It all started with a status on facebook. Next, a comment from a roommate from school. Then a comment from our lovely neighbor from across the hall. Then a whole onslaught of comments, one right after the other. My other roommate got involved and then I started posting pictures. And then my other roommate started commenting, and to make this all more understandable...Let's just say that we started a huge love fest with our facebook likes and comments.
I didn't realize just how much I missed these beautiful people in my life. Don't get me wrong, I love being home. I love being with my family. I love it here, but I miss school and the people there SO much. Most of my roommates live out of state, and then my other good friends are all going to Spring semester. I realized how much they really are my real friends. They are people I am going to cherish for the rest of my life. I mean I love my friends here but they are few. That's just life though. We move on, go our separate ways, make new friends. In college though, I feel like you start making the friends that you will have for the rest of your life. Maybe I'm wrong, but I like to think that I'm right.
Heavenly Father put these people in my life for a reason. He knew that they would make my first year at college the funniest and sweetest experience I have had in my life so far. I know that I can go to these girls and talk to them about ANYTHING and EVERYTHING! They are honest and real. They will tell you what they think. They will support you in your decisions. They give the best advice. I am so grateful that I got to spend my first two semesters with them. We aren't living together this coming fall, but I know that if we try hard enough we can spend time together as we did before. Maybe not as often, but that will just make those moments even more special. I love them and I thank my Heavenly Father every day for the blessings, tender mercies, and examples they have been. Thank you friends for being so wonderful and special!
Now onto my little inspirational quote of the day. Back when I was in school with the fantastic people I mentioned above, we went on a ward activity. We were having a huge combined Family Home Evening. We were going to go see We Bought a Zoo. I remember the week before we had this activity, my roommates and I were pretty skeptical about the movie. We thought it was going to be one of those cheesy and ridiculous talking animal movies. (If you like those...that's okay). We just weren't that enthusiastic about it. I wasn't anyway. Well that night came, we met up with our favorite people from across the hall. We gathered with our ward, piled into cars, and headed to the theater. I wasn't expecting much. Just a great time with my ward family. Little did I know, I was about to watch a movie that would become one of my favorites. Little did I know, we were all about to be inspired by one little quote. In the movie, Matt Damon's character probably has the most dysfunctional relationship with his son. They are constantly yelling at one another. His son is depressed about moving and his mother's death, Matt Damon is trying to make something out of his life while trying to come to terms with his wife's death. He buys a zoo. His son hates him. They yell at each some more and then Matt Damon bonds with a Tiger. His son bonds with the awkward zoo girl that helps keep the zoo restaurant running. Well after a particularly hurtful and poisonous fight one night, Matt Damon goes to talk with his Tiger, and his son as a not so pleasant encounter with his zoo girl. His son goes to talk with his dad about his trouble with this girl, and Matt Damon tells him like the best thing in the entire world. Something that I have tested and something good did come of it.
I think this really is what stuck with us for the rest of the night. Just recently, I used my twenty seconds of insane courage, and something great did come of it. Yes it was slightly embarrassing, but hey, it was worth it.
So today, this Terrific Tuesday I want to leave you with this...if there is something that you have always wanted to say or do. Hopefully it's something good and uplifting. If it's a challenge that you have had for quite sometime. If it's something that is just growing in your heart and trying to burst out of your chest, just say it or do it. Use your 20 seconds of courage. There will be many other 20 seconds. Just do it though. Just be brave. Say I can do this...and if something great doesn't come of it now, I'm sure something great will come later. It always ends up that way. I believe in you. Now you just have to believe in yourself.
Have you had any "20 second" experiences? Comment below and have an awesome day.
