Uplifting Music

Now, I am certainly not one of those people who say that you can only listen to christian music. I mean, sure, I do agree that you have to be picky in what you listen to constantly, but just because it isn't "christian music" doesn't mean its evil. Anyways, I realized something that absolutely astounded me today. I have had an amazing, and constantly positive attitude lately. Thinking of what was different in my life this week than a few weeks ago, I realized that I have started listening to Pandora's Christian Rock station whenever I'm on the computer.
Even if I'm not completely listening to the music, praise songs get stuck in my head, and all day long I'm singing them to myself. Are these songs magic? Of course not! But listening to the certain style and genre I have been has really helped keep my focus on God. And it should come as little surprise that the more we are focussed on God, the more our own life keeps the intended rhythm (btw, I'm loving the series we're doing at dayspring chad! :D).
Needless to say, the small change in my music selections isn't going away anytime soon. I will still enjoy the other music I love, but simply adding more songs focussing on praising God into the mix.

Do Hard Things

Alright, so I am just now starting this amazing book entitled, you guessed it, Do Hard Things written by Alex and Brett Harris. I am incredibly excited by the message of this book. It is a book written by two 17 year old guys (now 20ish I think) about how to overcome our cultures low expectations for teens. These two christian guys are getting word out to teens across the world that we shouldn't allow those expectations to define us or our actions, that we should strive to do all that we can, no matter our age. I strongly encourage anyone out there to read this book, my only wish is that I could have read it earlier in my highschool career.

-Katie-

My Recent Thoughs on the Last Year (as seen on Facebook)

ever feel like you miss someone more than expected?
like there should have been more time before you went your seperate paths?

i have been thinking about thoses kinds of things a lot lately. in the result of my constant (sometimes annoying) thinking, i have come to a realization. i realized that i wasn't really missing the people that had come to mind. instead, i was truly missing how they had become a kind of security blanket for me. in those 4 or 5 relationships, i allowed myself to be ingnorant towards things or behaviors that really bothered me (now i'm not talking about just habits they had that annoyed me, i'm talking about things that truly were not o.k. with me).

back then, everything was "perfect." the more that my so-called "perfection" seemed threatened, the more i would stretch myself to make sure that everyone stayed happy. in my mind, if i kept everyone else happy, then by default, of course, i would also be happy. as you could imagine, harsh consequences ensued. along with the relational consequences (pushing a few away and losing what could have become close friends), my happiness was non-existant. changing myself so drastically for those people was never my brightest moment. behind my stretching and changing, i found that one of my personal fears was the true culprit. that fear is "if it's no longer 'perfect,' if i stop pleasing everyone, i will be left alone in the end." of course this is silly because i know that i can count on my friends to be there for me whenever i need you, even if i don't know it. (thanks guys!;))

my goal for my senior school year is to not allow myself to stretch so far as to the point of certain breaking again. of course i will still try to be flexible and help out whenever i can (because i love you guys and love to be able to help you out however i can), but now i will be reminding myself that i can not please everyone, and that's alright.

-katie-