Finding joy in the little things

Tonight I wrote this in my grateful journal:
"When all the stress you have is slowly melted away and is replaced by a peaceful stillness."

A Fine Frenzy

"Josh, I'm just really glad we can be friends"

"Ummm yeah, about that...."

"What?"

"Well, I was wondering if maybe we could be more than friends."

"Woah there partner...."

"Like maybe, best friends!"

Life Lessons: Presented by Gandolfo's

Laughter-

When JJ called Gandolfo's and asked, "Do you have a pizza?" for at least the tenth time.

Being considerate-

When a customer came in late one evening after I had already mopped half the lobby. When I do this, I block it off with chairs. This customer seemed to be oblivious to my well placed chairs, and simply went around it and walked on my freshly mopped floor.

To his horror he realized what he had done, and quickly ran up to the counter.

Flustered, he said, "I walked on your floor! I'm so sorry!"

"Oh, it's fine" I replied with a smile

"No, honestly. I'm really really sorry. Where's your mop?" Looks around. "Oh! Over there! Perfect."

"No, sir, really it's fine...."

Waves me off "You go make the sandwich, just let me mop this."

Kindness-

When a customer helped another customer picked a sandwich by pointing out another one on the menu he hadn't seen.

Happyness-

A woman and her husband walk in, and up to the register. The husband points to our sign announcing that we have gluten free things, and says, "That's what we're here for."

The husband quickly orders his sandwich. His wife is next. She carefully looks over the menu, asking questions, wanting to pick a good sandwich.

"I'm so sorry," she apologizes, "It's just, I haven't been able to have a sandwich in years."

Happily, and almost giddy she proudly said, "I need a knickerbocker please. Gluten free."

I rang up her order as she turned to her husband, so excited to have a sandwich.

"Wait, you have cookie's too?!?!?!"

I looked at the large platter of gluten free cookies, and after smiling and nodding at her, she turned to her husband.

He immediately said, "Well, looks like we'll have to get one of those too."

She looked like she was recently told she won the lottery, and was also going to Disney Land.

Love-

A couple were at the register and the husband says, "What do you want?"

"Oh, I don't know, you pick."

"Alrighty. Can we get an Urban Cowboy?"

I ring it up.

"Oh honey, does that have barbecue sauce?"

"What?"

"Let's get the Hampton."

Smiling and laughing, he asks me to change the order.

Because he loves his wife.

Gratitude-

A woman walks in Gandy's and after ordering tells me, "I'll be coming in here a lot. My mom just got into Jamestown" [the old folk's home next door]

"Yeah," she confides "She just got diagnosed with Alzheimer's."

"Oh, have you heard of the book "Still Alice"?"

"What's that?"

"It's a book about a woman with Alzheimer's. It's in her perspective, and you can really relate. It's helped me a lot with my patients at the hospital."

This woman looked up at me. I could see it in her eyes.

Love. Fear.

Gratitude.

"I don't want to cry, but I want to let you know I appreciate that so much."

I could see it. She was so scared. Scared she would never completely ever have her mom back.

"Thank you. Thank you so very much."

Social Peer Pressure

I had to giggle as I walked into school the other day. I was wearing a white top, white leggings, and a jean skirt. To top it off, a bright orange vest, tie, and beanie.

People stand in their cream lacy tops and cargo boots. At first I thought, "Yeah, they probably think I look crazy." But it seems like something else.

Wishing they could wear this?

"But," I thought, "They can."

Can they?

No.

Because they have done something. They have given into social peer pressure.

Why do they do it? I honestly wonder. Why do you have to care so much? I hate it when people can't be true to themselves. They're scared. Of what? Their friends not liking them.

But why be friends with them in the first place? You should be friends with someone not because they like your clothes or your car. You should be friends with someone because they like your personality. Because they genuinely care about you.

That's why I don't care what I wear. That's why I don't wear make-up. I wear what I wear because I like it. If someone doesn't like that, or doesn't like me as a result, then I just don't care.

I don't want to be around people that I feel I have to impress. I want to be around people who make me smile and feel good.

It's like I said in a text the other day,

"Who gave them the status of "popularity" anyway? When it all comes down to it, aren't we all just teenagers who worry about zits? We're all on the same journey, and we're all sons and daughters of God, our time would be better spent helping each other than worrying about if they like our outfits."

It's not every day you turn five

Love

Love

It's a tricky word to say.

I tell everyone I love 'em because I really do. It's like Kandy said,

"You can love others, because you love yourself"

So because of that I'm extremely open. I'm touchy, and tell all I love them.

But I really sincerely do.

I tell people I love them because I honestly think and believe they are great. Because I value their friendship.

I hug 1) because I love hugs. Honest to goodness. The best birthday present I can receive is a great big hug. Not a wimpy two second one. No, a good 15 seconds, when you hold 'em tight, as if to say, "You are wonderful. I care." 2) I love seeing people smile. And for me, I always feel fabulously happier after someone has given me a hug.

The best days are those when you walk through the hallway and you get stopped ten or so times to hug people, to yell, "I love you!" before quickly rushing off to class.

And then there's my mom.

"You say I love you too much. It's something you say but don't mean it."

Don't I?

There are so many good, beautiful, wonderful people, and it would be such a waste if we didn't love one another.

So isn't the best way to feel loved, is to let others know?

Example: my brother doesn't tell me he loves me. At first, I though, eh, he's in a hurry to say it before he hangs up.

But! I tried saying it, and never received a response.

So I think, maybe he really doesn't like me. He's always teased me the most.

"Chubby, why don't you say you love me?"

"I did."

"That was two years ago...."

"Yep. I'll let you know if it changes."

Thanks brother, I love you too.

-This is called Aubrey's mind rambling.

El fin.

Unique

I found this photo while aimlessly browsing the internet

Everyone one of us is talented in a unique and wonderful way.

It is our job to go out there, and find it in everyone.

But most importantly,

in ourselves.

"Beautiful"

he whispered as if telling me an intimate secret

Then, and now

When I was a freshman

I decided that for one day I would keep track of all the compliments I received that day.

I was wearing a long pink maxi dress, the first of my collection, with a white shade shirt, and silver necklace. As I walked to my English class, I recall those who smiled and called me beautiful. I quickly rushed to my table to pull out my little notebook with the brown cover and little blue flowers. Turning to a blank page, I quickly wrote down the few people who had said things to me word for word to cherish them forever.

I felt on top of the world that day. I just felt so happy and bright and it seemed that every new thing I wrote in that notebook added to that widening smile on my face.

The thought occurred to me, "Can't I feel this way ALL the time?"

The other day

I thought it might be fun to keep track of how many times I'd smiled that day. Not just me, sporadically breaking out into smile, but genuinely smiling because of someone's kind actions.

I woke up, energized and feeling excited to embark on my quest. As my phone turned on while I brushed my teeth, I received a couple text messages. A good morning from Miss Lauren, a quick "Love you, Night!" from my mom, and a student counsel text ending with, "Thanks! You're great!" As I read this with my tooth brush hanging lopsidedly in my mouth, a smile crept across my face.

"Oh!" I quickly thought. I ran in my room, but no notebook. "Hmmm... I'll do that... later."

Then I walked into school. From the front door there was just a huge smile on my red lips. Mckeey-Dee warmly greeted me, other late comers quickly greeted me before rushing off to class. In my first period there were whispered greetings, sweet compliments, and other words of love.

By 4th period I'd given up.

I simply couldn't keep track of all the times someone made me smile.

Why?

Because it happens so frequently. There are always hugs, there are always sweet words, there is always that love of Christ so abundantly present in your life, that simply, how could you be upset?

Dear Freshman Aubrey,

I know that you feel insecure. That when a boy called you beautiful, it makes your entire week. But you know something? That's not going to matter as much. All that will matter is the love you feel. The love that you feel from others from the way that they genuinely ask how you are. From the way that they hug you.

And you know something else? You don't even have to wear make-up for a guy to say you're beautiful. It's simply the way you present yourself. If you feel beautiful, then you are.

Love,

Seni-man Aubrey

Carol of Joy

Music is easily one of my biggest inspirations

Moms: our number one fans, our number one worriers

"Hello?"

"Hey Aubs, are you okay?"

"....uh yeah, I'm fine. Why?"

"Well I heard that there was a scooter crash today on Canyon Road."

"Oh, uh huh.."

"And I thought maybe it was you. Since you drove the scooter today."

"Mom, the scooter's at home."

"What?"

"The scooter. It's at home."

"Are you sure?"

"....uh, well, since I'm in my car right now, yeah."

"Oh! Well good! But don't talk on the phone and drive! That's bad! So I'll let you go! Love you bye!"

":) love you Mom. Bye."