the most // by petie

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So I’m turning 18 really soon. As in, just a few days, on July 26. Eighteen is a really big birthday, or at least that’s what people tell me. And I am excited about it, but I'm finding it difficult to focus on my actual birthday. Instead of planning the festivities or agonizing over how many people to invite, I'm finding myself distracted and not really thinking about the number eighteen at all. 

Instead I'm thinking about time.

by me

I keep wondering how almost twenty years of my life have passed by so quickly. And I can't help but wonder, am I living my life to the fullest?  

I know that's a common saying, but it bears repeating. As humans, we tend to just go through the motions of life. Eat, sleep, work, play, repeat. But is that all there really is to life? Surely not. At least I hope not.

How many beautiful opportunities to live life to the fullest have I glossed over?

As trite as this may sound, I want to make the most of every opportunity to celebrate the small, yet beautiful things in life. God created so much for us to enjoy, so much that we can't even notice it all. I want to watch a sunset on a beach. I want to catch fireflies in a jar on a warm, summer night. I want to dance like crazy in a public place just because I feel like it. I want to spend my days shining light into the lives of others. I want to sit on a cozy porch on a cool, spring morning drinking coffee. I want to read stories to little kids. I want to kiss my man on 4th of July with fireworks in the background. I want to wear a big, fancy red dress with no shoes. I want to twirl around in the rain.

Think of how much richer our lives would be if we took notice of every single beautiful thing around us. Do we even realize all the little blessings God sends our way? He's so good.

But it doesn't just stop there.

I want to take every opportunity to love. As young as I am, I know all too well how difficult love can be. But one thing I have learned is that I can never hold my love back from someone, even (or should I say, especially) if they have wronged me in some way. I should never be afraid to love. Jesus gives His love freely to me; I should pass it on. If I don't, I will regret it. How many times have I passed up an opportunity to love someone?


Basically, I dread the thought of reaching the end of my life and realizing I only lived for myself. 

by me

This may seem cliched, but really, think about it. Are you making the most out of your life? Am I?  

That's why I can't seem to settle down to arrange any birthday plans. Quite honestly, I'm much too excited and anxious about everything I could be doing with my life right now. Like Anne Shirley, all I can do and all I don't know is thrilling to think about, and it just makes me feel glad to be alive. I want to write novels, I want to love, I want to serve. I'm nearly eighteen, and God has gifted me with several talents and passions... how can I change the world? How can you?

I hope as I get older and actually hit twenty-years-old (that sounds SO ancient!), I can look back over my life so far with satisfaction and smile. I don't want to just go through the motions anymore. My desire is to embrace life, even the hard parts, with open arms and a willing mind. I hope I will be able to say I took every opportunity to celebrate life, enjoy beautiful things, and make a difference in the lives of others.

I just want to be able to say I took every opportunity to live.

So tell me... how are you making the most? :)

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Okay. Before I go, I just have to brag on Jess a little bit. :) As I told her in an email, I think she and her blog are just sweeter than my southern iced tea (and that's saying a lot!). She just rocks, okay? But I’m sure you all know that already. Three cheers for Jess!

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Heya! I'm Petie, an aspiring author, wanna-be Brit, and die-hard Okie country girl. I love my Jesus, a good book, laughter, the color red, and coffee. I blog over at Dirt and Dickens, where I share my obsession with literature, my thoughts on cultural or spiritual issues, and random musings about my crazy life. Come visit me, yes? Cheers!