Okay, so I have been slacking and I know this. Not that anyone is reading this but me, but nonetheless, I have made a commitment and I will stick to it!
So let's go back to Monday: Now, economic circumstance and general socialist loathing keeps me as far away from malls as possible usually. But as I'm down to one pair of jeans, I decided that it was time to buy another. So, there I was at Market Mall at about 1:00 pm on a Monday, surrounded by babies. That's right, babies. Every age, race, size and degree of cuteness. An army of little nuggets running around with their winter boots, puffy coats, and mittens flopping from the cuffs of their jackets. I was like a heroine addict walking through a poppy field. Why are babies so freakin' cute? I mean really? How could we start out so preciously sweet and wind up... ya know...?
Anyways, it was so sweet watching these sweet little guys interact with each other and their families. It just made me so thankful to live in a place where have the opportunity to enjoy freedom and security.
Tuesday: A work day, but a great day nonetheless. My moment was a very special one, and I'll have to be vague on the off chance that this ever gets read by anyone but me. I had the chance to listen to someone that I care about very much, that's facing some difficult problems. Now, I haven't been dancing through fields of daisies myself these days - but it felt so good to just be there for someone. To forget about myself and give attention and love to someone who hopefully could use it. So if you have someone in your life who's lost a touch of the brightness in their eye or bounce in their step - don't wait for them to tell you what they need. Do something, do anything. Don't ask permission, just do it.
Wednesday: Okay, my moment is a movie, as much of a cop out as that is. A FANTASTIC movie called 'The Blind Side'
It may sound hokey, but honestly, that woman is my hero. It just highlights what we all have to give. It really inspired me and I hope that it's an example that doesn't fade anytime soon.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
November 22nd
Well, today was yet another brutal day; but so beautiful at the same time. The essay still isn't done and all the problems of yesterday didn't get lost in the night as I'd hoped they would. I woke up in my dear friend's bed, and found her laying on the love seat in her own living room - she is a dear, dear lady, but not short enough to deserve her sentence to sleep with her legs in the air like an astronaut. So the first smile of the day came from realizing my dear friend's sacrifice for me.
The rest of the day was filled with highs of friend's words and manifestations of sympathy and kindness, and lows of quiet moments of introspection. But, amidst this veritable seizure of emotions, I was still able to laugh. And what, you ask, did I laugh at. My dear friend, Holly. An avid genealogist and superstar, Holly showed me the pictures on the front and back of the binder that holds her genealogy class material...
Ya'll, I saw this comic...and for some reason, it's brilliance and wit reached me in a way that caused me to put aside everything else and just laugh. I know you may not appreciate it as much as me, and for that I feel sorry for you. Because this is funny. Sorry, it just is.
The rest of the day was filled with highs of friend's words and manifestations of sympathy and kindness, and lows of quiet moments of introspection. But, amidst this veritable seizure of emotions, I was still able to laugh. And what, you ask, did I laugh at. My dear friend, Holly. An avid genealogist and superstar, Holly showed me the pictures on the front and back of the binder that holds her genealogy class material...
Ya'll, I saw this comic...and for some reason, it's brilliance and wit reached me in a way that caused me to put aside everything else and just laugh. I know you may not appreciate it as much as me, and for that I feel sorry for you. Because this is funny. Sorry, it just is.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Of All the Things I'm Grateful for On November 21st
Well, I think I've chosen to start this seemingly easy task on two of the most emotionally challenging days I've had in a very long time. I'll spare ya'll the complete list of grievances (abridged version: a breakup I can't seem to let break, 1st anniversary of my father's death, overdue 10 page essay on genocide worth 35% of my grade, favorable living situation drawing to a close).
But yes! I will prevail! Because amidst all of that emotional sludge, I have today find another thing positive and happy!
I went to the mall to grab a smoothie before heading to the university to work on my two essays (I didn't even mention the other one). The semblances of Christmas are starting to sprout amongst the stores and kiosks and the scent of chocolate and aged cheeses waft through the crowds of bundled, ambitious shoppers. And the music... ah yes the music.
Any of you who have worked retail will understand what I'm about to address here. Let's say you, like I once did, work at a place like Staples. It's slightly above minimum wage, you only have to wear one designated item of apparel and a small name tag, so you are able to retain your dignity to some degree. You spend your days walking down aisles, answering varying degrees of questions from intelligent - is there really a difference between permanent sharpies and CD safe sharpies (by the way there isn't) to exponentially ridiculous questions - can you buy printer paper without the perforated feeding holes on the side, or do you just have to tear them off each sheet you use... But amidst the mundane tasks of day to day working, there is music. Sometimes... it's brutal. But every once in a while you get to hear fantastic songs at work, and it always seems to brighten your day. Then... there's Christmas time.
Now, today as I walked through Market Mall, with my JugoJuice in hand - just as I was about to get to the exit, I heard an all to familiar tune coming from the Suzy Shier. "All I Want for Christmas is You" by none other than the succubus herself...Mariah Carey. Now working at Staples, that song would most assuredly come on at LEAST two or three times a day during Christmas. And each time it would send a surge of discomfort through my body. I was forced to listen to this shrill banshee masticate and regurgitate this song over and over, and there was no way out. But today, I heard it come on - gave a little smile - and walked out the door into the parking lot. So for those of you who are in those retail jobs, and are forced to hear satellite Christmas songs on repeat for the next 5 weeks; take heart. This too shall pass.
But yes! I will prevail! Because amidst all of that emotional sludge, I have today find another thing positive and happy!
I went to the mall to grab a smoothie before heading to the university to work on my two essays (I didn't even mention the other one). The semblances of Christmas are starting to sprout amongst the stores and kiosks and the scent of chocolate and aged cheeses waft through the crowds of bundled, ambitious shoppers. And the music... ah yes the music.
Any of you who have worked retail will understand what I'm about to address here. Let's say you, like I once did, work at a place like Staples. It's slightly above minimum wage, you only have to wear one designated item of apparel and a small name tag, so you are able to retain your dignity to some degree. You spend your days walking down aisles, answering varying degrees of questions from intelligent - is there really a difference between permanent sharpies and CD safe sharpies (by the way there isn't) to exponentially ridiculous questions - can you buy printer paper without the perforated feeding holes on the side, or do you just have to tear them off each sheet you use... But amidst the mundane tasks of day to day working, there is music. Sometimes... it's brutal. But every once in a while you get to hear fantastic songs at work, and it always seems to brighten your day. Then... there's Christmas time.
Now, today as I walked through Market Mall, with my JugoJuice in hand - just as I was about to get to the exit, I heard an all to familiar tune coming from the Suzy Shier. "All I Want for Christmas is You" by none other than the succubus herself...Mariah Carey. Now working at Staples, that song would most assuredly come on at LEAST two or three times a day during Christmas. And each time it would send a surge of discomfort through my body. I was forced to listen to this shrill banshee masticate and regurgitate this song over and over, and there was no way out. But today, I heard it come on - gave a little smile - and walked out the door into the parking lot. So for those of you who are in those retail jobs, and are forced to hear satellite Christmas songs on repeat for the next 5 weeks; take heart. This too shall pass.
Friday, November 20, 2009
A Great Way to Start a November 20th
So I did promise that I would start making an effort to write a blog entry about something good, positive and happy that happens in my life or in the lives of people around me everyday... And of course, today had to be a doozie of just the opposite. I have a HUGE essay due today that's worth a fairly large portion of my final grade. Now, out of true me fashion, I've left this sitting by the wayside and it's time to 'Pay the Piper' as it were. This as well as many other far more substantial concerns - which I won't share as it would be counter-productive to the purpose of this endeavor - weigh heavily upon my mind today.
But today I have three things that got me out of my bed this morning and right back in it again at the end of the day. As I was getting ready for the day, I looked into the backyard and there were two deer just chillin' and eating away. I ran upstairs so I could show my niece, and we just sat there looking out the window together looking at those two sweet deer. I thought about how amazing it was to be able to see these notoriously - justifiably - skittish creatures in their element. They're very calming animals to observe, if you have the chance I highly recommend it. It helped me step outside the busy day ahead and be grateful to live in the beautiful place that I do.
As the day went on, I found myself pretty low. Bogged down with the cares of the busy student and 25+ LDS Single Adult. So, I was able to receive direction through one of the most sacred ways possible. This direction was so poignant and powerful, it seemed to chase away the darkness that was growing ever more ominous and encompassing. It granted me insight within my own perspective and has challenged me to look outside myself as well. It would seem wrong not to include this as a highlight of the day - despite being as ambiguous as I'm being.
Finally, today I saw a sweet little elderly couple driving out of the parking lot of a medical center. I'm assuming man and wife in their late 70s early 80s. The wife sat small in their little compact car and gripped her frail hands on the steering wheel. I looked back at my rearview mirror and thought about what their story must have been. It's becoming more and more rare seeing these couples that go the distance and stay together. I imagined the depth of their compassion, concern and adoration for each other must be. Truly something that cannot be rushed, faked or purchased. I could see in their faces that love had taken root and intertwined them long ago, and the fruit of their selflessness, kindness and humility manifested itself in their faces.
Love; won't stop until I can.
But today I have three things that got me out of my bed this morning and right back in it again at the end of the day. As I was getting ready for the day, I looked into the backyard and there were two deer just chillin' and eating away. I ran upstairs so I could show my niece, and we just sat there looking out the window together looking at those two sweet deer. I thought about how amazing it was to be able to see these notoriously - justifiably - skittish creatures in their element. They're very calming animals to observe, if you have the chance I highly recommend it. It helped me step outside the busy day ahead and be grateful to live in the beautiful place that I do.
As the day went on, I found myself pretty low. Bogged down with the cares of the busy student and 25+ LDS Single Adult. So, I was able to receive direction through one of the most sacred ways possible. This direction was so poignant and powerful, it seemed to chase away the darkness that was growing ever more ominous and encompassing. It granted me insight within my own perspective and has challenged me to look outside myself as well. It would seem wrong not to include this as a highlight of the day - despite being as ambiguous as I'm being.
Finally, today I saw a sweet little elderly couple driving out of the parking lot of a medical center. I'm assuming man and wife in their late 70s early 80s. The wife sat small in their little compact car and gripped her frail hands on the steering wheel. I looked back at my rearview mirror and thought about what their story must have been. It's becoming more and more rare seeing these couples that go the distance and stay together. I imagined the depth of their compassion, concern and adoration for each other must be. Truly something that cannot be rushed, faked or purchased. I could see in their faces that love had taken root and intertwined them long ago, and the fruit of their selflessness, kindness and humility manifested itself in their faces.
Love; won't stop until I can.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
