Back from Retreat!

picture from pinterest

I just got back today from my retreat! It was really great, though definitely different than I had expected it to be. Having gone to the same retreat last year, I was kind of expecting the exact same thing. While the basic concept was the same, my experience from it was completely different. All in all, I met some great people, had fun, and got closer to God. I had a lot of interesting moments, and it was definitely worth my while to go. Right now though, I am happy to be home and I fully intend to get a lot of sleep tonight.

Heroism

pinterest.com

My intention for this very young blog is for it to always (always) remain on the positive things in this world. By reading my blog, I want to make people happy by showing them a happy perspective. However, something has been making me very sad-- The movie theater showing in Colorado. My heart goes out to the poor victims and their families. I cannot even begin to imagine the pain and trauma that they all suffered. But in the storm of all this suffering, there were incredible heroes. Their selflessness saved the lives of others. As long as people like that are in this world, it will remain a positive and beautiful place. I thank God for these heroes and their families are in my thoughts and prayers. 

New Favorite Thing

Pictures from Anna D (Pinterest) and  polyvore.com

Okay, so lately I've been seeing people use little backpacks instead of purses or bags. I love it! I got one today and it is seriously the cutest thing. Can't wait to fill it up with all my stuff! I am definitely a fan of this look... I might just get a second one.

Hope and Looking Forward to Things

Picture from ebbemunk.dk

Well, I'm excited! It is exactly six days until my retreat. I went to the same retreat last year, but this year,  I know it'll be completely different. It's amazing how things work out... This time last year, I was terrified of choosing and applying to a college. I thought it was an impossible task; a jabberwocky of sorts. I didn't believe that I could actually do something like that. One year later, I realize that this retreat (all along) was being hosted at my future college, the college that I will be going to in the fall. The college that I thought was light years away. God really does always have a plan in the works... When I was most scared about something, my future was unfolding literally right in front of my eyes. And of course, I couldn't see it. At all. So this year, I'll certainly be less anxious. Security surely does go along with hope I think. Everyone who is secure in themselves and in their futures needed the hope that they could achieve that. I wish I had more hope back then and really enjoyed where I was at the time. But, you can always learn from things that turn out well. Especially when it was questionable that they'd "turn out" at all. What an interesting flower!

He took his vorpal sword in hand:

Long time the manxome foe he sought --

So rested he by the Tumtum tree,

And stood awhile in thought. 

"Jabberwocky" by Lewis Carroll

(from Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There, 1872)

Stranger Than Fiction

                                                                  Picture from figsinmybelly.com


This is the "flours" scene from Stranger Than Fiction. It is so simple and beautiful, it makes you want to watch it more than once. It is also amazing to see Will Ferrell act so well in a serious role. All in all, it takes something original and classic to make this work.

"I Brought You Flowers" Stranger Than Fiction

picture from mypinkcloud.tumblr.com

Recently, I watched a wonderful movie called, "Stranger Than Fiction". Its main character, Harold Crick (played by Will Ferrell), an IRS agent, realizes that every one of his actions is being narrated by some outside source. Having been warned of his imminent death, Harold consults a literary professional and determines that he must figure out whether his life story is a tragedy or a comedy. He meets a baker, Miss Pascal, while conducting an audit. He falls in love with her, and at one point, brings her bags of flour saying, "I brought you flours". Now, when I watched the movie for the first time, I was confused as to what these little bags were. I thought maybe they were actual flowers, possibly buds in little bags. But having done my research, I realized that the scene was a clever, heartwarming, and original play on bringing someone "flowers". It got me to thinking of the other little things (flower-like things) that people give to bring others happiness and joy. For me, it's caribou coffees mostly. But even smaller than that, its the smile or kind word that can really turn a day around. I wish to write about things that bring happiness and joy to people. I want this space to be one of refuge, where only the silver lining of the cloud is revealed. I was talking to my mom earlier today, feeling very upset about being sick (very minor and with no terrible symptoms). She told me that frequently, if we tell ourselves we will get better and we remain positive about our state, that we actually tend to get better sooner. I took these words to heart, and already, I'm feeling better. It's a relief to know that when we believe in something, like getting better, it makes it that much more possible in reality. In my own small way, I want to bring belief in the positive in whatever way I can. For myself, for my family and friends, and to any who stumble upon these humble posts, I want to spread belief in the best things life can offer. So, simply, my goal is to bring you flowers.