The holidays are a perfect time to serve ♥

“The life I touch for good or ill will touch another life, and that in turn another, until who knows where the trembling stops or in what far place my touch will be felt.” -Frederick Buechner

Service goes a long way.  Even though sometimes our deeds may seem small, you never know how big of an impact you have really made on others, and what they will learn from it.  Now that you have affected them, that person can learn from your example and do the same for others.  This chain of service can go on and on and with that all starting from something little that you did, you just made numerous lives just a little bit better and the world just slightly a better place. ♥

Today's inspiration (:

Today it's going to be short and sweet!  I'll share just a couple of inspiring quotes. (:

"Whether it is the best of times or the worst of times, it is the only time you've got." ~Art Buchwald

and...

"Every day may not be good, but there's something good in every day." ~Unknown Author

     I believe strongly in both of these encouraging quotes.  For the first one, life is so short!  Try and make the best out of every moment of it.  You never know what could happen next- life is unpredictable.  Enjoy it while it lasts and don't waste time, because you could end up with regrets if you don't.
     For the second quote, sometimes we have those days where it just seems like nothing is going right and that it couldn't get any worse...until it does.  Trust me, we've all been there.  Although, each day has to have something good in it.  Even if it was just a friendly "hello" or because your car started that morning- that's something good!  If everything went wrong in one day, how would you get anywhere?  Try and look at the little bit of sunshine in each day and thrive off of that.  That day just might get a little brighter.  Maybe try and have something to look forward to and focus on that- like that nice, warm, comfy bed you are going to jump into later and relax on.  It'll pick you up and keep you going.  Just remember that even though it may not seem like it, even those days have endings, just like the rest.  Plus, how would we know the "good" ones, without the bad?  We need them too!  Just smile through it. (:

     Tomorrow morning I am leaving for Girl's Camp.  Sadly, I won't be able to post for about a week!   So I hope you have a wonderful week that is full of smiles! (:  Talk to you soon!

The wild ride of the Recession

   I know that this awful time of the recession has affected us all in some way.  Just hang on and be strong and I know it's hard, but stay positive!  Don't focus on the negative things, it's a waste of time, it doesn't help, and it doesn't do anyone any good.  Focus on the good in all of it, your blessings, what you actually do have, because if you are reading this right now, chances are you have it better than a lot of other people in this world.  Be thankful.  I do know it's rough, but I promise you, like my mom always says-

"There's always a light at the end of the tunnel" ~Leann Welton

   When you feel like you are at your darkest point it can only get brighter right?  Just tough it out, because in the end it will be worth it.  These kind of trials are to make us stronger, at least I know that's what it has done for me so far.  The recession has opened my eyes to all the many great things I have been blessed with, it has made me stronger, and it has humbled me.
   In January of 2005, my dad got a new job!  The family was so excited- better job, more money, and a new start.  At least that's what we thought.  The recession hit and business began declining everywhere.  We lived in Phoenix at the time and in 2008, my dad was asked to start traveling to Vegas for work.  At first, he started out only leaving for a couple days a week, which eventually became 5 days a week.  He had a family at home, and we only got to see him on weekends.  That is if he got to come home on weekends.  This went on for almost 3 years, until his boss asked if the whole family would move to Vegas.  Life in Arizona was going great for the kids- Marly was doing well in school, had a close group of friends, and was excelling in her sports.  I had been on my high school's Varsity cheer and track teams since Freshman year, I was Class President Freshman and Sophomore year, I was getting invited to leadership conferences, and was excelling in my classes as well.  Grant had a job, graduated high school and was doing great in college, and was getting prepared to leave for his mission.  The thought of moving was unreal after living there for 14 years.  My mom kept offering me to finish high school and live with my aunt in AZ.  But I couldn't imagine 2 more years of my life without my family being entirely together.  My family is my foundation and I told her that no, I wouldn't stay.  My family is much more important to me than anything else going on in my life.
   Grant left for his mission in January, and I put a smile on my face and moved into the trailer with my dad in February and started school.  Marly and my mom soon followed in March, and we moved into a house.  My first day of school,  I found out that I was listed as being "homeless" for living in a trailer, and that Student Council Elections were the following week  Being in homeless wasn't too bad- I got free lunches!  My mom told me that maybe by running for something other than Class President I would have a better shot at being elected.  I told her that I have the same shot at any of the positions, no one knew me, and I was still going to strive for my goal and go big, no matter what the circumstances were.  This wasn't easy, but long story short, it was announced that I had won my election.  I still can't believe it...
   Then track season came, and luckily I made Varsity!  A couple of months later cheer tryouts came, and I had a pulled groin muscle.  I ended up tearing it during my tryout, but made Varsity for this following season as well!  I couldn't believe how well everything was turning out.  Marly on the other hand was having a much harder time adjusting.  She goes to a middle school that's almost as big as my old high school, and she didn't take that very well.  It took her awhile to adjust, but just recently she has been starting to enjoy it here.  I, along with the family, have been trying to be there for her and staying strong throughout this new move.  I know she is growing a lot from this, and I'm so proud of her for getting through it.  Grant is on his mission, so he has his own things to worry about.  Now the only problem is, is that we have had 5 different people say they would rent our house, and then later tell us they weren't interested anymore.  We are still looking for people to move in.  Not being able to pay for 2 house payments, today my mom and I started packing up the new house and moving our stuff into storage.  The family and I are going back to the trailer park!  Honestly though, I don't care where we live.  I feel that as long as the family is together, life is complete and everything will work out eventually.  
   Cherish your family, and keep your relationships with them close.  It tears me apart to see families that are not close, or that are unhappy.  They will be the ones that are always by your side.  Like I said yesterday, I think that the recession in my family's situation, has been a blessing in disguise. ♥        
  

   

To the people who inspire me...

Before I really get going with this, there are a few people I need to thank.

First of all, my family, for always supporting me in everything I do.  Always backing me up and loving me no matter what.  My mom- for being the best friend that I can always talk to about anything.  For not being judgemental, giving me advice, and always telling me to shoot for my dreams and never putting me down.  My dad- for being my hero.  Always doing the right thing, and your encouragement and great support.  In the worst situations, he stays calm and never worries about anything.  He always makes the best out of any situation he is given, and looks at the bright side of everything.  He has always been there for guidance, and always has a smile on his face.  And his famous quote, "Remember...do your best."  That really has gone a long way.  My brother, Grant- right now he is in Monterrey, Mexico serving a mission for our church.  This past year we have become really close.  We'd give each other advice on our problems, and he was always setting the example for the family.  Grant is extremely hard working, and would give you the shirt off of his back.  My sister, Marly- for always keeping the family laughing.  For being herself and brightening my life with her "Marlyisms".  I hope to be the best big sister for her, to be someone she can completely trust, someone she can always come to, and look up to.  Not only a sister, but a best friend, too.  My best friend Katelyn- for standing up for me whenever I didn't for myself.  For being such a strong person, and keeping me on the right path.  When times are rough, along with these other people, she's always there by my side for comfort and to listen to me.  I know I can turn to her for anything.

Throughout my life, I've been to several conventions, conferences and luncheons, and have been spoken to by so many motivational speakers.  But when I went to RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards), one speaker really touched and inspired me.  His name is Jerry Traylor.  Here is the quick story on Jerry:  He was born with cerebral palsy.  Jerry doesn't look at it as a misfortune, but rather a different way to live.  Jerry has been walking with crutches and will have to for the rest of his life.  All the times he was made fun of, he turned it around and used it to his advantage.  Jerry used it to motivate him and to create his amazing and wonderful sense of humor.  Then, he had a strong desire to run across America...on crutches.  No one believed in him, not even his own family supported him, but nothing stopped him.  Not only did he prove everyone wrong, he was the first person to run across the U.S. on crutches, and he touched many lives.  For the people who didn't believe in themselves or think they were unable to do such things, he gave them a new hope.  He believes that as long as you set your mind to it, you are able to do anything you want, not even crutches can stop you.  He looks at his disability as a blessing, so he could overcome it and help so many other people because of it.  Jerry has done so many other incredible things, but most of all he is an incredible person.   



Jerry and I at RYLA in Prescott, AZ

Just a few of his quotes:"Become a participant rather than an observer","Don't put a limit on your potential...", "If you know you can't...then you don't know", "Be sure your vision is greater than your day-to-day pain", "Surround yourself with people who believe in you", and "Every journey begins with a single step."

After meeting him, I now look at life in a completely different way.  I am so thankful for what I have been blessed with and see that my trials could be worse.  I believe that life is full of blessings!  Some are hidden though, and you may not realize how they have really helped you.  Everything truly does happen for a reason.  I think that we all need to take a deeper look into our lives- all the things that have made us who we are today.  Sometimes when trials come along, we think, "Why me?" or "How can this get any worse?".  I know the feeling.  Think about the most recent trial you've had and think about how it has impacted you, because in some way it has.  Think about how it has changed you.  Has it made you come to realize something new?  I like to think about Jerry's situation, and think that if he can turn something like cerebral palsy into a positive blessing, I can take my own struggles and make something positive out of them too, and so can you!  Also, you never know your full potential or the best "you" that you can be, until you try to push yourself.  Try new things, find what your good at and experience all of the great things there aare to offer in life!  You never know what you are capable of being or doing.

“What seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings in disguise” ~ Oscar Wilde

The beginning(:

Hello reader(:  To start off, I'm Jade!  Sixteen years old, and I have a dream to be a motivational speaker.  There are so many people I have to thank in my life for inspiring me, and I'll write about them throughout my blogs.  I hope that in some way, I can do the same for others. 
I believe that life is too short to be sad, angry, or upset.  What good does it do?  It's a waste of time, and it's never fun to feel that way, or be around someone who is constantly like this.  I know that everyone has their moments, it's part of being human!  But I try to have a positive outlook on everything, some things may not be as bad as you think they are.  Try it, it makes life so much more enjoyable.
Also, I know we've all had those days where we just need a friend, someone to listen to you, a hug, or just a friendly smile or "hello".  When you can tell someone is just not having a great day, or they have a bad attitude, don't ever judge them or think poorly of them.  You never know what is going on in their life. 
  

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." ~Plato

One of my favorite quotes that I try to live by, and I know this from experience.  Well I hope my blog can be that friend for you.  When you're feeling down, something that can uplift you or make your day just a little brighter, or hopefully make you smile.  Just remember you are not alone.  Throughout my blog I'll share personal experiences, quotes, inspiring thoughts, and stories that have inspired me as well.  Thank you for reading, I hope you have a wonderful day. ♥