Stress

You know how quickly time flies?

 Hi, I'd like to start this post off by saying that I'm sorry I haven't updated in a really long time.  Anyway, time really does fly...it's only sort of a big ball of wibbly wobbly timey wimey stuff.  It feels like I went only a month without updating this blog, but, in fact, it's actually been two months and twenty days.  Whoops.  Life gets super busy, so that makes it difficult to slow down and actually appreciate the things in life that God has given us to enjoy.  There's always another thing to do, another person to pick up, another project to get done, another chore to do, another blog post to write, or even another episode of that show you really love (Doctor Who or Once Upon a Time, in my case) that you have to watch.  Right now, I'm stressing because I didn't get to watch part two of this really great episode of Doctor Who, but I also really have to write this post.

 Do you see what I mean?  The stress of life can sometimes weigh us down, it makes life feel like you're constantly doing something but not actually getting anything done.  I strongly disagree with that.  Some of you may be thinking, "But, Pepper, no matter how many things I get done, there's always just another thing to do?"  Let me take the liberty to tell you, life is not just a giant obligation.  You can actually take a deep breath and relax a little before continuing on the many things you have to do.  Also, are all of those things really that important?  Is cleaning the sink for the third time this week really that important?  Either you did something really gross to your sink and you are thinking about cleaning it right now, or you just realized that cleaning the sink isn't actually the most important thing in life at the moment*. 

God gave us this life to enjoy it.  We don't have to always worry about doing things, because in the process of doing all of our responsibilities, we completely miss the wonderful world and the wonderful people God surrounds us with.  Anyway, I think I'm going to go play some Mario Kart with my brother.

-Pepper, signing off!

*Please don't take this as me saying you shouldn't ever clean your house.  Having a clean house is important...just try not to be over obsessive about it, and you might be happier.  Have a wonderful evening!

-Pepper, signing off!

Spiders

You know how amazing spider are?  I mean, I'll be the first to say that their creepy-yucky-crawly-grossness bothers me, for sure, but what's worse?  Having a surplus of flies, aphids, and all kinds of other creepy bugs all around your house all the time, or having the occasional spider in you house?  Without spiders we would have way too many bugs, and that'd be even scarier than having a rare spider creep under your front door.  Honestly, there are more dangerous bugs than say, the common house spider.  Mosquitoes are blood-sucking and creepy.  I don't know what purpose they serve, but if they do have one, I'm sure it's important.  It's my bed time now, so bye!

-Pepper, signing out!

Trees

You know how great trees are?  I mean, they're huge and they have amazing colors.  They also add to the scenery.  Imagine a forest without trees...ew!  Now imagine a mountain without trees.  Even that isn't quite as pristine if it didn't have trees.  Or even your yard...most people I know have at least one tree in their yard.  We have four, but most of our neighbors have about two.  If you took the trees out, it wouldn't be quite as beautiful.  You also wouldn't have paper, and that would be a problem.  You couldn't draw, you could only really work with canvas.  You also wouldn't have books.  I'm just saying, a Nook or Kindle will never have the amazing effect a book has when it's opened.  It just can't hold that kind of magic.

-Pepper, signing off!

Smiles

You know how great smiles are?  Think about it.  What kind of gloomy world would it be without smiles?  Smiles are basically an expression of joy and happiness. Think about if you said hello to someone, without smiling mind you, and they didn't smile back.  Wouldn't that be dreary?  Or you see something beautiful, and you don't smile.  Or even laughter.  What kind of laughter is it without a smile?  Smiles truly are important.  Anyway, my brother is calling me.

-Pepper, signing off!

Seasons

You ever thought about how great the fact that months are split up into seasons?  I mean, think of it always being summer or always being winter, even always being fall!  If it was always fall, we would never have any leaves on the trees...ever!  If it was always summer, we would always be hot (in most places), and, at least for me, that wouldn't be a ton of fun.  All winter would always be very cold (yes, I realize it is like this in some places, but not where I live, so work with me, here).  Always being cold would mean that it wouldn't be as much fun to go outside.  Personally, my favorite temperature is 75 degrees, but if it was always like that even, it would never snow and rain would just feel muggy.  So, as usual, God designed everything perfectly!

-Pepper, signing off!

Stories

You know how great stories are?  You couldn't do much without stories.  I mean, you wouldn't have a plot to your favorite movie, and books that weren't textbooks would be nonexistent!  How scary would that be!  Also, without stories it would be impossible for you to be reading this blog right here, and it wouldn't exist, either.  You see, in order for me to write this blog the greatest story ever told, the Creation, would have to exist.  No creation, no me.  No me, no blog.  You see how important stories are?  I must go now, but you should go read a story. 

-Pepper, signing off!

Light

You know how great light is?  I know that this one is pretty obvious, but without light it'd be hard to...see.  You see, light is important because stumbling about in darkness doesn't jolly well get you around very safely.  In my case, eventually my eyesight adjusts to the darkness that surrounds, but never completely.  I am not, after all, a cat!  No, it would be rather uncomfortable just trying to do simple tasks such as making breakfast without light.  The burners wouldn't even turn red, and that would be hard.  It would also (for me at least) be hard to sleep in complete darkness, not even the light from your iPod dock shining, nothing but the splash of a fish filter.  If light was nonexistent, I would not even be able to see the computer screen on which I am typing.  Anyway, I must eat something now, in the light, with my 20/20 vision.

-Pepper, signing off!

Animals

You know how great animals are?  They are so cute and cuddly and some of them are furry.  Okay, so not all animals are cute.  There is no way you can convince me that squids are cute.  Squids are evil.  Period.  Anyway, that's besides the point.  Animals can be used for so many things.  You can ride on horses while at the same time you can play with them.  You can use sheep wool to sell to make money or you can use it to warm yourself.  Cows give you milk to drink, and goat cheese is amazing.  I am not a vegetarian. I never have been.  I never will be.  But, one of the uses for animals is food.  Another use for animals is to cuddle them.  Cats are the best.  One of the best experiences I had ever was this one time when I was reading The Two Towers, and I had some coffee beside me and I had my favorite fluffy pink blanket wrapped around my shoulders, and my Thomas kitty (my favorite, I must say out of the three) jumped up and curled up next to me.  Animals are also great emotional support.  I have only had three or four years of experience with fish, but I have had thirteen years of experience with cats.  I remember when a friend and I were going through something pretty bad, and you would be amazed how good it feels to just cry into a cats' stomach and hear them purr and feel them lick you.  It actually makes you feel a lot better.  Anyway, my cat wants my attention right now, so I have to go.

-Pepper, signing off!

Colors

You know how great colors are?  I mean, just think of the entire world as black, white, and gray.  Except for occasional things, my cat, Tom, who is a Norwegian forest cat for instance, all would be changed.  Imagine a gray tree.  Not very happy, is it?  Or how about a black daisy, in my opinion, that's a little eerie.  Sometimes the sky is gray (especially where I live), but could you imagine it constantly being gray?  That's no fun, at all!  Even little things like colors can lift our hearts and make us joyful.  Even colors are important.  I am not saying that gray and black and white are ugly colors.  On the contrary, white is one of my favorites, but I would be simply blinded by all the brightness swirling around me.  It would be almost nauseating.  But, put together the perfect combination of colors and BANG!  You have a very beautiful world! 

-Pepper, signing off!

Cooking

You know how hard cooking can be?  I mean, first you have to prep all the stuff.  It's not half as easy as cooking shows make it look.  Not even close!  And then, worst case scenario, you accidentally set the oven too hot.  That's always a personal nightmare of mine.  I mean, what's worse than getting a batch of cookies perfectly made and then completely burning them!?  Grr!  But, sometimes you don't burn the cookies and they turn out just right and that is absolute bliss.  Can someone feel anymore proud than when they bring a perfectly baked and frosted cake to a party?  Jon did that last night and it was great!  I have to go to study now.

-Pepper, signing off!

Pain

You know how much of a blessing pain is?  I mean, my gut reaction would be saying something about how pain just causes turmoil and grief.  Emotional pain obviously doesn't make our lives better.  Physical pain, however, does.  Think of how tough life would be without pain.  You wouldn't know not to touch a hot stove, because you couldn't feel it.  You could be roasting your skin alive and you'd never even know it because you couldn't feel it.  Or if you needed to go to the hospital right away because you snapped your leg or something.  You would never know, and when you tried to walk again you could cause even more damage.  You see, God designed every part of us specifically.  He made sure that pain had a purpose, as does everything God does.  It may sound odd, but we should always be grateful for the little things, even pain.

-Pepper, signing off!

Books

You know how great books are?  I mean, what else would you do when your electricity is out?  Your laptop and iPod and Tablet can only last so long, but books need no battery.  Not only are books useful when you're bored, but they are super entertaining as well.  I personally love reading, and there is something about books that are simply wonderful.  You see, Jon and I are different.  Jon likes reading, but I like books.  After I read The Invention of Hugo Cabret I bought a copy off of Amazon.  "Why?" You may ask.  Well, as I said before, I like books.  I suppose that is a little sentimental, but all the same, I enjoy having ones I have previously read around.  In my own opinion, audio books and eBooks are not quite the same as having a book in your lap, turning the actual pages.  Wouldn't it be depressing if one day there was the Wall-E effect, "Alright Manuel.  Hmm..."?  Anyway, ironically I have to go because I have to read a book for my school.


-Pepper, signing off!

Music

You know how great music is?  Think of a party without music.  What kind of party is that?  I mean, musical chairs without...music.  Ugh.  Or, how about movies without background music?  Seriously, think of a movie with background music and remove the music.  It's weird, isn't it?  I tried turning my headphones down every time music in Hugo appeared, and the movie was super awkward without it.  How about music in video games?  Have you ever thought of Mario and Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Games without the background music?  How depressing!  Or even just riding in the car.  Personally, I love listening to music in the car with my brother, Jon.  But, if I removed the music it would be pretty sad.  For me, rock music, like music from Superchick (yeah, what I'm about to tell you is odd.) and it helps me sleep better!  Anyway, needless to say, God gave us an awesome way of being able to make music!  I have to leave now.

-Pepper, signing off!

Fights

You know how horrible fights are?  They are so awful.  I really don't think they make anyone feel better.  Ever.  I mean, some never even get resolved.  Most of them (in my experience) get solved, and sometimes they even make things better.  I'm not saying that getting in fights is a great idea.  I am, however, saying that sometimes fights can strengthen relationships, or break ones that aren't worth it.  I, personally, sometimes get in fights with my brother, Jon, and usually we work out an awesome compromise that makes life even better in the future.  Anyway, I have to go.

-Pepper, signing off!

People

You know how great people are?  I mean, just think about life without people.  A knee-jerk reaction could be that all violence and evil would be removed, but think about it.  Think about if your best friend was nonexistent.  How about your brother?  Your dad?  Your mom...well, that wouldn't work for obvious reasons.  Even people we don't know make our lives happier!  Like, actors for instance.  They entertain us with their movies, making life, by definition, happier.  How about musicians?  I for one have never met Josh Wilson in real life (my favorite musician), but I do know that his music automatically makes me happier.  Artists, musicians, actors, even animators make life happier, because if *the world is a machine then it does stand to reason that every person plays a part in making it work.

-Pepper, signing off!

*I would like to thank Brian Selznick because I heard this in his book The Invention of Hugo Cabret and it has definitely stuck with me.  Great book.  Haven't met Brian Selznick either.

The Senses God Gave Us

You know how annoying iTunes is?  It never really seems to work correctly, does it?  Well, at least it doesn't work very well for me.  It seems super slow, and this is coming from someone who is neither a Mac not Microsoft fan.  I really don't care either way.  Our home computers are Toshiba's and Windows, I do, however, also own an iPod Touch.  Anyway, all owning aside, some computer programs are quite simply exasperating.  You know, right as I'm on the point of coming very close to ramming my head against something hard, I have a moment of clarity: I don't need to do anything on the computer!  I could go read a book, I could cook something, I could listen to music, I mean, there are tons of things that we can do with the five senses God gave us.  I mean, even petting a cat is a better use of your sense of feel than feeling keyboard keys against your hands.  It always nice to know that there are a hundred other options of things to do after your computer has thoroughly exasperated you.  Aren't you thankful?

-Pepper, signing off!

The Amazing Planet We Live In

You know how amazing life is?  I mean, when you think about it, it's truly a great gift.  In what other time would you get to hang out with people?  How else would you admire the earth's beauty?  Life is truly beautiful*.  Even simple things are amazing, when you think about them long enough.  Just look at trees, I am not a plant fan at all, but do you know how complex and amazing they are?  And other people, are they not the highlight of life in general?  It's way more fun to enjoy life when you are enjoying it with someone by your side, whether it be you mom or dad, your sibling, your best friend, or even your pet.

The best way to fully enjoy life is to (in my opinion) think of the creativity of it.  Seriously, when you think of it, it took One to make this entire planet.  I gotta say, God definitely has the best imagination ever!  I am going on a hike to a waterfall soon, and I just realized how awesome it is to just sit back from the stress of life and see the earth for what it is: God's amazing creation.  I have to leave now, but later in the week I would encourage you to look at people and places and things, and when you see them to think about how God made each thing unique in its own way.

-Pepper, signing off!

*I would like to thank the Afters, as their song, Life is Beautiful inspired this post.

Eating vs. Consuming

You know how they say "you are what you eat"?  Well, I think that an even more proper way of putting it is "you are what you consume".  Some of you may be thinking, "Does this not mean the same thing?"  To answer your question, no, it does not.  You see, eating is one thing, but consuming is an entirely different manner.  When you eat you are literally taking food and putting it in your mouth to nourish yourself.  Consuming is not a word used solely with food.  Consuming can be towards tons of different things.  For example, what kind of music is your ears consuming?  What kind of movies and images are your eyes consuming?  If Jesus were to know (which He does) what you let your body consume, would He be proud?  Well, it really depends, I suppose.  You see, when you consume something it is generally inserted into your brain, and lots of people with really good memories (unlike me with most manners) consume lots of things each day and remember them fully.  I guess what things you watch, see, hear, or read sometimes effects who you are.  Anyway, needless to say, doing things that effect you positively is always a good idea.  I must depart now.

-Pepper, signing off!

Math

You know how frustrating math can be?  I mean, honestly!  It's so exasperating!  I for one think it's just incredibly odd how you can  "borrow" and the number that is before the number that's borrowing magically turns into a nine!  A lot of mathematical things make no since to me.  Obviously I somehow am able to solve the problems, but they are so strange when you really think about them!  Who made math up anyway?  A series of people, I suppose.  Boy, do I love them.  I think that the world would probably not survive without math, but that certainly does not mean I enjoy it.  This is why I will be an English major.

-Pepper, signing off!

Words

You know how weird words are?  I found myself thinking about the word "bye".  It's truly odd sounding when you think about it.  How about "predecessor"?  It's so weird sounding, isn't it?  I know this sounds silly, but just stop and think about a single word for about five minutes, and eventually you'll come to realize how truly odd our vocabulary is.

Do you ever wish that you were there when language was invented?  I mean, just think about it!  Adam and Eve were the first people to ever walk the earth, and they just naturally communicated!  Wouldn't that have been so interesting to watch them try to figure out how to communicate?  Or maybe, it was just natural and they didn't really think about it.  Either way, it's pretty amazing that we communicate at all.

 -Pepper, signing off!

When Things Don't Work the Way You Wanted Them To...

You know how sometimes people will let you down?  How frustrating it can be when things don't work out the way you hoped it would, especially in tricky things like relationships?  It's always nice to rely on people, but as great as people are, they're not reliable.  I mean, I'm not trying to sound cynical, but really there is only One we can trust.  God will never leave us or forsake us, even when the road is super bumpy.  It's always nice to know that there is a back-up plan in case us broken humans just don't work out right. 

I remember one instance where things just weren't turning out correctly at all.  My mind was screaming at me, saying "This is NOT how things were supposed to go!  Make it stop, or QUIT!"  One of my friendships was  completely tanking and not working at all.  But, luckily, my friend and I are extremely stubborn.  We got into plenty of...um...discussions, some which were heated, and I have to say, I was very close to just closing the doors and being done with it.  My Father helped me out, however, and I am very proud to say that my friend and I are still besties to this day.  I remember praying a lot, complaining to God, asking Him why, and asking Him for advice.  I remember that the most common phrase I heard a lot of replies from Him, but they all had the same message, "Hold on."  I am so happy that I trusted God and held on!  But, in the back of my mind, I always knew that when I was in trouble and things weren't going right, I could turn to God and He would give me the expert advice I needed.  Well, it's almost my bedtime, and I wanted to read a while before I went to sleep.

-Pepper, signing off!