Monday's Meet...

Preface: The theme of Monday's Meet came out of a silly idea to compile sort of a personality profile including 100 people I met in college. As my list grows of individuals to write about, my feelings about this whole idea have changed. It has gone from "look how different my friends are ha ha ha" to "wow, he/she really impacted my life." As cliche as it sounds, each one of them have been part of the journey to who I have become. That is so cliche that it almost makes me feel dumb to even type it, but it is undeniable. Some have been a big part of helping me let of go the past, some have laid a foundation of footsteps I want to follow in, and some have shown me exactly the person to never be again. In some way, every college age person goes through this. It really is the time that shapes us. We are shaped by each person that enters our journey and the path that they are on as well. With that said, my heart is thankful for the randomness of those I met in college!

With that said, let me journey back to where it all began!

Monday's Meet....Jazz!

My first impression of this lovely gal was a quite interesting one. We had communicated over email after finding out that we would be roommates at Campbellsville, but you still never know what exactly you are getting yourself into. As we moved in that fall day, bags and boxes started to empty and our personal touches started to be placed around the room. Now, it didn't take long for us to connect as we were both full of energy and excitement to be there. We seemed a lot a like, with similar interests and likes. Which was somewhat true. Then again, I couldn't help but to notice some of the things she was unpacking. The best example of this is the posters: first one up was multicolored butterflies, second one up was puppies, third one up was Good Charlotte, forth one up was Avril Lavine with hot pink lips. Until we got to know each other better, I was convinced my roommate had multiple personalities with her black knee high zipper boots and flowery tank tops . It turned out that she was completely normal and absolutely precious. When the word unique is used, even if not purposeful, it sometimes holds a negative connotation. Jazz gives that word the most positive meaning possible. The girl just does her own thing, and loves every minute of it. Her joy seems impossible to be true, but it is! Our hall was the hall of misfit toys, which could have been miserable since we were so different, but with Jazz it was nothing but fun! Funny experiences just followed us. That year held tough times for both of us, but her will to fight them exceeded any effort I had ever seen. Nothing would make her give up on a worthy cause. Lucky for me, she saw me as a worthy cause. This friend was one that would defend me to the death even if I was wrong. When I think about her, my heart gets heavy wishing that I would have been half of the friend she was to me. See, I got distracted by others a lot, and it caused me to neglect and take her way for granted. If going back was possible one of the few things I would do differently is to show her then how much she meant to me. We worked together on a summer mission team, and decided to take a break from being roommates the next semester. No doubt, the time apart was needed, but one semester would have been enough. While the feeling might not have been mutual I never stopped missing her as my roommate. However, her friendship taught me to never assume someone knows their importance in your life. She's a jewel with a heart of gold. But for sure we had some good times!

Tuesday's Tip...Clutter

If you are at all like me, you suffer every now and then from a cluttered living space. After time, you loose the motivation to clean it up. It can be overwhelming. You look at a pile of stuff and think, "I have no idea where to even start." Trust me, most of my messes give me this feeling. There are even shows that focus on the problems of clutter and hoarding. While my problem is no where close to that extensive, I feel that they usually approach it all wrong. Typically they say to start with three categories: keep, dontnate/sell, and throw away. Two of those categories are forcing you to part with your things right off the bat. Disclaimer: this tip is not for those unable to live a normal life due to their clutter. Those people need to be in the mind frame of getting rid of their crap! Anyway, back to the point. Automattically you are going to experience some anxiety because you are overwhelmed by the thought of getting rid of something that is rightfully yours. My theory is to start by looking at the space and asking yourself, "What do I see the most of in this space?" It could be anything: clothes, trash, magizines, books, craft supplies, holiday decorations, dishes. After figuring out what you see the most of, you attack that problem first. You pull out and organize all of that item that you see, and then step back and see your progress. Then you ask yourself the question again. Soon enough you will organize the whole space. In the meantime you may find yourself getting rid of somethings because you see how having a certian amount of that one thing creates a mess.

Monday's Meet...

Meet Teresa.

You never know how important someone may become in your life. To be honest she started out as one of those people that is always in the background of your life. Being connected more to the people around you than having a friendship of your own. Somehow without realizing it, that all changed. We became friends.

It would take an awful lot to convince me that there is anybody in the world that has met Teresa that didn't like her. We sure had some good times. Most of my stories that start, "This one time in college," not only include her, but were probably her idea. Just to name a few: rubber ducking someone's house, faking an attack in the street, making multiple costumes, driving to North Carolina overnight, actors of the week, and drive by cap gun shootings. Although it was true most of the time, it wasn't fun and games all of the time. Her example and encouragement drew me closer to God than I have ever been. As I wrestled through insecurities and doubts, she supported me by searching together for answers and hope. She lives her passion for sharing the Word with the nations. Not only is Teresa full of ideas but she is also full of the means to accomplish what she sets her mind to. You could sit and talk to her for hours about who knows what, but I assure you the conversation would never be dull. She makes you think about the superficial and important things by asking questions that nobody else would think to ask. She is naturally comfortable to be around. Teresa is accepting of anybody without judgement or assumption. Expect adventure when you are around her. She lives the life of a servant leader as she would go to great lengths to do anything for someone in need. As long as its important to her, its important to those around her. Distance comes with being her friend, but loyalty remains.