Thoughts at the Moment

     As you go through this life, you will never really know how you have touched others.  You may have somewhat of an idea, a tiny little glimmer as to how you made somebody feel, but never fully understand the exact impact.  This may be because people do not really know how much you have touched their lives, whether it be big or small, until you’re already gone.  And when it gets to this point, it’s too late to say thank you for whatever it is that needs thanks and I love you is out the window.  So never hesitate to show somebody you care.  Don’t ever feel like you are going to annoy a person with a simple hi or well wishes. It may mean more than you think and even more, it could be the last chance you get to. 

     Childhood seems to go by at the pace of a snail but once we become adults it seems to be flying by in no time.  And when we start losing those we once shared the “we’re going to live forever” mindset with, it really starts to sink in that we are only human.  Anything can happen at any given moment and we really have no control over it or the outcome.  I guess that is what makes life daring and exciting in a way but it can also knock us down for a horrible, unwanted reality check. 

     If you are reading this, you are still here.  You are alive still for a reason.  Live for today and don’t waste a moment.  Those dreams you have always dreamed, it’s never too late.  Don’t worry too much and try to spend as much time on this earth happy and helping others be happy too.  After all, this is your life to live and you get only one chance at it.  Why spend it any other way but blissful.  

Things To Believe In

     In a world that seems to be going to shit, I try to be optimistic.  I try to see the beauty and the amazing things in this life.  Here are some things that I still believe in.   

-I believe that anybody instantly looks better with a smile.

-I believe in laughing and lots of it.  It burns calories and fights depression.  So laugh your asses off. 

-I believe in being strong when everything seems to be falling down around you. 

-I believe in rock n’ roll.   (Also if you haven’t heard it, look up Frank Turner’s song I Still Believe and you will be blown away and agree with number 4.)

-I believe in miracles.

-I believe in celebrating whatever your heart desires any chance you get. 

-I believe in good people.

-I believe in playing. 

-I believe in Karma.  Sooner or later your deeds, good or bad, will catch up to you.

-I believe in God.

-I believe in following my passions.

-I believe I can make a change in the world for the better.

-I believe in love.

-I believe in freedom of expression.

-I believe in education.

-I believe in our military.

-I believe that there is beauty to be found everywhere.  You just have to open your mind and your heart to see it.

-I believe in ghosts. 

-I believe in tomorrow.

-I believe in art.

-I believe in true friends.

-I believe in tattoos.

-I believe in children.

-I believe in magic.

-I believe in get-togethers and lots of food and laughter.

-I believe dreams do come true.

-I believe in forgiveness.

-I believe in kindness. 

-I believe in myself.

-I believe in you. 

Things I've Learned Outside of Class

Things I’ve Learned Outside of Class

-No matter how old you are, you never should stop educating yourself.

-If you are blessed to have a family that loves you, even though you occasionally butt heads and do not agree on most things, you should still ALWAYS love them and respect them.

-You cannot, no matter how hard you try, change somebody.  That said, it is also uncouth to try and do so.

-Do not take things for granted.  Even if you aren’t having the easiest of days lately, it can always be worse. 

-Children are honest and open until they get older and are told not to be.  If at least a small part of all of us never grows up, we can hold on to some of that amazing genuineness that they have. 

-The elderly have the best life stories and lessons to share. 

-Everybody has a reason why they are the way they are.  Take some time to read the pages before you assume the cracks on the cover tell it all.

-You can’t choose how you feel but you can choose what you do about it.

-Never lose your sense of adventure. 

-No matter how much you care, sometimes some people just won’t care back. 

-Friends really do come and go.

-It’s okay to be different.  Stand out.  Be noticed. 

-I’m glad that I never smoked cigarettes.

-If you want something, you’re going to have to go for it.  Take the risks.  At least you tried, right?  Don’t be 80 years old wondering “what if?”.  (Still learning this one but keep trying to remind myself daily.)

-Chance is definitely a gift.  So act on it when given a chance.

-Bad things do happen to good people.

-Always suck it up and say you’re sorry.  If you care about your relationship with a person, swallow your pride and get over it.  If you don’t, then you are saying they’re not worth it.  And that is sad.

-Giving is so much better than receiving.  Especially when it is unexpected by the person receiving. 

-Sing, dance, play…do these and do these often.  Don’t be so uptight.  Life can be enjoyed if everything doesn’t have to be so serious all of the time. 

-Be appreciative and show your appreciation. 

-Never let somebody control you.  Do not submit to anybody.  It drags you down and your life is pretty much paused until you get out of that.

-Hate is real and it sucks.  Love is real too though.  They say that it is easy to hate and takes effort to love.  Why not accept that challenge, people?  Why not just love?  Wouldn’t it be such a nicer world to live in? 

-Being happy isn’t really all that hard if you just let yourself.

-Step outside your comfort zone.  You can see things differently this way.

-Most of the time, what you are looking for, really is right in front of you.

-People deserve a second chance.  But a third?  Probably not.

-Dream.  

My Christmas

     As the holidays quickly approach us, I find myself in my usual thoughts I get this time of year.  Though I have much respect for those who get excited for the upcoming “most wonderful time of the year”, I still understand how it can be such a depressing time too.  Memories tend to swiftly surface of times past that not only bring a smile to my face but also an ache in my heart. 

     As a child, the holidays did not just mean presents.  It was the time of the year that I got to see family that lived far away.  I grew up in a small community in southwest Louisiana and a lot of my family lived in complete other states.  And since my grandparents lived right next door, everybody came to our houses for the holidays to celebrate.  I had aunts, uncles, and cousins from all over that would be in during this time.  When I was a child, it was indeed the most wonderful time of the year. 

     The last Christmas I had with both of my grandparents was in 1999.  The following year they decided that they would travel to west Texas to visit family there.  I remember that Christmas just felt strange because they were not there.  Then in May of 2001, before I got another holiday with her, my grandmother passed away.  My grandfather passed in 2004.  I had always been close to my grandparents so this hit me really hard.  I hid a lot of my pain though; I didn’t want others to worry about me when they were hurting as well. 

     The holidays, to me, have never been the same again.  Everybody has either gotten too old to travel or have already met up with my grandparents in heaven.  Cousins have all moved around even further than they were as kids for the most part.  And ever since my first “weird” Christmas, I have been trying to find either normalcy in the way things go now or find a way for things to go back to the way they were.  Maybe it sounds silly but the pain I feel is very much real.  I want my Christmas back.  

Where is the love?

     I am relieved that I have a caring heart.  My gentleness has brought to me friends to love and compassion for others.  I find the need to help without reward and the desire to not hate.  Love and kindness are like breathing oxygen to me.  So if it is such an effortless thing, why is there so much hate and pain around us?  Why is there prejudice and cruelty?  Where are the respect and the unselfishness for humanity?  And if we keep on like this, what will become of us?  What will become of our children?  

What is a friend?

     What is a friend?  What is a true friend?  Sometimes in life we find the true meaning of this simple term.  The people we believe to be a great person and friend usually turns out not to be, and the ones we least expect to be there for us in times of need are the the angels.  Why does it usually go this way?  I guess it's a true mystery of life.  

     I have had friends I thought I could count on.  Good friends at one time.  Now they are nothing more than a cherished, faded memory in this journey  I call my life.  Miss them?  Oh yes, very.  But I also have a life, a future, to live rather than dwell on the past.  I try to keep my head up high.  Sometimes are harder than others, but I know I can get through anything with the true friends.

     What is a true friend?  They are the ones who stick by you no matter what.  A simple disagreement cannot trash the relationship.  They are the shoulders you cry on.  They are the ears that listen and the voice that tries to help.  They are the arms of an angel that try their best to shield you from the horrible.  They are the laugh that makes you laugh.  The smile that makes you smile.  The cry that makes you cry with them.  They are the love that loves you, and loves you for you. 

     I want to take the time to thank my friends and tell yall that I love yall.  You know who you are.  I know who you are.  

Live

Remember to laugh

Remember to smile

Each day we live

We survived another mile

Remember to breathe

Remember to see

All the wonder of life

The gift it can be

Remember to stop

Remember to go

Take in the beauty

Go with the flow

Remember to love

Remember your heart

Give many hugs

Try never to part

Remember to hope

Remember to give

Take in the world

Simply just live.