Three Year Snapshot

My Personal Leadership class just ended. My final project was creating a three year snapshot, to picture what my life will be like in three years. I'm sharing it with you. Quick notes, though. First, I'm not sure if I am going to BYU, I just put that there because it is one option. Second, I do not have a boyfriend and don't intend to for a couple of years. :)

Anyway.

 An envelope sits on my desk, torn open with its contents lying next to it. I  just read my acceptance letter from BYU. This fall I’ll be leaving to go start my major in journalism. Soon enough I’ll call my family and my boyfriend, but for now I’m okay with just being by myself, letting this soak in. Back when I started high school, I really struggled. It seemed hard to believe that I would ever make it through. But I did. I made it because I worked hard and let go of what didn’t really matter. I came through stronger, more intelligent, and wiser.

 I stayed active in church even when it was hardest. When I wanted to give up I chose to have faith instead. I gave my all in my callings. I stayed consistent in learning. Heavenly Father blessed me in return, and I am so incredibly thankful for that.

 My family relationships are better, because I’ve learned how to truly love and serve those closest to me while still balancing the other areas of my life. I’m engaged in my family, and even those family members I never thought I could have healed relationships with are close now. My brothers, my sisters, my brother-in-law, and my parents are all so wonderful and I’m blessed to have them.

 I started working with various newspapers and blogs when I was sixteen years old, so I feel prepared for the rest of my future in journalism. I have kept up my blog almost religiously since I started it six years ago, and my writing has improved so much. It makes me laugh to see the quality of my older posts compared to my current ones.

 I also have a job in retail. It’s nothing fancy, but I truly enjoy working with the rest of the team and having a job like this allows me to still be involved with my writing and my mentoring. I have put together a team of other mentors, but I am still actively involved in teaching and administration. A close community has developed in my business. It’s almost like another family.

 My boyfriend has been so incredibly supportive. He respects and loves me. He helps out in all of my dreams and helps me believe that I can do this even when I doubt myself. He has his own dreams, too, and lets me help him. I love him. This is exactly what I’ve wanted for my whole life. I can see us building a future together.

 My sixteen year-old self had trouble believing that I could have a life this beautiful and full of love. But my nineteen year-old self is able to look back and realize that life is what I choose to make of it. And I chose to make something beautiful.

I have a few goals I wrote out for how to get here. Start working as a freelance writer. Build up Ninniachel Mentoring. Graduate high school. Stuff like that.
Where do you want to be in three years?

 

Spirituality

Spirituality is a very ambiguous term. Some think of it as inherently tied to their religion. Some think of it as some sort of weird drug rituals that funky smelling people with weird hair practice. Others use spirituality to condemn religion, claiming that you cannot be spiritual and religious at the same time, and that spirituality is an alternative to religion.
There are many, many definitions, because it is such a personal term. Really, all it means is "the quality or state of being spiritual" (Merriam-Webster Dictionary.) To me, spirituality is awareness, mindfulness, and presence.
Awareness of what surrounds you, what you are feeling inside, and higher powers is crucial to being truly in touch with your spirit. Look around you and just be aware of what is happening. Look within you and see what you are feeling and how you have been building yourself. Listen to what you feel about the divinity of God or the Universe or whatever it is you believe. (I personally believe in God, but the point of this post is not to preach my God to you.)
It is also important to be mindful in everything you do. When you play music, be mindful of the way notes come forth from the instruments as you touch them. When you eat food, be mindful of the journey that food has come through. When you are walking be mindful of the way your feet walk upon the earth.
The last part I consider in spirituality is presence. Be where you are. Don't be distracted and waste away worrying about your past or your future. Be fully alive and awake and embrace your life at this moment.
Be spiritual, however that works for you. When you feel drained spiritually, do something to renew yourself. Try yoga, or breathing affirmations. Try climbing a tree and just sitting there by yourself, bathing in the knowledge that you are. Try journaling. Try reading holy writ.
Be aware. Be mindful. Be present. Be happy.

What Do You Live For

What would you die for?
That question is asked fairly often, and it is worthwhile. But there are better questions to be asking.
I personally find it easy to believe I would die for something. My religion. My family. My friends. Social causes.
Death isn't frightening.
But what would you live for?
What would you devote every day for the rest of your life to? What are you willing to do even though it's tough and tedious and there is no end in sight? What are you willing to do even when there is no glory or recognition for it?
Ask yourself.
And then live for it.

You, At Your Best

I am a passionate woman. I am curious. I ask questions, and I don’t accept things just because people tell me to. I love deeply and freely. I laugh often. I am kind and compassionate. I care about all those who surround me, and sometimes my heart aches because I just care so very much. I am humble enough to admit my mistakes, even when it’s hard. I get back up and keep going, because I have that essential stubbornness that just keeps me going. I am wise enough to know that I don’t know everything. I am motivated not by what the world or any organization tells me, but by what I feel in my heart. Passion fills my life. I follow my dreams. I boldly proclaim truth, and I also listen. I find my own truth and help others on their way. I am a mother. I am a warrior.

The above was something I wrote in my class the other day when asked to write about who I am at my best. Do I live up to that vision all the time? No. Sadly, I fall very short. But I can be that and I have been. It's what I aspire to be.
Who are you at your best? When have you seen glimpses of the potential you have? Remember the times when you have been dazzled by who you truly are. I want you to write who you really are, right now. Chase after that person. Grow into yourself.

Elder Halverson

Eli just went to the airport to fly far, far away and be a missionary in another country.
As I watched him pull out of our driveway at 3:23 this morning I missed him. But would I wish him to stay? Absolutely not.
My big brother grew up into the best man I know. He is going to go out there preaching the gospel and he is going to rock it.I am so incredibly proud of Eli.
Everything that makes him my hero is going to make him a great missionary: his work ethic, his patience, his dedication to service, his selflessness, his ability to keep things in perspective and not get discouraged, his genuine love for everybody. And it doesn't hurt to be incredibly funny and dashing.
Eli has always been my protector, my best friend, and my confidante. He's always been there for me. And even though I will be an adult by the time he gets back, he always will be my big brother.

Learn

Any real learning requires effort. You can sit through hours and hours of lectures in university halls and not learn anything. You can read hundreds of books and not learn anything. You can go to church every week for the rest of your life and not learn anything.
To really get knowledge into you and benefit from it you have to work. Think about things (even though thinking is in fact difficult.) Write. Call up a friend and talk to them about whatever you're learning. Try to make connections.
Seriously.
This doesn't just go for formal learning.
Take time to actually improve as a person and know more than you did before every day, as you're doing anything.