Post Graduation

I can't sleep.  So my mind has wandered back to this memory.  It has been one year since this happened:

I graduated from college.  These past few weeks have been especially difficult and it has made me reflect back to when things were more simple.  But the grass is ALWAYS greener on the other side.  I remember being in school and thinking back to when things were easier.  But that is the beauty of life.  It never gets easier, but your capability to handle life, gets stronger.  Well that is the goal at least, right?  BYU graduation is this week and since things are tough right now, it made me want to be back in Provo for some reason.  I was excited to graudate.  I wanted to move back east.  I wanted to do grad school.  I had more fire in me for that sort of thing.  And then...I moved back home to Mesa.  Didn't know why but it felt like the right thing to do at the time.  Anyhow, I do miss certain things about college and Provo.  I miss the spring and summers. I miss my Grandma. I miss the mountains.  I miss my ward, I miss Bishop Rose and Brother Henley, I miss my friends.  I miss college life in general.  I miss knowing I can go to J-Dogs if I wanted to.  (Not that I went there a lot, but it was an option then.)  But then I realized, I can't think that way.  I need to embrace where I am now.  I really don't think about Provo that much, but maybe more right now b/c it is getting hotter down here and I miss my life up there sometimes.  But life is about moving on, accepting change and trying to the very best you can. 

I believe Jenkin Lloyd Jones said it best:

“Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he has been robbed. The fact is that most putts don’t drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to be just like people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration, and most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is just like an old time rail journey … delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride.”

I couldn't agree more with this quote.  Life is about appreciating the simple things in life.  I need to get back to having a gratitude journal I decided.

But I have learned or re-learned a few things this past year since becoming a BYU Alumni:

1. You learn WAY MORE hands on then in books

2.  There really are a lot of kids with speech and language delays

3. Student wards have a different vibe then singles wards.  Not sure why, but it seems like it

4. Family is great...but moving out and being back on your own is great too

5. People will still disappoint you, but you just have to try to forgive and serve them

6. BYU was REALLY, REALLY, REALLY hard but wonderful at the same time

7. There is life outside the library...I now go to check-out books

9. Take advantage of every opportunity you can; it may never come again

10. Having clean, considerate roommates is amazing

11. Your heart can still break. You can still feel pain and hurt and fear and frustration no matter what age or stage you are in.  It is part of life and you have to do you best to replace it with faith. 

13.  It is only when you take the focus off yourself, do you feel happier and more free from self-pitty and self doubt: Satan's greatest tool

12. And the Gospel is still true, we have a Heavenly Father and Savior who love us and are watching over us.  We just need to stay close to them and seek their spirit.  We can never go wrong if we do that.  I am going through the temple next week (no I am not engaged) and I am very excited for this experience.  I have been waiting a long time and I look forward to the spirit I will feel there and the covenants I will make. 

All in all, life is good.  As long as I passed the AEPA exam:) I find out next week.  It is now 1:12 AM and I need to try and get some sleep.  Long day.  8 kids to work with.  8 kids to try and help communicate more effectively (easier said then done).  8 goals to try and improve.  8 opportunites to be patient and loving and happy.

And in the final words of Jamie Oliver: Cheers!