Happy.

Yesterday was a beautifully wonderful day. I got to spend the afternoon smiling and laughing with my Mama and my Joey.

We decided to bring my real mattress to school (I can already tell you it makes a difference, I was wrong...) and so we had to take Poppa's truck. I had planned on riding in the back but mom and Joey both said that we could all three sit up front, that set us up for an inevitable ride, either really fun or squishibly miserable! But all the way here we were laughing and smiling. We sang with the radio and danced like dorks. We teased each other and held hands... for a few hours we were nothing but simply happy.

It was such a blessing to get to spend that time with them. It's an afternoon of memories that I don't intend to forget. Sometimes in life I think we forget about the little things... we clearly remember our hurts but struggle to remember our happiness. We remember the tears but sometimes forget the laughs. I think it's sad and so it's a new goal of mine to write down my good things so that when I need a smile I can think back and bring one to mind. God gave us a great blessing with our memory and ability to write so let's use it to remember the beautiful things in life, the moments when our smiles shine.

Shine Always,

ShelbyJean

Sing

Today had a rocky start due to a fire alarm blaring at 7:50 in the morning.... my 8:00 class had been cancelled, mind you, and so it was the first day I had gotten to sleep past 7, oh well. I found it more funny than anything. But after that the day continued to improve by talking with a new friend and a truly enjoyable English class (which I don't say too often!)

And then there was choir. Choir is the time in my day where I get to do something I love, make music. As the guys are singing I just close my eyes and listen, there aren't enough words to describe the power behind their sound.

And then, it's my turn. I feel the music whelling inside me and it comes out smoothe and forceful. I'm excited and moved by the words I am sending to God. It is an intense experience, when I really allow myself to forget the world and just sing. This is gift God has given me and in it He allows me to shine.

Shine Always,

ShelbyJean

My Life

It's been a rough day. I decided that I'm gonna be open and honest on this blog so hope no one thinks I'm complaining...

So I'm in college now, right? Well I've been excited my whole life about this experience and now I'm losing sight as to why. I have a disease that causes me to hurt and while it's been like this practically my whole life I never anticipated how much worse it would be because of college life. There are moments that I feel like I can't move, sincerely. This scares me for a lot of reasons.

I hope to go to the doctor and get some help very soon. I truly want to enjoy the next 4-5 years of my life, but it's not lookin' too good at this point. I have hope though and am trying to learn better how to lean on God which I know will make a difference in at least my attitude.

I'm not sharing this for sympathy but simply because it is a huge chuck of my life right now and that's what I want to write about... my life.

ShelbyJean

Purpose.

I'm not completely positive what my goal with this blog will be but my assumption is mostly self-discovery, to allow myself to shine and by that, allow others. I believe that writing will help me understand myself and hopefully others will be encouraged or inspired by what I write.

I have never done this before and not sure how successful or faithful I will be but this is something I've always been interested in doing so I'm gonna give it a try. I don't really even know what I will want to write about but my plan is to just write anyway. Hopefully it will turn out that I have something to say.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Shine Always,

Shelby Jean