Attachment & Abandonment to Divine Providence

I truly believe that these two principles go hand in hand. Attachments do not allow you to abandon your own will and follow God's will for you.

Attachment can grab you and take hold way in ways that you don't even know it has taken you. Throughout life, our attachments to things change depending on our maturity. As we grow up we are to learn the self-sacrificing techniques in order to become less attached to worldly belongings. During lent, we are given a time to acknowledge our attachments. But, we need to be aware of the things we are more inclined to become attached to in order to keep it in check throughout the year.

Divine Providence can only truly shine through when we have chosen to sacrifice our own selfish wants into a selfless love geared to helping others. In Col 3:1-5, 9-11, we are called to deny our own will and follow Christ. We must be in control of our passions, our passions cannot control us. Passions are not inherently good or bad, and that is something that we must remember. It is if we let go of our passions, use them as an excuse to do what is the easy way out, which is not necessarily the route that will lead us to our ultimate goal. If our decisions are solely made on feelings we receive through our passion without relying on our reason to help control those passions, we become erratic. However, if we stay away from attachments, we will be able to see God's will in our lives more clearly, even though that doesn't necessarily mean it will be easier.

Looking Back - Similarities between High School & College

As College Graduation approaches, I have been looking back into the last few weeks before my high school graduation.

I found two poems... I found it interesting how similar feelings I had towards the end of my high school experience I am having now as college comes to a close.

The first poem is about celebrating yourself. The second refers to fears for the future. 

I hope you enjoy them!

I celebrate myself, and sing myself - 2007

I celebrate myself, and sing myself

I celebrate that teal describes who I am

Green and blue, but your never really sure which one

I like eating chips and salsa because it shows the spice in my life

But the smooth, cool ice cream also shows that I can still just chill

I take on challenges

And understand consequences

I try my hardest, even if I don’t succeed

I enjoy life and friends and memories

Busy describes my life

And full and complete describes my love

Times can be hard, but my friends are there

Even though it feels sometimes they just don’t care

I know the difference between those friends who are true and not

I enjoy a good laugh, but more so, a shoulder to understand

Pain is hard, but you can get thought it

And your attitude has a lot to do it

Parties are fun with lots of people

But sometimes small groups are exciting and more personal

I am friendly and caring

I enjoy meeting new people

And this is just the beginning

When I have fears that I may cease to be

(a) When I have fears that I may cease to be

(b) Before my sleepily eyes I do rest,

(a) For the stage lights will then never know me,

(b) For they would surely have not seen my best,

(c) The types of people I may never see,

(d) My family, my friends, my love somewhere,

(c) The waves of love roaring across the sea,

(d) Nor the glow of a gown of white to wear,

(e) And when I leave this earth to fly abroad,

(f) Legacies only I can leave behind,

(e) People think of me with a pleasant thought,

(f) Before the end, coming soon, of my time,

(g) One life ends to begin a life anew,

(g) My joyful look says simply I love you.

One Person Can Change the World

“I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something I can do.”

~ Edward Hale

I recently re-found this quote. I used in a paper that I wrote in high school that I happened to stumble upon.

This quote can go in a lot of different directions. But, there are a few particular things that stand out. 

Society today has a mindset that what we do does not matter nor does it made a difference to anyone else. It saddens me greatly to think that people feel this way, especially in a time where there is so many ways to communicate and connect with others. Society today also tries to tell us that not even everyone's life is worth it! 

I've heard that there are six degrees of separation between everyone! And with the growth of the internet and modern technology, think about how much smaller the world is becoming! 

Everyone's actions changes those around them. And with six degrees of separation, that could go a long way. A simple smile in the grocery store when you are having a bad day makes that day a better one. A hug from a friend when you are lonely can be a God-send! 

Even people who society considers outcasts and of no use can change people lives!

My mom and brothers are the perfect example of this. 

When I was growing up, many people would come up to my mom and say "Oh, are they ALL your kids?" and my mom would answer, "Yes!". People seemed shocked and would continue to ask "Are they adopted?" And of course my mom responded, "Nope, they are all mine!"

People seemed shocked that my mom would want to continue to have kids even after her second child had disabilities. But, without my mom having each of her children, even the ones that she miscarried, I would not have become the woman I am today. 

I would have a different view of the world. My friends would not have been able to hang out at my house and see all the fun chaos that I grew up in!

And, at my little brother's funeral, the Church would not have been so full that there was barely any standing room.

So, if you ask me, everyone's life is important and crucial to the life of everyone else. Each decision made has an impact on those around you. 

I will do what I can, and I will do the rest "Through Christ Who Strengthens Me." (Philippians 4:13.)

IPad, Apple's Baby

Today, I stumbled upon an amazing video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulV5LDwdn8Y

With the new IPad that recently came out, Apple has fallen into the world of new parents. With this ad, Apple talks about the adventures of a brand new baby, a REALLY BRAND NEW BABY! One that hasn't even been born yet!

How cool is that??? IPad is helping people relate even more personally to their unborn child and showing life at the VERY beginning!

The bond between the parents and the new baby is extremely important! The bond is even more strong between the baby and his or her mother! How exciting is it that Apple is helping families become closer even earlier now!!!!

Thank you Apple!!!!

The Best and Worst Time

I have a new article up on iibloom.com!

You can find it at this link:

http://www.iibloom.com/?/bloom/article/a-real-life-story-best-and-worst-time/

You're TOO Young...

You're too young... It seems to be a phrase that is used very often around me. 


Normally, the conversation includes something like this:
Other person: "Wow, you look so young to have/be...., How old are you?"
Me: "I'm 20."
Other: "Wow, you're soooo young... "


With turning 21 at the end of this month, I have been thinking about everything that I have done in my life thus far, and looking forward to life a head of me. 
A lot of people seem shocked at my age. Over and over and over. It seems to be a continuos cycle. I often get asked about why I decided to get married so young or why I'm not "trying to enjoy my college life more". I have always been stunned by this. 


Throughout my life, I have often been told by people who are older than I am that I am very mature for my age, which is probably from my family's situation. So, I find it very interesting when people that I am meeting now, who do not know my history or family, always ask me if I think I'm too young. I always answer with "Not everyone is called to marriage this young, but I am sure I made the right choice." As coworkers, and others, continue to ask questions about why, my family's story start to emerge. I truly think that God has called me to be an example to others of how to live a happy and fulfilling life. Many people ask me why I am "throwing my life away" by getting married and that I'll miss out on having fun.  I find my life fun, full of responsibility, but fun. And I wouldn't change my decision to get married young, even though it means making a lot of sacrifices at some points. 


I have found one Bible verse in particular to be my motto in life:
"Do not let anyone treat you as if you are unimportant because you are young. Instead, be an example to the believers with your words, your actions, your love, your faith, and your pure life." ~~~~   1 Timothy 4:12


I try to live my life so that I can be an example. God has graced me with a family that makes it very easy for my decisions to be visible. Through the examples of my parents, I strive to live my life in a way that I can point people to God. I find it important to leave my life in God's hands because every time I have left my life in God's hands and have tried to align my will to His will, He has planned something more wonderful than I could have imagined, even though there are many parts of His plan that I do not fully understand nor do I know the full effects of the result of be putting my life in His hands. 


The results of following God's plan, even if it means sacrifice at the time or being uncomfortable, will be far more rewarding than any form of instant gratification or "fun" that I may have encountered by following my own frivolous desires. 


Many people are shocked by everything  I have done in my life, and I think that is because God shocks people with His will. I hope to be able to continue to life my life following His plan so that I will be able to bring more people to understanding true love and responsibility; how they go hand in hand and how they are not a hinderance to a happy and fulfilling life.

A NEW ARTICLE

As graduation comes closer, God is working on my life. He is constantly helping guide me to become a better person, to be the person he wants me to be...
Through my life journey, I hope to inspire those who need it, those who don't know they need it, and those who have had to overcome obstacles. Even though my story is unique, just like everyone else's, hopefully many people will be able to connect to the story and hopefully it will help them in their time of need!

Today was another exciting step that God has guided me to. I had an article go Live on www.iibloom.com ! Please check it out!
www.iibloom.com