More. Less

Hope More

·         Stop being discouraged about all the things around you. Don’t let your parents tell you how to live your life. Don’t let the people around stop you from pursuing your dreams. Don’t let the chains of the past hinder you from living in today. Instead, start having hope in tomorrow. Have hope that there are good people in this world. Have hope that God will provide you with everything you need, not everything you want. Have hope that God will get you through today. Have hope in yourself because a positive outlook provides a happier life.

Whine Less

·         Stop complaining about every single detail of your life. Someone out there, or even someone around you has it much worse. Some people aren’t fortunate to have a nice car, nice clothes, a caring family, a stable financial background, or etc. We are blessed beyond words. In Jesus’ death on the cross, He paid an ultimate price that we could never pay for ourselves. Jesus was entitled to everything but instead He laid down His life for us and set every worldly thing aside. Instead of complaining about what we do or don’t have, why don’t we start appreciating and thanking God for all of our blessings? Jesus lived the life I lived and died the death I should have had. Let’s stop whining less.

Breathe More

·         So often we are stressed and we forget to even breathe. Take a second, step back, and just breathe in. Take in the world. Take a moment and look at everything going on around you. Some people are consumed with the business of this world that they forget to stop and admire the beauty of God’s creation. Slow down and just breathe. You’ll be amazed at how amazing life truly is when you learn to let go and let God.

 

Talk Less

·         Stop trying to take control of all the conversations. Stop trying to out speak others. Instead of trying to talk about the latest happenings and news, take a second and listen to what people have to say. Give people the opportunity to share what’s going on in their life. So often we’re quick to speak without thinking or we plainly talk too much, and in return we neglect the opportunity to hear what people have to say. There are times when we must be speakers and then there are times when we must be listeners. You’d be surprised at what you can hear from others and gain from them. This aspect also applies to God’s word. Stop being consumed with the social media or newest gossip and try to listen to what God’s trying to tell you. God doesn’t always speak to us directly but rather He speaks to us through people and through His creation. When we learn to become better listeners, we also learn to become better speakers.

 

Say More

·         There have been so many times where there has been a moment where I wish I said something different or even said something more. When you look back at your past, there’s always that “What if?” and you think about how things could be different. I strongly encourage to always speak your mind and to seize every moment you can. Something you say to a person can save a life or even have an impact on them that goes beyond measures. Never be afraid to take a leap of faith and say how you feel. Don’t be afraid to speak up and defend yourself or even another person. Don’t be afraid to be a follower of Christ. Don’t be afraid to speak your faith and to share God’s words with believers and non-believers. We aren’t called to sit here in the silence. We are called to be leaders and to be radical followers.

 

Hate Less

·         Just because someone is different than you, wears different clothes, has different beliefs, or lives in a different lifestyle doesn’t mean you have any reason to hate them. There is honestly so much hate in this world and it’s completely absurd. As followers of God, how dare we have the guts to hate another person, who is clearly a creation of God. No matter how badly treats me and no matter they may make my life a piece of crap, there is no way I could possibly hate them. We give ourselves dumb reasons to hate a person. Instead of trying to hate a person, why don’t you try loving them instead? It’s hard to love the people that complicate your life. Believe me, I would know because I struggle with it myself. In the end, these people are teaching you lessons about life and without them, your life would never be the same.

 

Love More

·         You know what one of the greatest things you can do for a person is? The answer is to love them unconditionally. Love a person past their imperfections. Love them past their mistakes and faults. Love them for who they are and don’t let anything diminish that love. Don’t be afraid to completely love on your friends and family, or even on a complete stranger. Seize every moment you can to tell a person how much you love them because you never know when they might be gone one day. Remind people that someone loves them because so often we forget what it’s like to be loved. Share the love of God with someone old or new today. You’d be surprised at what God’s love can do to transform a person.

Wreck Me

 

 

When I first listened to this song or even watched the video, I was taken aback at the fact that 1) Miley is naked, 2) she’s making out with a sledgehammer, and 3) she’s riding around on a wrecking ball. How do you even respond to this video? However, after really listening to the song and paying attention to the lyrics, I realized that this song is truly powerful and emotional. Even after reading the picture that I attached above, I could definitely feel a connection with Miley.

 How often have you tried to reach out to a person and really tried to peel back their layers? Sometimes it’s easy but most times it’s difficult to get inside. I speak from experience with this topic and I easily identify with Miley’s pain. This song is her declaration of showing that she’s hurt. It’s her declaration of showing she needs help and that she’s still in love.

I feel like so often we’re trapped in this relationship with a person where we love them and only want to be a part of their life, but instead all of our efforts go to waste and we only get hurt in return. If we know we’re only going to get hurt, why don’t we just stop and walk out on this relationship? We all know the answer to this. We know that we don’t want to give up because we’re holding onto the hope that one more effort can reach through to this person. We’re hoping that they will change. How can we let go of the person we love so much?

Lately, I’ve learned that I shouldn’t wear myself thin on the people who brush aside all my attempts to reach out to them. After doing everything I’ve done, I’ve learned that I just need to step back and walk away. I relate closely to Miley in the sense that in the process of trying to reach through to a person, we lose ourselves and break down. We’re the ones that end up getting hurt and we’re the ones holding onto whatever hope we can find.

This doesn’t mean though that you shouldn’t reach out to people or simply give up on them just because. What I’m saying is that you’ll reach a point where you learn that you just need to stop, take a breath, and move on with your life. There’s a reason people are in our past and as much as it sucks, you gotta keep moving forward. There are other people in this world to meet and new relationships to make.

The one part that really sticks out in this whole song is when Miley sings,

“I never meant to start a war.
I just wanted you to let me in.”

Sometimes I look back at my past and I wonder why some friendships never worked out. It kills me sometimes thinking about how I tried so hard and just nothing I did could save any of the friendships. It absolutely sucks knowing you were in a friendship/relationship and the other person did nothing and made no effort.

Like Miley said, I just wanted a person to let me in. I wanted to be a part of their life. I wanted to know the real them. I wanted to be important to them. I wanted to be wanted.

I have so much respect for Miley and for this song. After hearing this song and being flooded with so many emotions, I discovered that I too was wrecked. To all the people that hurt me intentionally or unintentionally, you hurt me in a way that wasn’t physical, but in a way that hurt me on the inside.

Like Miley said, “I will always want you.”

I will always want the best for you.

I will always wish that things were different.

I will always be praying for you.

I will always be hoping that maybe one day things will change.

I will always hope that you will let me in.

I will always wish you never wrecked me.

2014

New Year – 2014

So now that it’s 2014, I’ve never before in my life seen so many New Years Resolutions, “2013 taught me _____” posts, or so many cliché sayings on Twitter, Facebook, and just about every other social media site. My favorite one so far definitely has to be “New Year, New You.” As repetitive as this saying is and as much as I don’t completely agree with it, it is a somewhat good motivator. However, if you want to change who you are this coming year, don't change for anyone, change for yourself. Set goals for yourself where ultimately you can become happy with yourself. Don't lose weight or try to be smarter to impress other people but rather to impress yourself. I came across this picture on Twitter and I found it so fitting for this New Year.

So often we struggle with our identity because one second wearing Hollister is cool and now it's frowned upon. In order to be cool or to fit in, you have to wear Vineyard Vines or Patagonia. People give others weird looks if they don't have an iPhone. We can never be satisfied with how we look because society deems that you have to be tan, skinny, and with a perfect smile. We're so insecure about the car we drive, the brand of clothes we wear, the way we do our makeup, our weight, our financial background, and so much more. Society is so fast paced and we're constantly trying to keep up and trying to fit in. We are conforming to what society thinks is the most favored upon and in this process, we are losing who we are.

I applaud those who could care less about what society thinks. I've slowly gained the same mindset and I've learned that being a unique individual in a world of followers is what sets you apart and makes you become you. Be yourself and know that it's enough. This year of 2014, don't lose yourself in trying to become something you're not. I'm not trying to discourage anyone of trying to achieve their goals, rather, I want people to know that you are perfect just the way you are now. I highly encourage anyone who is trying to further better themselves in their health or etc in this coming year. Just remember, you are doing this for yourself and know that a person should be accepting of you whether you are your "old self" or "new self" no matter what.

Your self worth does not depend on what others think of you.
You are worthy.
You are enough.
You are you, and that's all that matters.