Geronimo

Well, summer is officially over. 

I start up Fall semester (super psyched for that, by the way) tomorrow morning.

But instead of mourning the loss of long hot days, I'm super excited for what's in store for me! Looking back through my memories from the last few months brings laughter and fond smiles.

I've really jumped in this summer.

I said "Geronimo!" and just went for it.

And that's something I'm proud of.

Summer is a time of diving in.

Headfirst.

Hair flying, heart pounding, and splashing and reeling and finally feeling...

oh wait sorry that's Tangled...

But you get the point.

Maybe it's the warm air, the playful breeze, or just the freedom of having so much time to fill with whatever adventures you choose, but summer is when everyone tends to be a little more brave, a little more daring. 

But why does our adventurous spirit die with the summer heat? Why can't we keep that forever?

As I start this Fall semester, I'm hoping to continue the wonderful adventures I've had this summer. I want to lose my voice at football games, jump into piles of leaves, go after my dreams. I want my fall semester to be like my summer. I want it to look a little something like this:

Milestones

Today officially marks one year that I've been doing this blog! The posting hasn't always been super consistent, but I look back at what I've done in the last 365 days and I hope that my posts have been able to uplift and inspire.

This milestone has really made me look back at the past year and at other milestones I've reached. It's crazy how different I feel from the girl who was about to start college and had no idea what to expect.

I look back at where I was and I can't believe how much has changed.

I also look back and am proud of what has stayed the same.

When we reach milestones, we need to celebrate them.

We need to look back with fondness, appreciating what we've accomplished.

I can guarantee there is at least one milestone you've reached in the last year that you deserve to be proud of.

So celebrate it!

Sometimes I think we get so focused on our goals and who we want to become, that we don't take the time to recognize how much we've already accomplished. So take that time today! Acknowledge a milestone you've reached in the last year and do something to celebrate! Go out to eat at your favorite restaurant. Treat yourself to a manicure. Set aside one hour just for some you time with your favorite book or TV show.

Give yourself permission to be proud of what you've done.

If this blog has helped you at all in the last year, I am thrilled. God has given me such an amazing life full of experiences, both good and bad, that have helped me become the person I am today. If it wasn't for His love, His guidance, His timing, and the answers He gives me to my prayers, I wouldn't be where I am today. This blog is simply a result of a life full of ups and downs, a life guided by the gospel of Jesus Christ. It's an imperfect life, but it's one I hope can bring inspiration and help to those who need it.

Thank you for reading! Here's to another year!

Leap of Faith

I've talked a lot about bravery since my "have courage and be kind" resolution, and in a lot of ways, I've been more brave this year than ever before. I've tried new things and put myself out there, and I've learned quite a bit from each brave moment.

For instance, leaps of faith are sometimes like this:

And other times, they're like this:

But even if things don't turn out "perfect," being brave is worth it.

It's hard to be brave. It takes you out of your comfort zone. But anything that pushes you past your limits makes you stronger.

I am so happy with the brave things I've done this year, even if some of them maybe didn't work out exactly the way I might have hoped.

Take the leap.

It is worth every hands-shaking, heart-pounding, mind-numbing, am-I-really-doing-this? moment.

Think of something you've always wanted to do. It can be as small as a restaurant you've always wanted to try or a hobby you've always wanted to pick up. Or it can be as big as a country you've wanted to live in or a bucket list item you've never really thought would happen. 

Now stop thinking about it, and make it happen.

What are you waiting for?

Honestly think about the question, though. 

Why is it that we so often don't stray from our comfortable lives? Why don't we go out on the limb? Why don't we step out of our box? Why don't we take the leap?

I was recently talking to a friend about this, and we came up with three main reasons why people don't try new brave things: 1) fear of failure, 2) being content with staying where you are/not moving forward, and 3) laziness (doing big things takes big amounts of work!)

Every moment you waste in fear or lazy contentment is a moment you can't get back.

Think of the time you're in right now. 

Think of where you might be in five years. 

Will it get easier to go after that dream job, to drop everything to go on a roadtrip, or to pick up that instrument or language you've always wanted to learn?

No.

The longer you postpone something, the more life will seem to get in the way.

So why not do it now?

Everything you've ever wanted to do, and everything you've wanted to be, is waiting for you on the other side.

So take the leap.

I have recently decided to make a pretty big leap towards my own dreams. For a long time, I've thought that working for Disney, particularly as a performer on their cruise ships, would be such an incredible experience. Of course, auditioning for such a thing, and being gone on the sea/in different countries for months and months at a time, is a kind of frightening and rather large step to take. However, I am excited to announce that in about a month, I will be flying to New York to do just that. If my audition goes how I'd like, I will be leaving in late December for a nine month stint at sea! If my audition does not go how I'd like, I will still celebrate the brave step I took, and I will look forward to my next chance to try again.

Don't wait to go after what you want.

Don't shy away from bravery because it scares you.

Find the courage to claim the experiences and personal growth that you deserve to have.

Take a leap of faith, and celebrate your brave moments, 

both big and small.