the grateful five

this week, this month rather.. has been very different.

just to put you into perspective a little bit...

i'm graduating college in may

currently looking for a new job

chasing after a small, highly energetic puppy

planning a wedding and creative diy, budget-friendly reception

trying to figure out life after college!

trying to find my own voice in with photography

trying to survive in this dog-eat-dog world

phew

ive been stressing out and worrying about life so much lately that i haven't had the time to just sit and be in my own head and in my own thoughts in quite a while. i just want to stop and be quiet. and this blog is where i can come and unwind. i put on my favorite pandora radio station and i can just sit and write, worry free. so i felt right now would be a perfect time for the grateful five post.


i suppose i should start by saying that this post is in dedication to the most recent newman night. so recent that i just left there and started writing here :) Newman (for those that don't know) has been my home away from home for four years now! specifically, it is the on campus catholic group at WVU. anyway, this newman night we watched a great documentary called The Human Experience. it centered on the value of human, individual dignity. you should watch it. it will change your whole perspective on your everyday life.. or just watch this convenient little trailer...

1. i am grateful for family. this film showed me that people are life. our families are our backbones, our strength. and if you knew my family, well, you would see it is true. we're not perfect, but we love each other through thick and thin. my dad always taught me that friends come and go, but family is forever. i believe this is true. my family is made up of the craziest mix of people, but they also have the biggest heart. i could say i wanted to go join the russian circus tomorrow and they would support me. they would fight me on the idea like hell, but in the end they would back me up.... i am grateful for family. my family.

2. i am grateful for education. i have had the typical american college experience. lived in a dorm, studied abroad, stayed up late "studying" and found the love of my life. it is so typical in fact that few would argue the uniqueness of it all. so many of us go to college and do everything i just described, it is so ordinary here in the u.s.. but it should be seen as more than that! not everyone can have higher education. but we are fortunate enough. and i know i have taken it for granted. skipping classes, not reading assigned work, etc. i have somehow managed to lose this insight. my freshman year, the first year of college, was the best. i was the best student..i think i got something like a 3.8, because i was focused. i knew the importance of my studies because i am the first person in my immediate family to go to college. but i've lost that drive to be the best and to do the best. shame i find my focus in my last semester but, what are ya gonna do ya know. everything happens for a reason. i am grateful for education. 

3. i am grateful for music. i am not by any means musically inclined. maybe sing a note or two but nothing amazing. just a shower singer here :). but music has always been an outlet for me. when i was in high school, if i was having a bad day i would go in my room, put my headphones on and sing. sing away my worries really. it worked for me. then i found art and soon painting took the place of music. more recently, when i find myself in not-so-happy moments; i think back to these high school nights and i realized that all i needed to do to cheer up is to sing. anything or something to let it out. and i feel better again. i don't know why or how it works but it does. i am grateful for music. 

4. i am grateful for heartbreak. this is something that truly changes a person. i respect those that have had their heart broken and continue to live a happy life. it has a way of showing you who you truly are away from that person. sometimes it is a good thing, other times maybe not so good. all the girlie, romantic movies out there are pretty good at displaying heart ache. eat, pray, love is my favorite heartbreak/find yourself film. you definitely become a stronger person after, capable of battling anything that comes your way. makes you bold inside and out. i am grateful for heartbreak. 

5. i am grateful for well, this blog. :) a place to come and sit and write and be quiet. i wish i could give my blog a big 'ole hug! just to tell it how much i love my little corner of the internet universe. 

so there ya are. the grateful five. for now, think about everything around you and the small things that truly make your day lovely. for tomorrow, smile and know that all is well or it's all gouda as i like to say. 

what are you grateful for this week?

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