Realizing

As I count down the days, the world around me gets better and better. It is because of that feeling that I start feeling a bit down.

Today was my last day working at what I referred to as my morning job. For those who still dont know what I did (saying did sounds really weird to me), I worked for my uncle manufacturing and shipping all the products on this website LeadBox.com.

Ive really been reflecting recently on all the memories I have had with many people. Thats what makes this hard I guess, the fact that I will be away for awhile not spending it with those people.

But this has helped me so much in a way as well. There are many people that I would love to spend at least one more minute with, but I begin realizing that the chances are really slim. It is because of realizing this that I have come to appreciate the memories that I have. Whether those memories are from long ago or just recently, or if those moments lasted a long time or if they seemed to go by really fast... Everything means so much more to me now. It is because of the people that we meet in our lives that make who we are today. It is the people that we try so hard to be with that define who we want to be in life.

I can truly say that I have surrounded myself with awesome people and that there are some awesome people that I may never see again that I have changed my life in profound ways.

Even though I am saddened, I really feel blessed in my life because of the people who have come into it.

You have been a light, an inspiration, and a motivation to me... and I thank you for that. I dont think I will ever be able to really explain what you have done, but I can honestly say that it has been through the Lord's work. I promise you my prayers, my thoughts, and a piece of my heart.

Chapters

Back in the day when I worked at Knott’s, there was a guest speaker who came out to talk to all the members of management. I honestly can’t remember exactly what his topic was, but he posed a question that has stuck in my mind ever since. He asked, “If you had to choose 5 moments in your life that define who you are, what would they be?”. The 5 moments have changed for me so many times as I come across new experiences, but that is expected as we continue to live our lives.

I look back now, and it is impossible for me to only choose 5 moments, especially when I think about the moments in my life that have formed me spiritually. There is so much that has happened that has led me to where I am today and towards the future endeavors I am moving towards. Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, my emotional downfall, my conversion, youth group, NCP, NET Interview, and meeting people who have changed my life without even knowing it are just a few of the countless moments that I can mention.

Here’s the problem that I have realized though with the earlier moments. I’ve realized that I didn’t recognize the importance of the moments and that makes me feel like I didn’t truly live in those moments. I realize that there are times when we may not understand the impact an event has on our lives until it has passed, but that just motivates me to LIVE IN EVERY MOMENT.

When I read a book, I really try to live in the eyes of the characters in that book. Our lives though are a story as well. We are living in the book that is being written as we live. Every person that we meet is a character to add to our story. Everywhere we go is a new setting. All the happiness and sadness helps keep our story interesting. Every moment and event that we go through is a chapter that we can add to the story of who we are.

If we look back at the Gospels, we are graced with the opportunity to know who Jesus was. We know where He went, who He was hanging out with, and what He did. It is because of that that I can truly walk with Him in my life. I can live with Him in my life. I can model my life off of what He did.

What will the book of your life look like? What stories will it tell? What message will it get across? Those are just a few questions that we can look back on as we near the end of our story, but there is a question that will have more meaning to us. Did I live in those moments?

Don’t just let life pass you by. Don’t let your life just be moments that you will reflect back on. Make those moments ones that you have lived through.







At the moments, I am sitting here restless. I am trying to find my focus through the distraction that makes my heart skip a beat. I am also figuring out how I am going to live out these next 53 days that I am here in the comfort of the place and people that I know.

Restless

I fight with the struggles going on inside
As the days so quickly pass me by
Looking back at the past and looking towards my future
Living in the present, this moment, feeling so unsure
My mind tells me one thing
My heart says another
I know what I desire
But it’s really up to the Father
I seek, I ask, I knock trying to find it
But at this point, to you Lord I commend my spirit

Defy

this is from a year ago

Quote of the Week for June 16th 2008

"The will to persevere seperates failure from success. So, when life brings you down in a wicked way, defy gravity and stay standing."
(and yes that is a reference to the AWESOME broadway musical Wicked)


When things aren't going our way, what do we do about it? Do we let life keep us down or do we take control of our minds and our lives and get back up? It has been said, "It's not how many times you fall down, but how many times you get up."

Did:
- The little engine that could back up when he came to the hill?
- Simba give up his throne after his father had died?
- Alladin decide not to persue Princess Jasmine because he was a street rat?
- Did Oscar Pistorius cive up in his dreams? (http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/print/2189)


It's hard to avoid life getting you down, but dont let it KEEP you down.