Actions Speak Louder

I decided that this post was going to be a little more visual. Words are great and all, but instead of telling you something that made me happy, I thought I'd show you. Actions speak louder than words, after all. Today I'm happy for 25 reasons, I won't explain every one, I just want to sum it up. Today I'm happy for where I am, who I am, and who I have. Cache Valley is beautiful, and I have the most outstanding friends. I feel spoiled and undeserving of everything that I have, but I'm not going to question it. I'm loving life and it's loving me right back, and that's all I can really ask for.

Endless Potential

Happy third blog post! Woopee!

So, these past two weeks have been absolutely wonderful, and kind of cool. I've been super active and involved with this new group of people that play soccer together. We've been playing about three times a week, and now I'm starting to go to a volleyball group and an ultimate frisbee group. Aside from being totally psyched to get out and be active, I'm even more excited about all of the people I've been meeting.

I always thought that I  knew a lot of people, but these past few weeks have really put things into perspective for me. I went to the Cruise-In a few weeks back, and the streets were packed, but I didn't see one person that I knew, other than the people I had come with. I made a new friend who used to live in the same town as me, and knows a lot of my old friends. I go to my religious meetings, for the people who live in my town I might add, and I only know probably 10 people.

How can this be?!

I've lived in Cache Valley for the last 7 years, and I'm still surrounded by strangers. Meeting all these new people has really put a smile on my face, and not just because I have a few new friends.

Today I'm happy because I have realized that every person that I've ever seen (or not seen for that matter) is just a potential friend. I know, this is cheesy, but it's kind of cool to think about. Every person that I know now started out as a stranger. I have a friend that I met about two years ago, and in that short time, he has become my best and most admired friend. And to think, we used to not know who the other was. There are handfuls of people that I've met who have personally changed my life, and I wouldn't be who I am without them. How many people have I not met? Easy, 7 billion. And how many of them will I meet, and how many of them will change my life? I love thinking about that.

There are 7 billion people on this planet, and I only know a handful, but it excites me to know that there's a friend waiting for me anywhere I go.

We Are People

So. This week really took it out of me. The place that I work (Strata) held a conference with week with selected Koch Scholars from around the U.S.. It was actually one of the coolest things ever I've ever been apart of. There were around 35 participants who came from all over the U.S., and, at first, I was really nervous to even talk to any of them. I mean, really, they're all very well read, opinionated, and very smart, and here I am.

Hi! I'm Kelli Reeder, the last book I read was Hunger Games and I love watching Gossip Girl! Let's have a nice chat about economics and politics!

No. That thought was mortifying.

I had basically memorized people's names before I met them, ya know, because I had put together so many information packets and name tags that they had all just kind of stuck in my head. I had tried to make myself scarce, and avoid any unnecessary conversations, but when one of the scholars sat by us at dinner, I really had no choice.

Her name was Candace and she was a kick in the pants to say the least. But really, she was hilarious. Afterwords, when we hosted hospitality at our office, she and I got talking a little more, and a few people she had met came and talked to us as well.

It was really interesting actually, having these conversations. I live in Logan, Utah. I'm LDS, and I've lived in Utah for most of my life. I wouldn't say that I'm a judgmental person, but living in a place where most of the people I know are LDS leads you to have certain expectations when you meet new people in the valley, but attending this conference and meeting these people has really changed that about me. I knew that they weren't from here so I knew not to assume that they had similar religious views. It was actually kind of awesome talking with someone who didn't know anything about my religion. It was awesome having deep conversations with people and not expecting them to say or not say certain things. It was awesome talking to people who don't know about me or where I'm from. There was really no difference between me and these people. I know a lot of people's first instinct would be to pick out things about a person that were different from them or didn't coincide with their personal beliefs. A year ago that's exactly what I would have done. I would have thought something like 'Hey that girl has a really short skirt on, and she's drinking a beer. I think that gross." My thoughts during this conference were more like 'Hey that girl lives in Florida, her laugh is hilarious, and she's one of the coolest people I've met'.

It's amazing to think that a year ago, or even a month ago, I was that person who made those unfair and harsh judgements on those people who are, quite frankly, outstanding. I'm grateful for what I've learned about people this last year. I hope that I can keep an open mind, and never think twice about someone's gender, race, religion, ethnicity, age,  sexuality, hair color, food preferences, or even what they wear.

Today, I am happy because I've learned how to love people. All people. I don't care if we don't believe the same things. I don't care if we're from the same place. I don't care what you look like. I'm a person, and you're a person. We are people, and I'm glad that we met. ( So sorry for all the cheese)

Happier Than the Average Bear

Good morning, all.

So listen. I'm not a blogger, nor am I visually creative, so welcome to my outrageously beautiful and insightful blog! But really. Appreciate it.  :)

Anyway, my name is Kelli Reeder. I'm 19, I live in Utah, and I attend Utah State University. I've always considered myself to be a fairly happy person. I never thought too much about that, but my sister said something the other day that got me thinking. She was describing me to somebody, and what she said made me laugh a little. She said "This is my sister, Kelli, she's happier than the average bear." I laughed at first, just because of the way she phrased her description of me, but the more I think about it, the more I wonder. Why was that the first thing she said about me? Why is it that I'm generally in a good mood? Is that the thing that most defines me? I wonder.

I then came to the conclusion that, yes, I would call myself a happy person, and yes, that is something that would define me. The remaining question is why. So here I am, feeling especially thoughtful, trying to put into words what I've learned in the last 19 years of my life.

I am happy, and I don't think that's unusual. I feel that happiness is not an emotional destination that can be reached, I think it's something much simpler than that. It can come and goes at every moment, it can be sparked or squashed by the smallest things. If you dwell on the happy moments in your life, I feel that that's enough to be able to consider yourself happy. That being said, I'm the kind of person that is quick to smile. It doesn't take much to make me laugh, smile, or even make my day. I find a penny on the ground and I'm thrilled, if you tell me a funny joke I'll laugh about it for three days, and when my pants fit the first time I try them on, I will be excited every time I wear them until I get a new pair. I think that's what works for me though. Ordinary, everyday things. I find joy in the small and unusual things that I find in my life, and that in and of itself makes me feel happy. I plan to share and reflect on these ordinary things throughout this blog. Maybe someone can find something that works for them too. Anyway, that's all for now! Have a most excellent day!