HEARTS

I've learned things don't always go our way. I mean, we don't always get what we want when we want it. But maybe that's because there is something better waiting for us. It doesn't seem cool in the moment and might "ruin your day," but we have SO many days that are awesome and so many things to find beauty in. We just have to want to find that beauty.

Love is my favorite color and I've been trying to use it a lot more to paint my world.

My heart is so full of gratitude for kindness people have shown that has helped me along the way to find beauty when maybe I was looking in the wrong places. I really love you guys!

Mushy feelings. Blah blah blah.

WATER

When tempted to fight fire with fire,

remember that the fire department usually uses water.

WE ALL HAVE BAD DAYS

Honesty time:

I have had a few days recently where if I went to a store and the cashier asked how I was doing, I'd say I'm ok and then fight back tears. I didn't want to burden anyone so I have been hiking a lot and avoiding going to public places. I figure if I hike, no one will talk to me. Perfect.

Under the circumstances of events that have recently happened in my life (losing my brother AND a best friend from my life). I have felt unwanted, unloved, and unimportant. I am a smart girl. I think I have a strong understanding of my emotions. I know bad things happen to people all the time. Heck, even worse things happen to others. But still these feelings came to me. I know I am a daughter of God. I know we all have individual worth. I know things will work out. I know all of these things and so much more. I just maybe needed that reassurance that in a world that has a lot of bad things where horrible things happen, there are still good people out there. I am thankful for that. 

These tiny acts of kindness and numerous hugs from strangers have helped me see the world is beauty full. 

Thank you to the girl at the tanning salon who left me this note when I colored my hair too dark and  didn't want people to think I was depressed with my pasty white skin (don't judge me).

Thank you to Alex and Ani for the cute bangle and positive (+) energy.

Just making lemonade. every. day.

Thank you to friends who knew I needed a laugh or maybe a cupcake.

Thank you to the random lady who on my hike stopped and asked if I needed to talk, but understood I just needed a hug and someone to cry with me.

I encourage us all to reach out to others. Be the friend someone might need at that moment. Be the smile, shoulder to cry on, and hug that seems so little, but makes a world of difference. Be a little more kind, compassionate, and empathetic. Essentially, be a the best you and then reach a little farther. (Like those PE fitness tests where you get 3 chances to stretch because the teacher knows you need to warm up, stretch, and then you can reach just a LITTLE bit farther). 

I love the words in this Walls (Circus) song by Tom Petty. Give it a listen or read the lyrics below. We all have bad days. It's what we do with our bad days that counts. Loves.

Some days are diamonds
Some days are rocks
Some doors are open
Some roads are blocked

Sundowns are golden
Then fade away

....

Sometimes you're happy
Sometimes you cry
Half of me is ocean
Half of me is sky
....
Some things are over
Some things go on
Part of me you carry
Part of me is gone

PLATTY the Dog

Since when did I turn into such a dog lover?! Especially one who pulls over on Center Street to follow a dog home who ran across the super busy road twice hindering traffic, who sees a dog run up the onramp on the freeway and drives lots of miles out of my way to the next exit to turn around and check on him, or one who gets teary-eyed when talking to strangers about her own dog. 

RIDICULOUS, I know.

And then someone shares the story of Platty the dog with me and my heart breaks.

A dog who was supposed to die. Platty will live his last days, fulfilling his dog bucket list with kind-hearted, compassionate people instead of stuck in a shelter. I just want to give them all big hugs. The world needs more happy Platty faces and caring people like his new family (I'm including his owners, doctors, the photographer, and all of the supporters around the map as his family).

Read up and follow along with his journey on his Facebook page.

BE A LITTLE BETTER

We're so hot, not even the water park can cool us down. 

I went to Seven Peaks with my nieces and nephew last week. 

Let me start by saying that I love people. I learned that I enjoy working with people more than behind a computer one summer while I was trying out some design work in Europe. I'm just more happy talking with and learning from others. But lately, as I go out, it seems like it is the first time out in public in 10 years for many people. Seriously, why is it so hard to say please, thank you, excuse me, I'm sorry I elbowed you in the back while we are waiting in line because I don't pay attention to where I am going, etc. I'm also wondering why people think it is ok to walk across a street in front of a car staring at their cell phone and NOT look up to make eye contact with the driver. CARS. WILL. RUN. YOU. OVER. It's like the zombie apocalypse is here. Wake up.

I want to encourage everyone (including myself) to be a little better. 

*Smile a little more. 

*Put your call on hold and acknowledge the cashier when you step up to the register in a store.

*Give a thank you wave when someone let's you go in front of them.

*Recognize a kind deed (it encourages that person to continue doing them)

*Hold a door for someone

*Let a person go ahead of you in line.

*Give a stranger a compliment.

*Write a thank you note.

KIND...er

I went to Colorado last weekend with a bus full of the craziest people from Utah I've ever met. Not like crazy cool. I'm ashamed to say I was annoyed by them. I came home from the trip and the next night I watched the film The Perks of Being a Wallflower and bawled through the whole thing. Not like got teary eyed and sniffled once. No, I cried like a baby. I went to the bathroom after the show and looked in the mirror and my eyes were red, my mascara and eye liner were long gone, and I looked like I had taken a beating type crying.

#1 I just wanted to hug the character Charlie and be his friend. #2 I felt so terrible for having a bad attitude and hating those f-ers on the bus. Then on Sunday, the lesson in church was about kindness. Perfect. So I thought maybe I should pray to be more kind. WHOA...hold on. A big "CAUTION! ABORT! CAUTION! ABORT!" alarm went off in my head and I realized I was NOT going to pray for kindness because last time I prayed for patience people started cutting me off, taking forever to do things, etc. I believe God has a sense of humor and when we ask for something, He WILL give it to us...just maybe not the way we want. So I didn't pray for kindness. Instead, I decided to try to be more kind on my own. So you have my permission to punch me in the shoulder if you hear me say something mean.

THANK YOU FOR BEING MY FRIEND

Last night, I had the opportunity of attending a memorial service of someone whose family was very kind to me last year during my stay in Fort Mac. I was warmly welcomed into their home to join them for Easter dinner and other activities without us really even knowing each other yet. This got me thinking and made me so grateful that each time I go to a new place, there is that special person(s) who makes the effort to be my friend.

I can't express enough how much these kind gestures mean to me, whether it be a simple hello, offer to give a ride, or showing me around town and introducing me to others. Thank you (I wish I could post a photo of everyone here).

I'm striving to be able to extend my hand so that one day, if needed (and probably also if not needed knowing me), I might be that person who reached out to others with expressions of friendship, appreciation, and love.

...WHEN I WAS CRAZY

This is a small video recorded by a member of the Passau ward (never trust a German boy with your camera). In it is me with the funniest guy there. He's a little bit different. He giggles a lot. I heard a rumor that some people don't want him to come to church because he is so crazy. This is sad to me because he isn't hurting any one. Sure, maybe he pulls out an air freshener during meetings and sprays it all over his face, nibbles on the sacrament bread as he passes it, and most times says some funny things (like "Have you ever looked a cow in the eyes? It's lovely")...but he loves everyone. The person who told me this story said, "Maybe one day in heaven he'll come up to us and say 'thank you for being my friend when I was crazy.'"

(click the thumbnail to watch)

I don't put sandwiches in my pocket (most of the time), but I'd like to tell you thank you for being my friend (not when I was CRAZY, but through the crazy things I do/write).