Stories

I remember writing stories with my friends in elementary school.  My friends and I loved reading, and we thought it was all the rage to be a writer. At recess we would spend out time writing stories about superheroes and things similar to Harry Potter.  The funny thing is we'd actually write the first chapter or two until we no longer had the patience to sit down and write.

Elementary school was the best. It was a time when we believed anything was possible and had an active imagination. Then middle school hit and we went from stories to comics (which are still stories, but include pictures so less patience is require). We called our comics The Cliff Chronicles. They were stories about people and animals falling of a cliff into something entertaining like ice cream or a suspicious pool at the bottom. 


I remember being carefree and creative with my friends.

Sad Chair

Just Keep Going, You'll Find It

Butterflies

As I sit in the desk, I feel cold and I can't sit still. I am waiting. Waiting for the judge to be ready, and the round to start. I feel this weird feeling in the pit of my stomach, but I can't place the feeling. Deep inside, I know it is those nervous butterflies fluttering around in my stomach. I know I am nervous, but I don't want to admit it because I want to be confident. I feel my adrenaline pumping, boosting my energy and allowing me to succeed. The funny thing is, before I wasn't nervous at all. I knew I  could do it, but I the feeling was overwhelming me as I sat there waiting. I keep telling myself to stop. Breathe in, breathe out. Why is it public speaking makes you so nervous?  What is it about a spotlight that causes that feeling of uneasiness to course through your body? 

As I watch others perform and do an incredible job I think, "Wow, they are amazing. I bet they never get nervous."  But they probably do.  Some may get more nervous than others, but we all experience it.  Nervousness can be that feeling that the room got ten times hotter.  Or the need to fiddle with your hands and be shuffling around.  Whatever the feeling is you know it and you know how to embrace it.  The only way I conquer it is by facing it. We may not be able to understand why we get nervous, but don't let that stop you from doing what you love.

Nervousness can seem like a burden, but it is what allows us to succeed. It gives us the adrenaline to do what frightens us.  Next time you feel nervous realize its importance and embrace those feelings. They can make things possible. Nervousness challenges you to succeed.

Enjoy...

7:45- School

2:15- School's out time for...

HOMEWORK!
It seems that their is no end to work. When there is school, life always seems to be busy. When I'm busy, I always seem to be thinking in a what's next mind set rather than thinking about the book report that is due in two months or enjoy all the incredible things life has to offer. You probably feel the same way. So STOP! Take a break every now and then and as they smell the roses.
Have you seen Enchanted? Every time I watch that movie, I want to break out in song. When life gets busy, take it unexpectedly and break out in song. It might surprise you. After all, life has so many incredible things to offer.

Prince Edward: Giselle!
[leaps off a bridge, begins to sing]
Prince Edward: I've been dreaming of a...
[a group of cyclists collide with Prince Edward, everyone collapses]

(See it took Prince Edward by surprise.)

How to Be Yourself

People are always telling me to be myself. My mom, my dad, teachers, friends, extended family. But how? How do you be yourself when yourself may be like someone else?

Being yourself could be doing what you love no matter what others think of it, especially your friends. Our peers can make it difficult to do what we love when they see it as lame, uncool, or a waste of time. For example, I like debate, but my friends don't. 

Being yourself could be expressing your values no matter how uncool they may seem. Like refraining from drugs, swearing, or scandalous clothing. Or being honest (something a lot of people seem to lack).

In order to be yourself, you must first stop caring about what others think. It doesn't matter. When you care, you allow others to push you around and shape you. 

Second you must let your personality shine. Show the world who you are. Yell to the world, "I am [insert name], and I am proud to be [me, energetic, quiet, sappy, whatever you may be]." 

Finally, you must be confident in who you are and what you look like. People will tell your too fat, too skinny, or ugly. Just push that aside, because you are who you are and that's all that truly matters.

So next time someone tells you to be yourself, think about what that truly means.  

When I grow up...

When I was little, I went through stages of what I wanted to be when I grow up.  First, I wanted to be a singer, but that dream was dashed when I found out I can't sing. Then I wanted to be a doctor or a vet so I could help people, but that dream was destroyed when I learned I can't handle the sight of eternal organs and I found I didn't like science.

So what could I be? Well, anything. I remember writing stories with my friends and imagine up new worlds. We wanted to be writers in elementary school. We all have somewhat of an idea of what we want to be when we grow up. So what will you be?

Deciding what to be when you grow up is a big decision, so make the most of it.  Step out of your comfort zone and do what you love.

#stolen

Superheroes and nerds picture success as
dragon slaying and are incredibly unique.

Stumped

Have you ever had a hard time deciding what to write? Have you ever felt that you had nothing worth writing about in your mind? When this happens, you probably start writing about staplers and leaves. You probably start jotting down ideas and crossing ideas out. But isn't that how you come up with the best ideas?

Right now, I'm stumped. I have no clue what to write about. I could write about fall or books, but I've used those topics. I could write about nervousness or determination, but I've used those topics for other assignments. I could write about family or friends, but those are used way too much. What I really want to right about is something I'm passionate about, but I can't think of anything I'm passionate about at the moment. So instead I'm writing about being stumped.

Being stumped makes me think of tree stumps. You know, the part of tree that is left after you cut it down. When you are stumped you have lost your ideas that make you unique. Once you are stumped, you have room to incorporate new ideas and thoughts. It is the perfect time to expand your knowledge.

"The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing." -Walt Disney

 

I remember...

I remember looking out a window as the landscape would change from desert to mountains to farms. I remember reading the signs and watching the weather change as I listen to music. I remember my headphones in, attached to a CD player or mp3. 

I remember sitting on my butt for hours on end listening to Kidz Bop and good old country music. I remember fighting with my sister over lack of space and boredom.  I remember my siblings and I using blankets to create a mini fort in our seats.  I remember my little brother ruining mine for the fun of it.

I remember listening to the hum of adult conversation.  I remember looking for cars with license plates from different states.  I remember stoping at gas stations getting excited to stretch our legs and pick out some sort of candy or drink.  I remember struggling to find a source of entertainment at times.

I remember waiting all day to finally arrive at the anticipate destination. I remember being overcome with joy at the end of our trip. I remember...

Family road trips.