Fellow blogger Katie posed a question today on her site which I thought was rather fun, and consequently decided to "borrow":
"What are the things that you love and hate about this world?"
I decided to start with my "hates", because I don't want to end on a bad note. So here it all is: in no particular order.
Things I hate: The fact that people often won't "let you in" in rush hour traffic, broken hearts, tears of sorrow, lost family who won't help themselves and knowing I can't help them either, drugs, watching people walk away from God, people who lack respect for others, pride, ignorance, pain, people who abuse thier children, men who obviously don't have brains in thier heads and hit women, the feeling I get when I think someone is mad at me or "has a bone to pick with me" (I feel like I'm six again, and in trouble with my parents), relational conflict (I can't stand fighting with the people that I love), knowing that I may have hurt someone - especially someone I care about, the smell of Lake Michigan, sometimes feeling like I don't have time to nurture the important relationships in my life, my tendency toward worrying about and over-analyzing almost everything, self-righteousness, dark gloomy days, suffering, death, and disease.
**Additions*** Brussel sprouts (told you I'd add to this list!)
Okay. On to the more beautiful side of life...
Loves: God, ALL of God's creation (desert, mountains, forests), the ocean and all the fun little (and big) creatures within it, a good thunderstorm, the smell of rain, soaking up the sun, mother nature in even her most wicked moments (because even those are beautiful!), the smell of a dewey early morning, sunsets, fall and everything about it (crisp mornings, chilly days, jeans and long sleeves, the colors, homemade applesauce, pumpkin candles, big fluffy blankets, I could go on and on), music, singing, worshipping God, animals, children and kids of all ages (I'm a kid magnet- put me in a one mile radius of any child and they will somehow find thier way right into my lap), family, the comforting hug that only my mom can give, friends, my best friends who can make me laugh harder than anyone else and who will let me cry on thier shoulder when I "just can't anymore", being that friend to them, meeting and getting to know new people, gentlemen, new friendships, watching someone "discover God", leading people to the Lord and witnessing God's work, a new love interest, a lingering look shared with a stranger, falling in love, laughing until I cry (very often at myself), my creativity and the fact that it's actually a really ligitimate excuse for some of my biggest shortcomings, writing, lyrics and poetry, learning, Theology (it's a GREAT class!), coffee, coffee shops, a good guitar player (come on.. you know that coffee shops and guitar players sometimes go hand in hand!), a relaxing night at home (believe it or not, I'm doing that right now, and it's great!!) good jazz, warm summer nights, and a really good squishy hug.
***Additions*** A one-on-one conversation that lasts all night.(more additions to come, I'm sure!)
Yes, I'm really done! I realized that a few of the aforementioned loves and hates kind of strayed from the topic at hand, but... oh well! It's my site, I make the rules ;)
Also, Please note that my lists are subject to changes and additions at any given moment, and that very well may happen on account of one of my other hates that I forgot to mention: my forgetful nature. :)