Restoring my faith in humanity.

I try to surround myself with generally good people. People who are helpful and generous and happy people. But that's not always the case, and honestly it's hard to be that way myself sometimes. And I lose a little bit of faith in mankind every day. There's a whole list off the top if my head of things that disappoint me like: the fact that women are paid significantly less than men for equal(if not better) work, I'm not sure racism, sexism, and stereotyping will ever disappear, or the fact that people think a whole lot less of themselves than they deserve. But every once in a while, I find inspirational things that are just so freakin cool and it makes me feel a little better about the goodness in the world.

Like, these people for instance. 

The message of the whole video is amazing(and it was shared by a fantastic former teacher of mine, who is expecting a baby with her wife soon), but the part that really got me is that one man goes out of his way to ask the judgmental waitress if she believes in Jesus. In conservative Texas, he might as well have slapped her in the face. But then he goes on to explain that it is not her place to judge. And when asked about it later he just explains that he thinks silence is the problem today. "Christians" are quick to judge, but forget the "love one another" part too quickly, if you ask me.

Or these people. Who are accepting and gracious, and show the greatest side of athletics in general. 

My favorite quote from this video is "I was just raised to treat everyone the way I want to be treated." Because I know that my parents would be so proud to be this kid's parents. I hope that if given the opportunity, I would make the same call this kid did. And it just brought to mind kids from my small town high school who wouldn't have done it. But it brought to mind more who would have. Kids who were raised with the best of intentions. And the fact that this kid took this opportunity to show the world and media that his parents made him the person that he is shows so much gratitude and respect. I respect that, because I owe all that I am to the people who raised me. Not just my parents, but my whole family and all my coaches who have taught me all kinds of lessons along the way.

In the end, I guess it restored my faith in myself. And though I think I'm pretty remarkable sometimes, in reality I'm on the same playing field as everyone else. Maybe they're all seeing the same things.

xox

I miss my cheeseburger.

I'm a busy, lazy girl.
So the most awesome thing in my life, was a big, greasy, cheesy burger.
And then I got fat.

So lent rolled around and I'm like what can I give up? Something that I love but might be better off without. Social networking? Not possible, duh. VEISHEA. Pop? Yeah that doesn't work.

I got it, McDonald's. No, fast food. I gave up fast food for lent.
I'm not eating burgers or fries or even chicken caesar salads from the drive-thru.

I wish I could tell you that I know the lack of McDoubles will make me a better person but I can't tell you that. Because honestly, I miss them. I miss convenient food that is greasy and delicious and salty.

AND I GAVE UP FAST FOOD JUST IN TIME TO ONLY GET ONE SHAMROCK SHAKE.

I'm not going to give in to the devil desires of the McDynasty.
But UGH I want a burger. This isn't even fun.

Why couldn't I give up loser guys instead?

Ambitions

So this weekend I got to go home and watch my babies KILL it at the State Cheerleading Competition... That team made me who I am today, and I am so blessed to have been able to cheer with such talented athletes, both in high school and college. I have made lifetime friends and I am so grateful.

Coaches taught me so much more than skills. I learned how working hard can be fun. How the reward is so sweet. I learned that respect should be mutual, always. I learned that you have to give if you want to receive. And most of all, your family isn't even who you expected it to be. You all know already, but you can't replace people like Joey, Gail, Kay, and all the amazing coaches who have come through our program.

For those of you who see the end of an amazing opportunity such as this as that, the end, well I have news. You will do such greater things in life. 
How you take hold of opportunities can define you. Working hard and knowing you did your best will make it so worth it, regardless of someone's opinion of you. You will always know your worth.
When you see the end of the road coming, walk slow, take it in, smile as you cross the finish line. Twirl around in a circle and see where your next path leads, because someday you'll have great successes, and experience new joys that will remind you how you felt during these times. I've already had a few myself.

Don't take any part for granted. I have no regrets, and I know that I'm blessed, but in cases like this I know that I've always been given only what I have earned. Sometimes you have to grab onto an opportunity and make it what you always hoped it would be.

Remember to thank your parents for their hard work. I know it seems small, and you definitely did the hard work, but you wouldn't be anywhere without their rides to practice, their long days spent cheering on a cheerleader, and not to mention the financial aspect that being the prettiest girls in school can be. ;)

Just know that even though a panel of RANDOM STRANGERS you've never met may say they beat you by a hair, we couldn't be more proud. And at the end of the day, you guys know you won so much more than a trophy and a title. xoxox, Lex