Stealing Violets

I stole this lovely post from The Violet Online Magazine.



You know how I am a sucker for those terrible, awful questionnaires. I KNOW- so bad. But this one is meant to make you look at your self, evaluate yourself, see yourself...

So let's see me:

1. How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are? Oooh. I would WANT to be 30 or 35. I probably actually would be like 15, sadly.
2. Which is worse, failing or never trying? Such a toughie. I honestly have things I would take back and go on living just never, ever knowing. but at the end of the day- you learn who you are by trying.
3. If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do? Because we're American and not European.
4. When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done? Probably. I should work on that.
5. What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world? It's heart
6. If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich? I FREAKING LOVE THIS QUESTION!!! Cooking, reading, and horseback riding.
7. Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing? Settling for what I DO, but not in my life.
8. If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently? I'm not sure- would I still have the same responsibilities?
9. To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken? The last few years, not at all. Now- I'd say 70%ish.
10. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things? Both
11. You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire.  They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend.  The criticism is distasteful and unjustified.  What do you do? Tell them she's my friend and how I see her- and let them know they are entitled to their opinions but to be gentle.
12. If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be? Relax
13. Would you break the law to save a loved one? Yes- most laws, anyway.
14. Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity? Absolutely! That's why I'm friends with S.
15. What’s something you know you do differently than most people? Date
16. How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy? because everyone isn't me
17. What one thing have you not done that you really want to do?  Travel extensively What’s holding you back? Money
18. Are you holding onto something you need to let go of? A multitude of them. But I am getting better!
19. If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why? Italy!! To live a lifestyle of food, wine, and enjoyment.
20. Do you push the elevator button more than once?  Sometimes Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster? No
21. Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton? Joyful simpleton!
22. Why are you, you? Because of the people Gad has put in my life
23. Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend? I try very hard to be- and I pray that I am.
24. Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you? Losing touch
25. What are you most grateful for? Love
26. Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones? I can't even begin to answer that
27. Is is possible to know the truth without challenging it first? Yes
28. Has your greatest fear ever come true? Yes
29. Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were extremely upset?  Yes Does it really matter now? it does, actually
30. What is your happiest childhood memory? Watching rainstorms on the front porch with mama and Daddy  What makes it so special? Because it reminds me of how deeply my parents love me.
31. At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive? When I gave up a stable life and moved!
32. If not now, then when? ???
33. If you haven’t achieved it yet, what do you have to lose? The fear!
34. Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you just had the best conversation ever? Yes- thank you, God, for my blessed friends! 
35. Why do religions that support love cause so many wars? Because we are humans living in an imperfect world.
36. Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil? Yes, although there are also some things in a gray area.
37. If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job? Uh, YEAH!
38. Would you rather have less work to do, or more work you actually enjoy doing? Less work! i want more time in my day to enjoy simple things. 
39. Do you feel like you’ve lived this day a hundred times before? Not this day- but I did in Florida.
40. When was the last time you marched into the dark with only the soft glow of an idea you strongly believed in? About 4 months ago now...
41. If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today? Katie, Amanda, my parents, AC, S, and Niki
42. Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous? Umm... I'm not really sure.
43. What is the difference between being alive and truly living? Truly living= enjoying and experiencing life. Not just existing and breathing. 
44. When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right? I'm not sure there ever is that time. Sometimes the risk outweighs the need for action of the need for action out weighs the risk and it's an easy choice. But you should always consider it. 
45. If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake? because lessons can be painful.
46. What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you? Quit my job and just travel around
47. When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own breathing? When I was puffing after my workout Tuesday!
48. What do you love? My friends and family  Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love? I truly hope so!
49. In 5 years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday? Yes! What about the day before that? Yes! Or the day before that? Yes!!!
50. Decisions are being made right now.  The question is:  Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you? I am making them for myself!