Inspiration in Nature

Do you know why I love nature so much? Because I can tell that my heavenly father and mother love me because of the beauty in this earth. Sometimes I notice things happening in the plants, trees and animals around me and I can't help but feel like he made things like that just for me, just so I could know he loves me and wants me to be strong. Here are some of the beautiful things I have seen in nature lately that inspire me.

1: Tulips

There are a few tulips in my yard and lately they have been in bloom! There is one that grows kind of behind a bush that is right next to our front porch. Every time I walk in and out of the house I look at that tulip. It began to grow and I watched it get taller. Then it bloomed out it's beautiful petals and the weather changed and it snowed. After it became warm again the petals didn't open for a while, but slowly they did peak open, until snow came again. They closed and it took a long while once again for the tulip to unfold but it did and when the cold came it stood open and strong.

It reminds me of us on earth, how we go through hard times and shut down, go through trials and we fall, we stumble and break. But eventually we find the courage to open up again, and we still get hurt. Until one day all of that pain can come together and become strength. Then we can stand up through pain, hurt, and betrayal.

2: Birds

When a baby bird hatches the mother feeds it, keeps it safe and warm, until one day that baby bird is strong. Then does she teach it to fly with lessons? Does she tell it step by step what to do to keep itself healthy and safe for the rest of it's life? Does she help it go build a nest of it's own? No, she pushes it out of the nest to go and learn all it needs to. Often baby birds die within a few days of being pushed out of their nest. But some don't, they take the challenge and they learn to fly. And one day they have baby birds of their own that they push out of their nest, because they know that is what is best for them.

I kind of feel pushed out of the nest sometimes. I mean God didn't send me here with a map, or a few tips and tricks. He sent me here cold turkey, putting me through a veil so I couldn't remember him. He put me here to try to learn and grow and find him through faith in my own way. He did this knowing that some of his children wouldn't find their way, they wouldn't make it, but it's what is best for them.

3: Butterflies

I went to visit my sister JoAnn and her family in Alabama for a week, and while I was there she shared this analogy with me and I just love it! Caterpillars, they have to eat, and eat, and eat. They are small and weak yet they have to protect themselves from people and animals all the while eating and eating and eating. Once they have stored enough energy they create a cocoon. While they are in this cocoon they go through immense pain. Their body is literally being torn apart and transformed into something new. Some caterpillars freeze in their cocoons and don't make it. But some do. And one day that cocoon opens up and a beautiful butterfly comes out.

We are caterpillars, we are eating and eating, storing faith, wisdom, knowledge and experience to help us get through a painful long process that some people can't handle. But one day we will become beautiful, free, and happy butterflies. I am just a caterpillar trying to become a butterfly. Every time I see a butterfly I think of this and I am well a touch obsessed with butterflies now.

I know these are all pretty dorky and repetitive, but it's just another reason I know that there is someone out there who loves me. Another reminder that I am not alone in a world so big that can seem so lonely.

Final Words♥: Inspiration was put on this Earth for everyone, to remind us of our Heavenly Mother and Father's love for us, to remind us that they are always here.

Cosmetology School

On March 5th, 2012 I went to my very first day of school at Renaissance Acadmie of Hair Design in Provo, Utah. Yes my friend (if you didn't already know) cosmetology school. It took a while to find the right school, I considered MATC's program (due to the low cost) but I was warned by managers of high end salons, and Great Clips that MATC students didn't often get hired because the education the were given was poor. So that MATC out of the running. Still I checked out Aveda, Taylor Andrews, and Renaissance. (Paul Mitchell is too expensive, and all you are paying for is a brand!)

Aveda and Taylor Andrews had some huge issues. When I walked in I felt like I was in a high school gym. mirror, chair, mirror, chair, lined the walls. I swear students were packed on the floor like sardines! The cost of learning to do "advanced makeup" was $2,000! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? The class sizes had several students with only one instructor, and at Taylor Andrews the school was so new that you couldn't get any government aid at it, but they'd discount tuition to $8,000 (which is insanely cheap for school).

My experience at Renaissance was a something entirely different. I toured the small school (it's on a strip mall in between a UPS store and a tanning salon! =] ) When I walked in it looked and felt like a real salon. There was space between the booths! Another HUGE bonus, I didn't feel like I was in a funeral home! The students aren't required to wear all black. The dress code rules here are the loosest I've seen at ANY school. You can wear pretty much anything except no shorts above the knee, no tube, tank, or halter tops, nothing with holes in it that looks old and ratty and no blue jeans. And that's only BLUE jeans, you can wear red, purple, teal, green (ect.) jeans! I LOVED IT! You can get your tuition paid for by the Gov with Pell Grants and FAFSA money, AND on top of that they had those extra classes! Eyelash Extensions (you learn AND receive them) for only $30! Compared to the $150-$300 other places! Makeup Classes were only $50! That is a FAR cry from $2,000! They have other specialty classes as well!

So far I have been in the Core Class (Month and a half long full time classes where you just learn the basics) and I graduated on FRIDAY! So now I can be out on floor! As I learn to do new services I will post them on Facebook so any of you can come in and get one! It is usually a TON less than a professional salon, and don't worry, the students are heavily supervised by an instructor! Right now I can do hair cuts and colors. I can also do a deep conditioning treatment and a scalp treatment. For prices, location, or more info on the school's program itself, go to www.hairschoolonline.com

So far I love what I am doing, and I hope that this can be a real career for me in the future!

Final Words♥: If want to do something GO FOR IT! I had tons of people tell me that I was 'to smart' or that I would be 'wasting my time' in hair school. BUT I LOVE IT! I am so glad I stuck to my guns and got into school! Now I am doing something that I love and makes me happy!