Quote Wednesday? At a Time Like This?!

My life is just a little bit bizarre right now.

But that isn't out of the norm. The main reason I started and kept this blog so well (if I do say so myself) for so long was that I wanted to document things. I wanted my (almost) full range of emotions to be stored in a public space forever. Okay, so maybe not those last couple of things but yeah to the rest. It's nice to look back and not actually have to re-live so many of those moments again. It's like eating a Costco teriyaki bowl but someone took out those disgusting green beans (gag).

I'm currently staying with some friends who have only known me post-Grenada and post-California days. It's been fun to hang out and talk more. Grenada typically comes up and because it is such a strange and foreign thing- I jumped on the blog to show some pictures. Of course that led me to the rabbit hole of Grenada posts. Many many Grenada posts about so many things. I'm so happy I took all that time to document those strange tales and feelings. It reminds me that life is simultaneously lemons AND lemonade. It's not bad then good. Ugly then pretty. It's just life.

Ross and I have been racing around almost non-stop since March. Every weekend (and some weeks) we have been flying and driving all over. Life is locomotion. And I can't stop thinking that. Maybe because of this quote:

"Life is locomotion. If you're not moving you're not living. But there comes a time when you've got to stop running away from things and you've got to start running towards something. You've got to forge ahead. Keep moving. Even if your path isn't lit. Trust that you'll find your way." 

It's late and I'm not particularly interested in addressing the bits that call me out for running away from my problems #tooreal, but I love the quote. And that seems to be my style. I've gotten pretty good a forging ahead. Forging isn't a nice cute clear cut path. It's messy. It's chaotic. It's often rushed. But it implies importance and intention. And I like that. In life, sometimes it is all you can do to keep moving. Even when it is the hardest thing to do. Even when the path isn't lit. Because we just have to trust that we will find our way. Sometimes we find the way, sometimes we just keep forging. Maybe life isn't locomotion. Maybe we don't have any destinations.... but rather constant motion in a positive direction.

QW #24 Something Greater Than Ourselves

The other day I stumbled upon my friend Claire's blog, which led me into a rabbit-hole of blog stalkery. Okay, not a ton. Mostly just a post that included a couple quotes that I wanted to record somewhere. Because I think they are absolutely fantastic quotes.

"Faith in something greater than ourselves enables us to do what we have said we'll do, to press forward when we are tired or hurt or afraid, to keep going when the challenge seems overwhelming and the course is entirely uncertain." -Gordon B. Hinckley 

The first time I read through this kind of quickly but loved it. The second time I felt like I transcribed it wrong and I missed a line at the end. Realizing that I didn't made me love it more. Because there is no "happy ending" to conclude it with. Sometimes pressing forward or having that faith in something greater than ourselves is sufficient. It is the reward.

Religion is something I have been thinking about a lot in the past couple years. I interact with a lot of different people on a daily basis that don't share my faith. But as I say that, I don't know if it is true. What does it mean (perhaps in a broader scheme) to "share my faith." Because one of the biggest, generalized, over-arching themes of what I believe to be true, is faith that there is something out there greater than myself.

In a certain sense, I mean that in a very real and literal way. I believe in a Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. They are both greater than I am. In another sense, when I have faith in something greater, it could be a cause. Small or large. And that is what I am talking about today. I am talking about the ability to look beyond the here and now, beyond the small nuisances that often are our biggest stumbling blocks.



When I read this quote it tugs at my heart strings in so many ways. The imagery and connotation-packed words really hit me. I think of times in my life when I have been truly desperate. Times when I was sure I couldn't make it. In that moment I felt even at rock-bottom, there was no where to go but down. And then I think of this quote and it wraps around me like a warm blanket. Telling me that even though there will be more of those times, I have it in me to press forward.



I like the last few words best of all, "... course is entirely uncertain." So many times in life we think if only we could see a little farther in the future, be a little more certain of things, we would be set. But looking back, honestly I wouldn't want anyone to tell me the trials that were to come. I don't think we are ever able to brace ourselves enough for impact. Uncertainty is always what throws us for a loop, but oddly should be a blessing.

What do you think "faith in something greater than ourselves" means in your life, at this time?

QW #23: If You Dream...

I think sometimes I can sound a little negative. But I call that realism.

Real enough to know that good things can happen, but life also happens.

Source: Get Back to Work by Drew Ellis

"If you dream big enough anything can come true. Just kidding get back to work." 

Personally, I am a little tired of people and things telling me that I am only limited by how big I dream. Because (to borrow words from a Disney princess), "a dream is a wish your heart makes," but then work is stuff your brain and hands do. Maybe this is all unsaid but implied. 

Not to turn biblical, but ever heard of the scripture verse in James 2:17? It reads, "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." In this case, faith would be dreams. Faith and dreams take a lot of hard work.

We live in a society that tells us we can have anything and everything we want at our finger tips in an instant. We forget that's not true for the bigger and better things in life. Ross can't become a doctor in an instant. And although he is working at the dream, chipping away at it, it takes a great deal of really intense work, for a trillion instants which add up to years and years. I don't think people really understand how long it will take Ross to be where he has always dreamed of. 

But more than that, I like the principle this quote conveys of, "hey- sometimes you have to do your time." I believe that sometimes dreams have to take the back burner. Ross is working hard at his dream. I am not. The fact of the matter (especially in relationships) is that someone has to sacrifice. And although sacrificing everything to move to Grenada for Ross's dream was probably one of the more extreme dreams-on-the-back-burner situations, that is the way it happened. I can dream big, but right now I just need to get back to work- literally. I have a job to do and money to make to pay rent :) 

QW #22: Homemade Happiness Extract

I'll be the first to admit that "happiness" tends to elude me. In this time of transition (again) in my life, it seems like so many things are continually going wrong in a world of perpetual "hiccups." 

That's why, when perusing my favorites quotes, I decided right away this was a good one to write on today. 

"The art of being happy lies in the power of extracting happiness from common things." -Henry Ward Beecher

When I got thinking about this quote, it occurred to me that happiness can be found in moments. In the roller coaster world in which we live, it's perfectly okay to be happy one moment, then not the next. I think we fool ourselves into thinking that happiness is a status we must achieve and maintain for "x" amount of days before it fully counts. You have to be a happy person, or a happy family, or be happy with your job, or whatever.

That's a silly way to think. 

I like to think of happy moments. Little rays of sunshine in what can sometimes be a gloomy day.

As I've been unpacking and getting settled in a new apartment I've been doing a lot of arranging and rearranging and configuring and re-configuring. As I sat back the other day to look at this spot I couldn't help but feel very pleased with myself. This little spot in my new home made me feel so happy! I remember thinking what a dumb and little thing it was, but everything about it just brought a smile to my face.

This ray of sunshine is my small dinning room. It sounds a little too formal for an area outfitted in a borrowed card table and folding chairs but that's exactly what it is. Blue and yellow has to be my favorite color combination since the beginning of time, and sunflowers are my favorite flower. So it makes sense why this little eating area makes me so happy.  I took common things and with my creativity, I set up this spot. I love the way the sun comes in during the day and lights up the room (which you can't see because otherwise the photo would be backlit). 

My absolute favorite part of this room isn't the striking color combo, nor the sunflowers.

It's the tablecloth.

Now, a tablecloth would usually meet Beecher's "common" requirement. But this isn't any old tablecloth. My mom made this tablecloth for me. And although you can't see the intricate stitching and detailing, believe me that it took my mom hours, weeks, and months to make this for me. I see it multiple times a day and I think of all the love (and maybe secretly a little frustration) she poured into creating it just for me.

And that makes me really very happy. 

I don't think that I'll ever win the lottery (no mind that I don't play the lottery...). I don't think I'll ever strike it rich or make it big. But for now I can work on extracting happiness from common things in my life. Because that's a start that's good enough for me. 

QW #21: Super Powers

I spent the last two nights staying up ridiculously late reading a comic Teo let me borrow, Final Crisis. It's pretty intense, and knowing I am not equipped to write a review for it, I am not even going to attempt.

 

 

Teo told me that it was a must read. Especially before I started the next Flash Comics. Here are some of my favorite moments from Final Crisis.

 

 

First Frame: Super girl (Cass) with Streaks (Synge). Cass asking Synge to not pee in the laundry basket (again) while she is gone saving the world. Sheesh Streaks/Synge!

 

Second Frame: Flash Family.... isn't it about time?! Flashes know that when the entire multiverse is avalanching into oblivion, family comes first. Keep it solid!

 

Last Frame: Black Lightning says, " ... formal education enriches and provides a tried-and-tested framework to help us get the most out of those (street/ real life) experiences." It really bugs me when people try to say that comics are worthless and just violent garbage. They are so much more than that.

 

 

This brings me to the quote I chose for "QW" today.

 

 

"We're not about the names people call us, we're about what we do, don't you think? You have powers, use them for what you know is right and leave the labels to history and the media."

-Black Lightning

 

To me, this encapsulates so much about being super. Sometimes I get wrapped up in the adjectives people use to describe me. I feel I need to prove to them, to the world, that I am NOT that. That I am so different from what they think and say. But what is truly important is what I do.

 

Not all of us have heat vision, not all of us have super strength, nor can many of us run lightning fast, but we all have "powers" so to speak. I'm constantly reminded of what amazing people grace my life. Normal people, with super powers; super kindness, super attentiveness, super flexibility, super perception, super understanding, super acceptance. Whether they know it or not, they are listening to Black Lightning and use them for what they know is right. Not for glory, not for laud, not for titles and fame, just to make this world a better place for everyone in it. 

 

QW #20: Patchy Dead Grass Pasture

I'm pretty terrible at those whole, "Count your blessings," "Be grateful for what you have," games.

I complain a lot, and I tend to spend too much time gazing at grazing in greener pastures in the months and years to come.

[Via]

"There is always ALWAYS something to be thankful for."

But today, I was invincible. You know why? Because it was the last day of my hot mitts on the wheel of a rental car.

Ou ou! Look at that sexy thing!

Have you ever been super excited to go to the grocery store? Because today I was. Today, the thought of getting to go to a crowded, half stocked grocery store full of cranky employees was nothing. Because I could drive there. I even spoiled myself with some air conditioning.

I have fully convinced myself that not having a car here in Grenada is the root of all my problems. The first term it was alright. The second term it was kind of a pain. By the third and fourth terms, needing groceries (which coincidentally happens quite frequently) was my personal nightmare. You may not think of all that goes into it, but suffice it to say it is a HUGE, hot, sweaty, frustrating pain. 

Ligature marks on my arms and wrist? Or me hauling 40 pounds of groceries on and off all kinds of buses?

Just a week or so ago I joked with Ross that "A car payment never looked so good!" I remember those days of complaining about the car payment, the insurance, the tire rotations, the new tires, etc.

Now I just sit back and laugh at myself. What did I have to complain about?

I could afford a car.
I could drive a car. 

That should be enough. So yes, I had a car for a day. But when I return that car, I can still be grateful for my terrible car-less situation. What do I have to complain about?

I can afford groceries.
I can afford bus fare.
I am healthy enough to make walk them back home with the groceries.

Grenada has really taught me about all that I have to be grateful for (that is what happens at Rock Bottom). 

Somedays it is hard because I feel like I am missing so much right now in my life. All the things I have to be grateful for are well... not here. I'm anxious to have that car. I'm anxious to have my friends and family closer.  Somedays my pasture just looks like it is full of patchy dead grass (apt since it is dry season here). 

But I'm trying to focus more on what I can be thankful for right now. Like say, being able to stock up on groceries and  load 70 pounds of them in (rental) your car. 

(It's funny, now it doesn't even look like much but it still means the WORLD to me that I could get all of this in one trip!)

QW #17 Take Time

I only have about 2 dozen posts that I should be writing to catch up to current time. But I decided to just take a break and talk about feelings.

Haha. Okay so not really, but I did want to post a "Quote Whenever"

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=692661274099038&set=a.402772463087922.99151.402701759761659&type=1&theater

"We're so busy watching out for what's just ahead of us that we don't take time to enjoy where we are."
-Calvin & Hobbes

During the holiday break, I have really felt this.

At this stage in my life it is pretty easy to get wrapped up in "what if"s and "what next"s. It's good to be prepared and forward-thinking, but most the time it's just me getting wrapped up in worry. It can be a pretty toxic way of thinking.

Here is a fact: I live in a beautiful country.

It may not be filled with friends, or family, convenience or cool temperatures, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate it. 

Over the break Ross and I went on a mini vacation to Carriacou, an island just north of here, but still part of Grenada. It was stunningly beautiful in Carriacou and when we were done with vacation we still came "home" to beautiful Grenada.  People spend years saving up to sink their toes in the warm, soft sand and swim in the beautiful blue water here.

I realized that I need to spend less time complaining and more time appreciating. Sure I often feel like there are 23,456,789 things bad to 3 things good, but that doesn't mean there is NO good. 

In 4 short months I will kiss Grenada goodbye, probably forever. So instead of being jealous of the land of Targets and fast food (which seriously, will be commonplace soo fast), I need to appreciate how slow and quiet life is. I need to appreciate being surrounded by greenery and colorful bougainvillea. I need to look around me and realize that even though 4th term might be 4 months of the purest HELL I have ever experienced, the sun rose for a few weeks and I could breathe again.

Even a few weeks is a victory. So I should celebrate that. Keep moving forward and enjoy even the smallest of tiniest victories. The future may hold bigger and brighter things (because that is what we always hope, right?), but I don't live in the future.

I live now. 

QW #16 Live

In case you haven't noticed, Blogger has been getting on my nerves lately. My patience has been incredibly short as of late so I grounded myself from the blog until I feel ready to completely re-write some posts that didn't save.

Anyways. I decided that instead of talking about interesting happenings in my life, I will just ramble.

http://www.pinkchocolatebreak.com/2013/08/12/magic-monday-let-go-of-what-doesnt-serve-you/?lang=en

We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.

I talked before about this quote. Which in a way is similar. But for some reason when I saw this quote I was really drawn to it.

So... here I am sittin' in Grenada while Ross goes to medical school, watching as my life wastes away. And let me tell you, 10, 5, 3, not even 1 year ago, this was not the life that I planned for myself.

When I moved to Grenada over a year ago I left so much of me behind. Both tangible things, as well as ... less-tangible things. I sometimes joke about the things that exists in my "real life" the more stable, planned life that I left behind, willingly let go of. It's my real life that involves nice springform pans and cute comforters that match the shower curtain. It involves a grandmother's rocker carefully packed in storage. It involves color-coordinated kitchen things. It includes tubs full of the cutest shoes and bags full of warm winter sweaters.

And I left it all behind.

More than that, I packed up my plans. The nice neat plans that many girls tend to make before they decide to help someone else achieve their dream first.

But had I never (not even temporarily) let go of my perfect little plans, I would not have moved to Grenada to live the life that was waiting for me. The life that frustrates me, the life that makes all my hair fall out.The life that drives me nuts, the life that makes me plug my nose. The life that opens my eyes to all sorts of new beauty, the life that makes me pass out from heat exhaustion. The life that helps me relax.

The life that continually makes me cry, and teaches me the most important lessons in life.

Live for the future. Because there is a future. And it is a future filled with hope. 

QW #15 What I Actually Needed

Quote Whatever Whenever today is just a bunch of thoughts thinly strung together.

However, I think this is pretty well-constructed and eloquent.

I don't really know what it is about us humans, but we always know what it is like (<-- sarcasm).

We all know what it is like to have a loved one die.
We all know what it is like to have have illness.
We all know what it is like to be heartbroken.
We all know what it is like to be lonely.
We all know what it is like to be depressed.
We all know what it is like to have a crisis of faith.
We all know what it is like to be relieved.

But. We. Don't.

We really don't. Because every situation is different.

Although YOU may have been through a similar event in your life, that doesn't mean you know how another person feels. I believe many people are well-meaning. But how many times do we diminish others in their time of need?

"It will get better." Okay. So what about now? What about right now in this moment when I am so *insert emotion here* (ill, heartbroken, lonely, depressed, frustrated, confused, hopeless)? What am I to do? Sit here until it passes? Cry until my eyeballs fall out? Stress until my hair falls out? Simply wait for things to get better (because we all know they will)?

It's like slapping a band-aid on a broken ankle and walking away. It's like showing up with cough drops when they need a cast and a good doctor. We write prescriptions for problems we don't see.

So why do we do that? Does it make us feel better about ourselves? Or do we honestly and sincerely think we are helping and uplifting? We confuse being sympathetic with being empathetic. We have devolved in that way.

Don't all of us, most of us, some of us just want a little validation? Don't we all just want someone to listen to what we have to say, without interjection or interruption?

If we ask a question, we should judge a little less, compare a little less, and listen a little more.

QW #14 Even the Darkest Night...

"Even the darkest night will end & the sun will rise. "

-Les Miserables

I don't know yet if this is true. I kinda doubt it if it was said by "A bunch of Miserables."

But I hope it's true. 

Here are a few pretty clouds I saw this morning as the sun was rising. 

QW #13 COMPUTER ZOMBIES!!!

It is no secret that I am still living in the Dark Ages. I think I am one of the few people that are older than 10 but younger than 90 years old, who does not have a smart phone. But I still have plenty of means of technology with a computer and a Kindle. For this Quote Whenever, I choose this:

http://seanwes.com/2012/life-is-happening-recreated/

"Life is happening right now -outside your screens."

Last year or so I came up with the term "Computer Zombie." It's a real thing people! Back when Ross and I were both working and we both had computers (ha!) Computer Zombies would happen. When we had down time we would get on our computers and turn into zombies, but instead of eating brains we wanted internet and computers and electronics. Often we would be sitting next to each other on the couch, staring into our illuminated screens of Pinterest or email or You Tube videos or news articles or -whatever. And you can bet that there was an ipod or phone thrown into the mix.

Just. Staring. 

-ZOMBIES, COMPUTER ZOMBIES-

And you can see it all around you too. It happens because it is so easy. You get sucked in and you can't stop.

But every once in a while it is nice to look at the world outside of your screen. I mean, I live in the freakin' Caribbean!! 

Quote Whenever, or Whatever

Hey there, gettin' back on the bloggin wagon after my month-long sabbatical or something like that.

Things here have been pretty stagnant. But not necessarily boring. I was looking for some cutesy quotes for my "Quote Whenevers" but realized that I didn't much feel like talking about any particular one in depth. But don't worry, here you go.

"Feelings are much like waves, we can't stop them from coming but we can choose which one to surf."

I get this quote and I think a big part of life is simply choosing your battles. But that's not what I am getting at here.

If feelings are much like waves, the past month has been much like me just sitting on the sand watching them roll in and out. 

To keep up some terrible comparisons, my life sometimes feels like I've been walking in the sand and I look back and don't see any footprints (no, this is not some segue into that Christian "Footprints in the Sand" poem). I just mean that although I can measure how far I have walked, I don't see a lasting impression. 

Now before you run and get the tissues and Ben & Jerry's because I have depressed you, I have been making some footprints lately (and if you want you can still run and get some Ben & Jerry's)! 

It takes a considerable amount of effort but I have been getting out and trying to do more volunteer stuff etc. 

Since I am a nerd and it is probably pretty boring to the average citizen, i'll spare you all the details of my future in the Foreign Service, Peace Corps summer camp, meetings with embassy employees and the like. 

But you can look for some "catch-up" posts about what I have been up to the past month or so! :) 

Keep Going, Finish the Race

Positive Post #4

Don't let the little things trip you up!

The best way I have thought to illustrate this is a literal example. It is a tear-jerker and SUPER embarrassing but I hope it is inspiring in the end.

For a couple years in high school I ran track. In my heart I am a cross country runner, but the cross country coach always roped the team into running distance for track season.

I sometimes ran the mile, but mostly the two mile race. Two miles around a 400m track means ... 8 laps. Running in a circle 8 times. I definitely did not like that, but I gave it a fair shot for a couple years.

In track you wear a specific kind of shoe called "spikes." It is a lightweight shoe with some plastic protrusions as well as about 8 spaces or less for metal spikes to be screwed into the bottom of the shoe. This helps give your foot traction as you run.

 

Since I ran on a variety of tracks I had a variety of spikes in my tool kit. They ranged from what was appropriate on a fancy schmancy "real" track (*cough* Oxnard) to what was appropriate on our low class dirt tracks in the Antelope Valley.



At one particular track meet I was prepping my spikes from "low class" to "fancy schmancy," when I couldn't get some of the spikes out. They had been ground into my shoe and were stuck. My coach reassured me that it would probably be fine if I used a variety of spikes in the bottom of my shoe. Off I went to run the two mile race!

The first time I fell on that awful spiky red track, it hurt my pride more than my knees. I picked myself up and kept going, a bit surprised at the fall. I took my strides more carefully. Then I fell again. And again, and again, and again. With each fall I became more frustrated and my knees seared with pain. I didn't know what I was doing wrong. I was trying as hard as I could to be focused, to pace myself, to take long strides, to pick up my legs and feet. My bony knees became raw and each fall hurt more. I felt that lump building in the back of my throat and tears welling in my eyes.



I remember falling at least 10 times that race. Yep. Over ten times in 8 laps.

But I kept going. I kept up my wobble jog.

I was lapped, the next race started. My failure was out there for the world to see and every time I lumbered past the grandstands I felt it. But I knew I had to finish.

That would be cool if the crowds in the stands gave me a standing ovation as I stumbled across the finish line. That would be fantastic if the director gave me a bouquet and medal. That would be nice if hot EMTs whisked me away to administer to my raw bleeding knee caps. That would have been satisfying if my team bore me up on their shoulders and carried me away.



But none of that happened.

The specifics of the story seem so far away, the exact spikes in the bottom of my shoe, the number of times I fell, my final finishing time. When talking to my coach afterwards, he figured it must have been the variations of spikes in my shoe were responsible for my downfall (haha get it?).

But with all pride now vanished, I learned an important lesson that day.

Keep getting up. Keep going. Finish the race. 
Don't let your falls, your perceived failures, stop you from continuing and finishing.

Recently I stumbled up this quote by Jeffrey R. Holland, taken from a speech you can read here.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/118082280/jeffrey-r-holland-quote-made-on

Your wounds will heal (albeit with much pain and maybe some scars). And you won't even remember how many times you fell. But you will remember crossing that finish line.


And what more? You'll run again!

QW # 12 Being Happy is Productive

The other day I had some one ask me quite incredulously, with an edge of disdain,

"So... what do you DO all day."

It's no secret that I don't have much to do, but I would like to think I do more than twiddle my thumbs and wait for my husband to come home.

But what is the deeper issue here?

Why do we never give ourselves credit for the things we accomplish?

What did I do today? Would it satisfy you if all I did today was to be/stay happy? Is that good enough for you?

Because I believe that it is. I believe that:

http://feelingabitartsy.tumblr.com/post/12317911787

"Being happy is productive"

I believe that in the world we live in today, it can be hard to be happy. I believe that it takes work. What if every day we focused more on being happy than running errands and losing weight and catching up on the latest gossip and making money?

It's not an either or, but I am saying that if the only thing you did today was work to be happy -you had a productive day!

The other meaning I find in this quote is that when you are happy, you have a greater capacity to be productive. I think of some of my laziest days where nothing was accomplished. Associated with them was a great feeling of sadness. The reason I got nothing done was because I was not happy, I was mopey.

The subject of happiness has been weighing very heavily on my mind in the past couple of weeks. So this post is kicking off a series of positive posts. These "Positive Posts" will include happy quotes, thoughts, cartoons etc.

Stay tuned and be ready to smile and be uplifted!

QW # 11

Just another Manic Monday!

Except... not really. I remember with vagueness the awful nature of that first "real" day of the week when the world starts turning again and it is the nose to the grind stone.

That was post-Caribbean living. When I had a job and school and a million other things to do. Life sometimes gets busy here, but never does it ever hold a candle to the chaotic mess I always seemed to get myself into back in the States.

http://life-love-laughter.tumblr.com/post/10837834843

"You're off to great places. Today is your day. Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way."

-Dr. Seuss-

On this not-so-manic Monday I am reflecting on what will become of me in the upcoming months. What are some projects I will throw myself at what mountains do I have to climb? Last term I did a lot with PAM. But now that is over, I will find another way to volunteer.

Think of a mountain. Climbing a mountain is tough! The path might get steep, the trail may narrow and be rocky. There might be times when you think you can't go on and you just want to stop and catch your breath -just like life. But when you get to the top of that mountain think of how proud you will be, and just imagine the view!

And best of all, think of all the mountains you can see from the top, you can save those for another day. ;)

I think of what metaphorical mountains I have in my life. They are great opportunities and learning experiences that require work and effort. And oh yes, you can bet that they are scary. But when you get to the top you have a fulfilling sense of accomplishment.

So wake up and put on your hiking shoes. Today is the day to climb your mountain. No more standing at the bottom looking up, get on your way!

QW #10 Storms & Ships.. & Sun!

Quote Wednesday has officially turned into "Quote Whenever" as it has now entered the "double digits" club. So, here are a bunch of quotes about storms, ships, and the sun. 

This week was irritating, maybe because last week was so good?

Either way, it was a hundred little trip lines put in my path. A hundred little things that are summarized by, "Really?" But I didn't punch a wall, I didn't whine and complain to everyone I saw, and I didn't even scream into a pillow. :)

But I thought of a couple of my favorite quotes and did a lot of shoulder shrugging.

This quote has been a favorite since I read Utopia by Sir Thomas Moore.

"You would not abandon ship in a storm because you could not control the winds."

-Sir Thomas Moore-

I imagine a super dramatic scene from Pirates of the Caribbean or something. Like a raging storm with thunder and lightning all around, water slopping up onto the deck, stuff breaking and crashing... then some one simply jumping off. 

A whole ship, a whole crew, a whole life... abandoned.

Why? Because the storm passes, and whether it is a light Grenadian rainfall storm, or Pirates-of-the-Caribbeanesque, forever-long storm, the light will shine through.

http://daytobeyou.com/

"...Stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. I am suggesting that as we go through life we try to accentuate the positive. I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good..."

-Gordon B. Hinckley-

Sometimes I am guilty of seeking out storms, instead of sunlight. Because there is sunshine on the darkest days, if we look for it in the right places. Look for a friend, look for family, look for an inspirational quote, a funny picture, a happy song, your favorite scripture verse, hey, you could even scream into a pillow! :)

http://hollytherobinson.blogspot.com/

"We can't direct the wind but we can adjust the sails"
-Thomas S. Monson-

(Maybe good ship quotes come from Thomases?)

Sometimes I think the answer is to adjust my sails straight for the Los Angeles coast line, but I remember #1, its not a straight shot to the L.A. coastline, and #2: "A smooth sea never made a skillful sailor."

http://daytobeyou.com/uncategorized/a-smooth-sea-never-made-a-skillful-sailor/

So stay on the ship, search for the sun, adjust your sails in the best possible direction towards your goal aannnnnnd:

REFUSE TO SINK!

And, no, I have plenty more sea related quotes, just in case you were wondering! ;) 

QW #9

I know I talk about my parents and my family a lot, but they do so much for me, I don't plan on stopping any time soon. That is why I will continue to talk about them this Quote Wednesday #9!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/92635403/roots-wings-quote-8x10-art-print-free?ref=sr_gallery_36&ga_search_query=quote+print+child+decor&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_mh_hub=kids&ga_mh_eid=1115794253&ga_mh_section=clusters&ga_mh_cid=furniture-decor&ga_page=1&ga_ref=related&ga_search_type=all

Now of course I don't have children to teach this to, so I will reflect on how my own family has given me these two gifts. My parents love me unconditionally. They are always there for me. Unconditional love also includes their right to tell me when I am being stupid.
These are the parents who didn't get to bed until around 2 in the morning because they picked me up at the airport. This includes my dad waking up at 2 in the morning to get me to the airport a week and a half later.

I am forever in debt to my parents who give me wings to fly. Or rather, give me a breeze to keep me up in the air. Specifically, for housing me, feeding me, and schlepping me around. Lucky for them, this didn't end when I graduated high school, or college. I suppose True love is buying your child groceries, no matter how old they get. I am happy to announce my parents' generosity has no limits. :)

I want to give my parents much love and thanks for bending over backwards for not only me but also my husband to make our life here in Grenada happier, healthier, and more comfortable.
I LOVE YOU!!

QW #8

As I was looking through some quotes for my entry today, something about this one just made me feel like it was the one for today.

"Never let the things you want make you forget the things you have."

Last week I flew back into the United States to surprise my friends and family for Thanksgiving! As the plane flew into Miami I was not expecting to feel the way I did...
I felt WEIRD.
I do not know how else to explain it, but it felt strange to be back, for so many reasons.
Mostly because I realize how much I have in my tiny home in Grenada.

I have been selfish lately, I have been wanting lots of things. And all this wanting made me forget everything, everyone, I already have. Not everything I have packed up in boxes in storage, not everyone I can come back to in two years. I have forgotten all that I have now.

During this trip I decided everyone should pack up about 100 pounds + a carry-on of belongings and move. Move anywhere out of your comfort zone, and start your life over.
You might feel angry, you might feel pitiful, and sad, and lonely, and helpless, and jealous, maybe even a little bitter. You might find yourself longing for something else, anything else.

In a few months, come visit said "old-life." And I hope, that you feel embarrassment at all those feelings. Because I do. I feel weird because I can laugh at everything we think, no, we "know" we need. Because 100 pounds + a carry-on isn't too bad. It isn't the most comfortable living but it is nice to know I don't need a closet full of clothes, I don't need a kitchen full of gadgets, I don't need a pantry full of junk food, I don't need a fancy big house. I have plenty.

I don't care how much you want, I don't mind how much you have, but I hope we do remember what we have now. And who knows, maybe that will result in wanting less altogether. 

QW #7

How appropriate!

"Start each day like it's your birthday!"

I remember when I was younger I was always SOOOO excited for my birthday. My dad's birthday is conveniently exactly six months before mine, so I always thought that was an appropriate time to commence the count down. Not every single day, but periodically, especially to get laughs and attention, I would notify others of the enormous amount of days that remained. 

And after my sister's birthday in October the countdown was REALLY on because that meant in my family, the next and final birthday of the year was MINE, all mine!

As November began I could feel it getting closer and it was the precious time when all of a sudden I could officially give my birthday list to mom!

My parents and relatives always threw great parties for me and my birthday was always a special day. The birthday kid could pick what dinner we wanted and even what kind of a cake we wanted! I usually chose lasagna for dinner and I either had Oreo cookies & cream dessert or pistachio inside out dream cake. And usually my mom or dad would bring treats for my class so everyone could know that it was MY birthday and for that day, I was invincible.

Over the years of my birthday being covered in papers, midterms, cold, snow, and college in general, my birthdays lost their luster. My family never failed to make them the best, including sometimes taking a special trip up to Utah to bring me presents and cheer me up last minute! I just guess birthdays aren't as much fun when you get older and have to plan them yourself.

BUT
I like this quote because I should start every day so excited to be alive and see what exciting adventures await me, thankful for another day to be alive! And, if I could start each day with cake batter pancakes with sprinkles (like I did today!) that wouldn't be so bad either.

QW #6 A Three Fer!

Quote Wednesday continues with two consecutive weeks!!

To honor this special day I give you a "three for one" Quote Wednesday.

"You will find that it is necessary to let things go; 

simply for the reason that they are heavy"

I try not to have "bad days" or "bad weeks," but there are days I could describe as 

"I AM GOING TO HULK SMASH THIS CEMENT WALL!!!!!"

It happens.

There are days when it feels like the monkey on my back has turned into a jaguar, which turns into an elephant, and before long I have a huge woolly mammoth of burden and frustrations that are smashing me like a PB&J sandwich in this book.

But I try to remind myself:

"Let it go"

A simple phrase for a simple concept. I am eternally grateful for one friend in particular who got me through today and helped me let go so I could not feel so weighed down. 

In addition and lastly, I was once told a fantastic rule for "venting."

"Repeat it once and be done"

Because venting is fine, but complaining and not doing anything about it is not. 

So thanks to wise friends and cutesy quotes my walls are Hulk-smash free. 

Happy Wednesday.