Have A Little Faith

Sometimes life throws you a curve ball and you have two choices: 1. Let it take control by focusing on yourself and your misery, 2. Allow it to help you grow and make you a stronger and more well rounded person. Obviously I chose the latter.

This morning I took a morning walk through a nearby nature park just to clear my head and to rejuvenate myself for the day. Lately I've been making more of an effort to be healthier and to have more of a clear mind. Well in doing this, I was able to reflect on different situations and receive some inspiration. I should also mention that I was listening to music while doing this as well. If you know me or are familiar with this blog then you know that pretty much all of my aha! or inspirational moments come to me through music. Well once again I was inspired by music.

As I was walking and listening to my playlist (which I had on random), most of them seemed to have a similar message. Three in particular: Stand By You by Rachel Platten, Have a Little Faith in Me by Joe Cocker, and Home by Phillip Phillips. The message that all of these songs seemed to have was having faith, being willing to love and understand someone when it isn't easy, and helping them to find their way when times are tough.

I'm not entirely sure why these songs spoke to me the way that they did. All I know is that they did. Sometimes it's hard to understand what someone else is going through and why, but today I felt like my heart and my mind was opened a little bit more.

Below are the songs for you to listen to.

Dad's Words Part II (A Love Story)

Last May I wrote a blog post about hearing my dad's words in my head whilst trying to make some life changing decisions regarding the direction of my life. Mainly my career path. Little did I know that when I made the decision to come out to Texas to work with my aunt on Life Is Delightable, that I was ultimately being lead to my future husband.

After being in Texas for 2 weeks, Aunt Irene was inquiring about any cute boys I had met. I hadn't really met any, nor did dating seem like much of a priority to me. What I didn't realize was that she was asking because she already had somebody in mind. "I think you would really like this guy Roman." She told me, while showing me his Facebook profile on her phone. I began stifling through his pictures. Of course I thought he was cute, but it still wasn't enough to sway me.

I forgot all about this Roman guy, until the next Sunday at church, when of course that's who would be the greeter. I walked in right behind my cousin Marcus and he greeted him but seemed very confused when I walked in with him. He ended up sitting right next to us in church and was convinced that we knew each other, which we didn't.

The next week he took me on a date to The Scat Jazz Lounge. We started dating right after that, and after Marcus's suicide he was right there by my side ready and willing to do anything to help me and my family. I knew that I couldn't let him go after that.

Fast forward to just a month ago, on Valentine's Day, I had no idea that a marriage proposal was coming! He hadn't been wanting to talk a lot about marriage and wedding stuff, so I thought maybe he wasn't ready or just wasn't all that excited about the thought of marrying me. I had been going back and forth about making that kind of commitment. Mostly because of my own fears and not because of my lack of desire to be with him.

Anyway since we hadn't talked a whole lot about it, rather than we both wanted it to move in that direction, I wasn't expecting anything to happen. However, I was getting pretty strong feelings about it, which made me even more nervous. I thought I was just being crazy until we were at the Scat Jazz Lounge again and he was called up to the stage. He finished making his speech and called me up to the stage. My heart was pounding and my mind was racing. By the time I made it up there Roman was down on one knee.

I didn't feel ready for this! I knew that i didn't want to say no, but was I ready to say yes? I think it was only a few seconds, but it felt like an eternity that I was just standing there staring at the ring. That's when I heard Dad's voice again. "Lizzie, just don't take so long to make a decision." I knew I had to say yes. As soon as I did, everything immediately calmed down and I felt at ease. I knew that I had made the right decision.

It was even more confirmed when the band began performing "I Will Always Love You," right after we sat down. This was the song that played when my dad passed away and I felt like he was saying goodbye, so it's been a really special song for me.

The craziest part is that I hadn't told Roman about this song and it's meaning and they just happened to perform it! I got really emotional and after explaining it's meaning, he asked me to dance and decided that this needed to be our wedding song. That was the ultimate confirmation from Dad that marrying Roman was a good choice.

We have set our date for June 10th, 2017 and I couldn't be more excited!

Click the link below if you'd like to see the proposal video :)

https://www.facebook.com/BoyCan0y/videos/10206506896830948/

I Left My Heart In Oregon

If you've read any of my previous blog posts, then you know that a lot of my answers and inspiration come through different songs. It happens to me every so often, and when it does I get the urge to share my experience. Well my most recent experience has to do with my love for Oregon and how much I've missed it since I've been here in the great and proud state of Texas.

Most of you know that I moved out here to Texas to help my aunt, the marvelous artist and publisher, Irene Titera, with our Inbox Magazine called Life Is Delightable. Don't worry, it's coming SOON! Anyway in the mean time I am also working part time as a receptionist at Dollamur Sports Surfaces. I started this gig last week and I was having a pretty stressful day just learning the ropes of my position and the company. I felt like I was doing everything wrong and some of the girls are a little gossipy, which I was forewarned about in my interview. Long story short I was having a hard time and just missing my life back in Oregon.

Don't get me wrong, I am grateful for this opportunity to work so closely with my aunt here in Texas.  Not to mention I have a phenomenal, loving boyfriend, who I wouldn't have met and fallen in love with otherwise, but I still miss Oregon like crazy ALL the time. Maybe it was just the stress of everything, but I was missing it a little more than I usually do. As I was driving home feeling like a failure in multiple aspects of my life I couldn't help but think about how much I missed Oregon and how much I wished that I could go back. Just as this thought entered my mind a song came on randomly on a Spotify playlist. And that song was called Coming Home (Oregon) by Matt Kearney. Of course the words that rang the loudest in my ears were "I left my heart in Oregon."

Coincidence? Well I don't believe in coincidences. Maybe Dad was trying to tell me something. Only time will tell. I hope that I will eventually find myself back in Oregon, even though Washington is technically my home. For now though, Texas is where I need to be.

6 Songs That Promote Celebrating Life

When you think of celebrations, music is right up their with food. Good music and good food make for a great celebration right? Well let the evidence show that music is inspiring from the melody right down to the message. Here are 6 songs that prove that music promotes celebrating life everyday!

1. Growing Up – Macklemore
   

Macklemore's song is a message to his daughter to live life to the fullest and enjoy it while you can. Take a look at some of the lyrics.

“The quickest way to happiness?
Learning to be selfless
Ask more questions, talk about yourself less
Study David Bowie, James Baldwin and 2Pac
Watch the sun set with best friends from a rooftop
Wear a helmet - don't be stupid!
Jaywalk, but look before you do it
If it snows, go outside, build a jump, get some help
Get a sled, thrash the hill with your friends, 'til it melts
Go to festivals, camp, fall in love and dance
You're only young once, my love, one, this is your chance
Take risks, cause life moves so fast
You're only young once, my love, one, this is your chance” 


Along with living life to the fullest, his lyrics also inspire change in the world through enjoying the things that you love most.

“You put the work in, don't worry about the praise, my love
Don't try to change the world, find something that you love
And do it every day
Do that for the rest of your life
And eventually, the world will change”

2. Live – One Republic
   

If you've ever listened to this song then you know it has a fun, powerful, and uplifting melody, but the lyrics are even more motivating. Through this song, the band encourages us all to appreciate everything that we are given and to not take life for granted.

"I owned every second that this world could give
I saw so many places, the things that I did
With every broken bone, I swear I lived"

Along with not taking life for granted the lyrics also inspire us to lift are spirits even when times are tough.

"Hope that you spend your days, but they all add up
And when that sun goes down, hope you raise your cup
Oh, I wish that I could witness all your joy and all your pain
But until my moment comes, I'll say...I did it all."

3. Put Your Records On – Corinne Bailey Rae

How often are we bogged down with all of the cares of the world? Life shouldn't be as stressful as we make it. Corinne Bailey Rae's message in this song is to sit back, relax, and just enjoy life. Let your hair down, listen to some good music, and enjoy yourself. If not because Corrine says so, then for your own peace of mind.

“T'was more than I could take, pity for pity's sake
Some nights kept me awake, I thought that I was stronger
When you gonna realize, that you don't even have to try any longer?
Do what you want to.”

“Girl, put your records on, tell me your favorite song
You go ahead, let your hair down
Sapphire and faded jeans, I hope you get your dreams,
Just go ahead, let your hair down.”

4. All You Need Is Love – The Beatles

This Beatles classic not only inspires love, which is essential to life, but it also promotes believing in yourself and enjoying the simple things in life.

“There's nothing you can do that can't be done
Nothing you can sing that can't be sung
Nothing you can say but you can learn how the play the game
It's easy.”

Because life is full of the unknown and life is full of adventure, even the Beatles agreed that everything happens for a reason. So we might as well enjoy the ride.

“There's nothing you can know that isn't known
Nothing you can see that isn't shown
No where you can be that isn't where you're meant to be
It's easy.”

      5. Mr. Blue Sky – Electric Light Orchestra 

 

If you ever need a friendly reminder to celebrate the little things in life, then let Electric Light Orchestra lift your spirit with Mr. Blue Sky. This song not only has a fun, motivating sound, but even the lyrics validate that life should be a regular celebration. Through tough times as well as good.

"Hey you with the pretty face
Welcome to the human race
A celebration
Mister Blue Sky's up there waitin' and today
Is the day we've waited for, ah"

"Mister Blue, you did it right
But soon comes Mister Night
Creepin' over
Now his hand is on your shoulder
Never mind I'll remember you this
I'll remember you this way"

  
       6.  What A Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong

 

There's a reason that Louis Armstrong's classic has become such a popular wedding song. It's because the song is an advocate for celebrating life and it's many miracles. And weddings are of course the ultimate miraculous event, but this song is great for just everyday listening and celebrating.

"The colors of the rainbow,
So pretty in the sky.
Are also on the faces,
Of people going by,
I see friends shaking hands.
Saying, "How do you do?"
They're really saying,
"I love you".

"I hear babies cry,
I watch them grow,
They'll learn much more,
Than I'll ever know.
And I think to myself,
What a wonderful world."

Things Are Gonna Get Easier

A little over a year ago I was faced with the biggest challenge of my life. I had just lost my dad and the grieving process was pretty fresh. I worked really hard to keep myself composed on a daily basis and one of the hardest things that I had to do was set up a bank account for the money Dad had left behind for us. Mom pretty much reminded me about it every time I talked to her. I had been putting it off. I'm not sure why but I really struggled to bring myself to do this. Since Mom had been so insistent and emphasized it's importance, I finally pushed myself to set up that account.

I remember it had been pouring rain that day and I had also been really emotional. I cried the whole way to the bank. I managed to compose myself before I walked into Chase. I somehow kept it together through the process of setting up my account, but it was a struggle. I remember music playing in the background but I didn't really hear it until "Ooh Child" by The Five Stairsteps came on and I literally heard EVERY word of the song. Especially the part that says "Ooh child things are gonna get easier, ooh child things'll get brighter." I felt really tuned into this song and tears just started streaming down my face. I got out as soon as I could. I felt like Dad was trying to comfort me with this song but at the time I remember thinking How could things possibly get easier? How far down the road would this be? I couldn't fathom how that would be possible for things to get easier.

Well the same song came on yesterday when I was helping my aunt with a house that she is staging and it had a whole new meaning to me. A lot of time has passed and everyday has brought new blessings. I was finally able to see how much easier things had gotten. That's not to say that I don't still miss him everyday and that I don't still have my moments. The grieving process is never really over but it does get easier as you become stronger. While listening to this song again I recognized how much stronger I had gotten throughout the process.

Not only have I gotten stronger but a lot of amazing things have happened since then. Through a lot of prayer and tears and comfort of friends and family I managed to get to where I am  now. I'm optimistic and ready to take on the world. I finally understand what Dad was trying to tell me through this song. Things HAVE gotten easier and they HAVE gotten brighter. I have never felt closer to my family. Both of my younger siblings are back from their missions and so much is happening in my life right now. I can feel Dad's spirit with me with every challenge and adventure that I am faced with.

I just want to end with this thought; when you are faced with what seems like the biggest challenge in the world,  when everything seems dark, when even attempting to smile feels impossible, and when you feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders, just trust me when I say that "things are gonna get easier."

Dad's Words

Growing up, Dad wasn't always the easiest person to deal with. This made it hard for me to follow whatever orders he was giving. Looking back now, I realize that even if his deliverance was a little overbearing, he had only the best intentions. About a month before he passed away he told me not to take so long to make a decision. At the time I didn't understand what he was talking about, but over time it has become more clear.

Recently my life has been pushed in a new direction. Right before the marketing company I had been working for was shut down, my aunt Irene called me with an opportunity to attend a business seminar with her in California. I didn't jump on board right away, but throughout our conversation I began to lean toward it. Without knowing, she had addressed thoughts and feelings that I'd been having about where I was currently both in life and my career. She wanted me to think more about starting up an inbox magazine with her. In order to attend the business seminar with her I would need to ask for time off on short notice, which I was hesitant to do. However, the words "Lizzie, just don't take so long to make a decision" rang in my ear. It was then I decided that I needed to move in a new direction.

About two days later my aunt called me letting me know about a flight that she had found and was willing to book it for me. I almost hesitated but remembered Dad's words and accepted the offer. I knew that I was being guided in the right direction because the very next day I found out that company would be shutting down within the next week. I no longer needed to ask for any time off.

Right before meeting up with my aunt in California, I began to take the steps necessary in starting up an inbox magazine with her. During our time in San Jose, we conjured up a business plan to get things going. My aunt suggested the idea of me coming to stay in Texas in order to give it my full focus to ensure it's success.

When I flew back home to Oregon, I continued to mull over the idea and all of the pros and cons. For starters I've always felt like my place was here in Oregon and that hasn't changed. However I realized that even though my ultimate place is in Oregon, I knew that time with my aunt would be the best thing for me financially at this point in time. Again I heard Dad's words in my head and felt pushed forward.

Changes have taken place so fast and I know that Dad is guiding me. His intense and at times forceful nature have carried over even in the after life. I was listening to Growing Up by Macklemore the other day and could hear Dad's voice speaking the same words that Macklemore says in this song for his daughter. "Don't try to change the world, find something that you love and do it every day, do that for the rest of your life and eventually, the world will change." I could also hear him saying "Take risks, cause life moves so fast you're only young once, my love, one, this is your chance."

Dad was speaking to me through Macklemore and I knew that he was trying to get me to focus on things that I loved such as writing and friends and family and to not be afraid to take a risk. My whole life he was always trying to push me to be strong and independent and not to be afraid. Even though he's passed on,  I can see that nothing has changed.

Follow Your Intuition

The greatest thing that I have learned through this mighty roller coaster of a year is trusting my intuition and following it. I'm naturally very sensitive and intuitive, but it wasn't until this past year  that I really learned to recognize it as an amazing gift. I believe that everyone is intuitive to a degree. Some of us might be more sensitive to it than others, but the bottom line is that we all have an intuition and we should all follow it.

Jewel even wrote a song about this. I believe it goes something like this "Follow your heart, your intuition, it will lead you in the right direction." If Jewel says it's important then that should be solid proof haha but seriously though. she was inspired.

Every time that I've try to go against my intuition, or ignore it,  or second guess it, I've just brought on more problems for myself. I'd be lying if I said that I don't still struggle with it because I do. My natural tendency is to second guess what I feel in my in my heart of hearts is true.

Just the other day I was talking to my mom about thoughts and feelings that I'd been getting about the  direction of my life and even dreams that I had. I knew that I was being lead in a direction, but still I was questioning it. Mom gave me the most sound advice that I knew I couldn't ignore. She said "trust your feelings."

Sometimes in the moment what our intuition might be telling us might not make a lot of sense. However, if you feel like you are being pushed or pulled in a certain direction DON'T fight it. I guarantee that it will make sense if you are brave enough and wise enough to just let it guide you.

I don't believe in coincidences. I strongly believe that EVERYTHING happens for a reason. We are lead to certain people for a reason. We are put in certain situations for a reason. Things happen for a reason and signs are a real thing whether or not you choose to believe it. Maybe you are too proud or too scared to recognize signs in your own life, or maybe you have recognized them and are like me and second guess it.

No matter the case, actually acting on your intuition is terrifying and a lot of times inconvenient. TRUST ME I know. Don't let that hold you back. Trust the signs that are placed in front of you, follow them, and let your intuition guide you. In the inspiring words of Jewel, "it will lead you in the right direction."

Choose To Be Strong

A lot has happened in my life in the last few months and today I feel inspired to share my thoughts and feelings about life.

Just this last March we lost my dad to Pancreatic Cancer. He was diagnosed in February and the doctors told us that he had 6 months to live, but he only lasted a little over a month before it took his life.

Just the other night the subject came up when I was talking with a friend. She seemed surprised at how well I seemed to be handling everything. It got me thinking about how we can choose to be strong when things are hard. I'm lucky enough to have amazing role models for this. My Aunt Irene and the whole Titera family have been such amazing examples to me. They've lost 2 sons and brothers and managed to be strong through it all. They never gave up hope or quit looking forward to the future. It was amazing to see how they handled everything and I learned so much from watching them. I know these experiences were really hard on their family, but I've always admired they're perseverance and incredible strength. I strive everyday to be as admirable as their family and I hope that one day I can come close.

I'm not going to pretend that things haven't been hard or even pretend that I'm not still struggling but as a whole I am pretty good. I've experienced some pretty miraculous things that have helped me to gain a clearer perspective on things. I won't go into great detail about anything because they are pretty personal experiences, but I don't fear the future and I take comfort in knowing that Dad is still looking out for me and the rest of our family. I know without a doubt that everything will be okay. I also know that "faking it until you make it" is a real thing and that it works.

So if there is any struggle that you are faced with in your life, tell yourself that everything is okay until it becomes the truth. The mind is a powerful thing. Dad always told us that "failure is not an option." I thought it was pretty sound advice and it's helped to be strong, especially through these past few months. Life can be tough but we can choose to be strong.

Rocks For Brains

Before I get started on this post I just need to clarify that I LOVE Portland! I really do. I love everything about it, but I have noticed that people are almost too casual when it comes to job interviews. Which is why I make it perfectly clear before someone comes in for an interview that it is business professional.

Anyway so this for the most part has not been a problem, until we had the luxury of interviewing this girl with half a brain today. Let me tell you a joy she was. If it wasn't enough that she didn't comprehend what business professional was, this girl walked in with an attitude. Apparently having a college education entitles you to something. Who needs common courtesy or common sense  when you have a Bachelor's degree and an 8 page resume haha. While she was waiting to be interviewed, she proceeds to ask me about the position that she applied for. Even though I had explained this to her before she came in, as well as asking her to be professionally dressed, being the professional that I am, I proceed to explain it to her 3 more times! Nothing was sinking in and her stupidity was making me angry so I just told her that Rachel (the hiring manager) would cover everything in the interview.

The girl couldn't even remember what job posting she had responded to! Strike 3!

Well if all that wasn't enough to turn her away, right before she walks out the door she says to me in the snottiest, half a brain voice you could imagine, "Just a word to the wise blah blah blah," I can't actually remember the rest haha but something about how I wasn't clear about the position and how she is something important. I didn't really care and I actually found it pretty amusing. Her dumb girl voice is what I found the most entertaining.

So if I didn't HAVE to be professional, this is what my response would have been: "I'm sorry that you are so easily confused. Maybe you should go to Oz and trade those rocks for a real brain, cut your resume down to 1 page, not 8, learn how to dress for a job interview, oh yeah and talk like a normal person you idiot!"

But alas I resolve to be professional and this is what I actually say in the nicest voice that I can bring myself to portray, "I'm very sorry for the misunderstanding. Have a great day."

Anywho I hope that girl gets far in life.

I Wanna Be A Toys R Us Kid

Remember in 13 Going On 30 when she wishes to be "30 flirty and thriving?" Yeah that girl was dumb. I guess part of being 13 is the naivety to think that being a grownup is going to be better. The part that really gets me though is after experiencing being a  30 old adult, she goes back to 13 and then chooses to go back to 30!

I couldn't help but think that this girl is D-U-M-B DUMB! Who in their right mind would want to be an adult if they could go back to being a kid???? I personally would rather be a kid and here's why:

1.  No responsibility. Do kids have to worry about work, or bills, or being successful in general? Nope. You have to worry about playing with your friends and coming in for dinner when mom or dad call. And watching cartoons on Nickelodeon. That's right you didn't have to be self reliant. That was the life.

2. No relationship drama. You aren't bothered by all the complications of an dating or marriage because you don't even like the opposite sex.

3. Making mistakes is acceptable. Your expected to make stupid mistakes as a kid because you don't "know better," but you can't pull that card as an adult. If you do then you are a menace to society. 
4. Having a vivid imagination is acceptable. When you're a kid you're weird if you don't have crazy ideas and let your imagination run wild. As an adult though, people just see you a bit kookoo.
5. No pressure to conform. Lets face it, kids don't worry about what impression their giving off. They just do and say what they want and noone questions it because it's cute and funny. As an adult you pose a threat to society.
and last but not least...

6. Naptime! I'm pretty sure we all took nap time for granted. I know I did. When you were a kid it sounded treacherous but little did you know that it would soon be taken away from you. Why didn't we just love naps when we had the chance?


Well I think about how awesome I would have it if I could just be a kid forever but then I remember that the whole purpose of life is to learn and progress, or some mumbo jumbo like that. So I guess all things considered being an adult isn't so bad.

Reality Check

Before I get started I want to make it clear that I am in no way trying to bash on anybody but only to express my opinion of the importance of humility. I've noticed a pattern of members of the church that are born and raised in Utah (the men in particular). This is not to say that everyone that's LDS and born in raised in Utah needs a reality check but a majority of you do. I'm sure that there those that are an exception and are normal and realize that they are not above anything or anyone else, in which case this is not directed toward you.

I've dated enough of these guys and had enough of them come into to my office for an interview that I feel like I need to make it known  that serving a mission and paying your tithing entitles you to ABSOLUTLEY NOTHING. I'm sorry if that sounds harsh but it doesn't. It doesn't put you above anyone else. I hope this doesn't come across as me making a mission out to be like it's not important because that is the opposite of what I am saying. I believe that everyone should serve one. My problem is people that seem to believe that because they serve a mission and pay their tithing, they are somehow more righteous than anyone else. I'm here to tell you that you aren't. Maybe you haven't made the same mistakes as someone else and you have lived your life differently. That's fine, but don't talk down to me or walk piously as if God somehow loves you more than the rest of the world. In reality God is probably laughing at you. I'm sorry if that is sac-religious, but I have a hard time believing that God doesn't have a sense of humor.

All I am saying is open your mind up and learn to understand how the world actually works outside of your precious bubble. I don't care if you've served a mission. That's awesome if you have! Seriously. And I don't care if you pay your tithing. Great. I do too. I don't care that you go to church every Sunday and don't work on Sundays. That's great! I do the same thing! Am I perfect? Absolutely not! So I'm confused why some of you think that you are. I've made plenty of mistakes in my lifetime but there is this great thing called the Atonement! And because of that I know for a fact that you are not above anyone. More closed minded maybe, but definitely not anymore special in the eyes of God.

Crash and Burn: Savage Garden to the Rescue

First things first, I don't like talking about feelings. It's not my idea of fun and it's rather uncomfortable for me to talk about deep emotional issues, but I am human and I do have them. That being said this blog is my sanctuary for getting things out haha anyway this month has been pretty rocky. I'm not complaining and I won't go into great detail but lately I've just felt trapped and discouraged and just wanted someone to hug me and tell me that everything will be ok. Well  noone's been around to give me a hug or tell me that everything will be ok, but Savage Garden made me feel a little better. I was listening to my Itunes just feeling frustrated with myself when Savage Garden's Crash and Burn came on. And even though it wasn't the hug and reassurance that I wanted it was exactly what I needed to hear. I just pretended that it was written for me and that Savage Garden was serenading me with these words:

When you feel all alone
And a loyal friend is hard to find
You're caught in a one way street
With the monsters in your head
When hopes and dreams are far away and
You feel like you can't face the day

Let me be the one you call
If you jump I'll break your fall
Lift you up and fly away with you into the night
If you need to fall apart
I can mend a broken heart
If you need to crash then crash and burn
You're not alone

Savage Garden was there in my time of need. I now feel like we are best friends and I know if I jump that they will break my fall and lift me up and fly away with me into the night. And if I need to crash, then I can crash and burn. I'm not alone. Thank you Savage Garden. :)

Personality Profile

For those who know me, you that I am really into personality profiles and just learning about people in general. I am naturally a people person and I'm pretty good at picking up on things people do and being able to tell what they are doing and why. I'm not saying I've never been wrong about someone before, but 99.9% of the time I'm right on the dot. Anyway I've studied personality tests such as the Color Code and the Meyers Briggs. I've just always been fascinated by things like these, but I do have to say that as insightful as the Color Code is, I really enjoyed how psychologically in depth and informative the Myers Briggs test is. My profile was fairly accurate. Here it is.

Portrait of an ESFP - Extraverted Sensing Feeling Perceiving
(Extraverted Sensing with Introverted Feeling)

---

The Performer

As an ESFP, your primary mode of living is focused externally, where you take things in via your five senses in a literal, concrete fashion. Your secondary mode is internal, where you deal with things according to how you feel about them, or how they fit with your personal value system.
ESFPs live in the world of people possibilties. They love people and new experiences. They are lively and fun, and enjoy being the center of attention. They live in the here-and-now, and relish excitement and drama in their lives.
ESFPs have very strong inter-personal skills, and may find themselves in the role of the peacemaker frequently. Since they make decisions by using their personal values, they are usually very sympathetic and concerned for other people's well-being. They're usually quite generous and warm. They are very observant about other people, and seem to sense what is wrong with someone before others might, responding warmly with a solution to a practical need. They might not be the best advice-givers in the world, because they dislike theory and future-planning, but they are great for giving practical care.
ESFP is definitely a spontaneous, optimistic individual. They love to have fun. If the ESFP has not developed their Thinking side by giving consideration to rational thought processing, they tend to become over-indulgent, and place more importance on immediate sensation and gratification than on their duties and obligations. They may also avoid looking at long-term consequences of their actions.
For the ESFP, the entire world is a stage. They love to be the center of attention and perform for people. They're constantly putting on a show for others to entertain them and make them happy. They enjoy stimulating other people's senses, and are extremely good at it. They would love nothing more than for life to be a continual party, in which they play the role of the fun-loving host.
ESFPs love people, and everybody loves an ESFP. One of their greatest gifts is their general acceptance of everyone. They are upbeat and enthusiastic, and genuinely like almost everybody. An ESFP is unfailingly warm and generous with their friends, and they generally treat everyone as a friend. However, once crosesed, an ESFP is likely to make a very strong and stubborn judgment against the person who crossed them. They are capable of deep dislike in such a situation.
The ESFP under a great deal of stress gets overwhelmed with negatives thoughts and possibilities. As an optimistic individual who lives in the world of possibilities, negative possibilities do not sit well with them. In an effort to combat these thoughts, they're likely to come up with simple, global statements to explain away the problem. These simplistic explanations may or may not truly get to the nature of the issue, but they serve the ESFP well by allowing them to get over it.
ESFPs are likely to be very practical, although they hate structure and routine. They like to "go with the flow", trusting in their ability to improvise in any situation presented to them. They learn best with "hands-on" experience, rather than by studying a book. They're uncomfortable with theory. If an ESFP hasn't developed their intuitive side, they may tend to avoid situations which involve a lot of theoretical thinking, or which are complex and ambiguous. For this reason, an ESFP may have difficulty in school. On the other hand, the ESFP does extremely well in situations where they're allowed to learn by interacting with others, or in which they "learn by doing".
ESFPs have a very well-developed appreciation for aesthetic beauty, and an excellent sense of space and function. If they have the means, they're likely to have to have many beautiful possessions, and an artfully furnished home. In general, they take great pleasure in objects of aesthetic beauty. They're likely to have a strong appreciation for the finer things in life, such as good food and good wine.
The ESFP is a great team player. He or she is not likely to create any problems or fuss, and is likely to create the most fun environment possible for getting the task done. ESFPs will do best in careers in which they are able to use their excellent people skills, along with their abilities to meld ideas into structured formats. Since they are fast-paced individuals who like new experiences, they should choose careers which offer or require a lot of diversity, as well as people skills.
ESFPs usually like to feel strongly bonded with other people, and have a connection with animals and small children that is not found in most other types. They're likely to have a strong appreciation for the beauties of nature as well.
The ESFP has a tremendous love for life, and knows how to have fun. They like to bring others along on their fun-rides, and are typically a lot of fun to be with. They're flexible, adaptable, genuinely interested in people, and usually kind-hearted. They have a special ability to get a lot of fun out of life, but they need to watch out for the pitfalls associated with living entirely in the moment.

Jungian functional preference ordering:

Dominant: Extraverted Sensing

Auxiliary: Introverted Feeling

Tertiary: Extraverted Thinking

Inferior: Introverted Intuition

     

Love's Divine

This is probably the most personal post I've ever made, but I felt the need to express how I feel about the Lord's unconditional love for us. I was listening to "Love's Divine" by Seal while I was getting ready for work and it really touched me. It really hit home for me with everything that has been going on in my life the last couple of months and this month especially. I realized how blessed I have been even through the toughest of times. Work has been really tough and I haven't really had much of a personal life, but just when I think I just can't take anymore somehow everything always works out and I manage to overcome all of the obstacles. In a way I am grateful for everything that I've been going through because as faithful as I am I've done more praying and relying on the Lord than I normally do. The Lord allows us to go through certain trials in order for us to come closer to him, whether those trials are brought upon by our own stupid mistakes or just because life happens.  I know that there is no way that I would be able to accomplish anything that I've accomplished without the help of the Lord. I also feel so undeserving of the blessings that I've been given and the help that I have received. In the song he talks about losing your belief in the midst of trial but being comforted and saved by "Loves's Divine." This just got me thinking about the Lord's divine and unconditional love for us and how no matter what, he will be there to help and comfort us in our time of need. I was just so overcome with emotion listening to this especially the part where he says:

I need love, love's divine
Please forgive me now I see that I've been blind
Give me love, love is what I need to help me know my name

I realized how blessed I have been and in that moment I could feel his love for me so strongly and I just knew that everything was going to be okay, even though I felt like I had been doing everything wrong. The Lord knows us each individually, he knows the intent of our hearts, and he will never leave us alone. He loves us unconditionally.

Say What You Wanna Say

These past couple of weeks have really gotten me thinking about how we communicate in all of our relationships. Whether romantic, family, friendships, or professional. Just relationships in general. Sara Bareilles' song Brave has been on several times within this same time frame and I don't think it's a coincidence. Anyway I can't help but wonder why so often we don't just say what we want to say. I'm someone who tends to think out loud so it boggles my mind why people so often beat around the bush or hold back what they want to say and expect that some miracle will happen or that someone will just miraculously be able to know what's on their mind.

I completely agree with Sara when she says "say what you wanna say and let the words fall out." I wanna see you be brave people!

If you have something to say then just say it. If you want something to happen say it. If you aren't happy with something speak up. I know that this is typically a problem for girls, but guys are just as guilty. Why do we make communication so complicated. It should be simple, but because so often we over-think and over-complicate it's become a serious issue. Let's just go back to basics. How much easier would life be if we could all just open our mouths and say what we want to say.

It's like wanting to be more in shape but you never take action to go to the gym or go on a run. It's simple get up and go to the gym or go on that run. It's the same thing. take action. Use your words!

Affirmation

I've been thinking and reflecting on life a lot lately. As I was getting ready this morning the song Affirmation by Savage Garden came on and it really hit home for me. I guess it just got me thinking about everything that is important to me and what I want out of life.


Here's just a few of the lines that really stood out to me:

I believe that trust is more important than monogamy

I believe your most attractive features are your heart and soul

I believe that family is worth more than money or gold

I believe the struggle for financial freedom is unfair

I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned

I believe you can't appreciate real love until you've been burned

I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side

I believe you don't know what you've got until you say goodbye

I believe forgiveness is the key to your unhappiness

We NEED an Intervention

Now I'm not hating on Provo or anything, but I was just here this last weekend and I could not help but notice that EVERYONE looks the same. Literally, EVERYONE looks the same. Not "figuratively" and no exaggeration lol.

 The girls all dress alike and do their hair the same. The guys all dress alike and do their hair the same. I used to live here so it's not like this is news to me, but I've never been able to figure out why. I mean is it  a coincidence that everyone happens to look the same or does everyone get together once a week to plan out their wardrobe?

This must be the case. Or maybe there was a memo that I never heard about with the dress requirements for Provo. I honestly would like to know what the deal is. Does no one have a mind of their own? I mean is it really necessary for everyone to do the same thing? Maybe I'm not being fair though. Maybe people are unaware that there is more than one place to shop.

Whatever the case, there needs to be an intervention. It has become a serious problem and we need to get to the root of this problem and fix it. I'm here to say that it is no longer acceptable and I would really appreciate it if everyone could just have a mind of their own. I can only handle seeing so much of the same outfit and hairstyle. It needs to stop. If you have any suggestions for fixing this problem please let me know. The future of Provo depends on it.

Brains? What Tem Tose Tings?

This week has been pretty hectic but somewhere along the way I think I lost my brain haha and I wanted to dedicate this post to my good friends Corey Lowe, Spencer Owens, Nathan Fife, and Thomas Mortensen. This will be the ONLY time that I will EVER condone this joke but I will admit that it is funny. Anyway is it possible to have sympathy pregnancy brain? My cousin's wife is pregnant and I'm living with them so I'm just going to blame it on that. It may also be lack of sleep or the combination of the two haha who knows? Anyway I seriously want to know where my brain has gone. Everyday this week I've gotten the days confused, I forgot how to count when doing inventory at work, and I today I forgot how to use my words when talking to customers. I'm not sure what happened but I opened my mouth to speak and all that came out was jibberish. Needless to say I've caused a lot of confusion for everyone else, especially at work with my lack of brain this week lol but the only thing I could think of all day today was "brains? what tem tose tings?" So a special thanks to Corey for starting that joke. Good night world.

Excuses, excuses, excuses

I'll be the first to admit that I've used excuses before but at this point in my life they have become absolutely useless to me and I've realized that they haven't gotten me anywhere. I've actually become genuinely irritated when I hear other people use them. I'm sorry if this makes me a brat, I really am, but my time is very precious to me and I don't have the time or the patience to just sit around and listen to them. When I hear excuses, no matter how legit you may think they are, I literally hear "blah blah blah." I'm very understanding and I understand when things are hard and that noone is perfect but when all I hear are excuses and see no action it's literally exhausting. I've never been the type to sit around and wait and I never will be. I have a life and I'm sorry if I come across as an impatient brat but I firmly believe that if you want something enough you can make it happen. I was and never will be a girl that sits around and waits for anything. In dating, in school, in work, and life in general. I'm not heartless and I do care but I've never been someone to sit around and mope if something didn't workout. I'm sorry but I'm better than that. If that makes me seem cocky, I'm sorry, but I have this thing called self respect. This is not meant to be an angry post. I just felt the need to express my opinion and what better place then my blog haha

The Power of a Blessing

I know this might seem completely cliche but I just felt really impressed to share my thoughts and testimony of the power of a priesthood blessing. It never ceases to amaze me how powerful a simple blessing can be. I've been really good with staying positive and just enjoying life but these past couple have months it's definitely been a struggle. I really love my job and the career opportunity that I have with it, but it's also been extremely challenging. Lately I've just felt like I don't have much of a personal life or time for the people and things that really matter to me. And I've just felt like I've been in way over my head and failing in everything that I feel like I'm working hard toward. I've even questioned if this is where I should be and what I should be doing right now. Even though I've been pretty good about being happy no matter what I've still felt really lonely. I haven't expressed any of this to anyone with the exception of my little sister last night when my racing thoughts were keeping me awake. Anyway my intention is not to whine or complain about anything but only to emphasize how strongly I feel about the Gospel and the power of Priesthood blessings.

I should also mention that I've been sick with a common cold that doesn't seem to want to go away for good. This morning I asked my cousin for a blessing and he had no idea about any of the other struggles that had been on my mind. At least I had not expressed any worries or concerns that I had besides being sick, which was more than obvious. My point is that in the blessing I heard exactly what I needed to hear and felt like everything that I was up all night praying about had been answered in that one blessing. I just felt so comforted and at peace and even more so after he gave me a big hug that was much needed. I had this feeling of assurance that not only was I going to physically feel better but that I would feel the love and support of the Lord as well as my family and that everything was going to be ok. It was just so amazing to me to feel the spirit so strongly and to hear exactly what the Lord wanted me to hear through my cousin. After receiving this blessing I also remembered something that Elder Holland had said in his talk The Laborers in the Vinyard  "...however late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don’t have, or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines." This quote had infinitely more meaning to me and I realized that I had absolutely no reason to feel as lonely or discouraged as I had felt.