I recently realized something quite significant about myself. It's been a part of me for as long as I can remember, but only now have I recognized what it is. I love easily and I can love just about anything on this planet. Anyone who knows me knows I can fall in love with a tree. I've seen some beautiful behemoths standing tall and there's just something that captures my attention and I love it almost instantly. I fall in love with the sun, the sky, and the moon on a near daily basis. I can fall in love with the sweet aromas of freshly brewed coffee or the comfort of a home-cooked meal. I fall in love with the fleeting weather; like the warm sun on only half of my face or the first few spells of coldness we've recently experienced. I can also fall in love with the way someone smiles with their whole face. I fall in love when listening to someone talk about something they're passionate about. I fall in love with people who have enormous dreams for the future that lies ahead. I fall in love with the sound of children's laughter. I fall in love with the way someone can look at me. I love easily. I love recklessly. I love fiercely. It isn't easy. In fact, most days it's very difficult for me. I remember once having the discussion with someone that sometimes loving this much seems like too big of a burden. But I was younger then and not as strong. I saw it as a responsibility then.
But now, I see love as an opportunity. And now, loving too much is something that I love about myself. If this is the worst thing about me, the fact that I'm going to continue loving despite the harsh truths in this world, then let me be a fool. A fool in love. Let's face some realities in this world: everything is not pretty and everything is not sweetly good. There are a lot of ugly and terrible horrors on our planet. But I can promise you: there is beautiful goodness here too. You need to allow yourself to find the good, to open your whole heart to it, to love what you love.
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The miracle of life is that we are here. Do you know how many circumstances needed to take place for this universe to create a being like you and me? Science can explain a lot. Yet, science cannot explain it all. Faith picks up from there. You see, the miraculous part of life is that the same elements that create us are also that create the stars and everything else in this universe. We are quite literally the universe within itself. You are special and unique and just as beautiful as the universe we live in. Awhile back I read an commentary from Ann Druyen. She and Carl Sagan were together for twenty years before Sagan's death. When she was asked about Sagan's faith and her faith was in question, she had a response that was beautifully eloquent and something we need to remember. She said: "Every single moment that we were alive and we were together was miraculous-- not miraculous in the sense of inexplicable or supernatural. We knew we were beneficiaries of chance... That pure chance could be so generous and so kind... That we could find each other... In the vastness of space and the immensity of time. That we could be together for twenty years. That is something which sustains me and is much more meaningful." I understand we all have different beliefs and this isn't something I'm trying to persuade you to believe in one way or another. However, there is an undeniable truth here that can not go unrecognized. Our beings are miracles. The mere fact that I have the opportunity to stand beside you and exist in the same time and place in the universe is so sublime. I was recently asked where I'd like to travel to most, and as I am an avid explorer and traveler, this is a question I constantly debate. The list of places I'd like to visit is long, but what I've begun to learn is that my experiences visiting these places would be much more meaningful when given the opportunity to witness them with a companion by my side. I've literally stood at the tops of mountains with the people I love and, I am telling you, it made all the difference. The view from the top is amazing, but what was more incredible is that I was given an opportunity to stand beside someone I genuinely loved and witness this beautiful thing that lie ahead of us. We are beneficiaries of chance. Let us not forget this. Nothing in this life is without meaning or depth. Good, bad, beautiful, and ugly: I'm thankful to have had the opportunity to share these moments with you. This morning I turned twenty-six and while I'm reveling in all of the birthday celebrations (my many thanks!), I am reflecting on this last year of my life. If I had to choose a year of which most changed my life, it would be this past year. It's been a wild ride, and it wasn't one I always enjoyed. In fact, this year made me grow in many ways I wasn't prepared for. Yet looking back, I wouldn't have it any other way... this has been the best year yet! 5 Lessons Learned:
5 Altering Moments:
5 Times I Realized I Was No Longer a Kid:
5 People I'm (So-Incredibly) Thankful For:
5 Things I'm Still Learning (& Will Continue to Learn):
5 Things I'm Looking Forward to in My Future Life:A few weeks back, my exchange student I were discussing the year 2033 (because why not). In our most ridiculous fashion, we fired off the possibilities of how different our lives will be in the year 2033. Thinking about it, although I needed to quell all of my anxieties, I was actually excited for what the future may hold. Here are five things I'm most excited for in the future:
So here's to the future and all of the possibilities it holds...
Thank you for making these past 25 years amazing. I cannot wait to see what comes next. |
"I have no special talent.
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