Angels

It seems that I had a bit of trouble finding a story to go with this post on the internet, so I guess I’ll just have to ramble for a while [;

Whether or not you believe in the angels that wear halos and billowing white gowns and live in heaven, or the guardian angles that must roam our world saving us from as many of the stupid things that we humans do everyday as they can, there is one specific type of angel that I believe we can be sure of.

They’re not the graceful, heavenly creatures that people expect when they hear the word “angel,” but just as silly and often irrational as the rest of us. They’re the people that stick by our sides through thick and thin, and always put our needs above their own.  Though they are just as human as I am, I still find myself calling them my angels simply because they are the human form of the kind, loving, selfless creatures of beauty that I can imagine being in heaven, and hope to meet someday.

These human angels come in many forms: best friends, parents, spouses, aunts, uncles, cousins.  We all have at least one of those people in our life.  Their love leads them to do anything for us, and when the time comes I sure hope we can be as wonderful to them as they are to us.

So, thank you to all of my personal angels, I hope you know who you are ❤

Have a whimsical week, my angels [:

“I only know the names of two angels. Hark and Harold.”
-Gregory, 5

Just Breathe

If you know me at all then you know how easily I get stressed out.  Almost all of my close friends could give you their personal story about having to try to comfort me and make me snap out of my distressed trance..

Last weekend I went on a retreat with the other confermandi (I just love saying that word) from my church and, like every other retreat I’ve ever gone on with those amazing people, it reminded me of some pretty important things.

1.)  

Nothing is so horrible that it can’t be forgiven.  Now, please keep in mind that this is not me saying that you can go on a killing spree and get off easy, because that is most definitely NOT what I’m saying.  I’m just saying that you can still start over.  It’s never too late.

2.)

 Sometimes, the most simple things in life are the best.  The first night of retreat I looked up to see my friend reading her bible in the dark with her tiger flashlight.  It is the most amazing flashlight I’ve ever seen.  It roars.  Anyways, she may have given me a strange look when she heard my shutter go off in the silent room, but it was worth it because of her response to the picture after she saw it.

 

3.)

 It may seem cheesy, but journals work.  I was pretty reluctant when the team handed it to me because of the stack of journals in the corner of my closet that I tried to keep when I was younger, but now I love it.  I have one from last summer, and when I went back and read it last weekend it reminded me of how my life has changed since then.  Plus, they’re a great way to vent because they can’t judge.  If you believe that your journal judges you, you may want to seek some professional help (;

 

4.)

Remember what is really important and let go of what isn’t.  One of my friend’s advice to me was “Think to the future. Where will you be in a few years? When you’re applying for colleges, will your one not so great English class or this one year when you stressed a lot about English class really matter? Not even a little.”  So while your problem may not be your high school English class, I think that what she said pretty much applies to any situation.  If you’re wondering what this photo has to do with anything, my answer is simple.  You have to focus on the most important things, shine your light on them, and let your worries go to the darkness.  (No offense, Joseph)

5.)

Have FUN. That same genius friend also said “Turn on some music and remember that it really will all be okay.  You may have a couple more sleepless nights in your future and a couple more days where all this hard work still doesn’t seem to be paying off, but then you have break. To relax. And live. And forget school. And breathe. And remember why you LOVE to live.”  She’s pretty amazing, and she’s also very right.  I had more fun on retreat than I’ve had in a long time because I was able to shut everything else out and just enjoy the moment, and I can honestly say that it really helped my relationships with my friends grow as well as letting me make new friends.

 

6.)

Friends are the best.  Some come into your life for a short time and some are here to stay, but no matter how long you know them, they change your life in some significant (or not so significant) way.

For example, “A” and I have been best friends since kindergarten, and we’re obviously going to be the old ladies causing a ruckus in the nursing home.

7.) 

I think this one speaks for itself.

STOP.  Think about what has you worried.

BREATHE.  Focus on what you can learn from your situation.

PRAY.  If you still don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, pray about it.

Sometimes the solution is more simple than it seems.

Have a wonderful week.

“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.”