New Year, New Me? series: Forgiveness

Forgiveness. It is a beautiful thing.

If you don't already know, it can be a wonderful thing when given to the right person. At times, although it may be difficult, you can forgive someone. I know that this can be an issue for some people, but trust me. Forgiveness is not for the other person, it is for you. Do you know how exhausting it is to carry around that dislike/hate for a person? It is a lot of work. Do not let another person control you like that. Forgive, but you do not have to forget. Just do not put energy into the hate anymore. Let me alert you to a wonderful story that explains:

A young lady confidently walked around the room with a raised glass of water while leading and explaining stress management to an audience. Everyone just knew she was going to ask the oft repeated question, ‘half empty or half full?’ But she fooled them all…

“How heavy is this glass of water?” she inquired with a smile.

Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.

She replied, “The absolute weight doesn’t matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, that’s not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I’ll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you’ll have to call an ambulance. In each case it’s the same weight,but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.” She continued, “and that’s the way it is with stress. If we carry our burdens all the time sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won’t be able to carry on.”

“As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we’re refreshed, we can carry on with the burden – holding stress longer and better each time practiced. So, as early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don’t carry them through the evening and into the night… pick them up tomorrow. Whatever burdens you’re carrying now, let them down for a moment. Relax, pick them up later after you’ve rested. Life is short.”

- http://www.thecrosshairstrader.com/2011/05/a-glass-of-water/


Love,
Kjerstin L.

New Year, New Me?

No thanks. I do not believe in New Years Resolutions or this whole "New Year, New Me" crap.

I believe that people change periodically, and if you really want to change something about yourself then do it. Do not make a damn list on the first of all the things you are going to "change." If you want to set goals for yourself, go for it, but do not make some list that you are just going to throw away the moment someone is not looking. Instead, slowly make changes for the good. If you want to eat healthier, quit smoking cigarettes, or quit drinking caffeine/alcohol, start by cutting back and transition from there. I am telling you that the chances of you feeling ill will increase significantly if you quit cold turkey or altogether on a whim.  This will most likely increase your chances of starting up again.

If you want a New Years Resolution because well, you have always done it. How about this be your resolution instead:

Or you can always resolve to:

Just, love one another

Love,
Kjerstin L.

I am Afraid

Honestly, I have been using the words "afraid" and "fear" way too much lately.  I know that if I truly love someone and they truly love me, there is no such thing as fear, because we will create a security around us.  We will not fear for love will overcome.

Love,

Kjerstin L.

Someone's Something

Do you ever feel like you are under appreciated...that nobody could care less about what you are thinking or feeling?  Not saying that this is a consistent thing that is going on, but there is a certain person in my life who is making me feel this way.  They most likely won't read this because well they do not pay attention to anything I post, so I figured that this would be a good way to vent about it.

I feel as if I am the only one who actually cares about anything.  I feel as if you could care less about what happens in the future and where we are headed.  You are not putting in any effort to see me or talk to me, so why should I put in any?  I continually try to put an effort in... Yet you have not done one thing to make me feel like any of my work is worth it.  Why should I care if you do not? Why should I put in a bunch of work when you are not?  Why should I feel any guilt over anything when it has been you this entire time not trying?

I want to be someone's something.  I want to feel loved and appreciated.  I want to feel as if I am worth it, because I am.  I want this feeling to resonate in my actions as well as the actions of others around me.  I will not waste my time on someone who does not care for me or want me to be happy.

This image definitely resonates with my feelings:

"Love is always full time,
Never part time,
Never sometimes,
And certainly not just on your time."

Love,
Kjerstin L.

Ezekiel

Ezekiel drinking a delicious, chocolate milkshake

Oh man!  Time has just flown by way too fast.  Zeke is already going to be two in May!  He is the best thing that has ever happened to me.  Amber and I were just talking last night, and we do not know where we would be without my little Zekey.  The crazy part is that my life would be totally different; completely and utterly different.  This thought makes me very sad, because I probably would not be happy without Zeke.  He put a flame in me to become a better person, have a better life, and do better, because I want the best for him.  I want to be great for him and do the best I can with my life to better his.  I have a push to do the things that I was scared to do.  For instance, I took a year off of college and honestly I don't know if I would have gone back.

In 2012, I had no idea what I wanted to do or where I wanted to go in life.  In 2013, my son was born and I had to get my butt moving in the right direction.  I quit my job at Arby's and did taxes until April, Zeke was born, and then I started school in the fall.  I worked, saved money, got donations from family members and friends, and supplied Zeke with what I could.  He is a healthy, bouncing toddler now.  All thanks to those that were willing to help me along this road.

I want to say a huge thanks to all of my family, including but not limited to: MELISSA JOVAAG (my mom), JEFFREY JOVAAG (my dad), CHRISTINE SULLIVAN (my aunt), JENNIFER MECHTEL (my aunt), PHYLLIS HANSON (my maternal grandma), and LINDA JOVAAG (my paternal grandma).  Each of you have helped me by giving me items for Zeke (or finding ways for me to get these items) and/or watching Zeke so I can go to school or work (or so that I could have a little fun).  I would also like to thank the friends that have been there during this crazy ride: AMBER DALY (my best friend) and JESS SPENCER (my best friend).

If I tried to list all the people that I am thankful for, this blog post would never end.  It would literally take over this entire blog.  To anyone I missed, or feel like they should have been listed, keep in mind that this list is not a way of calling out anyone because they were not there.  I understand that relationships fade in and out.  People could be there one day and be busy the next.  That is perfectly okay with me.

I love all of you and am thankful for every single thing that anyone has ever done for Zeke and me!

"My number one goal is to love, support and be there for my son."

Love,

Kjerstin L.