Thankfulness



One thing that really helps lift me up is remembering and thinking about all of the amazing things all around me, that I have right at my fingertips. How amazing is it that we have beautiful leaves during the fall? Each so perfect, and if not perfect--maybe a piece grown to the side here or broken off there--still wondrously beautiful because it is unique. So many details come out when examined closely and when taking the time to see, that would never be noticed otherwise. I love it. Sometimes I have to remind myself to breathe and slow down to look around myself, and doing this reminds me that life will all be OK. Inhaling the scents and beauty around tends to liven me up, and helps me open my eyes and be happy. It reminds me that patience is the best cure for hard times. Think of a tree, it takes so many years for it to become strong and firm and to grow deep roots. In the same manner I may take a while to develop or become what I need to be (or I'll at least achieve a few parts of that vision I have, hopefully) but I will get there, even though it may (and WILL) take years. Just as each leaf of a tree appears to be hand crafted in delicacy, so I must develop myself and my attributes while paying just as much attention to every detail. And just because it may take a while for me to become who I want, or to get over a certain bad habit doesn't mean it won't ever happen. Just because I can't microwave and prepare myself like a perfect dish in 50 seconds doesn't mean my eventual progression and becoming better isn't possible. I love this quote by Neal A. Maxwell: The ways of God are not the ways of the world. Just because sometimes behavior is changed gradually is no reason to obscure the ideal. I love that! Aim high! Never lose hope! A good reminder for myself. Sometimes being surrounded constantly by super fast things during this age of technology such as cars and internet and microwaves denies me of practicing my muscles of patience, which will always be needed to lift the weights of my life. Life is great! I/you/we all can do it!





These are some pictures my friend Nina took of leaves and trees

 

Car

I am sick, so I figured I'd update my blog.
My car stinks. And I don't want to take any money out of my grad school fund to fix it. Sunday I was driving in South Salt Lake and I hit a really big speed bump which caused my car to go cattywompus everywhere. I think my tail pipe flew off. The reason I think this is because it is no longer there. I guess it fell in the street and some helpless driver is going to run over it or already has when it is late and dark out.
When I got home, I looked inside my muffler and there was another pipe inside, which I do not think was my tail pipe because it had so many holes blown into it it looked like swiss cheese. And it was black, my tail pipe was still gray. Anyway, now my car makes really loud low sounds that vibrate the frame. I guess I should get it fixed. I wish I could take a picture of the random pipe I found in my muffler but I don't have a camera.
Also, one of my tires keeps going flat.
Also, the brakes on the front left wheel need replacing. Bad.

Sometimes, when I see other people driving around who still have their tail pipes, I get a little jealous.

I got a new blog!

Not that I have ever had a blog. This is my first time. So for all 2 or 3 of you that I told about this hopefully it will be fun for you to read! I'm excited to post things that are going on in life, because it seems like there is a lot right now.

First things first, I am living in SLC right now just working at the YWCA. I really love it, working with the residents there anyway. They are the sweetest women, and it breaks my heart to think of all they have been through. But I actually really love listening to their stories of everything they have been through. They are very strong women and seeing them get through abuse of all kinds helps me to remember how blessed I am. I am still a wimp during hard times though, compared to them.

Lately, I have gotten into eating really healthy and expensive foods. Like, all organic stuff. I tell myself that this is OK, because I will only be young and single for so long (or at least that is what I like to think) so I may as well treat myself right while I can. That's also what I tell myself when I buy new shoes :). I love cooking and making new things. I will have to post about cool new recipes, just like everyone else in the world does.

I am still putting my psychology degree to good use and reading books that talk about theories and such. More on that later. I could write for hours and days about that.

I am also doing a lot with music right now. Yes, more on that later, too. But I did have a really great weekend at the FORK FEST. It was awesome to see a lot of really good local bands for free. If you want to download some of the songs for free from the bands that played there, you can do it here
http://forkfest.net/
Sorry I don't know how to make that a link. Just click on "Schedule" and it will show a picture of a hen. If you click on that you can download a bunch of great songs.
I loved going to the Fork fest. It was so cool to be outside on such a lovely night with so many people listening to free bands! And the bands are all really good! It was inspiring.

Anyway, that is a lot. More to come about my oh-so-exciting life in a bit.