Ask Me

The Power Of Words

Dear Blog,

I'm sorry I have neglected you over the past month and holiday season. Last night I found out that my parents would NOT be coming down for my 21st birthday this weekend. What a stinkin bummer!! There is a snow storm that has just started creeping in. Of course, a snow storm on my 21st birthday! And we are expecting up to half a foot in Raleigh!!! This is ridiculous. As bummed as I was that my family couldnt come to celebrate with me, I promised myself I would make the most of it. Thanks to being snowed in, I am now taking a break on my comfy couch to write. (Dont worry the fun will start tomorrow) ;) Also, part of the reason I chose to pick up blogging again was because I realized the power of words and was truly inspired by my friends today.

I was so encouraged when three of my friends told me they started blogging as well. We have so much potential impact others through pursuing our own passions and exploring our gifts. Rachel, after reading my blog decided to give it a try. My friend Sagan is pursuing her dream as a writer by starting with her very own blog. My roommate Brittany posted her first few pictures today, in hopes to express herself creatively through photography (and her pictures are amazing by the way). Thanks to all of you out there who are taking a huge risk by expressing yourselves.

To all of you who have read my blog and commented I truly appreciate it. It makes my writing worth it. And for those of you who dont have a blog yet because you dont know what to say or where to start, well, go for it! Don't give up. Take it one day at a time and start exploring what your passions are. I started by reading other people's blogs, figuring out why they are so interesting to read, and went from there. Have you ever had something you cared about so much that you just had to tell people about it? Write about it! These are some questions that might help you get started. What are your passions? What do you want others to know about you? What interesting even happened in your day? Did you have an epiphony about something? A funny story?

Hope that helps.

Everyone has something to say. It's all about finding your own unique way of saying it.

Love you all.

*Nel

What Can I Give?

If there was no gift giving during Christmas that would be okay with me. That's probably why Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, it's all about the family and being thankful for our abundant blessings. Often during Christmas I fall into the trap of focusing on gift giving and put celebrating Jesus aside. This Christmas, more than others, I struggled to find "the perfect" gift for my parents and was left completely stumped and frustrated. Then I realized something, the "perfect gift" is Jesus, who was sent into this world on our behalf 2,000 years ago. He is the only perfect gift we should be celebrating. I really want this Christmas to be different. I want for everyone to focus on His presence not our presents. This poem is what I came up with, I am giving it to my parents this morning on Christmas.

What Can I Give

What can I give the one who gave me the world?
All I’ve ever asked for since I was a girl.
What can I give the one who gave me life?
Who comforted me through struggles, sickness, and strife.
What can I give the one who held me and watched me grow?
From my childhood til now, and then let me go.
What can I give the one who asked for nothing back?
How can I find a gift? Is there anything you lack?
What can I give the one whom materials would be nice?
But the right gift I can not find. A present will not suffice.
What can I give the one who sacrificed for me?
Indebted to you I am and will forever be.
What can I give the one whom I love more than all others?
A love even deeper than sisters and brothers
What can I give the one who deserves a present from my heart?
A gift that shows how much I love you; this poem is a start.

So now, I give my love, the greatest of these.
All I want is for you to feel pleased.
I give my appreciation, for your miracles on earth,
That you may know your inexpressible worth.

Rosebud Heart

Okay, so I dont normally do this, but I am posting one of the poems I wrote for my creative writing class this semester. I used to write poetry all the time when I was younger and thought I would bring it back.

Let me know what you think!

Rosebud Heart

It is Fall, your petals fall like feathers to the ground

Slowly, down, down, down

Once beautiful, bright, and blooming in full,

Begin to change shades, dying daily, looking dull

Once kept alive by the one who pruned you,

Being alone is not what you are used to

So lively before, but now you seem changed

Something is different about you, rearranged.

I see your suffering, lacking tender touch

Such a beautiful thing now ruined and crushed.

Your thorns cut deep, keeping people away,

Yet your soft petals dry out more each day.

 It is Winter, the air feels cold and dim

Damaged and alone you rest, looking grim

Hurt left you helpless, withered and closed

The deepest, dark pieces of your heart exposed

I know you will soon bloom again

But wait patiently for you to mend

With the changing season and new year

Soon a bud promises to appear

Do not lose faith my fragile friend

Your time will come. This is not the end.

It is Spring, and your condition improves,

In the air, your gentle petals move.

This timely season gives you a fresh start,

The regeneration of a new heart.

Your petals grow bigger, beginning to swell,

A sign you moved on, you recovered well.

It is a slow process, coping with pain

 Let your thirst be quenched by the rain

It is summer, you are alone no longer

This cycle of life only made you stronger

The sun shines brightly, reflecting off you,

A new creation that soaks up the dew

You bloom fully again, leaving behind the past

Fulfilling your purpose in the world at last

So intricately designed to bring beauty to those

Who appreciate you for being a rose

Your delicate nature caused you to fall apart

But you blossomed again, just like my heart.

The Science of Hugging

Hugs. First, let's talk about hugs in general. Whether you know it or not, giving a hug  is communicating a message. A hug is the most basic form of physical contact, yet is crucial in defining your relationship with another person. Hugs send a variety of messages from "Hey friend" (side hug) to "So good to see you! Its been forever!" (running head start hug). Most of the time hugs show affection and make a person feel warm and fuzzy inside. Then again, there are always those few..the awkward hugs....

Who hasnt ever had an awkward hug? Exactly! No one...

This is what my friend Beth Moore and I came up with when discussing hugs.

How to avoid awkward hugs:

1) Assess the situation.
2) A hug is a two way street, so determine which one of you is the most confident, the hug initiator.
3) Once you've determined who is passive and who is the go getter, allow the more confident person to take the reigns and initiate the hug.
4) If you are the initiator, decide what message are you trying to give off. (Friendly sidehug, Bestfriend bearhug, Extended Tight Squeeze, etc) What are you trying to communicate with them and vice versa. Is it a causal hello, friendship, deep love and affection?
5) Whether you lead or not, make a decision and stick to it. Whatever you do, dont change your mind! If you are going in for a sidehug, stick to it. When done correctly the other person will most likely follow through and feel comfortable.
6)After this first hug, the rest should effortlessly flow because you have established your relationship. Now you have a signature hug with that person.

Lastly, dont overanalyze or overthink this. It should be natural.

Hope this helps for all of you who needed clarity on this important subject matter.

Thought this was appropriate on National Hug an RA day!

What a Little Bird Told Me

Tweets are little thoughts/ blurbs about your life. Have you ever wondered what you could learn about yourself if you put  all your tweets together? It is so interesting to see where my mind has been the past few months as I looked at my Tweet Cloud. It generates the most common words from all your tweets over a period of time. For those of you who are curious, you can do one too. Check it out!

My Tweet Cloud:

http://tweetcloud.icodeforlove.com

• love
• haha
• tonight
• time
• TOMS
  
• live
• global
• royal bean
• life
• wish
• family
• free
• phone
• wait
• friends
• morning
• home
• actually
• tweet
• beautiful
• goodnight
• girl
• little
• raleigh
• break
• anatomy
• UNCW
  
• doing
• study

~Nel

Something to Share

So you might have read this poem before, but maybe not. A good friend of mine found it and sent it to me so thought it might be good to share with all of you, especially you ladies!

Perfect Love

Everyone longs to give themselves completely to someone-

To have a deep soul relationship with another-

Be loved thoroughly, and exclusively.

But God, to a Christian, says:

I want you to be satisfied, fulfilled, and content

With being loved by Me alone-

With giving yourself totally and unreservedly to Me-

With having an intensely personal and unique relationship

With Me alone.

Discovering that only in Me is your satisfaction to be found,

Will you be capable of the best human relationship

That I have planned for you.

I want you to be united with another after you are united with Me-

Exclusive of anyone or anything else,

Exclusive of any other desires or longings.

I want you to stop planning, stop wishing,

And allow Me to give you the most thrilling plan existing-

One that you cannot imagine.

I want you to have the best-

Please allow Me to bring it to you.

You just keep watching Me, trusting Me-

Keep experiencing the satisfaction that I am.

Keep listening and learning the things I tell you.

You just wait.

That's all.

Don't be anxious.

Don't worry.

Don't look around at the things

Others have gotten or that I've given them.

Don't look at the things you think you want.

You just keep looking off and up to Me,

Or you'll miss what I want to show you.



And then, when you're ready, I'll surprise you with a love

Far more wonderful than any you would dream of.

You see, until you are ready and until the one I have for you is ready,

(I am working even at this moment to have both of you ready at the same time),

Until you are both satisfied exclusively with Me and the life I prepared for you,

You won't be able to experience the love that exemplifies your relationship with me.

And this is the perfect love.

And dear one, I want you to have the most wonderful love.

I want you to see in the flesh a picture of your relationship with Me,

And to enjoy materially and concretely the everlasting union of beauty, perfection, and love

That I offer you with Myself.

Know that I love you utterly.

I am God.

Believe and be satisfied.

-author and original title unknown