I read a quote today--
"However mean your life is, meet it and live it: do not shun it and call it hard names. Cultivate poverty like a garden herb, like sage. Do not trouble yourself much to get new things, whether clothes or friends. Things do not change, we change. Sell your clothes and keep your thoughts." Henry David Thoreau
For some reason I have been thinking about this quote since I first read it earlier today. I think it's because of something someone recently said about me. Someone I was very close to in the past said "I don't like the new Jessica. I don't even know you." I don't feel different at all. I want to say things are just different between us. But the quote is right. Things don't change, people change. Things are not the same because I have changed, they have change. We all go through change, good or bad. Something one person views as a positive change, others view as a negative. But in the end we must preserve our self. Not change because others want us to. "Sell your clothes, but keep your thoughts."
Something else has struck me about the quote, though. "However mean your life is, meet it and live it." There are a lot of things we can say to complain about our lives. Even the most priveliged people find something wrong with theirs. But Henry has some sound advice. Meet it and live it. Stop complaining and do something.
I'm just inspired today. I can only hope this jolt of motivation can last.
January 22, 2009
January 19, 2009
Dear Bloggers
I have not slept yet. Something is seriously wrong with my sleep cycles. Because I layed in bed for 4 hours willing myself to sleep and sleep would not come. In fact, I am wide awake. What the heck?!?
January 07, 2009
Winter Break Overview
Hi, it's been awhile.
Tampa was AMAZING. I've never seen such white, soft sand in my whole life. I got goosebumps marching with my squad at the bowl game. Who gets goosebumps from marching band? It was that cool. It also makes me sad knowing the season is officially over. Once the games were over, I could at least look forward to the trip. I've made such amazing friends in marching band, some I may never see again, or will at least have to wait a long time to see again.
On a different note, I'm ready to go back to school. Mason City makes me feel so lazy. At first I was welcome to having no real responsibilities, but now I'm bored. I sit around my house all day. My friends have disappeared, have gone back to school, or just choose to disassociate themselves. What is here for me? My family, I suppose, but they are starting to bother me. I have had a taste of freedom from home. Now, Mason City, this house...it doesn't feel like home anymore. It's a really weird feeling. I'm definately rethinking if I should even come home for summer break. I could easily get a job in Iowa City, take some summer classes, live at my aunt and uncle's house until we get our apartment set up (btw, I'm living in an apartment next year!) I'm not sure what to do at this point. I love my family, and I have so many memories here, but it's not my home anymore. Too much has changed. Too many friends gone. I'm not trying to be a complainer, just letting it out, I suppose.
I'd really like to write about something else, but I think I'll let that simmer a little longer. Hope your winter break was all you could hope for and more. It was nice seeing some of you that I don't get to see too much at the Alumni party!
Tampa was AMAZING. I've never seen such white, soft sand in my whole life. I got goosebumps marching with my squad at the bowl game. Who gets goosebumps from marching band? It was that cool. It also makes me sad knowing the season is officially over. Once the games were over, I could at least look forward to the trip. I've made such amazing friends in marching band, some I may never see again, or will at least have to wait a long time to see again.
On a different note, I'm ready to go back to school. Mason City makes me feel so lazy. At first I was welcome to having no real responsibilities, but now I'm bored. I sit around my house all day. My friends have disappeared, have gone back to school, or just choose to disassociate themselves. What is here for me? My family, I suppose, but they are starting to bother me. I have had a taste of freedom from home. Now, Mason City, this house...it doesn't feel like home anymore. It's a really weird feeling. I'm definately rethinking if I should even come home for summer break. I could easily get a job in Iowa City, take some summer classes, live at my aunt and uncle's house until we get our apartment set up (btw, I'm living in an apartment next year!) I'm not sure what to do at this point. I love my family, and I have so many memories here, but it's not my home anymore. Too much has changed. Too many friends gone. I'm not trying to be a complainer, just letting it out, I suppose.
I'd really like to write about something else, but I think I'll let that simmer a little longer. Hope your winter break was all you could hope for and more. It was nice seeing some of you that I don't get to see too much at the Alumni party!
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