Comparisons.

It doesn't get much truer than this.

Be happy
              with what you have
                                            now.

No matter how much you have, there will always be something else you want; A new pair of shoes, a nicer car, a smaller waist, or the latest gadget. But none of these things will bring you joy. Sure they'll make you happy for a while, but will they keep you that way?

If you find joy in the very fact that you're alive and you're you, then that nicer car won't matter.

Joy comes from inside yourself. You make it. You don't buy it.

Just a little thought for this sunny Monday :)

Red

Bought it yesterday. Been listening to it every single moment I can. This is definitely my favorite of Taylor's albums thus far. Hands down. Her ability to take a period of time in her life, whatever it may be, and capture every part of it in a 4 minute song is such a gift. If I could explain to you in words how much I LOVE this album I would, but I can't. You've just gotta hear it for yourself.

Track list:
1. State of Grace
2. Red
3. Treacherous
4. I Knew You Were Trouble
5. All Too Well
6. 22
7. I Almost Do
8. We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together
9. Stay Stay Stay
10. The Last Time
11. Holy Ground
12. Sad Beautiful Tragic
13. The Lucky One
14. Everything Has Changed
15.Starlight
16. Begin Again

I can eliminate a few for 'favorite worthy songs', but overall, there are too many good ones to pick a favorite. If I had to pick a top three, perhaps it would be State of Grace, All Too Well and I Almost Do.
*Purple are honorable mentions ;)

State of Grace
"So you were never a saint 
And I've loved in shades of wrong."
I can't really put my finger on why I love this song so much. It's unexplainable. Oh the mysteries of life :) Perhaps because it gives me a sense of hope and pure joy. . . I can't explain it. You've just gotta hear it and feel it :)

All Too Well
 "I forget about you long enough to forget why I needed to. . .
 And you call me up again just to break me like a promise
 So casually cruel in the name of being honest." 
&

I Almost Do
"I bet you think I either moved on or hate you
Cuz each time you reach out there's no reply
I bet it never ever occurred to you that I can't say hello to you
And risk another goodbye. . .

Oh we made quite a mess babe
It's probably better off this way
And I confess baby
In my dreams you're touching my face
And asking me if I want to try again with you
And I almost do"
These two are on my top 3 list because I've felt this way as of late. Last week I was just going about my business, my normal routine, then out of no where all these things just reminded me of a guy I dated. And it made me miss everything. Everything. I couldn't remember anything negative that happened between us. As the day went on I could feel the tears forming in my eyes. I tried to stop them from spilling out, but couldn't do a very good job of it. I felt so fragile and didn't know why all of the sudden I felt so sensitive about us. I felt like such a mess. Then on Monday when I first listened to these two lovelies, I knew just what Taylor was saying. And I wanted him to know how I felt, but couldn't tell him for the sake of yet another goodbye. Another goodbye would mean having to hear his voice again. Having to see his smile and relive all the times he smiled because of us. And know that his smiles now aren't because of me, and they could have been. Some days for no apparent reason, are just hard. But Taylor, being her wonderful self, helps me through :)

Thank you Ms Swift :)

My not-so-little brother

Yesterday I was heading out for a jog, and my mom suggested that my brother Bryson go with me, so he laced up his shoes and we headed on out. We'd never gone running together and I wasn't sure if he'd get a little annoyed at my pace. His legs are twice the size of mine, so clearly he'd be faster. I've been having knee trouble for a while which has slowed me down. I have to run for a stretch, then walk, then run, then walk, just to be sure I don't cause more injury to my poor little knee. We started off by walking for a bit, then I said, "Okay, let's run from this corner to that one", pointing up ahead. At first Brys was a little hesitant of going ahead of me, but let's face it, he could probably walk the pace I run. So he pushed ahead and would look back every now and then to check on me. When he made it to the corner he waited and when I got there he said, "Good job! How's your knee?". We continued the same process for 3 1/2 miles; running, then walking, then running again. After each run, without fail, he repeated those words "Good job! How's your knee?".

As his older sister, I feel like I've taken care of him throughout our lives. I remember years and years ago, picking out his clothes on Sunday mornings and helping him get dressed. I remember playing with him while he was in diapers and him laughing at the silly songs I'd sing to him. I remember helping him put on his helmet before we rode our bikes. Yesterday I realized something: Our roles have shifted a bit. He's taking care of me now. It's strange to see him as this adult, but he is. Every time he looked back on our run to check on me and every time he told me good job and asked how my knee was, he was being genuine. He is a sweet boy, that's who he is through and through. There isn't are prideful bone in his body.

It's hard for me to see him as a grown-up. I'll probably always see him as that cute blonde-haired boy who loved to play with the hose all summer long. I'll always want to take care of him, and I will as much as I can, but I'll let him take care of me too.

Love you Brys.

Quote Quote.

Regrets.

I just finished watching the first session of General Conference. One of my favorite messages given was from President Uchtdorf. He spoke of a nurse who worked with patients who were very close to dying, and learned of their regrets in life. One regret was wishing they had spent more time with people they love. President Uchtdorf said some people view being busy as a badge of honor. I had to shake my head at that, because I know it's true. People feel life is suppose to be busy, that we're suppose to be tired, that we're suppose to feel as though we have no time for 'fun', unless it's scheduled on our calendar. This makes me sad. Life is suppose to be fun. Fun should not come second to our responsibilities. It should be apart of our responsibilities. We owe it to ourselves.

Another regret was they wish they had *chosen to be happier. *Key word here: Chosen. Happiness is a choice. We choose our attitude. We choose to write 'bowling' on the calendar only after school, work, homework, and community, church, and family responsibilities. Those things are important, but isn't happiness the ultimate importance? Do what makes you happy.

Let's not get to the end of our lives wishing we would have spent more time laughing with our loved ones instead of working ourselves to exhaustion. Let's exhaust ourselves with laughter :)

Happy Saturday :)

Quote of the Day

It's that simple.