I've been thinking a lot lately about all the things I need to get done, the pressures of life and growing up, the responsibilities of living away from home, etc. I believe I tend to put too much pressure for perfection on myself.
My Daddy has told me (more times than I can count) about a moto he learned on his mission from one of his companions:
Keep It Simple, Stupid
or
KISS.
This little phrase has grounded me more times than I can count. And so, I decided to do just that in this post. Here are some of my greatest, simple joys.
First, foremost, and forever my family provides me with great joy and happiness in this life.
Cows, or more specifically, my major is a simple joy that gives me great satisfaction. It is something I am very passionate about.
Music is something I'm passionate about. When it comes to Country Music, I swoon. I can listen for hours without getting bored. You better believe it's a simple joy.
I love the country. I love the wide open spaces, green fields, and breathtaking sunsets.
I love dancing. It is a simple joy to me to be able to let all my wiggles out and really lose myself in the fun of a great dance!
I love this gospel. Through the Savior I can improve myself. The gospel has given me a good quality of life. The Church of Jesus Christ is life changing. It has given me the opportunity to know my Savior. I know it to be true.
Life is too short to be stressed or over worked all the time. Life is full of simple pleasures and opportunities to be happy. When it seems too much to handle, I will always remember to Keep It Simple, Stupid.
It's 3 AM. This is the second night in a row that I have sat up until the wee hours of the morning studying for finals. This afternoon I gave my mom a call and visited with her for a while. At one point she told me to enjoy. "I know 'Enjoy' and 'Study' probably don't belong in the same sentence, but you need to live this up! This is the life." I sat there on the couch, worn out, listening to her say these words and I thought Mom, you are absolutely right. 'Enjoy' and 'Study' DON'T belong in the same sentence. As I reflected on her words though, it reminded me of a song that I LOVE and coincidentally hear played in one of the main buildings on campus all the time!
The chorus states:
You're gonna miss this.
You're gonna want this back.
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast.
These are some good times, so take a good look around.
You may not know it now, but you're gonna miss this.
As I thought about those words and about my life thus far, I realized the wisdom in my Momma's words and I realized just how well she knows me! I started thinking about the past, reminiscing. I have been fortunate. I grew up in a home that was safe, secure, and full of love. My parents have always taught me the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They taught me how to be respectful and taught me about the consequences (good and bad) of my behavior and the way I treated people. Life was far from perfect, but it was dang good. I started thinking about school.
6th Grade Graduation
High School Graduation
School has always been my number one focus in life. I am a learner. It's one of my talents. Some people are brilliant visual artists, some people are exceptional singers, some people are outstanding athletes, some people are computer wizards. I am a learner. As a result, I don't know that I've ever been satisfied with my academics. No matter where I've been in school, I've always been looking ahead to what's to come, counting down the days to the next big thing. My Momma's reminder today, as well as the message of Mr. Adkins's song, keep me grounded. It's these gentle reminders that help me enjoy where I am when I'm there.
This is college. This is the hardest, most exhausting, discouraging, wonderful, exciting, fun, BEST thing I've ever done. Finals are next week. There is pressure to keep studying 24/7. There is pressure to maintain balance, remember the "me-time," but if I am to remember anything in this time, it is to enjoy. I'm up late, eating junk, learning about the things I am passionate about, and loving every minute.
In order to better remember my purpose, my drive, my passion, and my love of this time of my life, I give you:
My Semester in Review
Frosty, Sunday Morning, Walking to Church
I was a member of Service Activities this semester on campus!! I have had an incredible time getting to know so many amazing people.
In the Church of Jesus Christ of Letter-Day Saints, you're encouraged to have Family Home Evening on Monday nights. In college, we are broken into "families" with apartments in the ward boundaries. My FHE group was outstanding and we had some pretty fun ward-wide activities as well this semester!
Redneck Olympics
FHE Fear Factor (Eating Crickets)
Country Line Dancing with the Fam
The Ward Family History/Indexing/Ward Missionary Group
Throughout the semester I was able to meet a ton of fun new people and plan/participate in some fun dates!
First Blind Date Ever!
Ladies Choice Date Night: Homemade Pizza!
Barbecue and Bonfire
I even got a date with my sister when she came into town to visit me!
I have had exceptional roommates this semester. We love to party! Dinner, dancing, inspirational quotes, spontaneous fits of laughter, we are a bunch of hooligans!
And of course, I have had the opportunity to further my passion. The beef cattle industry drives me! I love my classes, love learning about the critters I'm passionate about, love helping with chores, etc.
Prize to whomever can point out the Ilium, Ischium, Pubis, Obturator Foramen, etc. ;)
Hangin' out at the Cattlemen Games
Standin' in the back of the feed truck for the morning feeding. In the winter we feed the cattle hay and protein pellets, nicknamed "Cake." As soon as the truck enters the pasture, those cows come runnin'!
The first Spring calf from a first time mom. She was born bright and early in the morning on one of the coldest mornings this past season, but she was sure a trooper!
Above all, life is grand. School is fantastic. This semester has been wonderful! I WILL survive finals, just like everyone before me. If you don't take a minute to stop and enjoy life as it comes, there'll be nothing to look back on, no great memories to bring a smile to your face. I'm so grateful for my Momma's words of wisdom and for my opportunity to be attending a wonderful University.
To get you pumped and focused on the purpose of this journey, I leave you with a song:
A Milestone in itself as it was my first live performance ever! What a great semester.
