Be Well

 I didn't think I would ever write about this topic, but lately I've discovered I really do care a lot about health. Or, put more simply: taking care of yourself.

I've always wanted to be healthy and stay in shape, but the true importance of it was really made evident to me when my dad suffered from a heart attack a couple weeks ago. It was one of the most scariest things I've experienced, and I'm so thankful he got to the hospital in time and the doctors could save his life. I'm so thankful he is still with us and God was watching over him.

After that event, he now has to be on a strict diet that eliminates multiple foods he loves to eat in order to keep that from happening again; and it reminded me of how important it truly is to be aware of what you are feeding your body. How you treat yourself now will affect your body and health in the future, potentially to the point of preventing a deadly heart attack. So, with that being said, I wanted to write about my views and methods on living healthily and being well. Because it does matter, and it does affect your day to day life and future. 

**(Take note, each person and body type is different and will have different health needs. So I am not saying this a fix-all. Just a general overview of being generally well.  )

1. Start now

 The earlier you make the choice to live healthily, the better. That's how you affect your well-being long-term. Even if it's the middle of the day, start thinking now about how you can have a healthier dinner. If it's the end of the day, think about how you can start your day healthily tomorrow! If you don't plan and take action, you'll never get there.

2. You don't have to be on a strict diet; balance is key

  A big myth in dieting and eating well is that you can't ever have sugar, or carbs, or whatever the "evil" food/substance may be. True, you should try to eliminate processed and fake food; but that does not mean you can never have chocolate or your favorite cookies! The key is balance. This morning, I had some glazed donuts and BOY HOWDY they were good. 💗 But yesterday I had some grilled chicken and veggies, and for lunch today I had a delish roasted turkey salad. I also had pizza a few days ago!

The point is, you don't have to stop eating things you love. It's making the change to include healthy meals and snacks to balance your diet. Obviously, there are stricter diets out there for specific health reasons, but for the general purpose of health, balance is key. Your body and mind will thank you!

3. Water

  Ah yes, the water point. It's said a lot, but its so true. Your body is literally screaming at you to hydrate it every day. Which, if you're underhydrated, would be the cause behind your grogginess, lack of energy, trouble sleeping, bloating, skin breakouts, and basically any other bodily functions failing to work like they should. You'd be surprised how much daily adequate water intake will solve some problems you're experiencing. Your body needs it's go-go juice!

3. Get moving

  No, I'm not here to tell you it's time to crank out your 6-day a week body-smashing workout routine. That works for some people, but it's most definitely not a need! If you do some researching, you can find that the suggested "need" when it comes to exercise is 30 minutes a day, particularly for cardio.

Now, I can already say I do not always follow that guideline. Which, is okay! My typical week of exercise looks like an hour on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. Sometimes I don't get it in on Monday, so I'll go Thursday or Saturday. What your exercise looks like will shift depending on your needs and schedule each week. So don't say no! Don't choose not to go just because you can't do what Brian from a fitness article is telling you to do.

Also, what you choose to do during that hour, or however long you go, is completely up to you and what you want to work on! It can be as simple as a brisk walk outside (or the treadmill at your local gym), some yoga/stretching, some reps on weight machines. Whatever it is, the point is to get moving! That's how you keep up your metabolism, energy, and physical well-being. Ward off the nasties of the future, and keep that heart healthy!

4. You make time for what's important; that includes your money.

  A very common excuse for not eating well or going to a gym is money. Which, okay, is very understandable. I was in college when I first started trying to be healthier, and my budget was approx. $20-40 a week at times. So... I get it.

However. You do make time for what matters to you, and that includes budgeting your money. If eating well and staying active is important to you, you have to intentionally budget your time and money for it. Even if you can't afford to grocery shop yet, there are healthy options for eating out as well. Panera, Chipotle, Zoe's Kitchen, MOD pizza (yes, pizza), and several others. Yes, it's a commitment and an active choice. But that leads into my next point.

5. It's a lifestyle

  Being well will never be a short-term, fix-all scenario. No matter what you've read, seen, or heard, you cannot quick-fix your health. Because as soon as you stop maintaining those healthy habits, you'll start to fall right back into where you started. So if you really want to be well and take care of yourself, you have to make the change. And it's a change no one else can do for you. However...

6. You're not alone.

  You are never alone on a health journey! Life and habit changes can be challenging, so it's so comforting to know other people are doing the exact same thing as you. You can share ideas, ask questions, workout together, share recipes/cook together. And I would be happy to be one of those people for you if you need it! I love encouraging people and cheering you on! So just know you're not wandering aimlessly and alone in this; lots of other people are doing it too.

Those are my tid-bits about health and being well, ya'll. It's really much simpler than you think it may be, and I will gladly debunk any myths or fears you may have and chat about it! We make our own choices when it comes to our health, so it's up to us to be well and prevent future health scares or diseases. Not just that, but being well just makes you feel so so good, both mentally and physically! You can go through your day with clarity, full energy, and a strong body to support whatever your days bring. I hope you choose to take care of the beautiful body and soul God has given you! If you want to talk about anything I said more in-depth, I am always free to talk. Have a blessed day, my friends. 💗

Reflecting on 2020

I think we can all agree that 2020 was one heck of a ride, and provided many stories/memories for the books; but it was also one of the most transformative years of my life as well, as I think it has been for many others too!

I started my evening by turning on some worship music, and pulling out my journal to write about the ways God has worked in and blessed my life this year. However, before I got around to that, I came across an entry I had written a few months ago, in October of this year, and decided to read through it. And I'm so glad I did. It's one of the many reasons I love journaling; you can see how God worked in you and provided.

Anyway, what I wrote then is so applicable to looking back on this year, and is something that was so impactful to me I was practically bursting to share with as many people as possible. This is what I wrote:

"I read somewhere (probably Instagram) from a lady, a really interesting and wise outlook to have when you find yourself surrounded and flooded with good things. I don't remember well enough to quote her word-for-word, but what she was saying was this: if people are making negative comments/showing jealousy over your abundance of blessings, or calling you "too happy," don't let it discourage you or make you wonder if something is off. It simply means you are in a season of harvest!

So many things you've desired/prayed for are coming to pass, and you are reaping a bountiful harvest! I had gone through so much hurt, worry, and anxiety in recent years due to friends betraying me, and I went MONTHS feeling sad, hurt, less valued, and like it'd never end. 

But JESUS 

I prayed to Him constantly, never treated those who hurt me with revenge or malice, and I focused on how God blessed me, even during that time. I did everything I could to try and help. And I made it through.

I was brave enough to tell the boy I had a crush on for yeeeaaaars how I felt, and... now we're married.

But now, I find myself in a season of harvest! As I already said above, I got married to the best man I could hope for! I have a better job situation, working at a place where I can cultivate my creative passions, because I stuck it out where I was and prayed and hoped for a better option. I wasn't sure I could afford dance classes anymore, but God provided a way for me to still dance and not have to pay. I no longer live in anxiety about which friends are real or fake, and I'm SO blessed with the best friends and family I could hope for. I've regained my joy and confidence, and I know where my identity and value will always be found.

All of that to say, God never left when I was going through a hard season, and He saw and heard my pleas and the desires of my heart! I would constantly pray for peace during the hardest nights when all I could do was cry. And I prayed for the right guy to come my way as I patiently waited, and would occasionally say I hoped it was Tim. And LOOK at how He delivered, provided, and blessed me!

So dudes... indulge in the season of harvest God bestows on you, and always have hope and patience in the hard, knowing there is a bountiful harvest awaiting you on the other side! And give grace to those who may not see that; who may not see you; who may not see your full story."

While I was reading through this entry, the song that came on in the worship playlist in the background was one many probably know: "Way-maker." This song gets played a lot, so it can seem repetitive or old to me at times, but this time a certain refrain kept hitting home as I read through that entry:

"Even when I don't see it, you're working. Even when I don't feel it, you're working. You never stop, you never stop working."

Boy howdy, did that hit home. I was instantly in tears. Because there were times in that season that I didn't see Him working or even feel Him working; but He was. It's not that I didn't trust He was working in my life, but it is sometimes so hard to see it or feel it when you are really going through the muck. Hearing those words right after reading through that entry, I could just feel God hugging me, smiling, perhaps even laughing with joy at my realization! I could hear Him say, "See! I told you, Amy... I love you. I never left, and I heard your every prayer and knew your greatest needs and desires."

So while this year may have been hard for many reasons, I cannot help but burst with joy and thankfulness! God has blessed me with a bountiful harvest of good things this year, and I am indulging in it richly. God is so incredible, awesome, and amazing, and He never fails.

If you are in a hard season and are dealing with more hurt than joy, let me first say this: I am so sorry. I have been there, and it's hard. But my life is a testimony to how God has a plan for everything, and has a great purpose and plan for you as well! So don't lose hope. Be patient in suffering and day-to-day frustrations, knowing that God has a bountiful harvest in store for those who are faithful to Him through it all! Here is to a great 2021, and all the new ways God will work and bless His people!

Fearless

The infamous question of, “what is my purpose?” Lately I’ve been inquired about what my plans for the future are, and this is not an odd thing to be asked. It has come across to me many times throughout college, and as I’m beginning to realize… continually will. I already had the big episode as a senior in high school, struggling to find their place or purpose. And through faith in Christ I was brought to a clear path that led to where I am now. But guess what… life choices don’t end there.

“What are your plans after graduation?”

“What are your long-term goals?”

“How are you planning to support yourself?”

And the most daunting of all: “Do you have a back-up plan?”

Now, I have something to say about these questions every time they get thrown my way. These are very valid questions to be considering as you approach that time in life. They are also very big questions that cannot be answered on a whim with total security. However, they can be answered with total security and peace about the future.

Before I get into the point of me writing this, I’m going to tell a story, because story is one of the best ways to communicate a feeling, a piece of life, or a truth; and I love it. A couple years ago, a little into my time at college, I was in a class that talked in depth about creativity and art, with all of its different forms and mediums, and how Christ is in every bit of it. One of my favorite parts of this class was discussing the books we were reading and what we learned from them. To this day I will never forget this quote from Eric Liddle that came up in one of our discussions:

“I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast!
And when I run I feel his pleasure.”

Eric Liddle, if you don’t know him, was a Scottish Olympic Gold Medalist runner, as well as a Christian. His meaning by saying this? As long as you are putting your faith and trust in God, allowing Him to direct your paths, you are running in His will for you. In other words, run where God made you fast! Eric Liddle was a fast bean, and he pursued that gift all the way to gold. So what does that mean for us? How does that answer all of the daunting life questions we receive?

The answer is simply this: God. My plans for my life are to do what God has called me to do. Do I know exactly what that is, or where I’m going to be three years from now? No, I don’t. But I can confidently say that my faith and trust is in God who has a purpose for me, and my long-term plans for life are to run where God has made me fast. My plans after I graduate are to continue walking in God’s will for my life, wherever that may be. Yes, think ahead and don’t leave yourself stranded, but think about where you are now! Where has God put you now, and where has He made you fast? If you focus too much on the future, you lose what God is trying to show you here and now. I’m currently in the field of theatre and dance, because that is where God has made me fast.

Three years ago I was taken away from “my plans” for my life that were at a completely different college with a different degree. I had plans for my future. But they weren’t God’s plans for my future. So instead, I was led to the college I’m at now, majoring in theatre. Right now I am training and gaining knowledge and experience in an extremely challenging field… why? Because it’s where God has given me passions and abilities to run fast and see His purpose for me fulfilled.

God never said it was up to us to figure out our lives or know exactly what His purpose is for us. He said to trust in Him and that He would direct our paths!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on thine own understanding. (6) In all thy ways, acknowledge Him, and he will make straight [or direct] your paths; (7) Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.” Prov. 3:5-7

Trust in the Lord, have no fear of the future; this is so against our flesh people! Our human instincts are to want to have a plan, to know what’s in our future, and to basically have everything mapped out before us so we know where to go. But what does God say? God says trust in THE LORD. And the world hates it and people will call you irresponsible for it. I’ve had some people ask me “so what are your plans?” and I answer, “well, I don’t know for sure, but I know I’m where God wants me right now and He’ll do the same for me in the future!” and they respond with, “Um… really? Wow, okay. That’s cool.” And inside they’re thinking “What is wrong with this girl? She needs to get her life together.” PEOPLE. We serve an all-knowing all-powerful God who loves us and cares for us. And He will provide! If you look in Matthew 7, you see a common reminder of how true that is! “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much MORE will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”

Just think about it! Parents take such good care of their kids and give them things they need as well as gifts that makes them happy! How much MORE will God our heavenly Father bless us?? It’s incredible to think about! If you are constantly devoting yourself to God and trusting in Him to direct your paths and show you your purpose… He is faithful to do so!! Even if you feel like you’re being left not knowing for years, or what feels like years, be confident that you are a child of God and that He is right there with you to sustain you and guide you and send you on your way. Be confident in that! Be confident in that truth and smile and laugh without fear of the future. Be CONFIDENT in knowing that whatever waiting period you may be stuck in, there is a purpose and a reason for that to grow you. And you won’t know what that purpose is, but let me tell you, the moment God does His thing and you suddenly see what all of this was for, you will be astounded! And you will begin to live fearlessly in Christ!

This got much longer than I thought it would, but these words have been bouncing around in my head for a while, and I wanted to get them out and share some real truth on a real struggle that everyone faces in life. But to sum up:

Don’t let the world make you feel irresponsible because you’re fully relying on God.

You have a purpose and you’re where you are for a reason.

Whatever passions, desires, and talents God has given you, use them! They were given to you for a reason. 

And lastly, never stop depending on God. I am able to smile when I tell people I don’t know for sure where I’ll be or what I’ll be doing exactly with theatre. And it’s all because I have faith in a God that DOES know, and will not lead me astray if I rely on Him.

We're One of a Kind

This one's for the people like me.

The ones who feel that they're alone in this world. The outcasts. The weirdos. Misfits. Not because we're depressed or actually feel alone, but alone in the sense of feeling no one out there in this crazy world is like them. Like their mind.

Those who sit on their floor at random intervals throughout the day and do nothing but think, imagine, and dream.

Those who leave practice rooms after playing piano, or some other kind of instrument in this daze because of the hours of concentration and passion, not quite being able to function normally with other tasks, just counting the seconds until they can get back to playing and practicing.

Those who notice the details in film, plays, and stories. Not just following the plot, but perhaps concentrating even more on the artistic choices made, like why those umbrellas are yellow, the frequency of primary colors, the connection with those two cinematic shots, or the beautiful music and how masterfully it was composed and crafted into what it symbolizes. The time and thought put into each little thing, or the purpose and intent of that frame, how the individuals feel, seeing all the colors, hearing all the sounds, feeling every emotion.

Connecting with music in a way that makes you feel what it's emoting, getting chills as it swells and shrinks. Music itself is a story, if you'll only listen to what it has to say.

Those who dream. The artists. Those who too often get stuck in their own mind, shutting out the world until it's only them and their thoughts.

I used to think I was alone.

But I'm not.

And neither are you.

So here's to the ones who dream and are gifted with the heart, soul, and mind of an artist. Those who refuse to take life so gosh darn seriously. The ones who think too much and get lost in a piece of music. In a story. The ones who get turned on and come alive at the sight of someone else's passion. The ones who think they're the only one.

The ones like me. :)

Bookish Post #2

Here we are with another book-related post! I can't help myself. #sorrynotsorry #yesijustusedahashtaginablogpost

Anyway, books. I'm actually writing this sort of spontaneously, which is not a bad thing at all. On the contrary, some of the best things are created spontaneously. However, this particular spontaneity stemmed from recovering from being sick. I somehow got pretty darn sick the last couple of days and basically have not been in the mood or health to do anything except lay down, eat pretzels, and watch tv. It was torturous.

But thankfully, this evening I could feel my immune system bouncing back, and I'm pretty much back to normal. So to celebrate, the first thing I thought of was writing another book post. Because writing, books, feeling better? That's where it's at.

Now, before actually getting into the topic of today's bookish post, allow me to share with you some of the most accurate statements in the book community. I've come across these gems on Pinterest, and they are pure beauty. There's of course, that wonderful feeling you get when finishing certain books:

#allthefeels

Those late-night read-athons to finish a book that's just too good:

We've all been there, bro

And those friends that just don't understand the habit mentioned above:

And let's not forget that never-ending TBR pile...

#thestruggleisreal

Of course you are, book. Of course you are.

Anyway, onto the book topic for today! I thought that since the new year is almost here, I'd do a small recap on some of my favorite books of 2016! There may be some repeat titles in this post that were also mentioned in my previous book post, but... what can I say? Just so happens that a book or two I read this year made it into my favorite series' list.

 Now, for starters, I didn't get around to reading as much as I wanted to this year. I set really high goals on how many books I would read, but then college and summer happened, and my reading list as a result, did not. So goes the life of adulting.

However, I still had the pleasure of reading SO MANY fantastic books this year. I actually had a small mason jar I was collecting titles of books I've read this year in (didn't actually successfully keep up with that). The idea was to hopefully open it and have fun looking back on all the books I've read this year, but only a few actually made it in. Oops. #ohwell There's always next year, right? Right.

Anyway, enough rambling! Here are my top favorite books of 2016. (take note that I don't remember too much about some of these titles, only because they were read near the beginning of the year.)

These are in no particular order, so to start off we have...

The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas!

This book... is one of the ones I don't remember a whole lot about. I read it in February or March, and I absolutely loved it! I definitely remember how sucked into the book I was, and that it was an instant fantasy favorite. The characters were amazing and believable, and you know how I am with my characters! I love my good characters, and these guys were so easy to connect with and support, and I wanted them to get their goals, and I was feeling everything they were feeling, and that's really important when it comes to character development. Which, was definitely there! I really regret not being able to finish the trilogy this year! The next two books, The Perilous Sea and The Immortal Heights, were immediately added to my TBR after I finished this book. But, other titles caught my attention and took priority, and I never got around to finishing these guys up, which I really regret. However, I've already made a resolution a couple weeks ago to finish any series' I haven't finished, and this one is very close to the front of the line!

Book number two is...

Ah, look at these beauties from Kasie West!

Obviously, there are multiple books here. The single title I had in mind was The Fill-In Boyfriend, but as I thought more about her books and what I read, these three titles kind of went hand-in-hand for me and fit much better as a collective favorite. These books are all contemporaries, full of cute friendships, romance, family, and the hilarity and wit that Kasie West possesses in all her writing. The Fill-In Boyfriend was the first Kasie novel I read, and the whole story takes off from the beginning plot point: Gia Montgomery gets dumped by her boyfriend in the parking lot of her high school prom, and she hires someone last-minute to go in with her, posing as her boyfriend. Pretty dramatic, right? It makes for a very humorous, light, and fun read, and I fell in love with Kasie's writing. Thus, the pile of books above. Easily a favorite!

Book number three...

Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson!

Oh my goodness, THIS BOOK. I could go on for ages about how much I loved this book. I've been a fan of Morgan Matson for a while, but this book was just extraordinarily fantastic! The whole premise of the book is based on friendship, which this beautiful cover accurately represents. (Seriously, this books is not only good on the inside, but the outside is GORGEOUS). I really appreciate a good book on friendship, especially since I love my friends and how special they are to me. What's cool about how I read this book is that my best friend read it before I did, and then pushed me to read it ASAP because of how much she loved it! Such a beautiful irony. Anywho, the book. The main plot point is about two best friends, Emily and Sloan. Sloan mysteriously leaves town with no trace of where she went, except for a list she left for Emily; a check-list of things to do, some of which that would really stretch her out of her comfort zone. So throughout the book, each chapter is an item on the list, and it follows Emily's life from her perspective as she's trying to figure out where the heck Sloan went, as well as her accomplishing each activity on the list. There is a romance in this book, and it is SO BEAUTIFUL, but it doesn't take over the focus of the book, which is Emily and Sloan's friendship. I was just so happy reading this book, I loved every minute of it. It's fun, touching, relatable, the characters are bomb.com, and it's just such a great contemporary. A+, 5 out of 5 stars, totally recommend.

Book number four...

Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling!

Well, looky there, book number four is also book number four in the HP series! Wish I could say that was intentional, but... anyway, the book. As I said in my previous post, I was not able to finish all of the books this summer when I was reading through them because of how busy I got once I went back to college. However, out of the Harry Potter books I've read this year, this guy was my favorite! I just loved where the characters conflicted, grew, and were taken as well as their relationships with each other. And of course, the Tri-Wizard Tourney is not to be missed. It was just all-around such an enjoyable read! I barely noticed the fact that it was 700+ pages long.

And lastly, book number five...

Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas!

Okay, okay, so I'm cheating a little on this one. I haven't actually finished the book quite yet, but I've read into it far enough that I know for sure it is a favorite and a definite standout. I've heard multiple reviews talking about how the ending will make me so mad, but... I look at it this way. The book as a whole is what makes the actual judgement on how good or bad it is. And honestly, any book with an ending that makes me mad only shows more clearly how attached I am to the characters and the world, and we all know how important that is for a book to be deemed great. For those who do not know, this book is the fifth installment in the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas, and it's on my list of favorite series' ever! If you're into fantasy, magic, and characters with good chemistry and believability, pick these beauties up.

And there you have it, folks! There were so many titles to choose from this year, so these five books were picked as some major standouts to me. Let me know in the comments below if you have any favorite books of 2016! Until then, enjoy some tea or coffee, relax, and have a Happy New Year!