Our Differences are Making Us Stronger

You see that guy in the background? Yeah him. This is about us and how two people with different personalities and characteristics have made each other stronger along the way.

For some the saying, "Opposites Attract" is total bogus. It didn't turn out well or things were better off at the friendship level.Others, like myself, are firm believers in this simple saying because the frustrations of another person's personality are met with joy, a learning attitude, and patience. For example:

BJ   

1. Sees life as spontaneous, you just never know what is going on until it happens
2. Time doesn't mean a whole lot. Not an important event? Arrive when told, maybe even a few minutes late. Important event? Arrive exactly when it starts. 
3. Get things done to get them done. Don't not try, but don't fret if it isn't completely up to par.
4.   Injured? Hurting? Sit out.                                                                

Kayleigh

1. Life needs to be a little more planned. keep a calendar, marks important dates and times. Always bring extra everything/anything...because others are spontaneous and at least someone has gotta be ready.
2. Time is everything. Important event? Arrive at least 10 minutes early. If it is a soccer game (like my dad has taught me) leave extra time to get lost just incase and plan on being there at least 30 minutes early. Not an important event? Still arrive 10 minutes early.
3. Do things, such as homework, with all ya got. Make sure all guidelines are met and add something extra, ya never know when a teacher will handout extra credit or praise you for the hard work.
4. Injured? Hurt? You should see the other person, and yes, I am still playing. 

Some pretty big differences there. Ok so nothing SUPER different that causes major clashes and second guessing the relationship, but differences nonetheless that him and I have to work out. I've been in relationships prior to dating BJ and they've all been with individuals who were similar to me in likes and dislikes almost to a T. There just wasn't room for growth, at least, the kind of growth I was looking for and needed. But this relationship, holy cow. There are times where I just want to rip my hair out because I don't get how someone doesn't leave an extra 20 minutes early during bad weather to get to an event that is important, you just don't know what you may encounter on the way! 

It has been these differences though, that have made a difference in our relationship. Each day there are things we could complain about, harass each other about, perhaps even fight over, but we've chosen to see those things as a time to discuss why we view it that way and how it could benefit the other person. 

Example: I stress out about homework WAY MORE than I should. Guidelines and due dates are struggling to be met because I want not to achieve, but overachieve. BJ swoops in for the win as he helps me to see that there are times in my college career where I am going to have to turn in a paper that meets the guidelines and that is it. I've got to be ok with that because my stress levels are not healthy. He has helped me see that, and I continue to grow stronger in that area due to his support. 

BJ, on the other hand, doesn't schedule things very well, or write dates down in a planner to know what's going on and when. Sooooooooooo, there have been several times over the past 2 and a half years where two semi-important events are planned on the same day and he doesn't realize it until the day of! MAJOR yikes on my part. Needless to say, I think he is becoming better at writing events down, even on his calendar on his phone, just to be sure. (I'm rubbing off on him...finally! at least...i'd like to think I am.)

Anyways, it's been such a blessing being in a relationship where my own views are challenged and strengthened as well as developing new habits that are maybe a bit healthier than my own. It really has gone both ways and overall, i think we'll stay the same people as listed above, but our relationship is going to allow us to continue learning, continue to grow stronger together, and teach us patience. 

And that, my friends, is pretty stinkn' cool.

Blessing in Disguise

As many of you may have seen, over the weekend my computer decided it would no longer work. I hit the power button and...nothing. "Freaking fantastic." 

Now, I am now a person who curses...but gosh was I close! Not only had my computer crashed, but i kept everything...everything on that computer. School work. Reports. Exam study guides. Essays in progress. You name it, it was on there. But all it took was one morning for it not to work and all those things POOF! Gone. Worse yet, I can't get any of it back. 

Let me tell ya, I was bitter! And still am somewhat, but through all of this and the past few days of not having my laptop a blessing emerged: I wasn't spending needless time on facebook, twitter, pinterest, and games when i should be doing homework. yes, all my homework was on that laptop, but i could restart some of it using the computers in the library...the thing is...is wasn't my own and I couldn't have it out whenever. so during the two classes i use it in, i sat and took notes instead of surfed the web when lecture got boring. I understood vocab mentioned in class and how it related to the last section of reading because my ears were tuned into my professors. At night, when I had just finished a long day of classes and work, I could go to bed without opening my laptop and getting on facebook for an hour looking at pictures i had seen a dozen times. Homework was getting done quicker because i wasn't distracted...and the time i had opened was filled with friends. Dinners. Lunches. Desserts. Tanning on Bitner beach. I had time i didn't allow myself to have before. 

It is still very hard not having a laptop with me. It is still tempting to be bitter and blame God for not fixing my computer when i prayed over it. It is even better to commit those feelings all to Him and trust in His timing and thank Him for the blessings He has bestowed upon me these past 3 days.

God is good. All the time.