Pretending to be exorcised while stretching

Snowmen with really cute smiles

Cream cheese

Being able to knock things over in video games

Blowing stuff up in video games

That wubba wubba noise laminated paper makes

That new magazine smell

Velociraptor screeches

Poking my loved ones

The thought that we shall all die one day

My birb

1. Learn about new religions. Not only new religions, but ones that you supposedly know “everything” about. I’m a Christian. I’ve never been intolerant or purposefully ignorant of other religions, but what you are told about other religions, in any religion, is not the straight truth. Truly looking into the “weird” religions, the small ones, the “crazy” ones, the “scary” ones, opens your eyes. There are extreme similarities between 99% of religions. I studied Voodoo and did a report on it recently, and it’s amazingly interesting and not evil or satan worship-y at all. Not that it even matters, but it has many Catholic influences ( I’m not Catholic by the way). Expand your horizons. It will open your eyes about your own religion as well.

  2. Send a message to someone if you feel that you want to. You’re not the only one who takes hours to build up the courage to text ,”Hi.” Everyone is afraid of looking stupid so be the first person to reach out if you are thinking of someone. You never know if it might lift up their day.

3. Taking the first gulp of cold water when you’ve been thirsty for an extremely long time. It tastes differently than if you just randomly chug down a water. You appreciate it more. This probably could have some metaphors for life but I’m too lazy to think about those at the moment. 

4. Proving someone wrong in something that you’re really proud of. Fuck you, I did this all on my own. You didn’t think I could do it and you sure as hell didn’t have any faith in me. You can take no part in my celebrations.

5. Having a good cry. Taking the time to be alone and get all of your feelings out. Whether you’re talking to your god or just expressing your feelings to yourself out loud, speak your peace. Get all soggy and disgusting, but get it all out. It’s okay to have feelings and be sad sometimes. But realize how blessed you are. Don’t only be thankful for the old “roof over my head and food on my plate.” Be thankful for and dwell on the little things that make you happy.

6. Appreciating someone’s beauty without comparing yourselves to them. You will never be that person so just appreciate his/her beauty. Whether it is physical or inner beauty. Compliment that person. Compliment random people in general. Someone might be on their way to the bathroom to slit their wrists and you saying how amazing they look in those jeans today might lift them up even in the tiniest way and stop them. I know I am extremely thankful for the tiniest little compliment that anyone gives me. 

7. Give your time to someone in need. Whether it be a homeless person or an old person that is lonely, give your time. Also, don’t announce it to the world. Keep it as a gem in your heart that you helped someone without asking for anything in return. There is a lady down the street from me who is widowed and doesn’t have much money or company. I asked her if she wanted to come and have fourth of july dinner with us (not expecting her to say yes because most people are weary of offers even if they are from the heart) and she came and we had an awesome time. I saw a light in her eyes that I don’t see very often. (Just giving an example, not showing off. It’s not like anyone knows me on this site anyways).

8. Live for what makes you happy. Marry/love who you want. Listen to what you want. Wear what you want. Eat what you want. Get rid of the negative forces in your life and do what makes you and only you happy.

9. Having a long time to get ready for a special event/date. Take a long, hot, bubbly bath and just lay there. Don’t think of anything, just let your mind stay at ease. Actually dry your hair for a change (okay maybe that’s just me). Take time to look really good and show off how beautiful you really are. 

10. Hugging or holding a family member’s hand when they are hurting. I know it sounds mean, but I don’t really take time out of my day to think about how my close family are people too that have feelings like sadness, worries, heartache, or anger. If you see them hurting, even if it feels cheesey, ask them about it. It will make a world of a difference. If they don’t want to share any feelings, then that’s okay and you didn’t lose anything.

During 2012, I read Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts, and wrote my own list of 1000. The result of such a list and making the choice to constantly notice the small things God had blessed me with was and is a life filled with joy. I realized after getting to 1000 is that I'll never be done with my list...so here it continues...

1001. Church today was completely dead-on with what God is working on in me right now.

1002. My fulfillment and worth is found in Christ and that is all that matters in the end.

1003. I got to go to church with my friend Lexie! She is such a sweetheart.

1004. Listening to JJ Heller while getting ready for church.

1005. The odd things I come up with in dreams...last night I dreamed I had a camel the size of a great dane but it lived in the apartment with me.

1006. I love it when Sara makes espresso and I get the leftovers for iced lattes.

1007. Someone donated a vacuum to us! Clean floors are lovely things. :)

1008. Reading more of Captivating right after I woke up. I love books that are able to show you truth in ways you hadn't thought of it before.

1009. After I got home from church, I had an invitation to go to the free day at the Denver Museum of nature and science! 

1010. I was able to make it to Brighton in time to carpool with friends.

1011. Our bodies are seriously so cool. Even when they don't function exactly the way they're supposed to, they're still cool.

1012. Nate won the game of "who can calm their brains down first (who knows what it's really called)" in the Hall of Life...I am glad I'm with a guy who is calmer than I am!

1013. I have a clean room and bathroom right now. It feels so good.

1014. I feel so lazy saying this, but I love that my church has an 11:00 service so I can sleep a little later on Sundays. 

1015. I am off of my awful seizure pills for the hiccups! I am so relieved to be done and over with those- they were both scary and annoying to take when I don't have seizures in the first place.

1016. I bought Well Fed yesterday (a Paleo cookbook) and the stuff in there actually looks good! Since it looks like I'll be on dietary restrictions for awhile (it looks like the hiccups were/are due to digestive issues) I need to buckle down and actually start cooking.

1017. Translation is really interesting. Difficult, but I'm learning so much! 

1018. I had a salad with fruit in it and raspberry vinaigrette yesterday- and I liked it. Who knew?

1019. Nate and I are so blessed to have mentors at church who will buy us dinner and provide fellowship and guidance. Especially if they'll take us to Larkburger.