It's my bday.... :) Here is a blog post.

So, every time I have a birthday, I like to think about things that have happened to me in the year gone by.  Sometimes I get a little depressed and sometimes I get super happy.  I don't really know how to feel this time around.  Don't get me wrong, I am very happy with the way that my life is going and I am in no way complaining about anything.  This is more of an inventory of the things that have happened to me and what I have learned from them.  Yep.

I guess this post is going to be pretty controversial but it is my blog so if you don't wanna worry about it, just go ahead and click back. :)

So here are a few things that have learned this past year:


Love is NOT a game:
This was a rough year for me and my love life.  I don't think that I have ever shed so many tears because of broken hearts as I did this year.  Yeah, there were some good that happened but in general, I would say that I didn't do much.  Heck, I would honestly say that I got shafted.  When it comes to girls, I was literally ALWAYS the one that got hurt.  It seemed like I was always the one being taken advantage of. It wasn't fair.  I can tell you 4 different instances where I heard the words, "I don't think you are good enough for me."  Or even "You aren't good enough for me."  Not fair.  For someone who tries hard to be better everyday, I get that crap!?  Seriously, what is the problem?  I just don't get it.  Yeah, we can all say that maybe they were right or that they are the ones that aren't good enough for me but I am sick of hearing that stuff.  I dated a girl for 5 months, when across country to meet her parents, bought her an ring, and then I hear that!?  No, that is not right.  The worst part is: She and I were starting to get back together and I find out that she was dating someone the entire time we were getting back together.  Worst feeling ever.  That was the most extreme and hurtful example, but even the smaller examples are crappy.

Understand that you can't give everyone what they want:
There have been times where I have been taken advantage of by people that I thought were my friends.  Whether that be for money or for favors or for anything.  I have always been the one that takes a back seat to others and honestly gets walked all over.  I hate it.  I hate that I can't say "no" sometimes.  I love my friends and I will always keep the ones that care about me around.  Its not like I am going to become this jerk or anything.  I guess I'll just be more cautious with giving myself and help to others.  Its sad that I have to be like that cause that is honestly not what I like to do.  I love helping others with their problems but if its a burden for them to help me with mine, that's when I draw the line.

Cherish the time you have with the ones you love:
As time goes by and things happen, I have seen many people come and go from my life.  I have began to understand that we can never control when people come and when people go.  For example:  I have this friend, Kayla, and I leaned on her and her husband when I was down and depressed and they helped me overcome all that I was going through.  They were just down the street and I could go and visit them any time that I wanted.  One week, she got a job in Washington and had to pack up and leave.  I constantly wish that we could have had more time together.  I am happy that she has moved on and is being successful, but I selfishly want her to be here too.  I have wonderful people in my life and I will always, always cherish the time that I have with them.  Same goes for my family.  I have been away from my family for a long time, it seems.  I went to Africa for two years and then I moved to Idaho just after my mission.  It has been 4 years since I have had a birthday at home.  It kind of sucks, to be honest.  I always want my family to be around for the things that I enjoy, but that hasn't always been the case.  I will never take advantage of the time that I have with my family cause that time can come to an end any minute.  Partially, I have come to that realization because as I get older, so does everyone else.  The clock is ticking and only God knows when the batteries will go out.  Its not my job to know everything, but it is my job to love everything that my family is and will be.

Never give up:
I will never give up in my search to become better each day.  I am not even close to being a perfect person.  Heck, I would be lying if I told you that I was even 25% of the way to perfection.  I am very far away.  When I get down on myself, I always try and keep my head up and keep putting one foot in front of the other.  I won't give up or give in because that is NOT what I am here to do.  This past year, I have been down and out but I have never thrown in the towel.  I have seen things change in me and I wouldn't ever change that.  I am too stubborn to hang my head.  Too stubborn to give up.  Too stubborn to accept defeat. I guess you can say that I learned to be that way from my Mom.  She has been through the worst of the worst but she continues to better herself.  She has been a huge inspiration to me ever since I have remembered.  She is amazing and I am happy that she has taught me through her example.  What a good one it has been!



Enough with the look back.  Let's look forward.  I always set goals for myself each time I celebrate a birthday.  Here are a few.  I'll center my blog posts on them as much as I can.

1.  Better myself spiritually through service, temple worship, scripture study, and missionary work.
2.  Increase my GPA by .5.
3.  Prepare myself for marriage. (Even if that means not getting married.)
4.  Increase my knowledge and testimony of The Gospel.
5.  Become educated.
6.  Learn new interests.
7.  Become closer with my family.
Last but not least,
8.  Better myself every single day.

That is my bday post.  I hope you liked it.  If not, just don't come back and read my other posts.  Its that simple.  I don't want to hear anything negative from anyone concerning these posts.  If you want to leave something positive, I would love to hear from you.  Thanks!

~Brandon