Whats wrong with me....

That I'm not dying to go back??

My new goal...

talk less... listen more

Lately Ive Realized/Decided

There is beauty in simplicity.

a lot of beauty.

Im talking about simplicity in a lot of different aspects too.

Hawaii taught me to love the simple. To Find more joy in rainbows than in shopping sprees. To Need less and not in a sacrificing kind of way but in a "truly more happy without quite so MUCH" way If that makes sense? It like un-cluttering your life.

I learned a different definition of necessity here.

I learned to love simple moments too.

The most fun doesn't have to be sensory overload Disneyland experience ( yea I said it!)

This world is really really crazy. Life is busy and sometimes a slow moment to just sit in the sunshine with a popsicle is incredible. And nothing beats a great surf session when it's not crowded and you didn't bring anyone and it's just you in the water having a great time. I think for the first time in my life I've really learned to enjoy solitude.

"knowing how to be solitary is central to the art of loving. When we can be alone, we can be with others with out using them as a means of escape."

You have to love yourself enough in order to really live confidently.

Simplicity in a design aspect is another thing Ive really really started to love.

Sometimes the clean lines and fresh white is so stunning.

yes this is coming from me, the girl who wears as many colors in one outfit as I can get away with. But sometimes thats obnoxious. Whether its clothes or a room or a table top or your life... Over-styling is gross!

And I think a lot of people can decorate a house really cute or pretty, to truly design something beautiful and that perfectly balances all the elements it should, for it to be full and interesting and lively and colorful and not lose the simplicity... thats amazing!

How do they make this look so eclectic and simple at the same time?

this is seriously amazing to me.

and pop music has its place in my life and my itunes library- I have my share of Hannah Montana and Spice Girls in there- but a lot lately, I've been into these like jazzy instrumentals. It kinda just lets your thoughts flow and its just so cool sounding.

any way I guess I could have summed this all up in a lot less words by saying

sometimes... less is more.

Simplicity is what allows us to savor our life. It is so much richer and sweeter when we stop long enough to really really appreciate how amazing it is.

Simplicity give light to increased gratitude.

so stop for a second and smell the roses .

It's up to you

It's about perception. It's your life and it's your choice whether its a happy one or not.

Just something to think about...

Sometimes...

Life Stings a Little.

We don't get the answers we want. Things don't work out or go our way. Sometimes life happens and hurts our heart a little (or a lot). But the beauty is that it's ok. Heavenly Father is listening and there is honey to be had. The sting will fade and we will come out on the other side a little stronger for having gone through that. In the past few days I've spent a good amount of time with just me and my thoughts. And while thinking (and over thinking) doesn't ease the hurt as much, some realizations do come. No one said growing pains are super fun. But I've decided that it is these times that help us become exactly who the Lord needs us to be. I've just been trying to remember...

"Keep your face toward the sunshine and the shadows will fall" -Walt Whitman

My sunshine has been sweet friends (and cousins) and surfing and reading and sleeping and taking pictures and running (a lot of running). It's all gonna be ok and if it wasn't for times like these I wouldn't truly appreciate the sweet and wonderful times. I guess all I'm trying to say is even when everything stinks, life is still pretty great.

I know its been forever...

But this semester has been busy busy busy. I have loved feeling so productive and busy. It's been fun balancing BYUH Student Association, Service Council, Student Advisory Council and my job with Kama'aina Kids. I love my job so much and being Aunty Alyssa and playing with my kids is so fun.

Also dating Christopher meant that I had spent so much time with him and even more working on learning sign language. I'm still working so much on learning ASL. Between all of my activities and school and work time to be creative kinda quickly got lost. Which I could totally feel that absence. I missed it. I missed photography and how it made me and the people I work with smile and feel. That use of creativity makes me feel like I've done something worth while.

But what a blessing Hawaii is. This wonderful place just reminded me to slow down. All it took was a bike ride on a sunny day after the rain passed through and seeing a big bright rainbow for me to remember why slowing down is so important. Its true what they say, great ideas come from great bike rides.

It just reminded me to find peace and joy in the journey. To do lots of good things, but never to get so busy that you forget to make time to do the things that make you the most happy.

To stop and look at those rainbows every once in a while. Whatever that rainbow is for you in your own life. Stop for an ice cream cone, or to smell the flowers or fly a kite. Just enjoy every day.

By the way kite flying is a new favorite way to spend my time.