Lead and Follow

I dance..... a lot.......

The other night, I was blues dancing and starting thinking about the different elements of leading vs following a dance. As the girl, I'm usually the follow. I kind of have it easy. I don't have to come up with the moves. I just follow them. I pride myself on being a pretty great follow. Just ask any of the guys I dance with. :)

As I look back on the many years I've been social dancing, there are a few dances that I remember more than others. The reason I remember these dances were for various reasons, like the song was perfect, the connection was right on, and most of all I followed the guy and I didn't fight what he was trying to lead.

Which leads me to my point. When it comes to Christ, He's the lead, and I'm the follow. There are many times when I fight what the lead is trying to give. There's a struggle and the dance is usually not as fun as it could be. I'll add in my own flair and soul to it, but it tugs and pulls against what He is trying to lead.

But when the music is just right, and I give my body and my soul to Christ (my lead), the dance seems to work perfectly. It ebbs and flows just where it needs to go. The connection is strong, yet gentle. I can sense His direction, and I follow.

I'm still working on my follow. Sometimes, I still try to do my own styling and solo moves. And sometimes the lead lets me. But I always come back to my Lead. That's where the fun lies. It's in His hands.

Check-up

A few years ago, my bishop suggested that I do a bi-annual evaluation of where I'm at in my life and make some goals. It should be done ever birthday and half-birthday. I just had my birthday last weekend. 27 is starting to sound older to me. I've always been one to embrace my age, and I want to keep doing this. It still doesn't change the fact that it's starting to sound old.

So here's where I'm at. The good things:

* Life is pretty mellow. Can't really complain.

* I'm starting to save a little bit more money.

* I have great roommates and a great place to live.

* I have a great job that pushes me to be better.

* I'm dancing more than ever and it's been amazing!

The not-so-good things:

* I don't feel like much has changed in my life. It's stagnant.

* I could be doing better with spiritual matters.

* I'm still spending more than I should. I need to get out of debt.

Here are my new goals for the next 6 months:

* Be kind and friendly to all I meet, even the ones that I feel are judging me or putting me down.

* Pay off one of my credit cards by my half birthday.

* Be grateful for at least one thing a day.

Even though not much has happened over the last few months, one great thing has happened. I've gotten into running. Since March, I've ran the Wasatch Back Relay, a 10k, a 5k, and a freaking half marathon! When I crossed the finish line of that half marathon, it was one of the most invigorating moments of my life. I rate that accomplishment up there with graduating from college. I never thought I'd be one of those people that would bear my testimony about something like running, but running has changed my life. It has brought some major highs, and taken me to some low depths. It's such a mental thing. Some people enjoy running because they feel like they can run away from their problems. Running has quite the opposite effect on me. But it's a good thing. Running is my thing. I'm not a fast runner or a good one. But I really enjoy it! Still can't say I love it, but it's been an incredible blessing in my life.

Dancing through Dating

I've thought about starting a dating blog. Parts would be funny, parts would be contemplative. I feel as though I've gone through quite enough experiences that I'm kind of an expert at dating (even though I'm still not married!)

Some of the topics I would post about:

How to ask out on a date
Good dates
Bad Dates
Blind dates
What makes a good guy a good guy...same with girls
Things that make or break a relationship
Dealing with rejection
Etc...

Thoughts?

Great Expectations

I would safely say this is a self-evaluating time of life right now! Hence, the soul searching entries. But isn't that what a blog is for?! ;)

I've realized something about expectations over the last few months. The reason life is disappointing is because expectations aren't met. Usually we set our expectations too high that no one (not even ourselves) can reach those expectations. That's when disappointment comes in. 

Quite a while ago, I realized my expectations were too high about everything. My relationships were falling apart, I wasn't succeeding in my career, and even my intelligence was challenged to the point that I didn't even feel like I was smart anymore. So I started to protect myself. And by protecting myself, I lowered my expectations. A lot. 

Then about 2 months ago, I had an epiphany.  I realized that by lowering my expectations so much, I was dissatisfied with how my life was turning out. I wasn't driving myself to succeed in anything. My life had become stagnant. 

So which is worse? Having your expectations so high that you're constantly disappointed? Or having your expectations so low that you're dissatisfied? I've begun the quest in finding a happy medium. I realized that by lowering my expectations so much, I was quite unhappy about that. Yes, I was protected and nothing was disappointing. However, I realized that I wasn't taking any chances and that wasn't good enough for me. So I'm trying to raise my expectations again and find that happiness in success and learn how to fail a little bit too.

Wish me luck!

Character

I've been thinking a lot about character lately. I once heard that true character is what you do when no one is watching. This is both the good things and the bad. I usually think about the not-so-good things I do when no one is watching. This is a time of life when I'm only accountable to myself. There's not really anyone checking up on me. I don't have my parents that make me check in at curfew. I don't have a husband or kids that are watching me. It's just me.

A friend was talking about agency today. I think this ties in very closely to what character is. I have a choice of what I'm going to do with my life. I have a choice of how I'm living my life when no one is watching. I need to work on my character. I need to live my life better. I should still be serving more when no one is watching, instead of being so selfish.  I need to choose to do these things. I need to use my agency for good! :)

As I read in 1st Nephi the other day, I came across one of my favorite scriptures. It spoke of the fiery serpents that the Lord sent to those that were wandering in the wilderness. But He also gave them a simple way to help them. All they had to do was look on the staff with the serpent and they would live. But because of the simpleness of the way, many didn't believe and perished. How often do I do that? Living the gospel can be so easy, yet I struggle with it. I doubt, and where doubt is faith cannot exist. So I need to get back to the basics and try not to doubt anymore. It's a struggle, but it's also simple. I need to focus on the simplicity of the gospel. That's where the faith can be. 

Sherri needs...

I usually don't do these things, but it was pretty funny!

Instructions: Google the phrase (including the quotes) "[your first name] needs" and write down the first 10 results.

1. Sherri needs soap in her mouth
2. Sherri needs to take a look at her walk and talk and examin her choice for a man who will lead this country.
3. Sherri needs guidance, and her angels to give her strength as she starts this new journey in her life.
4. Sherri needs to just rise above the nonsense with dignity and class.
5. Sherri needs to shut up about her personal life!
6. Sherri needs to think more before she speaks.
7. Sherri needs to wake up.
8. Sherri needs another dip.
9. Sherri needs artwork driven to Denver.
10. Sherri needs to remember what it was that she was suppose to forget so that she can be sure to remember to forget the right thing.

Most of these posts were in regards to Sherri Shepherd, who I guess was on the View or something. Pretty entertaining!

Memories from Reno Dance Sensation

I attended Reno Dance Sensation this last weekend. It was AMAZING!!! That was the best west coast dancing I've ever experienced! Here are my top memories (in no particular order) from the weekend:

1. Making it to the finals for the strictly competition. Wouldn't have made it without Bryson!!

2. Dancing with some of the pro's. One or two of them actually asked ME to dance! Slightly intimidating, but so great to dance with some of the best. Inspiring!

3. Competing in all the competitions. I was a little bummed I didn't make it further in some of the comps I did, but it was a great experience regardless.

4. The Friday night late night dance was the best dancing for me. The DJ's were crazy good and the dancing was on!!

5. Meeting the people in the swing world always makes me happy! Plus seeing old friends that I haven't seen in months/years always brings a smile to my face.

6. Our Saturday night late night impromptu blues dancing. I'm smiling just thinking about it!

7. Watching the pro's dance is indescribable! Holy cow, they're GOOD!!!

8. Getting to dance West Coast, Salsa, Lindy, and Blues in one weekend!! What more could I want?! Even though I strained my Acceles this was by far the BEST event I've been to yet!

One thing I decided this weekend was that I want to go to more of these events and start competing more. I think my goal is to be in the advanced division by the time I'm 30. :) I think I can make it! Wish me luck!