Sunday, April 8, 2018

Perspective

Here I am on a beautiful yet chilly Sunday afternoon trying to put my feelings into words. Life has been hard lately. More often than not I feel trapped or stuck when I am going through hard things. I am sure many of us have felt this way.

The best word to describe this year for me so far is Perspective. A lot of hardships that happened in my life has put things into perspective. For example, I have two friends pass away this year in two separate car accidents.

Perspective #1. Live everyday fully. We don't know if there will be a tomorrow.
Perspective #2. LOVE others regardless of who they are.
Perspective #3. Laugh with others for it makes us all feel better.

Live. What does it mean to truly live? I have been thinking a lot about this. The way I look at it is pretty simple. Live in such a way that your life may be something you are proud of. It is just fine to be proud of yourself. No shame in that. I choose to live my life with service. For that is what brings me happiness and joy. I tend to text people to come to mind to see how they are doing to show that I care.

Love. Love is a big topic. What do you think about when you hear the word love? Is it something with a person of interest? Is it a chick flick that you tell everyone about? Is it loving people no matter who they are like Jesus Christ would? Love to me is important. I make sure to tell the people I love, that I love them so they know. Never assume that people already know your love for them. Tell them. Words of affirmation can go a long way. I believe love can go a long way. It can change so many lives for good. Love and Kindness reminds me of a simple lyric from the musical Wicked. "Because I knew you, I have been changed for good."

Laugh. Laughter is simply the best medicine. It has helped me in many hard situations in my life. Life is meant to me enjoyed, not endured. Let's all have a happy time together and laugh together. That changes things.

I have come to realize that it is okay if life is hard. Hard things shapes us for the future. We have two options when it comes to dealing with hardships. There are two types of fears. The first one is Face Everything and Rise. The second one is Forget Everything and Run. It is easy to feel just wanting to forget our hardships and pretend it isn't there. Just think of it. If we face our difficulties and rise, we have been changed for good. We are born as strong human beings. It has been this way from the beginning of time.

I am grateful for trials. Not because they are desirable. Only because they help and shape us to become the people who we are meant to be.

May we strive to reach out more to those who need a helping hand. Live more. Love more. Laugh more.

Love,

Laurel


Saturday, January 27, 2018

This Is My Year

Towards the end of 2017, I was thinking that 2018 is going to be the best one yet. I felt it within my bones that 2018 was going to be unforgettable. Unforgettable in a way that all sorts of good things were coming my way.

Now 2018 is here and it has been the hardest month of my life. I am dealing with health problems that have scared me. I know that I am in good hands to get things taken care of. Yet, that doesn't eliminate my fears with my health.

Then on January 15th, my dear friend, Heather passed away from a car accident. I was in shock, denial and upset that she was taken away from us here on earth. The only thing that keeps me going is that I know she is with Heavenly Father and is at peace.

Last week was a week of many lessons. Love is the center of everything. Love is bigger than any fear. There was a quote in the movie Soul Surfer. "I don't know why terrible things happen to us sometimes, but I have to believe something good is going to come out of this."

How true is that quote? It is very common that we all have trials. Sometimes we don't know why certain things that happen to us. But something that I do know is that Heavenly Father is aware and there are lessons to be learned. And that in itself is a gift.

This is my year. Yes it has been a rocky start, but I know this year is going to be a good one. Why you ask? Because I choose to make it a good one. I am not going to wait around for others to make it good. I am in charge of making it my year.

Even though I've had setbacks, I have decided that losing myself in serving others is the best way to make it my year. I've noticed that trying to be positive is the way to go. To notice the simple good things in life. To seek the good in others and to see others the way God sees them. A smile can go a long way. And that it why this year is my year. Live, Laugh, Love.


Saturday, January 6, 2018

This Is Me

Growing up, I always wanted to "fit in." To be part of the cool, popular kids. After awhile I noticed that in order to fit in, I had to alter myself. To pretend to be somebody I wasn't.

This became a habit. I moved around quite a bit as a kid. It was hard for me to show others the true Laurel, because I was afraid that people wouldn't like me. This was eating me inside. It was a slow death. I was losing sight of myself and all I knew was to be something I wasn't to "fit in." Only few friends and my family knew me.

After awhile, there were people who knew how to knock down the walls around me and showed me that I can trust them. They know who they are. I am eternally grateful for them.

Now I am here to tell you that I am proud of who I am. People may take it or leave it. I am done pretending someone I am not just so that I may feel a sense of belonging. It doesn't work that way. I have learned that we don't need to apologize for who we are. If people have a problem for who we are as individuals, it is their problem, not yours. Be true to who you are and the right people will come along.

People often ask me how I would describe myself. Here are some things that make up Laurel.
-Loving, compassionate, caring, good listener, funny, loyal, a fighter
Now here are some things that Laurel enjoys to do:
-Comedy Improv, sports, singing in the car, dancing like nobody is watching, tell people jokes. The list goes on, but you got the gist.

I have come a long ways to actually figure out myself. Would I trade all the hurt and pain I went through to get to where I am today? No. Why you may ask? Because it has shaped me into the person I am today.

Now you, yes you. The one reading this. I want to tell you that you are worth it and are enough. Be proud of who you are. There is no shame whatsoever. Life is hard, but you are a strong fighter and will come out on top. Invite others to be part of your life. Show them love and let them love you.

These lyrics from The Greatest Showman puts all of my feelings into words. Read it carefully and know that you belong and that you are glorious.

I am not a stranger to the dark
Hide away, they say
'Cause we don't want your broken parts
I've learned to be ashamed of all my scars
Run away, they say
No one'll love you as you are
But I won't let them break me down to dust
I know that there's a place for us
For we are glorious
When the sharpest words wanna cut me down
I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out
I am brave, I am bruised
I am who I'm meant to be, this is me
Look out 'cause here I come
And I'm marching on to the beat I drum
I'm not scared to be seen
I make no apologies, this is me
Another round of bullets hits my skin
Well, fire away 'cause today, I won't let the shame sink in
We are bursting through the barricades
And reaching for the sun (we are warriors)
Yeah, that's what we've become
Won't let them break me down to dust
I know that there's a place for us
For we are glorious
When the sharpest words wanna cut me down
Gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out
I am brave, I am bruised
I am who I'm meant to be, this is me
Look out 'cause here I come
And I'm marching on to the beat I drum
I'm not scared to be seen
I make no apologies, this is me
And I know that I deserve your love
There's nothing I'm not worthy of
When the sharpest words wanna cut me down
I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out
This is brave, this is proof
This is who I'm meant to be, this is me
Look out 'cause here I come (look out 'cause here I come)
And I'm marching on to the beat I drum (marching on, marching, marching on)
I'm not scared to be seen
I make no apologies, this is me