How to Appreciate the Present.

This morning I read a quote on my Twitter feed that really struck me. It said, "Today is the youngest you'll ever be and the oldest you've ever been. Don't waste it." As much truth as this statement rings out with, it also seems to hold a fair amount of sadness.

Almost 6 short months ago, my beautiful roommate and one of the best friends I had ever come to have was taken early from this life for a mission on the other side that this world will yet come to know. She was 18. On the 20th of this month, Madeline Rose would have turned 19. There are many things Madie taught me, but the most important to me is how to treat others. I never once heard her speak an ill word about anyone, she didn't gossip or speculate. She simply loved. She loved everyone around her and treated each individual person as just that, their own person. She was not only charitable, but genuine in everything she did and every word she said. I had an experience shortly after she died when I was back at BYU after Thanksgiving break where I was so upset and hurt that I didn't even know what to do with myself. As I stood there crying, her accepting face flashed in my mind for just a short moment. But that was all it took. One moment. That moment changed my life to this day and I know it will continue to influence my every act towards other people. In that moment, I decided to love those who I felt I had been wronged by. It may have been a petty reason to become so upset but because it was important to me I know Heavenly Father blessed me with a short moment of Madie coming to me and showing me what it is like to love; But not just to love, in that brief moment she taught me to, in a word, forgive. So when things that aren't worth my attention fight with things that do, I try to remember Madie. I remember that brief moment, but I specifically remember who she was, all the righteousness she stood for and how she loved. I remember the Christ like person she is and the example she remains to be. I encourage you, if anyone actually reads this, to look for an example that makes you want to be better. Find something that makes you want to be better for the sake of becoming the ultimate form of you that you can be.
Above all, if you learn nothing else from this post remember this quote: "Today is a gift. That's why we call it the present."

I miss you everyday, Madeline Rose! But I am comforted by the knowledge of the truthfulness I have about the Plan of Salvation and KNOWING that I will see you again. 

Clear Your Head, fill your soul.

Today is the day. You know how "they" (whoever they is) say things like, "There is no time like the present." and stuff like that? Well, I agree. Today is the day. Today is the day I changed my blogger name from an alias to my real name. Today is the day I decided it's time for a change, because I quite like change. And today is the day I am actually, really and truly, committing to that change. I like to say I am going to change and I like to think about how wonderful that change might be; however, when it comes down to it, it's hard for me to actually make that change. I mean, make like Nike and "just do it" right? Well... wrong. Sort of. I mean, sometimes it's hard to just do something. Sometimes when you think about it, the work you would have to put towards that change seems like it would outweigh the reward. But, you know what? Just dreaming about a change and just dreaming of how things could be, simultaneously you become complacent with not having to work towards that change. But that is where WE are wrong. We really do just need to make like Nike and get up, and go do it. Don't become complacent with dreaming about what COULD be. Make your dream a goal and go get it. Because the time to do it isn't tomorrow. Heck, it isn't even today, it is now. I'm going to stop typing (I don't know if I quite consider this writing yet, because that was pretty jumbled) on my laptop and sitting at my desk. I am going to stand up and do something right now. Because this life is beautiful, but it is also short. And if my life is going to be short, it's gonna burn bright.