1. the sun. I don’t know why but I used to not care about the weather. whenever someone would say “it’s so nice and beautiful out today”, I would quickly dismiss it with a “yeah, sure is”, trying to show that i cared, when I really didn’t. i definitely took the nice SD weather for granted. i don’t know what it is about the sun, but when the sun is out and shining brilliantly, people seem to be instantly happier and more cheerful.

2. beautiful skies. it usually takes me 15-20 minutes (depending on my pace) to walk from the library to the parking lot to go home at the end of day. this is my favorite part of the day because this is when the sun slowly fades away, making way for the grand entrance of the moon. as this occurs, vibrant colors of blue, green, purple, orange, pink are woven into the sky. the best part is that it’s as if i’m walking towards all of this (kind of like the movies: stepping out of the door and walking into the sunlight, towards the sun). so basically, during this time, i walk dorkily with my head tilted back, facing the sky, with a goofy smile on my face, reflecting on my day and the goodness of God. everyday, the sky is different. the clouds are swirled into different shapes and patterns. it’s as if he sets this out for me everyday, knowing that it gives me joy and makes me smile (:. i don’t know why, but at the end of the day, walking towards all this beauty, i know that everything is going to be ok.

3. random acts of kindness. so the other week, while driving home with my brother, i saw these stereotypically “bad” kids push a car with a cute old couple sitting inside. apparently the car ran out of gas, and so these kids dropped everything and ran to help them. and while this was happening, there was another kid crossing the street, taking in the scene. instead of crossing the entire length of the street to continue on his way, he runs to the car and joins the group of kids pushing the car. kids that break stereotypes are just awesome.

(oh and when i said kid/kids, i meant college kids haha)

4. meaningful movies. i say this because i just finished watching “How to Save a Life” (THANKS, TIFFANY :D). we ask God questions such as “why did this happen?”, “why didn’t you stop it or do anything?”, “why didn’t you prevent it?”. but on the flip side, God can ask us the same questions. it really makes me think a bit. i’m really not doing enough or trying my best to reach out to people who are hurting. it’s pretty neat how God doesn’t need us to accomplish His work, but He decides to use us anyway. 

5. CANADIAN SMARTIES. i’ve been savoring every bite. i think i might like them better than m&m’s. my friend sheena sent them to me all the way from canada. to thank her, i think i might have to start memorizing the canadian anthem. she’s already got ours down.

6. reminders that life isn’t about me. actually i lied. i very much dislike these. but i need them. life is too short to be living selfishly. this is sooo hard when society declares the exact opposite

i think i’ll stop here. this is just a few of the very many things that have been on my mind lately. good night (: