Rules To Live By..

I found this today while stumbling... Had to share.

1. don't panic. don't take anything, not even these words (and especially not yourself), too seriously.

2. never stop thinking.. if someone ever says to you ‘you need to stop thinking so much' just ignore them and keep thinking deeper... your mind is the most important tool you have, if you stop using it, it will atrophy. FACT.

3. daydream as much as possible, even if it's only for a few seconds at a time. stare into space blankly and don’t ever punish yourself for doing it. there's no such thing as wasting time.

4. don’t be afraid to talk about anything. ask questions, and demand answers.

5. everyone is original. every life experience is case sensitive and unique. every thing you do makes you more YOU than anyone else has ever been.

6. stop rushing. take your time and enjoy every moment.

7. don't let anyone tell you what to believe. discover 'religion' for yourself.. it should never be taught, only found.

8. talking to yourself is healthy. who else do you have more in common with?

9. we will always be in a transitional phase. look around you and know that everything will be replaced at some point.. this existence is only temporary.

10. if someone else has already said it better, don't be afraid to quote them.

11. there is no such thing as time. there is only your life- earlier today you were born and death is predicted later in the evening.

12. every now and then take something that you see everyday and try to see it in a different light. renew its existence.

13. be happy... but don’t force it. that defeats the purpose. discover what is making you unhappy, and change it.

14. you will always succeed in trying.

15. we are all crazy. every person you read about in the history books, already know, or will maybe meet on the street, has or had some kind of ‘disorder’...you just have to learn how to use yours.

16. we are all about as similar as we are different.

17. ideas are just as valuable as people. why do you think we keep making people? we hope new people will have new ideas to share- so don't let everyone down by keeping yours to yourself.

18. words will always be just words. only the feelings are real

19. ask a child for advice, and never speak down to them. they may not know much, but they know what is important.

20. prove you’re alive. remind the world you are still here.

My Issues With Valentine’s Day.

I’ve hated Valentine’s Day for a very, very long time. Only my parents really ever made it sucked less when I was still in high school, but that was about it. (Beyond the requirements in high school to get the coolest Valentine’s Day cards you could find – I actually miss that.)

But anyways. I hate Valentine’s Day. For a multitude of reasons.

The first (and most common) reason being that it is simply a Hallmark holiday, thought up by the greeting card company. (And this is for the most part true – I looked up the historical aspects of Valentine’s Day and only in modern legends does it link St. Valentine to anything romantic – the original Valentines and the original legends of St. Valentine mark them all as martyrs.)

My next reason for hating this day, of all days, is the expectations put on it. People expect their significant others to go all out for Valentine’s, showering them in flowers and gifts (namely, really expensive jewelry) and candies (which they’ll bitch about later because it makes them fat). The point is, that due to these expectations, people freak out about this ONE day for weeks or months prior to it, trying to figure out how to blow away their significant other this year, how to make it better than last year. And this happens every year. Because if you do something amazing one year, you have to beat it the next year or your significant other will be disappointed and let down. Or if you do something simple, your significant other will still be disappointed because it doesn’t live up to the movies. And heaven forbid you try to ignore the day altogether (while you’re in a relationship anyways).

And the final reason. People sit there and try to bitch at people who hate Valentine’s day (mainly because of the first reason – it’s a hallmark holiday, but a little of the second reason gets thrown in there for spice), because it’s a day about LOVE. It’s a day about showing your friends, family, significant others, etc., how much you love them and appreciate them and blah blah blah. This is my issue. Why is there only ONE day of the year where people are REQUIRED (by society) to pay attention to their significant other? Shouldn’t that be something you do everyday? And as for buying candy, presents, flowers, etc. – why is it necessary to wait until this one day of the year to drop all kinds of money, just because society says you should? I feel like if you really, truly love someone, that should be something you do randomly throughout the year – surprise your significant other with presents or flowers or candies just because you love them and want to remind them of that by surprising them and making their day better (it’s even better to do that when you know they’re having a bad day).

I think if you do that, if you randomly surprise your significant other with gifts during the year, then yes, it’s okay for you to do something extra nice on Valentine’s day, because it’s something you do normally, and you aren’t doing it because of pressures from society. But, if you more or less ignore your special someone more than you pay attention to them during the year, and then you fret over this one day, because you feel like you have to, then that basically just makes you a hypocrite.

50 Lessons Life Taught Me.

I found this while stumbling today. I had to share.

50 Lessons Life Taught Me

By Regina Brett



To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me.

 It is the most-requested column I've ever written. When my odometer rolled over to 50, I updated the list.

Here it is:

1. 

Life isn't fair, but it's still good.


2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.


4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.


5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.


7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.


9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.


10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.


12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.


13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.


15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.


16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.


18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.


20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.


22. Overprepare, then go with the flow.


23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.


24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"


27. Always choose life.


28. Forgive everyone everything.


29. What other people think of you is none of your business.


30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.


31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.


36. Growing old beats the alternative - dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.

38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.


40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.


41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.


42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.


43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.


44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.


45. The best is yet to come.
46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.


47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.


48. If you don't ask, you don't get.
49. Yield.


50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift...

Many Thanks.

I want to acknowledge the people who helped me get through this year. I know I’ve done a thank you post before, but life continues to happen, and people continue to remind me how glad I am to have in them in my life.

Taylor Shideler –

Thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Thank you for always being there for me. Thank you for always telling me like it is, whether it’s what I want to hear or not. Thank you for always listening to me vent, no matter what. Thank you for still being there when I need you to be, even when we don’t talk on a regular basis. I’m so glad that we’ve made it this far. Ten years. It’s officially been ten years since we met. Middle school and high school were so…insane. So much happened during those years. So much has happened since then. YOU GOT PUBLISHED! I'm so goddamn proud of you for that. It’s amazing we’re still friends, and it couldn’t make me happier. I’ve seen you go through so much and grow up along the way. We’ve helped each other survive so much it’s incredible. But really, I want to thank you for how much you’ve helped me. No matter what problem I’m having, you make time for me. You tell me whatever it is I really need to hear, whether I like it or not. I love that I can trust you to be honest. It’s a truly amazing trait that isn’t present in a lot of people nowadays. I can’t wait to see what life brings us both as we continue on. And I’m glad I don’t have to question whether we’ll still be bessfrens along the way.

Cassie …Barbee –

I still have troubles remembering to write your new last name instead of your maiden name. I can’t believe how much has changed over the years. For us also, it’s been ten years. An entire freaking DECADE. God that makes me feel old. I’m so unbelievably glad that I have you in my life. You’re always there for me when I need you, and even when I don’t need you. I can always count on you to make sure you have time for me, despite the insane schedules we both have. I’m so proud of who we’ve both become and what our friendship has managed to survive over the years. To quote our song, “I can’t wait to see you again.” I know that no matter what happens over the years, I can count on you. I can’t wait to see how our lives continue to grow and change with each new days. I love you. <3

Kimberly Ann Possible…err..Kim Cieplik –

For some reason, I still want to call you Kimberly Ann Possible. Especially when I’m drunk. I just find it hilarious for some reason. You’re one of the most awesome, trustworthy, down-to-earth people I’ve ever met, and I’m so so so happy I have you in my life. I still remember how we met – we had matching rings in Benson’s math class. :) We’ve been through so damn much it’s amazing. Many years, school, Jones sodas, pockets full of pens we jacked from shows at the Carlson Center, and so many boys. I don’t think I would have been able to survive it without you. You helped me become who I am today. I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve helped me through over the years. I can’t wait to see what life continues to bring us, and to see you dominate everything thrown your way. You’re an amazing person, Kim. It takes a lot for my dad to want to replace me with someone specific…so it says something that he likes you that much. He doesn’t like many of my friends that much. But I love you darlin. I can’t wait to see how our lives continue to unfold.

Genileigh Erin Krystine Grey –

I know I’ve done one of these before, but you never cease to amaze me. You are always always always there for me when I need you, even when you have your own stuff going on. I can always count on you. You know what to say to make me feel better, even if it is something that I may not want to hear…you say it in a way that makes me feel okay anyways. I can’t imagine my life without you in it anymore. It’s amazing to think we met roughly 13 years ago (even though we decided everything after a decade is just knowing each other for forever). I am so incredibly proud of what you have managed to accomplish and survive over the past year. This year has beat up the both of us, and we’ve both survived it better people. Plus, you have an absolutely BEAUTIFUL baby girl. She’s so lucky to have such an amazing mother. I can’t wait to watch her grow up. And as always, you know I’m here for you. No matter what. Anytime of day. I’m hoping and praying that I get to move to Seward after graduation so I can be close to you and Zoëigh. So I can watch her get bigger, and be close to you to help with whatever I can. I love you Genileigh, and I thank you with all my heart for being the amazing and incredible person you are.

My AMAZING parents –

Finally, and last but certainly not least, my incredible parents. I can’t thank you guys enough for what you’ve done for me, what you’ve given me, over the span of my life. You guys are the reason I’m where I am today, and I’m who I am today. You guys have saved me so much during my life. You sent me to school to follow my dreams. I will forever be grateful for what you do for me. I love you guys so incredibly much, and I hope you know that. And I hope you’re proud of me. Proud of the person I’ve become.

2011 Reflection. 2012 Resolution.

It’s funny. I spent a large portion of 2011 counting down to 2012, and now that it’s here, I wish it wasn’t. If I could, I would do this year all over again. All the ups, downs, tears, smiles, laugh, pain. Everything. I would do it all again. And sure, there’s some things I would like to have been different, but really, if I had the option to do it again, I wouldn’t change anything. Everything happens for a reason. And I don’t believe in regrets. And I think in order to truly be able to live without regrets, you have to be able to, given the chance to relive something, live it without changing anything. No, this year hasn’t exactly been the greatest. But it taught me a lot about myself.

Everything that happened with Will…as much as it sucked, I wouldn’t change it. He taught me so much about myself, and I’d never want that to have not happened. It was a good memory, despite how he reacted after the fact. He taught me so much about myself and about what I need to do, who I need to be, before I can truly be in a successful relationship.

But anyways. This year, 2012, is graduation year. And honestly, that terrifies me. I find it hard to believe that almost four years have already gone by since I graduated high school. Four years ago, I didn’t honestly believe this is where my life would be. I’ve lost friends I never thought I would, but I also gained many more friends that have helped me become who I am today. And I’m so incredibly thankful for those people in my life. But with graduating, comes the real world. I’m not sure I’m ready for it, but I guess I don’t really have a choice in the matter. However I want to keep learning. I’ve been watching a lot of the TV show “Bones” lately, and I want to be like them – not necessarily the catching bad guys, staring at bones all day part, but the whole “I have multiple degrees in this, this, and this” part. I like learning. I would love to have multiple degrees. If I get the chance, I think my next one would be political science. And then maybe psychology. I don’t know. I just know I want to learn as much as I can in this lifetime.

Now, for 2012, here’s my resolution: take the phrase “I don’t have time” completely out of my vocabulary. Normally, I’ll make a resolution, and then it fails for whatever reason, usually because I just forget about it. But this one, I’m determined to stick to. While, I don’t believe in regrets, I honestly think that if I keep saying I don’t have time to do the things I want to, I will regret it. I have roughly 5ish months left in Hawaii. I honestly can’t imagine not living there next year. Not doing Halloween in Hawaii, not being able to go to Mooses every weekend. But the idea of moving home (well, to Seward), being roughly a 10 hour drive away from my parents, and a 3ish hour drive away from my soul sister and niece…that overwhelms any need I have to be able to go to Mooses or do HalloWaikiki. And if I get the internship I want, I’ll be able to help sick marine animals. And that’s what I want to do more than anything. So that’s my resolution. To make sure I have time to do anything and everything I want to while I still can.

Before I finish this off, I want to thank everyone who helped me get through this year. It’s been one of my roughest years yet, and I survived it with the help of some amazing people in my life, and my truly amazing parents. Despite being terrified of graduating, and what’s going to happen afterwards, I’m looking forward to this year. To seeing what my next adventure will be.

So much has happened this year. If someone had told me back on New Years, this is what would have happened, I would have thought they were high…or just completely insane. But alas, it did. And I don’t regret one second of it. To those of you who know me, you know I don’t believe in regrets. Life is too short for them. Everything happens for a reason, even if we don’t know that reason right then…we tend to figure it out later. I’m not going to try to explain on here what happened with Will. All that matters is it did, and it had to. For my sake, and maybe even for his. I don’t know. All I know is I wasn’t being what or who I needed to be for me, and I couldn’t keep doing what I was or it would have broken me completely. And I don’t blame him for that. He caused absolutely no part of what I was doing. It was my need to avoid conflict, my need to try to be perfect. And that’s not healthy. People aren’t perfect, relationships aren’t perfect. But anyways, it was what it was, and now it’s over. It was amazing, and I will never forget Will as long as I live, but now I’m doing what I need to do for me. I’m happy… most of the time anyways. But I’m trying and I’m doing what I can to make sure I’m happy. And that’s what matters. People in this life need to be happy. To cherish each and every day as it comes. Steve Jobs (R.I.P) once said that he woke up every morning and thought to himself that if it was his last day, what would he want to do? And when he went to bed, he thought that if that day was his last, would he regret anything he had done? And if his answer was no, he knew he did the right thing. That’s how more people should live. People need to be doing the good thing, the right thing, every day to help better themselves and others. And that’s what I’m trying to be. I found this 15 lessons to the pursuit of happiness, and I want to share it with you. Whoever you may be, I hope this makes you think. And I hope you follow it. I know I’m doing my best to. And whatever you’re doing in your day, I hope you’re smiling. Always smile. Even if you’re not happy, smile. As my organic chemistry teacher says, “Fake it ‘til you make it.” If you pretend to be happy long enough, eventually that happiness will be real.

The Pursuit of Happiness: 15 Lessons to Keep in Mind

1. The only person that can ever truly make you happy is yourself. Stop depending on everyone else.

2. People lie, stuff happens. Don’t take it too personally.

3. Want people to think you’re amazing? Start believing you are, and then they will too.

4. Smiling is the ultimate anti-depressant. Smile and laugh out loud, it doesn’t look stupid, I promise.

5. The world is never just black and white, right or wrong, one way or another. Try and see things from as many points of view as possible.

6. "Let everything happen to you
Beauty and terror
Just keep going
No feeling is final"
— Rainer Maria Rilke

7. Have empathy.

8. Gossip, problems of the past, events you cannot control, negative thoughts and negative people; time spent on these is time poorly wasted.

9. When you're jealous or find yourself filled with hate for someone/something, stop. The only person its hurting is you.

10. Although the newest, most expensive material things may make you feel as if you’re a better person, they won’t hold you at night or listen to you when you need it. Make sure your priorities make sense.

11. Step outside your comfort zone- it’s when you’ll really feel alive.

12. Don’t be afraid to be yourself, the people who really matter, don’t mind

13. Let your emotions out sometimes, humans have them for a reason.

14. Celebrate the things you have. Think only positively of the things you don’t (but would like to have) and they too will come.

15. Love unconditionally ♥.

Some Advice...

I found this while stumbling today…the site I got it from claimed they weren’t the author, so I can’t really give credit to anyone, but I really liked it. So whoever wrote this, thank you. It’s incredible. I hope this helps others out there to live their lives the way everyone should – as if each day is your last. Never take anything for granted, you don’t know when it won’t be there anymore.

Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there, to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson, or to help you figure out who you are or who you want to become. You never know who these people may be (possibly your roommate, neighbor, co-worker, longest friend, lover, or even a complete stranger) but when you lock eyes with them, you know at that very moment that they will affect your life in some profound way.

Some people come into our lives and quickly go.

Some people move our souls to dance.

They awaken us to new understanding with the passing whisper of their wisdom.

Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon.

They stay in our lives for awhile, leave footprints in our hearts,
and We are never, ever the same.

And sometimes things happen to you that may seem horrible, painful, and unfair at first, but in reflection you find that without overcoming those obstacles you would have never realized your potential, strength, willpower, or heart. Everything happens for a reason, nothing happens by chance or by means of luck. Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness, and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests, whatever they may be, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight flat road to nowhere. It would be safe and comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless. The people you meet who affect your life, and the success and downfalls you experience help to create who you become.

Even the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are probably the most poignant and important ones.

If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your heart, forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious when you open your heart. If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because in a way, they are teaching you to love and how to open your heart and eyes to things.

Make every day count!! Appreciate every moment and take from those moments everything that you possibly can for you may never be able to experience it again. Talk to people that you have never talked to before, and actually listen. Let yourself fall in love, break free, and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right to. Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don't believe in yourself; it will be hard for others to believe in you.

You can make of your life anything you wish. Create your own life then go out and live it with absolutely no regrets.