Sunday was a long day. (I'll admit) I hadn't begun working on part A of our ABC papers that was due on Monday at 12:30, and I had been up late the night before. I was not looking forward to thinking about and typing up a 4-6 page paper, but I knew I had to do it. Well, I woke up around 10:30, had a little breakfast in my room (with coffee) and started working on my paper. I continued to work until I finished my paper, soon before going to dinner at 5:00 (when I was still in my pajamas). For the next few hours, I felt like crap. Until dinnertime, I had been stuck in my room - for six hours - sitting in front of my computer. Around 8:00 or so, after talking with my mom, I decided to go to the Rec/Fitness Center to workout for an hour. Afterwards, I felt so much better, and this is why...
I enjoy exercising, especially running. While it's hard and tiring during the actual workout, it feels wonderful when I'm finished. And actually, if I'm really into it, I can enjoy the resistance that I am facing; I love the feeling of sweat dripping from my face; and I love knowing that I'm "that much closer" to the end. I've dealt with weight issues in the past, and found that exercising works really well for me. Not only does it help me feel better physically, but mentally, it helps calm me down.
When I take half an hour or an hour to exercise, I am able to focus on one thing: me. I'm able to forget whatever else I have to do and am able to think about how my body is moving, which is what it was meant to do. During this time, I'm able to be by myself and not think about the distractions of the world around me. I enjoy running outside because I'm able to see an area outside of Goshen College. I sometimes run along the train tracks, and watch as a train moves alongside me. I'm able to hear the birds and watch the squirrels and rabbits as they live among the trees and shrubs. I'm able to just be out in nature and be myself.
Alone time is something I truly value now that I'm in college. I like sitting by myself, reading, watching a movie or TV, exercising, or doing other activities. Having some time to yourself allows you to reflect on the routine happenings of the day or a specific event that may have had an impact on you. I believe that it's important to take a little bit of time out of every day to focus on yourself and be alone. During this time, relax, breathe deeply, and focus on the most important thing in your life: you.
5/13/08 - Words
A few years ago, my mom started a notebook for me in which she wrote quotes that she found and thought I would like, or ones that I told her I liked. More recently, I began adding quotes, and now I have it with me in college. Whenever I hear a quote that I like, I add it to my notebook, and I also type it up on a word document on my computer.
I love collecting quotes because it gives me comforting words to turn to when I need them. I collect quotes from many different places: friends/family, [bumper] stickers, Dove chocolate wrappers, books, online, authors/celebrities/spokespeople, etc. When I see or hear a quote that I like, I try to quickly write it down and think about it. I like words, and I enjoy thinking about deeper meanings that the words may hold. I've add a short list of some of my favorite quotes:
- "Laugh uncontrollably...it clears the mind." - Dove chocolate wrapper
- "Do what feels right." -Dove chocolate wrapper
- "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the places and moments that take our breath away"
- "You are unrepeatable. There is a magic about you that is all your own..." -D.M. Dellinger
- "Live to the point of tears" -Albert Camus
- "If God had wanted me otherwise, He would have created me otherwise" - Johann Wolfgang van Goethe
"sitting down and really thinking out an attitude of yours that you're not really sure of
a torchlight ski down the slopes
butter-steamed carrots
reminding yourself that everything you do, think, and dream matters
cottage cheese with chives, with apples, with onions and herbs
getting a whiff of that first ocean breeze
sour-cream pumpkin pie
Sturbridge apple bread" (pg. 239)
Lists of words like these help me take time to see the little things in life. Reading these words gives me comfort that there is good in this world and that those good things are what living is about.
5/14/08 - My "To Do List" For Life
A while ago, I started making a list of things that I want to do in my life. As I hear about opportunities or other experiences people have had, I add things that sound incredible. This list includes places to go, activities to take part in, being independent, and others. I have the list saved on my computer and I also have a printed version up on my cork-board. I am constantly adding things to my list, which helps me look forward to the many new and different experiences I plan to have at some point.
Making this list helps me in several ways: a.) it helps to remind me of things I really want to do in my life, b.) it makes me excited about new experiences I am going to have, c.) it gives me hope when I'm upset, because I know that at some point I will be able to check all of these activities off my list. The printed version at my desk is especially helpful for the last point. If I'm sad about something, I can look up at my list and dream about the various things I want to do.
Many times I'll dream about the places I want to go, and what they will look or be like in real life. Thinking about my future in this way helps me to relax and hold onto a positive view in the challenging situations that I am faced with. By thinking about these future activities, I am assured that I will overcome whatever it is I am struggling with at that point.
Here are a few examples from my list:
- shave my head
- travel all over the world
- be fluent in more than one language
- ride in a hot air balloon
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