Saturday, November 30, 2013

Swept Away Saturday

Top 10 Things I've learned Since Argentina:

1. I get homesick really easily
2. Love is real
3. Love can be lost
4. God loves us no matter what
5. Being with friends is just as good as before.
6. Prayer works in good and bad times.
7. My brother can grow really long hair.
8. Blessings work
9. Planning is very essential to life.
10. Being busy is distracting and time is very slow.

Argentina changed my life, but being home has proved to me that there is always something new to learn. 
I'm grateful for these things I have learned 
whether they are easy or hard things. 
Hard things basically suck, but I suppose that's how we show we can't do things on our own. We need outside help. 
Humility at its finest.

.Happy Saturday.



Friday, November 29, 2013

White Friday, Comedians, and Sports

White Friday.
Today my family and I decided to change it up and have a lovely White Friday at the temple.
It was marvelous,
relaxing,
spiritual,
and white.
I love the temple and am very grateful to have it.
Having ancestors is cool too.


Comedians.
Watching Jim Gaffigan and Brian Regan with my family is also the best.
*deaad pockkeetsss*

Sports. 
Ending with football and basketball. (Duke vs. Arizona)
Good end to a very marvelous day.
(by ending, I mean it's pretty early in the night still and we are in pjs watching sports...what an Erickson tradition!)

Why does work exist? 
These three things would help me survive if I didn't have to buy food and stuff. 

Oh, I think my dog was waiting for us the whole day...


.Happy White Friday.

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Thankful

I know, that's a surprising title given today and such.

Thanksgiving.
I'm thankful for it.
I'm thankful for the opportunity to remember all of my blessings.
There are too many to name.
And I can't say that I deserve them all.

I'll just discuss one for today.
My family.
I am so grateful for them.
I know that we are put with the people in our families for a reason.
I have learned something from each of them.

Dad-Perserverance and Humor
Mom-Kindness and Patience
Leah-Humility and Loyalty
Amanda-Faith and Strength
Rylan-Love and Honesty
(and much, much more!)

I am thankful for my immediate and extended family and all that they have done for me. 
When you're family, there is just an immediate bond.
Nothing can beat it.
And I'm grateful for it.
Even Jackson (the dog) shows me protection. 
(sometimes like a mad schizophrenic, but nonetheless protection)


We even all look alike, so that gives us something a little extra.
Love you, family.

.Happy Thursday.
.Day of Thanks.

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

It's a Wonderful Wednesday

I have been known to like a lot of TV. (thaaaat is because I do)
I've given up a bit in the last 7 months.(for the better!) 
But I've finally started Downton Abbey. (glad rylan and krysten are addicted with me!...okay, maybe ry like 1/2 way)

Here is something I learned today:

"If we don't allow life to change us, why is it worth living?"

I'd say it's not. 
If we do not change, how can we ever better ourselves or know how we need to improve? 
Change need not be bad. 
Just like changing the channel from Gossip Girl to Monk (always a step up!)

Here is something I learned on my mission:
When I did not love myself, I did not love others or see them as good people. I thought everyone around me was thinking bad things about me and thought I was annoying.
In the end, it was me who thought badly of myself. 
Once I started to c h a n g e my perspective on myself, I found no one actually thought those things. (hello, why would they?... :))
I figured out no one was actually out to get me. (surprise!)
I've learned we are all imperfect people trying to do our best.
I'm glad I learned that then and today.
Change is what we need to grow. 
As we keep improving, we will see how happy life 
and living it can be. 

I'm thankful for change. 

Here are just a few quotes that have helped me want to change:

“We are taught you must blame your father, your sisters, your brothers, the school, the teachers - but never blame yourself. 
It's never your fault. But it's always your fault, because if you wanted to change you're the one who has got to change.” 
-Katherine Hepburn

"C h a n g e the way you look at things 
and the things you look at c h a n g e."
 -Wayne W. Dyer
(that basically sums up how I had to change and keep changing)

Just one last one from Steve Jobs:

“I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" And whenever the answer has been "No" for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.” 

.What great insight.
I think I'll even put that on my mirror.

First thing to change: 
Eating less Red Mango.
(maybe something easier to start?)
Smiling at a stranger every day.
(yes, this is easier)

Here's a story:
I once had an awful day. 
I was getting on the train and saw an old man about to get on as well with a backpack and a roller bag. 
I thought "oh he might get upset if I ask if he needs help or maybe he actually doesn't need help"
but something told me to ask him anyway.
He kindly thanked me and said he had bad knees.
He asked me to take the big bag and I did with a big smile.
I would not have felt good if I hadn't stopped and helped him. 
But I'll never forget the way he looked at me when he said 
thank you. 
This helped me not think about myself and 
change to help someone in need.
Guess how much better my day was?
x One Million

Friends quote:
"Joey to Phoebe "I bet you can't find one selfless good deed"
Later:
Phoebe: I have found a selfless good deed. I went to the park and let a bee sting me.
Joey: How is that a selfless good deed?
Phoebe: It makes the bee look tough in front of his bee friends. The bee's happy and I am definitely not.
Joey: Uh, Phoebs, you know the bee probably died after it stung you?"
still the best show.

I think I'll change the channel a little more often.

.Happy Wednesday.










Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Just a little something about Hunger

One Thing I learned from The Hunger Games:

HOPE

see? They even have a phone cover for it.

I think there is a phone cover for everything. 

But really, hope is what I learned. 
Quote from the movie: 
"Hope is the only thing stronger than fear"
I think that's true. If we hold onto hope of anything...how could fear get in the way? 
I think I need to use this in my every day life.
For instance, if I have hope that I can swallow a pill, I shouldn't have fear that I will choke on it. (biiiit of a struggle)
And it works for really hard things too.
Hope is good, fear is not.

Also, I should have gone to this theater for the movie:

...Real Life Experience...

My review: a really good movie.

.Happy Tuesday.

Monday, November 25, 2013

MUSIC MONDAY

Music is probably one of my favorite things. It can uplift, inspire,  make you want to shake your tail feather (thanks Nelly),
and even give you a headache. 
(sorry heavy metal) 

Let's talk about lyrics for a second. 
Sometimes they're good, sometimes they're not. (profound)
 I like a song without lyrics as much as the next guy, but for today's purposes...

Nickel Creek is my favorite band and their lyrics, wow.
However, today is all about C L O U D S. 

This song was written by Zach Sobiech. 
He was a 17 year old that was diagnosed with cancer but looked for the good and was happy. He passed away a few months ago. 
He wrote this song with a lot of hope and strength. 
I obviously cannot relate to what he was feeling at that time, 
nor would I try. 
I like the lyrics because they can give each of us 
h o p e  i n  o u r  o w n  s i t u a t i o n s. 
He was a very inspired soul.


.Watch this. 
Here are my favorite lyrics from the song:
"And maybe someday I'll see you again
We'll float up in the clouds and we'll never see the end"

I'd just like to add that t h i s  i s n ' t  a  m a y b e

In THE BOOK THIEF, death says, 
"It amazes me what humans can do, even when streams are flowing down their faces and they stagger on...” 

Humans are amazing. 
Looking for the good in all things (and music)helps us be more so.
I hope I can take Zach's attitude and live every day to the fullest.
All in all, I think it's safe to say that music is good.
I think I'll keep listening. 

.Happy Monday. 




Sunday, November 24, 2013

SPIRITUAL SUNDAY

EFY...A week filled with C.O.W.'s (crush of the week), 
awkward dances, cafeteria food, super small college dorms, 
and best of all, good music. 
(oh, and apparently really chunky white sandals with charlie's angels poses...please see below)




Let's get back to the good music part shall we? 
(I'd rather not relive the white sandal phase again, but the Charlie's Angel pose is always cool, right?)

No music can make me feel as good as EFY music. 
  A l w a y s inspiring, sometimes cheesy, but all in all good music. 

I wanted to share two of the songs that helped me today. 

1. "What Faith Can Do" 
(because who doesn't need more faith?)

Everybody falls sometimes, Gotta find the s t r e n g t h 
to rise From the ashes
And make a new beginning

Anyone can feel the ache
You think it's more than you can take
But you're stronger
S t r o n g e r  t h a n  y o u  k n o w

Don't you give up now
The sun will soon be s h i n i n g
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining

I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do

It doesn't matter what you've heard
I m p o s s i b l e is not a word
It's just a reason
For someone not to try


Everybody's scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water
It'll be alright

Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing

Overcome the odds
You don't have a chance
When the world says you can't
It'll tell you that you can

Even if you fall sometimes
You will have the strength to rise

2. "He Knows Me Better"

Feels like I've only got
a piece of the picture
I'm trying to figure out
just where I fit here
There is one who sees
all I'm meant to be
In a world of voices
that say they have the answer
I escape the noises
and close my eyes
and I turn
to the one who sees
a l l  t h e  p i e c e s  p u t  t o g e t h e r
He knows me better

Sometimes I can't see past
what's on the surface
He helps me understand
the depth of my purpose
Gives me faith to hold
as my path unfolds

He knows everyone of us
is learning as we go
His love is the compass
that guides us home

              These songs inspired me today.

I believe we are all being watched over by one who knows us better than we know ourselves. Faith is one of the most important principles that we can incorporate into our lives. What else makes us move forward?


Lastly, I'd like to share a scripture from the Doctrine & Covenants:
50:40-44
"Behold, ye are little children and ye cannot bear all things now; ye must grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth. 
Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and 
I have overcome the world
and you are of them that my Father hath given me; 
And none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost. 
And the Father and I are one. I am in the Father and the Father in me; and inasmuch as ye have received me, ye are in me and I in you. 
Wherefore, I am in your midst, and I am the good shepherd, and the stone of Israel. He that buildeth upon this rock shall never fall."

I love that we are all being taken care of. (whether we know it or not) 

.Happy Sunday.