101 Small and Simple Things: An Introduction

I know this quote has absolutely nothing to do with my post, but I like it and think it's awesome and think that you should think so too. 

My favorite scripture of late has been Alma 37:6-7, "By small and simple things, great things come to pass..." I have come to love this scripture because, over the past year, I have learned that it is through recognizing the small and simple things that we find happiness. Each small and simple good thing is a manifestation of God's love for us. It truly is how He does the majority of His work.

We are happy when we recognize the small and simple things because they help us realize that God is invested in us to the extent that He even takes the time to care to the seemingly insignificant details in our lives. He wants us to know that He loves us, and so He shows us in millions of tiny ways. We just have to open our eyes to see them.

I've decided that I want to keep track of these small and simple things on my blog. 101 of them, to be exact.

Why 101? Because that's how many dalmatians there were and because everyone always picks 101 and I felt like giving into social pressure at the time I wrote this post. Don't judge me.

Do I have a date that I'm planning on having all these 101 posts done by? Nope. To be honest, I'll be surprised if I make it up to 25. I'm horrible at keeping journal-writing oriented goals.

Do I write these things on my blog because I think I'm awesome and that everyone should be like me? While I am pretty awesome, I don't really think everyone should be like me. You are ten billion times more awesome as yourself than as me, so please be yourself.

Then why do I write things on my blog? Because typing things is faster than handwriting them and because the egoist in me does hope a little bit that just maybe something I say can help someone else be happy or thankful for the small and simple things in their life. There. I admitted it.

So really, I don't even care if you read what I write? Pretty much. Most the time, more than anything, it's a way for me to dump all my emotional build-up out into the online vortex of anything and everything worth and not worth reading.

And what do I think about the fact that you've taken the time to read all the way down to the bottom of this post? First, I must say that you must be really bored. Please, get away from the computer, and go and do something fun. It's a three day weekend, for heavens sake. I'm sure there's someone doing something somewhere that you could go and join. Do. It. Second, you must be a pretty awesome friend. No one else would read to the bottom of this post. Thank you.

That's pretty much it in a not so very small nutshell. More to come later (hopefully maybe?)

Over and out.

Letters

Dear Kristin, You are one of the reasons why I know that Heavenly Father is looking out for me. Thank you for looking out for me and for always being willing to talk and for getting it all and for laughing with me about the drudgery and drama of life and for everything else. You are such an amazing person and an irreplaceable friend. Thank you.

Letters

Dear Rachel, Thank you so much for running and talking with me last night. I'm so glad we're best friends for life. You're definitely a keeper.

Dear Christopher, You never cease to entertain our apartment. Thanks for the laughs.

Dear Audrey, I'm so happy that you get to stay in our apartment for reals! Now we can continue having conversations about things that make life awkward and family and school and work and life. Awesome.

Dear Amelia and Spencer, You guys are pretty much awesome. I like it when you hang around our apartment and have fun with us!

Dear Brad, Thanks for talking to me the other day about covenants and for going running with me this morning and for making me laugh so hard while we ran. You are such a funny guy, but an even better friend. Keep being awesome.

Dear Emily, It's official. I like living with you. Let's keep doing this, okay? Sweet!

Dear Sean and Alex, It was so fun to see you both yesterday to go and eat yummy Zuppas and to talk about life. Alex--I'm excited to have fun with you this semester. Sean--you are going to be a super awesome/amazing missionary. Thank you for being an amazing example of an amazingly faithful man. I want to marry someone as good and kind as you some day. Yea for awesome families!

Dear Any, You have no idea how happy I was when I found out that we're going to be in the same World Religions class. I have been so worried about that class, but now I'm excited! I hope you can put up with my craziness. I'll try to be mild. At least you're friends with the Pisters. That means you should already be used to crazy. That makes me feel better.

Dear Brady, I'm already missing you. I have an awesome idea. What if you just get a tent and live out in the north court? I'll even let you use my kitchen every once and a while. That way, you can still stay here and play with us all the time. I really like this idea. You in?

Dear Hannah, I loved, loved, loved going to get milkshakes and talking with you last night. You are so cool! I'm sad that you're not living in the apartment complex anymore, but I'm glad that your new place is so nice. I love you!

Dear Mom and Dad and Jessica and Abby and Kate, Thank you for always being willing to sit and talk to me on the phone. Talking to you guys on the phone is the best. We should do it more often.

Dear Kristin, The past several days you have heard me rattle off about my life and not complained about it at all. Thanks for being such an amazing coworker.

Dear School, I can't believe you start next week. Help?

Dear Heavenly Father, Thanks for loving me so, so much. I love you too.

Thoughtlits

Today I am determined to be an agent. Today I am determined to be proactive. Today I am determined to become a better person. Today I am determined to be decisive. Today I am determined to help and love and serve. Today I am determined to do good. Today I am determined to be active. Today I am determined to go to bed a better person than I was when I woke up. Today I am determined to work hard and play hard. Today I am determined to be awake. Today I am determined to uplift others. Today I am determined to use my life for good. Today is a good day. Here. I. Come.