Skip to main content

Twenty-Two and Smiling



I turned twenty-two yesterday.

I feel as if I've dropped twenty years these last couple months, if you are wondering if I feel any older.
I believe I shall be Forever Young

I have three words I love to over use in my writing. Mostly because I feel they describe my hopes and desires to a t.
But. . . these words keep growing for me, in me.
Encourage, Edify, Entertain

I've changed a lot since . . . Forever? Or have I changed . . . is it simply developing in the directions I've chosen despite what life has thrown at me?

I have moved a lot. I have hated a lot (not saying this is good).
I have laughed a lot (this is mostly good . . . maybe not the times I laughed because of mean pranks I committed or to hide away the pain I truly felt ;b).
I have had a lot of friends (yay!). 
And I have lost a ton of friends (not so yay).
I have said I'd never love. And then I loved way too much . . . only to have my heart broken. But, man, did I learn a lot through that. And still am learning from that . . .

I've learned that identity doesn't matter. That it's modern self-love propaganda. True identity is my name and what I like. I've found saying things like "I don't know myself," is foolish. Because . . . when I ask "who am I?" I'm looking at me way too hard and not nearly enough at the rest of the world, and especially not hard enough at God. No, identity searching is really stupid, because if I don't know who I am I should just check my birth certificate. If I still don't know who I am I should probably be sent to a mental institution. After that I should just stop caring about who I am and start doing something worthwhile. 

No, what matters is what am I doing and who am I loving.

I am twenty-two and I feel I've just learned to breathe in the last six months. It's the best feeling I've ever known.

Complete satisfaction in everything. Who I am (I focus on me less), what I do (just love it all even if I don't!), where I am going (even though I still don't know half the time).

And I have this sense of joy that no matter how many more bad things may happen in the rest of my life I'll always own this deep peace stemmed from utter satisfaction.

Pain, physical or emotional, may come. But that won't determine my satisfaction.

Disappointment and tears will return once more than I want. But nothing can erase the deep smile I own.

Life may slap me, rip me, destroy me. But inside I'll be full of Yahweh's peace.

I may lose everything I love. I may have my heart broken again. I may be betrayed by those I thought I could trust. Loved ones may die. I may find I'm living where I don't want to be. I may find that my work isn't ideal. I may have to deal with those I consider stupid idiots
I may become uncertain of which path I should take.

All of those are mere irritations. Tests to work through. But none of them will ever again control how I feel, who I am, or destroy the satisfied joy I own.

Pain. It is hard.

But for once in my life I am thankful I've had it.

And though I never saw myself where I am today, I love where Yahweh has lead me.

And this is seriously the happiest birthday I've ever had! I remember having really good birthdays age nine and under, but after that . . .

I feel like a child again:

Carefree, complete, called.

Most of all, I feel prepared and equipped to be true to the three words God gave me: edify, encourage, entertain.

I know He will help my words do all three to others even as His words have done and continue to do all three for me.

I continue to evaluate what these three words mean. How they interact in all I do, say, write, read, see, watch . . . you get the picture.

I love to learn. I love to be inspired. I love to laugh

So why wouldn't I love these words and want to share them to their full potential? And reap their full potential for myself?

I feel this post was really random. But sometimes happiness appears random. Especially when one lone, broken-but-now-whole idiot dances in a dark world full of stupid idiots. I'm not denying that the world is still full of horrible people doing horrible things.

They just can't kill the satisfaction.

Terrible and wonderful things are constantly happening in my life, and always will. But instead of being dragged down by all of the things I hate I'm being amazed at all the ways I'm being blessed. And wow . . . the more I look, the more I choose, the more I am truly blessed.

More on that soon ;D



Tell me your thoughts! How has life changed for you? Do you strive for satisfaction or identity? And did this post make any sense?

My four year blogiversary is coming up, and I've decided to break from my mold and follow the flow ;) How does a vlog sound with me answering questions you've asked? 
So, ask away and I'll try to make my first vlog for you guys!

Comments

  1. Happy (late) birthday!!
    And a vlog sounds amazing. :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks - do you have any questions for me to answer on the vlog ;)

      Delete
    2. Ooh, of course I forgot to add them! *face palm*

      -What is your favorite blog post?

      -Favorite article of clothing?

      -What is one of your favorite past times?

      -Do you have a favorite song?

      -What is your favorite genre?

      -Favorite ice cream flavor?

      Delete
  2. This post is beautiful. I'm only 16, but so many of these lessons you have resonate with me so much. <3 Especially the identity thing--it's so true.

    Let's see...questions for the vlog. (You may have answered some of these before, but I don't know so I'll just ask them anyway...XD)

    >What's your earliest childhood memory? (Or just an early one, if you can't come up with the earliest...I know I can't)
    >How many posts have you written on your blog total?
    >What's the best thing about blogging in your opinion?
    >What is your beverage of choice?

    Can't wait to see your answers <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! And you asked some exciting questions ;)

      Delete
  3. Happy Birthday.
    You seemed to have learned a lot. Your right our identities are in Christ.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Skye! Yes . . . it's all about Him, not "me" ;)

      Delete
  4. Great post, and happy belated birthday!
    Here's 22 (your age!) questions for Q&A:
    1. What color would you pick to describe yourself?
    2. What is one of your dreams/goals for this year?
    3. Favorite wild animal?
    4. What is your 1# favorite book that you would recommend for your friend?
    5. Favorite dessert?
    6. Tea, coffee, or neither?
    7. Would you rather live by the ocean or mountains?
    8. Favorite flower?
    9. Read or write?
    10. If you had to pick one season/time of year that would last forever, what season would you pick?
    11. Do you play a musical instrument?
    12. What is your favorite movie?
    13. What is one of your hobbies?
    14. Favorite country song?
    15. Do you have a favorite board game?
    16. What is your favorite blog that you read?
    17. Canoe or kayak?
    18. Do you like savory or sweet foods?
    19. What is one of your pet peeves?
    20. If you could automatically speak any other language, what would you choose to speak?
    21. Favorite bible verse?
    22. What is your go to chapter in the Bible?
    Have fun! :D
    -Brooklyne

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Brooklyne! And looking forward to answering these ;)

      Delete
  5. Happy Birthday!! You're amazing!! <3 <3 This post was very encouraging to me.

    1. Have you ever had a slushie from sonic? If so, what flavor?
    2. Besides writing, what is something you like to do for fun?
    3. What is your favorite color?

    I feel like these aren't great, but lol. Have an awesome day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, thank you! I'm glad to hear that :)

      And they are amazing ;)

      Delete
  6. Happy birthday! Hope you have a wonderful year!
    Questions ok.
    Is it easy to name your books or can it take a long time to find the right name?
    What is one genre you have never thought about writting?
    Is there any genre you haven't read?
    How many shoes do you have?
    :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I had read this post already, but I came back to read it again, since I never commented. I just want to say thanks for posting it. I've had a kind of off week, just a bunch of minor to major things going completely wrong, and this post really encouraged me to remember this deep satisfaction and hold onto it, no matter what. To focus on Christ not my problems.

    So thanks. You definitely encouraged me today. :)


    Alexa
    thessalexa.blogspot.com
    verbosityreviews.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, I'm so glad to hear my words could encourage — your words have done the same to me :) I hope your next week goes better as you hold fast to God's satisfaction :)

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Living Like The Amish: Interviews With Three "English" Families PART I

Many people are obsessed with the Amish. I know at one time I was as well, and to a degree I still am. But my perception  has changed with experience. It started a long time ago when my family went to an Amish-held auction (no, it's not a place where you can buy Amish children, but a place where you can buy things from the Amish). I was eleven years old and enthralled to be surrounded by so many Amish. I loved the cockscomb flowers they sold everywhere. I bought a whole box for $2 and dried them for seeds so I could plant my own. But then I experienced my first reality shock concerning the Amish. I had assumed since they lived a simpler life everything about them was completely old-fashioned and natural. Imagine my horror when I saw Amish walking around with soda cans and store-bought ice cream. " Mom ," I said. "He's drinking soda!"  Left to right, back row: Jonny, Jonathan (Dad). Front row: Jacob, Keturah, Rebekah (Mom), Jonah (on Mom's

How Bad Can I Be?: Lyrics That Make You Go "Wow!"

How ba-a-a-ad can I be? I'm just doin' what comes naturally How ba-a-a-ad can I be? I'm just following my destiny How ba-a-a-ad can I be? I'm just doin' what comes naturally How ba-a-a-ad can I be? How bad can I possibly be? Well, there's a principal of nature (principal of nature) That almost every creature knows Called survival of the fittest (survival of the fittest) And check it this is how it goes The animal that is has got to scratch and bite and claw and bite and punch And the animal that doesn't (well the animal that doesn't) winds up Someone else's lu-lu-lu-lu-unch! (I'm just saying') How ba-a-a-ad can I be? I'm just doin' what comes naturally How ba-a-a-ad can I be? I'm just following my destiny How ba-a-a-ad can I be? I'm just doin' what comes naturally How ba-a-a-ad can I be? How bad can I possibly be? Well, there's a principal of business (principal of b

Peace During Patience

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” - Philippians 4:6 My family and I were sitting around the breakfast table several months ago. Mom had just read this verse. One of the kids laughed incredulously, “What is it saying? Be careful for nothing – live recklessly?” “No,” I answered quickly. My tone was very matter-of-fact, blunt, as if I were all-knowing. “It means do not worry.” The kids all nodded among themselves and life continued on for them. But for me life paused at my words. I had heard this verse soooooooo many times. I had always known what it meant. But now? Now it really meant something . “Do not worry.” This path I've chosen. I can not see it. I can not feel it. I do not know where I am. I have chosen to follow God, and no other. But why did He hide the light from my eyes? I must take a step forward. But I do not want to. How long w

Inside The Land Of The Free

Hello. My name is Greg.  I have a lot of time to think. Too much time. Sometimes I think about my life - why I am sitting in prison. I wonder what I could have done different - my life plays before my eyes. "If only..." But even I know that no amount of good works would have stopped tyranny from finding fault with me. It is cold. My clothes are thin. My stomach is empty - occasionally filled with food of no sustenance.  I hide my face in my knees - as if that will somehow protect me from the horrors of this dark cold dungeon.  They keep it cold to freeze me, this I know. It is a part of their game - to drive a lesson into me. As if I have a lesson to learn solely because I was convicted. Convicted, but not  guilty. Years.  68 years for standing against injustice. How many years have I sat in here? I have forgot. All I know is this question, "Was I fated for this? Did God grant my birth