For Dad

I owe so much to you. The older I get, the more of you I see in me. "I am so sorry, Eliz..." is probably how you would respond that statement, but you know what Dad? I most definitely am not sorry. I am so grateful for all the lessons I've learned and qualities I've inherited from you.

Thanks, Dad:

For teaching me how to throw, catch, and hit.

For showing me how to work hard, and that every job should be done right, and well--the first time!

For setting an example of being a life-long learner, and loving it!

For helping me gain a solid appreciation for an often-overlooked dessert: Pie.

For making me feel important, loved, and worth-while.

For teaching me the importance of trust and integrity.

For sharing the joy that comes from getting to know new people and learning their stories.

For working so hard to support our family.

For showing me how to properly and efficiently wash a car--just like the professionals.
For taking me to the Grand Canyon, and helping me to appreciate all the natural beauty in the world!

For contributing to my broad tastes in music.

For always singing loud and proud, even though you knew you weren't the best at it.

For teaching me what was most important in life--mainly, living the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

For sincerely complimenting me and helping me feel beautiful.

For all the hugs and kisses over the years.

For passing down your silliness. (There's no doubt in my mind where I got it all from...)

For always making family the most important priority.

For teaching me how to analyze, evaluate, and make smart life decisions.

Showing me the satisfaction (and culinary delight) that comes from growing your own food.

For always encouraging a good doughnut party.
For loving our country, being a real patriot, and teaching me all I need to know to be the same.

For your humility, tenderness, humor, brains, love, dedication, and testimony.

You have taught me to live with conviction, purpose, and confidence. You are one in a million, M. Kent. Truly. And I'm so glad you're my "Dad Dad Daddy-O."

Findings from Two-Thousand 'n Fourteen

Happy New Year!! I know I'm about three days late with this post... looks like you'll just have to get over it. It has been ages since I've written a post, so three days late with my yearly re-cap looks okay to me. :)

I'm sitting here in my bed, on this beautiful Sunday afternoon, listening to the rhythmic breathing of my sleeping husband. (Yep--I said husband. I have one of those now, and the title is almost two months old. Weird. And awesome.) When I reflect on this last year, I just keep thinking, "Whaaaaaaaat...? How did I...? What if we...?" My mind is literally boggled.

How could your mind not be in a fog,
 when this is the face you get to wake up to every day?
Hummina hummina hummina...

And yet, I'm at complete peace. Things have changed drastically, but I feel at home in this new phase of life. This year was such a journey and I feel like I've learned so much through it all.

Here are some of my Findings from 2014:

1. We can never, ever judge anyone else until we have been in their same shoes and situation. (Something I learned from being in a serious committed relationship and transitioning to being a wife. I had no idea the sort of time and effort this sort of relationship took.) 
2. Planning a wedding is hard. And nearly impossible to do on your own. (I struggled! Your brain does not shut off for months because of constant wedding thoughts. It's exhausting. Thank goodness for mothers and sisters-in-law.)
3. The breakfast at Chick-Fil-A is greasy and delicious. 
4. Balloons are way underrated.
5. Travel. It helps us to see that the world is bigger than we are. Everyone should do it. 
6. Journaling is important. You never know when something/someone big might happen in your life, and you'll really regret not having kept a better record of all the small moments leading up to the big ones. Please believe me on this one.
7. "H-Anger" (or to be "h-angry"-hungry+angry) is a real thing. (I will be in a bad mood, husband can't do anything right, and it's all because I need sustenance.) Be aware!! Stay fed! 
8. Take a honeymoon. You will never regret a honeymoon. (We sacrificed to take a short trip after our wedding and it was such a blissful time that I will always cherish.)
9. It is our own personal responsibility to choose happiness. Nobody else can provide it for us. We must always look for ways to be happy and choose that joy!
10. Snap Pea Crisps are delicious. This is not a joke.
11. Hold on to your favorite friends. Cherish them. They are not easily replaced. (I have not always felt this way... I'm SO glad I see things differently now.)
12. Love is a choice. And it's scary sometimes. But it's the right choice.
13. Satan uses fear to paralyze us and keep us from making decisions that will bring us joy and progression. We MUST reach out in faith to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ so that we are not led astray. Do not make decisions out of fear. (If I had listened to fear, I might not be married right now. Thinking that I might have taken a different path out of fear makes me sick to my stomach.)
14. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is real. Repentance is real. The Savior of the World can truly change hearts and lead us to becoming our best selves.

This year will be a tough one to beat! Good thing it's not a competition. I can't wait for another year of a great life, and I'm so glad I now get to share it all with the person I love most!

You Should Visit Sweden If...

I had the amazing opportunity to join up with my friend Shannon and go on a wonderful Swedish adventure. This was my second time in Europe, and it didn't disappoint. We were able to see the islands of Oland and Gotland as well as exploring cities in the mainland. Sweden was not at the top of my list of places I wanted to go and see, but I sure am glad I took the opportunity, because it was truly splendid!


So if you are like me, and have never really thought about taking a trip to Sweden, here is a list of reasons why you should.

You should visit Sweden if...

1) You like to drink tea and coffee. It's everywhere. And it's cheap, if not free.

2) You like old/ancient stuff. Want to see some viking artifacts? Maybe a medieval structure or 24? Sweden is the place.

3) You want to enjoy charming architecture in even the smallest of towns.

4) You like pastries, or just plain old mind-blowing desserts. (Ask me where I got the best cheesecake I've ever eaten... It was not the Cheesecake Factory, or New York.)

5.) You like castles, fortresses, palaces, etc. and you want to see what they look like inside.

6.) You like techno music, the accordian, or a combination thereof.

7.) You enjoy beautiful green countryside. (Granted, you'd have to visit in the summer...)

8.) You like having days with about 20 hours of daylight. (Another summertime perk.)

9.) You appreciate well-preserved ruins dating back to the 1100s or something crazy like that.

10.) You like kind people, clean cities, and deliciously clean tap water.

People have asked me if I would go back to Sweden if I had the chance. The truth is, there are a lot of other places that I would really like to visit before I made a return trip there, but I would highly recommend it as a stop to anyone who is making a European excursion. It is truly beautiful, charming, and the people are kind and helpful. Sweden will always have a special place in my heart!

Dance Matters

After writing too many drafts to count, when it comes to this specific post, I realize I have too many feelings and inadequate words. So I'm going to forget about making it flowery and earth-shaking and just tell it like it is.

Dancing matters. I don't care if other people don't understand why or how, because I know that it matters to me and has been a huge factor in my becoming who I am today. Nothing else in this world feeds my soul and body on so many different levels. Through movement I have been able to feel and process a whole spectrum of emotion, create and communicate meaningful messages of hope and purpose, and grow to become a more whole and self-understanding human being. I have always loved this quote:

"Dance is the only art of which we ourselves are the stuff of which it is made."

-Ted Shawn, Time, 25 July 1955

That means dance is pretty important stuff. I remembered how important dance is this week when I had a friend and former student come and teach my classes for a few days. It truly provided me with relief during an emotional time, and reminded me of how much I need movement in my life. I wanted to share a couple videos of that combination so others could hopefully get a taste of what I've been rambling about. Enjoy! 

And remember: Dance matters.

*The beautiful movers that created this wonderful choreography are Jasmine Benton and Majee Bouey.

For Mom

Hey Mom, remember when this happened?

That was a great day for both of us, I think. I hope. Very painful for you, kind of traumatic and confusing for me, but I don't even remember it so I can't complain. :)





It's been too long since I've written a blog post. What better reason could I have to jump into one than thanking you? So, here goes.

Thanks, Mom:

For teaching me how to wipe off a counter-top really efficiently.

For teaching me how to be gentle in word, deed, and... baking. 

(I never over-mix, thanks to you.)

For showing me that women can do anything men can, by being the first to beat Zelda in our house. :)

For taking me to dance classes at least four days a week for, I dunno... 10 years???

For showing me how to laugh at myself and not take things too seriously or personally.

Teaching me to stay positive and rise above the bad in life. There is good in any situation.

For being my accompanist any time I feel like singing at the piano.

For passing on your appreciation for music, changing skies, nature, art, people, new places, all things beautiful, and... any sort of citrus desserts.

(Speaking of desserts, thanks for all the pies, Mom. And for letting me eat the leftover cinnamon-sugar crust.)

For teaching me patience, and love, and more patience.

For making sure that I knew I was beautiful, that my body is a blessing and I need to treat it as such.

For not getting annoyed when I do impressions of you. It's all out of love, Mom.

For all the times you tickled my back at night because I asked you to.

For teaching me to enjoy the quiet moments in life.

For going on long shopping excursions with me, even though you hate shopping.

For providing me with wonderful guidance, while letting me make my own decisions.

For your constant love, support, encouragement, and faith in who I am.

For teaching me that family is most important.

For showing me, through your example, that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the truest path to happiness, and that we can stay on that path if we choose to do right and keep an eternal perspective.

I can't thank you enough, Mom. Especially for that last one. You are wonderful, and I'm so glad I will be yours, and you will be mine forever.

Vampire Weekend

Back on September 27, 2013, I saw Vampire Weekend perform with my dear friend Dave. I'll admit, I was exhausted and not in the best mood for a high-energy, put-a-little-pep-in-your-step concert. But, I'm glad I went, because it was really fun.

I have always liked Vampire Weekend. They employ an intense variety of rhythms, instruments, vocal techniques and beats to make up a pretty unique sound. Almost all of their tunes could easily cause you to break out into some spontaneous dance moves. (That's not really saying much coming from me, but you get the point.) Vampire Weekend is simply fun, and interesting; a great combination.

So, I was a little disappointed when I felt like their live performance was a little flat. It just wasn't as mind-blowing as I expected. Don't get me wrong--they sounded GREAT! But I think their showmanship suffers due to the complexity of their music.

I did love watching the bass player, though.
Those guys always know how to move. :)

I will continue to love Vampire Weekend, listen to their albums, and use them for dance combinations/work-out soundtracks. I still think they're great, and will recommend them to a friend looking from some new tunes. Will I pay money to see them perform live again? Not likely.

Young the Giant

Last week I had the opportunity to see Young the Giant perform. 

Not a mistake

Never a mistake.

Got that?

It was the first concert I've been to in a while where I felt truly lost in the sound and experience. It was incredible. I soaked up every moment of the concert like a sponge.

The lights weren't anything crazy or over the top, no special effects or choreography, nothing cheesy or over-produced, because none of it was needed. The music was enough. I loved it. 

And that lead singer of theirs? A natural. He just knows how it's done.

You know a band is good when they're better live than on their recording. 

In saying that, let me say this: 

Young the Giant is great.

You know what else is great?
Sharing it with some choice
people.

Thanks to Two-Thousand and Thirteen

Happy New Year!

Isn't it interesting how the world just keeps turning and turning? New years come and go, life moves on, changes occur. Hopefully lessons are learned and personal progress is made. Here are thirteen things that I learned, thanks to the wonderful year of 2013.

1. New York is great! ...But maybe... Boston is better.
2. It is better to be trusted than to be loved. My Dad has always said that. It earned greater meaning this year.
3. Orca whales should not be kept in captivity. Disagree? Watch the movie "Blackfish." I'm sorry I ever went to SeaWorld.
4. Don't forget how much you love to read.
5. It doesn't matter how grown-up, mature, or independent you think you are; if you are sick, all you want is your mom. And that's okay.
6. When it comes to dating, things are lot easier if you just make small decisions. One day at a time. Believe me, if applied, this advice makes a very positive difference.
7. When in doubt, just eat the doughnut. 
8. Make sure that you have a fire extinguisher in your house, just in case. But seriously--check right now.
9. Don't be so busy documenting your life that you miss living it. (This is more in reference to social media as opposed to something like journaling.)
10. If you get the chance to sail on a sailboat around some Caribbean islands, take it.
11. Life is so much better when you love people, and serve them. If you are unhappy in life, it might be because you are only thinking about yourself.
12. Don't take life too seriously. Remember what is most important.
13. Be who you are. Love who you are. Share who are. There is only one of you, and the world needs you.

*Want to know what I learned the two years before this one? Read about 2011 and 2012...

Thanksgiving Food for Thought

Thanksgiving is next week. NEXT WEEK. (Where did the rest of November go? Unbelievable. But I'm glad it's here.) Expressions of gratitude abound at this time of year... but I always wish that same gratitude could abound year-round... Couldn't it?

Joseph B. Wirthlin gave a devotional at BYU back in the year 2000 called: "Live in Thanksgiving Daily." It is such a beautiful talk, and I really recommend reading it. He says in order to live in a way of daily thanksgiving, we need to do three things:

1. Open our Eyes... Unfortunately, because the beauties of life are so abundant, we often take them for granted, and overlook some of our choicest blessings. We need to open our eyes and see the good things in our lives on every layer! Not just friends, family, job, health--but laundry detergent, pillows, shoes, phones, music, water, candy, trees! The list is endless.
2. Open our Hearts... Our hearts are often bound with negative emotion and past scarring. We need to let go of those past aches and let the holes they may leave behind be filled with faith, hope and gratitude.
3. Open our Arms... Our blessings will become more apparent and bountiful if we open our arms and try to bless the lives of those around us. Joseph B. Wirthlin said, "Every time we cheer another's heart, every time we ease another's burden, every time we lift a weary head, we show our gratitude to that God whom we owe all that we have and all that we are."

I love how those three principles lead one right into the next. If we can open our eyes and see the blessings around us, it will be easier for us to open our hearts to greater possibilities and good in the world, and therefore help us open our arms to serve others.

So, living in thanksgiving daily means being grateful, right? Yes, but it also requires action on our part. Going around and telling everything and everyone that you are grateful for them is good, but it is better to live in a way that shows your gratitude. We can't just tell someone that we love them and are grateful for them, we need to show them through service. We can't just say that we're grateful for our bodies, we need to show it by treating them well with exercise and good eating habits. We can't just say we're grateful for a loving God--we need to show it by living His commandments and doing what he would want us to do. We need to express thanks in word and deed.

Life is so good. And it is just so much better when we see the good in it, and act to maintain and foster more good in our lives and the lives of others.

Live in Thanksgiving daily.

Sometimes...

Sometimes an individually wrapped Rolo melts in a pocket of your purse. Instead of attempting to clean out said pocket to save your phone, lip gloss, pen, or any other purse-worthy-pocket object from certain stickiness, you just cover up the caramel mess with an old movie ticket stub and Trident wrapper. Problem solved.

Sometimes you don't write on your blog for months at a time, but you see that it's still getting views and you wonder, "Who in the world is reading this? Especially when I haven't advertised it?" Interesting.

Sometimes you think about the time you spent a week on a sailboat in the Caribbean with a few friends and many strangers. You have to wonder how in the world you snagged such an incredible opportunity for an adventure that wonderful. It all seemed so easy... why can't I go back?

Sometimes you think about someone so much that it makes all your other thoughts fuzzy. Then you end up typing something like this. Shameful.

Sometimes you watch the last episode of the Bachelorette and you just cry. You cry because you're a little ashamed for spending your time in such a way, because maybe you really did just witness two people falling into a lifetime of love. Or you cry because you've become a sympathetic crier and that one girl on there cries all the dang time--you just can't fight it anymore. Valid.

Sometimes you change your living situation. And while you feel good about the change and the progress it could bring, you're concerned that the nearest Which Wich is substantially farther away than it used to be. Dang.

Sometimes you realize that Summer is coming to a close... And that's difficult. You love Summer. The Summer version of you is so fun, spontaneous, carefree and well... tan. But it's okay that the first day of school is tomorrow, because guess what? You love your job too. Ohhhhhhh how you love your job.

Sometimes you just want to end a post without a set conclusion; because, for some reason, those have always been really hard for you to write.

Commuting Confessions

I drive a lot to work. A lot, I tell you. It's much more than some, and not as much as others. Either way, I get sick of it. However, this is the time when I get a lot of thinking done. Very little of it is productive, a lot of it is imaginative, and a bit of it is worrisome. Here are some examples... my "Commuting Confessions."

• Sometimes there will be a car behind me consistently for miles and miles. If they're not riding my tail like an idiot, I start to like them there. They become a familiar sight in my rear-view mirror. It's like having a friend sharing the commuting pain. When they finally move over to exit or travel a little faster in their journey, I feel kind of sad inside. Abandoned. I don't like it.
• I watch people in the cars around me when waiting at a traffic light, and think about different places they could be going, or where they are coming from. It's humbling to be reminded of  how many people are in the world. And they all have their own story! Truly mind-boggling.
• I also like to pay attention to people when traffic is reeeeeaalllly slow. Like, inchworm slow. Sometimes they get really frustrated, to the point of yelling at themselves or banging on the steering wheel. I think that's hilarious. I laugh just thinking about it. Because what can you do? Sometimes you just need to roll down the windows and enjoy a slower pace.
• Semi-trucks remind me of dinosaurs. When they brake, it sounds like some sort of screech/roar. It's true! Then I imagine there's a dinosaur right outside my car!! Now that would be a great story to tell once you got home from work. That is, if you ever made it home... I heard something on the radio the other day that day-dreaming while driving is more dangerous than texting while driving. In my case, this is accurate!
• Too many people in AZ have personalized license plates. This may offend, but a personalized license plate is kind of lame. No, not kind of. It is lame. Unless it's like the one I saw this morning which said, "CHUMBCKT." I always appreciate an obscure SpongeBob Squarepants reference.
• Commutes are much more bearable when you're singing to some great tunes. And you sound stupendous in the car...it's amazing how powerful your voice can sound when the vibrations are bouncing right back at you as soon as they leave your mouth.
• When singing isn't enough to entertain, then there's always syncing. When traffic is crawling, I often resort to lip-syncing. (You know lip-syncing: when you just mouth the words while giving them all the emotion in the world, and pretending you're in front of an audience.) It's always fun, even in a car by yourself. Here is a perfect, and hilarious example of lip-syncing by Jimmy Fallon and John Krasinski. They are both pros! ...And I like to think I'm just as good. :)
• I love (when the weather/temperature permits) to drive with my sunroof open. When I'm on the freeway, it does great things to my hair. I love it because it feels like I'm getting a baby head massage. Is it worth the destruction of my hair-style? Definitely.

^^Thanks for reading my ramblings.

Good Idea/Bad Idea- Stairs

Good Idea: Watching your nephews and cheering them on as they show you the super cool jumps they love doing off the stairs.



Bad Idea: Continuing to watch as one of them resorts to simply falling down the stairs for fun, putting himself at risk for injury.



At least injury didn't happen. Not on my watch, anyway. And hey--they sure will love watching these videos when they see them.

*Favorite Part- In the background: 
Julie: "Oh y'all, don't break your legs!"
Harrison: "Mom we won't break our legs."
Julie: "I don't believe you."

MUSE

MUSE. 

-Holy fish paste.-

Their name says it all.

I do not have the capacity to accurately express the magnitude of their performance in words. 

The closest I can get is... mind-blowing. Impeccable lighting. Choreographed lasers. Technological. High Energy. Face-melting guitar solos. Dramatic. Loud. Exciting. Continually climactic. Amazing vocals. Original effects. Tight. Grand. Fun.

One of the most money experiences in life.

I LOVED it.

Here's a little taste of what I'm talking about...

The pyramid lifted up and the band was set
underneath it.

His piano lights up on the inside when he plays it.
That's the reflection of the lights on the lid.

Seriously...can't stop thinking about the show. Muse has earned the reputation of being one of the best live acts to see, and my opinion fully supports it. I was floored.

If you ever get the chance, and concerts are your thing, go see MUSE.

...and to think... I would have never taken advantage of this concert opportunity if it weren't for the recommendation of one of my favorites, Chelsea Karch. (Name drop.) Glad I got to share it will you, friend. :)

"It's Time" for Imagine Dragons

Imagine Dragons... LIVE.


I would pay to see them again at the drop of a hat and recommend one of their concerts to anyone.



 Why? Oh, I'll tell you.

They have: 

1. Great songs. There's a mix of intensity and fun--all of it is clean and uplifting.
2. Epic drum breaks.
3. A drum big enough to hold at least 6 adults inside of it, not to mention a few children.
4. A foxy lead singer with even foxier pipes.
5. Swell lighting.
6. Glow-in-the-dark beach balls.
7. Fantastic energy!
8. Beats that rock you right to your center.
9. Humility and sincerity in their performance--these guys are grateful for the opportunity to share music.
10. A tight sound that maintains a fresh quality.

I have been aware of Imagine Dragons for  about a year and a half now, and I'll admit: my love for them was always a little hesitant and half-hearted. I wasn't sure about all they had to offer as a band. However, seeing them perform live changed everything: I now consider myself a true fan. Thanks for getting me a ticket, Dave.

If you have yet to give Imagine Dragons a listen, I will tell you now: "It's Time."

Do a Little Dance Dare

About a year ago, Ellen Degeneres challenged her viewers to do what she called "Dance Dares." This is a game where you go up behind an unsuspecting person and dance behind them without them knowing. If they catch you in the act, you lose the game.

Sounds okay, right?
Well let me tell you something.
Dance Dares are way more than just okay.
Dance Daring may be the most fun you ever have.

If you ever find yourself in a crazy mood, just do a little Dance Dare.
If you're ever at a mediocre social gathering, spice it up with a Dance Dare.
If you feel like getting a good laugh, try out a Dance Dare.

I have yet to find someone who feels disappointed after exploring their own Dance Dare capabilities. But I have found plenty of people who have never even heard of such a thing. You should try it. Truly.

Here are some of my favorite official Dance Dare videos from the Ellen show.





...Aaaaaaaaaaand here's a video my friend Lacey made of some Dance Dares we did at a church activity back in December. (?) I may or may not have shimmied behind an unsuspecting missionary. That's fine.

Valentine's Day... what's that?

Valentine's Day. It comes and goes, year after year. And every year, this girl is without a valentine. Every year--no buts about it.

It seems like, as a single twenty-something, the constant reminders of love on Valentine's day can either make you or break you. You embrace the holiday, shelling out affection for your family and friends, or you completely shut it out, and close yourself off to the entire world for a day--too afraid of the possibility of a little heartache. There's also the few that rub their independence in the faces of others, saying that they're single, and that's the way they want it to stay--because who even wants the responsibility of having to celebrate on Valentine's Day?

All I know is, I don't want to be that person. You know who I'm talking about...

I don't want to be the person who makes excuses for their situation, blaming others or themselves for not being able to find love.

I don't want to grow bitter from feeling a few pangs of loneliness.

I don't want to resent the people around me for happiness they have found with their boyfriends, girlfriends, wives, or husbands.

I don't want to be the person who groans with envy after seeing a co-worker receive a bouquet of flowers and oodles of candy from a secret admirer.

I don't want to be that person because, let's face it, nobody likes a bitter, stank-face female who can't find her happiness without a man by her side. I wouldn't even like myself if I lived or thought that way. 

I just want to be me. I choose to love everyone, I choose to be happy with the blessings I enjoy right now in my life. (Because, let's face it--my life is pretty dang awesome.) I will not live in denial, saying that a "valentine" is not something I desire, but I will live with hope, that maybe next year will be the year. 

Maybe.

*The most romantic gesture I've gotten on Valentine's Day was when I worked at the YMCA. There was an old man, probably in his 80's who came in every day. His name was Richard and he was a sweetheart. One year, on February 14th, he brought me some roses. He handed them to me unceremoniously and said with a wink, "Here you go. Happy Valentine's Day. Don't tell my wife."

Brilliance Abounds

Sometimes I think about my friends, and how talented they are. I am so blessed to be surrounded by people who inspire me with their various skills in music, dancing, drawing, film, writing, photography, acting... flying.

Quite recently I watched a short film, made by my friend Alyssa Tolman, about the differences between Modern and Ballet dancers. I love it. She portrays classic stereotypes in such a witty and clever way, and the whole thing is so well done. My friend Jamie Myers portrays the Modern dancer in the movie, and she's nothing short of brilliant.

Please watch a lovely piece of work... broaden your mind, and maybe (just maybe) laugh a little bit. :)

Thanks, friends, for inspiring me to be better. And thanks, Jaime, for this: "In Modern dance it's like... how does my... how does my kidney feel about today? ... What does the  shoulder want to say today?" Fantastic!

Tricks of the Trade: 2012

*In this instance the word "trade" meaning...living life in general.

About to cross the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon

1) Hiking the Grand Canyon rim to rim to rim is just the hardest thing ever. But, it is in these types of experiences that we can learn what we're made of.

2) A session on the swings can really help you clear your head. I had a euphoric moment on the swings this year, complete with a perfect breeze, the sun warming my skin, and the feeling of weightlessness and release that comes from each back and forth motion. Don't overlook this childhood staple.

3) Coconut Caramel Coffee-cake will change your world if you let it.

4) Go to concerts. See shows. Feel the energy.

5) People are not consistent. We are ever-changing, learning creatures. We must have patience with ourselves, and others as these changes take place. We also need to allow changes to happen.

6) Seeing movies by yourself is awesome. Everyone should try it at least once.

7) Sometimes we only hear the things we want to hear. Then we formulate opinions based on this selective in-take of information. This needs to change.

8) Drive as safely as possible. (Otherwise, you might get a ticket, or your car will get totaled, resulting in a perma-headache and infringement on your bank account.)

9) I stand by a lesson I learned last year: Let people know when you care about or just appreciate them. It will add value to their life, and yours.

10) Never let fear make your decisions for you.

11) Be honest with yourself and others. Especially when it comes to relationships. Accept the truth when there's someone you're interested in. The older I get, the more I believe this: 

12) When in doubt or discouragement, read the following quotes:

“There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and will be lost.The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep yourself open and aware to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. ... No artist is pleased. [There is] no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.” 

--Martha Graham

"The future is as bright as your faith."

--Thomas S. Monson

"In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different."

--Coco Chanel

“When we truly understand what it means to love as Jesus Christ loves us, the confusion clears and our priorities align. Our walk as disciples of Christ becomes more joyful. Our lives take on new meaning. Our relationship with our Heavenly Father becomes more profound. Obedience becomes a joy rather than a burden.”

--Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Two-thousand and thirteen is here--can't wait to see what's in store.

Punting Pigeons

There is a gang of pigeons that gathers in the courtyard of the school where I teach. Some mornings, when I'm walking from my car to the dance room, a few of them cross my path. And do you know what I think?

I wish I could just kick that pigeon.

I wonder how far it would go.

Isn't that one of the most awful and inhumane things you've ever read? What did pigeons ever do to me? Well...they do poop on my car, make their homes where they don't belong, carry disease, walk around all proud and pompous, and Mike Tyson loves them. But despite any obvious offenses, it simply wouldn't be right to go around punting pigeons.

Sometimes thoughts like this cross my mind, and I think... Am I really the type of person that would go around kicking birds just for, well... kicks? Luckily, an experience earlier in the week helped me answer this question.

I was out in the courtyard with my students, cleaning up after lunch, and the pigeons were plentiful. They were walking around, enjoying the spoils from that day's spills, especially a spot occupied by a squashed muffin. I stepped very close to the muffin--only about a 6 inches away. The pigeons, startled at first, moved away quickly. But the fear didn't last long because they really wanted that muffin. One pigeon in particular. He meandered back to the treat, just inches from where I was standing So there I was--one foot away from a muffin-occupied pigeon, and I thought: Now is my chance. I could kick that pigeon.

I didn't, and I feel good about it. I just thought about how someone in the world loves pigeons, (besides Mike Tyson) and I need to respect that. I'm still not proud about my violent mental wanderings, but as the saying goes, "You are what you repeatedly do," (Aristotle...out of context, but still applicable) not necessarily what you think. (Otherwise, by now, I'd be a Jazz singer on the weekends.) Life is all about action.

Do I still think about wanting to punt a pigeon every once in a while? Yep. But I won't. Because I'm better than that--and so are they.

I was serious about that Mike
Tyson thing. It's an issue.

The World According to Mr. Rogers

I read a terrific little book just a few weeks ago... It is a compilation of quotes and thoughts by Fred Rogers and is entitled: "The World According to Mr. Rogers: Important Things to Remember." I loved it, and I wanted to share a few of the thoughts that impacted me the most, plus a little personal commentary...

"Confronting our feelings and giving them appropriate expression always takes strength, not weakness. It takes strength to acknowledge our anger, and sometimes more strength yet to curb the aggressive urges anger may bring and channel them into nonviolent outlets. It takes strength to face our sadness and to grieve and to let our grief and our anger flow in tears when they need to. It takes strength to talk about our feelings and to reach out for help and comfort when we need it." (There is so much value and importance in sharing how we feel in an effective manner, and letting people know what we want and expect. As someone who has a hard time expressing her true feelings, I really appreciated this thought.)

"It's not the honors and the prizes and the fancy outsides of life that ultimately nourish our souls. It's the knowing that we can be trusted, that we never have to fear the truth, that the bedrock of our very being is firm."

"One of my wise teachers, Dr. William F. Orr, told me, 'There is only one thing evil cannot stand and that is forgiveness.'" (So profound.)

"Mutually caring relationships require kindness and patience, tolerance, optimism, joy in the other's achievements, confidence in oneself, and the ability to give without undue thought of gain. We need to accept the fact that it's not in the power of any human being to provide all these things all the time. For any of us, mutually caring relationships will also always include some measure of unkindness and impatience, intolerance, pessimism, envy, self-doubt, and disappointment." (I think most people in the world today think that a loving relationship should just come easy, and that if work is necessary to maintain the relationship, you should just move on. That's a problem. Anything that is worth having, will take work, effort, and dedication. I used to be one of those people, who would just move on when things got hard. But I have since learned that my strongest non-familial relationships stand today because there was struggle involved at one point or another. There is only one exception that comes to mind, but I believe kindred spirits like that are few and far between.)

"The greatest gift you ever give is your honest self."

"When we love a person, we accept him or her exactly as is: the lovely with the unlovely, the strong along with the fearful, the true mixed in with the facade, and of course, the only way we can do it is by accepting ourselves that way." (I know this is factual. I feel that my love for others increased when I realized that I am imperfect, and I can't expect others to be more than I am.)

"As human beings, our job in life is to help people realize how rare and valuable each one of us really is, that each of us has something that no one else has--or ever will have--something inside that is unique to all time. It's our job to encourage each other to discover that uniqueness and to provide ways of developing its expression." (Amazing, that there is something inside you, and me, that is unique to ALL TIME. I believe it.)

"As different as we are from one another, as unique as each one of us is, we are much more the same than we are different. That may be the most essential message of all, as we help our children grow toward being caring, compassionate and charitable adults."

Oh, the wisdom! I'm overwhelmed. I don't care who you are--we can all learn a little something from Mr. Rogers, whether it be how pianos are made, how to play make-believe,  or how to be a good neighbor. What a guy. Thanks, Fred. Thanks for everything.