Living

Life is good.And not just when things are going great. Not just when we are able to live out some amazing dream or have some spectacular experience. Life is good even when it’s awful because as often as we may have times of weakness or feelings of resignation, there will still be the remaining fact that we are all walking miracles.

We are living and breathing and capable of such beautiful and brilliant things. Sometimes I just stop and put my hand to my heart and feel its’ beat. I allow it to calm me as I reflect on all of the complex things that are currently happening in my body simply to maintain that beat.

Life isn’t always about achieving some incredible success or experiencing a million and one things. As much as those things can enhance our time on earth, there are still the small moments that should be focused on too: Spending time with family and friends, having positive and supportive people in our lives, drinking tea on a quiet sunny morning, singing at the top of your lungs, eating ice cream, hugging really tight, taking a walk or exercising; and realizing how incredibly lucky you are to have the physical capabilities to do these things because there are many many people who would give anything to be able to do what you are able to do on a daily basis.

I could go on but basically: Perspective.

Daydream

One intense fantasy that I have involves spending endless days and nights camping on some tropical island with a bunch of the best people in my life.

Days would be spent basking in the sun, swimming, exploring, eating and drinking, while singing and dancing to a Jimmy Buffet-esque playlist.

Nights would be spent in the same exact way except that a warm and relaxing campfire would take the sunshine’s place.

I daydream and fantasize about this on almost a daily basis.

Growth.

Wow. Its been a while. Over a year.
I just read some of my past entries and am shocked to realize how much I have changed since then. 2012 brought so many unexpected things into my life that I am so incredibly grateful for. What really hit home for me was something I wrote in my first blog entry as a letter to the new year. I wrote:

"2012, please be memorable, enlightening, breathtaking, different, adventurous, and full of love."

...and boy did 2012 deliver. God gave me a beautiful new year full of so much growth and experience. It had its ups and downs as every year does as well as many challenges that had to be overcome but I've learned so much from being here at Potsdam. Even just these first two semesters have provided me with connections, people and knowledge that will stick with me for years to come.

Being away on my own has really put things in perspective. I know this is just the very beginning and I have a long way to go in every aspect but I'm so thankful to have this opportunity. 2013 has had a rocky start but I'm making the most of it and continuing to learn. I'm excited and a little anxious to see what these next few months (and next semester) bring. I am going to try to document my journey a little bit more (mostly for my own benefit) and continue putting everything into perspective.