alive

It was a spectacular day.

Not in the normal day to day activities but in something more.

It was the weather. It was the feeling in the air. It was the atmosphere. It was everything.

I went running this morning at 7 and the feeling of the wind meeting my face was exactly what I needed. To see the sun glistening over all of Arkansas, and all over the world is humbling, it makes me feel alive. That's why I think I loved today so much. It made me feel alive.

I feel alive when I am laughing so hard, I can't stop. When my brain starts losing oxygen because I havn't taken a breathe--when my abs are actually getting a workout from my deep, raucous, and obnoxious laughter. Laughter makes life so real, so in the moment.

I feel alive when I'm in the mountains. Whether we are driving and passing the undescribable views, or whether we are climbing to the peak, and the snow capped Rockies are the backdrop to my world. It's those damn mountains, with their jagged edges and sentiments of tranquility that remind me of how human I am. And also, how grand God is. The world is at our fingertips, and we are only one small part. When millions of trees, animals, and flowers are surronding you, and all you can see for miles is the forestry of the mountains you know this. You know that you are small, so small. But you are loved. So loved.

I feel alive when I sing. I'm not good. I'm not the next Kris Allen. No, by any vocalized standards, I'm pretty bad. But, driving along the long stretch of highway and singing "Come on Get Higher" or "Fearless" especially after a Sunday morning after church is just amazing. With your hand reaching for the world outside the window, it's like you can breathe in life. It's like you are in another realm of happiness.

I feel alive when I am with kids. They touch my soul, they know my soul. Nothing makes me happier when I see an adorable child and they smile back at me. It's like confirmation for everything I love in this world. They love without any hesitation. They energize me, they bring me lots of smiles, and they warm my heart.

I feel alive, really alive, in the presence of love. When I have that connection with someone, where you can feel their heart. I do mean that. I love when you can be completley yourself around someone else, and they can do the same, that is love. When you witness love, between a mother and child, between friends, between complete strangers, that makes me feel alive.

This year at school has come to an end and I couldn't describe how many moments I have truly felt ALIVE. Practically, everyday. I live in one of the most beautiful states, learn from incredible educators, engage in conversation with amazing people, and have had the chance to grow, but not in the way that is linear, in a way that it is a journey and this is just apart of it. Saying goodbye was much harder this year. My friends, are just, apart of me now. It hurt my heart more than I expected, but I'm looking up. The end of the school year is opening up the door to a summer where I will be challenged, and where I will be exposed to something totally new. A summer where I really can expect the unexpected. I can already taste the sweet scent of hot summer air. Here's to being alive.

This world makes me feel alive.

And even when it rains outside, even with the sun is not shining, still let it shine.

Feel alive. Be alive.