Tale as Old as Time....

So, I am, as I have told you, about to finish my Master's degree, and yet last night I found myself enjoying the show at Disney on Ice. I realize that technically I may be a little too old for Disney, but I can't help it. I feel such a deep connection to the stories and songs I cherished as a child. I won't lie....I still have a few soundtracks in my car and I own an extensive collection of limited edition dvds....

Anyway, as I sat there last night watching the skating princesses, I couldn't help but consider the premise of almost every fairytale: love. In Beauty and the Beast they sing "Tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme..." This really struck me as I watched each girl find her prince charming....in so many ways, God put us here for companionship. He designed one man and one woman to complete each other. This simple thought in an even simpler presentation stuck with me as I imagined all the maidens and men across the world and across time that have fallen in love. Two hearts that are finally made complete.

I know that's a bit sappy, but--as I am one such girl in love--I feel connected to this great cycle of boy meets girl....I think we should give Disney more credit in honoring love the way they have done time and time again.

The Painting

When I was in Europe this past summer, I visited the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. We had a special tour of the museum, and our guide gave us countless facts on painting after painting. But what was most intriguing (to someone with no art history background) was the careful analysis of a specific painting. Upon first glance I would agree it was a lovely piece of art. But then our guide began to explain the symbolism and hidden meanings within the painting. I realized that, while I enjoyed the piece of art, I did not see it the way it saw itself or the way the creative artist intended it. After the explanation I was enlightened and able to appreciate it that way, but my initial lack of understanding got me thinking.

Two things. First, I wonder how often we see ourselves differently than the way others see us. This came to a frightening reality when I had a discussion with my mother yesterday. The way she assessed my life and behavior was way off! I mean, I just continuously thought "that's not true! You've got me all wrong!" Now, I realize that some of this can result from human error or people's own delusions of interpretation, but I guess in some ways it can come from a distortion of how we view ourselves, and the way others interpret us. While I know I can't and wouldn't want to live my life defined by other people's opinions, I also don't want to live misunderstood. I think God has called us to live lives of transparency--open and honest with those around us. This experience with my mom really shed light on this for me, and has inspired me to strive harder to openly make who I want to be and the way I see myself be the "me" that others see.

Secondly, I got to thinking about the painter. I wonder if it hurts him that the world doesn't see his work the way he intended it....with all its delightful complications and deeper levels. I wonder if God feels this way. As the great Creator, He designed us with a purpose and a plan for how we would show Him to the world. Does He look at my life and think "Ugh, people just don't see her the way I intended" or does He think "That work really expresses what I wanted it to." I want God, my artistic genius, to look at the canvas of my life and feel proud of what He designed. I want to be the painting that speaks to people.

God Moments

Tonight at my girls bible study we talked about God moments. I know we all have big moments that we can look back on and say "wow that was such a God thing," but what I really think is special are the everyday God moments....or moments OF God. I find them everywhere. A beautiful morning with the sun shining through my window onto my bed, the wind blowing across a field, green lights all the way to work when I'm running late!

My point is, that if we really start to look around, so much of what we think is lucky, beautiful, or rejuvenating can actually be God. And by giving God the credit and allowing him to be a part of our daily lives, it makes us feel that much closer to Him. I have found that by doing this, sharing the small experiences with Him, I am that much more confident of His presence in the "big" stuff in life. Why wouldn't He be with me then if He was with me all day long? It is so comforting to know that He is with me all the time....not just when I think I need Him.

Look for God moments....they happen more than you think!

Steps

You know how all of life is a process? I mean, no matter what you're doing, it takes step 1 to get to 2....and so forth. And normally skipping steps is a bad idea. I like to say that a shortcut is just another step to the longer way around. So, I understand that there is method to this madness. But do you ever just feel so anxious to get to the next step you can't take it? Maybe anxious isn't the right word....just excited! Take me, for example. I am in the "single" stage of my life getting my Master's and I love it! Good friends, boyfriend, family, church, etc. But I graduate in 2 months and school is getting sooo tough right here at the end. December can't help but look wonderful with no papers and no deadlines. Some days I'm so excited about what's ahead I can't stand it!



Sometimes it's hard to stop and savor where you are. But step 1 is just as important as step 2, so there is no point in skipping ahead. I have to remind myself everyday that I may never get this season of my life back so I should stop and enjoy it. And I am....I just wish it didn't come with so many papers!



I guess it's ok to dream about step 2 a little.....

An Enlightened All-Nighter

So, I'm still in grad school and, therefore, I often find myself pulling "all-nighters." Now, for many this is a much dreaded event that brings back horrific memories of midterms and cram sessions. But I have to say, as I am in the middle of one right now, that sometimes the dreaded "all-nighter" is not so bad. There is something about staying up all night and being the only one awake at 3am that is exciting. Childlike, I know. Yet, sometimes it's fun to forget about schedules and "Ugh I have to get up in 4 hours" and just enjoy wasting time lost in thought or planning the future. It's quiet. No good tv to distract you, no one to talk to. Even your faithful golden retriever has given up hope of a late nite walk. It's just you. In a world where it is hardly ever quiet, I find this liberating and rejuvenating.

Besides, there's always early morning Starbucks to take the edge off!

The Thing About Airports...

So I am on my way to see my dear friend and, as so many people do, I am flying. On my flight to Dallas, I was gazing out the window looking at the clear skies. But then the captain came on and was talking about "those of you on the left side may be noticing those thunderstorms..." Obviously, I was on the right, but it just made me wonder how many times the storms of life are that close, and yet they miss us. Sometimes I think we only see the actual storms that hit our lives and we forget to be thankful for the "good weather," but we also forget to be thankful for the storms that passed us by. We ask God why so many hit instead of saying thank you for the many He surely kept away.

The other thing I love about airports is that an airport is one of the few places where all our private and separate spheres collide. Let's face it: as Americans we like to stay in our bubbles. But in an airport, we are united as people with a common purpose. (When your plane is suddenly delayed, for example, you know you have 100 other comrades who are on your side ready to take on the poor defenseless flight attendant) In an airport, in that one place, everyone has a purpose and is headed somewhere. There are no drifters in an airport. There is very little decision making involved and little debate. You "do" in an airport, not "consider." But the best part is the feeling of expectancy. Everyone is headed somewhere, to someone or something. And that almost everyone is met with someone who cares...some loved one or business partner that says "you matter in my life." It's really a neat thing....So the next time you are hustling through security and running to catch your flight, or complaining about how you got pretzels instead of peanuts, stop and remember the beautiful thing about airports: everyone matters to someone!

Book Review: The Time Traveller's Wife

So, I just finished reading The Time Traveller's Wife. I wanted to read it before the movie comes out this week. Books are always so much better than the movie! And I just love a good book. I love getting to know the characters and becoming a part of the story. I love that books allow you to leave whatever is going on in your life--good, bad, happy, sad-- and just focus on the problems or joys of the novel. I can get so lost in a book.

But I especially like to read about love. Ahh....love. The love in a great novel is one of the most precious things on earth. Time after time, book after book, I am continuously amazed at the written word's ability to create a longing, an ache inside for that kind of love. It also leaves my heart feeling a little more full...like in some way I too am able to share some piece of the love in the story.

The Time Traveller's Wife is one of those books. I will admit that it was more difficult to read than some works. (But I guess the specifics about time travel are always a bit complex...) I constantly had to flip to see what date we were on and then flip back to see on what date another event had taken place, etc. I applaud the author though. She must have had quite a vision to construct such a story woven throughout so much of Time.

But back to the love part....This book captures it. I can't explain how I feel after reading it...except to refer to the ache I mentioned before. Henry loves Clare so deeply, so completely...I want that kind of love. He is so captivated by her, it makes me (and I'm sure many women readers) wonder "Do I have that power? Will someone find me so completely captivating? Am I really the 'other half' of someone's soul?" And Clare's love for Henry is perfect....she loves him on so many levels, and this, I think, is so necessary when it comes to loving a man. She loves him in the present for who he is with her, but she loves him in the future for who he is because of her. It's really a beautiful thing. And she loves him through his weakness, forgives his faults, and clings to the love she has even if it is for but a moment in Time.

I believe in love. The kind of love that crosses oceans and Time.

And like Henry said, Time is nothing.

La Dolce Vita!

Well I guess I haven't done very well at "getting started" huh? It is now June, and I am heading in to my 2nd of 6 weeks here in Italy. I am in Florence, which may I add is one of the most enchanting cities I have ever visited. Actually, perhaps that is not initially true. Because I have been here before, but just for about 48 hours, and I don't think I "got" the city. I liked it, but I definitely missed it on some level. But spending time here is a different story. It is so captivating with it's big city possibilities and its small town ambiance. Walking down the street you feel as if you have walked back in time. Somehow the Florentines have managed to maintain their traditions and culture while also joining much of the modern world. It is somewhat of marvel. The thing is, however, that no matter how much time you have to spend somewhere, it doesn't feel like enough. I already feel overwhelmed at how much there is to see and do and appreciate, and I feel like although I am going nonstop, somehow I'm missing it....

I am sure that when my 6 weeks are up this will not be the case. I try to live in the moment, and so far am loving every second! More to come soon!

Ciao!

Blogging should come with a manual...

So this is my first post on my first blog....ever! Yes, I am aware that it's 2009 and that I am young enough to be part of this cyberspace generation. But somehow, I missed the boat. Not one to be left out, I am in the process of creating my own blog and navigating this exciting, although somewhat overwhelming, outlet. Please forgive any accidental "blogging faux-pas" I may encounter getting started. Wish me luck!