Does Kindness affect your health?

• February 13 2017

  
  

  It's Random acts of kindness week

  
  
  

  
  

  A couple of years ago while I was rollerblading I saw a basket similar to this one on the side of the trail. I went over and read the sign and grabbed a rock and wrote my message on the rock and left it for others to read. If you know me you probably know what quote I wrote on the rock but I will tell you just in case... You can't control what happens to you, but you can control how you react to it" 

I didn't realize that day would start a new tradition. Every spring the weather is so beautiful here in St George you cant resist going outside. So many people are out on the walking trails. I decided this would be the perfect time to do this random act of kindness.
I leave the basket there for 3-4 days and every year I can hardly wait to go pick it up. This year was no exception. So many people participated. I have read so many great quotes and pieces of advice over the years, I could probably write a book. I think my favorite this time around was "Strong people don't put other down, They lift them up." Thanks for being strong.

So here's the best part....
Did you know that people who are kind produce 23% less cortisol (the stress hormone) and age slower than the average population? It’s true. Engaging in acts of kindness actually lowers blood pressure, reduces stress and even releases feel good hormones Serotonin and Oxytocin. So even when you are helping others you are also helping yourself.

You can start your own traditions:

Here are a few simple ideas.

• Always carry an umbrella in the trunk of your car for someone that could really use it.
• Pay the bill for the car behind you at a toll booth or a drive-thru restaurant.
• Talk to someone waiting in line with you. Be courageous next time you get an inner feeling urging you to start a conversation with someone. Some people feel alone a lot and you could  be one of the only people that talks or interacts with them.
• SMILE- This is one of my favorites. When I was little, My mom bought me a shirt that said Keep Smiling! When she gave it to me she said this was one of the strongest communication skills and it's so important because it allows others to see your beauty within. Well I really took it to heart. At 1st it was everytime I wore the shirt because it would remind me, but then it became a habit. To this day I get asked things like do your cheeks ever get sore and all sorts of other comments, Some nice and some not but it doesn't matter because smiling makes me feel good and hopefully makes most feel appreciated and accepted. 
• Random note of appreciation- It could be someone you see working hard at work or reconnecting with an old friend through social media or handing one of your best friends or even a total stranger a hand written note.
• Compliment others-Everyone enjoys hearing an unexpected compliment. Try to point out something good about the people around you.

Charity Miles-Join my team!

February 2017

I have always loved rollerblading. In fact I have been doing it since I was about 4 mo. old.. How you ask? Well, ok I wasn't technically doing the rollerblading, My mom was. but she would push me in the stroller or put me in one of those little apparatuses that attaches to the back of the bike and rollerblade along the river. Since then I don't think a week has gone by where we haven't gone rollerblading together. In the last few years it's a daily thing. We even took them on the plane with us when we went to Hawaii and we would get up every morning and rollerblade along the ocean trail.

I'm so thankful that she did this with me because it has instilled so many good lifelong habits.
I developed a love for exercise at a young age.
I have a true connection with nature and being outdoors.
I had the chance to be with my mom 1 on 1 (which is not always easy with 6 children).
I realized as a future mom it's important to involve your kids in your life.
My mom could've dropped me off at the gym day care every morning but she knew it was important to lead by example and not only teach me but how exercising and staying heart healthy can be enjoyable.
Because of my dedication and love for exercise I am leading by example as an ambassador for Go Red for women. The International systems National platform.







A few years ago I found a way to enjoy rollerblading while donating to charity. On an App called Charity Miles, I created a team called "MissTeenUtahIntl2017" For every mile my team walks or runs $.04 is donated to the charity of their choice. As of right now I have recruited 15 members and we have logged in almost 1,000 miles. I want to be able to say I raised $2,000 by the end of my year of reign as Miss Teen Utah Intl but in order for me to reach that goal I'm going to need a lot of help. So get to it!! Take the challenge. It's so easy and it will make you feel so good knowing you are making a difference. It even motivates me when I don't feel like doing much. I look at those miles adding up and I keep going. Also I'll be honest being "slightly" competitive can be good sometimes and this is one of those times. Lets just say I like to see that I have made the biggest difference :) So just download the App, join my team and challenge me.

State Capitol Building

February 10, 2017

My 1st official photoshoot as Miss Teen Utah International:

 

Thanks to our amazing Utah International pageant director we were able to collaborate with Braadyn Penrod Photography @bybraadyn and Ypsilon Dresses to create these fairytale images in Salt Lake City at the State Capital building.








I am so lucky to have this beautiful sister by my side to share this special year with. Maddie and I have been doing pageants together since we were just little girls. Sometimes we would compete against each other and sometimes we were in different divisions but it never mattered. We were always kind and considerate to each other and most importantly we always have each others back.

Contrary to popular belief pageants to many girls are about the sisterhoods that are developed with the other contestants that are most cherished thing that they take from competing. The reality is there is only 1 winner per division and don't get me wrong I'm very competitive and I always want to win, but winning is never a reason to compromise your values or ruin relationships. I feel like It is important above all to be yourself. We all have individual qualities that make us special.     Sometimes it's your turn and sometimes it's not. If it's Gods plan it will be.

These pictures were taken in October of 2013.
Can you find Maddie and I?











A lot has changed since these pictures but one thing remains the same. Our friendship. If one of us needs the other we are there. Something as simple as sharing eyelash glue, earings, your own shoe when the others broke, sharing your fitness wear, lending a hand to sew you into a dress with a broken zipper, or advice on wardrobe or which photos to use... even boy advice... We are there for each other. All these examples and many more have actually happened.


                                                                                      



Alone we are strong, Together we are unstoppable.

Watch out Internationals Maddi squared is ready to represent

Roatan Hondurus

April 1, 2017

My 1st International trip as Miss Teen Utah International:

What an amazing adventure. Roatan is a place that most people wouldn't describe as somewhere they would want to stay for too long but to me it was one of the most beautiful places I'd ever seen. Not because of the islands beauty itself but because of the beauty of the people that call Roatan their home. Most live in A-frame houses with no doors, windows, televisions, x-box etc. They live a simple life with very few wordly possessions. They have each other and that is enough. They live by the golden rule and I admire that. The children play outside mostly fishing or playing in the ocean and the parents were right there with them. What an important thing this is. Family is so important and I see a lot of youth in the court system and at detention centers that say their parents are never around. I think parents feel like they are doing their children a favor by working so much so they can give their children everything they want but in reality the kids just want to be with their parents and to know they are loved. I am so grateful that even though my mom is a nurse she always found jobs that would allow her to be with my siblings and I and fortunately my dad has a job that allows him to be flexible to our needs and wants. I value that so much. It plays a huge role in my emotional stability. I know because I felt that love I am able to love. This is why the people of Roatan are such giving people. They are truly happy.

I really hope and pray to become Miss Teen International and I know if it's Gods will it will be. But I know for 1 thing, With or without an International title my Goal is to return to Roatan on a humanitarian mission to help set up programs to educate the youth there. I have a feeling I will learn a lot from them as well.

We got 32 people on this poor bus :)

My Crazy Momma!

              My Cute Dad

                          Jayger

                           Jayden

Jayce

Maizy

the best friends a girl could ask for💗

this beautiful bird was one of the many cool wildlife animals we were able to play with!

also, sloths! sloths are so sweet and will just totally cuddle up to you. their fur did not feel anything like I thought it would!

but my personal favorite, MONKEYS!!! I am completely obsessed with monkeys, and one day I hope to have a capuchin monkey as a pet

everyone said that spider-monkeys are mean, but as soon as I walked by, this sweet little guy reached his hand out and wanted to hold my hand, and then he gave me a hug with his tail!

this group is one of the reasons this trip was so fun! So thankful for all the people I have in my life