Finding Meaning

I have a confession: I read a particular blog religiously. This blog can also become a religious obsession for you if you so choose. Click on the following link and be prepared for your life to change: http://www.marcandangel.com/. Ok, seriously, this blog has changed my life and it continues to change my life every Monday.

A few weeks ago, the writers of this blog provided me with a long list of questions that I think everyone should answer. The blog post is entitled "95 Questions to Help You Find Meaning and Happiness." It can be found here: http://www.marcandangel.com/2011/12/04/95-questions-to-help-you-find-meaning-and-happiness/.

I spent a good two weeks answering these questions. Here's some that I want to share with you that I essentially do not mind the world having access to. The rest are answered and in my personal journal for me to look back and reflect on.

1. In one sentence, who are you? I am Emily; I have a deep passion for life and care a lot about the people in my life.
2. Why do you matter? I matter because there are a lot of people in my life who care about me and need me in my life as much as I need them in my life.
3. What is your life motto? “Love is the only reality”
4. What’s something you have that everyone wants? Happiness

8. What stands between you and happiness? Right now, nothing or nobody.

10. What does the child inside you long for? The uncomplicatedness of relationships when I was a child; I wish they were still the same way.
11. What is one thing right now that you are totally sure of? That I am about to embark on an incredible trip of self-discovery to New Zealand.
12. What’s been bothering you lately? Betrayals, empty promises, and broken dreams

15. What will you never give up on? My family, friends, and horses
16. What do you want to remember forever? Summer 2011

24. What is something you’ve always wanted, but don’t yet have? My own dog, a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog to be exact. Seriously, I think I have wanted one of these dogs since I was 12.

29. What will you never do? Be unfaithful

31. What’s something new you recently learned about yourself? What’s essential to my happiness and what I want out of this life.

39. In one word, how would you describe your personality? Unique
40. What never fails to frustrate you? People

44. What’s something a lot of people do that you disagree with? Making up rumors about other people.

47. What are the top three qualities you look for in a friend? Trustworthiness, Honesty, and Compassion

60. What’s something you disliked when you were younger that you truly enjoy today? Close call between cleaning and cheeseburgers!

66. What’s something you should always be careful with? Trust
67. What should always be taken seriously? Driving and/or any type of commuting
68. What should never be taken seriously? Life…as the quote says… “no one gets out alive anyway”

90. What’s something simple that makes you smile? A sunset

Defining Family

In my Interpersonal Communication class, we spent most of class yesterday defining family. The discussion was thought provoking, and it made me think about how I would define family and who I consider to be my family. We broke up into groups and each group had to come up with a definition for family. Each one was very different, yet they all ended up being similar in unique ways.

I wanted to share them because it was a powerful lecture. If you haven't realized it yet, family is the only thing we are guaranteed in this life. I do not are how old you are, you should cherish your family and make time for them.

Here are the different definitions my classmates came up with:

"The involvement between two or more people who share an unconditional love type relationship and are willing to sacrifice..."

"...at least two people who share an intimate bond where mutual sacrifices shape who we are within the family"

"Unconditionally your own and is unrestricted through blood line..."

"A structural unit comprised of two or more people who feel a sense of permanent belonging towards one another"

"A collection of at least two people who share blood and they form a family who share similar definitions of what a family is"

"A reciprocal support system; two or more people who express compassion and unconditional love to each other"

Does anyone have any guesses as to which one is mine?