America the Beautiful

Conditioned...

Have you ever thought about what you have been conditioned to believe and think?

Is that really what we WANT to believe and think?

What if all that "conditioning" were different?

Would that mean that it would be that easy for everything you believe in now to be wrong?

It's entertaining to think about all of this.

There's a religious kind of conditioning, and there is a worldly kind. 

Everything that tells you that something is "wrong" or "unacceptable," is based off of what conditions you. Are we all brain washed? And if we are, by what? By who? What if we never were influenced by anything ever? Is that even possible? Would life even exist? Would it be possible to move in any kind of direction? Would we even know how to move if we could? You think of growing as a physical thing. But it's not just simply that. It's growing to perform the way we have been conditioned to do so. To be what we are suppose to Be. What we are suppose to Become. Is it sensible to define ourselves as individuals? 

It gives a whole new meaning to "The circle of life." It really all is just a game. You persistently are being told the instructions of the game. But, what happens if you don't play the way you were told? Do you get sent back to start and have to start all over again? Is that a bad thing? That only means you're getting a second chance, a third, a fifth or tenth... but no matter what, you get to keep playing. How do you earn the role of composing the rules? And what are they based off of? I find it all very intriguing. 

Truly, it really makes me think if there is a such a thing as "answers." There is so many scenarios, so many factors, so many distractions, so many surprises. If you had an answer to something years ago, is it still the same answer today? We are so conditioned to find answers. As if it's a treasure hunt! We go mad searching for this treasure. You bring people along in hopes that maybe they see something you don't. Maybe eventually you find the X that marks the spot. You dig up all the dirt. Then you see it. Maybe it's something. Maybe it's nothing. Either way, I believe that you will always get more out of the journey. You appreciate the adventure more than you ever would the "treasure." Therefore, the actual "answer" isn't the most important thing. That being said, do we always need to be on the look for a treasure in order to experience a journey? Or can we create our own journey without driving ourselves crazy over that something-or-nothing kind of treasure? It's all how you look at it I suppose. It really is all about the conditioning you choose to allow in to help guide your life.

Speratic Thoughts

There is so much to life. Life is complex. Life is simple. Life is overwhelming. Life is peaceful. Life is stressful. Life is fun. Life is monotonous. Life is spontaneous. What's right? Can it really be all these things and more? There really is no answer. The only fact is, you decide. You chose. You make it happen or you let it happen. 

It's amazing how whether we admit it or not, we rely on other peoples approval. Their approval of our attire. Their approval of a job well done. Their approval of our humor. Their approval of our love. Their approval of acceptance.  This may or may not be a bad thing. But once you notice this actually happening, why does their approval all of a sudden make you confident? The act of doesn't actually change, only your way of looking at it. Why can't we see things through our own eyes. Decide what is beautiful to us without the acceptance or influence of everyone else around us. Being afraid to have our own opinion criticized. Why do people have to criticize? Why can't everybody just find beauty in everything. There is no "wrong" way. People are entitled to their own opinions and that is just fine. But to criticize someone else's only because its not what you agree to... that is what is wrong. We are all guilty. But we have to remember that we live in a WORLD where there is a black to every white and a grey to each of those. Truly.... who has the right to criticize what another person sees as beautiful? It's all beautiful. Be open. Be loving. if it's beautiful to somebody.... there is a reason. Find it. Want to know. Engage. 

Dependability. I believe it is important to be dependent on God alone. Lean on the ones close to you for the encouragement and support to do so. You should allow others to share what they have to give you, learn what they have to teach you, and to help you when you need it. 

That's my vent sesh for the day! :)

New Illustration Blog

http://illustrationbybritt.blogspot.com/

Check it out! :)

"Living Life"

Life is not a race. But indeed a journey.

Be Honest.

Work Hard.

Be Choosy.

Say "Thank You," "I Love You," and "Great Job" to someone each day.

Go to church, take time for prayer.

The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh.

Let your handshake mean more than pen and paper.

Love your life and what you've been given, it is not accidental.

Search for your purpose and do it as best you can.

Dreaming does matter. It allows you to become that which you aspire to be.

Laugh often.

Appreciate the little things in life and enjoy them.

Some of the best things really are free.

Do not worry, less wrinkles are really more becoming.

Forgive, it frees the soul.

Take time for yourself, plan for longevity.

Recognize the special people you've been blessed to know.

Live for today, enjoy the moment.

The Story of Life

My best friend Taylor wrote something in her blog a little bit ago. She wrote this:

"Being so, my advice for anyone who wants it is simply this: go out. Live. Impact. Love. Support. PUSH. Encourage. Talk. Invest your time. Invest your thoughts. Invest more time. Make sacrifices. Make sacrifices without getting praised for doing so. Follow up with people. Make sure your loved ones know you care. Leave no burnt bridges. Leave NO burnt bridges. Apologize when you have hurt someone. Forgive when you feel hurt. Forgive when you have received no apologies. Make friends. Make more friends. Keep friends. Give away your laughter to those with tears. Give away your tears to those who feel pain. Try. Try harder. Never stop trying."

It made me think. I am and always have been a happy go lucky kind of person. One that believes in living in the moment. Living spontaneous. Basically leave everything up to fate. And honestly, I hold true to that. I think I always will. 

However, we are the author of our lives. We get this amazing opportunity to write our own story. This means that we can erase, we can rewrite, we can even get writer's block and put the story on hold if we choose. What it comes down to is what we decide to put in the story. It's about having an idea of how you want the story to end and how you overcome any obstacle you may run in to.

As much as I believe in fate, I also know that "Life Happens" and at this point, its time to grab the pen and begin writing. 

What do we write?

Write what you feel. Write with the thought in mind that everything in your life will benefit from it in the best way. If you want a change, write that. Write ambitiously. Write realistically. Know when you need to decide upon one or the other. Write curiously. Include adventures. Go "S'plorin." Write about achieving goals. About being patient enough to let your goals be successful. Incorporate trials, because without them we would never get to experience the high of overcoming them, learning from them, taking something from them. We would never grow. Write about the type of people you want to surround yourself with. Write about what YOU believe in this moment, will make you the most happy for life in a distant moment. If things change, if you realize what you wrote was wrong, or some obstacle gets thrown in, then rewrite! Write your life. 

LIFE.

It's precious. It's unique. It's about perspective. It's incredible. It's amusing. It's surprising. But more than anything....

It's worth it.

 

Summer Summary!!

I can't believe the summer is already over. I'm heading back to school and I really feel like I was driving home yesterday with all this excitement, hope, and questions about what was going to happen this summer. Overall, I would say it was a pretty good turn out! :)

Taylor flew down to Savannah to road trip home with me!

Stopped in Nashville...

 Again in Topeka Kansas...

And once more to see Bree In Fort Collins! :)

Me and Kens went to the Sand Dunes and rode the four wheelers!

Road trip to Idaho to hang out with my favorite people! :)    

 4F's got to be together one last time untill next christmas!

Lys got married!! :)

June 25th Midnight... We can now all go to the Piano Bar.

Twenty First Birthday Party with all the Besties!

I got a fish! (Bardolbe)

We sent off our missionary to El Salvador.

Me and Kens went to St. George and Vegas for the weekend!

Summer Party at Laurs!

"That's why we're best friends"

Kels got engaged!!! :)

CONCERTS!!

  

My heart is still completely broken that I can't go to Rascal Flatts! :(

I got to play every Tuesday with these girls and had the time of my life!

I got to spend some time with this boy.

The swinging tree!

Love horse back riding! :)

Epic Road Trip to Cali with Griffy and Generra!

Can't leave St. George with out stopping at the cabin! :)

Watched the surfers at the US Open

Angels Game of course!

House of Blues, Bowling for Soup and Sunderland

Downtown Disney

Counted all the Donut Shops

Root Beer Floats

Wendover for Kensy's Birthday!! :)

We went on a little treasure hunt! ;)

Just a little more:

Slip and Slide Party!

Went Boating with the Fam!

Played Chase around town with everybody!!

Went on a bike ride with my grandma..(Handle bars haha)

Colored with Tay

Oh and you can't forget about all the good movies...

1. Winnie the Pooh

2. Friends with Benefits

3. Crazy Stupid Love (Love Ryan Gosling)

4. Harry Potter 7

It's been such a great summer. I've learned a lot and I am actually really excited to get back to Georgia and start that Chapter. I can't believe I'm a senior in college... weeirrrrdd!! Last year of softball?? Even weirder! Really kinda sad actually! But I am so excited to see all the girls at school and make soo many more memories! Maybe explore Georgia a little bit while I'm there eh? :) 

Sweet Summer Simplicity!

• Wouldn't life be perfect if sweatpants were sexy, mondays we're fun, junk food didn't make you fat, girls didn't cause so much drama, guys weren't so confusing and goodbyes only meant until tomorrow.
• The 3 things a guys should want to change about his girl is her last name, address, and her viewpoint on men.
• "It's Impossible." said Pride. "It's risky." said Experience. "It's Pointless!" said Reason. "Give it a try." whispered the Heart. 
• I need someone who is prepared for:

          - Uncontrollable laughter.
          - Being completely spontaneous.
          - Deep conversations.
          - My friends.
          - My family.
          - Sad & Happy tears.
          - My imagination.
          - My dreams.
          - Playing in the rain.
          - My awkward moments.
          - My artistic side.
          - My somewhat wild side.
          - My competitve side.
          - My hopeful wishes.
          - My sense of humor.
          - My country heart.
          - Pushing me out of my comfort zone.
          - And getting me to where I want to end up.

• Gods 3 answers to your prayers:

           1. Yes.
           2. Not Yet
           3. I have something better in mind.

• Cliches that are true:

          - Love is Blind
          - It's who you know.
          - Actions speak louder than words.
          - Time heals all wounds.
          - Looks can be decieving.

• Treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated.
• Return borrowed vehicles with the gas tank full.
• Leave everything a little better than how you found it.
• Think big thoughts but relish small pleasures.
• Keep it simple.
• Say "Thank you" a lot.
• Say "Please" a lot.
• Remember other people's birthdays.
• Commit yourself to constant improvement.
• Look people in the eye.
• Be the first to say "Hello."
• Return all things you borrow.
• Pay back what your were leant.
• Keep your promise... no matter what!
• Make new friends but cherish old ones.
• Keep secrets.
• Know that money isn't everything.
• Forgive without punishing.
• Make a bucket list as you go about your days.
• Cross things off of your bucket list.
• Plant a tree.
• Hang out with Grandma & Grandpa.
• Read a book.
• Sing at the top of your lungs with a car full of your best friends.
• When you get the chance to sit it out or dance... dance.
• Experience life and everything that comes with it.
• Take responsibility for every area of your life.
• Be there when people need you.
• Listen without interupting.
• Wave at kids on school buses and buy a cup of lemonade from the lemonade stand.
• Don't be afraid to say "I've made a mistake."
• Marry only for love.
• Count your blessings.
• Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them.
• Never doubt in the dark what God told you in the light.

A Few Things to Live By:

So here are a few things I've ran into the past few days. If you know me, you know that I'm all about quotes. But recently it's become a new high when you can read a quote and understand with your whole heart what is meant by it. I used to just read a quote and love the hope of it... but now... they seem more personal. I simply understand. :)

However, there's still quite a few things about life I do not understand.. and this is what seems to make everything a little bit more simple! :)