Happiness

What is your purpose in life? It's one of, if not, the biggest questions in life.

Last Thursday, Rainn Wilson (aka Dwight K. Schrute from The Office) came to UNT for a lecture. And I was blown away with what he had to say. He wasn't there to talk about his time on The Office or what it was like being an actor. He was there to talk about SoulPancake, his company and website that challenges you to "Chew on life's big questions". He talked about what compelled him to create SoulPancake. The catalyst behind this was his spirituality. It was one of the best lectures I've ever heard.

This lecture got me thinking about my earlier question, what is my purpose in life? This question doesn't have a black and white answer. It's different for everyone. And maybe I won't ever get an answer to this question. But I can tell you what I feel it is.

I feel my purpose boils down to just being happy and spreading that happiness with everyone I meet and everyone I know. For the past week, I've really tried to do this. Expressing whatever happiness I can in any way I can. And for the past week, I've felt really good.

So my message to y'all is to just be happy! If something's got you down, do something you love to do or help someone else out. It'll make you feel better knowing you helped someone. Spread your happiness and create a chain reaction! BE HAPPY!

Keep on Dreaming Y'all!
-Ryan

Be Grateful

So it's been a while since my last post and a few things have changed for me! First off, I am now a student at UNT!! It finally happened and I couldn't be happier to be an Eagle! I've made so many new friends and am having an awesome time. Second, I celebrated my 21st birthday in January! I'm now legal for everything! The only bad thing about this was that the calendar played this awful, sick and twisted joke on me and scheduled it on a Monday! I know! What a jerk! Finally, something that hasn't changed. I will be going back to Camp Hale for another summer out in the beautiful Ouachita Mountain National Forest! I'm so excited to be returning and I REALLY want camp to start now!

All of these things bring me to why I'm writing tonight. I heard this song called "Be Grateful" by The Farm. This song really got me thinking. Too often in life, we take things for granted. And then I started to think about what I have taken for granted in my life. I try very hard to not take anything for granted. I'm very grateful for everything in my life. I'm grateful for my family, friends, my education, my faith in God and just being alive! 

This is probably why I'm so happy all the time. I mean the last time I had a bad day was in November and I can't even remember why. The only reason I know it was a bad day was because I tweeted that it was a bad day. This was the last bad day I had because I just kept looking at the positives in my life. Nothing has been so major that it would just completely ruin my day. Now I just roll with the punches. Each problem is a new challenge to be dealt with head on. As long as I have my family and friends and as long as God lets me wake up for another day on this Earth, I'm happy and grateful. 

What I'm saying is that if you're having a bad day, think about what you have going for you in your life and be grateful for what you have.

Below is the official lyric video of "Be Grateful" by The Farm. Seriously take a listen to it!

And as always, Keep on Dreaming!
-Ryan

Childlike Wonderment

 "Never lose the child-like wonder. It's just too important. It's what drives us." -Randy Pausch

Some people have said I am crazy, cooky and zany. They have also said that I act like a child and don't act my age. These descriptions are all true. I'm not going to deny it. I am a "child-man".

Child-man: A child trapped in a grown man's body.

I'm 20 years old and I haven't lost the child-like wonder that I had as a little kid. I'm pretty proud of this.  As many of my friends know, especially after this summer, I do act crazy and child-like.  But I feel that the most fun we had was when we didn't act our age and acted like kids! 

I've found a happy medium between serious Ryan and silly, goofy Ryan. As the quote says, our child-like wonder is too important to lose. I encourage all of y'all to get in touch with your inner child and don't act your age every once and a while.

The silliness, the goofiness and acting like a kid make me who I am. And I wouldn't have it any other way!

Keep on Dreaming Y'all!

-Ryan

Peace

This week has been very eventful from a news standpoint. As everyone should know, Tuesday was the 11th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. This was to be a day of remembrance for all of those victims and heroes who lost their lives on that tragic day.

Unfortunately, on the 11th anniversary of those attacks, another attack was taking place upon the U.S Embassy in Libya. More blood was shed and more lives were lost, including that of U.S Ambassador Chris Stevens.

The whole situation is scary. It is truly saddening and upsetting to see this taking place.

I know what I'm about to say is cliche but I believe it truly is something that we should pray for: world peace. I know that I will continue to pray for this situation to be resolved peacefully.

Blessed are the Peacemakers,
for they shall be known as the Children of God.
But I say to you that hear, love your enemies,
do good to those who hate you,
bless those who curse you,
pray for those who abuse you.
To those who strike you on the cheek, offer the other also,
and from those who take away your cloak,
do not withhold your coat as well.
Give to everyone who begs from you,
and of those who take away your goods, do not ask them again.
And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

 

-Ryan

Whirlwind

Well it's been a whirlwind couple of weeks! I've been quite busy! I've spent a lot of time with family and friends, making care packages =), sending my little brother off to college and I even got to use my new camera in an adventure at the park!

Last week was the start of school. Finally, it had arrived! My final semester at TCC. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am to be transferring to the University of North Texas in the spring!

For the first time in a long time, I was kind of excited to start school. I'm glad I was. This semester is going to be my best (and easiest) so far! I'm loving my classes, especially Acting I. Everyday has presented interesting situations and challenges. My teachers are great! I can't wait to see what God has planned for the rest of this semester!

I do miss my very dear friends and I can't wait until we get to see each other again! =)

Here are a few thing I've been up to:

 Helped Skyler move into his new apartment

 My cousin lost his first tooth!

 She was so tired from a day of swimming! She is the most precious little girl in the world!

Pics from my day at the park!

Keep on dreaming folks!-Ryan

Angels

"Friends are angels sent down to earth to make good days and help us find our way."

I am very fortunate for the many blessings the good Lord has bestowed upon me. One of those blessings is the gift of friendship.

"Friends are angels sent down to earth to make good days and help us find our way." 

 

God sent a particular group of "angels" from Allen,TX into my life this summer. At first, I did not see their purpose in my life but as the summer drew on, their purpose became clearer and clearer.

Working at a summer camp for two months is difficult. I don't know how I would have made it without these "angels". We formed a close knit bond that can't be broken. We became a family. We made so many memories that we will carry with us and cherish for the rest of our lives.

Our "Nights out on the Town". Our midnight laundry talks. Playing catch in the rain. Our many dinners at Pam's. Our world famous Starbucks Internet Parties. Even that time I outran a car.

We did it all together! 

Their purpose was to help me realize who I really was. They helped me become a better person. For this I am eternally grateful.

Now everyone is off to school for bigger and brighter things.  As we leave to do our own things, we'll miss each other. That's natural for a group as close as ours. But we'll have those memories to hold us over until we see each other again.

 

I thank the Lord everyday for sending these "angels" into my life.