in honor of the world en... not ending :)

I'm writing this blog in honor of the fact that

my blog is called "If I Die Today, I Think You Should Know:"

and since the world was supposed to end today, 

and since it's not midnight yet and technically still could. 

:)

So I just decided that because of all of the above facts, that it would be a great time to write down a few things that I would want people to know "if I died today."

As most of you know I am living in Hershey, PA for the summer working as a stage technician at Hersheypark! So far, this job has been more than amazing and ideal. I have wonderful roommates, work with amazing people, and have seen some of the most beautiful countryside that I have ever seen in my life. It's so crazy because everything is just greener around here.. literally. There are cottages with vines all along the outsides, flowers everywhere, horses all over the place, and incredibly lush green grass everywhere! The performers that are in the show I work on, and in the shows around the park, part of Matt Davenport Productions, are honestly some of the most talented people I have ever seen in my life. 

Everyone is so hard working and friendly and just all around awesome people.

I've finally been able to get regular hours of sleep, have so much time to myself, and I am no longer in stress mode.

Life is truly at peace and wonderful.

Other than all of this new found love for the north and for the town of Hershey, I was thinking over what  I would want people to know today if this were my last day on earth. I'll go ahead and cut to the chase and just tell what I came up with. Here goes everything and I hope all of this leaves you with a smile. :)

If you get a chance, help or care for someone just because you can. So often, we pass up opportunities to change someone's life simply because it would take too much effort on our part or too much energy or we are just too busy for something. I truly believe that if I can take a little extra time out of my daily life to help another person, compliment someone, smile at a stranger, I feel like so much of a better person, and I know it made their day that much better too!

Many friends and people in my life disapprove, but I have a best friend in prison that I have been in contact with since he went in two and a half years ago. I don't care who tells me otherwise, but I have witnessed the changes and grace that have gone through him in his time away from the world, and would like to think that me staying in his life has had some influence on his character. He has lots of love from myself and his family and if it weren't for that he may not be where he is today. The little effort it takes to stay in touch with someone you've drifted from or someone who may need you to go that extra mile for them or be there for them when the rest of the world shuts them out could truly change their lives. I've witnessed it with multiple people in my life, and though they are not all still in my life in some way, I like to know and think that I may have made a small or big positive impact on their lives in some way or another. 

Take initiatives to do this for someone that may not have anyone else to do it for them and see how it makes you and them feel at the end of the day.

I've experienced the most painful heartbreak 

as well as been in the happiest love of my life.

I wouldn't change a thing about my past with Jay David Hart, nor with previous ex's that I could have done without forever.

But everything and every person in your life is there for a reason. As long as you learn from your bad experiences, no time is ever wasted.

I firmly believe that I have one of the greatest families in the world. 

We aren't perfect, and I don't see them as much as I want to, but I do know that whether I see them daily or once every few years, there is more love from them and from me for them than I could ever imagine. 

My cousins, my parents, my aunts and uncles, my grandmas; I wouldn't change any of them for the world. They make my world go round.

I've recently found many things out about friends and best friends and blah blah blah. All I will say about that is that in life, be careful who you trust and who you put your energy into helping or getting close to in life. I was told once that I had very high standards for myself and for things I did in life, and that if I continued expecting the same standards and loyalty from my friends, that I would live a life of disappointment. This is some of the best advice I've ever been given and I hope you can use it in some way to apply to your own life too. 

Don't let anyone run your happiness, be it best friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, parents, whoever. Try your hardest to find yourself and your own personal happiness and stay there. This is something I have been really trying to work on myself because I often rely on others to determine my happiness and it's become a huge struggle for me. Be happy and confident in yourselfffff first and then let others come into play to just assist with the happiness! :)

If you find something you love doing in life, DO IT! I have debated so many times if I should have another career besides theatre arts. Well I plan on getting my special education degree as well, but that is because I love working with special needs individuals. 

If you love to draw, DRAW!

If you love to sing, SING!

If you love to act, ACT!

If you love to do makeup or hair, DESIGN YOUR OWN LINE OF PRODUCTS!

Don't EVER let anyone tell you that you can't reach a dream or goal in life, because I PROMISE you, that ANYTHING you set your mind to is possible!!! PROMISE!

I'm still working on being able to fly, but I know it's coming in my future :)

Lastly, If you have ever experienced the love of God or Jesus in your life, remember that experience, and hold on to it forever. No matter what you believe, I believe and KNOW that I have a God and Savior that watches over me ever single day of my life and has worked miracles for me on a day to day basis. If you've had faith in Jesus before and lost it, or have it now, or have never had it, take some time and get back in touch with it and fill up on the spirit that can make your everyday life ten times more extraordinary. I wake up pray every morning and it makes me live better every day.

I have seen New York City and the East Coast of California.

I have been in love.

I've had some of the most amazing individuals in this world in my life.

I've laughed until my entire body ached.

I've had/ have the best dogs(and fishies :) ) you could ever imagine as pets.

I've performed for audiences that loved every move I made on stage!

I've danced the Soulja' Boy dance traffic filled streets after a country concert.

I've kissed in the rain.

I saw my dad smile bigger than he had in the first 19 years of my life this past year during college.

I've had/ do have professors that truly love and care about me with every bit of their being.

Overall, if I were to die today, I would die a happy girl.

Blessed and filled with God's love and the love for myself, the people in my life, and the future that tomorrow brings.

Thank you to all that continue to read these extremely long posts. I love you all and wish you the happiest day and week ahead of you. 

Remember when you're stressed, to breathe, smile, and say to yourself, "I'm wonderful, and with strong will and faith in the right place, I can get through this!"

So that is that.
If I died today, I would want you to know these things.
xo, Jell.