John Kendrick Bangs once said, ~What fools indeed we mortals are, To lavish care upon a car, With ne'er a bit of time to see, About our own machinery.~ Let me ask you this question to all the guys out there, how much money do you spend on your car in order to have a pimpin' ride? For it can truly befuddle the mind on the spent in order to have a high performance vehicle that others are possibly envious of. Now before you come to the assumption I'm hatin' on you I'm actually giving up mad props for all out dedication and quite frankly a few of my friends are dedicated car enthusiasts as well, However, when it comes to tricking out ride could you tone down in the following accessories/parts for your car: exhaust system, spoilers, and hydraulics.
Without a doubt, one of the things that makes a high performance vehicle so distinguishable is the exhaust system or systems, which is considered both pretty impressive and annoying for people like myself. I think I can safely say we've all been sitting at a traffic light or driving along going to a particular destination listening to the radio/talking with friends when a loud, high pitched rumbling sound of sorts is heard rolling up from behind. It's a type of loud high pitch noise that tends to not only communicate to other car enthusiasts their possible location, but also causes deafness among people who weren't really expecting on losing the ability to hear as one unfortunately experiences the roar of their mechanical beast as it passes him/her.
If you think about it, there are certain accessories that go great with a car and then again not so great leading to the topic of spoilers. In all honesty, I'm all for spoilers on a car for the expressed of having an aerodynamic feel to it, but you have to draw the line on whether or not your car actually needs one because there are certain one's that just don't seem to mesh together Granted if you own a car such as a Honda Civic Si you would be able to pull it off, but if you own a car such as a Toyota Prius it just looks bad. You have to admit, when you see a certain spoiler that is attached several feet above the trunk of the car you think at some point wings are going to protrude out to the point where it's going to take off into the sky like in the old 80's cartoon M.A.S.K.
For the question can be asked of you, do you personally own a car or know someone that does who installed hydraulics giving one the ability to lift and lower your car at will? Thinking about it, the cars that usually have hydraulics installed are lowriders such as a 1958 Chevrolet Impala Convertible and it's thoroughly entertaining to watch these vehicles bounce up and down to point where they are in all intents and purposes dance, especially when they're in a battle with another car. Yet, when hydraulics are installed on cars like on let's say an old 4 door wood panel station wagon you have to wonder what in the world possessed that person to do that. Trust me when I say I've seen it with my very own eyes and all you can do is just stand back, look at the owner, and say WTF!?
In retrospect, you have to commend car enthusiasts who use their hard earned money to purchase items that they feel enhance the look and feel of their car. Spinners on their wheels, speaker systems installed in the trunk, paint job, neon lights under the car, nitrous, custom made gear shift handle, etc. are essential items in a world where the need for speed is the name of the game. As a guy, you understand the necessity of having a tricked out sweet ride as it is truly awe inspiring and is admired by other guys, as well as the ladies, but it's not all that important. Hey, as long as I have a car that gets me from point A to point B I'm a happy camper as the money is spent on repairs and gas. In the end, when it comes to having a flashy car I have one thing to say less is more.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
Rest In Peace
Someone once said, ~Cycles of life and death can be likened to the alternating periods of sleep and wakefulness. Just as sleep prepares us for the next day's activity, death can be seen as a state in which we rest and replenish ourselves for new life. In this light, death should be acknowledged along with life, as a blessing to be appreciated.~ In life you can bever really be prepared to witness the passing of a beloved family member who brought happiness and joy to those who came in contact with him/her, especially when that family member is a grandparent. It's a difficult situation indeed to have that peaceful calm within your heart and soul knowing the person you love/care about is breathing their last remaining breath on God's green earth.
Let me ask you this question, how many of you were at the bedside of a grandparent who was being called home to be with the Lord? I think it would be safe to say it can considered such a surreal moment to be standing there to not only watch, but also wait for a loved one to pass on. For its at that particular point time can can in all intensive purposes hurt you as you in an emotional way leading you to go through a seemingly nightmarish pain within your own heart that is most definitely torturous. A torture in which you struggle to find the words to explain the loss of someone who you've grown up with and gottent to know over a period of time to the point where there is a close bond that has been established. Ultimately, all you can do is simply pray as tears are shed.
Without a doubt, tears are most definitely shed in the grieving process and yet the question remains is it viewed as insincere when there aren't any tears being shed? My answer is no because each one of us handles grief differently and we've all seen, known, or are that someone who tends to show outward strength all-the-while keeping their emotions inside in check. However, even though tears aren't necessarily being shed doesn't mean one isn't feeling the pain of loss inside. For a number of people being able to find another outlet to express their grief by doing something such as cooking, making music, singing, painting, writing, etc. are ways that help someone deal both emotionally and mentally the heartache we all go through when death touches our lives.
Psalm 4:8 says~ I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.~ For the question can be asked of you, when it came to a loved one passing away was he/she surrounded by loved ones all-the-while praying he/she go peacefully without experiencing any pain or suffering whatsoever. If you think about it, one should not be sad that a loved one has passed on to finally sleep in peace and instead be happy he/she is now awake not only in Heaven embraced in His arms, but reunited with loved ones as well. Essentially, the memories that we hold dear will always keep him/her alive, whereby giving us the peace within ourselves to sleep soundly at night knowing he/she is in a safe place filled with love.
My grandmother passed away living to the age of 86 years old. She lived a long life without any regrets as she was able to raise a total of 8 children who inevitably gave her countless grandchildren such as myself to spoil. Thinking about it, she was not only loving but she was also funny in her own way as she made me laugh plenty of times giving me great memories to think back on. Though the circumstances resulting in her passing will never be forgotten leading to a difficult time for my family to deal with, we inevitably found solace through friends, prayer, as well as, in the word of God. In the end, I say this to my grandmother who is now looking down from Heaven with a smile on her face alongside my grandfather...rest in peace.
Let me ask you this question, how many of you were at the bedside of a grandparent who was being called home to be with the Lord? I think it would be safe to say it can considered such a surreal moment to be standing there to not only watch, but also wait for a loved one to pass on. For its at that particular point time can can in all intensive purposes hurt you as you in an emotional way leading you to go through a seemingly nightmarish pain within your own heart that is most definitely torturous. A torture in which you struggle to find the words to explain the loss of someone who you've grown up with and gottent to know over a period of time to the point where there is a close bond that has been established. Ultimately, all you can do is simply pray as tears are shed.
Without a doubt, tears are most definitely shed in the grieving process and yet the question remains is it viewed as insincere when there aren't any tears being shed? My answer is no because each one of us handles grief differently and we've all seen, known, or are that someone who tends to show outward strength all-the-while keeping their emotions inside in check. However, even though tears aren't necessarily being shed doesn't mean one isn't feeling the pain of loss inside. For a number of people being able to find another outlet to express their grief by doing something such as cooking, making music, singing, painting, writing, etc. are ways that help someone deal both emotionally and mentally the heartache we all go through when death touches our lives.
Psalm 4:8 says~ I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.~ For the question can be asked of you, when it came to a loved one passing away was he/she surrounded by loved ones all-the-while praying he/she go peacefully without experiencing any pain or suffering whatsoever. If you think about it, one should not be sad that a loved one has passed on to finally sleep in peace and instead be happy he/she is now awake not only in Heaven embraced in His arms, but reunited with loved ones as well. Essentially, the memories that we hold dear will always keep him/her alive, whereby giving us the peace within ourselves to sleep soundly at night knowing he/she is in a safe place filled with love.
My grandmother passed away living to the age of 86 years old. She lived a long life without any regrets as she was able to raise a total of 8 children who inevitably gave her countless grandchildren such as myself to spoil. Thinking about it, she was not only loving but she was also funny in her own way as she made me laugh plenty of times giving me great memories to think back on. Though the circumstances resulting in her passing will never be forgotten leading to a difficult time for my family to deal with, we inevitably found solace through friends, prayer, as well as, in the word of God. In the end, I say this to my grandmother who is now looking down from Heaven with a smile on her face alongside my grandfather...rest in peace.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Going and Going
Smiley Blanton once said, ~Love is the immortal flow of energy that nourishes, extends, and preserves. Its eternal goal is life.~ In some aspect, love can be compared to a battery that, if you're lucky enough, is able to never die out. For it contains a type of energy in which it keeps your heart permanently rather than temporarily charged to its fullest capacity to where you experience true happiness with a guy or girl who in all intents and purposes energizes you in a positive way. Yet, for some people they've unfortunately found themselves lacking the energy to power their heart, so to speak, as past relationships essentially drained what's left of that positive energized excitement and replaced it with the dead negative emptiness of disappointment, bitterness, anger, confusion, heartbreak, etc.
If you think about it, when it comes to love you want the same level of energy flowing within your own heart to flow from within the heart of your significant other. In a sense, when you're truly "plugged'' into each other's heart you can most definitely feel the genuine warm, caring, tender, kind hearted, understanding, fun loving, friendly, compassionate energy that endlessly powers a relationship. Hey, it's something that is seemingly a rarity to experience these days because of how "disposable" love can be considered at times. What it comes down to is having the right combination to power two hearts that inevitably become one and I think we can all agree that being able to feel the surge of energy within each other can literally/metaphorically knock both of you off your feet.
Let me ask you this question, how many of you have ever put batteries in the fridge or the freezer in order to extend/preserve the remaining energy in it? Does it actually work? Who's to say but in sort of the same context love can try to be prolonged to where it dies out, in a manner of speaking, leading the guy, girl, or both to try everything in his/her/their power to bring back that fresh just out the package high energy level felt back in the beginning of the relationship. It's a sad situation indeed when relationships die out when certain aspects are so problematic they're stored away to not only cool off from excessive heat of discussions/arguments, but to also completely avoid what is seemingly in his/her/their mind not worth working hard for to give it a recharge of sorts.
As said before, love can be seen as disposable by those who have this skewed view on how it can be used for their own sordid pleasure, as well as how it can easily be thrown away when they're finished, which is a mindset that will never bring true happiness. Yet, for others like myself it's something you don't want to waste because of how special it is, especially when you meet the right person who energizes you in such a way you're brought to life emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. How many people can say they have someone in their life who even though he/she may possibly be a polar opposite there is an absolutely electrifying connection established to the point where the current of emotions being felt is very real.
In retrospect, you have to be amazed at how the energy of love can be powerful, dependable and long lasting even when experiencing difficult times that can drain your heart. For the question can be asked, are you in a relationship where the energy is being wasted because that particular guy/girl is selfishly feeding off more than he/she can get from within your heart or it is a nice steady flow of giving/sharing with each other that grows increasingly stronger as time goes on? I hope many of you have the latter in your life and come to think of it, to have that type of love gives you that 100% assurance you're going to always light up with a bright shining smile on your face. In the end, I say to those of you who share a love that continues to be fully charged within each other's heart I hope it keeps going and going.
If you think about it, when it comes to love you want the same level of energy flowing within your own heart to flow from within the heart of your significant other. In a sense, when you're truly "plugged'' into each other's heart you can most definitely feel the genuine warm, caring, tender, kind hearted, understanding, fun loving, friendly, compassionate energy that endlessly powers a relationship. Hey, it's something that is seemingly a rarity to experience these days because of how "disposable" love can be considered at times. What it comes down to is having the right combination to power two hearts that inevitably become one and I think we can all agree that being able to feel the surge of energy within each other can literally/metaphorically knock both of you off your feet.
Let me ask you this question, how many of you have ever put batteries in the fridge or the freezer in order to extend/preserve the remaining energy in it? Does it actually work? Who's to say but in sort of the same context love can try to be prolonged to where it dies out, in a manner of speaking, leading the guy, girl, or both to try everything in his/her/their power to bring back that fresh just out the package high energy level felt back in the beginning of the relationship. It's a sad situation indeed when relationships die out when certain aspects are so problematic they're stored away to not only cool off from excessive heat of discussions/arguments, but to also completely avoid what is seemingly in his/her/their mind not worth working hard for to give it a recharge of sorts.
As said before, love can be seen as disposable by those who have this skewed view on how it can be used for their own sordid pleasure, as well as how it can easily be thrown away when they're finished, which is a mindset that will never bring true happiness. Yet, for others like myself it's something you don't want to waste because of how special it is, especially when you meet the right person who energizes you in such a way you're brought to life emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. How many people can say they have someone in their life who even though he/she may possibly be a polar opposite there is an absolutely electrifying connection established to the point where the current of emotions being felt is very real.
In retrospect, you have to be amazed at how the energy of love can be powerful, dependable and long lasting even when experiencing difficult times that can drain your heart. For the question can be asked, are you in a relationship where the energy is being wasted because that particular guy/girl is selfishly feeding off more than he/she can get from within your heart or it is a nice steady flow of giving/sharing with each other that grows increasingly stronger as time goes on? I hope many of you have the latter in your life and come to think of it, to have that type of love gives you that 100% assurance you're going to always light up with a bright shining smile on your face. In the end, I say to those of you who share a love that continues to be fully charged within each other's heart I hope it keeps going and going.
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Take A Bow
Oscar Wilde once said, ~Those who are faithful know only the trivial side of love; it is the faithless who know love's tragedies.~ As I said before in a past Yodaism, life can oftentimes feel like a tragic Shakespearean play, especially when it pertains to acts of betrayal involving matters of the heart. It's a sad situation indeed when a person experiences being cheated on by a guy or girl who in all intents and purposes truly gave a stellar performance in the relationship. When I say stellar, it's in the negative context as he or she was nearly successful in the deception of one's heart leading to a plethora of mixed emotions. Let me ask you this question, how many times has the spotlight of betrayal shined on your heart?
Without a doubt, every person wants to have a relationship similar to that of Romeo and Juilet without the tragic ending of course, but being able to meet your very own Romeo or Juliet can be considered a tragedy in itself. Why? I think it would be safe to say that every woman has met or unfortunately been in a relationship in the past with a guy who spoke to her in such a way it was pure poetry to her ears, which the same can be said for guys as well. Yet, what is said can most certainly be deceiving as you can be totally convinced by the touching, heartfelt words that pierce your heart causing you to believe he or she would never betray you only to find out it was just an elaborate act on their part leaving you with a feeling like you've just been stabbed in the heart with a dagger.
If you think about it, love and the tragedy that is infidelity play a significant role as it causes a metaphorical death of sorts. Essentially, a part of you dies when you find out the person who you shared center stage with for quite some time also shared the same stage with someone else. For it's an all too familiar experience as you had this mindset that he/she would always be your leading man/woman and then to end up having the trap door of heartbreak pulled from under you is something nobody ever wants to have happen. However, when it does happen or has unfortunately happened to you a said number of times the dagger of emotional pain can be twisted even further into your heart to the point that you want to die completely.
For the question can be asked to those who have been cheated on by a significant other, did you see it coming and with who did he/she cheat with? I think it's fair to say the answer to that is a definite no because the villainous character that is infidelity has not only so many faces, but it also has many strains of past heartache/betrayal on its hands, in a manner of speaking. A trusted best friend, your own brother/sister, a parent, etc. are the quintessential cast of characters in your life who can be the Brutus to your Juius Caesar who possibly have intentions of betrayal on their mind, which would be a twist you wouldn't see coming. In any case, though Shakespeare's plays of tragic love are scripted, our own individual stories aren't giving you unbelievable stories you can't create/make up even if you tried.
In retrospect, countless stories can be told of how guys and girls have used their nonprofessional acting chops in order to apologize by telling him/her it was a stupid thing on his/her part, it meant nothing, and you're the one that he/she loves, which are the usual responses for someone who messed up big time. For some people they sadly bought it as the I'm sorry I hurt you approach with tears added for dramatic effect was used only to have that person give repeat performances while others permanently closed the curtain on having him/her charm their way back on stage. In the end, you not only have to stand and give a round of sarcastic applause for the faithless at their failed pathetic attempts of reconciliation, but also have them take a bow for being so thoroughly entertaining as well, which is a song by Rhianna that best reflects this thought.
Without a doubt, every person wants to have a relationship similar to that of Romeo and Juilet without the tragic ending of course, but being able to meet your very own Romeo or Juliet can be considered a tragedy in itself. Why? I think it would be safe to say that every woman has met or unfortunately been in a relationship in the past with a guy who spoke to her in such a way it was pure poetry to her ears, which the same can be said for guys as well. Yet, what is said can most certainly be deceiving as you can be totally convinced by the touching, heartfelt words that pierce your heart causing you to believe he or she would never betray you only to find out it was just an elaborate act on their part leaving you with a feeling like you've just been stabbed in the heart with a dagger.
If you think about it, love and the tragedy that is infidelity play a significant role as it causes a metaphorical death of sorts. Essentially, a part of you dies when you find out the person who you shared center stage with for quite some time also shared the same stage with someone else. For it's an all too familiar experience as you had this mindset that he/she would always be your leading man/woman and then to end up having the trap door of heartbreak pulled from under you is something nobody ever wants to have happen. However, when it does happen or has unfortunately happened to you a said number of times the dagger of emotional pain can be twisted even further into your heart to the point that you want to die completely.
For the question can be asked to those who have been cheated on by a significant other, did you see it coming and with who did he/she cheat with? I think it's fair to say the answer to that is a definite no because the villainous character that is infidelity has not only so many faces, but it also has many strains of past heartache/betrayal on its hands, in a manner of speaking. A trusted best friend, your own brother/sister, a parent, etc. are the quintessential cast of characters in your life who can be the Brutus to your Juius Caesar who possibly have intentions of betrayal on their mind, which would be a twist you wouldn't see coming. In any case, though Shakespeare's plays of tragic love are scripted, our own individual stories aren't giving you unbelievable stories you can't create/make up even if you tried.
In retrospect, countless stories can be told of how guys and girls have used their nonprofessional acting chops in order to apologize by telling him/her it was a stupid thing on his/her part, it meant nothing, and you're the one that he/she loves, which are the usual responses for someone who messed up big time. For some people they sadly bought it as the I'm sorry I hurt you approach with tears added for dramatic effect was used only to have that person give repeat performances while others permanently closed the curtain on having him/her charm their way back on stage. In the end, you not only have to stand and give a round of sarcastic applause for the faithless at their failed pathetic attempts of reconciliation, but also have them take a bow for being so thoroughly entertaining as well, which is a song by Rhianna that best reflects this thought.
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Breathless(1st Yodaism of 2009)
Someone once said, ~Love is like a mountain. On the way up its rough and rugged and sometimes ugly, but when you get to the top it's the most beautiful thing you've ever seen.~ As said before, love is like a mountain and being able to reach the top of the oftentimes treacherous rocky terrain in order to reach the top of the plateau of true happiness using the most important, as well as, only piece of "equipment" we have at our disposal...our own heart. You see, it's by trusting the resilient strength of our heart that motivates us to keep climbing when experiencing times of frustration, confusion, anger, etc. Yet, it's all worth it as it's truly an awe inspiring experience unlike any other and for a lucky number of people they're fortunate enough to have reached the summit with someone truly special.
Let me ask you this question, how many of you have ever gone climbing up the side of a rocky mountain and whether it was indoor or outdoor, how was the overall experience for you? I think it would be safe to say it's considered a heart pumping adrenaline rush that is not so much about speed as it is more about how much patience you have to reach the top. Essentially, there is quite a bit of strategy involved and if there are any mistakes made you have the proverbial safety net to fall back on to help catch you when you fall. However, there are times when the strategy you originally intended to use is thrown out the window, so to speak, leading you to just go for it as you use your wits/instincts to free climb up and if you fall there is no safety net to catch you, which is how love is at times.
Without a doubt, when it comes to matters of the heart it can most definitely be overwhelming to stand there in the beginning looking up as you come face to face with the sheer magnitude of what love is...a challenge. A challenge in which you gladly accept knowing full well there are going to be possible mental, emotional, personal. physical, and even spiritual obstacles that cause you to second guess every move you make. Yet, its each of those obstacles that represent an incentive to keep pulling yourself up towards someone who inspires you to not quit, reach far beyond what your capable of, and perform leaps of faith to show that even though you're scared out of your mind you're willing to take a dangerous risk with the mortality of your own heart on the line for him/her.
If you think about it, trying to conquer the rough, rugged, and sometimes ugly mountainous challenge of love can have you come to a point where you find yourself unable to climb further because there isn't anything that can be seen as something solid to reach for or steady yourself on. What do I mean? I think we've all been in a situation where there is an uncertainty in making the next critical move with someone you have feelings for causing you to take a risky leap of faith. That leap of faith is the determining factor of either successfully establishing a better stabilized grasp/foothold on the potential relationship or ended up in a cliffhanger type moment hanging on by your fingertips scraped, battered, bruised, and looking quite foolish, which pretty much describes my own personal climb up the mountain.
Johann Wolfgang von Geothe said, ~The heights charm us, but the steps do not: with the mountain in our view we love to walk the plains.~ In retrospect, in order to reach new heights and walk the plains with the person you love/care about you must be confident in your own abilities that God gave you. Thinking about it, when you start to lose that confidence the so called elements become a swirling distraction leading you to do the one thing that you should never do...look down. Hey, it's what makes love so scary and yet a thrilling experience you would do many times over. In the end, I say to those who are still climbing their own personal mountain within their heart I know you're tired, but you will be standing atop the plateau of true happiness and when you finally look out into the horizon it will leave you absolutely breathless.
Let me ask you this question, how many of you have ever gone climbing up the side of a rocky mountain and whether it was indoor or outdoor, how was the overall experience for you? I think it would be safe to say it's considered a heart pumping adrenaline rush that is not so much about speed as it is more about how much patience you have to reach the top. Essentially, there is quite a bit of strategy involved and if there are any mistakes made you have the proverbial safety net to fall back on to help catch you when you fall. However, there are times when the strategy you originally intended to use is thrown out the window, so to speak, leading you to just go for it as you use your wits/instincts to free climb up and if you fall there is no safety net to catch you, which is how love is at times.
Without a doubt, when it comes to matters of the heart it can most definitely be overwhelming to stand there in the beginning looking up as you come face to face with the sheer magnitude of what love is...a challenge. A challenge in which you gladly accept knowing full well there are going to be possible mental, emotional, personal. physical, and even spiritual obstacles that cause you to second guess every move you make. Yet, its each of those obstacles that represent an incentive to keep pulling yourself up towards someone who inspires you to not quit, reach far beyond what your capable of, and perform leaps of faith to show that even though you're scared out of your mind you're willing to take a dangerous risk with the mortality of your own heart on the line for him/her.
If you think about it, trying to conquer the rough, rugged, and sometimes ugly mountainous challenge of love can have you come to a point where you find yourself unable to climb further because there isn't anything that can be seen as something solid to reach for or steady yourself on. What do I mean? I think we've all been in a situation where there is an uncertainty in making the next critical move with someone you have feelings for causing you to take a risky leap of faith. That leap of faith is the determining factor of either successfully establishing a better stabilized grasp/foothold on the potential relationship or ended up in a cliffhanger type moment hanging on by your fingertips scraped, battered, bruised, and looking quite foolish, which pretty much describes my own personal climb up the mountain.
Johann Wolfgang von Geothe said, ~The heights charm us, but the steps do not: with the mountain in our view we love to walk the plains.~ In retrospect, in order to reach new heights and walk the plains with the person you love/care about you must be confident in your own abilities that God gave you. Thinking about it, when you start to lose that confidence the so called elements become a swirling distraction leading you to do the one thing that you should never do...look down. Hey, it's what makes love so scary and yet a thrilling experience you would do many times over. In the end, I say to those who are still climbing their own personal mountain within their heart I know you're tired, but you will be standing atop the plateau of true happiness and when you finally look out into the horizon it will leave you absolutely breathless.
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