priorities

It was the last day of school for us, as some of you in my area may already know. And can I just tell you that I am so so sooo relieved to have finished my junior year. I have no idea how I managed to survive! Or maintain my GPA, for that matter! 

Anyways, I've been puzzling a lot on what to do about my classes next year. I've been taking classes at the college and working towards an Associate's degree and an accompanying scholarship. But if I continue next year with what I've been doing, I'll also end up sacrificing a lot. I won't be able to take some of the classes at the high school that I really care about, instead I'll be taking whatever classes at the college fit into my schedule, most of which I have no desire to take anymore. I've also been incredibly busy this year and haven't had a lot of time for the things that I really want to do, including being involved much at school. So in many ways, changing my course and focusing only on high school could be a good thing. BUT I've come so far, how can I go back on earning the degree/scholarship now? 

I don't know what I'm going to choose yet! But I do know what I have to do to make my decision. You see, sometimes in life we have to figure out what is worth sacrificing and what is worth fighting for. 

What are your ultimate goals? Are the things you are doing now going to help you to achieve those goals? Or are you so caught up in things that don't matter that you've lost sight of the big picture? 

Sometimes, like in my case, we don't have the big picture. I'm not exactly sure what I desire for my future. But I know that I won't get anywhere or achieve anything in my life if I'm not focused on the right things. Sometimes we have so much going on in our lives that we ignore the important tasks and focus on unimportant ones. 

Is there anything in your life that isn't doing you good, that isn't helping you to progress toward your goals? Cut it out of your schedule!  

Learn to distinguish between the good and the bad in your life and work to prioritize only the activities that are doing you good. 

Life is forever changing! We have a lot of decisions to make! But I know that if we consider each decision and how it will affect us in the long run, we will always make the correct choice. I would invite you all to consider the activities you choose to fill your day with and ponder whether or not each of those activities is something that needs to be prioritized. 

I know that if we work to keep only the good in our lives and rid ourselves of unnecessary tasks, we will see ourselves progressing far faster than we ever would have otherwise. 

This was a hastily written post, as I've had a busy day and I'm now trying to get this so it will still post on Thursday. :) But hopefully my thoughts made a bit of sense. I will continue to consider my options and let you know what I decide! :) 

Until then, keep a good perspective and consider the things that are really worth fighting for. 

Have a lovely weekend, and yay for summer! 

Haley

P.S. You've likely noticed that I've been posting more often, but you perhaps haven't noticed my Monday-Thursday pattern. I've been trying to do a new post every Monday and Thursday, so now you know when to expect them, and I now feel a bit of an obligation so I can get myself to blog more often! I will likely be posting at night every time, but at least you now know to check in on Monday or Tuesday for a new post. Yay!
Also! don't forget about my new URL! Find me at www.whatmattersmostblog.com.

no contradiction

*make the video full-screen. it's far superior that way. just sayin'.

It is so interesting to me that people think science and religion contradict. Look, I'm no genius, but I have a pretty basic knowledge of many aspects of science - biology, chemistry, and physics especially, since I have taken all three in the last couple years. (Chemistry is boss, am I right?! Loved it.) :)
And I feel exceedingly more learned in religion than in science. But I still have a lot to learn about both!

But one thing I DO know is that religion and science explain each other beautifully, and the more I learn about one, the more faith I have in the other.
Make sense?


My physics textbook says the COOLEST thing. I came across the neatest paragraph when reading through my textbook a while ago and took a picture of it so I wouldn't forget it (this was probably back on like the second day of school, because the first week of school was pretty much the only time I actually read more than five words at a time from that textbook).

Oh, and this is a college textbook... Conceptual Physics, the Weber State custom edition. I guess that detail doesn't really change anything, but for some reason it seems cooler to me that I was reading for a college physics class I'm taking at Weber State.

Okay. Are you ready to hear the actual paragraph??

"When we study the nature of light later in this book, we will treat light first as a wave and then as a particle. To the person who knows a little bit about science, waves and particles are contradictory; light can be only one or the other, and we have to choose between them. But to the enlightened person, waves and particles complement each other and provide a deeper understanding of light. In a similar way, it is mainly people who are either uninformed or misinformed about the deeper natures of both science and religion who feel that they must choose between believing in religion and believing in science. Unless one has a shallow understanding of either or both, there is no contradiction in being religious and being scientific in one's thinking."

Wow! Right?!

The book says a lot of other cool things about how it's okay to not know the answers to everything - the author even says that "an important message in science... is that uncertainty is acceptable."
Even scientists don't claim to have all the answers.
The gospel gives me answers! But still, some things we will never know or fully understand until we leave this life.
But you know what? We know a lot now! When we keep an open mind and have faith in God and the answers He gives us - we learn for ourselves that they are true.


When sitting down to write this post, I really didn't plan on having it all about science and religion, haha.

My point is that everything we have here on earth - all the knowledge you have ever learned, every experience you go through, every little thing that was created - works together.

"Art is about cosmic beauty. Science is about cosmic order. Religion is about cosmic purpose. " 

-Paul G. Hewitt

What an incredible thing creation is!
How amazing it is that God had so many factors in mind when he made the Plan of Salvation!

Everything is the way that it is because that's how it should be!

YOU are YOU because YOU are perfect!

We each have our own thread that, in the grand scheme of things, is interwoven with everyone else's to form a beautiful tapestry that blankets the earth.

God doesn't make mistakes. Just like a machine, the world has no extra parts.


As far as learning is concerned, it is up to you to discern between truth and error.
But in the end, never forget that two true things do not and can not contradict each other.

I believe in the atom! haha! I think the human body is amazing!
I also believe in God and His timing and His creation!

God is truly the greatest scientist of us all.

A truly knowledgeable person has a well-rounded understanding of many subjects and understands that all things work together for the good of the world.

And God is in charge of it all!

What a lovely existence - to be in the hands of a God who understands so much!

overcoming

All the world is full of suffering. It is also full of overcoming.

- Helen Keller

Is life hard sometimes, or what?! Have you ever heard stories of those people who seem to just have the worst life ever? Maybe you are that person - that person who has simply come across a lot of heartache. 

Life's pretty much tough by definition. But your life story should not be one of sadness! You have such an incredible future ahead of you! 

I recently read Anthem by Ayn Rand. Basically it is one of those futuristic dystopia type books where the government controls everything and people are not allowed to think for themselves. *Spoiler alert: In the end, the main character recognizes society's flaw and runs away into the forest to live a life of his own... alone. 

Yeah. The end. 

So I was asked the question today in English, "why is this a story of hope and liberation instead of one of despair?"

Well, let me tell you. A blank slate - a future that is yours for the taking - is such a beautiful thing. Whatever is behind you, whatever you have learned, can only help you from here on out. 

You could start a brand new life tomorrow, you know! Wake up and decide "today I am going to be someone important." 

Our God is a God of second chances. He offers peace. He offers a new perspective. 

You can make your life a beautiful one of service, love, and happiness. You have a blank canvas in front of you, it is up to you what colors to paint it with. 

Be optimistic. Life comes with trials, bumps in the road. But life keeps moving forward, and if you do your best to move along with it, you will see amazing things you could never see before. 

Thomas S. Monson said that often "We are inclined to view our own personal misfortunes through the distorted prism of pessimism. We feel abandoned, heartbroken, alone.”

Having a negative attitude always makes things seem worse than they really are. When we have hope and look for bright days ahead, even the days we are living now will feel more glorious. 

I've been so so blessed with school this year. I have always been one to stress a lot about school. Even though I keep excellent grades, I've always stressed often about all the homework I have to do, all the tests to study for, etc. etc. 

I was so scared for this year because not only is it junior year in high school - in my opinion one of the hardest and most important - I am also taking 10 credits at the college a half hour away so that I can get a couple years of college in before I graduate. Anyways, over the summer I was so scared I was going to be overwhelmed and had a knot in my stomach every time I thought about all that I was trying to take on. 

Then something crazy happened. School started, and I really do have quite a lot of homework. But I am not stressed. I really don't even know how that happened. I have just gotten into a routine where every day I look at my planner, I make sure I am prepared for the next day, maybe I do some homework due in the future, and I call it a night. 

I'm not sure what changed that I have been so much more chill about schoolwork this year. I work just as hard. But I don't let myself worry so much. 

The days will pass. I could spend all day stressing about a test, but whether I spend the day stressing or not, the next day will come. The test will pass. It will all work out, and in a week I will have forgotten about being worried in the first place. 

Things are never as bad as they seem. Life is full of tender mercies and happy surprises. Be happy. Don't worry so much, and you will be more satisfied with your life. YOU can overcome. And you can help others overcome. 

I thank God for bright futures.

lately

Hey! It's been a while, no?

Hmmm... what have I been up to?

Well obviously there's still school. Ehhhrugh. (<- don't ask how to pronounce that.) School. The reason my posts have been lacking, if you were wondering.



My sister's basically a beast at gymnastics. Just sayin'. So part of my family traipsed down to Las Vegas for a meet a couple weeks ago and left behind me, my brother, and my best friend Sydney (her fam was out of town during the same time period. What are the odds?!?).

I love my family and all, don't get me wrong. But I looooove when they go to out-of-state meets. I don't ever go because of school, which is fine with me because there is nothing a teenager likes better than being left at home alone for a few days!

At Gateway :) (Zach was on a campout, not that we would have taken him anyways, haha.)

I got an iPhone. Let's just relish in the goodness of this. 

Aaaahh. Three cheers for technology. :D

Someone hit my car in the high school parking lot. Same day I got a new phone, actually. Hmmm... joy. [insert sarcasm, in case you missed it.]

It was pretty bad, too, a couple door panels need to be replaced. But it's all good because the other kid's insurance is paying for it. Even though that's sad for them... :(

I was in the car, too. Just sitting there. That was a joyful moment. 

So yep. Missing my car at the moment. I'll probably get it back Wednesdayish. 

Not. Soon. Enough.

Oh, and Happy Mother's Day!!!!

Yay for all you mothers out there for all you do!

God is good! You are enough, you have enough!

Happy Spring!!

freezing rain?

Have you ever heard of freezing rain? Neither had I. Neither had anyone, it seems.

Since 1940, there have only been 9 measurable freezing rain events (0.01 in. or greater) in the Salt Lake Area. (according to KSL)

Today? 0.08 inches by 11 am.



This was just outside Kingsbury Hall in SLC this morning.


And this was at BYU.


This morning it was raining... a lot. And the raindrops would freeze within seconds of hitting the ground. I left my house without defrost turned on in my car... (idiot)... and I had to pull over a couple blocks later because I couldn't see anything and the windshield wipers did nothing. I scraped off the windshield, which was completely iced over from the rain, turned on defrost with the wipers on full blast, and pressed onward.

I eventually made it to school. It took me a half hour to make the drive that is only 3.7 miles long (I just looked that up... look at me!).
At least we had it better than the junior high was later. It took them 50 minutes to make an even shorter drive... normally only like six minutes. And a girl over there slipped on her way to the seminary building and they had to call an ambulance. I'm not sure what came of that...


This was at my school - someone posted it on Facebook. Sorry it's really shaky at first.

They told everyone not to leave the school for lunch... The parking lots everywhere were iced over. You think you're turning right, but your car turns left. It's awful. My driveway is a solid ice block right now.

I saw a crash as I was leaving the school, too. At least I think that's what happened. One car was at a weird angle at the side of the parking lot, and the other they were trying to push out of a snow bank. It wasn't working.

Anyways. That was a long, probably boring post about ice. But still, an ice storm? weird.

Happy January! Ha.

around here...

My aunt took pictures of our family last fall...  This one's my favorite. My dad's bald head blends in with the light. I'll have to point that out to him. :)

School's halfway over! Yay! I waited in a line after school for an hour and forty minutes to get a schedule change... :( But now it's perrrrffeecccttt!!! Hooray!

I think I've gained some serious weight with all the treats and cookies we've had around lately.

And I just adore this picture.

Tata! Read my new post here.

high school happenings...

High school happenings this week...

Powderpuff game on Wednesday...

 Us attempting a fake photobomb shot... :) I should have made a creepy face.

Storm the field!

Trying to show Sydney the back of her ponytail after gym...

Homecoming game...

Real photobomb.

Why didn't Kennedie get the shirt memo?

Sewing at my grandma's house... Check out this amazing old sewing machine she has!

I would trade my arm for a lifetime supply of these.

Anyways... That's about all I took pictures of. 

I'm on a quest to document my entire high school experience by taking lots of pictures.

Haha. I just realized that it's after midnight...

I better start mentally preparing myself to go to sleep... :)

Happy Sunday!

letters

My aunt does this thing on her blog that I'm kinda going to steal for today.

Cuz it's fun.


Dear high school... I love you. I really do. You are different and you make me feel grown up. Ha. But I hate the mounds of homework I have been having. My workload has literally tripled so far all because of you. But... you're forgiven. Go Vikes!

Dear best friends... you're the real reason I love high school. I've never had a more honest, genuine, considerate, and altogether fun group of friends as you guys are. I look for you guys in the halls from the moment I enter the building until the moment I leave. You make me so happy.

Oh and a special shout out to Kennedie... goooooo Mitt Romney! Hehe. Lunch wouldn't be the same without all of our arguments on controversial topics. You should be a lawyer. And evolution's not real!

Dear December 21st... why can't you come sooner? I am ready for you. And my paper learner's permit is getting all wrinkly and covered in crayon. I need something more... oh... plastic.

Dear Covert Affairs writers... oh my heavens you are too good. Never saw it coming. I've already watched this week's episode twice.

Dear sleep... ugh. Why are you so hard to come by? My whole body aches at the end of every day because I do not get enough of you... so why do I put Drop Dead Diva and... blogging before you every night?

Dear Roland digital piano... I love you so much. And you have been good to me and taught me to love music and to work hard. I have come so far with you... but I kinda want to break up. I want a real piano. One with strings and hammers and no buttons. One that fills the house when you play it and one that doubles as a beautiful furniture piece. It's not you, it's me. (Actually no, it is you. Why are you suckers so incredibly expensive??!!)

Dear Mazda (stick shift)... my dad was right. You are more fun to drive. Once I got past the initial anger that you even existed... you weren't as hard as I thought you would be.

Dear Poison Study... I wish I could forget every single detail of your story and then I could read you again. I will be forever indebted to Sydney for introducing you to me.

Dear cool weather... COME!! PLEASE!!

Dear blog... how come I never feel like you look cute? I change your design all the time and am never satisfied. I should ask for a custom blog background for my birthday. That's a brilliant idea, actually.

And lastly, Dear Bill Nye... thank you for not being dead. I was practically grief-stricken when I heard the rumor that you had died... You taught me pretty much everything I know about science. Please don't die anytime soon.

school again... and find me on mormon.org!

I'm a sophomore. Have been for three days... actually.

I can already tell I am going to have lots of homework. I've had quite a bit in these couple nights alone, so if that is any indication of how the rest of the year is going to be... yikes!

Nevertheless...

I love high school. Already.

And I'm super excited for this year... and the couple after that.

And I'm already in the process of joining clubs. And I'm going to a football game tomorrow.

Sweet. (I've been waiting my whole life for this, you know... )

I even bought a Vikings shirt today.


Anyways. Enough about that.

I set up a mormon.org profile! Click here to see it!

They're really easy! You should make one!

Or do you have one? Let me know! I wanna see it!


Yeah. Anyways.

Have a lovely Thursday.




P.S. Do any of you watch Covert Affairs? Aaaah!!! AH!! I neeeeed the next episode! It was such a cliffhanger this week! Aah!!