How Can I Help?

 I live my life with open arms.  I've been told I don't see the bad in any person or situation. This is true. I live my life with open arms. However, just because my arms are open, my eyes are usually shut, and there's no denying it. I usually end up playing myself or getting played. No matter how often I've been proven wrong, I always give someone or a situation the benefit of the doubt because of hope.  I HOPE they are a good person.  I HOPE they show me that they are different.  I HOPE that something goes the way that has the best outcome.  I HOPE they had a good upbringing like myself. I HOPE they have some relationship with Jesus.  I HOPE the environment around me will enrich my soul.  I HOPE they have pure intentions and a heart like my own.  I HOPE the sight I'm about to see leaves a positive imprint in my mind.  But the older I get, the more I see, the more I'm proven that there are bad people in the world. There are scams, inter...

 Hi, friends. It's been a while-- Who am I kidding?-- It's 2024, and a whole lot has happened last year. I want to share what experiences and milestones I (unknowingly) encountered which has set me up for a hopeful and promising year to come! To tone this down, I'll summarize each month, so if you start getting bored, just remind yourself there are only 12 months. Eventually, the list will end. There was just a lot of sh*t that went on in 2023. So, let's begin! :) JANUARY: I stated that my goal for 2023 was to be more selfish, as in loving and doing more things for myself since all I knew was living for others. I set a goal for myself to read a book, regrow my Christian faith, and make money (typical response). It was my first month of not having school to worry about since I had decided to take a gap year from nursing school at the end of 2022. The freedom and change were a strange feeling, but it gave me a sense of what working a full 40-hour week in healthcare was l...

Undoubtedly, life is messy, confusing, painful, and unfair. It's gut-wrenching and unbearable at times. Sometimes you feel like you've hit rock bottom, even though you probably don't know your real "rock bottom." Life circumstances leave you to ask if you live in some simulation and you're in last place. Life comes with trauma, chaos, unexpected surprises, hardships, lies, and illnesses. Sometimes it feels like no one else knows what you have going on inside your head.  But do you know what else life is? Life is growth and moments that shape a person into who they are. Life can be so enlightening and powerful. There are sunrises and sunsets, along with roads and skies that are meant to be traveled while chasing these masterpieces. There is music that feeds the soul and animals that are a human's best friend. Life is about making memories regardless of what happens after that. Life gives you people that are meant to hold your burdens and realize you're ...

"You deserve a nice boy." - Manifested by Audrey Roberts, a very intelligent woman, June 2023 I have a love/hate relationship with "love." I'm 20 years old and haven't had a boyfriend. I have gone on dates, opened up to new people, and had talking stages and situation-ships, but I don't know what it's like to be completely loved by someone you love entirely in the form of a significant other.  I know heartbreak because of a boy who asked for a kiss the morning I left and never spoke to me again.  I know toxic because of a boy who left me on the side of the road when my car broke down driving to him.  I know violence because a boy told me he would "beat my ass and kill the other man if I were to cheat."  I know being catfished because of a boy who showed up at my house, and within 30 minutes, he was on his way back home because I was too uncomfortable.  I know being friend-zoned because of a boy who made me feel understood but didn't...

 The other day I was at an event talking with a guy a couple years older than me. We got to the point of the conversation where small talk became deeper. He said, "I'm going to guess your birthday."....moments later... "It's giving *pause* Virgo." My jaw was on the floor. Since he said that, the thought, "What does he mean it's giving??" goes through my head daily. So like most do, I pulled up Google and started discovering what he meant.  --"How did he just know you were a September baby?" --I don't know, but it was so awesome. Unique man. Google search: "What gives Virgo?" Google result: Virgo Personality Traits: All the secrets you need to know Perfect.  Horoscopes are a gray area because where are the facts right?  Virgos are humble, kind, and sympathetic. Virgos put their whole heart and soul into a project. Virgos are loving and modest.  Virgos are eager to assist others.  Virgos thrive on academic and intimate co...

As mentioned before, music is important to me. For example, my Spotify wrapped for 2022 hit me with the reality check that I listened to 92,716 minutes over the year. The average person listened for 27,000 minutes...  So now that we understand the fact that Jenna listens to a lot of damn music, I had to find a way to unpack the over-brewed idea of tattooing a bunch of words onto my arms in the form of lyrics from my favorite and most personal songs. I remember telling my mom about the idea, and the look of disapproval indicated I needed to rethink it.  First, I want to explain my relationship with music. When I hear a song, I associate it with someone, whether it be myself or someone else in my life. I listen to the lyrics in a way that I understand what is being voiced. Each verse written below came to me in the moment, and each has someone connected with it, some happy and some not so happy. A good way to describe what music does for me is that it puts my thoughts and values...

Imagine watching the credits of a children's movie, The Greatest Showman, and discovering an inspiring quote that categorizes your actions as a "noble act." Suddenly, you realize that your so-called "toxic trait" of caring for others is an entirely valid reason to continue doing so.  "The noblest act is that of making others happy." -P.T. Barnum   In the movie, the "art" refers to the joy and magic that comes from a circus of peculiar and unique persons. Kids were exposed to differences in humanity, where they were portrayed in a fascinating and iconic manner. The way P.T. Barnum's circus lifted spirits during troubling times of the 19th century coincides with the joy and happiness I wish to bring others.  I've been told I care about others more than myself, and I won't try to disagree with you. However, I will argue my point of what others' happiness means to me.  I would tell you... On a day when I'm feeling defeated, an...