Reflect

 I tend to do a lot reflecting, in case y'all haven't noticed. And maybe reflecting isn't the proper word. Reflecting I feel requires a lot of looking back AND think about what happened and sort of analyze it. I more so reminisce a lot and that reminiscing is followed by some reflection. 

Hence, here we are. A beautiful Sunday afternoon, writing a blogpost in Porter Park. I'm sitting at a table, almost directly across from Kainoa's. I can't help but stop and look around me. There's a church building adjacent to me. Straight across is another young man, reading something on his phone. I see a family with their young daughter and a dog, a memory that I hope I can someday have for myself. I see friends laying in hammocks and friends playing spike ball. I see cars driving by, going to various places. 

As I look around at all these people. Each individual creating their own memories of (hopefully) joy and happiness. The family that will forever remember the beautiful Sunday they spent at the park with their daughter and dog. The friends who will remember the afternoon spent playing spike ball or laying in their hammocks. And now it makes me stop and reflect on the many memories I have made this year.

Thank goodness for my constant posting on my story and for Instagram archives because I know a year ago today, I was running on the BYU Idaho track. Around this time last year, I had decided to start exercising again, which did not last long. I regret not sticking with it. I miss it and had a ton of fun.

I think about and reflect on the time I got hired at Costa Vida. I had just left a toxic job and was scared to open a new chapter in my life. I didn't know what life had in store for me. But, reflecting on it. I am forever grateful that German gave me a chance. I am forever grateful that he decided to hire me. Working at Costa Vida has been one of the greatest blessings of my life. I have created wonderful bonds with my coworkers and we have created many memories together. We laugh and joke around together at work. It's an environment I could have only ever dreamed about having at Taco Bell. As I reach my year mark of working there, I am reminded every day of how blessed I am and how the Lord was looking out for me. 

I continue to look back at my Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks. My parents came up for both and we just created so many wonderful memories with my family. Onesies, snowball fights, dinner, hikes, movies, and much more. I am reminded that I have a wonderful family and think about how much I cherish them. My countless vacations with them and road trips and I just couldn't be more grateful. 

As I look back on this past year, I have to stop and think about my trip to Florida. I reflect on the joys I had with my parents. It was one of the best vacations ever. I got to spend a week with my parents and enjoy my time with them. I reflect on how grateful I am to have them as my parents. I am grateful for the laughs we shared and the memories we made. I was originally supposed to go to New York by myself. I am so happy that I instead went and spent quality time with my parents.

Once the new semester started, I was nervous. I was moving to a new complex and didn't want to make friends all over again. Thankfully, I met so many new people at my complex and continued to stay friends with my old friends. I am so happy that I was able to make new friends. I ended up meeting so many people that I still see occasionally and I am blessed for having such a great ward and roommates. I think about how it was a great semester and so many memories were made.

I struggled with making close friends and these past few months has brought 3 close friends into my life.

I met Jess while working at Costa Vida. She was a new employee and after my desperate attempts to find someone to go see Dr. Strange with me, she reluctantly volunteered. She quickly became a good friend and one that I could go to for anything. We went on walks at 1 am and talked about life. We would go on drives and just sit and talk. She became a friend that I didn't know I needed. And I am grateful for all the time I have been able to spend with her. She's been a great friend and one that I can go to for everything. 

Before I get onto my next list of friends, I need to discuss my second trip. I reflect on my short trip from just a few weeks ago and how much fun it was. I went to Disneyland, Knott's, Seaworld, Seattle and Portland. I loved this trip. It was much needed. I was able to spend some more time with my parents and create memories with them. I will cherish the time I had with them. I am grateful for being able to see two more musicals and spend a day with my cousin and her family in Portland. I just can't imagine anyone better to spend my time with than family. I ended up thoroughly enjoying this vacation and I'm so grateful I decided to follow through and do this.

As summer began, I was nervous I would have no one to hang out. No one that I was super close with was staying and I was scared to have a boring summer. That's when Mikaela and Becca come into play. Becca has been my coworker since I started working at Costa Vida, but we never really talked. Mikaela and Becca (who were already best friends) came into work a few times, while I was working and we all became friends. And I can't express how much this friendship means to me. It's exactly what I needed this summer. It has been one of the biggest blessings in my life. We had a blast at the drive in. The three of us spent 6 hours together swimming, eating, shopping and baking cookies. At the end of that evening, we were all just sitting there in silence, but it made me happy to be in the presence of friends and it made me feel good about myself. Since then, sadly Mikaela has left us for school and Becca has been stuck hanging out with me, but I'm grateful for the bond we have created. I can actually say confidently that I enjoy summer and the memories I've made because of them. The laughs we've shared, the pictures taken, and the smiles created. This summer has been one of the BEST summers I've had in a while because I became friends with them. Reflecting back on the few weeks it's been, I know it's definitely been a tender mercy in my life and was not an accident that I met them.

As I continue looking back, I can't help but just continue to think of the small things. I went to a Big Time Rush concert last week and had a blast. I think it was amazing to see my childhood band perform and that I was able to spend the day with friends. 

As I have reflected on these various events and people who have entered my life, I think about how it has made me a better person. I have become a stronger person and everyone in my life has always been there to uplift me and build me up. My reflection takes me several different places and I am able to ponder on what a wonderful life I have filled with so many amazing people. Most importantly, I think about many of the blessings in my life would not have happened if I didn't get hired at Costa Vida when I did and didn't have such an amazing job there.

Always try and reflect on your life and the blessings in it. Think about those who have contributed to your life. Think about those who have made a positive impact. Think about the events that changed you for the better or made you stronger. I promise that you'll find more to life when you ponder and reflect. Enjoy the moment and when you're struggling, look back at all the good in life and what it has brought you. You won't be disappointed when you strive to look for the positive.

You never know how happy it might make you to reflect and reminisce.