Dont Judge Me

 

Half and Half.

Half make up, half natural.

Or would you call it

Half fake, half reality

 

I've always wanted to do a picture like this, half and half, just to see how much of a difference make up actually makes for me.

I think the biggest difference is confidence, honestly.

 

It had an interesting experience today.

8 guys from our ward got up to sing in Sacrament Meeting,

you could tell they'd put a lot of effort and practice into it, it was a hard song.

It was acapella Be Still My Soul with the words from Alma put to it.

When they started singing, I had chills up and down my body, the spirit in the room was so strong!

But then the girl next to me started making comments...

She had been in choirs and done vocal training throughout high school, so she was being very critical.

It was the craziest thing..

As soon as she started passing judgments, the spirit was gone.

And it was so aggravating!

I so wanted to just appreciate their singing.

(come on, you can ignore a few missed notes and off pitch tones. most of it was amazing.)

But it was almost impossible because of the snide laughter and critical comments right next to me..

 

It gave me quite the epiphany though.

Casting judgment takes away the spirit.

It is so unchrist-like.

 

And yet, it's a lesson that I myself need to learn...

Way too often I look at people, analyze their clothes, their hair, their shoes, etc...

I'd say it's human nature, but that's just an awful way to think about it.

And it most definitely shouldn't be an excuse.

 

One thing I keep trying to remind myself is that all these people at here at BYU.

That means they have brilliant minds

amazing talents

incredible leadership

selfless service

countless challenges

and a love for learning

all under their belt buckle.

 

It helps me view them differently.

 

 

hoping not to be judged

but judging all the same

 

miss maren lee

Feet on the Ground, Head in the Air

 

I'm a touchy-feely sort of person.

But not in the sense that you usually know.

I touch so that I can feel.

 

It's a little odd.

I almost have to touch and feel to reassure myself that this world is real.

 

 

Sometimes I have this overwhelming feeling that I don't belong here, and I just want to fly away, never return.

 

But then I think of all the people here that I love, and my feet can never leave the ground.

 

And so I stay.

I laugh

I cry

I feel the pain this world has to offer.

 

Meanwhile I do my best to document my life here.

with pictures

with drawings

with paintings

with words

with ideas

 

I love having my eyes opened.

I notice things like sun roasted wrinkles and hair died tangerine orange,

The way people in love act

towards each other

 

So here I am, feet on the ground, head in the air

 

 

here to tell stories

 

miss maren lee

 

 

 

 

The Things You Find on Pinterest

I was Pinterest browsing today.
Not that its out of the norm, hello, I'm a Mormon girl in college.

But that's not the point.
The point is, I found something interesting.
Take a look:

 

um, no.
This is so UTTERLY wrong that it sickens me.
Just as a test I googled "smartest things women can learn"
This quote took up the entire first page of results...
I don't know why that frustrated me so much.

Think about Disney's newest princess movie, Brave.
For those of you who haven't seen it, she ends up WITHOUT A PRINCE.
Instead she goes on this whole independence rant and adventure, trying to "find herself" or something
For heavens sakes, find yourselves, but who says you have to do that without a man!

I don't care about feminism. Honestly.
Yes, there were a lot of movements to be made, but ladies, we're not in the 20's anymore!
Lets worry less about equality, and more about FAMILIES.

So I have compiled my own list of the smartest things women can learn, from my point of view.
1. Find a man who will love and take care of your children. Love him, and together love the Lord.
2. Learn to be compassionate- learn how to serve others, and go outside yourself
3. Learn to rely on the Lord- go to him in prayer daily for you and for others
4. Learn to take a break- you don't always have to be on the go-go-go
5. Learn to top comparing- if you're constantly comparing yourself to other women, you're never going to get anywhere in life.
6. Learn to love the scriptures- study them daily, teach them to your children, and help them love the scriptures too.
7. Learn to sew a button- you girls out there? learn some valuable home maker skills. No, it is NOT domesticating. Its helpful and wholesome.
8. Dress modestly- a wise woman once said: "Modesty isn't about hiding ousrselves, its about revealing our dignity". Perfectly put.
9. Discover the REASON you do things. Don't just live life for the heck of it, make it worthwhile.
10. Have a hobby- do something creative with your life! Creation is said to be the highest level of knowledge, and its a gift given to us as women directly from God.
11. Learn to ry something new- as much as you can!
12.Learn to save money!
13. Learn to enjoy music- play an instrument, write a song, be in a choir, listen to a symphony. Music has a way of bringing us closer to the spirit unlike anything else.
14. Learn to BE HAPPY- It's your choice! Your happiness does not depend on anyone or anything else. Here's another pin I found. "And, I'm sad. Again."

 

Yes. Sadness is a natural part of life. But do not let it overtake you. And if you find your sadness way too reoccurring, then change something about it! Don't just resign yourself to depression.
15. Learn to be a people builder- breaking down others DOES NOT build you up. Even if it gives you a fleeting moment of confidence, its actually breaking down something in yourself too.
16. Learn to appreciate things- take a moment, and look around where you live- your home, your school, your town, wherever you may be. And appreciate something about it. The weather, the nature, the mountains, the trees, your kitchen, your carpet, your family.
17.Learn the importance of exercise- BUT. Theres a catch. Do not be OBSESSIVE about it. Do it to make yourself healthy and happy, not SKINNY.
18. Learn to love.

and there is SO much more.
 The degradation of families is so real, it's scary.
There's ABSOLUTELY NOTHING wrong with being a mother.
NOTHING.
And to do that,

you kinda need a man.

Sorry to break it to you.

still believing in happily ever after's

 

miss maren lee

 



Just a Little Music

This is a little unconventional for me, usually its only my own photos that go up, let alone a video! But this was just too amazing not to share. I'm actually a little surprised that I haven't heard of Rob Gardner before, but now I'm just in love. His music is so beautiful.

This isn't a "watch" video, its a "listen" one. Hit play, Close your eyes, sink into the music, and let the spirit fill you.

My Book of Mormon Professor played this in class today with some wise words. Speaking of the Book of Mormon he said: "This book cannot be understood without the spirit, and music has a way of bringing that. You must FEEL these doctrines, not just academically understand them".

Just because my religion classes are at a college level academically doesn't mean I should approach them the same way I do Biology 100.

Also, the words have such a beautiful message: His kindness will never depart from us.

 

thoughts from the heart

that touch mine

 

miss maren lee