Like Children

     The past weekend, and the week so far, has been full of endless fun, and much tradition. From celebrating Christmas in July with the annual white elephant gift exchange and cookie decorating contest among my friends, to camping with my high school cross country team at Rocky Fork, there has been no shortage of action in my life recently. One thing I've learned this week is that you are never too old to let loose and act like a kid again.
     While camping with my team, I discovered a love and appreciation for backyard baseball. Normally I wouldn't be one to jump into a game of baseball, but I started playing catch with a few teammates and before we knew it we were all headed down the hill to an open field to start a game. The games of pickup baseball that followed were a glorious experience. Not a single one of us was  skilled, but we kept swinging, and missing, until we finally hit the ball. There were no strike outs in this game. Sometimes it's great to spend time with friends who will give you the opportunity to try until you succeed. Sometimes it's more about having fun than it is winning, and it's always great to feel like you're in one of your favorite childhood movies (The Sandlot)...

 

 

      Spending two afternoons enjoying every strikeout and every wild fit of laughter out on the field wasn't the end of the fun, however.We decided we'd take a roll down the hill, just like we were kids again, screaming and giggle the whole way.

 Most of the time, we take ourselves too seriously. We get caught up in who we want to be and where we want to go and think far too much of the future. We forget to enjoy the present. Sometimes you just need a group of silly, childlike friends so remind you it's okay to be goofy and get dirty. It's okay to play outside all day. It's okay to roll down a hill. It's okay too laugh until you cry. It's okay to have fun. You don't always have to work hard and be serious. In the words of Benny "The Jet": "It's baseball, just relax. Have fun." The same can be said about life. Relax, and enjoy the adventure. This Glass is full of a childlike spirit, and I hope you can connect with yours too.

The One

     "Sometimes working in a Third World country makes me feel like I am emptying the ocean with an eyedropper," says Katie Davis in her book Kisses From Katie. This favorite book of mine is a chronicle of Katie's life from the ages of eighteen to twenty-two, the tale of relentless love as an American teenager uprooted her life and moved to Uganda to serve poverty and disease ridden communities. Katie goes on to say "I have learned to be okay with this feeling because I have learned that I will not change the world. Jesus will do that. I can, however, change the world for one person."
     As we approach fall (sorry y'all, it's not as far away as it seems), many of us are preparing to start a new grade in school, maybe start high school altogether, start a new job, or, in my case, move on from high school to college. The fall is always a time I use to set new goals and to reevaluate myself and what I want to accomplish in the following year. As I  prepare to move in to college less than a month, I find myself feeling a little bit overwhelmed.
     Wittenberg is a service- oriented university, therefore it makes perfect sense that my goals for the coming year would be aligned with this orient. In the coming year, I want to commit myself to the service of others, and take advantage of the many opportunities for service that will surround me every day. As I start to brainstorm about the ways I will get involved in the Springfield community and fulfill my service requirement, I find myself thinking "I wish I had more time. I wish I could do more."
     I think about the children in Uganda that Katie writes about, I think about children in South Sudan who are without education and adequate living  because their country is torn apart by civil war, I think about those in our own country who are struggling, who are in need, I think about thousands of women who are brought into sex slavery and trafficking every day, even in our own country, and I want to do more. Always more. I can relate to Katie in the sense that, most of the time, any kind of activism or service feels like emptying the ocean with an eye dropper. But just as Katie says, we will never change the world, but we can change someones world, so it's worth it.
     There are so many people suffering, so that just means we have so much opportunity to make a difference. This Glass is full of passion for being that difference. I believe that it's importance to live a life filled to the brim with passion. It is not important to find a passion, but to live passionately. In everything that you do. In every situation. With every person that you meet. Have passion, and reach out to make a difference. I've always tried to live by the slogan "Be kinder than you think necessary, because everyone is fighting some sort of battle."
     Don't let yourself be overwhelmed by all the suffering in the world, but rather let it bring you to life and help you to see what you can do to change it. There is no right or wrong way to go about making a difference, just do as you have the means to do. Provide as you see the need, lift up as you see others beginning to fall. Never talk yourself into doing nothing only because you feel as if you cannot do enough.
     One smile. One kind word. One small act of kindness can go a long a way. We must never underestimate the power of the little things we do, and we must never lose sight of the large impact that a minuscule action can have. This year, I pledge myself to being the one. The one smile, the one kind work, the one action. I pledge myself to stopping for one person, one at a time, knowing that each one is worth it. I pledge myself to be passionate, and to not be discouraged when the tasks in front of me seem far too large, because the world itself is too large for me, but the world of that one person is small enough to change in a big way.

Join Me. Be The One.

Above is a picture taken from Katie's Blog. To learn more about her story and ministry visit www.amazima.org or see her blog http://www.amazimaministries.blogspot.com/ For Chillicothe residence, Amazima Ministry headbands are sold at Ivy's Home and Garden

 

www.dosomething.org is a great place to start if you're looking for ideas on how to serve your community or the cause that is closest to your heart

 



The Magic of Travel: Curiosity and Culture

     There's something about travel that will always excite me. Going new places, seeing new things, getting away from the familiarity of living in a small town that over time seems to become mundane. Travel allows me to see the world a different way, to think new thoughts, to learn new things. Travel allows me to immerse myself in cultures which I would never know of had I not left my own little corner of the world. Most importantly, travel awakens within me a curiosity that cannot be evaded, a thirst for knowledge, history, and the unknown. I'm a firm believer that travel is among one of the greatest investments a person can make in life, because when you step out of your comfort zone there is so much to be learned.
     Recently, I went on a trip to the Caribbean, a graduation present for my brother and I from our grandma. Throughout a week, we visited Mexico, Belize, and Rotan, an island off of Honduras. The trip was satisfying in so many ways, and I came back feeling refreshed and relaxed, as most people return from a vacation. My trip, however, produced much more than a relaxed mind.
     In Mexico, my brother and I shared a once in a lifetime, unbelievable experience. We took a tour through Rio Secreto, the second largest cave system in the world. The cave was pitch black and mostly filled with water, so we spent the afternoon hiking swimming around, knocking our headlamps helmets on stalactites. It was incredible.
     As we climbed out of the cave, our tour guide told us to listen carefully for the call of a local bird. The ancient Mayans used to listen for the call of this bird, and follow closely to their nest. They know that wherever this bird had nested, there would be a cave, and water, nearby. Once the Mayans found this bird, they found their fresh water, without which they could not live. The Mayans needed this bird to survive. This shows us all that sometimes, we just can't do it on our own. We have to look outside of ourselves, listen to the birds sing, and trust that with a little help, we will find what we need.
     While I learned of the importance of animals in Mexico, I learned in Belize just how helpful plants can be. Belize is an extremely interesting country. Made mostly of coastline, they depend solely on a few agricultural exports and the steady stream of visitors for their income. Belize's coastline is completely covered in mangrove trees. These mangrove trees put the entire country in somewhat of a catch 22. The trees are strong, and protect the coastline from any hurricane damage, keeping the country and it's citizens safe. However, they prevent Belize from building up any major industries, because they are protected by the government and cannot be cut down. Thus, the majority of citizens live and complete and udder poverty.
     The poverty of Belize is what sparked my curiosity. As I watched children walk home from school, I began to wonder about the goals of these children. What do they say, when asked "What do you want to be when you grow up?" What do they think of us American tourists? What is the cause of the adorable grins they all seem to be wearing? While these children showed me I should appreciate the opportunities I have, they also showed me that it's possible to be happy when you have so little. As an American, I will admit that is hard for me to picture life without the many luxuries I take for granted. But I need to realize that happiness does not come from any of these things.
     This trip showed me the magic of travel, the power of removing yourself from places in which you are comfortable, and the curiosity that can come about from experiencing other cultures. Travel is important for those that wish to see life from many perspectives. Sometimes, it's nice to take a journey, to learn how someone else lives, or what it looks like in another part of the world. But each and every day, we are traveling, traveling down the journey of life. If we look at life as one grand adventure, a splendid opportunity, we will surely always find happiness. Even if the longest journey you make is to the grocery store, and the only way you can leave the country is through a travel book or website, be grateful for those opportunities. Look at each day as an opportunity to learn, to spark your curiosity, and to fuel your creativity.

 

     .....And sometimes a day of relaxation can do wonders, even if a monkey is hanging from your neck. Never underestimate the power of the Sun, the ocean, a delicious Pina Colada, and a Jane Austen novel (aka my day in Rotan). 

 

Adventure Report!

     Anne Frank once wrote "The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely, or unhappy is to go outside...." She wrote of the power of nature, and the happiness that fresh air can provide. For the past week, this Glass has been immersed in nature, having an adventure of the grandest sort! Last Sunday, five of my closest friends and I headed up north to my Grandma's cabin for a week of fresh air and fun. Six teenage girls, one cabin in the woods, one week, no Internet connect or cell phone service... sounds like the beginning of a horror story, right? Well, the past week was definitely not a horror story.
     My friends and I spent the week hiking around northern Michigan on trails such as the Mason Track and the Pine Forest Trail, canoeing down a nearby river, feeding deer at a local nature preserve, and playing fierce games of Frisbee at Higgin's Lake (National Geographic 6th prettiest lake in the world). It was amazing to be able to spend an entire week enjoying the beauty of God's wonderful creation, and the company of great friends.



     Our daily adventures weren't all we enjoyed, however. We spent our evenings cooking homemade meals in the cabin, watching movies in the outdoor movie theater we created, and roasting marshmallows over the fires we built out of logs we chopped ourselves. This senior trip wasn't a normal senior trip... we didn't hit the beach or spend lots of money, but we did grow in our appreciation for hard work, nature, and true friendship. Instead of spending the week celebrating our hard work in high school, we got a head start in preparing ourselves for college by using self-sufficient skills. Of course, we were constantly exclaiming about how adorable and "hatchet" we are... but sometimes a little bragging is necessary ;).
     All-in-all, this trip left me feeling indescribably happy, relaxed, and blessed. It reminded me that this Glass has a life full of incredible opportunities, and great friends to enjoy these opportunities with me. Each and every one of you has millions of opportunities as well. The question is: will you take them? While your idea of an adventure may be much different than spending a week in the wilderness of Northern Michigan, what makes the difference is having the courage to step outside of your usual schedule, and make time to appreciate all the beauty that is around you.
     Anne Frank also wrote "Think of all the beauty still left around you, and be happy." Put yourself in her shoes for a moment. She was a young Jewish girl suffering through the Holocaust. She didn't have the opportunity to walk into the wilderness and enjoy the vastness of life around her. She was confined to one small annex. Yet, she was able to still be positive. She was able to appreciate nature from afar. Next time you want to spend an entire day in bed, curled up with cheese puffs and Netflix, remember what extraordinary opportunities you have waiting for you outside your door, and remember what a blessing it is to be able to enjoy them.

    

A Glass Full of... Fear?

A Glass Full of.... Fear?

    
     Today's post is going to focus on one of the not-so-pretty things in life: fear. If you are living without fear, then you are not living. This Glass is full of fear, and I'll be the first to admit it. Being happy doesn't include a complete lack of fear. In fact, it's impossible to be completely fearless, but it is possible to be courageous. There is a difference between not being afraid, and having the courage to face your fears. I try to live a life that consists of facing, and conquering, every fear that I have.
     In order to illustrate one of these instances, I must back up a few weeks and share a moment of terrifying self discovery. As many of you know due to my previous posts, I ran a marathon last month. This marathon was a wonderful experience and I couldn't be more proud of that accomplishment, but a week after that accomplishment was when I was lead into the said moment of self discovery. I was asked to run in the two mile race at a small JV track meet Zane Trace was hosting. No big deal, right? Just for fun. Wrong.
     The day before the race, I attended track practice to run with the team. Throughout the entire practice, I was overcome with fear and nerves. Towards the end of my workout, I totally freaked. Tears and all. I realized that I was afraid to run in this race. I was afraid of the track. I was afraid that I wasn't fast enough. I thought to myself "Maybe I ran this marathon not to chase my dreams, but to escape my fear." It was only fitting then, that after I had accomplished my greatest dream, I came back to face my greatest fear. I ran the race. I faced my fear. I realized that, in all honesty, the majority of my fears are completely irrational.
     My fear of the track was not a fear of the track, it was a fear of the past. It was a fear of the runner I once was. It was a fear that if I stepped back onto the track, there was a chance that I would turn back into that little freshmen that finished every race in last place, never quite reaching her goal. My fear of the track was an irrational fear, because I am no longer that girl. Once I accepted this truth, I realized that I was allowing this fear to hold me back in other situations as well. I was not pursuing a place on the Wittenberg Cross Country team because I was afraid. I was afraid to once again be that freshman coming in last.
     There comes a time in every one's life when they must decide if they will let their fears hold them back, or if they will go after what they want, regardless of what could happen. I am now a member of the Wittenberg Cross Country team for the Fall season. I decided that my irrational fear of my past isn't worth missing out on a great opportunity. So what if I'm that freshman that comes in last? I'll be one step ahead of all the girls that were too afraid to even try, and most importantly I'll being doing something I love.
     Audrey Hepburn once said "The past, I think, has helped me appreciate the present- and I don't want to spoil any of it by fretting about the future." My past has help me appreciate my present. I appreciate the hard work it took to get to where I am now. If I wasn't, at one point, a freshman getting lapped in the two mile, how would I ever have found the drive to push myself to where I wanted to be, where I am now?
     Some of the best advice I've ever received was so simple to understand, yet sometimes incredibly hard to do. "Fuel your faith, not your fear." In the face of something that terrifies you, will you choose to feed the fear that holds you back, or will you fuel your faith in your abilities, and in the belief that the outcome will be worth it? I hope that every one of you is brave enough to go after what you want, and to face your biggest fears, even it seems like it's already too late.

 

Doodle by Gracie Joosse, my courageous teammate

Full of Blessings

    

     If this weekend were to be summed up in one word, it would be blessings! I am definitely a Glass that lives a life full of countless blessings. At this time in my life, I have come to learn exactly how blessed I am. Yesterday, my parents threw my brother and I a wonderful party to celebrate graduation. Graduating high school is a big change, it is the turning of page in the book of our lives; the ending of one chapter and the beginning of the next. Graduating and moving on from high school can be a very scary times, but it doesn't have to be. It isn't scary at all when I count my blessings.

     Yesterday's party showed me just how blessed I am, when all of my closest friends and family came to support David and I. I was touched by the amount of cards and handmade gifts and letters that I received. It means so much to me to know that I have such a great network of supporters who will be praying for me and rooting for my success as I take on life as a Wittenberg student (and athlete... surprise!)
     This weekend was a time to celebrate our high school achievements, and prepare for even greater ones in college. It seems like the past few months have been endless motion, and continuous stress. Now, it's time to enjoy the ride, the blessings of past and present. Yesterday was a great time to let loose and to enjoy food, family, and friends (the three greatest Fs). The support and love of these wonderful people is perhaps the greatest blessing. The presence of loved ones is an incredible mood booster, almost as great as dancing!

 

     So the main lesson learned through this wonderful, fun experience was this: the future is scary, but it's unavoidable. When life seems to overwhelm you, don't let it. Take a second to count your blessings. Throw a party! Dance a lot, sing a lot, laugh a lot! Oh... and don't forget to eat candy :). Life is short, make the most of it, and fill it with happiness and joy!

 

Yesterday's candy bar, courtesy of my incredible creative mother :). Big thank you to all of my teachers, coaches, family, and friends who have loved and supported me throughout my high school adventure! YOU are a blessing to me!



The Courage of a Dreamer

    I've always been what most people would call a "glass half full" kind of girl, so it seems only fitting that my first blog be a reflection of the personality trait that makes me who I am. Through this blog, I will share all of the things this Glass is full of: happiness, energy, drive, humor, fun, and many adventures.
     The first thing that fills my life? Dreams. This year has been a crash course for me in achieving my wildest dreams, and I can't think of a greater feeling than doing just that. I've always heard that if your dreams don't scare you, they're not big enough. Last Spring, I decided I'd chase a terrifying dream, and I chased that dream 26.2 miles on May 5th, when I completed my first marathon at the age of 17.

     No, the picture above is not a picture of me finishing the Flying Pig. It is a picure of me finishing my first 5k race three years ago. There's an old Chinese proverb that says "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." While I didn't know it three years ago, that first 5k was the step I needed to make it to the finish line of my first marathon. The quickest way to achieving your goals is to just get started. Don't talk back. Don't worry. Don't think about it too much. Just go out and take one step towards achieving your goals, and the rest will fall into place. You may fail once or twice. You may get hurt or scared or upset, but along the way you'll discover yourself and you'll dream up dreams bigger than what you thought you could ever achieve.
    Notice one thing about the picture above: I am the only one on that track. Sometimes, when you have a dream, you have to start chasing that dream alone. As you continue to step closer and closer to your dream, you'll pick up more supporters. It's up to you to decide if your goal is worth it, and get started. If you hop into it with drive, with passion, and with a positive attitude, the people around you will be inspired. They will believe in you and support you.

 

     Now THIS picture is after I finished the Flying Pig. Sure, I look a lot worse for the wear than I did at the end of that first 5k. But what's different about this picture? I am not alone. My best friend is by my side. I started training by myself, and I started the race by myself, but in mile 21 when the pain was almost more than I could bear, I had a friend who was willing to jump in and stay by my side until the finish. Dreams like mine aren't achieved alone. No one can run 26.2 miles without knowing they have an awesome support system rooting for their success. So find your goal, get started, and gather your support! Start chasing all of your dreams, and know that when the waters get rough, there will always be someone willing to throw you a raft, or jump in with you and fight the storm.