My Letter of Hope

To Whom It May Concern,

Due to social media I learned this morning that today is the "International Day of Happiness".

Who or what determines whether you're happy? I don't have that answer for you...

Realistically, happiness is a fleeting emotion. I'm not writing this letter to you to tell you to conquer your dreams or live your life to the fullest.

I'm writing this letter to tell you that I believe in you. 

You're awesome just the way you are! It's completely okay if you're having a bad day, week, or year. Just know you're never alone.

Keep being awesome,

Grant H.

New Year = New Beginnings, But Have You Changed?

This exact time a year I was spending a week in Jamaica for a service learning trip.

Two months later I spent a week a week in the Navajo Nation for a separate service learning trip.

I set out to change the world, even if it meant I could impact one person.

Midway through my trip in Arizona I began contemplating my purpose on going on all of these trips.

NO ONE would understand the poverty and malnutrition in other humans that I've witnessed.

NO ONE would understand how many times I just wanted to cry because I couldn't help families that could barely afford to put food on the table.

NO ONE would understand how guilty I felt for not being more PRESENT in my life.

NO ONE would understand that I felt more connected with strangers than I did with my own family and friends.

NO ONE would understand how the trip made me believe that I would rather live a life with nothing, than to be ignorant in wishing that I had EVERYTHING.

NO ONE would understand how much I felt LOVED on these trips.

 Ask yourself: In a years time how have you changed?

The best thing my professor told me was: "Grant, maybe you're the only person that's meant to know how much you're changing"

I've come to LOVE and ACCEPT myself more than I ever have before.

I want to 2016 to be a year that I love myself and others more than I ever have before. I want to take risks, and continue to grow.

 Just remember through our triumphs and failures to never lose yourself.

 

Sincerely,
Grant H.

The Best Day Of My Life

Honestly, it would be extremely difficult to identify the best day of my entire life....

Have you ever heard the phrase,"Do what makes you happy." or "I just want to be happy."

I'm guilty myself on placing limits on my own happiness. If we constantly tell ourselves we need money, a person, an award, an A on a paper, or even  materialistic items to make us happy...

Then aren't we really telling ourselves that we have no control over our own happiness?

If the best part of your day was eating pizza...THEN YOU SHOULD BE LOUD AND PROUD ABOUT THAT PIZZA!


Seriously though, what is HAPPINESS? Can you define what it means to be happy?

You choose your own happiness. Stop placing limits on what YOU WANT to be complete.

What was the best part of your day?

-Laugh so hard you pissed yourself? ( Kidding)

It's about time we start celebrating the little things that make our lives feel complete.

Not everyday is going to be the best day of our lives, but we have the choice to make it one that we'll never forget.

MAKE IT HAPPEN.

Is Someone Getting The Best Of You?

This week for my Grief and Loss class I have a huge assignment due titled the , "When I Die Folder".

One part of the assignment asks me how I wanted to be remembered.

I've been struggling with this question....

How do I wanted to be remembered? Better yet...WHO AM I?

 I hope I'm living a life where my family and friends are getting the best of ME.

It's so EASY to become distracted with work, homework, stress, worries, relationships, and money.

Ask yourself this: Would you rather play it safe or have the chance to have it all?

The BIGGEST risk I believe we could ever take is not letting others have the best of us. Even if it's one person out there in this world, I believe someone needs you in their life.

Don't forget to reach out to an old friend, or even tell someone how important they are to you in your life.

You just might realize you mean the world to someone else.

Have a good night,
Grant

Why I Feel Perfectly Imperfect

Good Evening,

Today I was in a random business office in town, and really had to use the restroom. Inside there was a picture with a quote that said...

"Life doesn't have to be perfect, to be wonderful"

I'm NOT perfect.
Some-day's I lack self-confidence.
I'm not that great of a cook.
I have a very loud laugh.
I'm not happy 100% of the time as some people believe. 
I don't come from a perfect family.
I really would like to lose some weight.
I have so many imperfections...BUT

I LOVE ME...

Do you love you?

I hope so...because you're perfectly imperfect just the way you are.

You're imperfections don't make you a better or worse person. What matters is your ability to view your imperfections as a part of who you are. That's real perfection.

Carpe Diem.
Grant Heydenreich

Why You Should Never Settle

Dear Reader,

In 2009 I made the best decision of my life. I decided I was going to attend Shippensburg University.

I moved 2 hours away from my family, friends, and the place I called HOME.

Fast forward almost seven years and I find myself in the biggest predictment of my life...

I have absolutely no clue where I am going to be or what I am going to do following my expected graduation in May.

Sometimes I think we get so caught up in the expectations we place on ourselves. We're going to make mistakes, we're going to laugh and cry, and we're going to bounce back again.

Just promise yourself one thing....

You always love yourself just as much as you love all the amazing people in your life.

Don't ever settle for what is comfortable, allow yourself to be uncomfortable and take chances in life.

The rest will be history....

Have a great Monday everyone!

Carpe Diem,
Grant

Why It's Okay To Feel Lost

Over the past few months I have been getting asked two main questions:

1.) What are your plans after graduate school?

2.) Why are you single?

Sometimes in my life I struggle with where I am at in my life, and where I expect myself to already be.

In March when I spent time in the Navajo Nation, I realized I am 100% okay with being "LOST".

If I asked you to name EVERYTHING and EVERYONE that you love in your life...

How long would it take you to say that you love yourself?????????

Being LOST doesn't mean that I'm sad, confused, or look down upon my life.

It means that I have accepted who I am, and where I am going (in which I have no clue).

I love when the sun sets because of its beauty, and because it means the day is just about over...BUT

Tomorrow is a new day :).

If you're reading this tonight I hope you can understand that it's okay to fear the unknown. Just be yourself, love yourself, and let go of expectations that are out of your control.

The rest will take care of itself.

-Grant