Perfect Timing

It has been quite a while since I posted anything. I have been super busy, but good things are happening. I just moved into my childhood home, inspired my best friend to start a blog, and began my second quarter of community college. As all of this was happening one of my friends said that I had become very mature. That really stuck with me this past week.

Now, I have posted before about my inside jokes with God and this was no exception. I was cleaning off the old fridge in my garage when some piece of paper fell off the door. It was yellowed with age and no bigger than a post-it note. As I picked it up I couldn't help, but wonder why someone would stick it behind a dinosaur magnet.

This is what it said: 

"DEAR FRIEND: Here it is. Thank you for asking. 

Maturity

Maturity is the ability to control anger and settle differences without violence. 

Maturity is patience. It is the willingness to pass up immediate pleasure in favor of a long-term gain. 

Maturity is perseverance, the ability to sweat out a project or situation in spite of heavy opposition and discouraging setbacks. 

Maturity is the capacity to face unpleasantness and frustration, discomfort and defeat, without complaint or collapse.

Maturity is being big enough to say, 'I was wrong.' And, when right, the mature person need not experience the satisfaction of saying, 'I told you so.'

Maturity is the ability to make a decision and stand by it. The immature spend their lives exploring endless possibilities and then do nothing.

Maturity means dependability, keeping one's word and coming through in a crisis. The immature are masters of the alibi. They are the confused and the conflicted. Their lives are a maze of broken promises, former friends, unfinished business and good intentions that somehow never materialize.

Maturity is the art of living in peace with what we cannot change, the courage to change what should be changed and the wisdom to know the difference." 

This was an answer to an "Ask Ann Landers" column. The article could've been up there for more than twenty years and I found it at the right time. It's funny how He works, but it always makes me smile.

Memories

Don't you love catching up with a friend? It doesn't matter if it's for five minutes or five hours, it's priceless. Well, I met up with a friend this morning and it was great. We only had a few classes together in high school, but agreed that one class changed our lives.

French class was our escape from the world. No matter what was going on outside those white cinderblock walls, we could vent. Most of us got to the point that the way another walked in said it all. You see it wasn't a normal class. You gained life experience and a support system.

I probably couldn't tell you most of the vocabulary we learned, but I can quote "The Little Prince" and order a ham and cheese sandwich. Our teacher taught us so much more than french history and grammar. She showed us what integrity is and how strong love is. Come hell or high water that woman could put a smile on your face. That is the class I miss and will always want to relive, but life goes on. I thought the picture was fitting because after graduation it was like she stamped a permanent smile on your heart. Je t'aime Madame Rike.

Aha Moments

Lately, I have been very concerned about the path I have chosen. As an aspiring youth minister I don't plan on being rich, but I want to have a stable income. Currently I am going to a local community college and volunteering with a youth group full time. I couldn't understand how I am staying afloat without a job and a yearly $6,000 family stipend. I am a clothes, accessory, shoe, and coffee junkie who donates on a regular basis so I figured all my money was gone.

I reluctantly asked my mom to write down how much I had left. She looked at me like I was insane and said a number. I must have asked her a thousand times to repeat it. Apparently I had a lot of money left over. I couldn't imagine how that was possible. I mean I bought a bunch of clothes, went to New  York City, paid for two quarters of college, donated to church, bought Christmas for two family's of seven, and drove all over. But I had forgotten something.

I was doing what God had asked me to do. He said it would be tough because I'm not going to the school I wanted or working right now. I just didn't think I could make it. Being someone who rarely asks for help, handouts are not an option. So God found another way. He blessed me with wonderful friends who let me stay for dinner twice a month and a great youth minister who wants me to succeed. My youth minister even found a possible paid internship for the summer. This was my aha moment. Now I know I am stable and I can still do everything I dreamed of...with His help.

If you have aha moments I would love to hear about them. Feel free to comment :)

Photo from: http://www.phillytechguy.com/home/images/stories/aha-moments.jpg

Contest!

So when I was in New York City I saw this wonderful play written by Theresa Rebeck called "Seminar." The cast includes Lily Rabe, Jerry O'Connell, Hettienne Park, and Alan Rickman. The play was amazing and the cast was too. I had the chance to meet everyone except Hettienne Park. So I am entering this contest in an effort to meet her and share the play with my mother.


I'd encourage you all to enter too. Trust me the play is worth the trip to New York City.


Enter Here:
http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents/special-giveaway-win-tickets-to-see-the-new-alan-rickman-writing-comedy-seminar-on-broadway

2012!

Happy New Year everyone! I hope the holidays were filled with family and friends. As the new year approached I couldn't come up with a resolution. In past years I said I would lose weight or quit salting my food. In a matter of days I would put it off until I just stopped doing it. This year I am doing something a little different. I am giving myself options. There are so many I doubt I'll forget.

This year should be positive. If the world really does end I would like to leave it happy. So here are some of my options for you:

1. Clean your Facebook: What you see really makes a difference. You don't need depressing messages on your news feed or wall at every turn. To spare someone's feelings you can simply "hide" their posts rather than "block" them.

2. Tidy Up: Remember how your Mom demanded you clean your room. Well, she was really onto something. I always feel better when my room is clean. It doesn't have to be immaculate, but you need to see the floor.

3. Treat Yourself: If you complete a goal reward yourself. This keeps me motivated and I want to do more. Even a Redbox movie rental can do the trick.

4. Keep A Schedule: Knowing when you have time slows things down. I get really stressed when I can't plan ahead. Plus, this gives you a visual of how overcommitted you can be.

This blog post was inspired by Dr. Oz's 28-Day Plan to Renew Your Body, Mind and Soul article in O Magazine. I suggest you all read it. Have a great New Year!



Read more: http://www.oprah.com/health/Dr-Oz-on-How-to-Renew-Your-Body-Mind-and-Soul?TW=tw_omag_Dr_Oz_28_day_plan&hootPostID=46f4b462804f8782db5fca18aa9cc356#ixzz1iGuPTjca