Don't Stop

What a turnaround!
Wow, it was only a few days ago that I had been feeling down in the dumps and overly stressed about my current life situation--but man! What an incredible feeling to be back to my positive and light spirited self...

It just gives us a lesson, when we are feeling so low like I was, that lowness, sadness, stress, and all the things alike only do more damage than they do good. Having optimism and keeping your eye on the goal means staying on track and feeling good. It also means that you will do better at whatever it is that you are trying to accomplish.

There are some days that all of us experience, when we just don't understand why we are feeling so stressed out, or why there is "so much going on" in our lives at any given moment. Well, I will say this: You will never be given trials and tribulations that you cannot handle. This is just a simple fact of life that many people haven't quite gotten a grasp on yet. I know that I am still learning, maturing, and growing--thus I hope I never stop...It seems as though every day, I learn a lesson or two [from myself] as well as from those around me.

The thing to remember is that sometimes, you really are your own teacher. You go through many things, and you learn more about how you respond, and also how you deal with those situations. In the end, you finally learn a lot about who you are as a whole. You begin to see yourself as a unique individual with a unique relationship to yourself, those around you, etc.

Just remember that when times seem unbearable, just take a moment to stop, think, breathe, and sort everything out--one thing at a time--and you will see that things are really not all that impossible after all.

Know your limits, but also know yourself. Keep learning, because that is how we all become who we become. Listen not only to yourself, but also to those who surround you. Have a support system, because most people need that in order to survive--I know for a fact that I need that system, and I will always need that system. My system may be different than yours, but those who support me and keep me uplifted and keep me going are so incredibly important to me in my life...and I try to remember to thank God every day for such blessings.

Keep on reaching. Keep on going. Don't ever stop, and NEVER give up. You are absolutely capable of getting through every single part of life that comes your way. You are special like that. You are strong like that. You are smart, and you are able.

Don't stop now.

Young Man

Tonight I was given a reminder.

After a long day at work, I came home, cleaned up, and left around 8pm to find a study spot--thus I found one; a 24/7 cafe downtown Tucson, AZ. It is probably the last place any girl should be going by herself after hours, but I just went with my intuition and went there anyway.
I was about 2 hours into my studying, when a young man approached me, and asked if he could sit at my table. At first, I was a little hesitant, because this wasn't just any young man--he was a troubled young man...but I saw this, and granted him permission to sit.

So, I asked him, "where are you from?" and from there, we began to talk.
He was high on drugs, but at the same time, he was in desperate need of someone to talk to--so, I listened.

What a story he had to share with me.

Suddenly, so many words flowed from my mouth that I never knew I had inside of me; straight from the heart...words of love and wisdom that God had given me to comfort this troubled soul. We spoke of precious matters...and before I knew it, we had been talking for 3 hours--some of that time, which was silence.

I will never forget the young man who came in, shaking like a leaf, fearful, and full of pain...with an empty hole...which by the end of the visit had been filled with hope. Where there was no joy, I watched it appear and grow as we talked.

I had no idea until the end of my time at the little cafe, that God had sent me there to comfort a lost and tormented soul. The young man has no idea of the reminder he has given me--oh how precious it is to just believe!

I pray that this young man will soon find peace, and one day finally feel at ease...

I told him that these things don't just happen, and they are not by coincidence--but that what has happened tonight was entirely a work by the hand of God.

I had my Ipod sitting with me; and he asked to hear my music. I told him it was only classical music; classical and hymnal music...but he wanted to listen anyway. He listened to a few of the hymns, and I watched his face and body language shift from solemn to uplifted...and I asked him how he was feeling... "uplifted" he said...

He told me that he originally came into the cafe with the intention of finding people to party with, but that he has been incredibly touched by what he found instead...and thankful.

A young man who had entered my life without a smile, I left, smiling... as he was smiling...hopeful...

Oh how precious; the grace of God abundant...the soul that thirsts may drink...the weary heart that seeks...he may find rest and peace.

He uses us to plant the seed of faith into the hearts of others; and in awe, I am...

Feeling so unworthy, and weak in my own flesh, yet so grateful and so blessed. God is the source of all love within me...and he, in his many mysterious ways, always takes care to remind me.

Priceless Treasure

No, you are not invisible. You are perfectly existent and you do not deserve to be treated otherwise.

Every person is unique; and every person fights a hard battle. It does not matter who you are, where You are from, or what you do--you are different from everybody else; and that is perfectly okay. That is what makes you uniquely different.

Be true to your friends, your family, and most importantly yourself.

Be aware that some days are tougher than others, and that you do have the right to cry or to let out your feelings. Regardless of what other people may say, you must not suppress your anger, your sadness, your loneliness, or any other negative feeling you may have. If you can just get it out, tell a friend, write it down and burn it, or do something to export it from your heart, you will most likely feel 99% better.

My advice for today, for myself included--treasure your friends, and treasure yourself; but mostly--treasure your faith; because when all else fails, grace will save you.

Foodies R' Us

I am such a FOODIE! Homemade, and fresh: Cactus leaves, Sunflower Chokes, Fennel (root and herb), tomato, and onion.
Sunflower chokes taste like potatoes, and you can make them the same way. They are a lower carb option for those of you who watch that. Cactus leaves are easy. slice into strips, boil, add a pinch of baking soda to absorb the goo, drain, add to whatever you want. Fennel is amazing, and it smells like candy.

Just a ramble

This morning I woke early, before the light had dawned. I dropped mom and dad off at the airport so they could take their trip to Puerto Vallarta, MX. They will have tons and tons of fun. They always do! :)

It's pretty cold out, compared to what the weather has been like for the past few weeks. It's actually kind of nice. I love stormy weather, as it is a calming and relaxing thing for me.

I'm not the kind of person who goes back to sleep after waking up early for something like that...so I just stayed awake, studied a little, had a steaming cup of bliss (coffee), and chilled. I figured...why not take advantage of days like today? I, of course have to work from 10:30am to maybe early/mid afternoon; but I don't mind. I already feel like I've gotten things done today.

Tonight I may have friends over at my parents' home. I'm house sitting and was told I could have company if I wanted. I am hoping people come! It would be absolutely fantastic.

Enough of my rambling; I just wanted to clear out my thoughts before heading out the door.

Have a peaceful and beautiful day

Ashley

I just couldn't resist :)

Belongingness

Belongingness
Everything we ever want to feel
Love; one must know that it is real
Only joy shall dwell inside
Never fear or worry in life
God will take the pain away
In your heart, his love shall stay
Night turns day and day turns night
Given strength to see through strife
Next to you he'll always be
Every step of the way he'll help set you free
Somewhere down the road you'll find
Someone God has created to complete your life

Thanks to whoever's this photo is.

Define Me

I am not defined by a mere number
No, not I...

There is far more to me than the grades you see;
whether good, or not so good.

...I am defined by--me.

speechless

Really...this image speaks for itself.

This is what I get for wanting to become a Dietitian.