The Sunshine Scatterer Who Sees the Clouds

I've always considered myself an optimist. I'm one of those annoying people that seems to have too much energy and excitement for life.
When it comes to sad stuff in life though, I like to pretend that it doesn't exist. World hunger? Poverty? Politics? In my mind, those problems disappear when I don't think about them. I can just skip through life singing high school musical and pretending that I'm not growing up, I don't have to go to college and leave my friends behind, and I definitely don't have to get a job.
I've never seen a problem with my "optimism" until my friend Ambeajaf gave me a book. I won't talk too much about the book because I want to discuss it in detail on this blog after I've finished reading, but I do want to talk about how it's changed my perspective on optimism. The book discusses how my generation is often refusing to grow up; we're scared of what the future may bring and don't want to have to deal with the pains of adulthood. We're pretending like we don't have to become an adult, that living in our mom's basement for another decade is totally fine.
There's lots of lessons I'm learning from this book, but the first  one I've learned is that optimism is NOT denial. Optimists don't just pretend problems don't exist and think happy thoughts instead. Optimists know and understand the terrible problems and sadnesses that are in  the world today. AND THEY ARE STILL HAPPY! That is the real beauty of optimists. They aren't daunted by the vast quantity of the world's problems, they aren't overwhelmed by how many thing are wrong with the world. They acknowledge that problems exist and then do something to stop the problems. They are the believers, the hopefuls, the dreamers, and most importantly, the doers of humanity.
I was much humbled by this realization. How did I think I was going  to make a difference in the world around me if I don't acknowledge that there is something wrong with it in the first place?
I'm working, now, on facing my future with more faith than fear. I'm working on not letting my problems overwhelm me into a denial of their existence. I'm working on living life happy, with a full realization of how many problems and sadnesses are in the world today. I'm hoping that by doing so, I can make more of a difference in people's lives. I can first recognize problems, then believe  that there is a solution, then go find out what the solution is. Recognize. Hope. And do.
I'll end with some song lyrics again. (I can't help myself! I love music way too much). This song is called "Walking in Sunlight".
"It's a beautiful day, even though it's dark out there. Got the sun on my face; I take it with me everywhere. And it warms my heart that's beating, it comes from believing, and it's a beautiful, beautiful feeling! It's like walking in sunlight when the whole worlds covered in rain clouds, walking in sunlight: finding the truth and living it out loud. Here, when you know what's right it's like walking in sunlight. Sunlight."
I wish you all the best luck with becoming true optimists, with recognizing, hoping, and doing. Go be awesome. :)

Home is Wherever You Are

I'd like to start with lyrics from one of my favorite songs, "Home" by Jack Johnson.
"Home is wherever you are, if there's love there too."
I've always been a homebody. I like the sameness and comfort that home provides; there's nothing comparable. That's why for me, travel is bittersweet. I love seeing new places, trying new foods, and just expanding the world I live in, but I always miss whatever and whomever I leave behind.
I'm beginning to learn, however, that I cannot just call one place home. I have a home wherever in the world I can find love. What makes home special is the people who live in it, not the things. And there are people that love me all over the world, from Finland to Hawaii to Arizona and everywhere in between. When I'm with the people I love, it doesn't matter where I am. I am home.
I spent the Fourth of July weekend at a cabin with a bunch of mostly strangers I'm not exactly related too... But sort of an (it's complicated. Long story). At first I felt a bit nervous being plunged head first into a foreign family gathering. Then I met the people I was to be staying with. It didn't matter that my last name was Douglass and theirs wasn't. They treated me the same. They played pranks on me and pulled my seat out from under me. They cooked food for me and stuffed me full of homemade chocolate chip cookies and packaged mint Oreos. They played card games with me and shared their favorite chick flicks. They made me crack up with jokes like  "Elizabeth! That's so rare!" and played beanbag toss with me.  They made me feel at home. I have all kinds of stories and memories to carry with me now!
I'm back from the cabin now, but I left a piece of my heart there, and I plan on keeping it there for a while.
I'll end with some more song lyrics, this time by the amazing Mindy Gledhill.  All too soon, "I'm gonna leave this nest and give my best to the place where I grew up." I'll be off on my own, and my house will no longer be the same. But my home? Home will never change. Home will be with me, wherever I go, wherever there are people who hold the keys to the front door that is my heart.

How is your home shaped by the people you share it with?