Learning to Be Content

I think this is something that everyone struggles with. It's hard to live here, today, in 2013 with such a crazy world around us. Everything is new, everything is fast, everything is "I must have this right now or I can't be happy!". It's a little bit ridiculous. But, I definitely fall into these traps and have a hard time being thankful for what I do have. Because heck, I have a lot.

So anyway, let us begin with when I was eight years old. Elise moved in to the house on the corner and we became best friends. We went for walks, played barbies, built blanket forts, had sleepovers, and had so much fun being kids. But, all we could ever talk about was teenagers and how bad we wanted to be teenagers. I think we underestimated how hard growing up would be... because I specifically remember writing her a note in eighth grade that outlined all of the difficult times we had overlooked as children and how badly I wish we could go back and just enjoy the time we had as kids. As a result, we wished that high school would hurry on up and be our lives. We dreamed of cars, boys, dates, dances, make up, jobs... all the things that did nothing but stress me out for three whole years. So of course, we dreamed of college. Interesting classes, bigger schools, being away from home, freedom, parties... you know. The basics.

But the truth is, college really isn't all that great either. It's a hundred times more stressful than anything I've ever experienced in my life. And as much as I'd love to be married with a family and a career, I'm sure that is even more hard to deal with.

So, my friends, I would like to share with you my epiphany I had today. Are you ready? Okay.

"You are never going to be content with life, so you might as well just be content with life."

And I quote-

"You are never going to be content with life, so you might as well just be content with life."

ONCE AGAIN-

"You are never going to be content with life, so you might as well just be content with life."

Seriously though. I just need to take a step back and appreciate the stages of life that I'm in while I'm in them and just be content with life.

Here are a few examples of things I'm rather content with! :)

-I've always (obviously. like did you even read the beginning of this post?) wanted to go to college, and here I am. And not only that, but here I am at the school of my dreams. Every (other) day when I get off the train (sometimes I get off at the hospital and walk down the giant snow hill...which is mighty pretty), I look up at Rice-Eccles stadium and admire how cool it is. I think about how lucky I am to be at a Pac 12 school. I walk by the old buildings and think about how many great names have walked those halls. I admire the huge trees, sometimes covered with snow, sometimes with leaves, but always beautiful. I watch as students of all races, ages, shapes, and sizes walk around, chattering away. It's amazing to me how different that campus is from where I live. I never knew Utah could hold so many kinds of people. I love it. I absolutely love it.
-I've always wanted a car that I could jump in and go do whatever I want/need, and here I am, with a 18 year old Bronco that I have to put a lot of money in to but it still runs like the dickens! It has only failed me a few times, but she always pulls through! I don't know what I'd do without her!
-I've always wanted a job and a paycheck, and here I am, working somewhere I absolutely love with people that I absolutely love. And even though I feel like every penny I make has to be spent somewhere really lame, I'm glad I have it. And even though my job isn't really one to brag about, it makes me happy, and that's all I care about right now.
-I've always wanted a lot of good friends that I could turn to for anything, anytime, and here I am with a whole network of people who have my back no matter what. I appreciate their kindness and love for me and  the fact that many of the biggest decisions of my life have led me to those people.
-I've always wanted a big family to sit and laugh with about silly things, and here I am with three great siblings and two great in-laws that complete our family. I absolutely love when we all get together and have a good time. Even if it's just a few of us, it's still awesome and it's what makes home, home.

There are just so many wonderful things I have in my life right now. I'm so thankful for everything that I've been blessed with and there is no way I could name all of it. I know I have a long way to go before my life ends, but I still feel like I've come so far. Growing up is scary (and expensive) as crap but I really do love it. And I know that every single day I learn something that is going to help make me into whatever I become.

Although I am very excited for the future, I'm happy about the present. I'm content with my life.
:)

DFTBA!