Day 23

Today, I learned that happiness leads to more happiness. Karma, if you will. I woke up this morning with a bad feeling. It was raining, it was cold, I didn't feel good. Ugh, right? Well I tried my hardest to keep a cool head about everything, and by 9:30, I was in a wonderful mood. I stayed in this unusually great mood for quite a while, then my boyfriend surprised me with a record player (something I have been wanting for oh so long. Eep!)
What a good way to spend my day. Oh, and by the end of the day, the sun was shining so brightly that it felt like spring.

Day 22

Today, I learned that happy is the best thing to be in life. We aren't promised a perfect future, but the least we can do is be optimistic about it. Love with a pure heart. Don't be afraid. Take risks. Believe in the divinest of miracles. Never let a day go by that the Devil doesn't try to run you down. Laugh heartily. Be YOU.

I love my boyfriend, but lately I've been very ill towards him. It's hard to be nice all the time because I've become so comfortable around him. But I realized today that I need to stop worrying about only me. He has feelings, too, and he has a better heart than I. (I would've given up on me 22 months ago if I was him.)

Day 13

Although I know I am incredibly late, I still feel it is necessary to record my past thoughts...

On January 13, I turned eighteen. Ever since seventh grade, there has been no school on my birthday because of snow. To most kids, that's perfect, but I'd rather spend the day with friends. Well, to my non-surprise, the first snow of the year was on my birthday. I couldn't get out, and no one could get out to see me. I was so bummed out that I sat on the couch in my pajamas reading a depressing book. No  lie. I kept thinking (even though I knew it was pathetic to be wallowing in my own self pity on my eighteenth birthday) that no one cared enough to try to come see me. Then, wouldn't you know it, a big group of my friends came bombarding through my door with cookies, cake, presents, and chicken nuggets in hand. :) I was so incredibly ecstatic, and I felt so guilty and stupid for my previous thoughts.
After they left, my family and my boyfriend were going to go out to eat. But, to my surprise, we instead went to my grandmother's house for my SECOND surprise party! How blessed am I! I totally do not deserve the blessings I have been given . Especially after I had sulked all day long.
And THEN on the next school day, my English class had me a THIRD surprise party!
So, the moral of the story is that whenever you feel like no one loves you, look around. I know there will be plenty of warm hearts to welcome you in. :)

Day 11

Today, I learned that failing to live up to your expectations is severely disappointing, but life goes on. Failing is  a part of life. And, rest assured, whatever you've done will be forgotten sooner or later. It's probably for the best anyway.
Also, comparing yourself to another person is stressful and harsh. You are YOU. There is only one you, and you shouldn't strive to live up to anyone else's expectations; only do the best you can. There will always be someone who is better at a something than you are.
There is beauty in all things.

Day 8

Today, I realized how short life really is.

We humans live to be around 70, and if we pass 80, we've been here for a long time. But, put it into retrospect. The earth has been here for billions of years. So what is 70 years in the earth's eyes?
And to God, it's just the blink of an eye. One thousand years to us is a second to him (so it says in the Bible).
I guess my point for today would be to live your life in a way that will make you proud when you're on your death bed. Always do what you think is right, learn from your mistakes, and have fun! The gas that's in the hearse at this very moment could be the same gas that carries YOU to the grave site.

Day 5

Today, I learned to love, even more deeply than before, the innocence of a child. My brother and I had gone to the park, and I was sitting on a bench reading with my brother's soccer ball beside me. This little boy that was with his grandparents approached me and simply said, "Is that a ball ya got there?" I replied with a happy yes, and to that he said, "Wanna through it to me?" My heart immediately melted and we tossed the ball back and forth for quite a while. As the grandpa was reminding the boy of how to catch a ball, the grandma explained to me that Thomas, I believe, was an only child and never really got to play with other kids. This only made the smile on my face widen. I am very confident that he will go far in this big ole world. I'm very thankful for friendly people like Thomas.

Day 4

I know I'm late for Day 4, but this occurred to me last night, and I was too tired to put it into words. I cannot stand judgmental people. This especially irks me:

"Wow. You have been dating your girlfriend for two weeks and you're already IN LOVE?! haha. You don't know what love is until you're walking down the isle at your wedding."


Okay. Does anyone else see something wrong with this? Because I do.

Who has put a time limit on love? Did it take you a month to fall in love with your parents after you were born? Or three weeks to fall in love with God after you got saved? I don't think so. Granted that all the relationships in the world aren't "true love," no one holds the right to tell you how you feel. Am I right, people?

Also, the majority of the people who say this about young couples are describing their middle school self. For example, I have a friend. She has been all up on this business ever since it became the "raging talk" of Facebook.  I can recall at least 20 times  in our younger days when she swore she was in love, and the guy was perfect. 

As for myself, I did the same. I was always "in love" with a different boy every week who didn't know I existed. I would obsess over him. Literally. I've got tons of notebooks filled with "Olivia Rae (enter last name of current crush) (enter last name of another zit-faced boy) (enter ANOTHER last name of the "perfect" male)

Yes! That's what preteen girls DO! Believe it or not, I think we've all been in a situation of proclaiming our love prematurely. 

So my thought for the day -- Restrain from judging children; you were once in their spot. Also, don't put limits on love.