First, I don't think it's any surprise that the title of this post is Eric Church lyrics.
Second, if you haven't downloaded the TimeHop app yet, go do it. It's this cool app that you can sync with all your other social media apps (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.), and it will pull from them to give you a kind of scrapbook of your posts from each day...1 year ago on this day, 2 years ago, 3 years ago, etc., for as far back as you've had social media. I'll admit, it's both the best and worst thing I've ever done. Some days, it's so fun to look back on all the fun, crazy, stupid things I was doing on this day when I was in college or grad school, and it's nice to occasionally reminisce about those memories (or screenshot things and send them to my best friend so we can talk about how ridiculous we were/are). Other days, it's honestly kind of heartbreaking to look back over the hard times, sad days, and depressing moments in my life (but also encouraging to see how much I've made it through). And then there are days like today, when I read a post that I posted 2 years ago, that, ironically before I even read it, was the exact same thought I had this morning when I woke up (kind of crazy, I know). Anyways, 2 years ago on July 24, I posted something about how I was thankful that I am not in control and that God doesn't always give me everything I ask for, because His plan is always best.
That was the first thought on my mind this morning, and then when I got on TimeHop and saw that from 2 years ago, I knew it was confirmation from Him. There have been so many moments in my past when I have felt frustrated and even angry that God wasn't answering my prayers the way I wanted them to be answered. I grew up in church, Sunday school, and a Christian school, so trust me, I know all the right answers: God's timing is best, everything happens for a reason, one day it will all make sense, God has plans for your future-to prosper you and not to harm you, God works all things out for the good of those who love Him....and on and on. And all of those are absolutely true. However, I am human. I doubt, I get confused, I want answers. This morning I woke up thinking about how drastically different my life would look right now if I had gotten all the things I thought I wanted (in regards to family, jobs, relationships...pretty much everything). But, as I've been looking back over things, I'm glad it doesn't look like I wanted it to look.
What I'm realizing is that I love my life.
Every bit of it.
I wouldn't change anything that has happened to me (even though to be honest there's been some pretty ridiculous, infuriating, confusing, and hurtful things that have really sucked), because all those things have brought me to where I am, which is I know exactly where God wants me. Most days, I literally don't even know what I want, much less what I need, but that's okay because God knows both and He is faithful. I am so, SO glad that God hasn't always given me the things I have asked for. As I look at my life now and the way things are (even though it's nothing like what I thought it would be at this point), I am realizing that, obviously, He really does know best. :)
In the words of the great Eric Church, "I thank God I ain't what I almost was."
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Confessions: Tinder Edition
So, obviously, I have a Tinder. Not my proudest moment, but at the same time, when you're in your mid-20's and are no longer on a college campus surrounded by guys your age, and when you're lucky to see any other humans besides your roommate and coworkers in a typical week, where in the world are you supposed to meet decent guys?! So, I thought, maybe I should take advantage of this new technology out there to help connect me with some nice, decent, quality, mature guys who are looking for serious relationships.
Obviously I'm an optimist.
I make my profile, choose some pictures of myself that show off my best side while also making me seem fun and interesting but not too crazy (which is more difficult than one would think), set my discovery preferences, and then start swiping. I think to myself:
"Nope, nope, nope, definitely not, hmm he has potential, woah...just no, ok he's really cute...but of course he's 78 miles away, what made him think that was a good choice in pictures??..." and on and on.
It's clear that this is the most shallow app of all time, seeing as how all you know about the person is their first name, age, a few pictures, and a short bio (which, by the way, if your bio is witty and makes me laugh, you're a step ahead already). But, let's be honest, isn't it looks that first attract us to someone? Sure, it's not the best way to find people I know, but hey, I guess you never know, right?
So, the following are thoughts I have essentially every single time I am swiping through, and just couldn't keep them to myself because I know I can't be the only one who thinks these things:
Tips for guys when choosing pictures for your profile (remember, you only get 6...please start putting some thought into this process):
1. If all your pictures are group pictures with a bunch of other guys and I can't tell which one you are...I'm swiping left.
2. If your first picture contains any of the following: a cigarette, any type of drug paraphernalia, shots of liquor, a beer funnel, or obvious drunken escapades...I'm swiping left.
3. If any of your pictures, especially the first one, involve a selfie of any kind: mirror (especially flexing), car, gym, shirtless (especially flexing), etc...I'm swiping left.
4. Actually, just any mirror pic at all ...I'm swiping left.
5. If you have 6 pictures of you doing cool outdoorsy stuff like camping, fishing, rock climbing, kayaking, hunting, etc., that's pretty cool and you're probably a pretty fun guy. However, if I can't see your face in any of them, there's a good chance you're fake and a possible stalker/serial killer so...I'm swiping left.
6. If your picture contains any of the above things in combination with one another (like a shirtless, drunken selfie with lots of beer bottles), I probably won't even read your name before I swipe left.
7. If your pics include your car, motorcycle or if all your pictures are the same picture just cropped differently...I'm swiping left.
8. Also, if many of your pictures include an attractive girl or the same attractive girl...what, is it like your sister, your ex, your current girlfriend? no. swiping left.
On the flip side, here's some things that might convince me to swipe right:
1. A picture with your mom
2. A picture with your dog/puppy/multiple dogs
3. A picture with children (that are not yours).
4. A bio that says what your job is, where you live, and what you like to do for fun (except if your only interests are drinking/partying).
Other random thoughts:
- if I see one of my guy friends on there from high school, college, or mutual friends, I'm gonna swipe right just to be ridiculous and allow us to laugh mutually at the fact that we both have Tinder. Doesn't necessarily mean I wanna date you.
- if you message me saying "you're so pretty" and that's it....no.
- if you ask to add me on snapchat and we've barely talked...no.
- if you tell me you're "looking for whatever happens"....no.
- that moment when you get so used to swiping left that you aren't paying close attention and you accidentally swipe left on a really cute guy...he could've been the perfect match!!
- that moment of terror when you think you're looking through a guy's pictures and you swipe right to look back at the others and you then realize you were actually swiping through all the guys and so you end up swiping right on a guy that you would've never swiped right on...and of course, it's a match. fail.
SO yeah, Tinder wasn't my best life choice, but who knows, maybe it'll lead to something awesome. I'm skeptical, and will probably make a friend or my roommate also be present at my first meeting with any guy I talk to, sitting at a different table, pretending to be a complete stranger just in case he's a dangerous stalker and I have to use a safe word to escape being sold into sex trafficking. (okay, not to make light of that at all, because I know it's real, but that came from my mother and sister).
So I guess until further notice, I'll just be swiping away to find my prince charming. But really, I'll probably just extend my discovery preferences to 3000 miles, just in case Channing Tatum gets tired of swiping left.
Obviously I'm an optimist.
I make my profile, choose some pictures of myself that show off my best side while also making me seem fun and interesting but not too crazy (which is more difficult than one would think), set my discovery preferences, and then start swiping. I think to myself:
"Nope, nope, nope, definitely not, hmm he has potential, woah...just no, ok he's really cute...but of course he's 78 miles away, what made him think that was a good choice in pictures??..." and on and on.
It's clear that this is the most shallow app of all time, seeing as how all you know about the person is their first name, age, a few pictures, and a short bio (which, by the way, if your bio is witty and makes me laugh, you're a step ahead already). But, let's be honest, isn't it looks that first attract us to someone? Sure, it's not the best way to find people I know, but hey, I guess you never know, right?
So, the following are thoughts I have essentially every single time I am swiping through, and just couldn't keep them to myself because I know I can't be the only one who thinks these things:
Tips for guys when choosing pictures for your profile (remember, you only get 6...please start putting some thought into this process):
1. If all your pictures are group pictures with a bunch of other guys and I can't tell which one you are...I'm swiping left.
2. If your first picture contains any of the following: a cigarette, any type of drug paraphernalia, shots of liquor, a beer funnel, or obvious drunken escapades...I'm swiping left.
3. If any of your pictures, especially the first one, involve a selfie of any kind: mirror (especially flexing), car, gym, shirtless (especially flexing), etc...I'm swiping left.
4. Actually, just any mirror pic at all ...I'm swiping left.
5. If you have 6 pictures of you doing cool outdoorsy stuff like camping, fishing, rock climbing, kayaking, hunting, etc., that's pretty cool and you're probably a pretty fun guy. However, if I can't see your face in any of them, there's a good chance you're fake and a possible stalker/serial killer so...I'm swiping left.
6. If your picture contains any of the above things in combination with one another (like a shirtless, drunken selfie with lots of beer bottles), I probably won't even read your name before I swipe left.
7. If your pics include your car, motorcycle or if all your pictures are the same picture just cropped differently...I'm swiping left.
8. Also, if many of your pictures include an attractive girl or the same attractive girl...what, is it like your sister, your ex, your current girlfriend? no. swiping left.
On the flip side, here's some things that might convince me to swipe right:
1. A picture with your mom
2. A picture with your dog/puppy/multiple dogs
3. A picture with children (that are not yours).
4. A bio that says what your job is, where you live, and what you like to do for fun (except if your only interests are drinking/partying).
Other random thoughts:
- if I see one of my guy friends on there from high school, college, or mutual friends, I'm gonna swipe right just to be ridiculous and allow us to laugh mutually at the fact that we both have Tinder. Doesn't necessarily mean I wanna date you.
- if you message me saying "you're so pretty" and that's it....no.
- if you ask to add me on snapchat and we've barely talked...no.
- if you tell me you're "looking for whatever happens"....no.
- that moment when you get so used to swiping left that you aren't paying close attention and you accidentally swipe left on a really cute guy...he could've been the perfect match!!
- that moment of terror when you think you're looking through a guy's pictures and you swipe right to look back at the others and you then realize you were actually swiping through all the guys and so you end up swiping right on a guy that you would've never swiped right on...and of course, it's a match. fail.
SO yeah, Tinder wasn't my best life choice, but who knows, maybe it'll lead to something awesome. I'm skeptical, and will probably make a friend or my roommate also be present at my first meeting with any guy I talk to, sitting at a different table, pretending to be a complete stranger just in case he's a dangerous stalker and I have to use a safe word to escape being sold into sex trafficking. (okay, not to make light of that at all, because I know it's real, but that came from my mother and sister).
So I guess until further notice, I'll just be swiping away to find my prince charming. But really, I'll probably just extend my discovery preferences to 3000 miles, just in case Channing Tatum gets tired of swiping left.
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