Week 45 of 52: I Admit…

Tags

Failure, postaweek2011

I failed…

Still, failure or not, I will go on in other ways.  I may not have blogged as I should have last week, but I found a tailor and designed a beautiful wedding dress.  A failure?  Yes, in one way, but not in another.  I spent quality time with a woman I care deeply about as she played dress-up and brainstorm with me at several wedding stores.

My point is not so much that it is easy to get distracted from an effort (although that is true), but that some other efforts are worth the distraction.  While I had thought about blogging throughout last Saturday, it escaped me by the time I was actually at home and able to do something about it.  Why?  Because I had some other thoughts on my mind- some worthy distractions.

Although this is my 410th post on this blog and it should be my 411th, I’ve decided that enough is enough.  While I love to write, I love to plan a wedding and marriage even more.  So it is decided, though I’ve been close to succeeding in the challenge of keeping a weekly post, I have found a greater goal- getting and keeping my life in order while trying to prepare for a new life as a wife.

As has been noted before in these posts- some failures are worth it.  Could I do better at this blog and simply be more disciplined about the time given to me?  Definitely.  But why does a bride-to-be need one more thing to worry about it.  I will miss the rhythm of the keyboard each Saturday morning, just as I missed it each morning after last year’s daily blog-keeping.

The new goal?  Prepare for a new life.

Thanks for reading even the difficult-to-read posts.  I will miss your comments, likes and so forth.  It wouldn’t be the same without you!!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Amy DeVonne Hemsley [(Stewart)]

Week 44 of 52: Social Selection

Tags

Bill O'Reilly, Friends, postaweek2011

It has been said countless times that one ought to choose their friends carefully.  I haven’t always followed this wise counsel, but with those I still call friends (whether or not I regularly see them) I can definitely say I have.  Hannah, the childhood friend who helped me solidify my standards.  Amy C., the childhood friend who helped me come out of my shell by helping her come out of hers.  Jacob, the friend who has been there for me before I even knew who he was.  Karina, the girl who is patient as details are determined and things get rocky.  Katie and Jennifer, the girls who are supportive in the quietest way.  Earleen and John, the wise couple who will forever be my example of a successful marriage.

We can’t always choose the details of our lives, but friends are a detail we get to choose.  These friends, and many others, have taught me so much.  I will continue to learn from their fine example, even if from a distance.

A friend of mine has recently told me that I will make new friends in my new hometown.  But I am certain that no new friends can replace the old ones.  This will be true throughout life.  Social circles, social butterflies, and social flops, each have their place and time.

Trust, love, respect.  With these, your social circle will be a sincere and solid selection.

Many thanks to each and every one of my friends.

Amy DV Hemsley

Week 43 of 52: Paradigms and Priorities

Tags

Bride, Groom, LDS Wedding, Marriage, postaweek2011, Wedding

This month’s goal, as of January, was to write.  To work on a specific project.  My goal for this month, as of today, is to create a coherent plan of our wedding day.  According to my paradigm this is a heftier goal.  According to my paradigm, the wedding and marriage are the loftier priority.

Music, flowers, dresses, shoes, maid of honor, rings, colors…  So much to do with so little time…  Writing, then, has to take the position of the back-burner.  Will I write again?  Every week for the rest of the year, and many days for the rest of my life, but right now a different priority (one I couldn’t have guessed would exist in January) has taken me in it’s powerful demand for attention.

Writing, wedding plans and wishes…  So much on the plate…  I will say, knowing that this union is one of eternal consequence will make getting through that first day as husband and wife, groom and bride, much easier- giving eternal perspective to a demanding and taxing day with family and friends.  A day I wouldn’t trade for any other I’ve experienced in my 27 years.  I can’t wait!  What a beautiful priority.  :)

Amy

Weeks 41 & 42 of 52: Favorite Failures

Tags

Failure, postaweek2011

WARNING:  Quick post with a great thought, but not so eloquently put.

Last weekend I was without an internet connection.  There was then no way for me to make a blog entry.  An excuse?  Not really.  However, it was choice not to have that connection.

A dear friend needed her newly rented apartment house-sat, so, knowing full well there was no internet connection, I house-sat.  Though different from my Saturday routine, it was good in its own right.

Though I failed to blog, I enjoyed other hobbies and even worked on some business.  A productive day indeed, though failed in one instance.

Was I sorry?  Not really.  I guess that’s what we call a higher priority.  She was helped, I was blessed, and failed or not, we are happy.

ADVH

Realm of Responsibility, Week 40 of 52

Tags

Divorce, Family, Love, Marriage, postaweek2011, Responsibility

With the year’s end approaching yet again, it’s easy to consider the changes I need to make in my life going forward.  A greater cause for considering this matter is the life-change ahead of me- I am to be married!  It’s nothing to take lightly, and I haven’t.  Also not to be taken lightly are the responsibilities that come with it.  The responsibility to love and care for someone, the responsibility and delight of giving their feelings more consideration than my own, the responsibility toward family- especially our own.

So often in today’s world it seems marriages fall apart, divorce rates soar, families disintegrate, and hearts break.  Still, when selfishness disintegrates first, marriages are strengthened and hearts comforted.  One country singer said, “Love’s the only house big enough for all the pain in the world”, and I believe she is right.  Please, oh please, find the one you love, and to those who have, love them with a vital strength and selflessness.  This will keep those who choose to do so strong during tough times, and simply in love during the easy times- I’m sure of it.

For just about all of my life my responsibility has been toward myself, and few others.  That is having a dramatic change in a few months time.  Who is your responsibility toward?  If it is your self, start- but don’t stop- there.  If it is another, or others, continuously love them, and it will increase your capacity in fulfilling your responsibilities.

Love- what else matters?

Amy DeVonne Hemsley (soon to be Stewart)

Week 39 of 52, Broken Blogs and Promises

Tags

postaweek2011, Promises

No longer do I believe that late blogs are ok.  I have excused myself for too long.  I admit failure.  Still, I also realize that there are worse things to be late on.  And there are worse promises to be broken.  This is, however, a good practice for keeping my word on other matters.  So, from here on out, I’ll try harder to blog on time.

Promises and blogs

Are meant for keeping,

Our own thoughts,

For overseeing.

Promises, promises,

Keep up with me,

And I’ll try to do

The same for thee!

ADVH

Forgotten Dreams, Week 38 of 52

Tags

Claudia Blackwell, Confidence, Dreams, Family, Love, postaweek2011, September 11

Since about 17 years old, I have tried to live up to the advice of Claudia Blackwell- “Surround yourself with those who love and treat you well.”  As I made this my effort, I found it easier to be myself- whether or not that was better overall is debatable, but at least it gave me a starting point.

Having taken this advice seriously ever since, I have mostly surrounded myself with those that encourage me and that I can encourage; those who love me, and that I can love.  Once I had been comfortable being myself, that gave me opportunity to improve upon myself.  In that improvement process I dreamed dreams that got bigger and bigger.  It seemed there was no limit when people believe in you and support you.  Still, perhaps there should have been…

Years later, I am still grateful for those who love and treat me well, and do the same for them.  Through this chance of escaping traps set by those who treated me poorly, and seeking those who loved me most, I lost track of some very important dreams- in search of something bigger.  (In scripture this might be referred to as looking beyond the mark.)

Now, with the help of one who loves and treats me well, I have rediscovered the dream of my youth.  A simple and yet complete dream.  A dream that can be pinned down and improved upon- a dream that is not simply imagination but related to facts.  A dream of a simple and happy life.

What makes life worth living?  Goals?  No- this only makes it clear.  Friends?  No- though these make it bearable.  What then?  The dream of a lonely heart- love and family.

Love and family, you are no longer a dream, I see you and appreciate you for what you are, and I promise to surround you with love and treat you well.

 

Never forget: 9/11…

 

ADVH

AllAmericanAmy

The Pilot’s Judge, Week 37 of 52

Tags

Judgment, Postaweek, postaweek2011, Traveling, trying4perfection

Standing in the terminal awaiting to get on her flight, a self-concerned young lady waited in line with everyone else awaiting to board the plane.  The line inched forward, and obviously irritated, she shifted her stance from one side to the other, keeping her rolling luggage closely beside her.

Having seen this sort of frustration and attitude before, those behind her could simply say to themselves, Bad day?

The girl behind her, also worn out from travel, heard a patient voice behind them pressing his way through the line.  As the voice reached her, she turned aside to allow the passerby some room, giving him a smile.  It was the Pilot.

As the young lady in front of the girl shifted impatiently side to side, and heard the voice say, “Excuse me”, she turned to the passerby with a look of indignation.  Who would possibly need to get on this plane more than she did?  Why did she have to let anyone in line in front of her?  Then seeing who it was she stepped aside helping him get to his place in the cockpit.  Prior to knowing who he was, or what he needed, she was ready to assume that she was more important or at least in more of a rush to get on this plane than he was.

 

Sometimes we can judge others without knowing much about them or their situation.  Sometimes we are that person being judged.  We too can remember to try to understand before offering advice, and like the pilot who simply walked passed this young lady, without holding her attitude against her, we can choose not to be offended as others judge us.  We simply need to know who our Judge is, who we are, where we are going, and why.

Press your way through life, and fly on!

ADVH

P.S.  I’ve been traveling a bit these last 2 weeks, and have found the opportunity to people watch amusing.  But just for the record, this scenario is only based on an actual occurrence.

 

Don’t you wish you had a magic wand when it came to fixing your computer?  So do I…  Anyway, back on track!

Plans, Projects and Pizza, Week 36 of 52

Tags

David Allen, Goals, pizza, postaweek2011, Self-improvement, Time Management, Work

Since day 1 of this project nearly 2 years ago, on January 1, 2010, I have compared goals with a pizza.  Until two nights ago, I hadn’t quite grasped how true this can be!

The night before last, friends and I bought ourselves an extra-large, Chicago-style pizza.  With the toppings being all vegetables and cheese, it seemed that it wouldn’t be too hard for each of us to help complete that pizza.  Still, even with 4 of us, the 8 monstrous pieces won the battle!

Like a pizza that is too large, I think we can sometimes expect too much of ourselves in way of work.  This week alone, I have had plans and projects that have had to be delayed or removed due to my ability to keep up with them, or because of things outside of my power (such as weather).  All I can do is put the ‘pizza’ in the refrigerator and hope for the chance to finish it later.  (Or rather, put the goal, plan or project aside until I can make time to complete it.)

I’m ‘stuffed’ as far as my goals go, and in the future I will have to be more realistic about setting certain goals.

How is your self-improvement going?  Too much on your plate?  Is it not cut into enough ‘slices’ (specific goals)?  Try David Allen’s approach: Cut the pieces a little smaller (break it down a little more), then enjoy (yes, enjoy) when you get the chance to work on it!

Happy Saturday!

Amy

My Word, Week 35 of 52

Tags

Poetry, postaweek2011, Word

Keeping my word,

If only briefly,

Here is a word

From lil’ ol’ me.

Keep up the good work,

And one day we’ll see,

The play of choice

In eternity…

 

A short blog, for a long day- and week- ahead.

ADVH