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Friday, May 9, 2008

Humble... Pie.

So my friend Janae does this cool thing on her blog. She states things what she is grateful for for that day on her blog. This really is an interesting idea, so I thought that I would copy her and do the same here. 


I have had a lot of stuff happen over the last 6 months. Some good, some bad. Let me enlighten you. For a while there I was in a really bad place, mentally and spiritually. I became bitter and angry at the slightest thing and have hurt a lot of people, including my family. I apologize. I was stuck in a bad place and things were toppling on top of each stress, that I felt that I was drowning. I couldn't figure out how to break free. I know that life tends to give you trials and about six months ago, it seemed a lifetime's worth was placed on my shoulders. Now, I am not giving myself an excuse but when life hands you lemons, sometimes you forget to make lemonade. That was the case for me. I decided to taste the bitterness and live with it. 

All growing up, I had heard that life is supposed to be fun in college. I haven't felt that way since I have started. This last year has been difficult, religiously, emotionally, socially and scholastically. As some of you know, when I started school I decided that I wanted to get straight A's. This isn't as easy as some think when you work 30+ hours and never sleep. Since fall all I have felt that this decision has done for me is give me wrinkles, migraines, grey hair, and an ulcer. 

I haven't met a great many people that I could feel a true kinship to. I don't have really a social life because of my schedules. Last fall, I decided to take courses everyday of the week and close every night. This wasn't easy because we didn't get home until after midnight and then I was wired for hours afterward. Life wasn't good. I became an insomniac and an angry, bitter woman. Every little thing (whether it was politics or roommates) added to the stress of school and lack of sleep. I took it out on my family/friends and felt that everyone was against me. I went on a downhill trail. 

This semester I organized my time better (I thought) but still had issues. I was and still am in debt, was stressed about classes and how I was going to be able to pay my bills. I sacrificed my time to making money and doing homework, that I forgot about the other needs that make me who I am. I need human contact/fun time. I need a religious input in my life. I need family support. I have that, but I wasn't being supportive to them. I need to be that to be me. I lost my loyalty to all of the above, and this screwed up my psyche.

I know that I am not one the most intelligent people or am as spiritual as I used to be. I need to be more involved in church. I need to call my family more. I need to be a better friend. 

Over the last 3 months things started to look up, gradually. I met new people that didn't make me compelled to swear, I got accepted to an awesome program that will help pay for college, and miracles of miracles, I got a call from my old employer in Jersey. She was hoping that I would be able to come out and help the family for about 2 months. 

These were all blessings that God decided to give me. I was seriously stressed about my debt and believed that I would have to get another job to pay off the debt that I had accumulated over the year. This would have been extremely hard because I would have worked 40 hours both places and still not pay it all. When she called, I realized that if I went out there, I would have 2/3 of the debt paid in only 2 months. This was amazing. 

I am truly watched out for even when I don't deserve it. My life is not perfect, nor will it ever be. I know that I have faults, one being that I am extremely sarcastic and when something bothers me... I let loose on people or things that aren't even relevant. This isn't the best attribute to have. I need to be more kind and loving towards those that deserve it. Especially my family. I hope to be better. 

As Janae puts it: 

Things I am grateful for today.
1.) Family... They love you regardless and forgive easily and expeditiously. They are also always there to put you straight and watch out for your best interests. I couldn't ask for better people to have in my corner than them.

2. My heaven-sent talent/ability to have good relationships with my old bosses... This speaks for itself. If I wasn't blessed with this ability I wouldn't be in the awesome situation I am in now. 

3. My life. I am grateful for the trials and struggles I go through because it make me humble and a better person. Therefore, I become a more loving, loyal and kinder friend, daughter, sister, and human being.

5 comments:

Janae said...

Amber, this was such an amazing and inspiring blog. Thank you so much for putting yourself out there like this. I could tell you have been struggling a lot.

It is so true, Heavenly Father is constantly looking out for us, even when we don't deserve it. How amazing it is!

Anyway, thanks again for sharing, you put tears in my eyes.

Loves! I will miss you at work when you're gone :(

Shannon said...

Amber, wow. Can you believe that I don't have anything to say except wow? :)

I sure love you. College is hard- it was for me too. It seems that some of the hardest lessons of my life were learned between the ages of 20-26. Hang in there. xoxo

~ Laura said...

Amber, you're an amazing woman. You really inspired me both in our conversation the other day and in this blog (aren't you impressed that I actually read it?? :D). I look up to the way you're overcoming such difficult times in your life, and I really respect you as an older sister and a best friend.

Thank you for being so humble and loving and for being an example for me that even through really difficult times there's a light at the end of the tunnel.

Know that I'm always here to talk, and I love it!

I love you. -Laura

Nicole said...

I'm glad :) Life happens and if we've learned then Yay! I'm in the process of the learning part now...we'll talk soon...we have lots to talk about...I'm glad you are being so blessed! Life certainly isn't boring huh?
Love you!
-Cole

just dandee said...

Amber! This is Deanne. (your cousin Dan's wife) I am happy to have found your blog. I am sorry you are going through a rough spot in life. College is not an easy time. It was hard for me too. Hang in there. Hope to see you again soon. But until then, please visit us on our blog sometime.