New Life Lessons Learned.

I have recently come to the conclusion that everyone needs to have a day where they exclude themselves from the world and just think. Think of what they truly want, how they are living, what they want to do eventually. I had one of those days today. Actually, I spent the entire day just crying on a park bench. But realizing things about yourself isnt the easiest thing to do. Here are some things I have learned throughout the past few weeks and hours: (note: "You" means "us")

Me. First day of kindergarten. I am the same. 

1. I have learned that the Lord is going to kick you while you are the ground. Not because he is a heartless fool, but because he wants us to learn to get up on our own. Our mom isn't going to help us feel better about ourselves. Your husband isn't going to make you have more worth. We have to wipe the dirt off our hands and learn how to stand up. I have fallen on the ground many times in my life. And I will continue to fall. But somehow finding a way to put a smile on your face is all you can do. I'm grateful the Lord doesn't give me everything I ask for.

2. Kate Winslet in The Holiday sums up my life pretty well in this quote: "I understand feeling as small and as insignificant as humanly possible. And how it can actually ache in places you didn't know you had inside you. And it doesn't matter how many new haircuts you get, or gyms you join, or how many glasses of chardonnay you drink with your girlfriends... you still go to bed every night going over every detail and wonder what you did wrong or how you could have misunderstood. And how in the hell for that brief moment you could think that you were that happy.And after all that, however long all that may be, you'll go somewhere new. And you'll meet people who make you feel worthwhile again. And little pieces of your soul will finally come back. And all that fuzzy stuff, those years of your life that you wasted, that will eventually begin to fade." --P.S. Kate Winslet is incredible.
Heartache will come to all of us. Heartache will come in forms of loneliness, divorce, break ups, not feeling close to the Savior, Depression, etc. Heartache is inevitable. It's how you continue on with life even when your heart is aching. 

3. Expectations that you have of others does not mean that they will be met. Just because you believe that you should be treated a certain way does not mean that you WILL be treated that way. 

4. I've learned to be Kind. You never know how is fighting a harder battle than you. That just one person complimentingme makes my day.That being kind is more important than being right. Everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile. But conversely, when someone doesn't-don't take it personally. Some people aren't as bubbly. And if they seem like they have a hard shell, I KNOW there is someone who is aching and just wants to be loved beneath that facade.

5. I've realized that teaching kids can bring you so much joy. I had been sick and been in my bed for days and I have missed my sixth graders. I know that they have no guile and keep me honest. 

6. I've learned that I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way. I worry about my family and friends constantly. I tend to be a worryer. But praying softens my heart, and hopefully theirs too.

7. I've learned that no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with. That you need to act immature and laugh. Laughter heals.

8. A hug can change your day. Or just someone asking whats wrong. I tend to feel lonely at times and when someone sends me a text or asks how I am doing--it truly helps. And although, I dont always respond with truth, It feels good to know that people care. Sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

9. It's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular. When the sun shines, it seems to make everyone else smile. Waking up to the birds singing, or the look of Fall leaves-it brings peace.

10. I've learned that a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. Happy people are more beautiful. They don't need makeup or high fashion clothes to make themselves feel better. They need a smile and a positive attitude.

11. Lastly, I've learned that: life is tough, but I'm tougher. Happiness has it's own of taking it's sweet time. And when you feel completely down, family will ALWAYS be there. Strength is not physical, it's mental. Some of the strongest people I know, were dying of cancer at the time.