Books of life.
Sometimes it makes me feel like a simple footnote. I’m there but I’m not really important. Especially not if you don’t have your reading glasses on. I want to be the head page. The title. The most important part of the story.
Too often I forget that simplicity is the most beautiful part of life. Strip away the stress, the fears, the bills and calories—the unknown and known. Only then can you truly appreciate the constant beauty of life all around you.
I want this laundry room one day. Or one just like this.
“Success is everyone’s own personal battle. When you start comparing yours to others, you lose sight of your dreams.”
Unoriginally Original.
A group that I have no desire to be a part of is the Fashion Club at my school. I feel like fashion is the one thing that is so distinct and unique to one individual person’s style, how could an entire group of people agree on anything concerning this subject? Well, they can’t. Most of the meetings that I have ever attended were filled with arguing and not accomplishing anything. If we’re all so happy to be artistic and express ourselves through our clothing, then let’s do just that. There is no need to label us a club, we are paying for that “label” through our education.
Wanting, never waiting.
An organization that I aspire to be a member of is the Burke Willliams Spa. One day, in one of my classes at the gym, I overheard two ladies talking about getting facials and massages in between classes. I thought to myself, “Rich little ladies…must be nice. I could never afford that.” So where did I find myself two weeks later? Inquiring about a membership at the Burke Williams Spa (which is conveniently located in the same shopping center as my gym). For $79 a month, I could get one 50-minute massage, which would be nice considering all the knots I have from personal training. Who am I kidding though, I can’t afford that. So why did I take home a packet of all their services and seriously consider how to fit in the monthly membership into my budget? I’d like to think that it had nothing to do with the two women I overheard at the gym, but let’s be honest, the thought never would have crossed my mind if I hadn’t overheard them speaking.
Being content is an always changing definition.
Who is you?
You can’t deny it; you’re never going to be completely content. It’s human nature to aspire for the things that we don’t have. No, scratch that…for the things that others have. This concept is a struggle for me, because I always want to better myself; I don’t ever want to be content. Where is the line between making a decision for you, and making a decision for the way others view you?
One organization that I currently am a member of is Crunch. I had aspired to be a member of this gym for a long time because I had heard Chelsea Handler mention it on her show one episode. She doesn’t even attend the gym, mind you, but after I looked into the gym, and learned about all the classes they offered, I wanted to be a member. For months and months, I contemplated joining the gym, but it is located in West Hollywood and would take me about 30 minutes to an hour to get there. Clearly, there are gyms closer to my home, but something about this gym made me want to join. Then, one day, I bought a LivingSocial deal for a month membership at the gym and got a week pass to test out the waters. I told myself that if it took me longer than 30 minutes to get to the gym, it would not be worth all the time and gas.
It took me over an hour to get there, I missed the class I had planned on attending, AND I was completely convinced that this wasn’t the right gym for me. However, after getting a tour of the gym and talking numbers for my membership fees, I ended up not only signing up for a membership, but also paying for personal training sessions. What was I thinking?
Well, turns out, whatever intuitive instinct made me join, it was a good one. I have become obsessed with this gym. It feels so good to be a part of something and to represent such an amazing place. I could probably be considered a walking spokes model for Crunch. My trainer has seriously whooped me into the best shape of my life, and I can’t get enough. I’m there every day, for at least two hours, sometimes three. The classes are all amazing and I’ve met some really incredible people.
Whatever form of aspiration initially sparked my interest, I am confident that my decision to stay at this gym is for me. For me to be a better me. For me to be a happier me. For me to be a part of something I’m proud of. I want all my decisions to be this way because, quite frankly, this is what makes life worth living for: doing what makes you happiest.
Always watching, always learning.
It’s funny to watch people. Just in a natural, unaware setting. Working in retail, people watching is sometimes all you have to pass the time. I always like to try and play out the situations of the people. Who they are, why they’re here, and what the rest of their day will be like. It seems as though a lot of people are tired and exhausted. Outside of the store, they’re lugging around their shopping bags, contemplating where to eat, and how much more time they have on their parking meter. Its all one big stressful situation, sometimes. In this day, people are always rushing, rushing, rushing, and never appreciating the day.
I admire those that seem to have the world at their fingertips; those who have no sense of time because they choose not to worry about it; those who take a deep breath and just soak in the beauty of life. If I could go back to being a child, I would in a heartbeat. I hate to say that I’ve taken anything for granted in life, but I was honestly just too young and naive to really appreciate it. ‘It’ being carelessness. Not having a responsibility in the world. What was I so eager to grow up for?
I must admit, I was a little weary to visit the Lake Shrine Temple because I have never considered meditation to be an important aspect in my religion. It was enlightening to learn that all religions leading to God were represented at the temple; a sense of welcoming that I did not expect. I realized that meditation can be for any religion as a way to speak to God himself.
The location and scenery is obviously very beautiful and peaceful, so it’s almost impossible not to feel a sense of relaxation (unless, of course, a crazy man is following you around proclaiming we should have a resurrection immediately). I enjoyed being around all of the plants and flowers and smelling their aromas. The waterfalls, for me, where perhaps the important factor that effected my mood. Nothing quite beats the sound of water falling and splashing steadily.
I don’t necessarily think the visit changed my personality, but it did make me realize how important it is to pull yourself away from the chaos of life and focus on the more important, spiritual aspects. So often I get completely caught up and enthralled with trying to do 800 different things that I forget what’s most important in life. How many times have you said to yourself, “I should spend more time doing that.” or “I really need to make time for that in my life because it makes me happy.”, but you never did? Why? Why do we keep the things that make us happiest in life at a distance? I want to challenge myself to get back in the habit of going to church. I allowed my move to California to serve as a crutch, but it is no excuse: my church mainstreams it’s services online. What am I waiting for? Better yet, what are you withholding from your life? Let’s go be happy enjoying the things that make life worth living for. There is no time like the present.
