Today, I ate chocolate cake for breakfast. Last night, I laughed so hard I could not control the tears streaming down my face. And each day this summer I have counted my blessings as if each day could be my last.
I honestly do not know if I even knew what pure happiness was before these past few months. That’s not to say I am ungrateful for all the opportunities and experiences I have been blessed with thus far in my life; but there is something extremely powerful about the unending joy and gladness I've felt this summer. This summer has been about finding me. A glimpse into my summer would be filled with coffee, quality livestock (mostly of the bovine species), ice cream, my trusty camera, barn jam sessions, social media profiles, prayer, friends, and a whole lot of family. Quality time and words of affirmation are my love languages. (A love language is simply the way you best respond to affection of any sort from anybody. The 5 love languages: acts of service, physical touch, quality time, receiving gifts, and words of affirmation*) Where do I spend my quality time? With cattle (& humans). The first and last few hours of each of my days are spent in the barn with Riggsbee and Glory Bea. The good morning licks and good night kisses from Riggs are some of my favorite parts of my day, and the sass Bea gives keeps me on my toes. But the best part? They are always there for me - from crazy barn jam sessions to tear-filled confessions and secrets - I can always count on these two. The solace and peace found in working hair for hours on end is something I am forever grateful for. Going back to school is going to be tough without these two… Although I love Riggs and Bea, time spent with my family or best friends is hard to beat too - especially if coffee or ice cream are involved. From jackpot show adventures to late night chats around a campfire, I am so grateful for the time I get to spend with those I love. Please never take this for granted. Have you ever found yourself looking for some quality time with yourself? Because I have. This summer I have given myself quality time - and it has been life altering. I have found myself happier and healthier than I have been in years. It can be so easy to get so caught up in the everyday cycle of work, school, stress, and life, we forget to LOVE our life. I encourage you to set aside an hour a day for YOU. Do whatever it is that makes your soul shine! Read a book, run a mile, call a pal (or two), drink a cup of coffee or tea or whatever your go-to is, journal, grab your camera and go, eat a pint of your favorite Ben & Jerry’s or Halo Top, go sit in the pasture, say a prayer and catch up with God - but take time for you. I encourage you to take these last few weeks before you head back to college or school to find you. Take in all the moments while you still can. Try something new. Take a leap of faith. Why? You deserve it. (*Take the test for yourself at: www.5lovelanguages.com)
1 Comment
I love football. I especially love watching my little brother play. At defensive end, the athlete thrives. Getting off the block, the sack comes easily to Tanner. Interceptions are his favorite. Switching to offense is a breeze and the one-handed grabs at mid-field send me into wild cheers. Witnessing the last quarter of Tanner’s second to last football game of the season was a highlight of my fall so far because I was FINALLY able to get to a game. Football season is upon us and I am so excited. The cool, crisp, fall air tinged with the damp scent of manure spackled earth let me know I was finally home. And that it was finally one of my favorite times of year. While most dread trudging through the mud to bring up the cows for fall vaccinations, preg-checks, and most importantly weaning, this weekend, I embraced it. I don’t get to come home often for more than a couple days, so this weekend when I had four days to spend at home, I was enthused. Fall: the season of cool days and cooler nights, beautiful colors, and a whole pile of gratefulness and thanksgiving. Now, not only did I spend time on the sidelines of the football field and in the pasture and barn, but I also fully embraced my mama’s fall cooking (savory apple squash soup and delectable, homegrown lamb chops), took a little time to snuggle up on the couch with my family, and some time for myself. Going back to my roots - where everything began for me - was one of the best decisions I have made in a long time. My energy and outlook on life and the opportunities in store were refreshed and rejuvenated while I sat in the pasture and reflected on my past few crazy months. Being able to get out in the barn and work with cattle again was also so uplifting for my spirit. Isn’t it crazy how we get so busy with other happenings in our lives we forget about what makes us happiest? And for everything there is a reason… Sometimes, life hits us hard. In the face. Waits for us to get back up - just to kick us in the stomach.* Life throws these curve balls at us at some of the most inopportune times, but that allows us to grow, experience, change, and learn. God only gives challenges to those He knows can handle them. The past few months have not been easy for me; getting sick with Mono and Lyme’s this summer, the transition to college, and then trying to find the balance between FFA State Officer responsibilities, my education, my health, and a social life (which as of now, is kind of non-existent honestly). The struggle is real, my friends. But you know what? There is obviously a reason for all this madness. Sometimes, it can be difficult to take a step back and do what makes us happiest. Sometimes we don’t know that’s what we need. But it is necessary to do every once in awhile. God has given us all gifts and opportunities that make us happiest, all we need to do is embrace them - often. This past weekend, I rediscovered what makes me happiest. And I am now looking forward to some of the craziest six weeks of my life. The fall is one of my favorite seasons. And sometimes we just need a reason to find what fuels our passion again. For everything there is a season and for everything there is a reason... *From “B” by Sarah Kay For those who have been involved in FFA, the feeling of sliding your arms into the blue corduroy, pulling up the zipper and tucking it in comes with a deep breath of pride, bliss, and comfort as the influence of those who hold the same passion surround you. I met Johnny in my favorite blue corduroy at National FFA Convention where we served as state delegates, and said goodbye 42 days later in the same jacket, decades too soon. Johnny was a true Texan and lived life unlike anyone I had ever met; he exuded an overabundance of joy and passion and shared it with everyone he met. Even though we lived 1,000 miles apart, Johnny never failed to bring a smile to my face on a daily basis. Servant leader would best describe Johnny, as he had a true service mentality, always pushing others to be and do their best. The loss of Johnny in my life was a major setback for me; he was an incredible individual who left this life much too early. For weeks following his death, I seemed to be in a deeply grieving state, but one day I realized I needed to pull myself together and live like Johnny because we never know if today may be our last. I told myself, “You can live Johnny’s legacy - live like Johnny!” Although we needed to finish our year serving as Region and Area Presidents first, Johnny and I planned on helping each other achieve a common goal of ours - preparing for running and serving as State FFA officers for our respective state associations. In January, Region V holds their winter leadership conference, Leading the Challenge (LTC) and this was the first FFA event and time I needed to wear official dress for me since Johnny’s funeral. Putting on my favorite blue corduroy felt different that morning. Serving as President, my teammates looked to me for counsel and guidance as we prepared and facilitated the two day LTC conference. I was leading reflections on that first evening, sharing Johnny’s love of life and communicating with others. In that half hour time period, lives changed - mine included. The impact and inspiration Johnny was to me, was now shared with 130 other FFA members and they accepted the challenge to #LiveLikeJohnny. In this moment, Johnny was my reminder that I can continue to live a legacy and achieve my goals. |
AuthorKylee Kohls - #passionateAGvocate Archives
July 2018
Categories |