If you haven't noticed, our society and especially our generation (I think) focuses on the negative much more than the positive. Think about it: when you turn on the news, you hear about how many trains crashed this year and how many people died. You don't hear how many children were adopted or how homelessness has decreased. We have a GALORE of self-help books. We LOVE self-help! I am including myself in this too, so I cannot judge. We hone in on how to make ourselves the "better versions of ourselves" and how to live a life full of happiness. Why, as human beings, do we constantly search for something more? We're always looking for the next thing right around the corner. We're always looking forward to our "BIG MOMENT."
A very special friend of mine knew I was going through a tough time a few months ago. Personally, I think one of the best gifts you can give is your understanding, compassion, and a good book to explain all of the above. That is just what she did. For my graduation present, I was given the book Cold Tangerines written by Shauna Niequist.

I have probably 100 quotes highlighted that stood out to me. However, one of my favorites is in the very first chapter when discussing the urban myth of the BIG MOMENT... you know, that moment where EVERYTHING makes sense, the climax of the movie where everyone's life changes, the wedding day, the perfect job, etc. Instead, "in glimpses in flashes, that thing I'm waiting for, that adventure, that movie-score-worthy experience unfolding gracefully. This is it. Normal, daily life ticking by on our streets and sidewalks, in our houses and apartments, in our beds and at our dinner tables, in our dreamers and prayers and fights and secrets- this pedestrian life is the most precious thing any of us will ever experience." I could not have said it better myself.
We're always waiting to be something more, looking forward to the better versions of ourselves. I know in high school I couldn't wait to start college and be a psychology major. I thought for sure I was going to go on to get my PhD and be a therapist. When I graduated, I realized I am not ready to be done with school and my passion had changed to more criminology. Those gruesome and stressful two years all I could think about was being able to say "I have a Master's degree" and start my career path. Now that I have done both things, I'm finding myself still waiting. Waiting for what exactly? Well, I want to settle down. I'll admit I want someone to share life's little moments with, have a family, buy a house, etc. But once that happens, guess what? I'll still be waiting. So these past few weeks, my goal is to remind myself everyday, every time I daydream of the future or get down in the dumps because life doesn't seem "perfect" yet, that the present- the here and now- is what leads to those moments. If I pass these little moments by, I may miss the path I am supposed to take. Who knew? Thank you Cold Tangerines.
So what better thing to do than enjoy the simple pleasures...
Visited Flagstaff and had a gorgeous hike/run with a good friend
Random road trips to clear my head and thank God for everything!
Almost get killed in this new phenomenon in AZ called a "haboob"
Turn up the music and drown out everything else in the world
Become a wannabe gymnast in the 2012 Olympics.. duh
Go to Diamondbacks games, drink a beer, eat a hot dog, and be merry
Reunite with best friends and seriously... laugh all day and night long (the best medicine)
Celebrate a beautiful wedding with an amazing sisterhood <3 CHI OMEGA
Laugh hideously at things like this ^^^
And most importantly, be humbled and remember my roots, where I came from, and who will always support me. I love you family.
Not every day is easy, exciting, or uplifting. I've endured some emotional, down, and difficult days these past few months. And I know these types of days will continue, but what will also continue is life's little moments- that Michael Jackson song that comes on Pandora that you can't help but dance in your car to, a random text from someone telling you how great of a person you are, a delicious coffee, a good book, and trust in something much much bigger than all of this.
"I'm thankful for God's constant flickering and sparking flame inside me, planted in me years ago and fighting to keep burning. For a season, I didn't think it mattered much, but now I know that tiny flame is the most precious thing I have, and that it can ignite a forest fire inside any heart and can burn away a lifetime of apathy and regret and distance." -Shauna Niequist
Life's hidden treasures as of late....
- How peaceful rainy days can feel
- A new apartment to call home
- The unexpected person who comes into your life
- Something as simple as a cold tangerine...