This Crazy Thing We Call Life!

This time last year I watched a TED Talk that changed the way that I try and look at the world around me. The talk was from a man named Cesar Kuriyama and the app he created called 1 Second Every Day. The idea is that there are so many tiny, beautiful, funny, tragic moments in your life and we need to remember them all--the good and the bad, the boring and the extraordinary.  So on July 9, 2016 I started this project, and I have loved taking short videos every day. More than that though, I have loved looking back on the last year and remembering the small events that collectively have had a large impact on my life. In the last year I have gotten a new job, graduated from college, started a Masters' degree, moved, gone on trips. I have met some incredible people, said goodbye to some people in my life, been healthy, and been sick. I have felt pain, heartache, loneliness, and loss. But I have also felt peace, hope, happiness, and love.  So here it is. The last 365 days

Okay first things first....I went to WA to see my friend Liz. Look how cute she is! She got a grown up job and moved to the *cutest* little town in WA and I miss her, so I took a few days for myself and went on a trip to see her. Secondly, I want it to be known that I DID invite a friend to come with me. I have a good friend who I would have loved to have join me on the trip, but when he couldn't come I was sad but didn't bat an eye. Here are the reasons that I invited him: He is excellent company. He has a great taste in music. He is friends with Liz as well. I thought it would be fun if he came. The end that is all. I didn't invite him to make the trip cheaper, to help drive, or to make me feel safer. It would have been fun if he could have come, but either way I was going to go. I drove to Washington by myself because I could. Because I am saying YES. Because I am done waiting for "someday".  Someday when I have more money, or

UPDATE: saying yes is hard, sometimes (a lot of times) I choose sleep over clean hair, and these people make my heart oh so happy! As I continue to give fully to my job and to the people in my life, I continue to learn more and more that these humans give me more than I could ever give them.  And that is completely worth it. 

"Sometimes it takes times like these to know, You're in the right place." All of the heart eyes for these incredible humans. You make my heart happy and I hope you know it! Thanks for letting me be a part of your lives!

FACT: The smartest people that I know are the people who read. FACT: I am nowhere near being 'the smartest person' anyone knows. FACT: I am a work in progress. FACT: I can become so much more than I currently am. FACT: I am on a quest to read as much as I can for a whole year. FACT: This is exponentially harder than it sounds. _________________________________________________________________________________ I was scrolling through Facebook last week and I came across an article that caught my attention. Being on a "quest to read more" I clicked on the article and started to read a column written by a young lady regarding mental health, her experience, and what she longs to say to those 'dear friends' around her who are also struggling. It was a great read and I am glad that I took the time to read it, however there is one question that has stuck in the back of my mind: "What are you scared of today?" As I have continu

I am convinced that cool (Texas) nights are meant for good books, back porches, cozy blankets, and twinkling lights. Tonight as I spent the evening finishing my book, listening to The Killers, I found my thoughts wandering. This week, I have had a particular friend on my mind, for reasons that I don't really understand and cannot really explain. Because of that, I spent a little bit of time looking at this person's profiles on social media and right as I was about to click off, I came across something that made my heart both hurt and smile.  In a world where social media often presents the world with our best selves, this person opened up about things that they were struggling with. They were vulnerable and real and courageous. What they expressed that they were struggling with made my heart hurt, partially because I hate to see them struggling and suffering, and partially because I identified with some of what they said. However, my heart couldn't help but sm

Today I said goodbye to a very good friend. Tears ran down my face, but my heart was filled with peace, because while I will miss him more than I can explain, I know without a doubt that he is happy. Hundreds of people showed up to pay their respects and it was incredible to see a fraction of the number of people who's lives Erik touched. I had the opportunity last night at the viewing to talk for a few moments with Erik's grandmother. I was a bit emotional and she called me over, held my hand, and asked me what my name was and how I knew Erik. When someone should have been comforting her, she reached out to comfort me. When I had answered her questions she looked me straight in the eye and said "He was an incredible boy and he is happy now. We've had some experiences this week and we know that he is close." I will forever be grateful for not only Erik, but his entire family as well. I have seen incredibly examples of strength and Christ-like love from ev

I've been trying for a week to get these words out. So many thoughts and emotions have ran through my mind and heart over the last several days--so  many things that could be said. The loss of a dear friend is always hard, but when it is someone like Erik it is unfathomable. He made the world such a better place, simply by being in it. He made MY world a better place, simply by being in it. And while I can only imagine how his sweet family must feel, I have watched my sweet family here at Utah State feel that heartache along side them. How appropriate was it that February 10 was filled with storm clouds and rainy skies, as Logan mourned the loss of one of its own. I realized very quickly, after meeting Erik, that I had a lot more to learn from him, than he did from me. He taught me how laugh instead of cry, how to live more fully than I ever thought possible, how to learn from every trial you are given, and how to love others from every depth of your heart and soul.