This book was the book my father gave my mother while they were dating, it is a family favorite.
Teaches me about human nature and what love is. I think about this book in regards to my behavior or in relationships... makes me think am I the rose, the rose garden, the fox, the prince... Read it, it is such a beautiful story.
"Just that," said the fox. "To me, you are still nothing more than a little boy who is just like a hundred thousand other little boys. And I have no need of you. And you, on your part, have no need of me. To you I am nothing more than a fox like a hundred thousand other foxes. But if you tame me, then we shall need each other. To me, you will be unique in all the world. To you, I shall be unique in all the world....” ― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince
"And now here is my secret, a very simple secret. It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye.”
― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince
“In those days, I didn't understand anything. I should have judged her according to her actions, not her words. She perfumed my planet and lit up my life. I should never have run away! I ought to have realized the tenderness underlying her silly pretensions. Flowers are so contradictory! But I was too young to know how to love her.”
― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince
The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho
This book has been one of the most influential books in my life. I think there are times when a book speaks to your soul and helps you understand where you are and where you want to be. This book came into my life at the right time and helped me figure out so many things in my life. I read it at a point where my heart had been shattered, I was feeling numb spiritually, I felt lost and didn't know what I wanted or who I was anymore.
“The mere possibility of getting what we want fills the soul of the ordinary person with guilt. We look around at all those who have failed to get what they want and feel that we do not deserve to get what we want either. We forget about all the obstacles we overcame, all the suffering we endured, all the things we had to give up in order to get this far. I have known a lot of people who, when their personal calling was within their grasp, went on to commit a series of stupid mistakes and never reached their goal - when it was only a step away. This is the most dangerous of the obstacles because it has a kind of saintly aura about it. Renouncing joy and conquest. But if you believe yourself worthy of the thing you fought so hard to get, then you become an instrument of God, you help the Soul of the World, and you understand why you are here.” ― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
“If someone isn't what others want them to be, the others become angry. Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own.”
― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
My Mother: The workout/fitness rockstar. She did a great job on making sure her daughters knew how to burn calories and stay in shape. As a child this was a little hard because we were dragged to the pool to swim laps, to the track to run laps and to her aerobics studio to do step/regular aerobics. .
As an adult, I value the foundation I have of fitness and make sure I have time for it in my daily life
Thank You Mom!
My Father: My father was soft spoken, firm and physically strong. He had a laugh that would light up a room and a way of being positive in a fun playful way. He knew how to lighten a situation and brighten any darkness around him. He was a avid reader, movie watcher and music lover.
I would tell him my dreams, ask advise on car issues and get direction on spiritual matters. He was the perfect father for little girls and even though no person is perfect he was the perfect person to be my father. I have his green eyes, his healthy appetite, tan skin and love for books.
Shannon: The inspiration for this blog. She would listen to me ramble on about all the little beauty tricks I was trying/learning. She knew how much I love this sort of thing and asked if I would to teach some of her friends about beauty. I told Shannon what I was thinking of starting a blog, in response she sat down with me and has spent countless hours helping me design this blog. I feel so lucky to have someone who is supportive of my ideas and interests. She is the one person who has listened to my endless thoughts and then rolled up her sleeves and helped me accomplish it.
I think more people should have Shannons in their lives!
Teachers: Just One, Really Good Professor... That's all I needed. The funny thing is I love being in the class room, interacting with the other students, hearing the lecture, getting a feel for what the teacher wanted.
With that being said, I wasn't buddy buddy with the professors, there were a few whose lectures I enjoyed... but that's about it. Until my senior year at BYU, a good friend and fellow history major told me that he had a favorite teacher who was amazing and I should sign up for one of his classes. The next semester, I remembered my friends suggestion and found a class by that professor. This professor had taught at Oxford, Princeton, Cambridge... first off you would think he was rather proper (lol yeah he was) but at the same time super personal. He had all of the students in the class (which was about 11, high level history class) come in to his office three times that semester for a one on one to discuss the class. In our first meeting we got to talking about my educational path and before I knew it he was my mentor. I remember him asking, what other teachers I had developed ties with and then him being shocked to find out that there were no others. It was as if he was a very, very smart older brother and I still keep in contact with him today. About a year ago he recommended I read the book Endurance, I did and emailed him back with a book report overview. He kindly said that he had referred the book to me because I reminded him of the book, that "against all odds I was the type overcome any obstacle that came my way". It might have been one of the best compliments I have ever received.
