This I Believe...

As always, I have no real idea what to write about. My theory is that as long as I stare at the screen long enough and retype and intro enough times, something good will eventually come of it.

It's a little bit like throwing all the parts of a watch into a box and shaking it until you make a watch.

I'm not sure how many times I've had to shake the box. Since I'm still going, I guess it finally made a watch.

I know, a list. Why? Because my friend Ehrin is standing right next to me, and she loves lists. Also because, for the first time in my life, I've attended Sacrament Meeting. I went on a particularly good day, because they were doing testimony, and what's wrong with a list of things that you believe?

#1 - Love Freely

Cheesy? Yes.

Don't let the people you love out of your life. You'll regret it. I speak this from experience. It's better to tell them your feelings and face the consequences than to keep silent and lose them.

#2 - Don't Take Yourself Too Seriously

How boring would things be if we never laughed at ourselves?

If we couldn't laugh at ourselves a lot of us would probably be dead. Life is the most fucked up and wonderfully random experience, don't be afraid to enjoy it.

Besides, the more you laugh, the better your chance of developing awesome abs.

#3 - Hold on to Your Friends

I've lost way too many friends, and I find myself wondering much of the time "was there anything I could have done differently?". Regrets are terrible things, do your best to live life with none.

Then again, no one is perfect. Don't be too hard on them, and don't be too hard on yourself.

#4 - Be You!

"The greatest privilege in life, is being yourself" ~Joseph Campbell

That quote has gotten me through a lot. No matter what anyone says, you're beautiful,and you're perfect. Never be afraid to be yourself, even if that self is a slightly narcissistic, goof-ball who talks to herself far too often. How many people do you know as fascinating as yourself?

#5 - Do What You Love

Screw trying to be rich and famous. Just do what makes you happy and the rest will fall into place. Maybe it won't always be easy, but if you truly love it, who cares?

#6 - Live and Let Live

Don't try to change people, that's where conflict begins. Just let them be them and be you. Maybe you won't always agree on everything, but what's life without a little friendly conflict?

To each his own.

#7 - It Gets Better

The world is terrifying sometimes. Sometimes you just want to curl up into a ball and cry yourself to sleep. And sometimes you will. I have. The most important thing to remember tomorrow is a new day. Nothing's ever as bad as it seems, and it gets better.

Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

#8 - Don't Be Afraid To Make A Difference

I want to believe, that even if I can only ever help one person, I'll be able to die without regret.

People often tell me my dreams are cheesy, that they're unrealistic, and what are the odds that anything one girl from Utah will make the slightest difference. Yea, it's a little cheesy, but it's true. I want to make a difference in this world, no matter who it's for or where it happens.

I believe that I can make a difference, and so I'll never stop trying.

These are things that in my nineteen years on this earth I've come to believe as true. They won't make me rich or famous or find me an amazing partner who shares my hopes and dreams immediately, but they've made me a better person. They've helped to remind me that no matter how bad things get, I just have to keep moving with my head held high.

Love, laugh, and live, because what else can you really do?