adventure

adventure.
The google definition is:

1. an unusual and exciting, typically hazardous, experience or activity.

2. engage in hazardous and exciting activity, especially the exploration of unknown territory.

• put (something, especially money or one's life) at risk.

  
  

Apparently it comes from:

Middle English: from Old French aventure (noun), aventurer (verb), based on Latin adventurus ‘about to happen,’ from advenire ‘arrive.’


I like that it derives from "about to happen" and "arrive."
Usually I think of adventure as something I would never do because I'm not the kind to go bungee jumping off a cliff or go hike Mt. Everest.

Adventure, to me, is going to a new coffee shop or trying new food at the farmer's market. It's finding a quiet spot by a body of water. It's sharing a piece of my heart on my blog. It's going down a new trail in the woods. It's moving to Florida without my family and trying to find a new balance (tbh def the most adventurous thing I've done).

Maybe adventure isn't always risking your life for a rush or feeling, but letting your heart fly. 

Adventure is hard and it can be scary! Adventure is bold and soulful! Adventure is colorful!

What I'm finding is that you can feel fear and still be adventurous. 

It's not easy, but keep moving forward. 

be bold/be soulful,

Lily

P.S.
NEW SONG!!!!! Watch the video:

2 Corinthians 12:9New International Version (NIV)

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

A Wish (part 1)

15 January 2014

A Wish

by Lily Garay

    I once saw something online that said, “When you look back you don’t want to have regrets.” It seems as though my life is full of regrets. Okay maybe that’s an over exaggeration. At least when I look back at my second to last semester of high school I have regrets. My senior year has definitely been memorable so far. I feel as though I’ve uncovered parts of myself I never knew existed. Freedom was within grasp and I reached for it. Testing my boundaries and toying with new ideas. Establishing my own views and beliefs and letting go of insecurities. I had never really realized that I was being shaped to become my own person and now I have the responsibility I always desired. I could finally make most of my own decisions. However all of this is only part of my discovery on the odyssey of my life and while the positives outweigh the negatives a piece of me has composed a wish. A long list of wishes, regrets, and things I could take back. Words I could’ve changed, things I should’ve done, and a life better lived. These are the pages I’ve been formulating in my head for months.

    I’m a firm believer in exploring and asking questions. Being raised as a pastor’s kid I would sometimes wonder if I was only a Christian because my parents were. Through much study, research, and personal experience I can firmly say that asking Jesus Christ to be the Lord and Saviour of my life was the best decision I have ever made. As I studied my Bible more I read about respecting your parents and how honoring them will bring you long life. I never really thought I was one to test my parents, but it turns out that even though I’m not a “problem child” I do need to have some more respect for the people that brought me into this world. I wish I would’ve realized that sooner. I wish I hadn’t silently cussed them out in my mind so many times. I wish I would do as I’m told right away. I wish I could be the favorite child.

    As I finish up my last semester of high school and prepare for college I realized that I don’t spend that much time at home anymore. I’ve gone a week or two without spending any real quality time with my parents or siblings. What I didn’t notice was that my younger sister, Ana who is 14 years old, looks up to me. I never thought I was the type of sister she would want to look up to, but she does. I didn’t know she missed me and she didn’t know I missed her. My younger brother, Dito who is 15 years old, also missed me. Turns out that he wished I spent more time with him. I got so caught up going out with friends and working that in my own whirlwind of needs that I didn’t realize my family needed me and I needed them. I wish I would’ve taken my sister bowling more. I wish I would’ve chaufferred her around more because in all honesty, I love it. I wish I would’ve held my brother’s hand more. I wish I would’ve played more video games with him.  I wish I could become the person they can always look up to. I wish I would’ve spent more time with them and less time with my “friends”. I wish I was a better sister.

    My sister tells me I’m beautiful and so does my brother. My dad has nothing but praise for me. This doesn’t mean that my weight hasn’t been a struggle for me. The most I ever weighed was one hundred and eighty pounds. Then I lost 40 of those pounds. It was wonderful. I had the most amazing confidence. Until the beginning of 2013. I allowed my past to creep into my mind. Depression nestled in the depths of my soul and told me I was worthless. Anxiety and loneliness lurked in the darkness of my mind. And food eased the pain. Food stopped me from regretting things. Food took my mind off things. Food was my friend. I steadily gained back 25 pounds. 25 pounds of pure regret. 25 pounds because someone told me I shouldn’t eat that donut. 25 because someone said if I lost just 10 more pounds I would be drop dead gorgeous. 25 pounds because the media said if I didn’t look like Kim Kardashian my life was pointless and I would be forever alone because there’s no way a girl over 140 pounds is “desirable”. But I wish I would’ve worked out harder. I wish I would’ve still eaten that donut. I wish I would’ve had that extra slice of pizza. I wish I didn’t worry about what others said. I wish people would stop pointing out my flaws.

    My greatest fear is being alone. Actually my greatest fear is all of my teeth falling out, but being alone is definitely second. When I look to the places I would rather leave unexplored it’s really the fear of never getting married. The fear of not having any one who cares about you. The fear of not having any real friends. The fear of being forgotten. But when it comes down to it, I wish I would’ve cried less. I wish I would’ve laughed more. I wish I would’ve said what was really on my mind. I wish I hadn’t so carelessly flaunted my opinions and rude words. I wish someone wanted me as much I want them.

    I wish I wouldn’t have wasted time. I wish I wouldn’t have wasted money. I wish I would’ve done better. I wish I would’ve tried harder. I wish I would’ve gotten all A’s in school. I wish I wouldn’t have procrastinated. I wish I could be a size medium. I wish I never worried. I wish I wasn’t so full of contradictions. I wish I didn’t have so many thoughts always running through my head. I wish I would’ve prayed more.

   As I ponder my past there are many words I wish I could take back. Actions that I could erase. But I can’t because it’s behind me and a wish is simply a feeling. As the new year rapidly closes up it’s first month, I have no doubt that these wishes are something I can finally push aside so that I can start anew. Because the last thing I want is to carry those wishes with me to the very last of my days. Dear Fresh Start, I welcome you. It’s my time to flourish and be the best I can be.

Too Blessed to be Stressed

To Do:
-Shower
-eat
-get transcript requests ready
-go to PVCC
-go workout (your health is important, Lily!)
-1:45 English Writing Conference with Mrs.Pavlo
-BE SURE YOU TURN IN YOUR TRANSCRIPT REQUEST FORM
-Office
-lunch
-tutor Chandler
-get gas/run any other errands

This is what I write to myself in my notes. I just gave you my to-do list for today. Right now I'm at the office part so you'd think my day is almost over, but it really isn't. While I was at school for my writing conference I realized that I was stressing out. and it was showing. When I got back to my car I sat there for about 10 minutes while playing my Noel Robinson CD and listening to my favorite song "rain". And right there in the school parking lot I started to pray.

You see, I had made my day "so important" that I forgot to pray and read my Bible. When I woke up I said, "Good morning, Lord." and then thought to myself that I'd pray after my shower. Never really got around to it. In that moment in my car I said to God, "I'm doing this wrong. Forgive me for not properly thanking you for today and not devoting my errands to you."

God is up there waiting. He's waiting for you. He isn't going to force you to pray, He isn't going to force you to read the Bible. It's your choice. He wants to bless us, but He can't unless we fully allow Him to.

Ultimately the purpose of everything we do is to glorify God. I want to devote everything I do to Him because if I commit my plans to God, then He will bless me and direct me. So I asked Him to please take control of this day, to slow me down, and now I'm all smiles. I really have no reason to be stressed if everything is in His hands:)

xoxo

Secret to happiness....and success!

Maybe you saw my post back in March. I called it, "Stop Explaining Yourself". You can read it here. In the post I talk about some of my insecurities and such. It makes me a little sad to think I was that insecure. We all have our process and we all come a long way! I don't know about you, but 2013 has been life changing, baby.

I've grown as a person, I'm really happy, and I know who I am. I know my purpose and I know my destiny. I'll be writing a lot about purpose/calling/destiny on the blog these next couple of months. Be sure to follow me on youtube as I've been putting up some inspirational vlogs for you guys (youtube.com/lilygaraymusic ).

Anyways, I can be pretty insecure as I'm sure we all are. If you've NEVER been insecure...then wow! Please tell me your secret. I'll give you my secret to happiness & success. BE YOURSELF! Deep, I know.
We've all heard it here and there, but really, being yourself is the best thing..like ever. I always thought I was myself. I mean I definitely have my way of doing things and blah blah blah, but I don't think I've ever really been more me than I have since the beginning of school. I always try to stand out while blending in. Spoiler alert! It doesn't work.

You either all in or all out. No in between. Secret numero 2 to being yourself? Be comfortable. You've gotta love the clothes you wear, the food you eat (don't give in to gluttony, but a donut IS OK for you every once in a while), the way you do your makeup, and the way you style your hair.

I recently did something to my hair that I vowed I would never do again. Cut my bangs. yikes I know. It was totally spur of the moment and I actually did them myself with my own special hair chopping scissors ;) haha anyways the point of this story is that I thought I'd hate it and it's make me look like a little kid and I didn't understand why I did it because I've basically had bangs my whole life and my bangs were finnnaaally past my chin...but I feel comfortable and so much more like myself and that has made me happy which...is making me more successful because I'm more confident and can present things with that confidence :) Beauty really is from the inside out.



xoxo,
LG

What is Love?

The Bible tells us the actions of LOVE. 

1 Cor. 13 

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind.

 It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It even gives us a picture of love. Jesus. 

For me, love is displayed through relationships

and the things you do in those relationships.

Not just boyfriend/girlfriend relationships,

but friendships, mother/daughter/son/daddy,

siblings, family, etc. 

Relationships are God's love here on earth.

At least that's what they're supposed to be anyways.

Sometimes we can get into the wrong relationship.

sometimes we make a mistake.

sometimes a person is there only for a season or for a lesson.

Whatever the case, just cherish moments. 

and learn from each relationship you ever have.

because that's what will make you grow.

Here are a few people/moments 

that I just L<3ve p="">

National Free Hug Day? ;)

XoXo,

Lily Garay

DIY - Change the world

As I finish my transaction at JCPenney the cashier asks me, "Would you like to donate to our (I don't know the name) charity?". Me out-loud, "Oh well how much is it?", Me thinking, "You know I just bought all this stuff and now they want me to donate money to their charity? Gosh I mean what do these people think? I'm a millionaire or something?" The cashier then replies, "Only .17 cents." "Oh well sure! I can totally afford that." And then I walk away with my purchases feeling like the All-American-Hero because I've donated .17 cents.

I've just described a scene that millions of Americans encounter all the time. That includes me. You know what I'm talking about. Now there's nothing wrong with this, but do you really feel satisfied about helping other people around you? I'm not saying you have to donate all your money! Or any money at all. I'm not even talking about changing the whole world people! So what is it that I'm talking about exactly?

I've found that true satisfaction of helping people comes when I get "down and dirty". Okay so maybe you don't actually have to get down (what does that even mean?) or dirty. But how is it that we can change the world? 

Simply this, go to the boys & girls club and volunteer. Go to your local elementary school and help them plant a tree (okay so this actually requires getting a little dirty). Go to your local trailer park (don't go alone) and give out toys, give out food. Put on a clown show. Hey, have a face-painting party!

What I'm trying to say is that as great as it is to sponsor a child in another country, don't forget you have a community that you're a part of. I'm not telling you that you to stop sending money to orphans because in the Bible it does say to care for the orphans, but have you actually looked to see the poverty where you live? Maybe you have to travel 15 minutes to really see poverty. I guarantee you that it's there. You can change the world by changing your community and by doing much more than only giving your money. Plus you'll be healthier, happier, more satisfied, changed, and active.
Those benefits are pretty awesome!

So go out and do something. Don't just sit there. Change the world:)

What if?

If life was easy,

 then what would the point of trying hard be?

And if life didn't have change,

then wouldn't it be boring?

If life didn't have ups and downs,

then what would be the point of celebrating

or of remembering?

If life didn't have tests,

than what would be our testimony?

If life didn't have messes,

than what would be our message?

And what would be the point of seasons?

confessions

When I started public school this past March, everything changed.

My schooling

My friends

My life.

Does this mean I got rid of my old friends?

My old life?

Of course not!! 

As they say, Old friends and gold and New friends are silver.

Or something along those lines. 

but to be honest...I've been resistant. definitely not open.

it's been a struggle. it's been really hard

to embrace these new friends and life.

but it's for the best.

Because this is now who I am. 

And isn't that what life is all about?

What I'm always singing about?

Change

It's a big deal to me

We go through life taking these tiny steps and then stepping out and taking even bigger steps.

Sometimes we go through things that we don't need to go through.

Because of a choice.

Then you have to make another choice to make it better and not be bitter.

And today I was reminded of that by my sweet friend Aunie.

And sometimes we have to go through life. just living. and that's extremely awful.

 But then, you make a choice:)

And it completely and radically changes you! And it allows you to do things.... 

like this: 

[Dress from LA Life]

And this ^ is a really big deal to me. 

I made it one of my "Must be able to do by end of summer" goals:) And I accomplished it.

And I feel so good. Eventually I'll be able to do even cooler moves that are better than this! But, hey, it's a start and I ain't complain' ;)

Happy Thursday!

Spring is here.

Life's constant cycle begins again

With the children able to play outside to their hearts content

Flowers bloom

Nature creates it's natural beauty

God has His way of telling us to stand out

Letting us know that it's ok to fly free

And be you....be me....

(like my CD wall I told you about?)

It's the little things that count!

Today I'm going to the hospital with my mom and I am singing to a couple of patients.
It's when I do things like this that I remember that the little things count.
Fresh air. Healthy life. Bees. Flowers. Trees.
music. dancing. water.
simple things that are really big.

Celebrate Life Today.