February 13, 2013
I am sure you are all tired of hearing about my job, but boy do I love this job! Today we had a valentines dance and yet again I was putting 100% into everything. My clients are mood matchers so if I am not happy, they aren't. So I was being over the top silly and trying to get everyone to dance with me. It turned out to be so much fun! I nearly died on the dance floor from dancing too much but it was all worth it.
I started a game to get them involved that was pretty much "silliest dancer wins". My dad used to say "a room full of laughter makes those seconds of being stupid all worth it." He was right, but to that I say, "one laugh makes those seconds of being stupid all worth it." The greatest trait my dad had was being the funniest guys I knew. He could turn any story into something that made you pee your pants from laughter. I always wanted to be like that. Sadly, I am not like that nor will I ever be. But that is not my miracle. My miracle today was seeing that I didn't have to reflect on the bad times with my dad. The legacy he left behind in my memories was the laughs and the good times. I feared that when he died, I would be left with bitterness. That simply was not the case. What a miracle!
"Your past is just a story and once you realize this, it has no power over you."
-Unknown
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
February 12th- The Miracle of a little R&R
February 12, 2014
After working all day long, I got to come home and relax. I got to watch "New Girl"which is one of my favorite shows. Why? I honestly don't know. But it was nice to just relax for a bit and take a load off. Honestly, that was my miracle for today. I got to slow down for a bit and enjoy a little "me" time. That probably seems like a cop out, but it wasn't! What a miracle!
"When you stop doing things for fun you might as well be dead."
-Hemingway
After working all day long, I got to come home and relax. I got to watch "New Girl"which is one of my favorite shows. Why? I honestly don't know. But it was nice to just relax for a bit and take a load off. Honestly, that was my miracle for today. I got to slow down for a bit and enjoy a little "me" time. That probably seems like a cop out, but it wasn't! What a miracle!
"When you stop doing things for fun you might as well be dead."
-Hemingway
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
February 11th- The Miracle of a Smile
February 11, 2014
Another miracle today is brought to you by my amazing job. One of my clients that I work with is confined to a wheelchair. On the most part, people I have worked with who are "stuck in a wheelchair" don't mind. They are some of the most positive people I know. This particular client however, does not think the same as most. She views her chair as a confinement and is more often than not, displeased with most things. I have made it a personal goal to see that changed.
At this job, I have decided that I am going to give everything I have to these people because they deserve it. If I am having a rough day, I just grin and bare it cause it isn't their problem. When I walk through that door, it's no longer about me. It's about them. Today was no different. We had some free time so I got to read to this particular client from her favorite book. I did it! I found her weak link, her kryptonite, her achilles heel! For her, it's reading her favorite book in character.... and acting it out. I was being my usual silly self and was over the top when I realized she was laughing! I had NEVER seen a smile on this woman's face and she was splitting a side with laughter! Oh! What a miracle to see! I could work for hours and change a million diapers and that smile would be worth it. What. A. Miracle!
"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel."
-Maya Angelou
Another miracle today is brought to you by my amazing job. One of my clients that I work with is confined to a wheelchair. On the most part, people I have worked with who are "stuck in a wheelchair" don't mind. They are some of the most positive people I know. This particular client however, does not think the same as most. She views her chair as a confinement and is more often than not, displeased with most things. I have made it a personal goal to see that changed.
At this job, I have decided that I am going to give everything I have to these people because they deserve it. If I am having a rough day, I just grin and bare it cause it isn't their problem. When I walk through that door, it's no longer about me. It's about them. Today was no different. We had some free time so I got to read to this particular client from her favorite book. I did it! I found her weak link, her kryptonite, her achilles heel! For her, it's reading her favorite book in character.... and acting it out. I was being my usual silly self and was over the top when I realized she was laughing! I had NEVER seen a smile on this woman's face and she was splitting a side with laughter! Oh! What a miracle to see! I could work for hours and change a million diapers and that smile would be worth it. What. A. Miracle!
"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel."
-Maya Angelou
Monday, February 10, 2014
February 10th- The Miracle of a Laugh
February 10, 2014
Today I was sicker than a dog. I stayed in bed and slept almost all day. For some reason, I got the crazy idea that going to a "Family Home Evening" activity would be a good idea. Here, we get put into groups and we are called a "Family" and every Monday we do stuff together and have a little inspiring message. It's really a brilliant idea. I love it. I was called to be the "Mom" so... I felt a sense of duty.
Our activity was Ice Skating. We went to a random house a town over and they had this awesome rink just on the side of their house! They even have skates you can use! It was amazing and they didn't charge a cent. It was pretty cool. Anyway, There was just seven of us and the boys decided to play some hockey. Fearing that I might lose a precious tooth, I was a bit hesitant. But after a couple seconds of deliberation and a great deal of persuasion I joined. By golly, it was so fun! I probably looked like an idiot but I legitimately had fun.
The miracle today was that I laughed. I mean, actually laughed. Usually I force it just to be nice but today I was happy. Even for just an hour. That was nice. What a miracle!
"I always knew looking back on the tears would make me laugh, but I never knew looking back on the laughs would make me cry."
-Dr. Seuss
Today I was sicker than a dog. I stayed in bed and slept almost all day. For some reason, I got the crazy idea that going to a "Family Home Evening" activity would be a good idea. Here, we get put into groups and we are called a "Family" and every Monday we do stuff together and have a little inspiring message. It's really a brilliant idea. I love it. I was called to be the "Mom" so... I felt a sense of duty.
Our activity was Ice Skating. We went to a random house a town over and they had this awesome rink just on the side of their house! They even have skates you can use! It was amazing and they didn't charge a cent. It was pretty cool. Anyway, There was just seven of us and the boys decided to play some hockey. Fearing that I might lose a precious tooth, I was a bit hesitant. But after a couple seconds of deliberation and a great deal of persuasion I joined. By golly, it was so fun! I probably looked like an idiot but I legitimately had fun.
The miracle today was that I laughed. I mean, actually laughed. Usually I force it just to be nice but today I was happy. Even for just an hour. That was nice. What a miracle!
"I always knew looking back on the tears would make me laugh, but I never knew looking back on the laughs would make me cry."
-Dr. Seuss
Sunday, February 9, 2014
February 9th- The Miracle of Bread and Water
February 9, 2014
Today was Sunday. Gee, I love Sundays. I had gotten a cold yesterday, but I wasn't going to let that slow me down. The most important thing to me today was the Sacrament. Every Sunday we partake in little pieces of bread and tiny cups of water to symbolize Jesus Christ. This is a type of renewal for us. We believe that a person has to be baptized just as Christ was baptized in order to be forgiven of our sins. Because we all sin, we need constant nourishment and renewal of that covenant to try to be better. That is why we take the Sacrament.
For me, this is so much more than just a symbol. It is a real thing. I don't always feel it, but today I felt the calm peace that I needed come over me. It was just what I needed. What a miracle!
"Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you will look back and realize they were the big things".
-Unknown
Today was Sunday. Gee, I love Sundays. I had gotten a cold yesterday, but I wasn't going to let that slow me down. The most important thing to me today was the Sacrament. Every Sunday we partake in little pieces of bread and tiny cups of water to symbolize Jesus Christ. This is a type of renewal for us. We believe that a person has to be baptized just as Christ was baptized in order to be forgiven of our sins. Because we all sin, we need constant nourishment and renewal of that covenant to try to be better. That is why we take the Sacrament.
For me, this is so much more than just a symbol. It is a real thing. I don't always feel it, but today I felt the calm peace that I needed come over me. It was just what I needed. What a miracle!
"Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you will look back and realize they were the big things".
-Unknown
Saturday, February 8, 2014
February 8th- The Miracle of You.
February 8, 2014
Today I worked way too long. One of the places I work is a clothing store called the "Missionary Mall". It is a place where people who are about to serve missions for the LDS church go to get all they need. Like suits and things. Well, it has been rather slow, but it gives me time to think. Sometimes when we are left to our own devices we tend to ponder the depths of reality, the meaning of life or even sink slowly into madness. When I am left to my own devices, I try not to think. What a person thinks when they don't have anything to think about says a lot about who they are. I don't really want to face who I really am just yet. But, I had to think about something! In the book I am reading Les Miserables the character Jean Valjean ponders who he really is when faced with a hard decision. I'm sure I am not the only one who has pondered as Valjean did, "who am I"?
I mean, who are you really? What makes you, you? Is it the service you render? The happiness you share? The deeds you do or don't do? Is it what you wear or look like? As I contemplated this slew of questions I came up with the answer that it is all relative. What matters to me is not what matters to you. I could say all the cheesy and cliche stuff like, "it's the inside that counts", or "inner beauty is what matters in the long run". But, that leaves room for debate.
The miracle today was that I realized it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks makes me, me. Because everybody has their perceptions of character flaws and virtues. At the end of the day, you and only you are in your own skin. You have 100% control of who you are because it is not the past that makes you who you are. It's what you are today. My miracle was letting myself see who I was. So I ask you the question, what makes you, you?
"When we are no longer able to change our situation, we are challenged to change ourselves".
-Victor Frankl
Today I worked way too long. One of the places I work is a clothing store called the "Missionary Mall". It is a place where people who are about to serve missions for the LDS church go to get all they need. Like suits and things. Well, it has been rather slow, but it gives me time to think. Sometimes when we are left to our own devices we tend to ponder the depths of reality, the meaning of life or even sink slowly into madness. When I am left to my own devices, I try not to think. What a person thinks when they don't have anything to think about says a lot about who they are. I don't really want to face who I really am just yet. But, I had to think about something! In the book I am reading Les Miserables the character Jean Valjean ponders who he really is when faced with a hard decision. I'm sure I am not the only one who has pondered as Valjean did, "who am I"?
I mean, who are you really? What makes you, you? Is it the service you render? The happiness you share? The deeds you do or don't do? Is it what you wear or look like? As I contemplated this slew of questions I came up with the answer that it is all relative. What matters to me is not what matters to you. I could say all the cheesy and cliche stuff like, "it's the inside that counts", or "inner beauty is what matters in the long run". But, that leaves room for debate.
The miracle today was that I realized it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks makes me, me. Because everybody has their perceptions of character flaws and virtues. At the end of the day, you and only you are in your own skin. You have 100% control of who you are because it is not the past that makes you who you are. It's what you are today. My miracle was letting myself see who I was. So I ask you the question, what makes you, you?
"When we are no longer able to change our situation, we are challenged to change ourselves".
-Victor Frankl
Friday, February 7, 2014
February 7th: The Miracle of Love
February 7, 2014
Well, It's been a while... A month actually. I can tell you that everyday truly has been a miracle but I haven't documented it here officially. In looking back at the past month, the miracles that stand out to me have been rather subtle.
I got a job working at a Developmental Facility. This job has been the biggest miracle in my life so far this year. I get to work with people who see the world in such a different view! People who have every right to hate the world, their life, their future but instead see everything as a gift. These people inspire me. Everyday that I come in I want to be better.
Let me tell you about ... Lets call him, Ed. Ed has Down Syndrome, Autism, a metric butt load of other problems and can only speak but a few words. Sometimes he sings though, or whistles. He laughs at everything and can almost always see him smiling. When loading him into a bus (it usually takes two of us) he hit his head pretty hard against my chin. I felt so bad about the accident I kept telling him sorry, not sure if he could understand. He didn't show any sign that it hurt at all. Later, when we got back, he began complaining of a headache. He kept saying "head" and tears started coming from his eyes. He was about to be picked up so I sat there and brushed his hair back and held his head to calm him down. I sang to him and he stared at me with tear filled eyes. "Love" he croaked, "you". It was one of the sweetest miracles.
It was then and there that I realized what I had truly gained from this job. A chance to feel true, unabashed, love. You don't see that kind of love in the movies. You don't read about it in books. It was the pure love of Christ manifesting itself in this moment. Pure love comes from selflessness and service. Gee, I love my job! What a miracle!
"Spend a little more time trying to make something of yourself and a little less time trying to impress people.."
-The Breakfast Club
Well, It's been a while... A month actually. I can tell you that everyday truly has been a miracle but I haven't documented it here officially. In looking back at the past month, the miracles that stand out to me have been rather subtle.
I got a job working at a Developmental Facility. This job has been the biggest miracle in my life so far this year. I get to work with people who see the world in such a different view! People who have every right to hate the world, their life, their future but instead see everything as a gift. These people inspire me. Everyday that I come in I want to be better.
Let me tell you about ... Lets call him, Ed. Ed has Down Syndrome, Autism, a metric butt load of other problems and can only speak but a few words. Sometimes he sings though, or whistles. He laughs at everything and can almost always see him smiling. When loading him into a bus (it usually takes two of us) he hit his head pretty hard against my chin. I felt so bad about the accident I kept telling him sorry, not sure if he could understand. He didn't show any sign that it hurt at all. Later, when we got back, he began complaining of a headache. He kept saying "head" and tears started coming from his eyes. He was about to be picked up so I sat there and brushed his hair back and held his head to calm him down. I sang to him and he stared at me with tear filled eyes. "Love" he croaked, "you". It was one of the sweetest miracles.
It was then and there that I realized what I had truly gained from this job. A chance to feel true, unabashed, love. You don't see that kind of love in the movies. You don't read about it in books. It was the pure love of Christ manifesting itself in this moment. Pure love comes from selflessness and service. Gee, I love my job! What a miracle!
"Spend a little more time trying to make something of yourself and a little less time trying to impress people.."
-The Breakfast Club
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