snapshots

Sometimes we share moments that we want to freeze in time.  To hold a Polaroid photo of that feeling in our hands and remember it in its entirety even as it yellows and fades.  They are moments of epiphany, moments of joy, and moments of beauty.  When you hug your firstborn tight to your chest and breath in that feeling of love, anxiety, and peace all at the same time while standing in a dimly lit hospital room.  Or that second of delight when reach the summit of a long-awaited hike.  Often they are simple moments of togetherness-- when your family is all tucked tight in their beds while a gentle snow falls beyond the window.  I myself have moments such as these, and all contain the company and companionship of those I love.

Tonight I was reminded of those moments as I watched The Book Thief with my friend/roommate/blessing Kait.  It is late at night on the day before my last final, and probably the last place I should be is a movie theater.  But there we were, and there our hearts were changed.  There was beauty on the screen-- in color, speech, music, scenery, wardrobe, expression-- it was seemingly flawless in its simplicity.  The masterpiece brought us the fresh perspective we needed.  And that's my raving review of The Book Thief.  Do yourself a favor, and see it.

Being happy and other virtues

This is how you become the best you can be, which will undoubtably bring happiness.  

For example: Something you're passionate about is life.  So become immensely interested in it, and continue to let that interest grow.  Look around you and see the beauty of the world.  Keep your head up and see the people around you.  Lift them, and allow them to lift you.  Foster life-long relationships with others, and don't let petty things keep you from holding fast to those friendships.  Call your family members, both close and estranged, and ask them how they are doing.  Learn about other cultures and develop a respect for them.  Eat good food and go on long walks.  Find yourself in the mountains with good people and a good view.  Read books, and then read some more books, so that you can have more insight to things around you.  Look down from the tops of man-made skyscrapers God's peaks and canyons.  Admire the beautiful artwork and architecture around us, and immerse yourself with beautiful melodies and music that move the soul. 

These are just a few ways to show that you appreciate this life you've been given.  Be grateful.

And doing this doesn't ensure that there will be no bad days or hard times, but it does make those times less bad and less hard.  It gives you things to be grateful for even in moments of distress and sorrow.

The Killers, Billy Joel, and that's all

So I'm sitting in the JSB just waiting to go to my next class.  I always look forward to this hour I have to chill here (literally chill... this building is freezing).  And right now I am just watching tired, content faces while listening to The Killers radio on Pandora.

--hold on right now while i pause to change the song

Okay now that Take Me Out by Franz Ferdinand is playing... you have my full attention.

I'm going to my Conflict Resolution class in ten minutes.  It's one of my favorite classes; I always leave feeling happy and having gained so much insight into myself.  It's a good class for self-reflection.

--this song is making me want to be on Senior Trip in Newport... good beat and a beachy touch w/ a little hard rock goin on.

Back to Conflict Resolution... It's all about learning how to see others as people that are equal in worth to ourselves.  Rather than seeing others as objects or obstacles, I am working on always making others feel special.  It's a life-long process, but I realize that everyone I look up to is good at this particular thing.

--oh... switched to Billy Joel Radio.  My Life is playing.  Kind of giving me a New York fever.  I really want to see NY in the fall.

Well I'm off to class.  This was a nice moment of nostalgia and looking to good times ahead.  Love my family-- always thinking about them.  And now I'll walk away to class while listening to Don't go Breaking My Heart (Elton John version of course.  Not Anne freakin Hathaway).