(no subject)
To laugh often and much,
to win the respect of intelligent people,
and the affection of children,
to earn the appreciation of honest critics,
and endure the betrayl of false friends,
to appreciate beauty,
to find the best in others,
to leave the world a bit better -
whether by a healthy child,
a garden patch,
or a redeemed social condition,
to know even one life has breathed
easier, because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Today was good. I laughed a lot, and it felt great. I'm glad that I'm so easily amused; it makes life a whole lot better. It's a blessing to be able to ease up so easily, and find small things to laugh about - even if the things I find funny, are things other people find dumb.
I read the Bible and prayed today after three days of putting it off. I wish I could go to church, but my dad is working until 8, so I guess I'll have to go some other day. I'm trying to connect with God again, and it's kind of difficult, but I have to say that I do feel a whole lot better again. It's an awesome feeling to know that He's there for me even though I sin. It doesn't mean I'm free to sin as much as I want though, because repenting is apologizing to God, and a meaningful apology is the one with the unspoken promise to try and change. I owe it to God to try. The past has passed; I have today and now to turn myself around.
Today, after I got home from practice, I talked to my mom. Not just "hi mom, bye mom", but really talked to her - about my plans for college, and joining a charity organization or missionary, and traveling. It felt really good, and she supports anything I do, because she just wants me to be happy and live up to my potential, which is how I know that she really loves me. I think that when you really love someone that's all you really want from them. Anyway, I've missed my mom a lot lately, and I'm so glad she finally got some time off from work. It felt really good to spend some time with her - just talking.
At this moment, I'm so happy it makes me tear up. I haven't felt that way in awhile; one of the few times I ever felt that much joy was when I was in church two weeks ago. It's a great feeling. A couple months ago, I didn't think I could ever feel this way. A couple months ago, I always associated the word "overwhelmed" with sorrow, and stress. Now, I'm overwhelmed with joy. Thank you God.