One thing I can’t stand about my best girl friend is how she constantly imagines that other people are criticizing her or secretly mentally judging her. She lives her life in near-constant fear of being looked down upon, and it paralyzes her and keeps her from enjoying many of the best moments in life: the ones that require bravery and risk! If I shared these feelings with her, I think she would be hurt (as she usually is), but hopefully, she would recognize it as the truth, and try to be less judgmental of others herself. The way I see it, she is afraid that others look down on her because she herself looks down on others so often.
- The Vicious Cycle (writeintothelight.org)
I have, at times, caved into peer pressure when it comes to gossiping about a certain mutual friend or saying negative things about that person. While I never specifically contributed to the hurtful comments, I didn’t disagree either, for fear of looking like the odd person out. I mostly did this back in middle school and high school, before I learned that you have to speak up for yourself and others. If I could go back in time, I would tell my younger self not to be so afraid of what other people think. I would make myself realize that my opinions were just as valid, and the person being bullied or denigrated would very much have appreciated me sticking up for him or her.
Image by Bill.Roehl via Flickr
My three favorite foods are pizza (specifically marguerita pizza with fresh tomatoes on a hand-tossed honey-wheat crust), chicken fajitas (on warm, fluffy homemade tortillas with a dollop of sour cream and guacamole), and whole wheat mushroom marsala pasta with artichoke hearts… so if I had to eat them every day, I don’t think I’d mind so much. They would have to be the very best versions of those meals, though, using only the freshest ingredients and cooked to perfection. I love them all mostly because they are comfort food dishes (to me, at least), with simple yet delicious ingredients, and at the same time, they’re healthy!
I have seen many beautiful images and places over the course of my life, but most recently, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the Irish countryside… so lush, vibrant green, and covered in tiny, fluffy sheep, just like all the stereotypes would have you believe! I was so excited when I visited Ireland to discover that it is true. I laid on my back in the soft green grass, in perfect sixty-two degree weather, and gazed up at the clouds in wonder. Our tour group visited the peaceful remains of a monastery, out in the rolling hills, and it was a very spiritual experience in many ways, as though we were a part of something ancient and mysterious.
