all, I find it rather amusing, especially since I have had people detail out the pattern of my laugh, and I have had people explain to me the way it sounds to them... I love my laugh, it can be loud, and I am sure to some it's obnoxious... especially since I laugh so much... But, I love my laugh because it does come from the core of me. I can't laugh without my whole body taking part in the laughter, and I can't help but find most things in life amusing to some degree. I like the fact that my name means joyful, and that I express that all the time.
Sometimes I can't tell if my laughter draws people in.. or if it's just their desire to "be in the know"... but, whatever it is it draws attention because there are sometimes that I feel like all eyes are on me, just watching me react to things. Not in a "I want to be center of attention" kinda way, but just a... feeling or I'll notice people watching me as I Laugh, and joke around, being incredibly animated (because apparently that's another thing I do). There are times and places, that I feel like people are just... observing and, almost taking it all in. Maybe, I am just crazy and paranoid, but honestly I tend to be fairly perceptive about those kinda things.
So, if my only interaction with someone is their observation of me laughing and interacting with others... I hope they see the Joyful Little Christian, and it strikes a chord inside them down to their core. I hope that they can see my joy, even when I am not happy or worse, when I am angry or hurting. I hope they can still see the joy and hear it in my laughter when life is not easy. Because honestly, laughter helps me heal. Somehow God uses it to restore me when I am broken inside. He uses the laughter to mend, comfort, remind, and hug me when I am in need of my Savoir. I don't know how, but it works.
Jun 11, 2009
Dancing The Night Away...
So, over the last week or so my friends and I have been out dancing twice.. and by out dancing.. I really mean out once, and staying in once too. Last Friday a few of us decided it would be fun to go to the local dance academy/night club.. haha which really isn't like what it sounds at all.. It's a "dry" night club.. which really isn't a club, but just a dance academy that they opened on Friday night too. We all got there early so they can teach us something about what we're doing.. since we only have one gifted salsa dancing friend. :)
There was a fairly even number of guys and girls so it made it lots of fun cause no one HAD to be the wall flower, and much to my surprise and joy the guys were great about rotating around to all the girls, especially the ones along the side. It's never a fun feeling of having to be the wall flower because everyone else has a partner...
We all had a blast, and you wouldn't believe the work out that comes from dancing! haha! Much more so as the girl who does tons of twirling. Which, lets be honest twirling is what makes it as fun as it is :) Especially when, my friends and I act like goobers while dancing. My friend Doll who is down here visiting and I even though dancing with our partners, at one point decided warring with each other was more fun.. So, regardless of where the guy tried leading us, we were more interested in acting like we were trying to upstage each other! lol :) It was a blast and we laughed hysterically all evening long :)
Then, last night Doll, Brit, and I went over to a couple of our friend's house and got private salsa lessons. We had more girls than guys, but it was ok, we blasted Pandora and had a blast anyway. Trying to manage, learn, demonstrate, and practice in a very small living room with 5 people all trying to do the same thing was comical to say the least... Which of course caused more laughing as we'd bump into each other, the couch, the chair, the ceiling fan lights, the banister, or when we'd realize the next move we were learning would send the girl (us) into the wall... =O Then, which ever girl was not partnered seemed to always sneak away to get watermelon, brownies, oreos, water.. whatever. :) It was a lot of fun learning and laughing at each other trying to learn. At the end of the evening we popped on some youtube videos for assistance, which was also a lot of fun.. Then we got ambitious and thought we could learn the Lindy Hop.. lol yeah.. that's about where our adventure came to a screeching halt :)
But, regardless we had a lot of fun. We laughed and joked around. The guys didn't hurt us or drop us as they attempted new moves (which is always a bonus!). Sometimes I think it's amazing how all you need is just something that's just fun. A reason to laugh until it hurts. Somehow, it restores what needs to be righted, causes joy to return. I'm not sure how, but it does :) I'm such a fan of those moments. If I could freeze and hold onto them, I would because at those times nothing else matters, just the joy and the laughter. I love it.
"Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!" - Psalm 149:3
There was a fairly even number of guys and girls so it made it lots of fun cause no one HAD to be the wall flower, and much to my surprise and joy the guys were great about rotating around to all the girls, especially the ones along the side. It's never a fun feeling of having to be the wall flower because everyone else has a partner...
We all had a blast, and you wouldn't believe the work out that comes from dancing! haha! Much more so as the girl who does tons of twirling. Which, lets be honest twirling is what makes it as fun as it is :) Especially when, my friends and I act like goobers while dancing. My friend Doll who is down here visiting and I even though dancing with our partners, at one point decided warring with each other was more fun.. So, regardless of where the guy tried leading us, we were more interested in acting like we were trying to upstage each other! lol :) It was a blast and we laughed hysterically all evening long :)
Then, last night Doll, Brit, and I went over to a couple of our friend's house and got private salsa lessons. We had more girls than guys, but it was ok, we blasted Pandora and had a blast anyway. Trying to manage, learn, demonstrate, and practice in a very small living room with 5 people all trying to do the same thing was comical to say the least... Which of course caused more laughing as we'd bump into each other, the couch, the chair, the ceiling fan lights, the banister, or when we'd realize the next move we were learning would send the girl (us) into the wall... =O Then, which ever girl was not partnered seemed to always sneak away to get watermelon, brownies, oreos, water.. whatever. :) It was a lot of fun learning and laughing at each other trying to learn. At the end of the evening we popped on some youtube videos for assistance, which was also a lot of fun.. Then we got ambitious and thought we could learn the Lindy Hop.. lol yeah.. that's about where our adventure came to a screeching halt :)
But, regardless we had a lot of fun. We laughed and joked around. The guys didn't hurt us or drop us as they attempted new moves (which is always a bonus!). Sometimes I think it's amazing how all you need is just something that's just fun. A reason to laugh until it hurts. Somehow, it restores what needs to be righted, causes joy to return. I'm not sure how, but it does :) I'm such a fan of those moments. If I could freeze and hold onto them, I would because at those times nothing else matters, just the joy and the laughter. I love it.
"Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!" - Psalm 149:3
Mar 30, 2009
Tired Contentment...
A few days ago I was told I have a warm and inviting smile. I'm not really sure how someone has a warm and inviting smile versus a normal smile, but it was a nice compliment. It got me thinking about it though, and I realized the most common compliments I receive always involve my laugh and my smile. Apparently my two greatest distinctive features...
So, what makes me smile? Well, I could easily make a list a million miles long about what I laugh at and what makes me smile.. But, what I really want to do is actually address what causes me to be joyful... I mean here's an example of normalcy for me...
Saturday night I slept a grand total of.. MAYBE 4 hours. I mean I went to bed about midnight, and didn't need to get up until 7:30... but clearly God and I had some business to attend to, so about 1:30 I gave up trying to sleep, and read my Bible, journaled, blogged, and prayed... For HOURS. It was a great time with my Jesus...
Sunday morning I was definitely dragging a big.. I mean who wouldn't be after not falling asleep until 3-4am!.. But, I didn't feel it in my attitude or mood at all (which I don't typically have the problem of sleep affecting my moods), but it was more so than normal. I mean literally I was joyful inside, my heart was content, and I was happy... which carried over into Sunday school class, and church, and interactions with friends, and movie night..
I laughed a ridiculous amount.. I mean seriously. Our leadership team prays before anyone arrives for Sunday school.. we laughed and seriously struggled to pull it back together for prayer for a good 20 minutes or so. Then, lunch was lots of fun with a large group of people all laughing and enjoying each other's wit. Then I went to the park with several friends and threw a Football and Frisbee around for a while.. attempted to throw with my left over and over.. which caused my stomach to hurt from laughing so hard at my failed attempts lol I got to spend some great quality time with a couple friends.. Then went over to a friend's house and watched Bolt... Which is HYSTERICAL.. I mean seriously sooo funny. And my friends and I cracked up the whole time.. in part because of the movie, and in part because of each other's reactions to the movie. It was great.
So, last night when I crawled into bed... TOTALLY exhausted I was completely full inside. My "cuddle meter was full" even though I hadn't actually cuddled with anyone lol I went through the entire day tired, and lacking some serious sleep, but I was fulfilled.. mostly due to my extremely long conversation with My Savior where we talked about everything I was feeling.. But, also in part because the sun was shining (although the wind would take you away if you weren't careful), and my friends and I were able to just enjoy each other's company and humor and wit. I can't even begin to describe to you how truly good that combination is.
So, I highly recommend the occasional time of forgoing sleep to chat with your creator.
So, what makes me smile? Well, I could easily make a list a million miles long about what I laugh at and what makes me smile.. But, what I really want to do is actually address what causes me to be joyful... I mean here's an example of normalcy for me...
Saturday night I slept a grand total of.. MAYBE 4 hours. I mean I went to bed about midnight, and didn't need to get up until 7:30... but clearly God and I had some business to attend to, so about 1:30 I gave up trying to sleep, and read my Bible, journaled, blogged, and prayed... For HOURS. It was a great time with my Jesus...
Sunday morning I was definitely dragging a big.. I mean who wouldn't be after not falling asleep until 3-4am!.. But, I didn't feel it in my attitude or mood at all (which I don't typically have the problem of sleep affecting my moods), but it was more so than normal. I mean literally I was joyful inside, my heart was content, and I was happy... which carried over into Sunday school class, and church, and interactions with friends, and movie night..
I laughed a ridiculous amount.. I mean seriously. Our leadership team prays before anyone arrives for Sunday school.. we laughed and seriously struggled to pull it back together for prayer for a good 20 minutes or so. Then, lunch was lots of fun with a large group of people all laughing and enjoying each other's wit. Then I went to the park with several friends and threw a Football and Frisbee around for a while.. attempted to throw with my left over and over.. which caused my stomach to hurt from laughing so hard at my failed attempts lol I got to spend some great quality time with a couple friends.. Then went over to a friend's house and watched Bolt... Which is HYSTERICAL.. I mean seriously sooo funny. And my friends and I cracked up the whole time.. in part because of the movie, and in part because of each other's reactions to the movie. It was great.
So, last night when I crawled into bed... TOTALLY exhausted I was completely full inside. My "cuddle meter was full" even though I hadn't actually cuddled with anyone lol I went through the entire day tired, and lacking some serious sleep, but I was fulfilled.. mostly due to my extremely long conversation with My Savior where we talked about everything I was feeling.. But, also in part because the sun was shining (although the wind would take you away if you weren't careful), and my friends and I were able to just enjoy each other's company and humor and wit. I can't even begin to describe to you how truly good that combination is.
So, I highly recommend the occasional time of forgoing sleep to chat with your creator.
Jan 9, 2009
Things that make me laugh..
So.. I thought I'd post some of the things I've found to be hysterical recently..
"I didn't hit you... I high-fived you to the face!" - HAHA! I've definitely started using this one :)
"LOL - Lots of love, and sometimes Laughing out loud. Hehe - a polite chuckle. Haha - an actual laugh. Har har - you're a retard."
"Blind Orphans get EVERYTHING!" - Igor the movie...
"CREEEEPERRRR!!" - If you only knew haha :)
"Krista you are already hiding behind a pillow?.. the movie hasn't even started yet.." - and for the record I wasn't hiding it was cold.. and we were watching AVP which isn't scary lol
"You're back!"
"I'm always Back, but hopefully not forever..."
"Well we really would like to keep you as long as possible."
"..... Yes, but hopefully not as a Back.."
"... Oh... HAHA.. got it.. I'm slow"
"Can I.. Can I... Can I.. Can I have your number?"
"Girl the back of your head looks ridiculous!" - Which was said to me about my fro LOL
"501 North is going in the same direction as 29 South?!" - Maybe you will begin to understand why I hate the road system here...
"Bless your heart is the same as saying 'aww..you poor stupid retard'.." - You can only understand if you live in the south lol
Hopefully you got a chuckle from these :) I certainly have.. and this isn't even the stories or faces that have me cracking up all the time... :)
"I didn't hit you... I high-fived you to the face!" - HAHA! I've definitely started using this one :)
"LOL - Lots of love, and sometimes Laughing out loud. Hehe - a polite chuckle. Haha - an actual laugh. Har har - you're a retard."
"Blind Orphans get EVERYTHING!" - Igor the movie...
"CREEEEPERRRR!!" - If you only knew haha :)
"Krista you are already hiding behind a pillow?.. the movie hasn't even started yet.." - and for the record I wasn't hiding it was cold.. and we were watching AVP which isn't scary lol
"You're back!"
"I'm always Back, but hopefully not forever..."
"Well we really would like to keep you as long as possible."
"..... Yes, but hopefully not as a Back.."
"... Oh... HAHA.. got it.. I'm slow"
"Can I.. Can I... Can I.. Can I have your number?"
"Girl the back of your head looks ridiculous!" - Which was said to me about my fro LOL
"501 North is going in the same direction as 29 South?!" - Maybe you will begin to understand why I hate the road system here...
"Bless your heart is the same as saying 'aww..you poor stupid retard'.." - You can only understand if you live in the south lol
Hopefully you got a chuckle from these :) I certainly have.. and this isn't even the stories or faces that have me cracking up all the time... :)
Dec 16, 2008
Laughter's Power
I got to thinking today after a co-worker commented on how a couple of our kids have mistaken my laughter as flirting... with other teens (haha.. yeah no). Much to my delight my co-worker (who is a girl) pointed out I act and laugh exactly the same around her, and the other teen girls, and our 60-something married couple we work with... So, clearly unless I am flirting with ALL of them I must not be flirting at all.. but simply finding joy in them.
So, mixing that very amusing story with the incredibly painful last couple weeks God and I have had, I got to thinking about the fact that even though I'm going through these things with God and it hurts.. I'm still joyful, and my laughter is still genuine. In fact, I'm laughing more, and I'm truly content.. (can you be joyful, hurting, and content at the same time?!) I began thinking about the things that change my feelings.. laughter is the biggest one. I can be in a terrible mood, lazy mood, depressed, sad, whatever I'm feeling laughter can change that... When I'm hurting laughter feels like it helps to heal it a little bit.. and at the very least it helps it to be a little more numb and less of the hurt itself.
I found this, and it makes sense.. "Research has shown health benefits of laughter ranging from strengthening the immune system to reducing food cravings to increasing one's threshold for pain. There's even an emerging therapeutic field known as humor therapy to help people heal more quickly, among other things. Humor also has several important stress relieving benefits."
I like the fact that my name means Joyful Little Christian... and I like the fact that it's true. Even when I'm hurting laughter can make a difference inside where there isn't much that can touch the inside.
As my lovely friend says "Laughter is inner jogging" ;)
So, mixing that very amusing story with the incredibly painful last couple weeks God and I have had, I got to thinking about the fact that even though I'm going through these things with God and it hurts.. I'm still joyful, and my laughter is still genuine. In fact, I'm laughing more, and I'm truly content.. (can you be joyful, hurting, and content at the same time?!) I began thinking about the things that change my feelings.. laughter is the biggest one. I can be in a terrible mood, lazy mood, depressed, sad, whatever I'm feeling laughter can change that... When I'm hurting laughter feels like it helps to heal it a little bit.. and at the very least it helps it to be a little more numb and less of the hurt itself.
I found this, and it makes sense.. "Research has shown health benefits of laughter ranging from strengthening the immune system to reducing food cravings to increasing one's threshold for pain. There's even an emerging therapeutic field known as humor therapy to help people heal more quickly, among other things. Humor also has several important stress relieving benefits."
I like the fact that my name means Joyful Little Christian... and I like the fact that it's true. Even when I'm hurting laughter can make a difference inside where there isn't much that can touch the inside.
As my lovely friend says "Laughter is inner jogging" ;)
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