it's simple.

{via}

This seems to be my motto lately.

I strive to always recognize the joy in every little detail of life.

I encourage you to do the same.

It's a real mood-changer, I tell ya!

Hope your weekend has been lovely thus far. 

Mine has been filled with perfect weather, taking advantage of frappy hour, and procrastinating studying for finals.

{whoops!}

While procrastinating at Target today, I bought index cards to make flashcards.

That's a step, right?

I think I'll start tomorrow...after I attend a fun BBQ in the afternoon.

Maybe...we'll see. You probably think I am a horrible student now. 

But never fear, because by the grace of God, I always buckle-down and pull through.

Eventually. 

xo

purpose.

{via}

We live in a culture of comparison. He’s smarter than me. She’s prettier than I am. Why don’t I have what they have? Why are they so good at this? 

God created every single one of us for a unique purpose, and we all have special talents, gifts, and characteristics to offer. One reason our culture is deprived of true, everlasting joy, is because we are trying to be someone that we’re not. We are trying to fit into a mold that we weren’t made for. True joy is found when we seek our God-given talents and strengths.

Never stop seeking your purpose in life—God has carefully and individually made us all for something wonderful. True happiness comes when we acknowledge and pursue our purpose. So be proud, and yourself—you were made for greatness!

Happy Tuesday!

a rant, for you

    This is a rant. It's an incohesive attempt to convey a million thoughts in a short blog post. Bear with me.

I am writing because I see so many young people around me—from classmates to some of my closest friends—who are too concerned about things that only bring them down. I see the world targeting us all actually—men and women, young and old—and telling us what we should look like, how we should act, how our relationships and marriages should feel, how we should feel if we aren’t in a relationship...and that’s only the beginning. 

    It seems that with each generation, we are growing more and more insecure about everything from our looks to our professions, and it starts affecting us at a younger age. 

    We get so caught up in wanting what someone else has, that we forget to be thankful for our own blessings.

    I witness people around me every day {and I am guilty of this myself}: We change our clothes, hair, character, and even the way we talk depending on who we are surrounded by. It’s truly disgusting, and I am saddened by it daily. 

    Maybe I am just writing {or rambling} this for myself, because sometimes all I want to do is shout at someone “You’re doing it wrong! Why do you think this will bring you true happiness?” 

    Seeing girls and boys, men and women engage and pursue their lives in ways which, more often than not, won’t bring happiness is something that I wish I could fix. I want to help, and show them what truly matters in life. 

    My hope is that someone might read this and know they’re not alone. You aren’t the only girl who is “always” single. You aren’t the only student who has no idea what you want to do after college graduation, which is quickly approaching. You aren’t the only nice guy who is “always just the friend.” You are not the only one who feels like you are constantly needing to impress someone. Maybe you feel like you’re always failing at everything you try—you’re not alone. But, if we keep living in and feeding this culture of comparison, I'm afraid that because of these numerous, petty concerns in life, we will never experience true, everlasting joy.

   I want you to know:

1. You’re not alone, and a lot of these things do not matter in the grand scheme of life
2. Gratitude brings joy
3. All that matters in this life is that we achieve our happiness through pursuing God and His will.

    If through writing this, I can convince a family member, one of my close friends, an acquaintance, my peers, or maybe even a complete stranger that they are of immeasurable value, I will be happy. Because these days, it’s easy to forget that. And we all need to be reminded of it once in awhile.

    This is for you.

"Rejoice in the Lord always; I will say it again, Rejoice!" --Philippians 4:4