Do You Remember?

September.

 Have you ever seen a more gorgeous month? September, to me, ranks higher than summer ever can. Golden and rouge apples, the waves of colors in the trees on the mountains, the lingering breeze in the weather, the nimble crunching of leaves beneath your feet, and my birthday.

 I've always had this fixation with the number 18. Yes, it is my lucky number, and I will be turning 18 on the 18th. It is my lucky birthday year, and I am bound and determined to have a glowing positive attitude this month.

To celebrate another "General Happiness" I am going to do one or more of my favorite things daily until my birthday, and maybe even through the whole month. Sadie Williams who will be 18 on the 25th is also in with this charade and I am ever so grateful for her friendship. I promised that I am going to wear skirts/dresses every day, and eat oatmeal, herbal tea, or wheat bread and butter daily. Sound a bit extreme?

 Completely. I am being a bit conceited and celebrating myself for the next 18 days because I want to look back on what I've accomplished and achieved within the last 18 years and to see what things contributed and are contributing  to the person I am today. 

 I am a firm believer that every person has something they love, whatever it is. I had an experience a few days ago while working with an individual who couldn't think of anything that they were passionate about, or even cared about- at least that they were willing to share. The idea that the things that bring us joy, fill us with longing, or even raise up from our most difficult times doesn't matter, astounds and horrifies me. To think that what you enjoy doesn't matter? Doesn't matter?!

 I am here to say that is does matter. Every random quirky bit of ourselves has a purpose, and has a meaning that sometimes we need to step back and think about. In words of Franz Kafka,

“Don't bend; don't water it down; don't try to make it logical; don't edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly.” 

Amen Franz. Amen. 

Though this is an introduction to my journey, I hope you'll tune in to 18 of my favorite things, and get a better understanding of just how mental I am- after all I am a Herdman. 

Captain of My Soul

Lately I have been slightly obsessed with a band whose music is deep, moving, and reflective. I love The Lumineers and I'd like to share their music with you. This last week I had the opportunity to go with a dear friend (Lizzy Ungerman) to St. George as a last quick vacation to figure out what we wanted to accomplish this school year. We both had an experience while driving home that made us ever so grateful for each other and for Heavenly Father who knows what is in store for us. It's alright for us to not know. Don't be afraid of not knowing. You have a whole world out there, filled with the unknown- and isn't it a beautiful thing?

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud

 was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." 

-Anais Nin

 

 

 

 

 

Resolutions!

At the beginning of each January, handfuls of us create New Years Resolutions, only to be forgotten, cast aside on the back burner of our lives. For some of us though, we make it. And while I like to think that "resolutions" are realistic guidelines to achieve during one's whole life rather than a year, here is my compiled list. The photo of my pot of grass is indeed a resolution. So far in my 17 years I've killed all the plants in my room (sorry Father!). Last week at the library, the Monday Night Take Home Craft was a little potted plant. After helping the kids plant theirs, I did my own, in hopes that it would grow, and I wouldn't have to cringe each time I entered my room, in fear it would be dead (conditioned from experience). I am happy to announce my plant is alive and will be receiving a spunky hair cut, sticker eyes, and a poppin red bow tie! Until then, here are my belated New Years Resolutions!

 (they were made in January, this is just their first limelight) 

 

1. Daily prayer & scripture study

2. Write 3 things I am grateful for each day & why

3. Fast & pay a full tithe

4. Visit the temple at least twice a month

5. Read at least 100 books

6. Get a JOB!

7. Start on family history

8. Participate dans mon classe francais!

9. Learn basic Russian

1o. Read up on Jewish history

11. Learn vibrato (yeah about time :) )

12. Collect favorite poems/writings/quotes

13. Complete my Painting by Numbers!

14. Practice piano over summer

15. Have a plant in my room & not kill it (the photo)

16. Aid Mr. Herdman in our garden

17. Write. Write. Write.

If you'd like to share your Resolutions feel free! Happy late Monday! 

     -The Littlest Herdman

A Little Nuts...

Hello everyone!
Sorry I just swamped my blog with videos- but I think it a such a powerful resource to express music and ideas. Plus it's all good, so why wouldn't I post it? I just wanted to tell you all the good news that I am FINALLY finishing up my 319 paged journal I've had since December 2007 today! I've been trying to get it done for the past year, and I'm so excited to be finished and move on with a new one. Its important to me, because it's a fresh start for. (not to mention my new journals are ADORABLE! Thank you Amy Butler and BYU Museum of Art!) Well that's all! And I'm still looking for writing excerpts that YOU love! So far I've gotten 3 entries! My goal for this week is at least 10! Please send me ANY type of writing you've found inspirational... picturesque, humorous, tear jerking, thoughtful etc. Check the previous post "A Quest For You" and email me at:

herdyherd18@hotmail.com

or just post it as a comment. THANK YOU! Check out the 80's videos for a blast in the past!

- Kelsey