Don't Waste a Day

"If you had a friend you knew you'd never see again, what would you say? 

 If you could do one last thing for someone you love,

 what would it be?

 Say it! Don't wait! Nothing lasts forever."

        I saw this quote today on Face Book of all places :) I loved it!!! I have been pondering about this concept a lot lately. I am not yet old and although I have had many experiences I do not feel like I am at that stage in life that I could council and be respected because of my many years of experiences... but even though this is not the case I am feeling the loss of time that "experienced" people speak of. I feel as if precious moments come and go so quickly. Saying good bye to a family member or friend when their long awaited visit seemed like it would never come or a kiss good night or an infant quickly grows into a toddler... all these things are gone so fast. They  happened, but it almost feels like they didn't. Do any of you know what I am talking about? All those out there that are not all touchy feely just try ;)
      I will come out and say that I LOVE giving complements, probably because I soak them in like Aloe Vera on a sunburn. If the words were sincere than they make me feel happy, pretty, and confident inside. Because I feel this way I believe that others would feel this way as well.  I have learned lately that this is not always the case. And no Jeff, I am not only talking about you.... but yes you are one of the individuals that I have learned this from the most :)  Since slowly picking up on this fact I have found that when real feelings are expressed most people begin to back away feeling awkward.  Yes, there is an understanding of the person you are trying to express your feelings too and depending on the situation feelings can be expressed in different ways. BUT I still stand by the idea that feelings need to be expressed. Holding them is uncomfortable, sad because it keeps what could be a closer relationship at arms length, and I guess just plain stupid!!!
      I still find it hard to put my feelings into words and I understand the nervous slash awkward feelings that arises in the pit of your stomach some of the time when you think of expressing your feelings... But I say do it. Like the quote says, what if it is the last time you see that person.  We never know when life will take someone we love away from us. Or what if you don't and you miss the opportunity of making someone's day and last, what if you don't and you never are given the chance to find out about all those that care about you.
    I want to do what my heart pushes me to do... your feelings are who you are! Tell those that you love that you love them. Other things such as work, school, exercise, etc. are important but people are even more!!! They are the largest blessing we have. I don't want a day to pass that I don't tell them how much I care!
   

I VOTED

2012 Presidential Election Year

I first voted in the 2004 Presidential Election. I remember feeling so proud! I had just turned 18... the only one in my senior high school class that could vote. I spent numerous hours researching everything on the ballet! I felt the responsibility and honor that came with my right to vote. I know that living in California my one little vote will not make a difference, but that will never stop me. Many around the world do not share this freedom to vote and suffer because of it, but I have been blessed with an opinion and I want it to be counted. People fight for this freedom and you should never waste it. I love my country and although I hear people say we are going to the dogs either way the vote goes I still want to try. God lead the creation of our country and even though it may not be perfect now I am still thankful for my freedom. Don't loose hope in your country; when you do you are letting it go to the dogs. I am not ready for that. I sent in my ballet. I voted... and how ever the next four years go I am going to know that I supported our government.   Realize the blessing you have to vote... love your country and lets all do what we can to help it improve!!!

Good Books and Their Quotes

I have been talking to so many friends lately about books that we have been reading that are so thrilling and inspiring! There are so many incredible stories out there and I want to read them all. I realize that everyone's life is busy but if you are a reader like me it is such a breath of relaxation to be able to cuddle down with a cummfy blanket in your bed before going to sleep and escaping into a different world.  I don't know about you but it helps my mind stop thinking about everything I have to do and relax for sleeping :) 
I wanted a place to keep track of these books and the quotes that I love from them, so here it goes. I hope you enjoy the quotes and through them find some good books to add to your library. Also please feel free to comment and give me some of your favorite titles!!

1. The Hiding Place  
    By: Corrie ten Boom

The man that Corrie has fallen in love with rejected her and has fallen for someone else. Her heart is breaking and this is what her father tells her:
"There are two things we can do when this happens. We can kill the love so that it stops hurting.  But then of course part of us dies, too. Or, Corrie, we can ask God to open up another route for that love to travel.
God loves Karel- even more than you do- and if you ask Him, He will five you His love for this man, a love nothing can prevent, nothing destroy. Whenever we cannot love in the old, human way, Corrie, God can give us the perfect way." (pg.47)

"It is wrong to base faith upon wishes. There will be war. The Germans will attack and we will fall."  (pg. 62)
     I love this because it is easy to have faith in things that make us happy, to only have home in them because we want them to happen. When it comes to things we do not want to happen it is easy to build a wall and ignore what truly will happen. When doing that it is more of a shock that we are not prepared for when it does occur. It is better to try and prevent it while also preparing for it. 

This family was faced with so much hardship but they always kept faith in god.
"But if God has shown us bad times ahead, it's enough for me that He knows about them. that's why he sometimes shows us things, you know - to tell us that this too is in His hands." (pg.63)

A priest expresses: "No, we could loose our lives for that Jewish child!" Then Corrie's father replies by saying, "I would consider that the greatest honor that could come to my family." (pg.95)

"Perhaps only when human effort had done its best and failed, would God's power alone be free to work." (pg. 116)

Corrie and her sister Betsie were prisoners in a camp. The workers at the camp treated them horribly. 
Corrie being angry at these workers expressed her feeling to her sister. Instead of receiving the same feelings back her sister expressed love for these women guards:
"These young women...if people can be taught to to hate, they can be taught to love! We must find the way, you and I, no matter how long it takes..."
Corrie's thoughts, "I saw a grey uniform and a visored hat; Betsie saw a wounded human being. And I wondered, not for the first time, what sort of a person she was, this sister of mine... what kind of road she followed while I trudged beside her on the all-too-solid earth."
   I love this lesson. It is our behavior we have in the circumstance that decides our happiness, not the situation. 

"Joy runs Deeper than Despair." (pg. 211)