Zero Reasons To Be Rude

I don't think there is ever a good enough excuse to be rude.

I don't think pain or exhaustion or hunger should pardon harsh words and impatient behavior. With very few exceptions, behavior is a choice. Circumstances, conditions, situations... those are often out of personal control. While circumstances cannot always be regulated, reactions can.

The way a person responds in light of trying conditions speak a lot for his or her character. I'm tired of hearing, "I'm in a lot of pain, okay?", "I'm just really hungry", and "I didn't sleep much last night" as excuses for impolite behavior.

The phrase I detest the most is "Don't take it so personally" as if my hurt feelings are a result of being weak.

So this is my charge: Stop passing the blame for your ill-mannered behaivor onto your pain. Apologize for being hurtful, not for your circumstances.

Summer Bucket List

My high school graduation is in a week from tomorrow. In fact, the grading period ends tomorrow morning. In other words, I'm basically done with school. Yeah! Exciting, right?

I also haven't had a summer at home since the one following eighth grade. While working at a summer camp is an extraordinary experience, I am so happy for a summer of relaxation; for a summer with my best friends; for once last summer in my home town before I go off to college.

This summer I want to...

• Go on morning walks
• Eat more meals outside, like breakfast
• Get another ear piercing 
• Read. Read. Read.
• Road trip 
• Go to the fair
• Attend an outdoor concert
• Update this blog
• Eat a huge Cinnabon roll
• Camp in my backyard
• Stargaze 
• Learn guitar (for real this time, ha!)
• Have picnics 
• Sit by a campfire on the beach
• Workout regularly
• Meet with God several times a week
• Go on a cute date
• Swim
• Go to a drive-in movie
• Host parties

If I sat here forever, this list would go on forever. 

But I won't, so this list won't. 

A list of 20 is a solid list.

Taco Bell

"Ugh, I just want some Taco Bell right now."

"Taco Bell is SO good!"

"I will love you forever if you bring me Taco Bell."

"Take me to Taco Bell so I know it's real."

These are some unexaggerated examples of phrases I have heard involving the fast food restaurant Taco Bell. Kind of ridiculous, right? To hear about Taco Bell several times a week, all over social networking sites? I've started to think that this Americanized Mexican restaurant has become severely overrated…

But, I like to think I'm a person who will give the benefit of the doubt before completely dismissing something. Don't get me wrong, I've never had anything against Taco Bell, really. I just thought it was spoken of too highly. Anyways, I think I was wrong.

Today I had the Grilled Steak Soft Taco, and let me tell you, it was delicious. The tortilla was perfectly warmed and softened, with a flawless contrast of cool sour cream and tender steak. And just a few weeks ago I tried breakfast at Taco Bell. I had the Waffle Taco. My only complaint was that there wasn't more of it…

Maybe I've been too hard on Taco Bell praisers. Maybe now I understand.

Sometimes I like Mondays.

Sometimes I like Mondays.
Sometimes they're sunny and warm.
Sometimes I don't feel stressed.

Sometimes school is fun.

Sometimes there's that one conversation that makes a day good.

Sometimes I like Mondays.

Sometimes I can lie in the sun

on a hammock in my yard.

Sometimes my worries seem so small and

I'm not scared of the unknown.

Sometimes I like Mondays.

I Remember

I remember animal crackers and new school supplies.

I remember an exuberant heart and butterflies.

I remember seating arrangements and secret notes and being told not to talk so much.

I remember that my crush liked me back but we hardly ever talked because that terrified us both.

I remember swing sets and double dutch and wallball and soccer.

I remember singing groups and friend groups and singing with my friend groups.

I remember tears on the last day of school -- there were no social networks or driving licenses for eleven-year-olds.

I remember silly best friend fights and spending every hour of summer sunlight outdoors.

I remember being mermaids in the swimming pool and having backyard campouts for spend-the-nights.

I remember making a list counting down to the time when I could do all I do now; now everything on that list is crossed out.

I remember being a kid looking forward to turning eighteen.

Now I'm turning eighteen, and I remember.

First Things First

If everyday began with a beautiful sunrise, a hot cup of coffee, meaningful prayer time, and upbeat music, mornings would be my favorite time of day.

A former pastor from my church came back to give a sermon yesterday. The theme of his sermon was to put the most important things in life first, in order to make sure that they actually get done. The first "most important" thing on his list was communication with God through means of prayer and scripture reading. I know for me, it's difficult taking time out of my day to do those things. Whether it be I'm lazy or tired, or "too" busy, I easily neglect setting aside intentional time to spend with God. But, being the new year and all, our former pastor encouraged the church congregation to start each day with meditation and prayer.

From experience, I know how important it is to do so, even though I haven't done it much lately. The past few summers, I've worked at youth camps where the days are tightly packed. While at camp, if you want time alone, early mornings are your best option, around 5:30 or 6am. I can't imagine waking up that early now (because I'm spoiled with a late-starting school), but with campers waking up around 7:30, I had to wake up early to ensure time alone. During that time I would journal, drink something hot, pray, read, and think about the day ahead of me. I valued the solitude, and I know it helped keep me sane though the busy days.

Though, as school began and as I stepped into a normal daily schedule, I slowly pushed my morning routine aside. Instead of waking up 30 minutes earlier, I would sleep until I absolutely had to get out of bed. Usually, I get up around 8 each morning. With that habit, my mornings are rushed and I don't get a chance to relax until the evening. Thankfully, yesterday's sermon motivated me to start my routine again. This morning I awoke at 7:30am (SO early, I know) instead of 8. I went downstairs, poured a cup of coffee, sat down on my couch while enjoying the gorgeous sunrise and time in prayer. The subtraction of those few minutes in sleep had little to no effect on me, but what I did with those extra minutes put me in a cheerful mood and ready to face the day.