sunday thoughts.

honestly.. life is good.

I think too often we get caught up in every thing that is going on in our everyday lives that we fail to stop and really look around. I mean if you think about it. the world is amazing. God is amazing. Look what he has created and given us. The fact that the leaves change from green to red? and rain falls from the sky? How cool that there are mountains in Utah and oceans in California. Amazing right? 

Now, I'm big on remembering the little things. because I truly believe that 

the little things are the big things..

Yesterday we had our homecoming parade, usually I walk it but this year Taylor, Nat and I climbed up on the Cosmobile and got to ride the parade while sitting on the roof. We started at the Marriott Center, rode down 900 east then down 800 north and ended at the Smiths Field House. Anyways, I literally have driven these streets for 3 years and I can't tell you how many times we were all like since when was that here? or where did that building come from? and woah guys look how cute that house is..! 

For reals..? how am I just seeing all this? I hate to think of how much I miss just because I'm too focused on where I am going. I feel like we spend too much time focused on where we are going or the next step in life that we forget to enjoy the journey. and legit.. that's the best part. 

so I decided to make a bucket list. 4 actually. 

I made a..

1. Life/Long Term bucket list

2. Fall Bucket list

3. Winter Bucket list

4. "Today" bucket list

There is so dang much to do in this life. Sometimes I find myself just trying to get through the day. going through the motions. and I hate that. as I was looking through videos on YouTube the other day (you all do it) I came across one. One of the lines stuck with me.

"Productivity.. It's not what did I do today.. it's how did i do it?"

The video related it to something as small as cleaning the house.. "if you can't clean the house the right way how do you expect to run a company the right way." So that's been my goal. Instead of just doing something to get it done.. I try to do it right. Instead of being busy all day I try to be productive.

because it doesn't matter what you did today.. it matters how you did it.

We are blessed with two things..

Time & Agency.

Our time here on earth is short and we are given the agency to decide what we are going to do with it. My favorite professor I've ever had at BYU told me this. The average BYU student in God's eyes has been on this earth for about 20 minutes. 20 minutes people!!! That's it. that day or week that you feel is dragging on and on is all but a blink of an eye to our creator. make the most of every single moment you have here. never let anything pass you by and dedicate your life to Him. because it is through him and the gospel that you receive true happiness.

Here is the link to the video. It's kind of long but for reals one of my favorite videos. I like to listen to it while I am doing my make up and getting ready.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y3yqWVRRH4

Here's another video I stumbled across the other day..

You don't have to watch the first link but you have to watch this one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWi5iXnguTU 

Ladies.. and even gents.. YOU ARE AWESOME. pleeeease never ever forget that.

Literally you guys. we as children of our Heavenly Father are capable of so much. Like honestly we don't understand how strong each of us are and can be. The adversary has taught us to doubt our selves. to doubt our ability to be great and to accomplish things in life. I 100% believe that we can do anything we set our minds to. They key is to believe in your self. Believe in the person you can become. Trust in your Heavenly Father because it's through him that we become the people we are meant to be. 

If there is one thing I know for sure.. it's that Heavenly Father is real. He loves us. He wants us to succeed and he wants to bless us. Trusting in him and drawing nearer to him is the most important and also most rewarding thing. 

I also firmly believe in Prayer. 

So pray. all the time. everyday. every hour. talk with Heavenly Father. tell him everything. the good and the bad. the funny and the sad. your goals. and your strengths and weaknesses. make him your best friend. build that relationship and make it strong.

Now let me say.. I am not perfect. by any means. but that's the point. none of us are. We make mistakes so we can become stronger. We are given weaknesses and obstacles so that we can learn to strengthen ourselves through God. I have found that when I stop seeking approval from the world but rather I seek approval from God and myself, then I am so much happier. I swear to you.. you are strong and worthy of the world. tell your self that every. single. day. and remember.. the loudest voice we hear is our own.

"Be grateful and humble for all of your struggles in life because this is where your true inner strength has and will come from." -Jessica Arevalo 

Lastly.. live life. know who you are. where you're going. what you want and what you believe. don't let anyone or anything change that.  don't listen to or care about what people think about you. Trust God. Build a strong relationship with your parents and siblings.. because they are gonna be the ones that are gonna be there when everyone else is gone. and they love you. despite what you may believe. they love you unconditionally. 

Smile. Laugh. and be happy. because life is too short to be anything but happy.

love.
Anna Michelle