When the rain finally stops everything is still wet from the previous storm. It takes a while but eventually things dry. Rain is a part of nature's cycle, it's needed. I think that it's the same with us. Sometimes we need to cry and sometimes we go through sad times. Storms aren't always fun and many times it does damage. Hard times aren't fun either and can do damage as well. Thing is after every storm there is a rainbow and so after every hard time there is happiness. Never forget that!

Music Within

"Without music, life would be a mistake." -Friedrich Nietzsche
The greatest songs come from within. Every heart has a beat just like every song. We move to the beat of our heart. It's hard sometimes to explain how a song makes us feel. Words do not fully understand what a song does. "Music touches us emotionally, where words alone can't." -Johnny Depp

Here are some random songs I enjoy:
"Extra Ordinary" Lucy Hale
"Pompeii" Bastille
"Counting Stars" One Republic
"Timber" Kesha
"Feel This Moment" Christina Aguilera
"Life Keeps Moving On" Ben Rector
"Advice" Christina Grimmie
"Brave" Josh Groban
"How Bad We Need Each Other" Marc Scibilia
"Invisible" Hunter Hayes
"Wake Me Up" Avicii (Madilyn Bailey version)
"Don't Want to Be Waiting" Grace Valerie
"Pyromania" Cascada
"Miss Movin' On" Fifth Harmony
"It's a Beautiful Day" Michael Buble

True to the Heart

Moving to a brand new town can be either a scary experience or a pleasant one, it just depends on the attitude you bring. I mean thinking about it one has to start over again. New friends, new job, new place to live, and in a lot of cases a new environment. Personally I think it can be harder to do what feels right instead of what is thought to be right. Eventually things work out but until then it's not always fun. Steve Jobs once said, "Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma-which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition." Sometimes following your heart means saying the word "no." Someone's feelings could get hurt; that is hard knowing someone can get hurt by your decision but who are you more loyal to, yourself or another? I mean think about it who are you most loyal to? Sometimes that is not the same as who you want to be most loyal to. I think people can't really be loyal to others until they are first loyal to themselves. Really I think one of the greatest tragedies in life is forgetting who you are, acting like someone else, and being loyal to the wrong people. At the end of the day you have to live with your decisions and look at yourself in the mirror, not them. Remember who you are and be true to yourself. 

New Heights

At some point in our lives we must climb new heights and seek new perspectives.  If we consistently think the same things we will in essence continue to stand where we are currently standing.  Climbing a mountain requires moving or changing location consistently in order to reach the top.  Life is a constant climb to reach the top.  

Today I was reminded of that.  I wanted to get to the top of my mountain while standing still.  Sitting on a park bench in the middle of a hike comes with many dangers.  Choosing to not move comes with a price. Sometimes the rain comes down and soaks the valley, why sit in that?  Maybe the rain brings lightening, why risk a life?  And every evening it grows dark, what dangers could arise by sitting in the same place?  And seasons change.  Winter comes around every year and in some places that means snow, was it worth loosing a toe?  And for what?  What prize does one get sitting and waiting for something?  The only prize that is gained is not gaining anything at all.  Sunrises are prettier at the top than at the bottom or somewhere in between.  It is easier to see the whole picture at the top than at the bottom or somewhere in between.  

There is so much to become, to see, to taste, to feel, to do than remaining the same.  How many of us really want to keep our teenager thoughts?  Or do we want to develop our minds into something better?  

Sometimes along the journey our backpacks are too heavy and we must let go of some burdens.  What burdens are you willing to let go of to make the journey to the top?  Are holding rocks in a backpack necessary?  Life will throw all kinds challenges along the way, are we ready for when they come?  Are we trying to become ready?

I'm grateful for the Savior and for His guidance in all things.  I realize that His plans are better than mine.  I think He knows that I want to reach the top but that I need to be the one to make the trip.  

Through finals week remember...

Walt Disney once said, "Keep moving forward."  There are times that you may want to just give up and not worry about things anymore.  The problem with this sort of thinking is sacrificing passion.  It can be good to be passionate about things in fact when one isn't passionate there almost seems to be less of that person.  For example, when a musician is playing a song do you want want to listen to someone who is just playing the music or someone who is passionate about their music?  It's so interesting how sometimes we'd rather hear about passion than have passion in our lives.  How many people who are reading this go into their classes or their job just to get through the day?  How many of you guys really enjoy that?  What if you went into school or your work place with the mindset that you were going to take as much knowledge or help as many people as you possibly can?  Don't you think that that would make the difference?  Wouldn't you feel more alive if you did that?
Sometimes we have more motivation to be passionate.  Growing up my life forced me to want things more than most people I came across.  In elementary school a kid hit me in the head with a sharp rock because I wouldn't give up my seat.  In middle school the same group of girls picked on me for whatever reason they could find.  In high school some guy thought it was funny to throw ice at my back.  I can even give you stories about guys who were creeps and jerks to the point where my safety became at risk.  I've been told I was worthless by guys and girls for many years.  There were many days when I had to tell myself to just make it through one more day.  Through all of this I developed deep love and respect for others.  Yes, I'll admit I wasn't perfect at it.  Anyways, I worked really hard to create a life for myself where I wouldn't have to be around this anymore.  I could have just believed what others thought of me but I didn't.  At times I did break down and wasn't that fun to be around but I always picked myself up because I knew there was a better life out there, I just had to find it.  Years later I now attend a wonderful university, interned with Disney, and anticipate graduating in a few years.  
My point is to never give up.  Become passionate about making your life great!  Life will knock you down at times but you are only as down as you allow yourself to be.  There are great things waiting for you but you have to let them come and by doubting or having a pity party they can't.  Trust me, I know, I've been there.  I still hear people telling me I can't do this or I'll never amount up to that.  It's hard but I know that by working hard I can make something positive out of something negative.  Keep trying, keep improving, keep becoming better no matter who does or doesn't believe in you, no matter what happens to you.  Never give up.  "Keep moving forward."

Love and be loved

Everyone struggles in life and needs a lift from time to time, no matter who you are.  Let's face it, life is hard sometimes.  Some challenges are easy to spot but others aren't.  In fact it can even hurt when no one recognizes a person exists.  I know from personal experience what it's like to be overlooked and it's been my goal to make sure people don't feel that way.  My first year of college I was at a grocery store grabbing some stuff that I needed.  I ran into this complete stranger there and just started talking with him.  It was a nice, brief conversation.  Well about a year later I actually ran into him again.  I recognized his face but I can't remember where I knew him from.  He was so grateful that I had the courage to just talk to him because he was having a rough day and that turned his day around.  As much as I've been nice to people there have been people who have been nice to me.  I had one instance where someone I've gotten to know just randomly (literally out of the blue) took me off facebook.  I went to his house and asked him what I did to him...no answer.  I went over to a friend's house and just cried.  They let me vent and cry on their shoulders because it really hurt.  My point is that we stand in need to help and we stand in need to be helped.  Never rob someone of an opportunity to serve you because you never know if that might be a life changing opportunity for them.  You also never know if that will be a life changing opportunity for you.  I've come to love those that I serve just as much as those who have served me so love and be loved.

Fear not the fear

"Fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself."  It's really difficult and scary thinking of the future, especially when you're not sure what'll happen.  College is a trying time for everyone.  Those who survive and are able to find a job after are doing good.  The end result seems wonderful in and of itself but what about the struggle?  School is basically blood, sweat, and tears at times.  Think about it, when you applied didn't you sweat a little?  When you failed or came close to failing a test didn't you cry?  When you were studying didn't you get at least one paper cut?  It's the concept of blood, sweat, and tears and somehow this motivates us human beings to do a little bit better.  What about all the drama that happened?  If you made it through college without any drama I commend you; please tell me how you did it, seriously!  Let's face it, college is rough.
Last semester my dad lost his job which means that I am now financing my entire schooling all by myself.  After talking with my mom I found out that she is now making $8,000 less than a year ago.  My grandparents aren't able to support anyone with my older sister the way she is.  To make matters even more interesting I'm no longer speaking to my dad.  Things keep happening and it's scary what could happen, what is happening in my life.
I suppose when these things happen in life the only things that we have left to hold onto is hope or fear.  Sometimes they are the same; we fear what we hope.  If we fear what we hope are we really hoping?  Shouldn't we just dust off our shoes a bit and work ten times harder than we ever have?  Is there really any room for fear?  "I can see the weight there in your eyes.  I can feel the thorn in your side.  Your knuckles are bruised from a loosing fight.  One way down a dead end street, broken glass underneath your feet.  You think the day won't break the sunless night.  The sun'll rise, the sun'll rise, when you've lost your light, the sun'll rise, it'll be alright...although you can't see it, so hard to believe it, sometimes you need a little faith.  There's an answer to your prayer and I swear that there'll come a day, yeah.  The sun'll rise, the sun'll rise, the sun'll rise (Kelly Clarkson)."  We can't always see this but one day things will make sense.  If you have a goal, no matter if the odds are with you or not, pursue it.  Fear not greatness but rather let greatness be afraid of you.