Let's Change the Conversation

A week ago my best friend and I spent an afternoon at the pool. It was glorious. The sun was shining, it wasn't too hot or humid.

We met at her house and walked to her neighborhood pool. We had a lot to catch up on.

When we got to the pool and took our swim covers, I noticed how in shape she was. Working out is something that we both struggle with keeping up. In the middle of our conversation, I off handedly mentioned how in shape she was.

She paused and laughed and said how she was just thinking about how fat she was.

It shocked me.

My friend is seriously one of the most beautiful people I know. She takes care of her body and her all around health.

I've realized recently just how much negativity there is that surrounds how we all look at ourselves. We are truly our own worst critics. What if my friend saw herself through my eyes, an admiring friend? What if she saw herself through her husband's, a man that adores her? What if she saw herself through her future children's eyes, the woman who carried them and gave them life?

What would change then?

I have three young nieces who love to dress up in their ball gown costumes and pretend to be princesses. I don't want my nieces growing up and thinking there is anything wrong with them. They are perfect just the way that they are. Just like my friend is. Just like you are.

We need to start to change the conversation away from the negative thoughts of what we wish our bodies would look like. We need to start to think of ourselves as beautiful, smart, sexy, pretty, intelligent, kind, loving, hopeful, joyous, helpful, insert an adjective here, kind of women.

Can we please start to do that? Can we please change the conversation?

Trust and Expectations

Trust. It seems to be a really easy word at first. Do you trust me? Is probably one of the most common questions we are asked or do ask when we see how much we can spill our emotions and feelings to others.Some of you may say yes, maybe we're best friends, confidants. Some of you might think I'm crazy, asking you if you trust a total stranger and some of you may even though you don't know me - all of those are cool, all of those are good, all of those make us human.When I think of trust I think of my parents, friends and mentors. Those people whom I go to to talk things out with, ask for their advice and guidance on situations. I also think of my Heavenly Father.I trust the leadership that is in my life, those at my work and those that help guide me.I trust them.Let me tell you a fun little story about Trust and Expectations:Applying for this internship was a whole bucket of trust. I didn't apply for anything else post-graduation, only this. I was trusting in God that if I didn't get it then there must be a reason. And if I did get it there must be a reason. I got it so obviously a cool reason is behind it.Coming to LA and not yet knowing who my teammate was, I trusted the leadership to place me with the best possible teammate for the road to allow us to reach the most students and help end the global water crisis.When I found out my partner and route, I trusted that we were going to be great together. I trusted that schools would want us to come and speak. I trusted that we would have a fun time on the road together. I trusted that even though we didn't know each other super well that we would get better at communication and learn more about each other. Sure we would face hard times, but I trusted that we would get through it.So when everything got switched around I was a bit afraid to Trust. I'm sure we've all been in relationships or moments that have caused our defenses to go up and not trust those that we're around. It's natural; but we have to be able to grow from those moments.I trust my leadership and I trust their intuitions. I trust that this is for the better.Now, I'm with a completely different teammate. Do I Trust her? Yes. Now, I'm on a completely different route. Do I trust this is where I'm supposed to be? Yes.Now, this internship is more than about me. Do I trust this, do I trust that there is more? Yes. Yesterday in the midst of all the feelings (perhaps there's another blog post in here about crying in public and breaking down expectations; mourning what you thought was going to happen and coming to the realization and acceptance of what is) we hopped in the car and decided to take an adventure, we went to Joshua Tree to watch the sunset.As I stood amongst the trees and rocks and watched the sky change colors from bright blue to the haze of pink, purple and indigo; and the stars started to come out to say "Hello" I realized, once again, We Are Made For More.This internship isn't about me: It's about educating and activating youth on the global water crisis.These changes aren't a reflection of what I can do: It's allowing me more opportunities for growth. I'm not here for me, I'm here for something larger, something so much more than me.I may not have all the words for all of it, but I can explain this:Even when things turn to the gutter, even when you can't fully understand what the heck is going on, Remember there's something more. Something that may not be About you, but Calls you to be more. You're a part of something bigger, greater, and more amazing than you could ever imagine. You just have to Trust. 

Wonders of the New

I've been in California for 18 days.Within the first 24 hours we had been on the ground, we went to a dance party, ate delicious tacos, met some incredible people and got some much needed sleep after a long travel day. We got groceries, went to the water (yes, within 24 hours I was at water) and I rested.My soul is so happy. There is something about New things that I love. It's like the amazement when you open all of your Christmas or Birthday gifts; everything is new and different. Part of you wants to open up all of the boxes and use them right away and another part of you wants to wait and savor the Newness by only using what you 'need' or 'want' in that particular moment.For me its the same sensation as putting on a pair of pants and finding money in the pockets. It's the Wonder of Wow, the Wonder of New.Right now, it still seems surreal that I am here. I'm wasn't sure if I would feel Normal here, but I feel New. All around New.This is a new season for me, a new season of Wonder, a new season of Joy, a new season of Life. One that is meant to be Lived, Experienced, Loved.Maybe it's just because I'm somewhere New, somewhere I have never been before. But I think it's something more than that. It's a different mindset, a different way of thinking. Instead of looking at this internship as a job, it's more than that, it's a chance to travel, meet new people and help encourage students to make a difference in the world. It's everything I love all wrapped into one.New is good, but at some point it becomes Old. It becomes that gift that you got months ago and now you barely use; or you've used up. It's that same pair of pants, maybe even your favorite pair of pants, but they're just pants. No surprises in the pockets this time. So how do we keep things as New, or at least Old and Good?My way of thinking is to find the New, find the Magical in the Mundane.When day in and day out you do the same ol' thing, it gets boring. Let's be real: It's hard to be motivated to go and do the same routine that we always do. We know that the day is going to look like, we know exactly what we'll have for lunch, who we'll text. We know it all. So where's the New in it? What will keep us on our toes?I challenge you to change one thing about your day:Take a different route to work today. Go for a walk in your neighborhood and find something that you don't usually look at.Leave your phone at Home and just be in the moment.Talk to someone new in your office or class.That restaurant you've always wanted to try but haven't yet, go there! Try it out!Old isn't bad, it can be good. New can be good (scary too). Just change the way you look at something, look at it through someone else's eyes. Try it and see how your outlook changes.Find the Magical in the Mundane.