"God dwells within you, as you."
My favorite quote from Eat, Pray, Love.
This had become one of my favorite prayers during the day. Feel free to borrow it for your own mid-day, mid-thought prayer. I ask Him to be in me and it helps to give me the strength and focus I need to get through whatever hardships I might be facing.
24.11.10
8.10.10
Revelations
I have had the privilege of being friends with some very amazing people in my life. Ambitious, adventure-thirsty people who never let me lose focus or slack off. Some people like to surround themselves with pretty people or fashionable people. I like to surround myself with ambitious people. Somehow their ideas always seem cooler and their jokes always funnier and then I realize why I like to call them my friends.
I find myself thanking God so often for giving me these wonderful surroundings. I am so lucky to be in my family, in my situation. Going to school. Having all the opportunities I am so lucky to have. I mean, even right now I am in an airplane right now on my way to New York City typing on my MacBook and listening to my iPod. How fortunate am I?
It is becoming more and more apparent how lucky I am. My daily revelations are starting to become habitual (but not in a boring monotonous way). I’ve decided they come with maturity and wisdom… or at least that’s what I hope. That latest revelation comes from my continued involvement in Haiti Outreach and from meeting new people in many different situations. This revelation is soured only by the thought that at one time I thought about giving it all up. Why would someone as lucky as I am ever throw in the towel? Selfishness, cowardice, and fear hold people back from realizing what amazing gifts they have in their lives. Potential, ambition, opportunity are just a few things that get overlooked everyday as gifts. And these overlooked gifts are worth way more than a MacBook or iPod. Harnessing these gifts can make anyone into a successful, truly happy person.
“When I think that I’ve lost my way there are no words left to say, it’s true, God gave me you!” -Dave Barnes
I find myself thanking God so often for giving me these wonderful surroundings. I am so lucky to be in my family, in my situation. Going to school. Having all the opportunities I am so lucky to have. I mean, even right now I am in an airplane right now on my way to New York City typing on my MacBook and listening to my iPod. How fortunate am I?
It is becoming more and more apparent how lucky I am. My daily revelations are starting to become habitual (but not in a boring monotonous way). I’ve decided they come with maturity and wisdom… or at least that’s what I hope. That latest revelation comes from my continued involvement in Haiti Outreach and from meeting new people in many different situations. This revelation is soured only by the thought that at one time I thought about giving it all up. Why would someone as lucky as I am ever throw in the towel? Selfishness, cowardice, and fear hold people back from realizing what amazing gifts they have in their lives. Potential, ambition, opportunity are just a few things that get overlooked everyday as gifts. And these overlooked gifts are worth way more than a MacBook or iPod. Harnessing these gifts can make anyone into a successful, truly happy person.
“When I think that I’ve lost my way there are no words left to say, it’s true, God gave me you!” -Dave Barnes
22.8.10
A Circle of Friends
"In a circle of friends we have one father
In a circle of friends we share this prayer
That every orphaned soul will know
And all will enter in
To the shelter of this circle of friends
If you weep, I will weep with you
If you sing for joy the rest of us will lift our voices too
But no matter what you feel inside there's no need to pretend
That's the way it is in this circle of friends
In a circle of friends
We have one father
In a circle of friends we share this prayer
That we'll gather together no matter how the highway bends
I will not lose this circle of friends"
In a circle of friends we share this prayer
That every orphaned soul will know
And all will enter in
To the shelter of this circle of friends
If you weep, I will weep with you
If you sing for joy the rest of us will lift our voices too
But no matter what you feel inside there's no need to pretend
That's the way it is in this circle of friends
In a circle of friends
We have one father
In a circle of friends we share this prayer
That we'll gather together no matter how the highway bends
I will not lose this circle of friends"
15.6.10
My New Direction
Blogging is a strange thing. Some share intimate thoughts, some give their opinion on political issues, and some are simply informative. This is obviously a personal blog and yet I haven't shared many personal stories or insights (even though this is only my fourth post). But this weekend I had a bit of a revelation that I would like to share with the few people who read this.
I went back to Knoxville this weekend for a medical benefit I helped with (the proceeds went to the Haiti Outreach Program). The benefit featured Dr. Louise Ivers (from Partners in Health), Dr. Pierre-Marie Medor (Medical Director of St. Michel Hospital in Haiti), and Mr. Billy Stair as guest speakers and Mr. Hallerin Hill as master of ceremonies. Each one gave their personal touch to the same message: Haiti needs us and Boucan Carre needs the St. Michel Clinic.
At one junction between speakers, Hallerin Hill was filling time with his wonderful presence and said something that has stayed with me since. He was talking about a movie, Shine. He summarized the story line for us all and then pointed out a major theme of the movie. Unconditional love. Such a difficult theme to describe and yet Hill did it with easy, graceful words. He said it is like a pitcher you give to someone. But once you have given it, you break off the handle and can never take it back. Unconditional love is something that can never be forced or forged. It is so hard to give away and so easy to take for granted. I could only think of God’s love for me, and all His people. I don’t mean to sound cliché, but it’s true. How can He accept us all for everything that we are, good and bad, and completely, unconditionally love us?
After the dinner and all the speeches, I had the honor of talking to Dr. Ivers personally… well, with a few friends too, but still just a handful of people. Her and her husband’s fearless attitude reminded me of a good friend (I hope you know who you are). It’s these fearless people who are the most successful in whatever they do. They take a crazy idea and say “sure! Let’s do it!” These people inspire me and I am truly grateful to have their influence on my life.
I am definitely not a person who wears my faith on my sleeve. A few of my family members might be that way but this is where I am much different from them. I have always been a religious person; I just like to keep it to myself. But after hearing Hallerin and Dr. Iver’s words I cannot help but feel moved.
Driving home I was listening to a Train song that I’ve heard many times before but this time it was different. It goes…
“When I look to the sky something tells me you're here with me
And you make everything alright.
And when I feel like I'm lost something tells me you're here with me
And I can always find my way when you are here.”
Train has never seemed SO true as it did right then.
Love doesn’t come from hookups or liquor’s buzz. Completely 100% unconditional love comes from the one and only. He is there when no one else is. He connected the dots for me and pointed me down the right path. I have never felt so motivated and passionate about something in my entire life. I want to serve others. I want to impact the world in the greatest way I possibly can. Peace corps here I come.
I went back to Knoxville this weekend for a medical benefit I helped with (the proceeds went to the Haiti Outreach Program). The benefit featured Dr. Louise Ivers (from Partners in Health), Dr. Pierre-Marie Medor (Medical Director of St. Michel Hospital in Haiti), and Mr. Billy Stair as guest speakers and Mr. Hallerin Hill as master of ceremonies. Each one gave their personal touch to the same message: Haiti needs us and Boucan Carre needs the St. Michel Clinic.
At one junction between speakers, Hallerin Hill was filling time with his wonderful presence and said something that has stayed with me since. He was talking about a movie, Shine. He summarized the story line for us all and then pointed out a major theme of the movie. Unconditional love. Such a difficult theme to describe and yet Hill did it with easy, graceful words. He said it is like a pitcher you give to someone. But once you have given it, you break off the handle and can never take it back. Unconditional love is something that can never be forced or forged. It is so hard to give away and so easy to take for granted. I could only think of God’s love for me, and all His people. I don’t mean to sound cliché, but it’s true. How can He accept us all for everything that we are, good and bad, and completely, unconditionally love us?
After the dinner and all the speeches, I had the honor of talking to Dr. Ivers personally… well, with a few friends too, but still just a handful of people. Her and her husband’s fearless attitude reminded me of a good friend (I hope you know who you are). It’s these fearless people who are the most successful in whatever they do. They take a crazy idea and say “sure! Let’s do it!” These people inspire me and I am truly grateful to have their influence on my life.
I am definitely not a person who wears my faith on my sleeve. A few of my family members might be that way but this is where I am much different from them. I have always been a religious person; I just like to keep it to myself. But after hearing Hallerin and Dr. Iver’s words I cannot help but feel moved.
Driving home I was listening to a Train song that I’ve heard many times before but this time it was different. It goes…
“When I look to the sky something tells me you're here with me
And you make everything alright.
And when I feel like I'm lost something tells me you're here with me
And I can always find my way when you are here.”
Train has never seemed SO true as it did right then.
Love doesn’t come from hookups or liquor’s buzz. Completely 100% unconditional love comes from the one and only. He is there when no one else is. He connected the dots for me and pointed me down the right path. I have never felt so motivated and passionate about something in my entire life. I want to serve others. I want to impact the world in the greatest way I possibly can. Peace corps here I come.
23.5.10
Great Escape
"Thought I could but I just can't wait
Started planning for my great escape
Where I'd live and what I'd leave behind."
-Pat Monahan
One of my best friends in the world is in Costa Rica having the time of her life. It couldn't be a better scenario. She LOVES Spanish and she's speaking it all the time; she LOVES bright colors and shes living in a bright green and orange house; she LOVES taking pictures and what better place to be?! What a lucky girl. Back here at home we're all missing her!
Her adventures make me wonder where I would go if I could go any where in the world... I mean, really. Where would I go? It's like trying to pick which hair on your head is your favorite. There are so many options! Costa Rica, Barcelona, Paris, Zurich, Mulan, Moscow, Sydney, Hong Kong, the Netherlands... that's only a glimps at my list.
I'll let you know when I've finished it. For now, I'll keep listing and missing Haley!
18.5.10
Ah-maze-ing.
"Even though the flower fades, something takes its place.
A marching band on a sunny day, two pretty eyes on a pretty face,"
-James Vincent McMorrow,
And If My Heart Should Somehow Stop
Look him up. Find him here.
A marching band on a sunny day, two pretty eyes on a pretty face,"
-James Vincent McMorrow,
And If My Heart Should Somehow Stop
Look him up. Find him here.
Same Home, New Face.
Coming home is a relaxing/frustrating experience. After four hours of fighting for a luggage cart, waiting for elevators, divvying up junk between two cars, last minute packing, an almost flat tire, and eating needed food for fuel, my father and I headed west. Away from good ole Laurel Ave. and toward the destruction of recent flooding. Once home, I saw what the flood really did. Pictures and stories weren't comparable. Baseball diamonds strewed across the outfield like a walking path, the fence around the dugouts dismantled and distorted. More inconvenient than anything, the bridge that connects my little street to the main shops and major roadways in the area is closed and will be so for a year! Damages for that bridge alone will be up to $750,000. That was all the frustrations I've had to get over being home. Now to start with the relaxing part...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
