Simple & Sweet Gestures

Just wanted to share a quick thought:

Sometimes the most simple things can be the kindest and sweetest things. Gestures that may seem totally unimportant and actions that don't take a lot of effort - may be the greatest thing in a person's day, and may literally make their whole day.

Yesterday, my boyfriend, Devin, brought me a card after he got home from work... it was the sweetest thing. A really cute card, with a lovely, heartfelt note - just because. He let me know how important and appreciated I am. That meant the world.

 Yesterday, also, my friend back in Denver, Em, posted one of my favorite cards on my FB profile... was so nice. Miss that girl.

Today, the guy at the Grease Monkey was talking to me about all the things that my car needs now that it's surpassed 60,000 miles... awesome. Love spending money - well, on other things - but it's pretty important for my car, since this one needs to last me till I can land a real, money-making job and get a less gas guzzling monster. Anyways, he was super nice and when I went to get into my car, there was a bright pink carnation on the dash board. Now, I don't know if all ladies are treated so well, but I love flowers, and the gesture, was sweet and thoughtful.



I find that when someone doesn't smile back when I smile at them, I get irked. But dammit, I'll keep smiling - cause one smile can brighten someones day. So can conversations - you learn so much by just chatting with people and sometimes, it turns into so much more. Friendships, networking, or just a good memory.

It's the little things that give me hope. Fingers crossed for allll the jobs I've applied for. Am going to try to blog more... been feeling inspired to do so lately. And have been inspired to continue delving into 'who I am and what I want.' It's a process... and hopefully it takes a lifetime :)

Sending love all over ---

Ooo and lastly, I stole 2 dog treats from Grease Monkey, and Rio and Maggie were quite happy I did - see, even pups appreciate things!

My Dad

 

 

 
Just wanted to share a story, because my blog is titled 'With Hope' - life should be about inspiring others by actions, living and sharing hope that things will change and be better, and that there is always hope.

My Dad just called and told me about how there were 2 men fishing behind our house at the creek, but on the other side. Neither of the men had fishing poles and were using fishing line like lassos to toss the bobber out and fish that way. Their technique he said was impressive and genius. My parents are in the process of getting our house ready to move soon, which is bittersweet. I won't go into all the emotions, or why the move is happening - but it's a fact now, and one that I will have to somehow get a grip on before I go home for 2 weeks in August. I say this because like many houses and homes, people start getting clutter, and acquire a lot of 'stuff' they don't use and don't need. (I never want this to happen to me... my goal as of right now is to only own and have what can fit in my car... minus a few pieces of furniture that mean a lot to me) Anyways, back to the story, my Dad went in the garage and found an old, but good spinning reel and rod and when my parents went out to do errands they walked down the other side of the creek, which is a park, and the men were gone. My Dad then realized they must have parked down by the old iron gate bridge at the other end of the creek and further down, and not where my parents parked off of the main road - details - so he figured if they kept going maybe the men just moved a little further downstream towards 'Snake Island,' where him and his brothers used to catch snakes when they were growing up. Sure enough, the men were fishing further down and the one had a big sun fish on his line. My Dad said Hey, this is for you, and the man with the fish said I don't need it and they both laughed because my Dad said, I can see that, you catch more fish than me! But then the other man came and took the pole and thanked my Dad for the gift.

It's these simple, small gestures that I hear about and inspire me. It's not the first time my Dad has done such things. He'll sometimes pay for someone else's meal and let it be anonymous, give money to people on the street - I get this mentality from him. One day, I'd like to be able to help people by giving them money, every one of them. While I know people don't always agree with this - I look at it like this... I think it takes an incredible amount of bravery to hold a sign and ask for help, and I think it is a huge shot to a person's pride when they feel the need to do that. I think any way that I can let people know I do care is an important action.

Those men back the creek had a system, and they were fine - but my Dad gave them a fishing pole because we don't use all the poles we have, and he wanted to share. Sharing and giving is something I think needs to happen more these days, and realizing we are all human. We all make mistakes. But we can help one another and bring one another up. By giving the men a fishing pole, he just allows them a different way to do what they were already doing, and giving them a gift they may not have wanted to give themselves. Those are the best kinds of gifts.

I think the line between helping and hurting can be a fine one, and I haven't yet determined what 'good helping' really means. I do know that letting someone help themselves, and helping them to do that is extremely important. Listening to what people need and maybe helping in the way that allows those people to make their own decisions and help themselves - that's what I mean.

Who knows what 1 fishing pole will do to those men's lives, but I can hope that it made their day and that, my Dad's action let them know that someone cares, even if they didn't need it, but just the action of giving. If we all started doing that, in those small ways - holding doors, letting someone pull out in front of us when we're driving, putting a quarter in an almost expired parking meter - the world would be a better place.

* DuRaNgO *

So I have been living in Durango since June 1st, with a family, Devin and Rio and me - Overall, it's been good. I've had a good deal of 'me' time, volunteered at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, traveled to Silverton and Ouray with Devin's Mom and Aunt, went on many walks with Rio, hiked with her, and finally, after at least 10+ years, rode a horse today. I've explored the town, been to Bayfield, Pagosa Springs, Ignacio, Mancos and Cortez - driven through some - still have a lot to do. I'd like to venture to Mesa Verde, go to Crede, the Trimble Hot Springs (hopefully happening this week), see Farmington, visit the Ute Native American Museum in Ignacio... the list goes on. The photo below was taken on the Kennebec/Sliderock Trail that Rio and I hiked the other day - 6 miles - and the buildings are an old abandoned mine... pretty neat.

If you check out my Facebook page you'll see more adventure photos from the summer :)

I've had a lot on my mind lately... being away from family and 'home', what's next for me, Peace Corps, missing girl friends, and feel pretty alone down here - things have definitely changed. 

That is the one constant in life that can always be counted on though, right? Things will change. For better and for worse - and for me, I think that's part of what growing up is all about. 

I'm still trying to figure out my own path, and it seems that whatever road I am on, is not the road that many travel. While my boyfriend and I got a dog together, I still have this craving for adventure, traveling, seeing people and places, exploring... not settling down, and not being comfortable. But then there's the other part of me that sorta wants that - and they have been butting heads lately. 

I don't want to go into much detail, mostly because I am still unsure of the whole blog thing - while I want it to be like a journal, there are a lot of things I want to say, but won't. Many things that are stressful, that I have no control over - and it breaks my heart. 

I think this summer, overall, has been a much needed break for me. I never knew if or when I'd ride again, and I did today. I have been forced to become more independent and deal with being alone. I've gone, done, and seen some pretty neat things and places, and met some great people along the way. I needed a break.

Come September 12th classes will have started again and I'll be in my last quarter of graduate school. wooot. I can't wait for whatever is next. Fingers crossed that something happens, because that's been my job this summer: job searching, and re-learning Spanish to be able to pass the language exam and graduate.

Last thing I want to say - as the years have gone by, I can say that I have met some amazing people, many that I miss, all the time. But you realize when you move away what you're grateful for, you appreciate the memories, and hold onto them. Distance brings being thankful, forgiveness, and a chance to move on - even when the move may not have been the bravest thing. 

Anyways - thanks for reading if you got this far. Hope at least some of this made sense. Maybe one day I'll open up more and really share --- one day.