Category: My Life

Why I Marched

~ Laura ~ 2 Comments

Just a few days ago I went on my second March for Life, after going to two West Coast Walk for Life’s before that. Being part of the March is by far one of the most inspirational things I’ve ever been a part of. And this is my thoughts on why . . .

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Back in 2011 I went to my first Walk for Life, which was the first major pro-life event I remember attending. It moved me. It’s funny when I look back in old journal entries and laugh (cringe too) because I was fairly obsessed with musicals and wanting to be a broadway star for the better part of my tween years. I didn’t yet have the direction I now have in my life, which I think I was wanting to fill with musical theater. Don’t get me wrong, I still love music. But I’ve found something better and more beautiful to be part of, and that is defending, protecting, and promoting life.

If someone were to ask me why for pete’s sake I went to freeze to death in D.C., here’s some of what I’d share with them:

I marched this year because I stand in solidarity with all who have been harmed by abortion.

I marched this this year because I believe no one wants to grow up to work in the abortion industry, and those who do work in it need to be given better places to work.

I marched this year because our world so desperately needs people to stand up for what is right, even if it means 55 hours on a bus and freezing in D.C.

I marched this year to be a witness to people in my life how much I love and care about life.

I marched this year because I believe that without action, our beliefs are a moot point.

I marched this year for the 1/3 of my generation who will never see the light of day.

I marched this year for all the mothers who have resorted to abortion sometimes through coercion or lack of resources to choose life.

I marched this year for all the fathers who may or may not have stood up for the lives of their children.

I marched this year for the two babies I named who were victims of abortion.

Ultimately, I marched this year because I believe life is our most precious gift. I believe every single life, regardless of race, religion, or socioeconomic status is unique and unrepeatable. No matter who you are, you are a gift from God, and no one has the right to snuff out your life.

I believe women and our country deserve better than abortion.

The pro-life movement is a movement of love, and the March never fails to remind me of that. To stand there with hundreds of thousands of people who believe in the joy life brings . . . guys. It’s really amazing. It still makes me tear up. I mean, it’s hard to describe how incredible it feels to be part of something that is so much bigger than myself. It’s kind of like holding a baby. In that moment all is right with the world (unless they’re crying or throwing up or something of course). You just look at those precious little eyes, the fingers that curl around yours, and the itty bitty toes that will someday run up and down the hallways. That right there is hope. You don’t know who this person will become, what they will do, or what lives they may touch.

In each person I see the potential for greatness. And I think it’s a shame that in our country we reduce the preciousness of each life to an issue of “rights” – a woman’s right to choose, etc. We’re so much more than that! We are unique, unrepeatable, and made to love and be loved. Abortion does not fit with that notion. And neither does euthanasia, contraception, or the death penalty.

Me? I’m just one person. Sure, I marched for life. But showing the world how beautiful life is takes a lot more than that.

Our everyday lives have to mirror our beliefs. When our joy and love of life overflows to the people we meet, they eventually are going to have to wonder what we’ve got that they don’t. And that, folks is a whole lot of love and hope. That is what I experienced at the March, and it’s why I marched. I marched because I stand for life, love, and the dignity of each and every person.

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Finish this – Week 2

~ Laura ~ 6 Comments

1. If I could make anything grow on trees, it would be . . . money. Well, that might get complicated. But I’ll still go with it! No more loans or worrying about how to pay for things. Also, full on instant meals like in Spy Kids would be cool 🙂

2. I can’t stop smiling . . . when I’m watching/reading something inspiring, or holding/playing with a baby.

3. I get back to nature by . . . taking a walk (preferably when there’s sunshine).

4. I dread washing . . . cars. And windows. Seriously, who likes washing windows?!?!

Aaaand you can check out the other links here. Join us next week for another round of Finish This!

NAS: Making NOW Count

~ Laura ~ 11 Comments

When I started blogging, I had no idea that there’s a whole blogging “world”. People read each other’s blogs and comment back and forth with each other. Even though they might not live near each other, they get to know each other through writing. The funny thing is that quite a lot of the blogs out there are written by moms . . . And that’s definitely not where I am in my life right now, so it doesn’t make sense to follow them avidly.

What I have found, though, is that there are quite a few young Catholic women like me out there. And it’s really refreshing to read what they write. When I found the Not Alone Series (started last summer), I was intrigued by the concept. Many of these young, Catholic, and single blogger ladies would write on a specific topic each week and share their take on it. The majority of the topics have had to do with the Catholic single life, which is why I haven’t participated. Until now.

I’ve never written (that I can remember) about this because, hey. I know who reads my blog, and I wasn’t sure that I wanted them all to have access to things that might be a little more personal about me. But then I figured why NOT? Seriously. If you’re a young Catholic woman you’ve probably thought things similar to me. And if you’re a woman young at heart, maybe you’ve been where us young’uns are now. So really, nothing new people. I won’t post anything so terribly awkward that any of you people would die reading it.

And so beings my participation in the Not Alone Series.

This week’s topic is:

In what ways can you grow/stretch RIGHT NOW that could effect the whole of 2014?

Well, that’s a loaded question.

I can grow . . . in my prayer life.

Being at college has given me all sorts of opportunities that are not necessarily going to be at my disposal in the future: 24 hours adoration within a 7 minute walk, multiple daily masses, countless faith-enriching events, and so much more. I also have a crazy awesome stack of Catholic-related books to read. I’m working on the books, and started regular adoration last semester. My prayer books I write in (almost!) every day is also part of this.

I can grow AND stretch myself . . . in my relationships with friends and relatives.

Talking with people gives you so much more insight than any type of social media ever could. And quite frankly, my generation has generally forgotten how to talk. Instead we text or shoot off a quick email. Ever have to call someone’s home phone to talk with them and have a family member answer? Hmmmm, probably not too many people remember that. Face to face interaction is so important, and I think that’s one reason why it’s hard to start sidewalk counseling. But I’m going to do it anyway. It seems that most people appreciate when you give them the time of day and take time to listen, so I need to do more of that.

I can stretch myself . . . in my classes.

Oh my. This is a biggie. Last semester my classes streeeeeeeeeeeeeetched me to a point where I broke a little. They were demanding, and I sometimes failed to devote enough effort to them. That feels really lame, and I never want to look back on a semester and think that again. I have to give them my all. We’ll see how I feel after classes begin, but I am predicting just as hard of a semester.

I can grow . . . by serving others instead of always leading.

Call it being a “natural leader” or it might just be my somewhat demanding and at times bossy personality. Trust me, I never intend to be harsh or overly demanding of people I am involved in things with. It just turns out that most of the time I care a lot about things I get involved with, and I have high expectations of most people. That aside, I’ve been really trying to take a step back, delegate, and give others the freedom to do things how they want to. Because guess what? People matter. To be a good leader I think people have to believe that you trust them, and giving them freedom does just that. People are capable of doing things rather well without me.  I must put that into practice by being more of a servant leader.

I can grow . . . by writing more.

Maybe I should start considering myself a bit of a writer, but I never have before. Writing (creatively, that is – no essay prompts!) helps to explore issues and thoughts. It helps me connect with people. And you know what? Sometimes I have good things to say. This is one of my goals for the month (and year!): to write more. Writing for Live Action is lots of fun, and I need to get back to it. Writing here is even more fun, and I know that words can have a lasting impact. I need to appreciate and harness that power and communicate it through writing about things I care about.

And there you have it. I have lots of growing to do in little and big ways. No matter how small the change, though, it can make a lasting impact on my life. There are lots of other (maybe smaller?) ways I can grow, which I write up each month in my goals posts. Check back at the beginning of each month for those!

Dear Difficult People: Thank You

~ Laura ~ 2 Comments

Sometimes I just don’t want to deal with people. Well, just some people. Some are awesome to be around and I enjoy their company. But others are a challenge and leave me incredulous occasionally. I have to keep my mouth shut because we’ve all heard the “if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all” thing, right? I ask myself why in the world there are so many people who are ridiculous, rude, and/or unpleasant.

But then I realized this.

Some people come in your life as blessings, others come in yourn life as lessons. Which one are you?

I can’t remember where, but I remember reading something a while ago online where a woman was talking about a person who constantly challenged her. And when she saw that person, she said something along the lines of “there is my sanctification”.

I need to remember that. Life is not always peachy keen, and how I respond to people and challenges shape me into who I am.

Maybe people who challenge me are in my life because I need to change. I need to learn from them. I need to be more patient. More humble. More kind. I do NOT usually know people’s motivation for doing things, and who knows what kind of issues they might be dealing with that I don’t know about.

So, thanks difficult people. You’re helping me become a better person.

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Finish This . . . Week 1

~ Laura ~ 1 Comment

FinishThis--SMALL

I saw this link-up and had to join in the fun. Check it out here to add your own link (or get next week’s prompt!).

 

1. I first felt like a grown-up… when I started getting jobs. Leaving for college was another time when I felt older all of a sudden.

 

2. I am one-of-a-kind because… that’s the way God made me (and you too!)

 

3. Spanx is… not something I’ve ever worn.

 

4. My favorite family tradition(s)… are around Christmastime: midnight mass at 8pm, all the Advent readings every night, getting up at 5am on Christmas and having to wait to wake up Mom and Dad

 

5. The last thing I do before bed is… pray. As part of my monthly goals this past fall, I committed to writing at least one prayer intention down each day, and have been doing it ever since. I end my day by writing down any I didn’t earlier, and then praying for them and other people in my life.

 

6. Happiness is… holding a baby, laughing until you cry, basking in the sunshine, and changing someone’s life

 

How would you end these?