I haven't blogged in a while and need one just to get back in the swing of things. The following has not been well-planned (or planned at all):
I was talking to Stacy tonight about growing up. Growing up is a weird thing. I've been realizing over the last few weeks just how important family is. I've always known it, I was raised with great respect and love for my family, but recently I've been thinking a lot about how that changes when you get older. Instead of having my parents decide for me when I will see my family, I have to make that decision. I have to choose to be present and pursue time with them and pray for them. Some people get into their twenties and start to realize that their family is really fun to hang out with. I've always known, though there were a few years when I was loathe to admit it. Now I have to make that time for hanging out happen. I want to make it happen because I think my family is incredible. Let's take a look at things I've learned from my family.
Weird is cool. And way more fun to be around.
Being dramatic will get you nowhere and it will annoy everyone around you. But it happens sometimes.
Spend as much time outside as possible.
You can learn to appreciate how different people view quality time. Dad likes to read and watch movies and golf together, with or without talking, and he feels connected. Mom likes to work out and cook and shop and walk and swing together. Totally different activity levels, still just want time with you. Learn to appreciate being with people and it won't matter the situation, you will always be blessed by their presence.
Always offer to help, even if you don't think you'll be able to. Someone told me once that the reason I hadn't dated anyone yet was because I never asked for help. Valid on some level, although there is a much longer list of reasons for that (me being cooler than everyone, etc.) which mostly have to do with learning to be joyful while you wait. I know there have been times when I've had to ask for help, but I honestly can't recall ever needing to at home. I am constantly amazed when I realize yet another lesson I learned from my parents that they never actually verbally told me. This is one of those lessons, offering to help, or even just helping without asking, in any way you can regardless of whether or not someone asks. They have always offered not only their brains, skills, and talents to help me, they have offered their time. I still remember being in first grade and getting upset about something (probably that tooth someone threw away) and starting to cry by myself. Mom didn't pat my back in bed and tell me it would be okay, although that would've been alright, she took me into the living room and let me sit on her lap and just talk to her. Past my bedtime. Way past. We went through my spelling words for the week (the bonus word was Scales, capital S) and I felt like the most special kid in the world. The same thing happened at Dad's once too. I couldn't sleep and he let me stay up late and watch Star Trek with him. That was the only episode of Star Trek I ever enjoyed. All they did was spend time with me and I didn't have to ask them to. They knew I needed it and they gave it without asking for anything in return. I've learned/am learning how to ask for help, but it is still nice to be around people who do it regardless. I want to be one of those people.
Love what you do and do it with excellence.
Grace, grace, grace, screw up, apologize, grace.
Be happy and proud of who you are.
Char thoughts: - The best finds always come from TJ - Stomping on crunchy leaves still amuses me for long periods of time - I wish one of my friends would run for president, I think they'd do a much better job - The Tide really is real good - All I've wanted to do all week is throw a frisbee at the park - I need a haircut again and Mom is coming to see me this weekend again and she's going to kill me again - THIS WEATHER IS BEAUTIFUL -
