And the World Spins Madly On

It is hard to express even in simple language how grateful and in awe I am in. I am at that point where I am perhaps a bit more sensitive to those who've lifted my spirit and who made me feel happy about who I am and where I am going. 

 Here is a revamp of yet another General Happiness with a list of people who I am thankful for.

1. My Heavenly Father, who shows me everyday what He wants me to become and encourages me to trust in Him for He has better things in store for me than I could ever imagine for myself. I am grateful for His patience with a wandering soul like mine, and for the great many lessons and opportunities He's given me to prepare myself to be an instrument in the lives of others.

2. My Savior Jesus Christ, who comforts me when I feel weary and downtrodden. He shows me how I can love those around me and helps me strive to serve those around me. I may not be able to fathom His sacrifice fully in this life, but I know that He lives, and loves and knows each of us personally. What a blessing it is to wake up every morning knowing that we have a Savior! 

3. The Holy Ghost, who cheers up my heart and stirs my soul into remembering why I am here. I am grateful for the promptings I get and the courage it gives me to share my love for being here on this earth. I am grateful for the promptings to do what I know is right.

4. My family, is a group of people who I adore. Though we are a bit crazy, I wouldn't change my family for the world. I love my parents, and I am grateful that the trust and support me. I am grateful for my family in Texas who make me feel like I am an older sister, and I miss them very very much. I am grateful for my brother Craig and for his influence on helping me prepare for BYU and to study Russian. I love him and his family so much.  I am grateful for my brother Jason, and for his counsel he's given me over the past year. He's the biggest hoot and is the first to cheer me up and to make me laugh until my cheeks feel like rubber. I am grateful for Brooke and Steve and for how much they put up with me. Brooke, THANK YOU for teaching me how to drive and I am glad that we are still alive. I am grateful for your support and for influencing me so much in my life. I hope you are happy in Ohio and know that I love you and Steve very much. I am grateful for my sister Brittany and for the many times I've had laughing and talking with. I basically have the best sisters in the whole wide world.... basically. I have a fairly amazing extended family too, I love my grandparents and all of my aunts, uncles, and cousins. They couldn't get any cooler. :)

5. My friends! I debated writing a note to each of you who have enriched my life so much- but I think I'll do that on a more private personal level. To my close friends, acquaintances, leaders, teachers, and peers: I love you and I honestly don't know where I would be without you and each of your influences and compassion you've shown this eccentric little girl who laughs and cries too much. I am grateful to those of you who've challenged me to put my best self forward, and I'm grateful to those who've made me laugh in the faces of my trials. I am grateful to those of you who invited me to be myself and who make me able to my semi awkward self. I am grateful for all the belly aches I've received from laughing and for the many lessons of forgiveness, love, service, trials, sadness, optimism, and patience. Thank you all, I love you!

I have many more things to share with you all, and I am sure you guess at least one thing that I'm excited to announce. But for now, here are some songs and quotes!

"Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." 

-Marcel Proust

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."

-Anais Nin

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

 

 

 

 

 

This Corn is Like an Angel...

Update: A while back I posted about Emily Brown, who I absolutely adored. Turns out I also adore this lovely lady.  I first heard her song "Dream it Up" and I was sold. Her music was something that if I didn't tell the world how great her music was, I knew that the music goblins would kidnap me and stick me in their labyrinth- something that I hope to avoid...

For an update on life, I am sad very, very, very, very, very forlorn, doleful, morose, disconsolate, languished, and sorrowful that our California trip got cancelled. If anyone who reads this has a dependable car that is cheap on gas and can play an iPod, we will auction off bids this instant. The next best thing that we can do this weekend is to go down to St. George which isn't exactly the "watch-the-sunrise-on-the-horizon" experience that I was hoping for, but it will be a great experience knowing that I am enjoying the time with friends before life catches up with us and blows us to other places. In words of Dan from Dan in Real Life "Life... is full of disappoints." but I also learned this, "plan to be surprised." 

Banjos, Pots, and Keys

You read right. Banjos. Pots. Keys. Lately those words keep popping up in my daily adventures as the Littlest Herdman. Starting with the banjo explanation, my awesome friend Beno Seely (yes, also in my El Cheapo post) took me to see Ryan Shupe & the Rubberband at Timpview High School for the soccer benefit concert, along with other friends. I've only ever been familiar with their Christmas music, "Dream Big", and "Banjo Boy" (thanks to Andrew Tate). It turned out to be quite the fest, and I don't think any of us were prepared for all the "hooting and hollering" that went down. I've always loved bluegrass music, and I think it all started when I went to Fillmore, Utah for 2 weeks to visit my Grandma Herdman- which by the way was her 87th birthday yesterday! My Grandma took my to a "Hoedown" at one of the old barns when I was in 4th grade. We made banana cream pie together and she fixed my hair in long loose braids. I remember sitting there on bails of hay listening the music and watching older couples square dance. Since then, I've always had a place in my heart for the country. Anyway- I am so glad that I was able to go the concert! I can't wait to hear them again. Here is one of my favorite songs from them:

here

Pots. BYU's Museum of Art currently has the exhibit of Islamic art called  "Beauty and Belief". I went by myself first before one of my viola lessons. When I walked into the entrance, my mouth dropped 4 feet and I got slightly giddish. I have this strange passion for Islamic culture, along with Persian, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires. I give credit to Disney's Aladdin for instilling a love of the Middle East in me. The exhibit hosts 250 artifacts from the region, displaying the diversity and creativity of Islamic culture. One thing I found fascinating was that they had plates, bowls, and sketches of animals and people. I have always thought that Islamic law outlawed those "idol" figures. Turns out I was wrong, and I wish I could remember why. (another good reason why I should walk through the exhibit again!) Here are some photos of some artifacts:

Calligraphic Scroll
Ink, watercolor and gold on paper
Syria or India, 14th – 15th century

Falnama Manuscript Painting of the
Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus
Gouache on cloth
India or the Ottoman Empire,
c.1600

Qur’an Manuscript, Volume16
Ink and color on burnished cream paper with
brown morocco binding
China,
18th century

Tile Mosaic Fragment (Alicatado)
Tin glazed earthenware
Spain (Granada),
1330-1400

Parokhet (Torah Curtain)
Wool
Egypt (Cairo), early 17th century,
Ottoman

Griffin
Cast bronze with engraved decoration
Spain (possibly Cordoba),
11th century

If you get the chance, come check out the whole exhibit. It was amazing to see a glimpse of their diverse culture and religions. The photo of the Torah Curtain is one of my favorites, since it is a symbol of Jewish and Islamic faith. Through history we that both religions were able to find unity with each other, and that gives at least me the hope that one day the past with filter into the present. The conflict between them today, is something I will hopefully study more fully once summer comes around. But until then, I can busy myself with their art!

About 2 weeks ago I had an experience with my set of keys that taught me how to be be diligent and patient with my circumstances and myself. I was parking my mother's car in front of our house, when my key got jammed in her ignition. Frantically trying to twist and pull it out, the key continued to steady itself in its locked position, mocking me. After fiddling with the break I rested my head on the steering wheel in defeat. The thought then came to me, "sometimes you need to go backward before you can move forward." I lifted my head and looked directly at the shifting gear and put the car in reverse. The car shot backward a few inches before I put it back in "park." I tapped the key once more, and it popped right out, without much force. Exclaiming my gratitude, I learned that sometimes in life, my natural instinct is to hurry past difficult challenges and trials Heavenly Father has placed before me. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, the 2nd Counselor of the First Presidency, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints quotes: 

 `"What do you suppose pilots do when they encounter turbulence? A student pilot may think that increasing speed is a good strategy because it will get them through the turbulence faster. But that may be the wrong thing to do. Professional pilots understand that there is an optimum turbulence penetration speed that will minimize the negative effects of turbulence. And most of the time that would mean to reduce your speed. The same principle applies also to speed bumps on a road....
When stress levels rise, when distress appears, when tragedy strikes, too often we attempt to keep up the same frantic pace or even accelerate, thinking somehow that the more rushed our pace, the better off we will be.

One of the characteristics of modern life seems to be that we are moving at an ever-increasing rate, regardless of turbulence or obstacles.

Let’s be honest; it’s rather easy to be busy. We all can think up a list of tasks that will overwhelm our schedules. Some might even think that their self-worth depends on the length of their to-do list. They flood the open spaces in their time with lists of meetings and minutia—even during times of stress and fatigue. Because they unnecessarily complicate their lives, they often feel increased frustration, diminished joy, and too little sense of meaning in their lives."

(taken from this talk)

I love this quote so much! When we take the time to discover what we can learn in our times of trial and despair, we will be able to find the essential truths that will keep us hopeful, comforted, and optimistic about the future. This year I've had to put a lot of the things I enjoy on the back burner as I've tried to work hard in school and build relationships with family and friends. At times, I find it easier to indulge myself with the things that entertain me, than the things that matter. I've realized that it doesn't matter how much stuff we can cram in day- it matters on what we take time to focus on. 

Hope this entry hasn't bored you to sleep! Happy Sunday everyone!

-The Littlest Herdman

Looking for the Good

"Whenever humanity seems condemned to heaviness, I think I should fly like Perseus into a different space. I don’t mean escaping into dreams or the irrational. I mean that I have to change my approach, look at the world from a different perspective, with a different logic and with fresh methods of cognition and verification. (Terence sent me this quote the other day. A good battle cry, I believe... and one I wholeheartedly respect.)"
— Italo Calvino

Hello Readers! Day Two of our Inspirational Gala is here! Today's focus is on looking for the good, whether it be in each other, in ourselves, in our talents, in our trials and in our futures.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, the Second Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus of Latter-day Saints shared this talk:

https://lds.org/ensign/2011/03/looking-for-the-good?lang=spa&clang=eng

that has given me something to be inspired about.

"Have you ever noticed that people can usually find whatever they are looking for? Look hard enough, and you can discover both good and bad in almost anyone and anything...There is no end to the creativity, ingenuity, and tenacity of those who look for reasons to criticize. They cannot seem to release their grip on grudges. They gossip and find fault with others. They nurse wounds for decades, taking every opportunity to tear down and demean others...

President George Q. Cannon (1827–1901) knew President Brigham Young (1801–77) well, working closely with him for many years, both as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and as his counselor in the First Presidency. After the death of President Young, President Cannon wrote in his journal: “I never criticized or found fault with [Brigham Young’s] conduct, his counsel or his teachings at any time in my heart, much less in my words or actions. This is a pleasure to me now. The thought that ever was with me was: If I criticize or find fault with, or judge Brother Brigham, how far shall I go; if I commence, where shall I stop? I dared not to trust myself in such a course. I knew that apostasy frequently resulted from the indulgence of the spirit of criticizing and faultfinding. Others, of greater strength, wisdom and experience than myself, might do many things and escape evil consequences which I dare not do.” ¹

President Cannon’s powerful counsel is something we members of the Church should consider with great care. The word of God admonishes the followers of Christ to be “pure, … peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” For those who make peace, “the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace” (James 3:17, 18).

We have a choice. We can seek for the bad in others. Or we can make peace and work to extend to others the understanding, fairness, and forgiveness we so desperately desire for ourselves. It is our choice; for whatever we seek, that we will certainly find."

I believe that as we strive to seek good things in others, our self worth and respect for others will increase, and will come to make our days brighter, lighter and kinder.

For the Daily Challenge, I dare you, (oh, yes I dare) to find the good around you. To start, look at these photos that portray people and events and see if you can see the "goodness".

(photos courtesy of nationalgeographic.org and campaignforfamilies.org)

Foreign Readers!

To ALL of my foreign readers! YOU can send me your favorite writing as well! Merci beaucoup! Grazi! (I hope that's italian) talk! Gracias! Com-sasi-masu ? THANKS!

- The Littlest Herdman

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Thank you for reading and for your support! I'm so grateful for everyone in my life who has helped me become who I am now, who has loved, encouraged, strengthened, aided, uplifted, laughed with me, and who's always been there with a hug and a smile. I'm grateful for my family and that they have never thrown me out of the house, although they might have wanted too.... and or my country and the rights and freedoms men and women have preserved. THANK YOU! Now let's eat!

Rats.

Lately, I've been trying to finish reading Peace Like a River, by Leif Enger: which I highly recommend. But instead of getting into the whole book, I'll just share my favorite passage that I found reading today. It explains my feelings over the past week and how sometimes the truth really does hurt.

"Dad asked, "You remember what the Lord said about enemies?"
In fact I did remember some passages about enemies. Once, sick of whinners, the Lord caused the earth to crack open like an old bun and a crowd of them fell right in. And how about that prophet Elijah, slaughtering four hundred priests of Baal in one afternoon? Then there were the twisted fellows of Sodom and Gomorrah, and the time before that when God killed pretty much everyone in the world except Noah's family. The Old Testament, boy, it suited me.
"Love your enemies," Dad said. "Pray for those who persecute you."
He would pick those verses.
"Rats, huh?" he said."

Well I just sat and laughed about how true that it and how Heavenly Father is trying to tell me that too. Except that my enemies aren't human. They are complaining, sarcasm, insults, gruffing, pity, idleness and the core of it all: not being grateful. What a great lesson to realize just hours away from Thanksgiving. I really do have a lot to be thankful for, its just hard not to add up your troubles and trials before you count off your blessings.
Dear sweet Marjorie Hinckley wrote:

"We are His children. And if we ever got that through our heads thoroughly, understood that completely, we would never do a small thing, we would never say a cross word, we would not use bad language, we would not criticize anybody, we would love everyone the way the Savior loves us."

I read that, and my heart drooped. Who was I to condemn anothers actions, when I looked not at my own? Who was I to complain? Who was I to be upset?
Well being frustrated at myself is something I'm an expert at. Then I woke up this morning and read this quote by President Gordon B. Hinckley. I sure miss him.

"My plea is that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully in the sunlight. I am suggesting that as we go through life, we "accentuate the positive". I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment and endorse virtue and effort."

What a slap in the face I got! I understand that this doesn't mean that I have to be perfect everyday in words and actions, but that I should and I need to be trying harder to do so.
What a lesson to be learned.

Just A Little Bit.

Perhaps with the lack of sleep Friday morning (I saw HP 7...) with a little bit of Henry David Thoreau and Ralph W. Emerson, lately you could say that I've been an emotional wreck. One second life is bliss and the next I'm crying because of a dead elf, or I'm crying because of the pressure that will await in the future and wallowing that I'm a lazy lass who really needs to clean her room. *Note: that it is 11:01 and I've been procrastinating my laundry that REALLY needs to be washed by tomorrow and how I'm lounging in my bed that currently is toppled with clean clothes, a viola, HP 7, unblowed-up balloons, ribbon, and my french packet.

I don't however want to vent about my current issues, but my current understandings.
I don't think I'll be able to relate everything though at this time, but I might as well start by telling you a tad about myself. I'll give you a sample of 5 facts underneath me, starting with a BIG fact to the little quirks

1. Well first things first, and the first thing you should know is that I love mainly everything. Its hard for me not to like something, unless you're yellow corn, breaded shrimp, Navajo tacos from school cafeterias or books about vampires. I'm not only talking about food, but people as well. I'm just so grateful that I've gotten the chance to have met you, or in this case be your friend. I believe that we all as human beings have the heart, mind, strength and spirit to help and encourage one another. No one is too small or too busy to give a helping hand and that is, by being a friend.

2. One secret about me, is that I secretly wish to be in a play and from there Broadway. I absolutely love plays and musicals, and I love singing. I have not had the opportunity or the guts to try out for a play or to take a choir class. I'm not a very good singer or dancer and I have no idea about acting. But when I see plays or musicals I just get the thrill of the performances. It just looks fun. Perhaps one day....

3. Yes. I love tucking my pants inside my socks. Its cozy and keeps the draft away. If Cameron Diaz can do it in The Holiday, and if Ash from Fantastic Mr. Fox can. Then I can to. (I'll post pictures.)

4. I think my new favorite color might be red. This is new because for ages it was always various shades of blues. But now, I think red just might be it. I think it compliments things nicely and I love how it brightens and pops just a bit of spice into life.

5. I might as well give you a history of things I have wanted to be when I was younger.
- an artist (4-8 yrs. old)
- a singer (yes, Brittney Spears was once my role model- 4-8 yrs. old)
- an ick-thi-ologist (no idea what it was, or how its spelled, but it works with marine life 8-10 years old)
- a teacher (7-13 yrs old)
- a librarian (8- present)
- an astronaut (7-11 yrs old)
- a firework builder (7?)
- a food tester (9 yrs. old)
- a chief (11-14 yrs. old)
- a clothing/fashion designer (9-11 yrs old)
- a soldier (8 yrs old. I had an obsession with camo in 2nd grade. Hey, it was cool)

Currently I want to be a photojournalist/humanitarian/anthroplogist/ working with refugees and international developments while being a mom and a librarian, married to a German violin/viola/cello maker who plays the cello who is a part time doctor (can come with me on humanitarian trips) who loves reading and has a heart like Gilbert Blythe. It wouldn't be bad if he could also play the piano since I cannot and if he could sew or knit. Oh and also be a Mormon who has a good testimony and wants to get married in the Draper Temple, the Nauvoo Temple or the Rome Temple. Give him my condolences. :)

And to top it all off here is my current favorite quote of the week:

"A truly good book teaches me better than to read it. I must soon lay it down, and commence living on its hint. What I began by reading, I must finish it by acting"
- Henry D. Thoreau

So my dear friends, I'm challenging YOU this week to write down the facts of your life and share them with someone who might not know you as well as you'd like or think. Pick something you want to share with others, give them a gift to be thankful for: you.