Accept, Learn, Grow

Started on March 22

I go through phases.

There’s the reading phase. During the reading phase, I read every spare minute I get. I can read 500+ page books in a day or two. This lasts anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. I just soar through book series and am always looking for another good read.

Then there’s the tv show bingeing phase. I find a tv show that takes up most of my spare time. I connect to the characters and rejoice in their triumphs. I mourn with them and feel heavy when they feel heavy. Books have a very similar effect on me.

Another phase is the writing phase. Unfortunately, this one is more rare, but I enjoy when I do finally enter this stage. I love to write, I just have to be in the right mood for it.

Next, there’s the crafting phase. I have a ton of random craft things that I love to do, and I complete a ton of little projects when I’m in this phase.

Little story: My cousin was worried that I was going to bring a ton of stuff and overwhelm our little house (we live together for college). Knowing she was worried, I told her all the time on facetime and over text that I was bringing a ton of stuff but that it would all work out.

I think in a way I was being sneaky, but I didn’t realize it til after the fact.

You see, if I showed up with a ton of stuff and it matched what she thought there would be in her head, then she wouldn’t complain and panic.

And even better, if I showed up with a ton of stuff and it was less than she thought, then she would feel relieved.

That all goes to say that she was relieved. She thought I was going to bring way more stuff than I actually did. Phew!

Some of the crafts I have done, like to do, and go back to are: painting, rainbow loom bracelets, friendship bracelets (using embroidery string), Diamond paintings, cards, Spirograph, editing quotes, and some other random things.

One common theme I’ve noticed is that the crafts/projects are almost always given to someone else. I make things and give them to others. It’s so fun!

Painting

Rainbow Loom

Friendship Bracelets

Diamond Painting

Cards

Spirograph

Editing Quotes

Lastly, there’s the sleeping phase. I tell people I have magical powers because I can fall asleep basically anywhere, anytime.

I rotate through these phases and am in some longer than others. It’s rare that I am in two phases at once (other than the sleeping phase…that’s basically always 🤪😉).

Although I go through many different phases (I think they are ways of coping), I go through other phases too.

The phase of acceptance. The phase of learning. The phase of growth.

First, a little backstory:

I’ve learned that I am not a huge fan of change. In fact, I have very distinct memories of first-day jitters in elementary school, junior high, and high school every time school started up again. And it was more like first few week jitters. Or first few months.

I had this overwhelming fear and frustration that the teachers didn’t know me yet. They didn’t know that I worked hard, that I was a good student, that I was smart, that I was enough.

I wanted them to accept me.

Over the years, I’ve learned that it’s more important to accept yourself. Once you’ve accepted yourself, you can truly grow.

Maybe it’s cliché, but it’s true.

Accept

As I mentioned before, I love to read. Below are all quotes from books that I’ve found and liked, so I wrote them down.

You will never find your full power or become all that you can be until you accept both of your true forms.

Albrek’s Tomb by M.L. Forman

I won’t spoil it in case you’re ever going to read this book, but the overall lesson is clear: we will never unlock our full potential or power until we accept who we are and then love that person.

If you’re willing to accept the fact that there’s magic involved, everything else is easy.

Slathbog’s Gold by M.L. Forman

I relate this to the spirit. If you’re willing to accept that not everything makes sense but that there is a God above, things fall into place. Questions have answers. Stuff makes sense.

Additionally, if you’re willing to have faith, if you’re willing to believe, then it’s easier to handle life’s obstacles.

As far as not knowing about how magic works, not many people really do. Just accept that it does work and try not to worry about the why.

Slathbog’s Gold by M.L. Forman

Same thing here. Accept that God is there, that He loves you, and don’t worry about the insignificant details. Don’t question your testimony because of one or two things you don’t understand. This has been something that has been hard for me to learn and accept…just because I don’t understand one to two things doesn’t mean I should throw away everything I know to be true.

The fear of loss…it can destroy you as much as the loss itself.

Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas

I wasn’t sure if I should include this quote, but here it is. This one is much easier said than done: don’t worry about things that you don’t have control over. Things that aren’t reality. Things that are ambiguous. Worrying about it…well it won’t make anything any easier. This is a lesson I need to learn too. Again and again and again.

And as I mentioned before, MUCH easier said than done.

Learn

Sometimes the strongest magic comes from asking for help.

The Axe of Sundering by M.L. Forman

This has been something I’ve had to learn how to do. Asking for help isn’t easy, and it can require a great amount of humility. Each case is different, but most times, people are happy to help. We just have to be brave enough to ask for it.

She had never once hated the gift she’d been given, because in all those years, she had never been alone thanks to it. Even with magic gone in her homeland, [she] had still felt it, like a warm hand clasping her shoulder.

Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas

We don’t live in a world of magic (or maybe we do and I’m just a naïve muggle 😉), but I know for a fact and with all my heart that we are never alone. Kind of a strange thought, but it’s true. And even if you don’t believe in a god or a greater being, there are always people there to support you. They may not be right there next to you, but they are there. Maybe you haven’t met them yet, but they are there. They know that the world is a better and brighter place because you’re in it. They are grateful you’re here. Don’t forget that.

Your wealth is greater than gems or gold…You have the love of friends, and theirs a hopes for you.

Albrek’s Tomb by M.L. Forman

I think loved ones, family, and friends are the true measure of someone’s wealth. The best part (in my opinion) is that we can add to it and build onto it. Make new friends. Restore old connections.

You make me want to live…Not survive; not exist. Live.

Queen of Shadows Sarah J. Maas

I don’t have a lot to say on this one. I just want to be the person that makes people want to live.

Who really knows what they are or what they may become? We learn about ourselves as we do things. We discover what we are as we move through life. If we don’t like what we see, we try to change. That is how we grow, that is how we become all that we can be.

Albrek’s Tomb by M.L. Forman

I just love this quote. It’s all about “becoming.”

Grow

Existence is so much more enjoyable when you have a purpose for moving.

Wizard for Hire by Obert Skye

What is your purpose for moving?

You are what you are…who can say what you may become?

Albrek’s Tomb by M.L. Forman

I think people can change. I think they can grow. I think people are redeemable.

You can’t be so frightened of what might happen that you are unwilling to act.

Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson

Go for it! You can do this!

She had changed me more than I’d known it was possible for me to change and still remain myself.

Midnight Sun by Stephanie Meyer

I feel like this relates to the atonement of Jesus Christ. We change and grow and become better, but we don’t lose who we are.

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This post was super cheesy, and that’s why I haven’t finished it and posted it. Well, here it is anyway. 😋