Deviate

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."  -Romans 12:2

 

In these past two years, I have come to a very crucial realization.  I don't want to fit in.  People always say that junior high and high school are so hard, because it's so difficult to fit in to the crowd.  I disagree.  To me, fitting in with the crowd would be worse than standing out.  What's so great about being just like everyone else?  

"Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible."  -Frank Zappa

Nobody ever got anywhere great by simply going with the flow; by going with the flow and following the crowd, you're going to go where the crowd goes.  No where special.  Everyone has been there.   There's really nothing spectacular about that.  To deviate from the norm, or to stand out, one does not have to wear outrageous clothes, dye their hair bright blue, talk loudly, be the class clown.  Deviation is the absence of conformity, the presence of the desires in one's heart.   Deviation is being more than average.  Average people see the world as an average place.  Choose to deviate and see the world as an amazing and beautiful place full of beautiful people, and even more beautiful opportunities.  The student who puts the average amount of work into their studies is going to get an average score.  The basketball player that puts in the average amount of average practice is going to be an average player.  Nothing too special.  If you really want to progress, you must go far beyond what is expected, and what is average.  "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got."  Put your heart into something.  If you don't love something enough to put your heart into it, find that one thing you love.  Find the thing that is worth it to you to put all your heart and desire into.  Be great! Why settle for anything less?  You are a child of God, and He did not create you to fit in with the crowd, but to stand up for what you believe.  To be what you believe in.  There are enough people in this world who go with the flow, who try not to stand out.  To reach our full potential, we must not conform, we must deviate.  Be who you were made to be, not what the world tells you to be. Be happy on a Monday, maybe even be EXCITED for a Monday.  Keep a bright faith and hope when it would be understandable if you broke down.  Smile at people.  Be okay with that zit on your forehead.  Make a new friend.  Hang out with your family on a weekend instead of going to a party.  Laugh at yourself for totally making a fool of yourself in front of that super cute guy.  Actually read the book assignment for your English class.  Take risks.  Raise your voice.  Shine bright like a diamond.  (Sorry I just had to throw that in there for Rihanna (:)  But really!  Be you.  

  Life is too short to go with the flow.  Stand out in your own way, deviate. 

                         brookelle 

 

  

 Tunes for the soul...

• Come Around - Rosi Golan
• Lovely - Sara Haze
• New Soul - Yael Naim
• Lay Me Down - The Wreckers

 

 

 

quick to love, slow to judge

Every one of us (including me) is guilty of wrongly judging someone before we take the opportunity to get to know them.  Life can get pretty rough, and nobody goes through it without getting hurt.  You all know exactly what I'm talking about.  You've had someone completely rip your heart out and stomp on it a few times.  Someone you thought you could trust turned their back on you.  You have lost a loved one, either physically or emotionally.  You've tried and miserably failed at something.  The list could go on, and all in all, it doesn't matter what has hurt you, it's the fact that it has hurt you.  Every single one of us has been hurt and had struggles.  Since all of us have had trials, why is it so hard for us to give each other a break?     Really though, I'm curious.  I'm a strong believer that there is good in everyone.  I know there is.  Deep down, naturally, we all want to help each other along the way, yet the temptation of gossip and the reminder of our own insecurities don't quite allow us to love instead of judge.  If you are already down on yourself, it is so much easier to be down on others.  The reverse of this is also true.  Being happy with yourself leads to being happy with others.  We're all trying to reach happiness in this life, so why not help each other along the way?  Helping other people is really what makes us happy anyways, so why not take advantage of the opportunity?  Every single person in this world has something to offer.  You have something to offer; to give to someone in need.  I promise that if you turn your focus and attention outward to other people, you will be truly happy.  Don't focus on what others aren't giving you, instead realize everything you have that you could be giving to others.  Even if it's just a small smile to someone you don't even know, a small act of kindness can go a long way.  Sometimes all somebody needs is a quick smile, or a random "hello" from someone they don't know.  It's not our place to put anybody else in theirs.  Instead, try to see life through someone else's perspective, and give them the benefit of the doubt.  

The road to true happiness is serving others, and while serving others, we grow to love them; and in turn, love ourselves. 
Be quick to love, and slow to judge.    

          brookelle 

Medicine for the ears..and the heart

• May Be - Yiruma (I'm currently learning this one)
• Folding Chair - Regina Spektor
• Yellow - Coldplay
• Settle Down - Kimbra   
• All That You Are - The Goo Goo Dolls 

Shades of Green

Everybody has heard the quote, "The grass is always greener on the other side."  I'm here to tell you all that it's really not.  The grass only appears to be greener, because we tend to compare our weaknesses or struggles with someone else's strengths.  
I'm convinced that no grass is greener on any side; it's just that they're all a different shade of green.  We all have weaknesses, flaws, and struggles in life; and that's what we naturally tend to focus on.  We focus on our weaknesses and compare them to other's strengths.  Most of the time, we don't know much about the people's lives that we're comparing ourselves and our own situations to.  Their strengths and our weaknesses are magnified in our own eyes.  If only we could focus on what we're good at, what we like about ourselves; not in an envious way, but in a more confident way.  It would be amazing if everyone could be comfortable and confident in their own skin.  

 

The grasses of life are just different shades of green. 

It's natural for all of us to try to hide our weaknesses to make them less obvious to everyone else than they are to ourselves.   Everybody does it.  If everyone does it, then it's pretty safe to say that the people that seem so perfect--the ones who are good at everything and have a perfect home and family life, they have tons of friends, they get good grades, they're gorgeous.. the list could go on and on--are hiding their own weaknesses just like you.  You may think the grass is greener and that they have it so much better, but they don't.  They just have it different than you, which is a different shade of green.  Some people's grass is a more yellowish green, and some are a very rich green, but all in all, it's still green and it's still grass.  We all have a life (grass), and you are the only one who can control how your life goes and grows.  Nobody else is to blame for your unhappiness in life.  Always remember that we all have different lives for a reason, and we are all given struggles; everybody-no matter who you are.  Some trials may seem worse than others, and they may very well be.  But in the end, once you have learned your life lessons, I can almost guarantee that you wouldn't want you life to be any other way. 

It's a new year, a perfect time to start fresh!  Go out and be who you want to be, the only person stopping you is yourself. 
Keep your chin up, be happy, live.  


              ..brookelle.

Good listenin's

• The Girl - City and Colour
• Little Bird - Ed Sheeran
• Wings - Macklemore
• Run - Snow Patrol     

 

The Beauty of Mondays

I've been thinking a lot about Mondays lately.  Mostly because all over Twitter and Facebook people post about completely DREADING Mondays.  It's understandable to hate Mondays, and it's so easy to because you have to go back to school or work after a nice relaxing (or not so relaxing) weekend.  Wouldn't it be so amazing if everyone looked forward to Mondays instead of dreading them?  Seriously though.  If we all looked at Mondays as a fresh start to a new week, a new beginning; the perfect time to make a new goal, have a new dream, start a new task.  Monday is the day to begin your week.  By starting your Monday off with a good attitude, you set the mood for your life that week.  Show the world that even though life is hard, you are going to have a magical monday.  

Here's a little something to boggle your brain:

If you wasted every Monday believing it to be a terrible day, you just wasted 52 days in a year.  52!  Over an average lifetime of 85 years, you will have wasted 4,420 days. Don't let yourself dread Mondays, or any day in that matter!  And obviously we're all human, and we're going to have bad days.  It's inevitable, it's life.  But always remember you are the only one who can control your happiness.  Now go out and have the most Magical Monday ever!  (:    

There is Hope

I couldn't sleep last night because I couldn't (still can't) stop worrying about people.  It's so hard for me to see others go through hard times.  All I want to do is wrap my arms around them and tell them everything is going to be ok.  I wish everyone knew that we're not alone.  Even when who you thought were your friends abandon you, when you feel that nobody cares, and that you have to face this world alone, you don't.  You're not alone.  How amazing it is that there is One that can save us all.  He is our rescuer.  Jesus Christ.  All he wants to do is help you; to wrap you in His arms and tell you everything will be ok.  That He loves you.  All you have to do is ask.  Get on your knees and ask Him to help you.  It doesn't matter what it is that you're struggling with, if you care about it, so does He.  You don't have to be the super religious church going type, He loves you no matter what.  There is nothing you have done that can stop Him from loving you.  He is the only one who really knows how you feel.  He loves you. 
As I said before, I couldn't sleep last night, so I got my journal out, put my headphones in, and just started writing.
This is what came of it..hopefully it makes sense.  


In your weakest hour
When you feel you're about to break,
Like nothing can keep you out
Of the darkness of the water.
So deep.
How it seems to engulf any trace of light.
He is there. Just look up.
He's been watching you go through
This journey of a seemingly merciless life.
Nothing could chase Him away.
Not the blackness in your heart,
Not the numbness of your soul.
Hand it all over to Him. 
Every last bit. 
He will take it and heal you.
Heal your scars that seem untouchable, unchangeable.
He comforts the weary,
Touches the untouchable. 
Dries the tears of the broken hearted
Calms the untamable inside us all. 
He feels for us, 
Because of His love so great. 
Not even the darkness of the deep seas, 
Not the overpowering blackness of the fog
That appears to capture all in its path 
Can stop the love He has for us.
A power so strong. 
A love so full that can endure all. 
So wide, yet so narrow. for all, but for one; you.
There are no boundaries, no chains.
It warms the cold heart, 
Stays faithful to the unfaithful, 
Never abandons, Always selfless. 
For all of us; 
For you. 

I seriously do believe that we can all take our troubles to the Savior, and He will help us.  Please don't give up.  People really do love you, and if you feel like you're completely alone, remember you're not.  He is only a silent prayer away. 

You're amazing.  

 Please watch. (:

     -Brookelle   

SONG THAT INSPIRED THIS POST

• Your Hand In Mine- Explosions In The Sky   

just livin the life

HOLY COW IT'S BEEN A WHILE. I've been so busy this past month that I haven't had time to keep up on my blog!  This past month I've done so many fun things.  September went by so fast it was ridiculous! 

Me and my friends got to model dresses for Alyse's Bridal!  Let's just say..I'm not meant to be a model..it was so much fun though! (:  

I had a birthday!  YEP!  The big 18.  I know what you're all thinking, I can buy dry ice now!  Woo.. ha I have some amazing friends!  Me and one of my best friends Rachel went on a hike and looked at all the leaves!  It was so beautiful!  Some of my best friends came over for cake and ice cream!  Then that weekend my BFF Jills took me out to eat!  They're such gems.  

It was also my sister, Britney's birthday this month!  She is such an amazing best friend and sister, and I look up to her so much.  She honestly is always there for me even though she lives across the country.  Love you Seester! (: 

My daddy's birthday was this month as well!  He's such an amazing man and he works so hard.  I look up to him in so many ways and I love him so much!

I went to homecoming with the coolest kid ever, Jared Kotter!  We had some super cute shoes, as you can tell!  It was one of the best dates I've ever been on!  We totes had the best dance moves there.  NBD.  

I asked a fine young gent to a dance at our school called Masquerade!  It's a Halloween dance and I'm super stoked!  

Me and this little guy got to spend a whole weekend together!... I named him Alejandro..his real name was Juan, but I decided that was too generic.  So Alejandro it is!  He wasn't too bad during the day..but during the night.. that's another story!  I totes memorized what each cry meant, so I guess you could say I became a pro.  Would I do it again?  No.  

  

As you can tell, I had a pretty good month of September!  Bring on October!  

xoxox

          brookelle

TOP SONGS

• The A Team- Birdy
• Dead Sea- The Lumineers
• Awake My Soul- Mumford & Sons
• We Come Running- Youngblood Hawke  

   

share a little happiness

So I found this picture on pinterest, and I fell in LOVE with it. 

I think it's mostly because lately, I've been thinking quite a bit.  I realized that when I'm at school and super bugged about everything, and when I have a bad attitude, it just makes me feel bad.  It only hurts me.  So I decided I should get back into the habit of just smiling at random people, and talking to people that I wouldn't normally talk to. It really helps me have a better attitude- which ultimately makes me happier.  And why wouldn't I want to be happy??  I mean seriously.  Yeah..there are times when I want to listen to a sad song and sit in my room when I've had a bad day, but really, I'm the only one who can turn my day around! 

I have found, that just smiling, for no apparent reason makes me happier!  Yeah sometimes I feel like an idiot when I smile at someone and they totally glare at me..but you never know what someone else is going through, what troubles they might be facing from day to day.  Giving people the benefit of the doubt is always the better route to go.  Like when someone totally cuts you off on the freeway, and you want to just get all mad and yell at them (even though they can't hear you) it helps to just think that maybe the guy who was driving the car had a wife who was going into labor.  Or maybe he was super late to a really important job interview.  You never really know.  So don't let it ruin your day.  

Share the love. 
Smile.
Be you.  


Love you all!  
       
            -brookelle




MY TOP SONGS RIGHT NOW

• Young Blood- Birdy
• Overdue- The Get Up Kids
• Sail- AWOLNATION
• Sidewalks (Acoustic)- Story of The Year