Seasons of Love

I first heard this song on Pandora.  And I fell in love with it. At the end of last year, Chamber sang it. And I fell in love with it again. And, now, I get the opportunity to sing it will the seniors in choir for the Broadway Review that Mesa High is doing. It has made me fall in love with it again. It's my senior year. And it's coming to a close. And what do I have to show for it? Grades? Yeah, that helps with college, but, really, so what? A super tense and knotted back from the loads of stress that I haven't learned how to manage yet? No...no, that's not exactly something I imagine thinking back on that with fondness.

So, what will go down in memory? What makes this all worth remembering? What will I look back on and say, "Yes. That made high school worth it. That made everything, all the drama, and the stress, and all that crap, that made it worth it."

I know. It's the friendships that I have made. The people I have grown close to. The love I have experienced. I was thinking earlier today. My life has been...difficult, I guess would be a good word to use, lately. Just little things piling up. Stress building. And I've never been one to handle my stress well. And then, just when I thought I was at the breaking point, and that there was no way it could get worse...it did. Like a bomb.

But, I didn't break. And I know that this is because of my friends. I was able to go to them, and they were able to help me feel better. The stress is still there - let me tell you, my back feels it! - but there's just a relief. A lift, almost, to know that my friends are there. To make me smile and laugh when I truly just feel like bawling like a baby. It's amazing and awe-inspiring to think of the way the Lord works. To think of how He has placed certain people in my life at this time. To think of the people that I have been able to grow closer to, and the people that have been a strength and support to me. I know I talk about friends a lot. But it's really something that has been on my mind a lot. Because, as much as I'm looking forward to graduating, I'm so bummed at the people I'm going to be leaving.

If I'm only remembered for one thing by those that I'm leaving behind when I go to Flagstaff, I want it to be a legacy of love. "How do you measure the life of a woman or a man?" "Measure in love." I want my friends to know just how much they mean to me, and how much they have helped me. I'm so excited for graduation. Like, I'm ready for it to be tomorrow. But, when that day comes, I know it's going to be SO hard. But...in my heart, I'll be singing this:

"It's time now, to sing out
Though the story never ends.
Let's celebrate
Remember a year in the life of friends.
Remember the love."

Tengo una pregunta (or for all you gringos out there, I have a question.)

This week has been amazing, let me tell you. And not just because it's spring break and I've done absolutely nothing and it's been wonderfully stress free! But, I feel like there's been so much...growth...in me. And I really have no clue why. Tuesday night, my first night up in Sedona, I was having my scripture study. And it was amazing. I had one of those inspirations/epiphanies. It felt great. I felt so open to the spirit. Scripture study was just as great Wednesday and Thursday. At first I thought it may have just been because I was kind of separated from the world - in a secluded hotel up in Sedona. But then, Friday night, the day I got back home, I still had a great scripture study. In fact, I had another one of those inspirations/epiphany things. Two in a week! Crazy!

I just feel...awake. I can't really explain. I just feel like things are coming together, and that I'm a little bit more open than before, if that makes sense. Little changes in my life. Holding my tongue here, saying a kind word there. Little things like that. But, here's the deal. My scripture study last night made me step back and think. I want your guys' help here.

So, my ultimate goal in life is to make a difference in the world, even if that difference is to the world of one person. A little while ago, my brother randomly said, "I think I have the definition of love. It's joy." Now, usually my gut reaction to anything my brother says is to disagree. That's just what we do. I agreed to a point, but somehow it felt...selfish. Love isn't about yourself. It's about the other person, I think. So love shouldn't be your own joy. And then, in my scripture study and in reading a talk from the Relief Society General Conference, I now think that love, true and pure love, is desiring others to have joy. Maybe not necessarily being able to give them that joy, because we all have our agency, but wanting them to have joy, and trying to help them gain joy. In other words, love it putting yourself out of the equation. It's being selfless. I feel like the only way to make a difference in the world is through love. In fact, I know that is the only way to make a difference. Which means, I need to think about myself less and think about others a little more.

This is where you come in. Beth Root is naturally a selfish person. It's true. It's something I try to bury down, but it just comes naturally. The natural man, I guess. But, I'm trying to make a difference. So, I have a question for you all. What are maybe some things that people have done for you, or that you do, or just whatever, that make a difference. That express love. That show compassion. I learned that compassion is an action word. If you have compassion, then you will do. What are maybe some things that I can do? Suggestions? Comments? Anything would be welcome. It's times like this where I feel like I can see clearly, and I want so much to change my life little by little, so I can be that person that helps people and makes a difference.

So comment on here, or Facebook me, or whatever. Just help me out here. what are some things that make a difference and show love? I want to try and do them! And, you know, not anything crazy like building houses for homeless people. As awesome as that would be, I'm pretty sure that's out of my capability. And budget. :)

To love another person is to see the face of God. - Don't forget that!