Why can't we be friends?

Fun fact about Meaghan #204! I love to read! Especially when its a good book, a good story or when it teaches you something. I just finished reading Ender's Game which was a pretty sweet book about this kid who fights aliens and saves the world! haha for reals. but its good. Not as good as Hunger Games, where all the kids are forced to kill each other cause the government is so corrupt, but pretty sweet nonetheless. And now I'm reading a book I found in my new place (I may or may not have stolen it from one of my roommates) called "The Art of Seduction" sounds kinky huh? Haha ;) its actually super interesting! I'm learning a lot! But more on that later. When I was reading Ender's Game at my super boring job, I came across this...

"In the moment when I truly understand my enemy, understand him well enough to defeat him, then in that very moment I also love him. I think it's impossible to really understand somebody, what they want, what they believe, and not love them the way they love themselves."

When you first meet someone you obviously have absolutely no mental connection to the person, no opinion formed of them. (unless of course you've heard about them or have a mutual friend, but we're talking about meeting them for the first time ever) You don't know their likes or dislikes their hopes or dreams or fears or frustrations. What experiences shaped them and what ones made them see life the way they do. That person really is nothing to you, they may walk away and you may never see them again. They are known to you as nothing more than that guy or that girl, a stranger. Often a first impression of a that person will make you judge them, and most times very harshly. I think we all have the tendency to judge people based on their appearance, and feelings of resentment, jealousy, disgust or indifference may lead you to assume something about that person that isn't true. I know I'm guilty of that! But thats really all it is, is assumption. Its not until you spend time with the person, or have some sort of interaction with them (hopefully on more than one occasion) that you really develop an opinion of them.

Not everyone in the world likes everyone they meet. Some people hate others purely on principle (which is ridiculous) some people dislike people that don't know how to drive ( :P ) or who smell bad or who are prettier than them or richer... some may not like each other because of a misunderstanding or something said by another while in a bad mood....

Something that always has been crazy to me that has always really frustrated me; how can I like someone, be in love with them, or best friends or good friends or just friendly acquaintances, and then someone else out there completely despises the same person I think so highly of! Is it all circumstantial? It's so sad!

Thats where this part of Ender's game comes in, "Its impossible to really understand somebody, what they want, what they believe, (and I'll add, their hopes and desires, likes and dislikes, their good and bad experiences and how those shaped them) and not love them the way they love themselves". Now you may be thinking, "uh Meaghan, it is indeed possible, some people are just mean, some people call me ugly and take my shoelaces!" That isn't the type of love i'm talking about. If you really take the time to get to know people, understand what makes them tick, why they have the views and opinions they have, you will eventually love them, and maybe not like, but love the person they are. The kid in this book definitely didn't love the "enemies" he was talking about but I think he is referring more to a sense of understanding that makes you appreciate the person for who they are. An understanding of why they act the way they do.

Moral of the story, and a reiteration of my biggest pet peeve that a person can possibly have: Don't judge other people. You can't possibly know the things they are going through or went through that make them act the way the do, and if you truly did know, or took the time to try and understand them, chances are you would like them, quite possibly want them as a friend, you may even love them!

This all may sound really cheesy but its something I think about ALL the time!!

"Why can't we all just get along?"

"Why can't we be friends?" :)

I wish that I had time and the ability to get to know everyone in the world! I'm not joking! And it breaks my heart that the people that I do know, and get to know and have loved aren't always going to be a part of my life. I've said it before, I wish that everyone that I have liked and loved can be a part of my life forever. Cause obviously there was a reason I loved that person. And if we all weren't so caught up in our own lives and our own selfish ways of thinking we would never just start hating someone or not want them to be around anymore. If you really think about it, it only makes sense. How can you just stop loving someone? Is it really love then? And if it is, how depressing!

In my heaven I will be able to get to know everyone, their entire life story, and more than that, I will get to stay in contact with them, be with them forever.

Impossibly Balanced

"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing."

Nothing is impossible, before I die, I'm going to:

1. Climb to the top of a mountain

2. Go skydiving

3. Travel the world

4. Become famous

5. Be rich enough to have an Audi and a Jeep Wrangler....and a huge truck.

6. Also be rich enough to have a Diet coke fountain machine in my house.

7. Become a Dietician, or a nurse.

8. Have some kids.

9. Fall in love with a man worth loving.

10. Be happy.

BALANCE: when the sum of the forces exerted is equal to zero.

Balance = happiness

18 STEPS TO BALANCED LIVING:

1. Slow down! 2. Emotions: Keep them in check. 3. Choice is yours. 4. Do not hang onto negativity: just let go. 5. Write down your goals and plan. 6. Learn to enjoy silence. 7. Discover something beautiful each and everyday on which to meditate. 8. Simplify life; offload cumbersome baggage. 9. Develop a balanced sense of humor. 10. Develop a discerning manner. 11. Do not pretend; you only fool yourself. 12. Celebrate life; no matter what the circumstances. 13. Accept you cannot control everything. 14. Only you can make you happy; and then share this with others. 15. Don't be selfish. 16. Anger serves no master; you degrade yourself in anger. 17. Find time to be alone every day. 18. Learn the art of having a quiet sense of humor.

"Balance, peace, and joy are the fruit of a successful life.

It starts with recognizing your talents and finding ways to
serve others by using them." Thomas Kinkade

"Live a balanced life - learn some and think some

and draw and paint and sing and dance and play

and work every day some." Robert Fulghum

Cause I gotta get used to it!

"This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and nonexistent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now." Thomas S. Monson, “Finding Joy in the Journey,” Liahona, Nov 2008, 84–87 ---Great Talk!



Hope everyone is having a wonderful life-changing day! :)

Jessica's "Daily Affirmation"

This little girl, aside from being quite possibly the cutest thing I've ever seen, is such an inspiration! I want to be more like her!


There are many people in my life who I strive to be more like;

My incredible Mother with her patience and amazing ability to raise six kids, love us all unconditionally and still keep her sanity.

My sweet Daddy, who works so hard to give us everything we needed, is a spiritual giant and has the best sense of humor ever! I know if I am fortunate enough to find a man even half as incredible as my Father, I will have done just fine!

My brothers and sisters, also some of the best examples I have to look up to in my life. And many more!

I'm so lucky!!!! I am constantly trying to improve myself and looking to others to see what traits I want to incorporate into myself, and what ones I would.. well much rather do without! Recently I have decided I want to become a whole lot more positive! As the title of my blog insinuates, I often have the tendency to be fairly cynical and sarcastic, which I know will always have a place in my personality, but I want to start striving to be more and more optimistic. :) When I was younger I knew I could do anything and I had complete and utter faith in myself. I didn't doubt who I was at all and I knew that I was a loved Daughter of God. As I have gotten older life experiences have torn down that way of thinking in more ways then one, I'm working on building it up again :) I've been so blessed! I'm going to start now to enjoy every day I have, not just endure it!

I'll keep you updated ;)
This reminds me of my mom, she is constantly telling me I need to learn to make myself happy and not wait for things or people to do it for me!

"I can do anything good! Yeah yeah yeah, I can do anything good! Better, better than anyone!"

Hope Ya Know, We Had a Hard Time

There is one thing I find myself wishing on a near constant basis (lately especially!) : That I could control my thoughts. Out of all the trials I have had, my own mind is what usually serves to make me the most miserable, by bringing those things I wish I never had to think about again, to the front of my mind and not letting go. Sometimes only for a few minutes, sometimes for weeks on end. Occasionally I find myself wishing I could just give in to these thoughts and be completely depressed, wallow in a Meaghan pity-party for awhile eat some ice cream and just cry ... unfortunately I have been blessed with an extraordinary conscience that always serves to remind me of all the other people in the world and the struggles and pains so many are dealing with far beyond my own.
And then I think of my Savior and the pain and suffering he so willingly endured for all of us, and I am so grateful for his sacrifice and the endless love he has for us. I know that life is painful and even though sometimes I wish it all could just end, I know that everything I go through, every trial and struggle has a purpose and God will not throw anything at me that I can't handle!



"There are more with you than those you can see opposed to you. Some who are with you will be invisible to your mortal eyes. The Lord will bear you up and will at times do it by calling others to stand with you."

"I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you, my peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:18,27

Oh you silly Utah people

Can we talk about how retarded Utah drivers are? Or maybe just Utah people in general? Okay maybe not...all....Utah...people...(that was hard for me to say), but seriously, why do people find it so difficult to operate an automobile? How did these people get their license in the first place? How do they suck at life so badly!? so fun fact about Meaghan. I have an extremely bad...no not even bad, extremely awesome case of road rage. :) haha okay its pretty bad.
It is rare that I drive somewhere and don't end up shaking my head in sheer amazement at the idiocy of these people or when its really bad cussing out another driver....in my head of course...;) and honest to goodness the majority (given not all) but the majority of the stupid drivers I have encountered have been from the lovely state of Utah. As if all the annoyingly naive, excruciatingly peppy girls and the arrogantly ignorant guys (more about that later trust me!) aren't enough, 85% of people in provo/orem also suck at driving. And not even just driving, but doing anything that involves a vehicle! At my chevron I've had 3 people drive away with the gas pump still in their car, many who are completely lost on the concept of prepaying for gas, and the act of even pumping their gas. And just today, some lady managed to spill about 12 gallons of gas on the sidewalk! Perfect. haha (please note this really is me being cynical and I do mostly just think this stuff is hilarious!)
I really don't like driving long distances when someone else is driving, because in my head I judge everything they do I can't help it! Haha I'm so kind :) everyone I drive with is gonna get a complex now! ha. kidding. It's not all the time only when I don't have anything to distract me....
I LITERALLY can't stand the people: that don't know how to drive the speed limit, or appropriately over the speed limit, who think that to yield means to stop completely in the middle of an on ramp (that mostly happens in Texas) who don't know how to merge, who refuse or just don't move the F out of the fast lane when someone is behind them going faster, who pull out in front of someone or cut them off, who drive slow until someone tries to pass them and then speed up to, well lets be honest, just to be a moron! and all the many other completely and utterly, mind blowing-ly stupid things people do. Would you do the people who aren't mentally incompetent, a favor and stay off of the dang road!

haha reading back on that I kinda sound like a really big jerk, I really don't like wanna kill everyone that doesn't know how to drive it would just be nice if everyone was as good of a driver as I am :) ;)

Just a few things on my mind tonight!

Today....

I hate being addicted to things

Balloons!

february-june...

"So you better hide yo sisters, yo mom and yo cousins!!!..." hahaha

I miss my mom and dad

I miss being 17 that was such a good year!

I hate having to renew licenses

Paying for stuff sucks

I can't wait to move!

I miss playing the piano whenever I want

my painful backflip on the rope swing today!

Alpine rock slide today!

Cafe Rio

Pilates tomorrow

I want unlimited Monster energy drinks. All the time.

I wish I was shorter.

I've decided I really don't like being single.

I hate having to shower and do my hair to go out somewhere

I wish I had more confidence

I wish I didn't care so much about somethings....lots of things.

If I could say what I really wanted to all the time, I wonder what would happen.

I'm pretty cool. haha. ....but really.

MOST utah girls seriously bug me.

I hate Owl City. and whiney boy bands. (it had to be said.)

I want to go to bed.

I wish I hadn't left my car at his house dang it!

I think I may be bi-polar...ish. ha!

I miss a lot of people.

I wish I could control my thoughts!!!!!!

why do people have to be so stupid?

I want some coke.

This is me at about 17 such a good year!!!! man...

I'm moving soon!!!

Hi!! So can I just say i'm way super excited to move into my new place this month! And i'm pretty happy to be out of apartments. I'm kind of sick of Provo right now and Utah in general!, I was getting pretty antsy, contemplating moving out of state all last month but I decided I shouldn't run away again! Consequently I'm way excited for this house and my roommates are way laid back and fun girls! it'll be a good change and to get away from lots of things I want to forget! I'm also excited that my brother gets back this month! He's definitely one of my favorite people and one of my best friends, I can't wait to hang out with him again! So today I did another Zumba class which was fuuuunnn! I do wish I had someone I know in the class with me though. Cause I constantly just wanna start laughing because I feel retarded! but I can't cause no one else is laughing! (Reagan where are you when I need you homegirl!!) But its all good, and then I went and ran on the treadmill which is...not so fun but I was listenin to some Dr. Dre and other good pump up music so that always makes it better. also there was a way good looking guy on the treadmill behind me so it gave me more motivation ;) I'm not gonna lie, hot guys are often the cause of my motivation...speaking of guys, can I tell you about the best and worst pick up line I had used on me last week? so there I was getting some gas for my little ghetto car and these two guys at the next pump go, "Hey baby, whats your grade? whats your grade?"(Pointing to the different grades of gas) ha! I just looked at them and shook my head, I may have giggled a little bit too. but Really what can you say to that? Has that worked for you before buddy? You should probably just drive away now. Okay lets be honest, I secretly really like corny pick up lines, I like to know that people have some confidence, it makes me want to have more confidence! So thanks you boys, I may just use that line someday... ;)

This is totally going in my blog!

So this is the beginning of what I hope will be a successful attempt at that blogging thing! I've always wanted to start a blog, mostly so I can say "This is totally going in my blog!!!" -Barney-How I met your mother- (best show ever) and because I have a lot of random thoughts that sometimes I just feel like writing down! so here it goes:

First off I'll introduce myself! I've never been very good at talking about myself, but maybe i'll be better at writing about myself

My name is Meaghan Camille Ricks. I don't really understand the point of middle names, does anyone ever really introduce themselves using their full name? Anyway I digress, My name is Meaghan. Some people call me megs, lately lots of people, and lots of people I don't even know have called me meg. I also get all the fun variations cause my name is spelled so awesome, but I consider myself, Meaghan.

I was born and raised in a City known as Bakersfield in the best state ever, CaliforniA. Also known to its residents as Bako, or what I've heard more, lately, Bakes. Which are both quite accurate cause it gets so insanely hot during the, well at anytime of the year. The weather is quite retarded. Not as bi-polar as I have found the weather in my current location (Provo Utah) to be but it is always some degree of hot, or so it seems. Which I really hate. Any temperature in the extreme is not okay with me. I'm always cold, always, unless its super hot. And being really hot makes me extremely grumpy. In my opinion it should be 65-70 and sunny, all. the. time. well...no lower than 45 and no higher than 85. fair enough? Anyway moving on, I'm gonna make a list, just for funsies

1. I consider myself a very laid back person....which is a nice way of saying I can, at times, be extremely lazy. I do love doing crazy and random things though, like spray painting old trains, climbing mountains, jumping off cliffs and out of airplanes.

2. If I had it my way I would play in a very intense Volleyball tournament everyday! and go hiking, camping or something like that, at least twice a week.

3. One of my life goals is to travel the world and eventually live in New York and Ireland...or New Zealand.

4. I am a very forgiving person, I don't believe in holding grudges, and I don't believe in fighting with people you love. it takes a lot to get me mad, (unless you're my little sister shes pretty good at it) but it doesn't take a lot to make me sad. And I do get my feelings hurt pretty easily, it's something I'm trying to work on.

5. I am very defensive when people call me out on things, some may say thats prideful I really don't think thats it, I just don't like feeling like I've done something wrong or hurt someone in anyway (unless they deserved it), so I defend my actions! ....So just shut up about it cause I do what I want! ;) no actually this is my biggest personality flaw, I think, and I'm really trying to work on that too.

6. I like being sarcastic, a lot.

7. I am a very loving person. When I love someone or fall in love, I love very deeply. Which lets be honest, kinda sucks. It means I get hurt a lot and care too much sometimes. But then again, lucky for the people I love cause I really would do anything to help someone I love :)

8. I have the best family in the world. No questions.

9. I also have the best friend in the world! She is my other half and we are pretty much telepathic.

10. I hate it when people judge other people, or trash talk anyone. It is definitely one of my biggest pet peeves. I find it incredibly immature, it reminds me of high school, do us all a favor and get over yourself.

11. I am not one of those peppy "oh my gosh!!" always happy, i'm always on an overdose of prozac kinda girls. I don't have enough energy for that, lets be honest. Don't get me wrong sometimes I'm probably pretty annoying, I love to laugh (loudly) at a lot of things and when I've had a monster or Red Bull I like to act crazy and talk to random people. But really? Lets tone it down a bit on the peppiness. You make my head hurt.

12. I'm completely 100% addicted to Diet Coke. I know I'm probably gonna die when i'm 30 and my internal organs really hate me but, really? I don't care enough. I like it, alot. and I'm going to drink it regardless, so don't try and talk me out of it, its just annoying.

So thats me...not all of me I'm just kind of bored with writing at the moment and I kind of want some cookies.