happy thoughts

From time to time I like to compile lists of random little things that make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. After my last post, I wanted to make another one! Usually I just scrawl these lists in a notebook, but I decided to make a fancy, digital one to put on this here blog. So yeah, here's my latest "happy list!"

"it's a good life, Hazel Grace"

     If you do not know who Hazel Grace is, then you should go read The Fault in Our Stars. It's an excellent book. So excellent, that I used a quote from it as my post title. But also because I have a good life. And I'm just thankful.
     My life is not very exciting or anything. I work, I watch too many tv shows, I do chores, I read books and I do things with friends. Pretty ordinary stuff, yeah? But mixed into my average life are so many awesome moments. Little things that are not a big deal, but they make me smile and then that little thing  becomes a sweet memory. When I think of all of these special moments, my heart feels so full and I just can't get over how blessed I am.
     I don't deserve the beautiful family I belong to. I don't deserve the weird and wonderful friends that I have. I don't deserve my Savior. And yet somehow I've managed to score a loving family, the best friends and the saving grace of Jesus.
     I couldn't ask for or even imagine a better life.

The Labyrinth

     In John Green's book, "Looking for Alaska," a major theme is the question: "How will I escape this labyrinth of suffering?" For the heck of it, I thought I'd write my thoughts on what the answer may be. (Note: This post will probably make no sense if you haven't read Looking for Alaska. In fact, it might not make sense anyway.)

     Anyways. "How will I escape this labyrinth of suffering?"

     As the fictional farm boy from "The Princess Bride," once said: "Life IS pain, Highness. Anyone who tells you differently is selling something." Life is pain and pain is suffering. Because of the Fall, suffering is now ingrained into life. So really, there is no way to escape this labyrinth that we call life, because suffering is inevitable. 

     I cannot escape, I can only endure. I can wait, and I wait with a hope of the future. Because while escape is not possible, rescue most surely is! I cannot escape the labyrinth because the One who created it is the only One who knows the way out, and that is why only the Creator can rescue me.

     While I wander in this labrinth, surrounded by the suffering that never ceases and always wounds, I do not lose heart. From my perspective, I cannot see the end - the way out - because the roads twist and turn chaotically and the walls are too high. But I have faith in the Rescuer who lights my path to show me the way to Him; the way out.

     While the pain and the suffering and the unfairness go on, I find peace knowing that someday everything will make sense. The pain hurts, but I know there is always a reason. My rescue is coming and so is the end of the suffering in this labyrinth.

children are magical creatures

     Children can be terrifying creatures that slobber and generate unearthly smells and noises, but a lot of the time they are kind of incredible.

     I've been really stressed out this past week to the point where I haven't been able to sleep very well, and get this: I've even kind of lost my appetite. (This is not natural. I seriously love food. Like, I'm surprised I don't already weigh 300 pounds!)

     But kids cured me! This weekend I had a job at an event center where my tasks were to greet people, collect their tickets, and stamp their hand as they came in. The event being held was a dinosaur exhibit/show thing that was aimed at a young audience, so most of the people I greeted were half my size.

     Let me tell you, I have never seen so many excited kids in my life. And there was something about seeing all these kids who were SO ecstatic about something fairly simple that just made me smile! Seeing tons of huge, adorable smiles and sparkling eyes made me miss being a little kid and feeling that way. Energetic, carefree, and filled with wonder.

    I love how kids are so easily amazed by things that we have become used to and don't appreciate anymore. They notice and love the small things. But most of all, they don't waste their time worrying about stupid stuff. (Except maybe the boogeyman or something) They're just happy to be.

     So I decided that I need to stop stressing about things, because worrying does exactly nothing. So I'm letting go of all that nonsense. I want to smile for no reason, just because I'm happy to be. I've been given this day on planet earth and I'm not going to waste it by not taking a step back to realize how awesome it is that I am here and breathing and free. I have a pretty nice life. So I'm going to start acting like it!

     To close, I'd like to share something a friend of mine said the other day: (actually this might be a quote from someone else, and he just used it as his Facebook status, but no matter!)

"Be happy for no reason, like a child. If you are happy for a reason, you're in trouble, because that reason can be taken from you."

     So yeah, kids must have magical powers because just by smiling at me, they made my attitude so much brighter!

the obligatory introduction

     Even though this blog is basically just for me to puke random thoughts upon, it wouldn't feel right not to do this post. I've had a blog of some kind since I was 10...you have to do an introduction post! Even though they suck.
 
     I like people. I really do. I am so very blessed to have bunches of extraordinary people in my life. But I am not a "people person." So I like people, but I don't like meeting new ones because at some point they always say, "tell me about yourself!" Oh, how I loathe that question! I don't even know myself, how am I supposed to help you know me?! Where do I even start?
    
     I'm just an 18 year old girl trying to follow Jesus and find her place in this crazy-beautiful, sometimes-crappy, never-perfect, but always-extrodinary world. It's nice to meet you. :)