Thursday, February 26, 2009

Not so Strangers to Me!

So this morning I went skiing by myself.  At first I was wondering if it might be a little weird all alone up there on the  mountain but in reality it turned out to be some of the best alone time I have ever had! As I was on the mountain I began to think about all of the people that have had such a huge effect on my life and the great many things that I have learned from them.  I will start off by apologizing if I do not mention your name in this but know that if I have met you I am sure I have learned and loved every moment with you.  
           First off my family.  They are the most amazing people I know.  I am at times not the easiest person to understand or get a long with but day after day i 
feel love and support from them in whatever it is that i am doing.  I often wonder how they have not disowned me. ha ha I look up to them and have learned so so much from them it is amazing. My mom is the most amazing mom ever.  She has taught me what it means to prioritize and to put what is important first and the rest will fall into place.   She also has taught me what it means to love EVERYONE.  As for my dad, I have learned so much about how to care for a family and how to truly understand what it means to be happy.  It's not the money or the things you have but the people that surround you. He is an amazing father.  Also my sister and my brother are some of the most amazing most courageous people I have ever met.  They give me energy every day.   Thanks to my family I have come to realize many things that i will cherish forever. 
           As many of you know there is a special someone in my life... yes, you got it.  Her name is Amanda.  Now if you ask me if we are dating the answer is yes. However, Amanda and I understand our relationship and that's all that matters to me:) Something else I do know about Amanda is that she has been my life saver!! I have never in a million years thought I could learn so much from one person about life and how a simple change in attitude 
can make all the difference. She has shown me how goals and vision is what drives us everyday, 
about how important it is to give yourself some time to figure things out.  She always has such a level head and understands exactly what people are feeling and has an incredible gift to help everyone that needs it. I only hope i can keep up with her and be as amazing as she is. Oh and yes I have learned that High Fructose Corn Syrup is not a healthy option as well as many other things i was not aware of..(wink wink) ha ha.  Every time I am around her I want to be better and I try to soak in as much of her energy as I can!
                  I also have some of the best friends in the world! I know that no matter what happens they will always be there for me.  I have learned something different from each of them.  Dean and his dedication to his school work and everything he does for that matter. Ryan and his ability to motivate and help everyone in need. Bryant, who is one of the best listeners I have ever met.  He just always cares about how you are doing.  Nikki and the way she can lighten the mood and make memories last a lifetime. Sara who is one of the most amazingly well balanced girls I have ever met.   She also seems to know exactly what she wants out of life and she knows she will eventually get it. My room mate Wade who is very sarcastic at times, ha ha, but always seems to be understanding. He is a great help and support even though i have only known him for a short amount 
of time. There are so many of you guys that have changed the way i look at life and I will forever be in debt. 
           
Many people look at work as a place where you HAVE to go instead of GET to go.  lately I have been thinking about the people I work with and how every single one of them has been through different situations and experiences that have molded them into who they have become.  When i go to work I try to suck as much out of them as I can and they truly are amazing people each one of them.  
             You are probably asking yourself,  what is this post about and what exactly is Dallas trying to say... :) Well my point is this.  That every day we encounter so many people from all around the world.  From the woman in the line at the grocery store to our best friend from high school.  All of these people are living in different situations.  Some struggling to make ends meet others, suffering from a disease. Some thinking about marriage others dealing with a divorce. We are all so different!  To me this is a great opportunity to learn from others and their experiences.  Think about it.  Everyone has their own story and their own book they are writing every day.  If we just take a minute to realize how amazing the people are around us and the effect they could and have had on our lives we will be that much more grateful!
Thank you to ALL of you that have effected my life and helped me grow.  You guys Rock!!

Saturday, February 21, 2009

The Little Things Make The Difference!

So I am  glad to finally be writing on my blog!  It has taken me forever to figure out what it is that I wanted to write about.  The funny thing is, I still have no idea. ha ha  Some of you will be happier than others to read this because you have been waiting for a while to read what it is I have to say. I hope you all enjoy this blog and can take a ride on the roller-coaster that goes on inside my head sometimes.
Over the past few months I have been doing a lot of soul searching.  Ya know, trying to figure some things out and decide what it is that I really want out of this life.  As I was doing this so called "soul searching" I have come to realize that it's the small little joys in life that keep me going.  So many people seem to worry, and worry, and worry, that they never take the time to enjoy what it is they are actually doing!  I am a firm believer in the saying, "The Joy is in The  Journey."  This thing we call life is one of the greatest gifts we have been given and although at times it may get rough,  that is no reason we cannot enjoy it.  So much sadness in the world, so much suffering, so much distress that I think the world could use a happier breed of people.  I have made a goal and promised myself that I will not let a day go by that I don't laugh out loud, and at least smile for a while and take a step back to appreciate my journey and all that I have learned from it.  I am not perfect, far from that, but I have learned so much from my life that I do not regret anything.   I realize there is nothing I can do to change the past, only the future and I am excited for what is ahead, all the little joys, struggles, stresses, vacations and experiences that will continue to shape me into the person that i will eventually become!
Some of the Little Things
  • Vacations with friends & family
  • White Sunglasses (yes they are cool...you know who you are)
  • Getting caught singing out loud in your car
  • Poker Face
  • Accent's (yes Jenn, that one is for you!)
  • A full tank of gas
  • Discounts on anything
  • Happy People
  • Unexpected Messages
  • Soccer games
  • The freakin sun