The Valley

     What I've learned about normal the past year, if anything, is that it is overrated. Normality is something that everyone strives for, yet at the same time normal is also too "mainstream". In my humble opinion, normal is lame. Normal means no risk taking, no taking chances, no trying new things or being brave. Normal means never being able to go to or experiences places and situations on your own. Normal means never experiencing the feeling of adrenalin rushing through your veins, with each pulse of your heart as your bones shiver; The hair sticks up on your skin and your senses are heightened. Normal, to me, just flat out means not living. You see, there is no room in my life for normality. 

     The second most important thing that I believe I learned in the past year is just how quickly time flies. Anyone who is around my age knows exactly what it feels like to be constantly told that phrase; "time flies!". I agree, it is definitely overused. But I don't think thats the problem. I think the problem is that no matter how hard I try, I will never be able to slow it down. I think I am constantly focused on how I can stop time just long enough to enjoy whatever the moment is that I'm in at that moment, more so than just focusing on how to FULLY and COMPLETELY enjoy life at that moment. Ive learned that time is going to race by you and there is absolutely nothing you can do to slow it down, speed it up or pause it. The good news though is that you are one hundred percent in charge of how you choose to take the time that has been given to you. You as your own individual is totally in control of when you decide to take a situation as it is, find your joy and make the most of it. Complaining only makes it worse, I promise. 

     Some one told me once how as a Christian, I'm going to experience a lot of those "Jesus high's" that everyone talks about. Whether it's at camp, on a mission trip or in church, the mountain top Jesus high experience is inevitable. Here's the problem with that; have you ever realized the higher you climb up the mountain, the more problems your body begins to face? Altitude sickness my friends, it is real let me tell you. On the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, climbers are only allotted fifteen minutes on the beautiful mountain top to soak in that view. Why? Because your brain would literally explode if you stayed up any longer. The altitude and lack of oxygen would get to you and you would become very sick and most likely die. We as humans just physically are not able to stay on the top of the mountain. Like wise, as Christians, we are not meant to live at the perfect, beautiful mountain top experience either. There is no vegetation, no air, no life. In the valleys though, THAT is where there is life; people living and breathing and moving. In the valleys, we are meant to take hold, live with others and share the incredible love and mercy that is in the name of Jesus Christ at the cross. In the valley is where we belong.
     I don't know about anyone else, but I want to live. I want to experience all that God has for me in those valleys, surrounded by other living and breathing people. I want to enjoy life in the moment, reminisce on the past and relish. I want to live each day with the fullest amount of joy remembering each precious moment as they pass by. I want to live life to the fullest. The thought of a normal, boring, quiet life spent on the mountain top does not interest me.