Years ago I started watching the show Parenthood with my mom but stopped because life got busy and I got distracted with other things. The first day of this class, Parenthood was mentioned by multiple people and it sparked my interest again. So I started it again from the beginning.
Guess what?
Can't stop.
If you haven't seen it before, it gives you all the feels. Every feeling imaginable, you'll feel it while you're watching this show. Every episode I cry real tears, I laugh out loud, I cringe, I feel everything deep inside me and I think it's because it's real. This show is realistic. It portrays a family that experiences it all. All the difficulties, joys, ups, and downs of life are happening to this family and it is relatable. Makes you feel like you aren't the only one experiencing the roller coaster of life and handling it poorly sometimes.
I understand this show is not real, these characters, this family, their stories aren't real life but it has made me think about their life, their struggles, and their joys as well as my own, in a new light. At times when I watch them go through things I think, if they had the gospel, this trial would have a whole different meaning for them and they'd have a better understanding of 'why'.
We are a blessed people. We are blessed to have the gospel in our lives. To have an eternal perspective. To know that trials don't last forever. To know that the Savior has experienced it all so that our load can be lighter. To know that our families can be together forever. To know the Lord is on our side. To know that this life, and all the lows that come with it are only temporary.
This life is hard. Heaven help us because we can't do it alone.
Monday, February 22, 2016
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
the choice
I'm becoming so keenly aware of how much I turn to the media for things. For validation, for comfort, for relief, for information. The list could go on and on.
This weekend I came to the realization that I turn to media: movies, music, tv shows to fill emotional holes I have. My younger sister had a birthday this weekend so we planned an afternoon outing to the movie theater to celebrate as sisters. There are a lot of sisters in my family so we decided to stay true to our normal form, be typical girls, and go see the latest Nicholas Sparks movie together.
It's called The Choice.
Here's the trailer in case you haven't heard of it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWPM1jTnuuo
It hits you right in the feels. During this movie, every heartbreak I've ever experienced began to resurface. My unrealistic desire for the perfect romance with a cute southern boy came to the forefront of my mind and every imperfection about my love life was staring me in the face.
These stories don't actually happen. Relationships don't form the way they do in these sappy romantic and dramatic films, but we let ourselves believe 'it could' happen to us. Which is what they want us to believe and its the reason why we all continue to go see the movies we could predict the ending to ourselves.
BUT. I don't feel bad about it. I laughed, I cried, I swooned over the southern gentleman, and left hopeful that I too can have my own southern babe.
Love may not always be sunshine, daisies, and chocolate milk, but can be so much more than that. It's deeper than what the media makes of it. It can and will hold more significance in our lives if we let it. There is more than the lustful love we see on screen. We can love eternally and have love that lasts for eternity. I do turn to the media for emotional fills but it is so much more important to turn to the Lord, to the gospel, and to my Father in Heaven. He understands far better than any music artist or movie director what I think and feel and can fill the holes in my heart and head better than anything else. It's a choice we make.
This weekend I came to the realization that I turn to media: movies, music, tv shows to fill emotional holes I have. My younger sister had a birthday this weekend so we planned an afternoon outing to the movie theater to celebrate as sisters. There are a lot of sisters in my family so we decided to stay true to our normal form, be typical girls, and go see the latest Nicholas Sparks movie together.
It's called The Choice.
Here's the trailer in case you haven't heard of it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWPM1jTnuuo
It hits you right in the feels. During this movie, every heartbreak I've ever experienced began to resurface. My unrealistic desire for the perfect romance with a cute southern boy came to the forefront of my mind and every imperfection about my love life was staring me in the face.
These stories don't actually happen. Relationships don't form the way they do in these sappy romantic and dramatic films, but we let ourselves believe 'it could' happen to us. Which is what they want us to believe and its the reason why we all continue to go see the movies we could predict the ending to ourselves.
BUT. I don't feel bad about it. I laughed, I cried, I swooned over the southern gentleman, and left hopeful that I too can have my own southern babe.
Love may not always be sunshine, daisies, and chocolate milk, but can be so much more than that. It's deeper than what the media makes of it. It can and will hold more significance in our lives if we let it. There is more than the lustful love we see on screen. We can love eternally and have love that lasts for eternity. I do turn to the media for emotional fills but it is so much more important to turn to the Lord, to the gospel, and to my Father in Heaven. He understands far better than any music artist or movie director what I think and feel and can fill the holes in my heart and head better than anything else. It's a choice we make.
Monday, February 8, 2016
{the big five-oh}
Recently, I have been evaluating much of what I do in my life and looking for "the why" in it all. Digging deeper to the root of things to really understand where my actions, thoughts, and feelings come from.
...and this was no different when I got thinking about Super Bowl 50.
Am I a fan of the NFL? Not really.
Do I religiously watch throughout the season? No.
Am I more concerned about the funny commercials than the game? Maybe.
Do I usually come for the food? Yes.
We watch the Super Bowl. We've always watched the Super Bowl. My family religiously follows college football but never have any of us really been that invested into a professional sports team. But you better believe every February you'll find our family gathered and watching the game and commercials on Super Bowl Sunday.
What is it about the Super Bowl that makes us {me} do this? I understand there are plenty of people who really love the NFL and are actually super into it, which isn't me, but I wouldn't miss it for anything. I will admit that this year was a little different because I actually was cheering for the Panthers and felt the need to be loyal to my mission city {Charlotte, NC} and their team who usually isn't fantastic.
Does our society pressure us into pretending like we care about these things? Our peers? The media in general? I honestly believe we all have a little bit of fomo {fear of missing out} deep down inside each of us which drives the ship, causing us to participate in things we honestly do not care that much about to insure we aren't missing out on
something big. This goes for far more than just the Super Bowl.
But I will say, I laughed at the commercials, yelled because of a few fumbles, ate my share of chips and treats, and spent quality time with the people I care the most about.
Go Panthers.
...and this was no different when I got thinking about Super Bowl 50.
Am I a fan of the NFL? Not really.
Do I religiously watch throughout the season? No.
Am I more concerned about the funny commercials than the game? Maybe.
Do I usually come for the food? Yes.
We watch the Super Bowl. We've always watched the Super Bowl. My family religiously follows college football but never have any of us really been that invested into a professional sports team. But you better believe every February you'll find our family gathered and watching the game and commercials on Super Bowl Sunday.
What is it about the Super Bowl that makes us {me} do this? I understand there are plenty of people who really love the NFL and are actually super into it, which isn't me, but I wouldn't miss it for anything. I will admit that this year was a little different because I actually was cheering for the Panthers and felt the need to be loyal to my mission city {Charlotte, NC} and their team who usually isn't fantastic.
Does our society pressure us into pretending like we care about these things? Our peers? The media in general? I honestly believe we all have a little bit of fomo {fear of missing out} deep down inside each of us which drives the ship, causing us to participate in things we honestly do not care that much about to insure we aren't missing out on
something big. This goes for far more than just the Super Bowl.
But I will say, I laughed at the commercials, yelled because of a few fumbles, ate my share of chips and treats, and spent quality time with the people I care the most about.
Go Panthers.
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