Resolution

Phil 13:3 "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead."

Four months into the new year, and I am checking in with how I am doing with my New Year's Resolutions. I made a few simple ones to better myself. Through bettering myself, I am hoping I can better those around me.

1. Find out your strengths and weakens and improve upon them.

My weakness: seeing the good in everyone (even those who do not deserve it), perfectionist, tries to please everyone, can never say, "No", and keeps my emotions inside me. My strengths: put others before myself, honest to the point where I could hurt your feelings but hey I'm being honest, every body's best friend, standing firm in my faith, and never giving up.

2. Settle for a guy who is everything with no excuses.

I do not want to make excuses for someone. "Oh they drink, but I really can handle it." No, I actually hate to worry about what trouble the guy will cause. I do not want all these great things, then one bad trait. I do not want this one bad trait to cause me to lie to myself about who I want to be with in my life. All or nothing. Last year, a good friend of mine, who actually was in love with me since we met in college, said, "If you have to feel different around someone than I would have to question their values." I believe that is true. I have firm values ,and I make them clear. Sometimes I make people mad, because I do not want to settle and be with someone. That is fine with me, but I promised myself two years ago I would not date someone unless they went to church with me..or at least attempted. God is the most important thing in my life and holds me together. My dad always says three things couples must have "common upbringing, common religion, and common interests." Sadly, I have found this out. Many times I have wanted to give up and thought who would actually WANT to go to church with me, let alone talk about it. I have not given up and have found that one guy who helps me keep that promise to myself to only date someone if they go to church with me. I now strongly believe that God leads you to people and does things in HIS time.

3. Do not get run over.

Because I do have firm values, and I am nice. In turn, that means I get run over. After certain events in my life, I wanted to stop doing good. This was not me in any way possible. It was almost a job for me to stop doing good. I realized it was built into me. Something so grounded in you does not go away. Certain people have come into my life, and made me believe in myself and doing good... Being myself. Near the end of my grandpa's life, he could barely talk. The last words he said to me were, "Good girl."This is a reminder to myself to continue doing good. These were his last words for a reason , and I want these to be the last words people say about me at the end of mine.

Keep up with your own New Year's Resolutions :)

Wishing I was 21...

The title of this post may have many of you assuming I wish I was 21 to go to bars and drink. WRONG! I titled this post to see how many of you would assume that and also to show that things have deeper meanings than the surface. Last night was my twin(Greek twin)'s 21st birthday. I turn 21 in four months. Unlike most people my age, I will not go to bars and forget my birthday. I will be at an FFA state convention for my best friend. She is the Indiana State FFA President and of all the thousands of people she knows...she picked me. I know nothing about FFA, but I am honored. In front of over 11,000 people, I have the opportunity to talk about a girl who inspires me and consider my little sister. That is what I will be doing on my 21st birthday.
Now, at 20 years old. I have only lived two decades, but I would like to enlighten those with the "naive wisdom" that I give my little sisters (Greek again). I give them advice daily and I sometimes reflect upon what I say and think, "Man I sound like my dad." I've always wanted a little sister. My mom left my dad when I was three, and ever since then I've wanted a little sister. I found out the combination to my dad's briefcase and slipped in pieces of paper with the adoption number for children overseas. I didn't understand why I couldn't just pick up a sister. My dad insisted that I wouldn't want a little sister by the time the adoption papers and everything went through. After all of this time, I still wanted someone to help and take care of. I am always looking for the best for them whether it be with homework, Zeta, or advice. I am glad they can come to me with their problems, and hope to continue to do so in the future.

Here are 21 things I have learned by 21:



1. Do for others first.
I receive great satisfaction out of seeing others happy. It actually makes me happy, even when I feel like there is no hope.

2. You can't please everyone.
If you do that, someone will complain one way or another. Do what you think is best, and it usually is for everyone too.

3. You are some one's example.
Sometimes I feel like the best role model and then other times I feel not even worthy of people talking to me. No matter how you feel, someone somewhere looks up to you, leans upon you, and depends on you.

4. Do your best always.
I constantly tell my littles this! Even if you feel like you failed, you at least know you gave your best shot. And if you do your best, and got whatever you were achieving, then you know you are the best. Never doubt yourself (coming from a girl who so often does)!

5. Love unconditionally.
Love all people with your whole heart. Good or bad. Love with all of your being.

6. Tell yourself everyday that you are smart, beautiful, and confident.
Whenever I get down on myself, I look in the mirror and repeat these words until I believe them. I think a lot of girls should say this daily, because everybody is in their own way.

7. There are two sides to every story.
Sometimes it is difficult to see another person's point of view. By seeing other people's perspective, it gains insight in your own. And remember....you are NOT always right.

8. Be open to change.
I am not saying change for anything or anyone. I mean if any idea is better for a group as a whole, go with it. If a new guy that is totally different than your past ones, go for it. Change is good as long as you keep an open mind.

9. Love finds you.
If you go and try to find someone who is right for you, it won't happen. Someone will come along and make you believe in yourself again. When you care about that person who finds you, give them all of your heart. Once again never do anything halfway or you're cheating yourself.

10. Everything is better in the morning.
My grandma always says this. If I am ever upset, it never fails. I wake up and laugh and wonder why I worried about that the night before.

11. Don't worry about "What Ifs"
I used to be the biggest worrier of all mankind. I used to plan outlets if something did not go right. Most of the time nothing bad every happened thankfully. Wait until that "what if" comes, because most of the time it never will. Instead concern your time with now and what it holds or you'll lose that too and say "what if".

12. Listen to your gut.
But not when you are hungry. In anatomy last year, this concept hit me. Maybe our soul is in our gut so to speak. People say follow your heart. No, this leads to emotional thinking. People say listen to your head. No, this leads to over thinking. People say go with your gut feeling. I started doing this, and my life is a lot simpler. Usually my first instinct gets me to where I need to be in life.

13. In the end, being good pays off.
So often I want to give up being nice, but in the end what would I benefit from that? Good things really do come to those who wait. I've cried many times wondering why people seem to want you to fail. As soon as I felt that way, I received a full ride scholarship or an award for WHO I AM. I would be nothing without God. Everyday I thank Him for never letting me give up on myself. My little received a position as a Orientation Leader. She wanted to give up doing good. I told her about myself, and because of her good actions she received good in return. Patience is the key.

14. Be honest with yourself.
If you can't be honest with yourself, then who can you be honest with?

15. Don't anticipate anything.
Never expect anything of anybody. It is something we all strive for but when others do not live up to our expectation for them it is something we never expect! Don't anticipate that big test or that vacation. Live each day as if it is all God has to offer you.

16. Happiness is all in your perspective.
Things could always be worse, so be happy :)

17. Tell people you love them always.
Love is such a strong emotion, feeling, and action. Since it is so strong and powerful, it should be used often.

18. Believe in someone.
Giving someone the inspiration to know that someone believes in their dreams. A girl in my high school still chats with me about her dreams to be a singer. As hard as that dream may be to achieve, I still believe in her. She has such strong love and passion for people and never loses hope. I look up to her for always believing. It is so hard to think you can not do something. Believing in someone, helps you believe in yourself.

19. Be humble.
Be thankful for small things. Your shoes, coat, house, friends, family, health. There are soooo many things. I stop and I am thankful for God giving us color. Or the ability to sing to him and listen to music and feel emotions. Or my favorite is those cool, spring days when you sit on your front porch and smell the air of "newness." That is the best smell in the world of promise, renewal, and hope. Take time to appreciate the little things.

20. Love a person's soul.
I considered this one before, but never deeply until tonight talking with a friend. When I look at people, I judge them for their soul. Not their outward appearance. For example, your dads never do age do they? Yes, they do, but you don't notice because you think "Oh hey that's just my dad." You automatically think of him as a person, his soul. So many people I do that with anymore. Maybe it comes with becoming older. Try looking into people's soul. That is the REAL person.

21. God is good.
Always.