So, my solution? To understand this, you must know that my brain
works in an “orders of operations” method- but in a more OCD-like
manner. My brain categorizes things according to what it feels is more
important (which doesn’t always have a rational base, making my idea of what is
important often illogical). For instance: A friend calls me, and I miss the
call. The logical thing would be just to quickly call them back, but no. My
brain tells me, “You see Tiff, there’s an order of operations here. Yes,
you do need to eventually call your friend back, but you must also realize that
you need to accomplish this, that, and the other. If you call your friend back
now, you run the risk of running out of time to do that, and the other. So, I
COMMAND you to finish all your menial tasks first, then call them back when
it’s too late to respond to their request to play.” Illogical? Yep. And so
rolls my life.

Anyway, back to my “solution”. The trick was to figure
out what my brain felt was more important than to pick at my nails when I’m
stressed. And what did I come up with? Painting my nails. You see, my brain
(she needs a name since she rules my life, lets call her Zzyzx. I’ve always
wanted to name someone that. Who better than my own brain?!), so Zzyzx has
rationalized painting my nails because of this thought process: There is nothing
more annoying than chipped fingernail polish (again, a nonsensical thought).
Therefore, I must not do anything that would speed the process of the varnish
being chipped off of my own nails, including my nervous habit of hacking
away at my fingers. In conclusion, the priority of protecting my nail varnish
overrides the compulsion to pinch away my own fingerprints. Strange, and
absurd? Yes. But it’s working! I have successfully not made myself bleed in 1.5
weeks now!

Thank you, my lovely, my completely senseless Zzyzx for making
breaking bad habits an amusing experience. May our illogical thought processes
yield many more oddities.

Happiness is…

~ Mission reminiscing and gospel talk with Jason over a cup of
Majestic Mango.

~ Shopping at Ross (and I think I mean it!) with Twin

~ Cruising town in Mum’s Mustang

~ New haircuts- especially wild ones! Mine currently: David Bowie
meets Bon Jovie pt. 2

~ Painted nails.

“Habit is habit, and not to be flung out of the window by any
man, but coaxed downstairs a step at a time.”

~Mark Twain

These are some of the new things I know about myself and the world: The concept of “The Power of One” is true (though, I will add that “The Power of Two” is even stronger!). Nothing brings more satisfaction than doing something for somebody else simply for the reason that you care about them, then expecting nothing back. The simple life is the best life! Washing up by hand is a stress releaver. There is no greater call than teaching life-changing principles. You get out of life what you put into it. Playing by the rules yields victories. Doing the right things for the right reasons changes your heart. Sincerity is the key to true, lasting friendships. There is nothing more important than living what you believe.  There is a Reality. Never miss an opportunity to make friends and have an adventure.

And most importantly, I have come to know that Christ lives- and He has restored His full truth through a living Prophet. Nothing is more important to me than this!

Now, it’s time for discovery and new adventures! Let’s do this thang!

Happiness is…

~Returning home to my family

~Remaking my life

~Painted nails

~Feeling the love and support of great friends

~A New Beginning

“The beginning is the most important part of the work.”

~Plato