Isaiah 43:18

I am a Christian, a follower of God and I am proud of it. Because of my faith I have been able to over come obstacles that would have otherwise destroyed me. Dealing with the losses of two people who meant so much to me took a real toll on my faith. I couldn't believe that these things could happen to real people, it made no sense to me.

People always told me that everything happens for a reason, I struggled believing that was true for a very long time. Sometimes I still struggle believing it.

One day someone showed me this bible verse and it really put everything into perspective.

Of course it is wayy easier said then done but how great would life be if we were able to let go of the things that have happened in our past? Leave the dark days behind and simply enjoy each day as they come. Every once and a while I have to remind myself to leave the past behind and focus on the future, but, my faith has definitely played a huge role in my ability to do that.

Despite whatever your beliefs may be, it's so important to leave the darkness in the past and live a happy life...try it! 

Song Lyrics-Fall Out Boy

One of my favorite things to do is listen to music. But, I don't listen to just any type of music. When I listen I need lyrics that can really relate to my life and move me. Depending on whatever mood I'm in I know exactly what song to go to. This is why I'm going to try and fit these song lyrics into my blog! Incorporate my two favorite things into one! So, that's why I'll be adding a new weekly post to my blog, all about my favorite song lyrics and what they mean to me!

This weeks song lyric is from one of my absolute favorite bands, Fall Out Boy: "I don't just want to be a footnote in someone else's happiness." taken from the song "A Headfirst Slide Into Cooperstown On A Bad Bet." Fall Out Boy is known for their song titles that make almost no sense when put into context with the song. I never knew what the lyrics to this song were until I really listened to them. After I heard these particular lyrics more clearly, it occurred to me how true they really are!

Everyone's goal in life is to be happy and be surrounded by people who are also happy! Obviously, easier said than done. One of my biggest worries is that I will spend all of my time trying to make the people around me happy and I'll forget to do things that make me happy. Then, I worry that if I am able to make someone happy they won't appreciate it because they automatically expect that from me.  That's where the lyrics come into play!

I'm constantly worried about making other people happy and trying to be remembered for doing it when I should just be grateful simply because I am able to help someone else find happiness. Yes, being a mere "footnote" in someone else's happiness can be a little rough at time but think about it. When you see a footnote on a paper or in a book you always look down and read what has to be said, it's almost an addition to the content already on the page. If I was lucky to be able to leave even the smallest impression on someone's life and they chose to keep that memory in the story that is their life, I have done something remarkable.

Have a favorite song or song lyric with a meaning? I'd love to hear it!

The Value Of A Moment

When I look back on the things that have happened in the past there are plenty of moments I would do pretty much anything to go back too, even if it was only for a single second. Whether it be a moment with someone who has passed on, a conversation with a friend that you just wish you could do over or a memory that gives you the biggest smile when you think about it.

There are many reasons why I would want to go back in time and re-live certain things, one reason would be to change something that had happened. I am strong believer in the idea that everything happens for a reason and that there is a plan for all of us. But, if I had the opportunity I might consider going back and changing something. There isn't anything I wouldn't do if I could have another chance to avoid a fight I might've had with one of my friends or family or have the opportunity to let the ones I love know how much they are loved before it was too late.

Another reason I would love to go back and re-live a certain moment would be because I was simply so happy at that time. There are plenty of memories I have with my friends and family that I am so grateful for. My favorite memory with my family was when my whole family was at my grandparents house and we were all hanging out in the den. Then, out of nowhere my grandparents come running in with silly string and start spraying everyone with it! It turned into a crazy fun silly string fight. we all laughed until we cried! I would most definitely go back to that time and just soak in all of the happiness that surrounded me!

For my senior year, my whole grade got shirts that said "Seniors 2014" on the front, and on the back was a quote. "Sometimes, you will never know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory." When I first got the shirt, I thought the quote was just another sappy quote on a shirt that I would never wear. Now, looking back on high school and my senior year, I couldn't agree more with the quote! Maybe if I was able to go back in time and re-live those times I wouldn't appreciate them as much because I would still be living in them and not appreciating them.

Have a favorite moment? One you would do anything to go back too? Would you go back? I'd love to hear your opinion!

I'm Still Waiting...

I always catch myself saying that I can't wait for the weekend, I can't wait for the summer, I can't wait to graduate. What happened to all of the days spent between the days you can't wait for? I have wasted so many days waiting for better days to come along. It's actually kind of sad when you think about how much of our time we waste waiting for a new day to come, then, once that day is over, it's on to the next thing you have to wait for.

I remember being in elementary and middle school and always saying how I couldn't wait for high school. Once I got there, it got old really quick and then I couldn't wait for college. Now, I'm in college and I'm already counting down the days until Christmas break and summer vacation. I'm wasting my life away and before I even know it, it will all be gone and all I'll have to look back on are a few small memories that I couldn't wait to experience.

We need to learn how to enjoy the little things that happen everyday. I want to be able to wake up every morning and just be glad that I am awake and be able to enjoy everything and everyone I encounter in hopes that maybe it will rub off on somebody and they will eventually be as happy as I am. Not waiting for another day, but enjoying the day I am living now.

My Grandma used to always tell me that I shouldn't say that "I can't wait" for something, If you can't wait then you won't be able to enjoy the days leading up to that thing you can't wait for, and who knows, you might never make it to that day! So, why waste your time saying you can't wait, and instead enjoy every second of everyday. Fill your days with things that are so amazing that when you get to the day you can't wait for, it just seems like another amazing day in your already amazing life.

The Bucket List

We have all seen the movie where the girl has a secret bucket list and then out of nowhere the boy finds it and makes all of her dreams come true. A love story every girl dreams of! So, why not give it a little kick start? Bucket lists are so much fun to make, especially with a friend! Here's an example of one I made during my senior year of high school. 

Some of the things I put on my list would be skydiving, meeting a celebrity and even hugging a penguin. Yes, some of the adventures I have on there are dumb, but how fun would they be?! The best part of a bucket list is that you can put anything on it! Thats the easy part, the fun part is where you get to do the crazy things and cross them off your list. I love making to-do lists so I can remember to get everything done that needs to be taken care of, think of your bucket list as your life's to-do list! Here are a few bucket list making tips:

1. Get out of your comfort zone: The whole point of a bucket list is to try and accomplish things you never imagined yourself doing! So make sure you put things that would help you challenge yourself.

2. Be realistic: If you know you're never going to go skydiving then don't put it on your list. When you look at your bucket list you want to be able to cross everything off, if you add things you don't actually want to do you won't be able to accomplish it and cross it off!

3. Document your success: Half the fun of completing things on your bucket list is to being able to show it off to everyone else! Take plenty of pictures.

4. Have fun!: This is the most important rule, you'll be wasting your time doing these crazy awesome things if you're not enjoying every second of it. Be sure to make the things on your bucket list activities you will look forward to doing and reminisce on for years to come! 

When I was in middle school my friend and I made bucket lists. They were so embarrassing, I could not post it on my blog! Most of the things on my list were so unrealistic and unattainable; I'm not sure how they ever made it onto my list in the first place! When comparing my two lists it was amazing seeing how my goals had changed in just four short years. Its crazy to think how drastically my bucket list and goals could change again in just four more short years!

So, when you get a chance, write out your own bucket list, find your prince charming and let him make your dreams come true! Sometimes they need a little guidance ;)

Gratitude...Or Lack There Of.

The amount of tragedy that fills this world is sickening, sometimes its hard to believe that there may be anything in this world to be happy about or grateful for. After I had suffered a couple of losses, I started questioning what all of this was really all about. Why are we here if eventually it all just ends? Why was I put here? In this body? In this life? Whats the point? With all of these questions running around in my head, I decided to try and answer them for myself so I could try and be happy again. Here's what I found!

1. Make the little things feel like they're the best things: I know this sounds dumb but embracing this one little tip can easily turn a terrible day into a not so bad one. I remember one day during my senior year I was having an awful day. I was stressing about applications for college, trying out for the school musical and the mounds of homework I had waiting for me at home. It sounds like your basic day of high school but once you start having weeks filled with these days it starts to get to you. Then, when I was just about to give up on college and everything else, one of my closest friends reached out to me and asked if everything was okay. To her it was just a simple question but to me it meant so much because of the day I was having. I said I was fine, like I always had, but suddenly I kind of believed it. After she left, I rembered how grateful I was to have her in my life and having a small reminder of that made everything seem less intimidating.

2. Find inspiration in someone or something: There's always someone or something worth appreciating, whether it be a song, family member or friend. Whatever it may be, make sure you surround yourself with that person or thing, I guarantee it will help you through what you're struggling with. Sometimes all you need to hear is the right song lyric or the right piece of advice or even meet the right person and that could change everything.

3. Have faith that things will get better: Everyone has been told this from time to time but I'm here to tell you that it is 100% true. I was told this constantly and every time I heard it I got more mad and believed it that much less. Now that I learned to embrace everything life has to offer, I couldn't agree more with the idea that things get better. It might take a lot of work to try and get out of the place you're in but if you fight your way out you will succeed and be a better and happier person because of it.

I know it's not easy but what I do know is that it's worth the fight. I hope these three little tips can help at least one person! Feel free to share your story in the comments, I'm all ears.