Shut Your Mouth and Listen

Have you ever glanced at someone and thought to yourself, "I wonder what their story is? I wonder how they got to where they are today?"

A couple of days ago, I was driving aimlessly around Los Angeles, waiting to pick up a friend from the airport. I got really annoyed with all of the crap playing on KISS-FM, so I just started hitting scan on my radio. I don't know what station it was, but this song came in crystal clear over the speakers, and has been stuck in my head ever since. 

Give Me Your Eyes
Brandon Heath, Jason Ingram

Everyday, we cross paths with people we don't know. Most of the time, we don't even notice them. We may glance at them, but we make sure not to make eye contact with them. But sometimes there are those people that catch your eye. There is just something about them that screams, "Look at me and ask me how I am doing today! I need someone. Anyone!" 

I believe that every once in awhile, God gives us His eyes. The people that we come into contact with day in and day out are there for a reason. They may be there to encourage us in some way, or they may be placed into our lives for us to encourage them. You tend to see a lot of different kinds of people everywhere you go these days. Sometimes, usually only for a few moments, I feel like God gives me true compassion for those people around me. Even complete strangers. I think that the longer I get to know the character of Jesus, the more compassion I personally have for others. 'Give Me Your Eyes' is saying; 'Jesus give me your eyes so that I can see people the way you see people, so I can love people the way you love people.' It is one thing to have compassion and quite another to act on it. Most times, it starts with the people around you. 

In order to fully embrace this, though, we have to take the blinders off from our eyes, and look past ourselves. When we see someone, and ask them how they are doing, we have to be genuine with our words, and quiet when they respond. People will talk if you let them. You just have to be patient enough to sit there and listen. 

As someone who has been the person screaming out for attention and love from people, I would encourage you to make eye contact with everyone you come into contact with. Honestly, you never know what someone is truly going through. People are good at masking their emotions. But if you truly look at someone and ask them how they are REALLY doing, you could be changing their life. 

And as someone who has asked the hard questions to others, and listened to stories of hurt and heartbreak, I encourage you to do the same. Ask the hard questions. Really listen to their stories. And above all, see them through God's eyes, and show them compassion. 

Catching Up!

I'm a little behind on this. Sorry! But my boyfriend took precedence to the blog time this weekend! :)

Day 10: A Song That Makes You Fall Asleep

This song is in no way boring. It's just peaceful, and in turn, I fall asleep. I literally play this song over and over at night. There is something about her voice that calms me down and puts me in a totally relaxed mood no matter what kind of day I have had. Have you guys heard of this chick? Cuz she is absolutely phenomenal! I have a major girl crush on Shelly Bort! :)

Day 11: A Song From Your Favorite Band

I LOVE Sugarland! Always have, always will. And this song is one of my absolute favorites right now!

Day 12: A Song From A Band You Hate

Ha! Here you go-

I really couldn't stand them! Sorry if you were a fan!

Alrighty...I will be better about keeping this thing updated for the 2 of you that check it! :)

Just Thinking...

"The average person tells 4 lies a day or 1460 a year; a total of 87,600 by the age of 60. And the most common lie is: I'm fine." 


Someone posted this on Twitter earlier. It caught my attention. At first I thought "No Way!" But then, when I took a closer look at myself, I thought "Crap! So true!." 


More often than not, we probably find ourselves in the situation of being asked how we are doing more than once a day. Probably even more than twice. I would bet money on the fact that, when asked this question, we don't say how we are truly feeling. That is in no way to belittle the people who say they are doing great. That is awesome. But what about the person who says they are doing "great" all the time? Are they really great, or are they avoiding conversation? 


And then there is the person who says they are "fine." Shoot...I use to say that all the time. It got to the point that the person who I was living with told me that when she asked me how I was doing, I was no longer allowed to say the "f-word." She hated the fact that I always said I was fine. But what was I supposed to do? Pour my heart out to her? Tell her every little detail of why I was "just fine?" Yea...ummm...no...


I think there is something about not wanting to be a burden or inconvenience to others. Everyone we meet is fighting a harder battle. And we don't know what it is that they are fighting unless they tell us. 


A couple of weeks ago, I was in a bad mood because the guy I really liked was leaving for school. (Little did I know that he had bigger plans that day for us). Anyways, I went to work and was kind of just a grump. My boss just seemed out of it. I thought she was sick because she had been getting her shifts covered. After my break, the break where my now boyfriend asked me to be his girlfriend, I came back ecstatic! My boss seemed happy for me, but there was something about the look in her eyes that just wasn't right. Like she was there physically, but emotionally, she was completely checked out. I know that look well. That night, I found out some heartbreaking news about what she has been going through. I felt like the biggest idiot in the world for moping around because Matt was leaving for school. Seriously...school...and hour away from me. And there she sat, with this blank stare and glazed over eyes. And when I asked her how she was, she said fine. 


Take it from me: when someone says they are fine, don't believe them. Dig deeper. Ask them how they are REALLY doing. Chances are they want to talk. They want someone to listen. Everyone wants to be heard. They are lying if they say they don't. 

Days 8 and 9 :)

Day 8: A Song That You Know ALL of the Words To:


Is pretty much any song I have ever heard, even if just once. I have a super weird brain, that has the capability of hearing something once, and having it completely memorized. Seriously.

But this here, is a song I know every stinkin word to. And a song that I really rather enjoy. And I am obsessed with it. It is always on repeat whenever I am in the car.

Day 9: A Song That You Can Dance To:

Yep! ;)

Day 7 of 30 Day Song Challenge

Day 7: A Song That Reminds You of a Certain Event


This song has a deep meaning behind it. After the oil spill last year, many people got involved with different charities in order to fight against BP. Two of those people were One Tree Hill actors Austin Nichols and Sophia Bush. They were a big part in the production of a compilation CD named "Gasoline Rainbows." This song, sung by Amy Kuney, is on the CD. I cannot listen to this song and not think about the oil spill in the Gulf. It's a beautiful song, with great vocals and lyrics.

*Sorry about the lame video!!! It's the best I could find.

30 Day Song Challenge (Days 1-6)

So...I'm super lame and I have a Twitter and I follow people who are way too cool to be my friends. One of those oh too cool people is Brooke White. You may remember her from American Idol. Or maybe you have seen the movie Change Of Plans? Anyways...she rocks! And she has an amazing blog, which you should check out. 


Brooke is doing a 30 day song challenge. And I am joining in! It's day 6. I have been tweeting a couple of them, but I'm using this post as a catch up post. After tonight, I will post every day. Or at least attempt to do so...


Day 1: Your Favorite Song
I seriously thought long and hard about it. I don't know if I am able to pick just one song as my favorite. I have a favorite song for right now, though. So I will put that in this space. A song that I have on repeat in my car all the time is "Makin' Plans" by Miranda Lambert. I'm not sure what it is exactly about this song that gets to me. But it gets to me! 


Unfortunately, I can't find a good video link to put in here for you to take a listen. So here are the lyrics:


If I ever left this town 
I'd never settle down 
I'd just be wanderin' around 
If I ever left this town 

If I wasn't by your side 
I'd never be satisfied 
Nothin' would feel just right 
If I wasn't by your side 

'Cause I'm not easy to understand 
But you know me like the back of your hand 
I'm your girl and you're my man 
And we're makin' plans.... 

We can go on and on 
Won't ever feel too long 
I'll always call you home 
And we'll go on and on 

'Cause I know you like the back of my hand 
Got a heart of gold and a piece of land 
I'm your girl and you're my man 
And we're makin' plans....


Day 2: Least Favorite Song


I can't listen to this song anymore. A lot of people say it's their least favorite because it is just old and lame, but I can't stand it because it was played at a funeral when I was in 5th grade. 

Day 3: Song That Makes You Happy


So many songs make me happy. This song just puts me in a good mood every time I hear it! 

Day 4: A Song That Makes You Sad


Seeing as how pretty much none of you know me, you wouldn't know that I am a huge crybaby. I think songs are sad more often than I do happy. I listen to the lyrics in such an intense way. I try to find a deeper meaning to them. Lyrics are a very powerful tool. They can reach some of the most "unreachable" people. If you pay attention, you might find that the person writing the song is trying to tell a story; their story, of hurt and of pain. Lyrics are a way of expressing what is going on inside of you without just coming out and saying it. This song, written by Bethany Joy Galeotti, is a song that makes me tear up, every single time I hear it. It's powerful. It's truthful. It's real. 

Day 5: A Song That Reminds You of Someone


I have worked with Jr. High groups over the past several years. There was one girl, in particular, who grabbed my attention so fast. This girl was amazing. She was bright, funny, smart, popular. Pretty much everything a teenage girl wishes to be. But then, I got to know her. I mean, really know her. Have you ever been able to just sit down and be open and honest with someone? She told me everything about her life. I sat there with tears rolling down my face staring at this beautiful young girl who was broken. She was falling apart. And that broke my heart. While we were sitting there, this song came on, and was playing quietly in the background. Every time I hear it now, I think about her. I don't talk to her anymore. I wish I did. 

Day 6: A Song That Reminds You of Somewhere


This song reminds me of the first night me and my boyfriend ever hung out! We met up last summer to get frozen yogurt. While sitting outside, the most random song came on. Neither of us had ever heard it. Now it's popular as heck. But it's our song. :) 

What Guys do to Girls...

I hung out with a good friend of mine today. We always do our math homework together on Monday afternoons, and then we go on a run. In the middle of the run today, she stopped me and said she had to get something off of her chest. I knew it had to be boy drama, and I love listening to her stories, so we stopped running and I listened. What I heard though, was a story of heartbreak. I won't name names, and I won't share details of what she shared, but it got me thinking. A lot! And I had mentioned on Twitter that I had a desire to start writing on this blog, and this just seemed like the perfect thing to start with.

Guys have a way of messing girls up. I don't know what it is about them. I wonder how guys feel after a one night stand. A girl gives all she has to a guy, in hopes that there is more going on than just the alcohol that is running through her. She dreams up these dreams of what could be with this guy. She thinks it could go somewhere. He, on the other hand, doesn't respond to a text, phone call, or email. It's been over a week. And now, the girl feels like she gave too much. She questions whether or not she is good enough, skinny enough, pretty enough. Did she do something wrong? Did she say something wrong? Did she just imagine the feelings she thought they both mutually had about each other? She starts to feel bad about herself. She starts to feel somewhat ashamed.

I feel like a big part of the problem is the way we are brought up in this society. Everywhere we look, every TV show we watch, teenagers are taking off there clothes and having one night stands like it's no big deal. But I feel like it's a lot deeper than that. And it's something we don't really get to see. You hear stories from those friend's of yours who are older and who have had these experiences. A lot of them play it off like it's this fantastical thing that everyone should experience. But I highly doubt they are being truthful.

This seems to be such a trend lately in a lot of my friend's lives. And I honestly don't know what to do or say to them. I feel stuck.

Luckily, I came across another blog post that totally spoke to woman everywhere. This guy is an amazing man. And he seems to have a pretty awesome heart. Not many guys would have the courage to post this on the internet. I don't know him, but I sure am proud of him!

It's kind of lengthy, but take the time to read it. I promise, you will not be disappointed!

www.danoah.com/2010/10/worthless-women-and-men-who-make-them.html