I wrote this for one of my dance classes for a paper we had to write and I just decided I wanted to share it :)
When I think of all the things I am grateful for I am almost positive I could go on for hours! Listing people that have influenced my life and personality, places I have been able to visit, events that have changed the course of my life, talents I have been blessed with to bless others, and so much more. However, I want to focus on four specific areas that I am the most thankful for they are my religion and family, the beautiful rain, dancing, and the one object that helps me everyday, my car.
The most personal thing in my life and the one thing that actually makes me “me” is my religion. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints which is so amazing. I am blessed everyday and so grateful for every breath I breath. I have the amazing opportunity to be graced with the presence of so many wonderful people that teach me something new everyday whether they be LDS or not. I look at the world a whole different way than a lot of people. I know where I came from, why I am here, and where I am going. I’m not saying my life has been easy and perfect because it hasn’t; however, because of the gospel in my life I am able to look at the positive side of my hard times and learn to smile and help other people. Service is a big part of what we believe. "When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God" (Mosiah 2:17). Who wouldn’t want to be in the service of our God? I love helping and serving others even small things like smiling at someone, helping them with a small problem, or doing yard work it is a great way to make your own life seem better. I am so thankful for this small thing that makes my life seem so much more significant! It gives me something to live for. There is also an enfaces on families in the church and to me mine is the most special family ever. There are eight of us, my mom and dad, and then the six kids. I land toward the end of the line which makes me smile. I was able to grow up with all of my brothers and sisters and now I am able to see them with their beautiful families and see how wonderful raising a family is. The person I want to focus on most is my older sister Dawn. She is such a sweet person to have in my life. She is my best friend and is always there for me. She is married and has a one year old son, but so far she has been raising him by herself because her husband is bravely fighting for our wonderful country in the army and they will be away from each other for a year. Being so close to her I have been able to see how much love she has for her husband and how excited she is to be married to him. Even though they are so far apart they have grown so much closer together and I just know their reunion will be sweet. She has taught me the importance of love and commitment that I don’t think she will ever realize and for that I am grateful! So when I am married I know exactly how I want my husband to treat me and how I need to treat my husband.
I am also so thankful for the rain. I love it! The way it feels on my face as it falls from the sky, how the earth smells clean and fresh after it’s “bath”. The sent pine trees give off as the wind blows through them when it is just about to rain and how it reminds me of christmas even though it may only be april. The way the drops hit the rays of the lights just right to make lots of beautiful rainbows. Rain gives me hidden energy I didn’t know I had till it comes and a burst of joy and happiness that helps me through the day. I love playing and dancing in it. The memories that flow through my head from my childhood. Playing games like tornado, and line tag, kick the can, and criss-cross-crash seem to make me want to travel back in time and go back to the simple times when everyone was nice to each other. We smiled more and played with other people nicely. Sharing our toys and laughing so hard you can’t breath. Rain makes me remember all of that, and it is amazing.
I run my life in a sort of fashion that I am constantly busy from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed. I cram it packed of work, teaching, school, homework, and occasionally hanging out. I used to just get stressed and not really know what to do to relieve the frustration. That is why I am so beyond thankful for dance. It seems to be a sort of therapy for me. I can dance for hours and not even realize it. My stress seems to melt away when I am being taught a new step to master. When I am not very good at something so I have to work harder than anyone else to get it helps me forget my other troubles. Some people may call me crazy, and maybe I am, but I like being at a bottom of a class and seeing how far I can push myself. I started later than most dancers and have had a lot of bad habits that I have accumulated over the years that I am now trying to fix so I can be the best I can be. Even with all of the odds against me I am still determined to master the art and make this apart of my life because of how happy it makes me. I don’t dance to be the best in class. I dance because I enjoy it and it truly makes me love life. The fact that we defy gravity, we do things scientist say shouldn’t be possible, but we find ways to make it possible. It’s fascinating to me! Dancing also combines my other love. Which is the love of music. I have been singing my whole life and the fact that I can dance and sing together means life couldn’t get better. It’s amazing knowing I’ve found the things that make me the most happy. I’m not searching anymore. It’s a great feeling.
-------------Michelle---------
