The Inner Sanctum

Masterpiece

2012-01-09T08:14:00.001-06:00

Shannon Meirers once said, ~Love is like an Etch-A-Sketch. It takes a lot of skill and patience to create something beautiful, and even one little mistake can ruin the whole picture.~ In some aspect, love is certainly like an Etch-A-Sketch and for many of us who owned one as a kid back in the day knows how something that is seemingly fun for all ages can at the same time be an absolute headache. For it truly takes matters of skill, time, and patience to create what you've imagined for quite some time to be totally worthwhile. Thinking about it, when it comes to love in regards to a person's heart you can most definitely find yourself trying to navigate the proverbial white knobs of one's own feelings and emotions in order to create a beautiful picture of true happiness.

As said before, love in regards to a person's heart can have one trying to navigate the proverbial white knobs of their own feelings and emotions like that of an Etch-A-Sketch. I think it would be fair to say we've all tried to create a picture from our imagination but the end result didn't turn out quit as planned. Why? It may seem as an easy enough situation indeed to turn the white knobs of our feelings and emotions in the direction we want it go but when it involves matters of the heart it become considerably difficult to undertake. Hey, we've all been there as we tried to figure out in the past or currently figuring out now what turns to make within our heart to the point where it has taken/is taking a toll on each one of us mentally, spiritually, physically, and emotionally.

Without a doubt, mishaps such as being bumped can occur when you play with an Etch-A-Sketch causing you the unfortunate task of starting over. How? We simply shook it whereby getting a brand new slate to work with. How did you feel when it happened? In a sense, the same can be said for one's heart as well as the bumps of drama can ruin the whole picture leading to utter heartbreak leaving you feeling disappointed, discouraged, angry, frustrated, etc. However, even though you can shake clean an Etch-A-Sketch to start over and undo what is done you can't with your heart. Unfortunately, its not as simple as that because no matter how hard you try to shake away, in a manner of speaking, memories/feelings of the past small remnants can still be seen/felt/linger in your heart.

Let me ask you this question to those who are in a significant relationship, how many mistakes have both you made in the process of etching out together a beautiful picture? Hey, mistakes will inevitably be made and its just a matter of being able to use the skills the two of you have been able to learn from over time at your disposal. Essentially, the one big mistake someone makes in a relationship is trying to fix a problem alone and if you think about it that is how we did it as kids when someone tried to help us fix a problem when drawing a picture on the Etch-A-Sketch. What it comes down to is being able to have the humility to ask for or let your best friend for life help as you both work hard together in making the necessary corrections of what is deemed something special absolutely spectacular.

Someone said, ~An Etch-A-Sketch and love go hand in hand.. Think about it. Just as you get it figured out, someone comes by and shakes the darn thing up and makes you figure it out all over again.~ In retrospect, when it comes to the Etch-A-Sketch that is the human heart we're always going to find ourselves shaking it because of the difficulties one faces in that thing called love. Yet, when we meet that certain special someone who you can put your trust, hope, faith, commitment, understanding, etc. in to help create a picture perfect relationship knowing you'll make a few mistakes along the way is a dream come true for everyone including myself. In the end, it's the mistakes learned in a significant relationship that help create a strong bond and it may not perfect by any means but it's a masterpiece worthy enough to display.

What Women Want

2011-12-31T13:53:00.000-06:00

Giuseppe Mazzini once said, ~Love and respect women. Look to her not only for comfort, but for strength and inspiration, and the doubling of your intellectual and moral powers. Blot for your mind any idea of superiority; you have none.~ As a guy, being able to ascertain the right ways in treating a woman with respect can most definitely be a neverending live and learn from your mistakes type process. For it can be a tough situation indeed to undertake because there are countless aspects and not to mention qualities that strengthen a relationship to the point where there is an absolute bond between two people. I think it would be safe to say that of the countless aspects and qualities, love and respect are considered the cornerstones of what makes matter of love/true love truly inspirational, especially for women.

As said before, being able to treat a woman with love respect can most definitely be a neverending live and learn from your mistakes type process. It oftentimes starts with how a guy is able to communicate with a woman knowing he could very well be at a completely differently wavelength/frequency with her, so to speak. In other words, he could be saying the same thing she is but in her mind the interpretation is far different causing conflict. Thinking about it further, the tendency for any guy is to immediately deflect back anything verbal hit his way back to her in a much harder fashion as if they're in a tennis match, which is an unfortunate mistake. What it primarily comes down to is talking to/with her calmly instead of at her emotionally frustrated to no end at the seemingly sheer difficulty of keeping a level head when involved in a heated discussion.

Without a doubt, women love it when a guy is looking in their eyes actively listening to what they are saying and not just sitting/standing there hearing whatever is coming out of their mouth. In their minds, it shows respect revealing to them he is not pretending as he genuinely cares and is interested for that matter concerning the topic of conversation being shared with him. Unfortunately, there are some guys who are disrespectful being too preoccupied playing the game in order to quench his carnal, lustful desire that he doesn't realize or refuses to see he may possibly have a worthwhile relationship. It's a sad state of affairs when a woman suffers disappointment and/or utter heartbreak at the hands of a guy who didn't taken the time to listen to anything relevant that may help get a better understanding of the female species standing/sitting before him.

Let me ask you this question to those ladies who are in a potential and/or significant other, does the guy you're with/hope to be with ere problems publicly or privately. You see, a guy who loves and respects the woman he loves will certainly keep problems on the down low to avoid drama from outside factors that aren't helping matters any and are just fueling the fire, in a manner of speaking. Hey, we've all witnessed couples or quite possibly have been that couple where the guy/girl didn't have enough respect to keep problems regarding their relationship private whereby causing total embarrassment on his/her part. Let me tell you something ladies, to have a guy that values the meaning of privacy concerning problematic issues in the relationship shows not only a strong sense of respect and love, but a strong bond between the two of you as well.

In retrospect, there are many other countless way to show love and respect such as saying the right things in the right way, complimenting her, and treating a woman as if she's your mother or sister. It would be safe to say every guy has heard that particular statement and for the most part there are certain number of us who continually adhere to whereas others tend to ignore the concept completely. True, it's those types of guys who don't have a moral compass and have this innate mindset they are vastly superior to women causing them to exude an arrogant, ladies man mentality...but I digress. In the end, when it comes to true happiness a guy can provide trust, faith, honesty, hope, contentment, commitment, constant communication, intimacy, understanding, etc.; but first provide/show some respect and that gentlemen is what women want.

Always

2011-10-22T21:12:00.002-05:00

Bill Shankey once said, ~Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure, its more serious than that.~ Let me ask you this question to all college/pro football fans out there, how serious do you actually take the hard hitting sport, which almost didn't happen because of a lockout? In any case, it can most definitely be a mind boggling situation indeed at the seriousness individuals take when it involves their favorite team. The dedication and all out loyalty die hard fans express in being supportive can not only truly be seen by showing/wearing their team's colors, but in the way one vocalizes it for others to hear. Let me tell you something, if you're not a football fan you don't want to find yourself caught in the middle because you're going to get out alive.

Without a doubt, a die hard football fan can certainly be vocal to the point where one's emotions run rampant. I think it would be safe to say many of us have witnessed someone or are that someone who exudes a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde mentality when watching a football game. You see, a guy/girl starts out cool, calm and collected but when the action of the game picks up that's when one's love for their team is vocalized. It's the individual's Mr. Hyde type mentality kicks in to where one's actions usually consist of possibly throwing food, yelling at the television screen at a specific player or ref, and/or completely losing it when a play is made that is considered so spectacular a celebration is in order. A celebration we've all been involved in as you/we ran around the room like a crazy person either screaming our heads off, high fiving, hugging, or all of the above.

If you think about it, there come a point where a die hard football fan essentially becomes so involved in the game itself he or she thinks of himself/herself an unofficial head coach. True, one doesn't have the capacity to be standing right by the coach's side helping make crucial, as well as critical play decisions but we do it anyway in either the privacy and comfort of our own home or food establishment/sports bar. It's oftentimes a humorous situation for a significant other to witness their husband or wife scream directly into/at the television screen in hopes that the head coach hears him/her because in their mind they know what pivotal call to play or which player should be sent it to possibly win the game. Hey, as insanely crazy he/she is during football season you love him/her anyway.

For the question can be asked to all football fans, how many of you take part in fantasy football? For those who may not know what fantasy football is, its a virtual competition pitting die hard fan against die hard fan, mainly guys, to where they "manage" their own fantasy team. As manager of their fantasy team they have the authority to draft, trade, add/drop, and change their player rosters with their best buds who are playing as well. Personally speaking, I don't play but I have friends that do and trust me when I say they take it very seriously so much so a cash prize may be won with the all-star line up they have built for themselves. Thinking about it, as much as guys take fantasy football seriously there are many women who simply scratch their heads because they don't get it and you know what they never will.

In retrospect, you gotta love the surge of energy in the air during football season. A type of energy that just can't be described in words and you know there are entire households or quite possibly a husband/bf/wife/gf who take sides when it pertains to their rival pro/college football team. Granted, it's a friendly rivalry at most but a rivalry nonetheless. You have to admit, football fever is contagious causing you to use phrases such as "we won" or "we're going to the playoffs" even though we aren't directly involved in a professional capacity with the team itself. Truth be told, that can be said for every fan of all sports not just football don't you think? In the end, Hank Williams Jr. aka Bocephus is no longer the quintessential face of football that has basically lasted 20 years or so and even though he's gone the answer we give to the question he asks is still a definite yes...we'll always be ready for some football.

Permanent

2011-09-25T05:58:00.004-05:00

Seven Time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong said, ~If children have the ability to ignore all odds and percentages then maybe we can learn from them. When you think about it, what choice is there but to hope? We have two options, medically and emotionally: give up, or Fight Like Hell.~ Without a doubt, cancer is considered the second most common cause of death in the United States with heart disease being at the top. For its truly a staggering statistic indeed when you learn that about 1,536,670 new cancer cases are expected to be diagnosed and that about 571, 950 Americans are expected to die of cancer with more than 1,500 people dying a day in 2011 alone. However, there are those who have not only continue fight the good fight, but were able to beat the odds as well.

Let me ask you this question to those who know someone or are that someone who was diagnosed with cancer, what do you the most difficult part of the process was/is? I think it would be safe to say looking in or being looked at in the eyes is considerably difficult to do because quite frankly it can truly be tough to put into words concerning the health and well being of a close friend/family member. Thinking about it, what can you say to someone you love/care about that's been a part of your life for a certain number of years or since you were born except prayers will be given on their/your behalf all-the-while promising yourself/themselves tears will not be shown. Unfortunately, that particular promise tends to be broken because of the ties that band in regards to the personal connection one has with him/her/you.

If you think about it, when a person has cancer they go through their own personal hell before, during, and after treatments. Essentially, the treatments that are commonly used primarily consist of prescription medicine in order to fight leukemia, which also include chemotherapy, biological therapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, and stem cell transplants. There is no doubt the pain one goes through is incredibly excruciating so much so loves ones want nothing than to ask God to take the pain away to the point of praying to have it placed their painful burden of what their experiencing on to their own shoulders. You see, as much as it is tortuous for those with cancer to go through the treatments its absolutely tortuous for those who are unable to to do anything about it but be a strong, positive support system for him/her/you.

For the question can be asked to those who currently fighting their own battle with caner, have you ever thought to yourself you were all alone while going through your painfully, difficult ordeal? Hey, its considered normal to think that way as one has the mindset in which no one else understands/knows what you're/they're going though causing him/her/you to be angry? Why? If I fair to guess it would most definitely be due to the fact those close to him/her/you were trying to empathize with what one is feeling to where bottled up emotions are unleashed bringing out certain amount of frustration, anger, stress, bitterness, etc. Let me tell you something, even though you don't want to take what's said personally you do but in spit of it you/they continue to stick by your side no matter what.

Nikolai Lenin once said. ~The most important thing in illness is never to lose heart.~ In retrospect, the resiliency of the human heart is quite remarkable when facing times of great hardships, especially when going through the treatment of cancer. True, one's immune system weakens leading to possible infections that cannot be fought off, bone weakness to where they can become fragile, physically fatigued/exhausted all the time, difficulty in eating, etc. are just a number of things a cancer patient goes through. Yet, it's all worth it when a person doesn't or refuses to give up for that matter and successfully beats it because he/she/you has that never say die cancer will not beat me I will beat it mentality. In the end, all that is associated with cancer such as pain, medication, and treatment are temporary but the love, as well as the support of family/friends are always permanent, which is a song by 2008 American Idol Season 7 Winner David Cook that best reflects this thought because of he lost his brother Adam to a brain tumor.

Love Will Keep Us Alive

2011-09-21T10:37:00.003-05:00

Jiddu Krishnamurti once said, ~To love is the greatest thing in life; it s very important to talk about love, to feel it, to nourish it, to treasure it, otherwise it will soon be dissipated, for the world is very brutal. But the moment you have in your heart this extraordinary thing called and feel the depth, the delight, the ecstasy of it, you will discover that for you the world is transformed.~ As said before, one of the aspects that is considered very important when it comes to matters of the heart is to nourish it. For a certain number of people they are lucky enough to have their heart full, in a manner of speaking, with an abundance of true happiness, whereas those who are living the single life are metaphorically hungry and want nothing more than to in all intensive purposes know what it tastes like.

Without a doubt, its a truly satisfying experience within your own heart when you're in a significant relationship because you no longer hunger for true love. It's a comforting situation indeed to know your best friend for life will always stand by your side never leaving you feeling all alone as he/she nourishes your heart causing it be metaphorically stuffed. Thinking about it, to have a guy/girl who gives you the will to survive by continually nourishing your heart with trust, honor, respect, honesty, loyalty, faith, hope, understanding, caring, tenderness, intimacy, contentment, commitment, etc. would most definitely bring a smile to your face. Let me tell you something, to have that type of worthwhile relationship where you don't ever hear the growling sound of your own empty heart is what ever person wants.

If you think about it, there are those living the single life who are unfortunately hearing the sound their own heart growling because of how empty it is. Its a sad state of affairs when a person has been for quite some time considerably malnourished due to the lack of feelings and emotions not being shared or given for that matter. Essentially, its an unfortunate situation that hasn't changed for some people to the point where the emptiness felt within their heart is a representation of disappointment, frustration, confusion, anger, sadness, bitterness, heartbreak, doubt, loneliness, hopelessness, etc. You see, its the emptiness one feels that can in some ways be like an uncomfortable case of heartburn so absolutely bothersome and irritating not even pepto bismol will be able to alleviate the pain you're feeling in your chest.

Let me ask you this question to those who are in significant relationships, has he/she so thoroughly enriched your life the physical, spiritual, emotional, and mental hunger felt within your heart before meeting him/her is gone? I think it would be safe to say when you have someone who doesn't cause you to worry, prays for/with you in regards to God's guidance, will give one's own life up for you, goes above and beyond what he/she is capable of concerning every aspect of the shared relationship inevitably casting your doubts aside, etc. you can certainly breathe out a sigh of contended relief. Hey, be proud of yourself in knowing you have a guy/girl in your life who is consistently feeding your heart with so much positivity instead of negativity you just want to puke...in a good way of course.

In retrospect, every person has a limit when filling their stomach but not when it involves their own heart. True, there can be times where it can become so overwhelmed with emotion one thinks to himself/herself how things can possibly get any better because of all the love being given and yet they do. Oftentimes, it leads a person to experience that all-too-familiar aching feeling in the pit of their heart that usually tells them that what their experiencing is too good to be true. However, be rest assured what one is experiencing is not indigestion but is more comforting than discomforting and to all the single people out there like myself I'm certain we will have that same aching feeling in the pit of our heart as well someday. In the end, when you do find/meet or already have met that guy/girl who nourishes your heart with as much joy/happiness you can look deep into each other's eyes and say with 100% certainty love will keep us alive, which is a song by classic rock legends The Eagles that best reflects this thought.

To The Ends Of The Earth

2011-09-13T08:57:00.005-05:00

Andrew Sullivan once said, ~The essence of romantic love is not the company of a lover, but the pursuit.~ Let me ask you this question to those who are and were in the dating scene, what aspect of it is considered to be such a thrilling albeit considerably interesting experience? You would most definitely be correct in saying the pursuit or chase its also known is an aspect of the dating scene where there can oftentimes be a love/hate mentality associated with it. However, its the possibility of establishing a potentially worthwhile relationship that makes the pursuit of romantic love an absolute challenge. For its a challenge in which the individual in pursuit puts forth 100% effort into capturing the attention, interest, and ultimately the heart of that certain someone who caught his/her eye.

Without a doubt, women love being pursued by a guy knowing it makes them feel liked, desired, and not to mention attractive. Its a flattering situation indeed for any woman to not only have a man's adoration and admiration directed towards her, but is persistent in his efforts to not give up when previous attempts have failed. When I say persistent it's not in the same context of being annoyingly stalker-ish where the guy seemingly can't take the hint that she's not interested. You see, it relates more to putting in the work whereby showing there is genuine interest on his part and I think many women would agree that any guy who is serious, as well as patient in his romantic pursuit concerning matters of the heart shows her his intentions are to be a permanent instead of a temporary fixture in their life.

As said before, there can oftentimes be a love/hate mentality associated with the aspect of the pursuit/chase regarding the dating scene. Why? If you think about it, girls don't really enjoy being pursued by a guy who only wants to get with her rather than be with her, which there is a difference. The difference is when the gentlemen in question wants to get with her he's not paying attention to anything being said because he's solely focused on making her his next conquest whereas the guy who wants to be with her is there for her paying attention to the conversation to the point where he can repeat back parts of the conversation they shared together. So to all you ladies currently in the dating scene, who have you found yourself encountering...the get with her guy or be with her guy?

For the question can be asked to the women out there who were pursued by their significant other, what did he do right ultimately letting you know he was possibly marriage material? I think it would be safe to say no playing games, being himself and not being overly aggressive towards her to where she doesn't end up feeling threatened/scared/creeped out are just a few qualities/characteristics on their proverbial guy list that inevitably scores point with them. Thinking about it further, respect and consideration go along way with the female species leading their insecurities to fade away essentially replacing it with a sense of comfortable security from their pursuer who knows what truly makes a woman feel absolutely special not just in the big ways but in the little ways as well.

In retrospect, the word pursuit doesn't necessarily mean the act of chasing or being chased. True, there is the physical aspect of pursuit in the attempt to make a connection that we've all been accustomed to since the dawn of time but there's also the aspect of pursuing where it involves making a connection that is spiritual, mental, and certainly emotional. Hey, it's important for a woman to have those connections because it determines whether or not a guy is worth her time. In any case, when it comes to the pursuit of true happiness it should be fun and casual for both individuals rather than have it be an uncomfortable, awkward situation. In the end, I say to any of you ladies that have an incredibly great, romantic guy in their life who hasn't stopped pursuing you I hope he continues to do so even to the ends of the earth.

Pipebomb

2011-09-09T16:19:00.003-05:00

Current WWE wrestler C.M. Punk said, ~I want to make wrestling cool again.~ Without a doubt, the sport of professional wrestling in regards to the WWE hasn't been cool and not to mention fun for quite some time to the point where it has actually become uninteresting to watch. It's a sentiment I share with many other die hard wrestling fans who would absolutely agree with me. However, what or should I say who has brought the cool and fun factor back to the proverbial male soap opera for guy is the ever so controversial C.M. Punk. You see, the man who proclaims himself to be straight edge has single handedly kicked new life into a business that primarily deemed sports entertainment by simply speaking his mind and for true wrestling such as myself we're hanging on every word.

As said before, C.M. Punk has been speaking his mind causing true wrestling fans all around the world to intently listen to what he has to say because its the truth. Its a refreshing situation indeed to hear him speak inevitably pushing the envelope when it comes to talking about the issues of the wrestling business that are considered not only taboo, but have given a voice to what many of us have been thinking/writing for a number of years. Essentially, he broke down or should I say destroyed the 4th wall ranting off about such taboo topics as the WWE being better off after Vince McMahon is dead, particular wrestlers being let go, the PG era, the marriage between Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, etc., are a small list of things he has the balls to say knowing he can get away with it.

If you think about it, of the list of taboo topics Punk has openly spoken about the issue concerning the PG Era is a problem he not only thinks need to be changed, but for may of us who grew up watching wrestling that wholeheartedly agree it needs to change as well. In his mind, John Cena is the source of the problem as he is the primarily the face of the PG Era and its the main reason why the WWE has consistently remained stagnate. Why? The reason is the WWE mainly marketing to kids who along with a certain number of the females in the audience are ruining what many true wrestling fans have grown to enjoy/love. Thankfully, the PG era is gradually returning to the prominence of what was once great as the non-apologetic in your face program with attitude and even though it may not exactly be like the attitude era it's most definitely getting real all thanks to him.

Let me ask you this question to you wrestling fans out there, how many of you respect Punk even more as he is giving a voice to the voiceless? I can honestly say I am one of the many who respect him even more as he is personally leading the charge for change and fortunately it's happening for the better. Unfortunately, the one who hasn't changed is John Cena because his character hasn't evolved whereas characters like Orton, Undertaker, Stone Cold, Triple H, and Punk himself have evolved their personas switching from heel to face. Thinking about it, Punk and the millions of fans who are possibly thinking the same thing would love nothing more than to have Cena turn heel instead of staying a face whereby much respect would be given but if that happens his female, as well as young fans would end up crying.

In retrospect, the older fans of the WWE applaud the actions of C.M. Punk as we are sick and tired of the same ole' predictable story lines where John Cena wins the title again for the upteenth time ala Hulk Hogan. True, at one time he was liked as the Dr. of Thuganomics but after awhile he grew out of it and he ultimately became the man who was ultimately shoved down our throats...but I digress. Hey, you can't deny that because of the straight edge superstar WWE has become relevant again so much so the topic of ice cream bars was trending on twitter because he wanted it back. In the end, Punk has become the quintessential Stone Cold whose rebellious attitude toward authority i.e. Triple H or any other wrestler/superstar for that matter causes absolutely explosive results each time he is in the ring holding a pipebomb in his hand.

The Master

2011-09-05T18:10:00.008-05:00

Professor Morely Davidson said, ~There is a universal popularity of the Rubik's Cube puzzle - its probably the most popular puzzle in human history.~ If you think about it, life is very similar to the iconic 80's toy many of us grew up playing with as we can oftentimes find ourselves holding in our hand, in a manner of speaking, circumstances that are seemingly complicated regarding our own lives. For its a tough situation indeed to figure out a way to solve what is considered to be at first glance considerably easy but in fact its something truly complex involving countless twists and turns that are viewed as absolute challenges. What it primarily comes down to is having the dedication and determination to stick with it despite how difficult it is instead of completely giving up on it.

Let me ask you this question to those who grew up playing with the colorful six sided cube, how long did it take for you to solve it? I think it would be safe to say it took a tremendous amount of time and not to mention focus to get all six colors in their respective areas. Thinking about it further, the colors we put significant amount of time and focus in matching are a representation of aspects of life such as work, finances, love, dating/marriage, friends, as well as family. Unfortunately, there comes a point where too much time and focus is put on one particular side leaving what is left to remain incomplete. Essentially, you have to just keep your attention on all six sides of the cube of life and not worry about when it's going to be solved because you basically have all the time in the world.

Without a doubt, there are times when trying to solve the Rubik's Cube you end up wanting to throw it against the wall. The same can be said for life too as there are certain aspects of it that can cause us to become so confused and frustrated we end up throwing our hands in the air. One aspect of life that can lead to confusion and frustration is matters of the heart pertaining to love/true love because every person has experienced or is currently experiencing not only the metaphorical twisting, but the turning of their own heart in order for true happiness to be solved, which hasn't happened yet for a certain number of people. Let me tell you something, sometimes you just have to put down the Rubik's Cube of your heart, step back, and for the sake of your own sanity try again later.

For the question can be asked concerning the colorful six sided cube, when you were trying to solve it did any of your friends put their own own 2 cents into the mix giving you suggestions on how to complete the tricky puzzle? The answer I fair to guess is a resounding yes and I for one can honestly say the suggestions given by my friends were either utterly annoying or down right stupid. You see, in their mind they knew the best solution to solve the problem at hand and one of those aforementioned solutions was to take all the colored stickers off so you can stick them together, which is of course cheating. Hey, when it comes to solving our personal/professional problems the suggestions given by our friends they can most assuredly be annoying and stupid but you have to give it up to them for continually sticking by your side no matter what.

Someone once said, ~Life is like a Rubik's Cube. It's ever changing and it always seems like you can't ever get it right. A puzzle than can never be fixed correctly like it was before and yet in the back of your mind you're convinced that all can be right one day.~ In retrospect, there are quite frankly so many solution to solving aspects of life that are difficult but the one main solution is through prayer as you put the Rubik's Cube of your own life in the hands of God. True, like the cube life may not always be fun at times but the one thing you can count on is being able to look back and have a good laugh. In the end, I say to you my friend when you do eventually solve the colorful six sided cube of your own life with God's guidance you can proudly call yourself the master as you feel a sense of accomplishment for a job well done.

Alive

2011-09-01T13:16:00.002-05:00

Washington Irving once said, ~There is in every woman's heart a spark of heavenly fire, which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity; but which kindles up and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity.~ As a guy, you oftentimes wonder what sparks the heavenly fires of a woman's heart to the point where it doesn't burn out. For it can be a tough situation indeed to figure out the right spark in order to have their heart be permanently rather than temporarily illuminated by the fiery warmth of true happiness. Thinking about it though, its considerably easy to initially bring about a spark to where it quite possibly turns into an eternal flame of love, but the difficulty lies in being able to properly handle it without getting burned, so to speak.

If you think about it, when you witness a woman truly falling love with a guy who is not only real but absolutely genuine as well the spark she started out within her own heart essentially grows turning it into a bright, glowing, flame of warmth. You see, to have that growth from the initial spark to the eternal flame of love a guy must be able to know how to properly kindle the emotions and feelings that can, in a manner of speaking, burn out quickly. I think it would be safe to say a lucky number of women are fortunate to have a guy who is able to correctly stir up instead of poke at aspects of love such as trust, faith, honesty, hope, contentment, commitment, communication, respect, intimacy, caring, tenderness, compassion, etc. causing their heart to continually burn longer, brighter, and hotter.

As said before, it's considerably easy to bring about a spark in a woman's heart but the difficulty lies in being able to properly handle it without getting burned. Unfortunately, there are guys out there who weren't able to quell the flames of girl's hearts because they were playing around with it and ended up getting burned by the flames of their wrath/anger. It's a sad state of affairs when the lack of care and attention certain guys have in correctly stoking the warmth of a woman's emotions, as well as feelings causes their heart to burn out so much so that after a period of time it's left cold and dormant. Let me ask you this question to you ladies out there who have experienced in the past the pangs of utter heartbreak, how long has your heart lied dormant?

Without a doubt, its a beautiful sight to behold to see any female's heart continually beam and blaze with absolute fiery passion when it pertains to matters of heart in regards to love/true love. The glowing flame of warmth they feel inwardly can most certainly be felt outwardly causing those close to or around them to be fortunate enough to not just feel it but also see it by a flashing smile, look of happiness in their eyes, or whatever the case may be. Yet, for certain number of women it hasn't always been easy by any means whatsoever to finally be in a comfortable place within their heart knowing they've gone through dark periods of spiritual, mental, physical, and not mention emotional adversity. What it primarily comes down to is having a guy who can carefully handle the fire within their heart because if he can't it will consume him.

In retrospect, a woman never really loses that quintessential spark when she suffers times of utter heartbreak. True, it can be considered quite difficult to be able to ignite it when she meets someone who she is potentially interested in because of past relationship issues. In some aspect, its like trying to light a lighter and no matter how many times you attempt to get something going the spark itself isn't quite there, which happens from time to time. However, if a spark is established it inevitably takes patience to hopefully have a long lasting heart to heart connection that never burns out. In any case, you have to admire the strength and resiliency of a woman's heart after it comes close to completely being extinguished due to the mere stupidity of guys. Granted, not all guys fall into this particular category of stupidity when it involves the precious albeit dangerous flames that can most certainly be painful if not handled correctly. In the end, I say to you ladies whose heart remains dormant and awaits that special spark to ignite it you'll truly feel alive once you do.

Mystery Of Love

2011-08-22T10:36:00.001-05:00

Tom Robbins once said, ~When the mystery of the connection goes, love goes. It's that simple. This suggests that it isn't love that is so important to us but the mystery itself. The love connection may be merely a device to put us in contact with the mystery and we long for love to last so that the ecstasy of being near the mystery will last. It is contrary to the nature of mystery to stand still. Yet, its always there, somewhere; a world on the other side of the mirror, a promise in the next pair of eyes that smile at us. We glimpse it when we stand still~ Without a doubt, love or true love for that matter can most definitely be considered an absolute mystery when it pertains to making a truly genuine heart to heart connection. For its a mysterious connection that continues to peak one's interest in regards to that certain special someone in his/her life whereas for others there is unfortunately no mystery to speak of whereby the connection is totally lacking.

Let me ask you this question to those who are in a significant relationship, is there still a sense of mystery shared between the two of you? I think it would be safe to say that when it comes to matters of the heart every person wants to spend their life with a guy/girl who continually keeps you guessing in a good way of course instead of a bad way that leaves or has left you tearing your own hair out due to confusion, frustration, and/or anger not only with your mind, but heart as well. When I say keeps you guessing its of course referring to considerably special and possibly unexpected moments that have left you thinking how unbelievably lucky you are to share your life with someone that you just end up continually asking the following three words...who are you? It's considered an absolute mysterious situation indeed when questions continue to pop up, so to speak, concerning your best friend for life leading you to attain answers that essentially give you a better spiritual, mental, and emotional understanding to the point where it always leaves you with a smile on your face.

If you think about it, for those who share a love that is strong and deeply significant relationship there will always be a sense of that mysterious thrilling excitement one gets either from a soft word spoken, a simple gaze given, or a gentle touch. You have to give it to couples who have been married for over 40...50...60 years as they are still able to keep the mystery alive in their loving relationship. A loving relationship in which you witness firsthand that love is ageless and the thrill of being in love keeps not only both their heart continually skipping a beat but makes them feel young at heart for each other. Unfortunately, its a rarity these days to even come a cross a marriage relationship where it doesn't just involve the physical aspect of love. Thinking about it, there have been couples out there who lacked any mystery whatsoever in their relationship and experienced the temporary adrenaline rush based on the mystery of superficial lust to where they learned very quickly the harsh reality that the physical aspect of love alone was not enough to sustain something truly meaningful and long lasting.

For the question can be asked to you ladies out there who are living the single life, how many of you are still hoping to meet a guy who mirrors your own heart? In other words, he reflects your thoughts and emotions within his own heart to yours and is not merely using them for his own twisted pleasure in order to share a false connection. Yet, the question remains how do women know the thoughts and emotions within that particular guy's heart are absolutely genuine? That ma'lady is where the mystery lies and it primarily comes down to two words...no games. For a certain number of women they've been able to establish a strong connection free of games but for others they continue to be dumbfounded by the games being played leading them to shake their heads at the all out absurdity and stupidity of the entire male species. However, be rest assured ladies that although there is the mindset by many of you women that the entire male species are complete idiots there a number of us men that don't think or act like the guys of relationships past you tended to cross paths with.

In retrospect, it's fair to say that what's missing in relationships today is the aspect of longevity. We've all heard the saying life is considered a marathon, not as a race and the same can be said for love as well. It's a sad state of affairs when couples didn't pace themselves causing them to give up on the relationship before it ever even started. Why? The mystery and the connection were quite possibly there but it totally lacked substance, as well as quality leaving the guy, the girl, or both to become down right bored because he/she stopped asking or didn't ask any questions at all. .Think about this, how many people are in deeply connected relationships because they weren't afraid to ask the deep rooted questions that would inevitably lead them to step through the proverbial looking glass of their heart and into the seemingly mysterious heart of their significant other. Ultimately, it's not that hard to figure out that when you're able to establish a strong connection of mutual commitment, trust, loyalty, support, respect, intimacy, etc. love/true become so much simpler don't you think and in the end my friend that's the mystery of love.

Music Of Your Heart

2011-06-01T21:38:00.000-05:00

Someone once said, ~In the rhythm of life, we sometimes find ourselves out of tune, but as long as there someone which becomes our melody, the music plays on. Thanks for being one of my best songs.~ If you think about it, a person's heart is in some aspect like a musical instrument that in all intensive purposes tries to get in tune, so to speak, when it comes to matters of love/true love. For its a tough situation indeed to meet someone who in a sense has the ability to not only get in a steady rhythm with your own heart, but is also able to truly listen to the melody of it as well. Essentially, what is comes down to is meeting the right guy or girl who you will never be able to be out of tune with to the point where beautiful music is always heart from within each other's heart.

Let me ask you this question, how many of you have the ability to play a musical instrument like a guitar or a piano? To those individuals who are musically inclined they gradually developed a good ear in being able to listen rather than hear when something isn't quite right in regards to tickling the ivories on a piano or strumming the strings on a guitar. I think it would be safe to say that a woman wants a guy who has an excellent ear, in a manner of speaking, when he's able to actually listen for the wrong notes being played in the relationship. You see, when that happens the guy in question is able to make the right corrections instead of just hearing it and not doing anything about it causing the song in one's heart to sound absolutely spectacular.

As said before, the human heart is considered in some aspect like a musical instrument and for an unfortunate number of people they've experienced sour notes involving a past relationship causing their own heart to become out of tune. For some people they're heart has been out of tune for quite some time and its been difficult to meet that certain someone who will be patient enough to take the time to find tune their heart. It's a sad situation when a person's heart is out of tune because their heart was played with incorrectly so many times in the past that they've forgotten what its like to experience listening to the soothing rhythm and melody of true happiness but instead have been constantly hearing the unbearable wrong notes of utter heartbreak.

For the question can be asked to those who are in a potential and/or significant relationship, how in tune are you within each other's heart? Thinking about it, couples who have been together for quite some time don't necessarily share the same melody or rhythm for that matter and it oftentimes leads to a strange meld of sound that it causes one to become absolutely perplexed at what their hearing, which is something that tends to happen from time to time. Without a doubt, each one of us know a couple or possibly are in a relationship with a guy/guy where the sound/rhythm are complete opposites of each other but somehow they make it work to the point where after hearing to it a few more times you begin to finally get what they're listening to within their hearts.

In retrospect, every person hopes to find not only the right melody, but the right rhythm when it comes to matters of that musical instrument known as the human heart. Granted, it takes time to get in tune as you try to establish the right melody and rhythm with that certain guy or girl in question. For some people they have the ability to pick it up to where a song is instantly created whereas for other it's a hit or miss process that can at times be truly frustrating but they stick with it knowing they'll eventually have countless hits with certain someone whoever he/she may be. In the end, I tip my hat to you couples out there who are continuing to listening for and creating the best songs with each other, but to those who are living the single life like myself, I hope you someday are able to find the music of your heart.

Bullseye

2011-03-04T20:30:00.001-06:00

Minute Major once said, ~Darts is a fascinating game which takes patience, intelligence, and coordination. The problem most people face when playing darts is the challenge of being consistant and precise. Its very difficult to hit the same spot every time and its so easy to become frustrated or give up.~ In some aspect, life is like playing a game of darts as there will be/have been times where patience, intelligence, and coordination are/were needed. Essentially, the individual darts we hold represent our hopes, dreams, aspirations, etc. in regards to work, family/friends, and most definitely matters of the heart. For the question can be asked, when it comes to the proverbial dart board of life has it been easy or challenging in hitting the target you've been specifically aiming for?

If you think about it, its a tough situation indeed to consistantly be on target, so to speak, when it pertains to our own personal dart board of life. You see, the darts each one of throws aren't always going to land/hit where we want them to causing us to experience a mexed bag of emotions. In a sense, that is how life can be as we find ourselves standing at a distance experiencing emotions such as frustration, disappointment, doubt, anger, fear, etc. I think I can safely sat we've all been in a situation concerning a potential opportunity where the initial mindset was that we're initally getting closer to hitting the target/position wanted but unfortunately it wasn't hit leaving one standing there momentarily hanging/shaking our head.

As said befire, the problem most people face when playing the game of darts is the challenge of being consistant and precise. Thinking about it, the same problematic challenge in finding that consitency and preciseness in playing darts can also be found in matters of friendship. Without a doubt, there are times where best buds and gal pals experience rocky times causing him/her/them to miss the mark in certain areas of seemingly strong established friendship to the point where one feels like they've been hit with the sharp pointy end of the dart. Hey, its not a good feeling whatsoever when a trusted friend or group of friends you thought would always have your back doesn't leaving you to question how truly off the mark you were were about him/her/them.

Let me ask you this question to those who are in the dating field, has it been easy or hard for you to hit the right areas concerning not only your heart, but the heart of that particular guy/girl you're interested in? For a certain number of people, they've there are those who unfortunately have been off the mark when it comes to past relationships and experienced being hit countless times by the pangs of utter heartbreak leaving one to feel as if his/her heart is quite literally a dart board filled with holes that represent pain, frustration, anger, bitterness, etc. However, there are those who been able to land the right areas concerning the proverbial dart board of the heart by having the patience, intelligence, and not to mention the coordination to experience being hit by true love leading to absolute true happiness.

In retrospect, like the game of darts its all about practice and in life we are given the chance to perfect our game, in a manner of speaking. True, its during the so called dart game of life we'll most likely miss every now and then but the key is to not give up to the point of becoming disappointed, frustated, angry, thinking we're a loser, etc. when the particfular dart we're throwing doesn't specifically land where we want it to. What it comes down to is taking the information we got and learning from it in order to adjust our trajectory so the next time we throw it lands that much closer to the intended target. In the end, life is oftentimes considered a hit or miss experience and the more we continue playing the game improving our skills hopefully having fun while doing it we'll hit a bullseye.

Precious

2011-01-29T16:53:00.006-06:00

Curtis Judalet once said, ~Love is as much of an object as an obsession, everybody wants it, everybody seeks it, but few ever achieve it, those who do will cherish it, be lost in it and among all, never...never forget it.~ As said before, love can be considered an obsession for a certain number of people to the point where one can, in some aspect, become the character Gollum from The Lord Of The Rings movie trilogy or otherwise known as Smeagol. Thinking about it, there are a number of women who when it comes to matters of the heart in regards to attaining the ring of holy matrimony, their pursuit can truly become obsessive to where it can mentally, emotionally, and in some instances physically consume them.

Without a doubt, every woman has that innate desire of having the ring in their possession, especially on their ring finger. Essentially, that innate desire can oftentimes grow within their own heart when they are either a witness to or hear news of an engagement concerning an acquaintance, friend, and/or best friend. For its a tough situation indeed for any single woman to keep the desire of having/wanting the ring in their possession in check to where it doesn't completely destroy them knowing those around her have had or are currently having their desire of absolute true happiness fulfilled, which can be at times difficult to witness causing a mental/emotional/physical battle similar to that of Smeagol against his alter ego Gollum.

If you think about it, its most definitely hard for any woman to keep a bright smile on their face and not find herself metaphorically descending into darkness within herself. Frustration, anger, fear, doubt, envy, disappointment, jealousy, etc. are considered a plethora of emotions that a woman can experience leaving her to have a mental debate/argument/discussion going on not only in her head, but heart as well. I think it would be safe to safe that among those emotions mentioned above, jealousy can most assuredly be the downfall of so wanting to experience the feeling and beauty of what the ring represents that it can cause her to slowly exude an ugly facade both literally, as well as figuratively so much so she changes into someone who is hardly unrecognizable.

Let me ask this questions to all you single ladies out there, how many of you still have a small part of your Smeagol-like self that is still in tact and not letting your Gollum-like self take complete control? What do I mean? For some women, love can be seen/felt as a strong need that can become overwhelming because without it their absolutely weak if she can't touch, see, and/or feel it leading them to settle for relationships that are both unfulfilling and temporary. What it comes down to is just a matter of having the patience and resolve in letting nature run its course concerning matters of the heart instead of fighting/manipulating it to make it happen leaving one to continue to not only mentally torture themselves, but emotionally as well for months or possibly even years.

In retrospect, a woman's pursuit/quest of love/true love in regards to attaining the proverbial one ring can either bring about eurphoric contentment leaving her with countless enjoyment within her heart or ends up experiencing the unfortunate downfall of losing it causing constant emotional/mental/physical pain, suffering, and/or heartbreak. In any case, the struggle for a single woman or any woman for that matter to stay strong when it pertains to their bright Smeagol side and not let themselves slip into the dark Gollum side of herself can be quite a tough task to undertake because of bad past relationships but its doable. In the end, to all you single ladies out there I hope the desire to one day individually attain your precious comes to fruition and may it be unforgettable.

Just A Memory

2010-11-28T21:21:00.006-06:00

Jim Cornette once said, ~Will pro wrestling as it used to be ever return?~ As a wrestling fan for over 24 years, I've witness a plethora of changes in a business primarily been labeled as sports entertainment. Thinking about it, when it comes to change especially in the sport of pro wrestling there are times where its actually much needed but other times you oftentimes end up scratching your head to the point where you ask the question why. I think many wrestling fans, not just myself, would agree that wrestling today isn't what it used to be causing fans like myself to not only be considerably disgruntled and in disbelief, but angry as well. Essentially, in my personal view wrestling has changed in many way but more specifically in format, the climb to success, and rivalry.

Let me ask you this question to many of you wrestling fans out there, is it me or has there been a lot more talking segments rather than wrestling going on lately? For its quite an interesting situation indeed the turnaround in the talking/wrestling percentage as the majority of what is being watching by many of us are wrestlers either addressing the crowd or talking/calling out another wrestler. We've all seen it and it primarily takes up 15 to possibly 30 minutes of the program. True, its for storyline puproses in order to drive the drama that is the proverbial male soap opera for guys but unfortunately its getting to a point where its becoming not only tedious for those watching in person and on tv, but dare I sare boring as well.

Without a doubt, there are certain wrestlers who have paid their dues in regards to climbing the ladder of success to capture a world heavyweight championship title. However, its a sad state of affairs when the journey itself is bypassed through shows like WWE NXT/Tough Enough as new superstars such as Wade Barrett, The Miz, Shaemus, etc. don't just attain instant stardom, but receive instant title shots. A wrestler such as Triple H paid his dues by starting out his career as a relative unknown in WCW going by the name Tera Ryzing but would later have subsequent sucess with a new name in the WWF as Hunter Hearst Hemsley wrestling against the likes of Henry O. Godwin in a forgettable hog pen match. Now, he's a fan favorite and a mega superstar around the world.

For the question can be asked to the wrestling fans out there, how many of truly miss the days of the Monday Night Wars? Personally speaking, I throughly enjoyed the days of channel flipping from WCW to WWF, especially in the 90's with the whole Sting vs. NWO and the whole "Attitude Era" running rampid with Stone Cold Steve Austin leading the charge. I can honestly say the mid to late 90's were absolutely enjoyable to watch because it captured you're attention to where it got right in your face without any apologize whatsoever. You see, it was the rivarly between these two companies that made it enjoyable to watch but unfortunately with WCW bought out and TNA trying to stay with the WWE there hasn't really been much competition or in this case a big rivarly.

In retrospect, when you're a wrestling fan you can eventually become jaded concerning the state of wrestling today. For example, when I was younger I used to get angry when the "bad guys" got the upper hand on the "good guys" but now as I've gotten older I'm more into figuring out the storyline and where it's leading to. In my honest opinion, the best days of pro wrestling aren't found on Spike TV, USA, or SyFy as they can be only found in one place...YouTube. Stone Cold driving into an arena in a Beer Truck spraying The McMahons along with The Rock with a hose full of beer, Sting repelling down, coming up from, or heading to the ring in order to attack Hogan/NWO, etc. are considered just a memory that in the end can't be touched or unable to be duplicated ever again.

Forever For You

2010-11-10T14:23:00.001-06:00

Someone once said, ~Somewhere in life you fall in love. It changes you forever whether it be bad or good. It changes you...everything even a smile, a touch, even a simple thing as a stare in the eyes means everything to you. Pray that someday you find your special someone.~ Without a doubt, when you fall in love it can most definitely change in ways that can be viewed as either bad or good. For one's whole outlook on not only love but relationships as well completely changes when you finally meet someone who you connect with on every level. True, it may have been indeed a difficult journey to be at a place of absolute contentment within your own heart but for the most part it was truly worthwhile, which is what love/true love is don't you think?

As said before, when you fall in love it can most definitely change you in ways that can be viewed as either bad or good. Thinking about it, when you know its good between you and your significant other everything seems to absolutely clique without any problems whatsoever. I think it would be safe to say that when you have aspects of a relationship such as trust, honesty, faith communication, committment, respect, etc. the problems faced together ultimately tend to work themselves out. Hey, it's just a matter of working with each other instead of against each other to the point where the word forever doesn't cause you or your significant other to cringe but rather express a smile as you both look lovingly towards one another.

If you think about it, falling in love can certainly change you forever in a bad way but in the same sense can be considered good as well. What do I mean? For those who are in a potential and/or significant relationship how is your level of sanity in regards to dealing with not only the bad habits, but also the weird/strange eccentricities of your bf/husband/gf/wife that can truly drive you crazy? Essentially, those habits/eccentricities are what make him/her absolutely special in his/her own way. You see, even though he/she can drive you nuts when doing it unbeknownst to them, you somehow can't imagine not being able to live without it because quite frankly you're so used to it that it's simply become part of the dynamic of your relationship with him/her.

Let me ask you this question to those in a significantly strong relationship, how do you know it's going to last forever? In my opinion, you don't know because nothing is ever really for certain in this life, especially when it pertains to true happiness. Granted, love can change you when something like a simple smile, a simple touch, as well as a simple stare directed your way causes you not to remember your own name. What it comes down to is being able to keep the smile on your face when things get rough, be continually touched not just physically but emotionally, spiritually, as well as mentally, and stare into the eyes of someone you love knowing full well he/she doesn't cause you to ever doubt his/her committment to you is forever.

In retrospect, forever is word that tends to have two different meanings particularly when it's concerns love/true love. For a certain number of people it actually feels like forever in experiencing true happiness as you find yourself dealing with pangs of utter heartbreak such as frustration, anger, confusion, doubt, etc. However, for those who know all too well the feeling of forever in which you and your special someone are in a state of europhic bliss I tip my hat to you both praying you'll go the distance. In the end, for people living the single life like myself we pray to God to one day meet that certain someone who we will fall in love with hoping to say to him/her I want to be a part of your life forever for you.

Never Runs Out

2010-10-28T09:47:00.004-05:00

Jules Renard once said, ~Love is like an hourglass with the heart filling up as the brain empties.~ As said before, love is like an hourglass with the sand representing our own thoughts, feelings, and emotions concerning matters of the heart. For its the sand in regards to love or true love for that matter can most definitely be viewed as either as a fleeting existance or absolutely neverending. Hey, its all a matter of one's own perspective as some people view the sand within the heart-mind hourglass as time running out in ever experiencing true happiness while others simply view it as having all the time in the world sharing it with their significant other.

Let me ask this question to those who are experiencing all the time in the world with their significant other, when it comes to sharing the sand of our own thoughts, feelings, and emotions to where it fills up each other's heart what keeps it continually flowing between the two of you? Trust, faith, honesty, contentment, communication, understanding, committment, security, respect, intimacy, hope, love, caring, tenderness, compassion, etc. are essentially what keeps the sand continually, as well as steadily flowing from one heart to another. It's a tough situation indeed to keep what are considered important aspects of a relationship flowing at a constant rate but it's all truly worthwhile.

Without a doubt, there are those who have this certain mindset that time is slowly but surely running out in ever experiecing true happiness. Essentially, the sand of their own thoughts, feelings, and emotions tend to feel as if they're flowing much faster, especially when experiecing times of utter heartbreak leaving one to deal with asking the oftentimes difficult questions. If you think about it, it's while trying to answer those particular questions one will flip the hourglass because he or she doesn't want to end up having one's heart filled with grains of sand that represent disappointment, frustration, bitterness, anger, sadness, loneliness, resentment, contempt, doubt, etc.

Personally speaking, I have the perspective that when it comes to my heart-mind hourglass the sand of my own thoughts, feelings, and emotions are in perpetual limbo within my mind rather than within my heart. In other words, my mind is and will always be full of questions to ask leaving me to continue to be the type of guy who has an analytical, sarcastic, cynical view concerning not only love, but relationships as well. What it comes down to it for me is the constant flow of being asked when are you getting married or being told you're next tends to leave me somewhat apathetic, but to be perfectly honest I'm not ruling it out entirely to someday experiencing true happiness.

In retrospect, love/true love has always been viewed as either fleeting or neverending like the sand within an hourglass. Thinking about it, a person can let the sand of their thoughts, feelings, and emotions all fall to the bottom because of experiencing unfortunate times of utter heartbreak or he/she can make each grain of sand count knowing full well they'll be shared and appreciated with someone truly special. For the question can be asked, how many people can truly say they have a steady, neverending flow of sand or should I say love with their significant other? In the end, I say to those of you who are continually experience the neverending flow of sand I hope it never runs out between the two of you.

What She Gets

2010-09-02T11:41:00.003-05:00

George Eliot once said, ~Oh the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person; have neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all the right out, just as they are, chaff and grain together; certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away.~ Without a doubt, its considered rare these days for any woman to be in a relationship with a guy who can most definitely be and stay faithful. For its a tough situation indeed for them to truly experience absolute comfort within their heart when it pertains to a guy's faithfulness causing her to be doubtful as to whether they're any good ones left to which I simply yes...but I digress.

Let me ask you this question to you ladies who are in a potential and/or significant relationship, how many of you are certain that man in your life is faithful to you? Essentially, what I'm asking doesn't just involve being/staying committed to you. You see, its in the little things he odes that shows you he's there for the long haul and oftentimes he doesn't have to say anothing but just be there even when you didn't ask him to. Ladies, think back to a particular moment time where your boyfriend/husband surprised you when you least expected it concerning something important to you. For you to know he was there supporting you can be very touching to the point where it literally leaves you at a loss for words.

If you think about it, when it comes to the faithfulness of a guy a woman doesn't necessarily want the type who is talked about in fairly tales because in their minds they tend to not exist. Thinking about it further, its those types of guys who are merely dreams conjured up from within their subconscious or a possibly a hopeful wish made at a bottom of a wishing well that has never really come true. Its a sad state of affairs when a woman gets everything she ever wanted from a guy when it comes to material objects but doesn't get what she truly wants from him. Communication, contentment, intimacy, emotional/mental security, faith, hope, honesty, trust, caring tenderness, etc. are the little things she most wants that undoubtedly make a big difference with her.

For the questions can be asked again to you ladies, how many times have you been able to count on your potential and/or significant other to be faithfully by your side when it matters most. Here another question for you, are you able to count those times on just one hand, two hands, or there are so many its difficult to keep track of? You see, to have a guy in her life who doesn't have her thoughts concerning him weigh her down because of his shady actions or cause her to over analyze every word he says that seem suspicious to where it brings her to the brink of insanity is an absolute for any woman to experence. For certain number of woman they are currently have that guy in their life while others want to know where he is and to that I say patience is a virtue.

In retrospect, in the faithfulness of love or true love for that matter every person want to feel the comfort of feeling safe not just physically and mentally, but emotionally as well. Women, more so than guys, want to experience the gentle touch both literally and metaphorically knowing they are the absolutely the one woman he is going to spend the rest of his days with. What it comes down to is the comfort of being uncomfortable as you completely open yourself to a guy who is quite possibly feeling the exact same as you are. In the end, for any single woman out who finds herself in a great relationship with a faithful guy because that's not only what she gets to her surprise but its also what she derseves as well, which is a song by country legends Brooks and Dunn that reflect this thought.

Cross The Streams

2010-08-16T21:49:00.005-05:00

Francois de La Rochefaucauld once said, ~True love is like a ghost, everyone talks of it, few have seen it.~ As said before, true love is like a ghost and its undeniable presence can in all intensive purposes haunt a person's heart, especially if their living the single life. For a certain number of people know all too well the feeling of being, in a sense, haunted by matters of the heart either emotionally and mentally to the point where it can viewed as a pesky poltergeist or a harmless apparition. For it can most definitely be a tough and oftentimes annoying situation indeed to experience a type of paranormal activity going on within your heart to where it causes you to become a ghostbuster of sorts in order to investigate and/or capture it.

Without a doubt, when you're a so called ghostbuster one of the main things you need in regards to equipment is a portable particle accelerator proton pack with hand-held wand/particle thrower to capture a ghost. However, unlike the fictional proton pack/thrower that essentially drains the psychokentic energy from a ghost, the proton pack known as the human heart is capable of giving energy/strength that is able to last more than just 5,000 years. For those who are living the single life, they would certainly want to find/meet someone who is capable of strengthing rather than drainging all the love, honesty, faith, hope, contentment, happiness, caring, compassion, etc. within the energy cell of their heart.

If you think about it, when it comes to the ghost that is true love you know it does exist based on personal accounts of witnesses who have/are encountering it but in the course of one's own investigation its difficult to know where it actually is. You see, for those who are still investigating like myself we're equipped with our own proverbial PKE meter that helps us locate where it may possible be. Essentially, the PKE meter we all have in our possession is again our own heart and though it has the capability to detect where the possibility of true love is its not always accurate. I think it would be safe to say for a many number of people they've tracked, in a manner of speaking, a relatively strong signal to a potentially worthwhile relationship but unforunately it ended up being a weak signal.

Let me ask you this question to those who have watched the movie Ghostbusters, how many of you are familiar with the scene where Dr. Peter Venkman played by Bill Murray gets slimed by Slimer? Thinking about it, when you come face to face, in a manner of speaking, with the ghost that is true love you find yourself not only able to move or think for that matter, but it also causes you to become afraid. Why? What it primarily comes down is the fear of being slimed or in this particular case becoming vulnerable as you open yourself up and the closer you get to true love the possibility of getting emotionally hurt leaves you with two options which is either to stand your ground facing it head on or back up/turn around in order to run as fast as you can.

In retrospect, we're all in some aspect the quintessential gatekeeper hoping to meet our very own keymaster or vice versa. In other words, each of us shouldn't be aimlessy wandering around constantly focusing on/looking for true love but instead just live our lives doing our own thing. However, when we need that much needed support when you're reminded of how lonely you are you know who you're gonna call which are your best buds/gal pals. If you just happen to meet that certain special someone who is truly genuine instead of someone who has Gozer like qualities then its kudos to you. In the end, I say to those of you who have found your ghost busting parnter for life I hope the two of you together continue to cross the streams.

My Mark (600th Yodasim)

2010-08-08T22:12:00.002-05:00

Someonce once said, ~Leave your mark where other can only dream of going.~ Without a doubt, a person can oftentimes wonder what kind of impact/mark your meant to or want to leave in this world. For its a tough situation indeed to stamp out a life you can look back on and be absolutely proud of but you do your very best. I think many would agree each one of us would most definitely want to set out to in achieving or hopes, goals, and dreams all-the-while meeting people who have helped support and encourage you all the way. THinking about it, as we all go about our individual lives you find yourself asking whether or not you've been able to leave a ;asting impression to where others may quite possibly become better people for knowing you.

If you think about it, being able to be a giver rather than a taker is considered on the ways to leave your mark on this world. When I say giver I don't necessarily mean starting charites for important causes. Instead, be a giver of your time as you're there for people in your life who can always count on you to be there for them when they need it the most. An encourage word, a shoulder to cry on, words of wisdom/advice, much needed prayers, sharing the word of God, etc. are just a handful of ways where you can most definitely achieve a postive lasting impression to where your presence will not only be felt in their heart but also be a long lasting memory that will never fade away. So does anyone immediately come to mind for you?

As said before, you can find yourself asking whether or not not you've been able to leave your mark in this world to the point where others may quite possibly become better people for know you. I think it would be safe to say we all would like to leave a mark in which the people who have gotten to know us didn't regret the friendship established for quote some time. You see, the mark of a great friendship is striving to be that guy/girl who bring you up instead of tearing/knocking you down emotionally, mentally, physically, and spritually. Plus, when it comes to drama you try your best to avoid it rather than starting it causing unwanted conflict. In other words, you take the high road knowing full well you have the respect of many of your peers.

Let me ask you this question to those who are considered talented in their own right, do you think you will leave your mark with the abilities you have in a certain skill set in regard to what you enjoy or love doing? Music, singing, photography, entertainment, painting, poetry, drawing/sketching, books, etc. are just a number of things that on an individiual basis are considerably good at because we believe in our abilities so much so that you're able to receive public recognition for your hard work. However, if you don't then its okay because the simple joy of doing what you do will all intensive purposes rub off on those around you. Let me tell you something, nothing is more gratifying than having some be inspired because of something you did and in turn they do it themselves.

This particular yodaism marks my 600th and when I first started writing 14 years ago I never really knew how mentally far I would be taking my thoughts. It truly befuddles my mind on how much I've written down in the past that I think are relevant subjects matters and how, in some ways, it has effected people who have read them to where they respond to what I've written by sharing info concerning their own personal life. Ultimately, its those readers who end up writing themselves and its flattering to know you, in some way, had a part in it. In the end, to those who continue to read what I write I hope I have been able to somehow leave my mark on you and whether you've possibly become a better person for knowing me that for you to decide.

Lead By Example

2010-08-03T17:16:00.002-05:00

Tim Foley once said, ~The most important role models in people's lives, it seems, aren't superstars or household names. They're everyday people who quietly set examples for you - coaches, teachers, parents. People about who you say to yourself perhaps not even consciously, 'I want to be like that."~ Let me ask you this question, when it comes to having a role models who did you look up to when you were growing up as a kid and now as an adult? For its rare these to have a role models who don't end up constantly letting you down but they're out there. I think many would agree that by having a postive role model in your lfe whether it be male or female can help you not only grown and gain perspective about yourself, but also the world around you.

Without a doubt, each of us are given the choice to chose who we not only want to look up and admire, but also aspire to be. Thinking about it, the decisions we make in the way we act, think, see, speak, and/ or dress are oftentimes instilled in by our parential units mainly fathers who can most definitely be a postive influence as we're provided with sage wisdom that is truly beneficial for us. For its a tough situation indeed for any single mom out there who hope to one day meet a guy who will be able to be that strong postive male role model in their child's life, especially if he she has a son or sons. Let me tell you something, there are many young men out there who are sorely lacking the positive male presence in their lives and yet for some guys they've turned out okay without one.

As said before, the most important role models aren't superstars or household names because a true role model has the ability to make want you to become a better person and not the other way around. Lindsey Lohan, Paris Hilton, Tiger Woods, Mel Gibson, Jesse James, etc. are just handful of people who you wouldn't want to necessarily look up to as they have certainly gotten themselves into trouble to the point where they served time in jail or suffered public scrutiny and yet you're able to learn what not to do by the mistakes they have made. Hey, in their own right Tiger Woods and Jesse James are great at what they in their respective fields to where you want to learn from them but you wouldn't want to go to them for advice on how to have a successful, happy marriage.

If you think about it, there are people out there who don't even know they are role models and it makes you proud to know they are making a difference. Elmer Writman may not be a well known name but he is considered a role model to the many kids in his neighborhood. Elmer would take long walks and would always be accompanied by kids who simply enjoyed him talking about world events, chemistry, and the importance of staying active. He taught countless kids in his neightbohood that not only thoughts and opinions mattered, but but he also taught them to think more broadly and treating each other with dignity, as well as respect. For the question can be asked, do you know a person like this living in your neighborhood?

In retrospect, when it comes to role models they have to be the type of person who is able to effect us in a way that helps us realize how fortunate we are to have him/her/them in our lives. In addition to that they teach you the value of respect, intergrity, honor, kindness, morals, honesty, and true friendship. Its a person or persons who has helped or continues to help shape, challenge, support, and encourage you when you need it the most. As scary as it is, each of us are role models causing us to be carfeul at what we say or do especially around youg kids because they are very impressionable and can be easily influenced. In the end, a great role model is someone who tries his/her best to lead by example and even though mistakes are made he/she does their best to fix them.

One Crazy Ride

2010-07-24T20:23:00.001-05:00

"Someone once said, ~Life is like riding a bull. You get bucked off and climb right back on and do it again.~ As said before, life is like riding a bull and on a seemingly daily basis we find ourselves strapping tightly in as we experience situations both known and unknown that can not only metaphorically throw us around like a rag doll, but also test how long we can emotionally, mentally, physically, as well as spiritually endure the ride, so to speak. You see, every time we open our eyes and step into the bullriding arena of life we're locked in the chute ready to face with absolute focus, courage, and determination challenges that are tough and instead of being given 8 seconds to see what each of us are made of we're given an unlimited amount of time.

Without a doubt, when it comes to riding a bull it takes a lot more mental rather than physical strength to keep yourself from being thrown off such a huge beast. Thinking about it, life is truly considered one huge beast and it can most definitely be a challenge to take on what is considered a bohemoth of an unknown For it can be a scary situation indeed to face the metaphorical bull each of us are riding in order to achieve or should I say conquer our own individual hopes, dreams, goals, as well as possible achievements you personally set for yourself. What it primarily comes down to is having a firm, tight grasp on what you want to do and where want to be all-the-while making the smartest decisions possible.

If you think about it, one the most dangerous apsects of riding a bull is getting your hand caught in in the rope or being thrown off and getting injured from being like trampled on. I think it would be safe to say, an aspect of life that is not so much dangerous but rather annoying is being caught up in the rope of drama and as much as you want to walk away cleanly without getting hurt you unfortunately do. For a certain number of people know all too well what its like to in all intensive purposed be thrown off a relationship and then suddenly find themselves not only being emotionally stomped/trampled on, but also being gord by the horns of betrayal leaving them to deal with the pain that can either take weeks, months or even years to recover from.

Let me ask you this question to those who are avid watchers of bull riding competitions, what is the most important thing to have when attempting to ride a bull? If you said a team to back you up you're absolutely right. Oftentimes, life tries to do everything in its power to dismount/throw/buck us off and leaves you feeling absolutely defeated. However, its nice to know each of us have a supportive team back us up in the form of friends/family who jump in are able to be an awesome distraction from all that is going on in your life For its those same people who are able to catch us when we fall, help us back to our feet, brush the dirt off our clothes, and provide us with words of encouragement so we can get back on the bull.

In retrospect, every person has heard the saying you got to take the bull by the horns and for some, most or all people they 're doing just that. Essentially, that is what life is all about as you encounter situation that will have you shaking in your proverbial boots because of the sheer size of the "bulls" we're facing, but we get on an way in order to take control of it and not the other way around showing that we have the confidence, determination, courage, and faith in God to see us through to the end. Marriage, friendship, work, etc. are just a number of things that many of us are staying on top of as best as we possibly can knowing full well we'll fall over every now and then. In the end, when you're on the bull of life you know you're to be in for one crazy ride after another.

Safe With Me

2010-07-18T15:34:00.001-05:00

Carl S. Avery once said, ~Love enables you to put your deepest feelings and fears in the palm of your partner's hand, knowing they will be handled with care.~ As said before, love enables you to put your deepest feelings and fears iin the palm of your partner's hand. Thinking about it, when it comes to love or true love for that matter it can be quite difficult to place your heart, so to speak, in someone else's hand even if that particular guy/girl has the same mutual feelings and fears as you do. For its a tough situation indeed to just hand over what each of us metaphorically hold tightly within our heart because in the back of our mind there is the possibility it won't be handled carefully to where you're left holding the crushed remnants of what was true happiness.

WIthout a doubt, one of the most important aspects of a loving relationship is to have someone who can most definitely carefully handle with care in their capable hands all that you're thinking, feelings, and are sorely afraid in matters of the heart. Trust contentment, honesty, caring, respect, committment, understanding, happiness, faith, honor, loyalty, worry, doubt, fear, frustration, disappointment, anger, bitterness, confusion, etc. are just a number of things that a person who is in love can at time be weary of placing in a potential and/or significant other's hand. Why? Essentially, past relationship experience has taught him/her that when it comes to opening yourself up emotionally, mentally, and physically their heart will end up being crushed in the palm of a guy's/girl's hand.

If you think about it, there are those out there who know all too well of having their feeling and fears along with the emotions associated with it crushed in the hand of a past relationship. Its a sad state of affairs when women, as well as men feels as if their entire being has been crushed to the point where all that you shared with him/her is completely thrown back at your face. In a sense, having those crushed remnants of what was in your heart thrown back at you can be, in some aspect, like a hard slap right across the face with the same hand that you thought would keep your heart safe leaving you to deal with the sting of utter heartbreak. Let me tell you something, for those who have felt or are currently feeling it the sting will go away as it just takes time.

Let me ask you this questions to those who are in a potential and/or significant relationship, have you placed your heart in his/her hand and fully entrusted him/her to take care of it knowing that he/she may not only crush it but drop it on the ground in order to stomp all over it but chooses not to? Hey, its what relationships are all about as the concerns you have within your heart will always be taken care of as best they possibly can and will not be intentially dropped by your partner in order to hurt you. What it primarily comes down to is finding/meeting the right guy/girl who will hold your heart in the safety of their hand and in turn he/she will entrust his/her heart in yours, which is considerably rare to find because of how incredibly selfish certain guys/girls are these days.

In retrospect, every person wants to feel secure in the fact that their feelings and fears will always be in good hands with someone they love. Unfortunately, that isn't the case as there are people out there who don't know how to hold person's heart causing one to constantlly be at the ready in case they have to catch what slips through their fingers, which can mentally and emotionally tiring. For a certain number of people they have found/are finding themselves in this type of situation where they don't feel that innate security in a partner who is able to safely hold their the feelings and fears within heart and never drop it. In the end, to those of you who are single you'll eventually meet your trusted partner who'll reach out saying to you put your heart in my hand and it will be safe with me.

I Promise

2010-07-10T13:30:00.005-05:00

Percy Bysshe Shelley once said, ~Love is free; to promise forever to love the same woman is no less absurd than to promise to believe the same creed; such a vow in both cases excludes us from all inquiry.~ Without a doubt, love is ndeed free and we all have the right to be with someone who we generally like being around or insterested in. As a guy, its in our nature to enjoy the company of a beautiful woman or several beautiful women for that matter who can most definitely visually capture out attention. Yet, it only takes one woman who can not just visually capture our attention, but can be able to also emotionally and mentally capture the attention as well for many years, which is what guys like myself want as we promise our heart to her.

If you think about it, to make that promise be totally committed to one woman for the rest of your life can actually scare a many number of guys to the point where they freak out, but for others its something that they look forward to. Its rare but not uncommon for a woman to meet a guy who can actually be and is able to stay faithful to her to where committment, trust, respect, dignity, honesty, hope, joy, excitement, honor, loyalty, appreciation, etc. continue to stay unbroken within her heart. For its a guy who knows what he wants in a relationship, doesn't play mind games, isn't narcisstic, doesn't drag her down in order to build himself up, thinks about her needs over his, doesn't treat a woman with disrespect because he knows the value of a truly great partner in crime in front of him.

As said before in the quote above concerning promising forever to love the same woman has become a rarity these days with acts of infidelity running rampid to where the list of promises verbally made by the guy just become hollow words that no longer have meaning. Its a sad state of affairs when a woman doesn't have the capaticity to trust the promises made due past heartbreaks. The promise to make her his first priority in his life; promising to never make her feel alone in the world because he will always be there right by her side; to promise to not ever intentionally hurt her by his words or actions; promising to never make her look like a fool; promising to be always be appreciative and not take her for granted, etc. are just a number promises that were unfortunately broken by a past relationship.

Let me ask you this question to all you ladies, how many of have a guy or hope to have a guy in your life who has been/is able to keep the promises made to you? I think it would be safe to say that many woman are tired of believing one promise after another only to find themselves once again being hurt, let down, and/or fooled into think he's different than all the rest. Thinking about it, every woman deserves to hear promises from a guy that will never be broken or sound empty, in a manner of speak, because he is true to his word unlike past relationships Let me tell you something ladies who are single, the guy you've been waiting for is out there somewhere and when he steps into your life all the promises you've wanted for your heart will assuredly be fulfilled.

Robert M. Hensel said, ~Build your world around me, and promise to never let me go, and if ever their comes a time it may seem crowded, may we expand so love may grow.~ In retrsopect, a guy who can make the promise to be with one woman for the rest of his life and prove it when so many temptations are placed in front of him shows how much he truly loves her. For its a guy who can open his eyes to see a life filled with true happiness built on love that is permanent rather than temporary to where he can look back and say to her thank you. In the end, guys like to myself hope to one day be lucky enough to meet that special someone I won't let her go and she can look me in the eyes truly believing the two words that tend to not be taken seriously these days...I promise.

Silence Is Golden

2010-06-29T20:11:00.000-05:00

Erma Bombeck once said, ~Some emotions don't make a lot of noise. Its hard to hear pride. Caring is real faint-like a hearbeat. And pure love-why some days its so quiet, you don't even know its there.~ If you think about it, when it comes to matters of the heart every person wants to experience a sense of peaceful silence with someone special and for a many number of people they're experiencing it right now as we speak. Its a type of peaceful silence in which the serene sounds of true happiness aren't necessarily expressed out loud but rather in a quiet, relaxed manner. For its a calming situation indeed to be in a truly happy relationship where so many emotions/feelings sound off like silent fireworks within your heart that you alone can hear loud and clear.

As said before, there is a sense of peaceful silence when experiencing true happiness to the poitn where a soft distinct sound is heart that can initially describe the feelings/emotions you have for a potential and/or significant other without even saying a single word. A simple soft sigh may not make a lot of noise but if its followed by a smile it can most definitely get your attention. You see, a simple soft sigh can express out loud emotions/feelings of contentment, happiness, joy, caring, tenderness, committment, trust, respect, excitement, trust, honest, etc. Thinking about it, its those particular silents sounds of love/true love that considerably drowns out the noisy drama to where its no longer heard, which what one wants in a relationship.

Without a doubt, when drama happens it does make a lot of noise causing a person to be unable to hear, so to speak, not only emtionally but mentally as well. Its a sad state of affairs when you're not able to think straight or describe what you're feeling because of how noisy the drama is, especially if it involves heartbreak causing you to let out a sigh. Essentially, its that sigh in which emotions/feelings such as confusion, frustration, bitterness, utter contempt, disappointment, anger, apprehension, indecisiveness, doubt, worry, sadness, etc. can clearly be heard by others. I think it would be safe to say that for those who are dealing with issues involving heartbreak your head, as well as heart are filled with so much noisy negativity that its difficult to keep a smile on your face.

Let me ask you this question to those who are in a significant relationship, how many of you are enjoying the silence of love/true love with a guy/girl who gives you peace both mentally and emtionally. Oftentimes, being able to be together alone and doing something like sitting on the beach watching a sunset are considered trasured unspoken moments of silence. For a certain number of people the inner solice that is shared together with their best friend even when separated from him/her show that their presence is always felt within their heart no what where he/she is. Let me tell you something, to have that strong peaceful connection with someone where insteady of hearing the noise of drama within your heart you hear the steady, traquil sound of two hearts beating as one.

Someone said, ~Life is so ironic to understand fully. It takes sadness to know what is happiness. Noise to distinguish silence and a broken heart to find true love.~ In retrospect, to those who have found/met the person who makes him/her happy, they have God to thank for being able to keep them from not letting the soothing sound of hope and faith be drowned out by the oftentimes loud sound of sarcastic, cynicism that tends to ring very loudly in the ears of those of us such as myself who would like someday hear what true happiness actually sounds like. In the end, silence is golden for those lucky enough to have a kind of love that continually makes noise, in good way of course, in the quiet comfort of each other's heart.

A Thin Line

2010-06-21T07:28:00.003-05:00

Alice Walker once said, ~Love is big. Love can hold anger, love can hold pain, love can even hold hatred. It’s all about love.~ Without a doubt, a person can have a love/hate relationship when it comes to matters of the heart, especially for those who are living the single life. For it can be a joyful and exciting situation indeed for those who would like nothing more than to experience the euphoric bliss of true happiness with a guy/girl who brings out all the right emotions within your heart to the point where you always have a smile on your face. However, when heartbreak occus you're left to deal with all the wrong, unwanted emotions that are considerably dark in nature causing you to express more than just anger and haterd towards a past relationship.

Let me ask you this question to those who are single or have recently becoming single, if you were given the opportunity to talk no holds barred about the love/hate relationship you have with matters of the heart would you be able to your emotions in check? I think it would be say to say that for the most part one is able to keep their composure in the beginning but will find it increasingly difficult to keep it subdued before emotions run rampid. Frustration, disappointment, irriation, annoyed, bitterness, sadness, confusion, anger, hatred, regret, etc. are a handful of emotions that can well up within your heart reflecting back on a past relationship in which the guy/girl betrayed your trust to where your whole outlook on love progressively changes.

If you think about it, when it comes to the love/hate relationship in regards to matters of the heart involving getting your heart broken you can end up being angry at yourself. Why? You see, even though the cause of the broken relationship isn't your fault a part you can metaphorically beat yourself up to the point of asking questions that pertain to the who, what, when, how and why's concerning the emotionally pain of love, but the mental pain as well. Who will I be able to trust with my heart again? What am I doing wrong? When will I experience the happiness I deserve? How do I end up picking the wrong guys/girls? Why do I set myself up for getting hurt? Its those questions and much more that can lead you to the brink of insanity if you dwell on it.

For the questions can be asked to those who have had a painful breakup, how many of you have a love/hate relationship with your ex? Thinking about it, there is a certain amount of hatred you have for the guy/girl you loved with all your heart in the past and yet part of you may possibly love/care about him/her. Its natural to feel that way because on one hand you experienced great memories with someone who made you smile inside and out but on the ther hand, its that same person who caused you great pain, frustration, stress, sadness etc. Essentially, there comes a point where the decision is made to finally break ties with him/her in order to move on from the past and focus on the present leading to a better future for yourself filled with happiness and if kids are involved for them too.

In retrospect, there's alwasy going to be a love/hate relationship for those who are sarcastically cynical people such as myself who hope to fall in love someday but the hope we have tends to have its ups and downs causing our enthusiasm to be considerably effected as well. It can be hard to exude a positive outlook about the possibility of experiencing true happiness for yourself when you're inundated with news of infidelity combined with friends who are in happy relationships it can get annoying in which it causes you to want to bang your head against a hard surface. In the end, there's a thin line that separates the love/hate relationship with matters of the heart that can initially have us teeter tottering on the side of true happiness or the side of absolute misery, which begs the question what side are you mostly on?

Live Long and Prosper

2010-06-15T10:13:00.002-05:00

Italian film actress Sophia Loren once said, ~There is a fountain and youth: it is your mind, your ttalents, the creativity you bring to you life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will trully have defeated age.~ Let me ask you this question, how many of you are looking forward to your golden years spending it not only along side your significant other, but with children/grandchildren, as well as your partners in crime otherwise known as your gal pas/best buds. For its an interesting situation indeed to imagine ourselves in our formitave years causing each one of us to wonder if we're still going to be the same person and do the same things like we used to back in the day when we were younger.

Without a doubt, people who are in the their 30's like myself tend to complain or should I say joke around on how we're getting old. All joking aside though, the fact we've made it to/past our 30's is a testment that we've thankfully moved from our life is unfair hormone ridden drama filled searching for our own identity teenage years past our early 20's where one has the study hard/party even harder mentality to reaching the the thirty something stage of life, which for most women is not a pleasant age to reach. In any case, for those of us who are in our 30's you can't help but look back and find humor in the fact that when we were younger we used to make fun of the so called "old people" and now we've become the "old people" that these young kids today make fun of.

As said before in the quote above, there is a fountain of youth and it comes from our mind, talents, and the creativity you bring not only to your life but to other people's live's as well. Thinking about it, even though a person grows older physically the mind can still be sharp as ever as he or she creates something spectacular/breath taking/awe inspiring/ that it touches your heart and soul. Whether its in written form like a book/poem/essay or something made with one's hands like a painting/scultpure/drawing you are simply amazed at not only the imagination coming from within the mind of someone older, but the absolutely creativitity in which its created causes you to have even greater respect for those who paved the way for us.

For the question can be asked to many of you out there, have you thought about what its going to be like when you reach your golden age whenever that may be for you? If you think about it, there are certain advanatges to getting older as you can get the senior discount whenever you eat out and you practically say anything you want that comes to mind because you deserve the right to speak your mind. For us guys, we can flirt/make jokes with young women we meet possibly stealing a dance with them and the same can be said for women as well with strapping young men who they just want to pinch their cheeks. What it comes down is that age doesn't have to define you when you reach the latter part of your life and if you can still think it/say it/do it then go right ahead.

On Saturday May 8th, 2010, Betty White became the oldest person at the age of 88 to ever host the sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live giving the show itself its highest ratings ever in the history of their show. Fans made it their mission to have her as host started through facebook when she did a Snickers football commercial that also involved another ageless actor 89 year old Abe Vidgoda...yes he's still alive. The entire show was absolutely hilarious to the point where the SNL cast sang The Golden Girls theme song in honor of her but she flipped it turning it into thrash metal. In the end, you're only old as you feel and though at times I feel like Betty White's age I hope, along with many of you, to live long and prosper as she has with the vibrancy/sense of humor/sharp wit that she hasn't lost throughout the years.

Power To The Geek

2010-06-11T22:51:00.002-05:00

What is a geek? By definition its a term that refers to an individual who has a fair amount of knowledge when it pertains to certian things like music, video games, comic books, Japanese anime, books, television, movies, etc. Without a doubt, every person is considered a geek and whether you don't want to admit it yourself to the point of continually denying it don't because you are in fact are one. You see, geeks are everywhere and it may be a surprising situation indeed to know there are those who don't necessarily fit the typical geek persona whereby breaking a longstanding misconception. For a many number of people like myself have embraced their geeky side and quite frankly are not ashamed in revealing the extent of our geekiness.

Let me ask you this question, how many of you randomly quote movie line on any given day at work with your co-workers, friends, and/or family? I think it would be safe to say we all do it to the point where friends/family/co-workers join in and try to stump each other, especially if its about one particular move. Thinking about it, there are so many quotes from well known movies that geeks like myself can sat certain one off the top of our heads with even thinking about it. Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Star Wars, Spaceballs, Napolen Dynamite, Airplane, Airplane 2, Happy Gilmore, any Arnold Schwarzenegger movie, Barveheart, 300, The Princess Bride, etc. are just a handful of movies that geeks everywhere not only quote by heart, but enjoy quoting them to no end.

If you think about it, there comes a point as a geek where reminiscing about old tv shows you grew up with back in the day amongst friends is considered an enjoyable experiencing. If you grew up in the 80's/90's, shows like The A-Team, Knight Rider, Airworlf, Streethawk, The Highwayman, Simon and Simon, T.J. Hooker, Quincy, Columbo, Magnum P.I., The Fall Guy, Starman, Alien Nation, Remington Steele, Hart to Hart, Scarecrow and Ms. King, Miami Vice, Perfect Strangers, Quantum Leap, Hardcastle and McCormick, Moonlighting, Spencer For Hire, etc. were considered absolute entertaining. For instance, in what show can the bad guys not get shot but instead have a trail of bullets chasing them in The A-Team, which was awesome when you're a kid but as an adults its considered pretty lame.

For the question can be asked, when it comes to your favorite celebrities/singers who do you think is considered a geek? The answers may surprise you. Essentially, every guy fell in love with or had a crush on Winnie Cooper aka Danica McKeller from the Wonder Years. She not only considers herself a geek but also America's Best Dance Crew's Layla Kayleigh who is an avid gamer. Who else is an avid gamer? Actor Robin Williams and Chuck stars Zack Levi and Josh Gomez. Robert Downey Jr, is a comic book geek. Queen Guitarist Brian May is a rock & roll geek who was appointed Chancellor of Liverpool at John Moore Univeristy. Mr. Fast and the Furious Vin Diesel, whose real name is Mark Vincent, is a down and out Dungrons and Dragons geek, which may be surprising to many of you fans of his out there.

In retrospect, geeks are cool and always have been. In the past, they would be decribed as a person with bad hair, always sweaty, and uncoordinated. Not now as the the sterotype has changed immensely. Its not how much knowledge that we have when it comes to certain things like quoting countless movie lines off the top of you head or reading all the Happy Potter/Twilight book series, its how much you enjoy sharing it with others even though they may not share your enthusiasm. Hey, geeks are not just considered cool but from what I've read they are also considered an attractive, as well as sexy quality for certain number of women. Question, where are these women? In the end, I say to my fellow geeks all around the word power to the geek.

Falling Slowly

2010-06-03T11:33:00.008-05:00

Robert Frost once said, ~Two such as you with such a master speed cannot be parted nor be swept away from one another once you are agreed that life is only life forevermore together wing to wing and oar to oar.~ If you think about it, when it comes to matters of the heart a person can either fall instantly in love or gradually have it happen over a period of time that may take months even years. Its a fascinating situation indeed to observe both sides of the spectrum in which a number of people experience an instant connection whereas for others the connection was/is a gradual process towards true happiness. Essentially, it causes those who are single like myself to think/wonder if one should live by the mentality that life is too short to think/wonderin regards to love or is it truly worth taking your time for?

Without a doubt, the feelings and emotions you have a for a certain someone even one you haven't met yet can most definitely stir within your heart. For its that person who is an absolute unknown but as soon as you meet him/her you somehow have that feeling you've known that person for quite some time. Oftentimes, there are moments where you do meet someone causing all your emotions and feelings to quickly rise to the surface of your heart to the point where your thoughts become actual words said out loud to yourself, which has possibly happened to every person in the past or is currently happening for a many number people as we speak. Thinking about it, its those words that can cause you to react to where you can either find yourself walking a slow, steady pace towards true happiness or run fast and run the risk of making a total fool of yourself.

As said before, there are people out there who have the mentality that life is too short in regards to love so you have to make it happen and create that connection. However, the connection that is quickly established one moment can unfortunately be broken the next because there wasn't anything solid to hold on to, in a manner of speaking. Its a sad state of affairs when guys/girls don't have any sense or realization of who they're with because they are so focused on both the physical, as well as the superficial aspect of the relationship leading to the person's whole mood to change. For a number of people, they know all too well the fast downward spiral of suffering utter heartbreak and then experiencing the slow painful process of completely erasing any sign of him/her not only from their mind, but their heart as well.

Let me ask you this question to those who have suffered a painful heartbreak, when you eventually found love again that is genuinly and honestly real was it instant or did you take time for it to happen? In some aspect, one's heart is like a ship and when you go through a hard breakup/divorce your heart, in a sense, sinks fast or slow into the dark depths of sadness depending on the relationship itself with the guy/girl in question. For the hearts of a number people are metaphorically located at the bottom of the ocean or currenly sinking because of being hit by a cannonball that they didn't see coming. You see, ladies and gentlemen there comes a point where your heart will eventually see the light of day or stop sinking as you meet someone who repairs the hole within your heart causing your hopes of a brighter and hopeful future to slowly rise once again.

In restrospect, love/true is something that not too many people have been lucky to find because of unfortunate experiences they've had in the past. For some, most or all people they feel as if they're seemingly on the fast track to heartbreak despite taking it slow with that supposedly special guy/girl. In a way, its like they're always on the losing end of the battle and are so sick and tired of it that just once he/she would like to know the feeling of finally being able to win one for a change, which is an experience that from what I hear/have been told by frends who have been through it is worthwhile. In the end, I know I will fall in love someday and when it comes to the speed that which it happens I hope it doesn't have me falling fast but rather falling slowly, which is a song from the movie Once by Glen Hansford and Market Irglova that reflects this thought.

Let It Fly

2010-05-28T07:14:00.002-05:00

William Wordsworth once said, ~ Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.~ In some aspect, love is like a paper airplane and there is most definitely a process you go through in order to create something you want to see fly to the point where it never falls to the ground. Thinking about it, the paper is a represenation of our own heart as each fold made in regards to our own thoughts, feelings, and emotions help in always keeping our hopes of true happiness up in the air. Essentially, there is a sense of fun, joy, and excitement in the creation of a paper airplane as a kid back in the day. For its that same sense of fun, joy, and excitement can also be found in creating something absolutely special involving matters of love/true love.

If you think about it, making a paper airplane isn't as easy as it look as each fold you make determines how much detail and effort you put into something so worthwhile it lasts a lifetime. In a way, that is what every person wants when it comes to being in a strong, loving relationship as the folds of trust, contentment, hope, faith, communication, respect, honesty, intimacy, security, patience, caring, tenderness, understanding, etc. are considered key steps in creating in all intensive purposes an aerodynamic, smooth flowing bond. For its a tough situation indeed to try experience love in which a guy/girl is able to correctly fold areas of his/her/your heart that either have special meaning or is sensitive in nature.

Without a doubt, there are men and women out there whose heart has become crinkled beyond recognition because of being folded and unfolded so many times over. Its a sad state of affairs for any person to find themselves constantly starting over again unfolding their heart or flattening it out after its been crinkled/crumpled up and tossed in the garbage, in a manner of speaking. For some, most, or all people know all-too-well the feeling as if they're heart will not be able to take much more "abuse" before it ends up tearing up or quite possibly has already torn up. Let me telling you something ladies and gents. the human heart can endure the pain of utter of heartbreak as it just takes the tape of time and close friends to help mend/heal you heart.

Let me ask you this question to those who made paper airplanes as a kid, did you ever try to add or be fancy with it by doing something such as making two small tears on either side of the back of the wings to create flaps? Here's another question, did it actually help any? Oftentimes, when it comes love there comes a point where a person will try to add on/be fancy by tearing or should I say enhancing the relationship in order to make it better but ends up making it worse to the point where you're left not only holding part of the relationship in one's hand that's been unfortunately torn off, but also a part one's heart that has been torn off as well. Hey, what it comes down to is knowing that you don't need to make any changes whatsoever to love because its perfect just the way it.

In retrospect, each one of us wants to experience a type of love/true love where you don't want to a relationship that is haphazzardly put it together to where you end up with uneven folds leading to one wing larger than the other or whatever the case may be. You see, it takes a step by step process involving folding areas of you heart that are what's most important in a relationship all-the-while keeping the creases of your thoughts, feelings and emotions nicely aligned that when you meet/find someone who is also taking that same step by step process you know he's/she's genuinely real, which is rare to find these days. In the end, I say to those of you who are currently creating/have created together a paper airplane of love in which both of you are breathing new life into each other's heart let it fly.

That's Real

2010-05-22T07:20:00.001-05:00

Someone once said, ~Real love hurts, real love makes you totally open and vulnerable. Real love will take you far behind yourself, and therefore real love will devistate you. If love doesn't shatter you you will not know love.~ Without a doubt, real love is something every person like myself is anxiously waiting for to have happen. For a certain number of people they are currently experiencing the euphoric bliss of real love that has taken them to places within that is remarkably amazing and too few people have traveled, so to speak. However, for some people they've experienced the utter misfortune of fake love that hasn't taken their heart anywhere except to an all too familiar place where borken hearts and shatters dreams of true happiness reside.

If you think about it, when it comes to the aspect of real love it gives the opportunity to willingly put their heart on the line for each other by opening themselves up not just in the physical sense, but in the emotional sense as well. Its a tough situation indeed to to open up emotionally as you're allowing yourself to be seen as the person you truly are rather than the person you're not. Thinking about it, you can most definitely close yourself off to certain aspects of your life that you're afraid to share becfause its just either too embarrassing or too painful to talk about. Let me tell you something, real love sits right by your side crying/laughing along with you and not at/because of you whereby making the relationship between the two of you a much stronger dynamic.

As said before, experiencing the misfortune of fake love leaves you in all intensive purposes stranded alone in the middle of nowhere within your heart. Its a sad state of affairs for those who have been in a past relationship where what they thought was real love was in fact just a mere illusion on his/her part. Essentially, love is capable of being real if two people work hard in order to make it that way. However, when you have a guy/girl who acts as if its real, doesn't put in the work, and only in the relationship for superficial reasons then it makes the reality of being used than loved all the more devastating, which is seemingly prevelent these days with the rise of the break up rate in couples not only in the dating world, but also in the marriage world in regards to divorce.

Let me ask you this questions to those who are in significant relationships, has there ever been a situation that both of you experienced where it tested how real you're love for each is? Oftentimes, one of the biggest challenges in a relationship to face is having arguments that test you're willingness to actually listen to each other in order to work through/solve the particular problem or just sit there acting like you're listening but all you're doing is thinking up what're going to say to make your point known, which quite frankly makes matters even worse. Hey, when you really love someone you take the time to sit down opening both your heart and your ears to listen taking everything what he/she has to say in because if both aren't open then you're not communicating properly.

In retrospect, the differnce between real love and fake love boils down to many things but for me personally its about one thing...not being selfish. You know you have a love that is truly real when the sincerity of one's thought and actions are shown from his/her own heart in an unselfish way for one's significant other. In the end, love isn't some make believe fairy tale fantasy that always has relationships ending happy ever after because that's not real; but if you accept the harsh reality of how seriously hard relationship can be and how it takes constant hard work in being able to open up, being fully present, and communicate with each other when arguments occur whereby making the story love or true love for that matter so special then my friend I say to you now that's real.

With You

2010-05-17T16:09:00.006-05:00

Someone once said, ~Sometimes you meet somebody and you know that whatever you did before, it must have been right...nothing could've have been too bad or gone too wrong because it led you to this person.~ If you think about it, when it comes to matters of the heart, you don't necessarily know what you did or how you ever pulled it off but you're in a relationship with someone who love/cares about you. Guys, more often than not, have a tendency to not have a clue as to how they ended up meeting, fall in love with, and inevitably marrying an absolutely bueatiful woman. For it befuddles the mind of any guy when he's chosen by a woman who not only one believes is totally out of his league but has no earthly idea as to what she sees in him, which merits a sense of disbelief.

Without a doubt, guys like myself aren't considered the hero when it pertains to "saving" a woman from finding themselves in a perilous situation involving their own heart being broken or shattered into a million pieces. For its a tough situation indeed to cautiously enter/approach when heartbreak happens knowing the words we say in order to comfort her may not at times be what she wants to hear causing us to possibly be seen as the proverbial bad guy because of how harsh the truth is. Yet, as much as the truth hurts coming from a our own mouth women can't deny the fact that there is actual merit as to the points/facts we're trying to guide you towards, which can be quite difficult to do because half the time we're simply shooting from the hip, so to speak.

As a guy, you can most definitely be surprised when a beautiful woman who is totally out one's league chooses to spend time/hang with the likes of us who don't normally exude the rugged looks and the physically fit physique. Its so surprising mind you that one can do a literal double take as to whether or not you're actually with her causing you to think it may possibly be a dream because if it is you don't ever want to be woken up. Thinking about it, there are plenty of guys who have this mindset they aren't the dream come true for their signifcant other knowing full well in their woman's eyes he is. Let me tell you something ladies, if you ever notice your bf/husband look at you and has a completely dumbfounded look on his face he's wondering why you're even with him or why you chose him.

Let me ask you this question to you ladies out there, have you ever been at a crossroads within your own heart when it came to making the decision between a guy who can provide you with everything you ever wanted in life or a guy who can only try to give you all that he can provide knowing its not going to be easy whatsoever? Its a sad state of affairs when women chose the luxurious life only to find themselves absolutely miserable. Essentially, if you chose the guy who isn't a miracle worker, doesn't make your dreams come true right away, or doesn't have the capacity to be the key that opens every door BUT is able to give you something special to hold on to where you're experience absolute true happiness then you made the right decision.

In retrospect, women will find love/true love for that matter in a guy who is oftentimes the least likely to be the man of their dreams. For the most part, its a guy who at first may not think of himself as someone who is the quintessential knight in shining armor or doesn't feel he can measure up in a physical way to other guys out there. Yet, despite that he makes it up with a sense of morality, geuine honesty, being real instead of being/acting like someone else, and having a big heart, which is rare for women to even find these days. In the end ladies, remember there are guys out there who aren't like the rest and when you meet him he'll say to you I may not be what you expected but I'll always be the man in love with you, which is a song by actor/country singing legend George Strait.

If It Ain't Broke...

2010-05-14T17:18:00.000-05:00

Mary Schmich once said, ~The movies we love and admire are to some extent a function of who we are when we see them.~ Without a doubt, we all grew up watching cartoons to where they have not only become pop culture, but aslo a staple of our own childhood. Essentially, when the cartoons we watched as kids end up on teh big screen you can most definitely be a bit weary and yet at the same time excited as well. I think it would be safe to say every person who grew up watching the orginial animated series Tranformers were stoked when it was made into a movie, which I personally saw at least 3 times. However, there are certain cartoons made into movies that just didn't/won't live to the hype such as Masters of the Universe, G.I.Joe, and the upcoming 4th Spider-Man reboot.

Let me ask you this question, did anyone think that Masters of the Universe starring Dolf Lundgrin live up to your own personal standards? Personally speaking it didn't for me because it quite frankly fell way short of the mark when compared to the cartoon series for several different reasons. First off, the cartoon series focused on Prince Adam turning into He-Man whereas the movie never shows it or mentions his other persona for that matter. Second is Battlecat...nuff said. Thirdly, one of my favorites in the cartoon was never shown leaving me disappointed indeed and I think you know who I'm talking about...Orko. Let me tell you something, there are so many things I can rant off about but I must move on.

If you think about it, there are certain cartoons that will forever be part of our childhood such as the series G.I. Joe. For its once of those cartoon series that every young boy like myself possibly yelled out "Yo Joe" and bought the toy merchandise...but I digress. When the movie G.I.Joe: The Rise of Cobra came out last year I was stoked but coming out of the theaters I was left confused and perplexed not about the movie but the decision on pairing characters up that didn't make any sense at all. If you know you're Joe cartoon history Scarlett is with Duke and Baroness is with Destro but for some reason Duke is Baroness and Scarlett is with Rip Cord....Rip Cord! Personally speaking, I was preoccupied with trying to figure out why that my enthusiasm for the movie slowly went away.

For the question can be asked how many of you watched Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends as a kid growing up. It would be only a matter of time before it became a movie starring Toby Maguire who is and will be Peter Parker. The first 2 movies were outstanding but the 3rd installmant ws ok. There is news is that the 4th installment will be a complete reboot where it goes back to his high school days, which sounds promising until I found out that 3 key people are not returning. The Director Sam Raimi, Kirstin Dunst, and Toby Maguire have signed off on the picture leaving fans like myself to speculate that picture will royally fail because to be perfertly honest Kirst Dunst and Toby Maquire will always be in my eyes Mary Jane and Peter Parker.

In retrospect, many movies based on comic book/cartoons have made it to the big screen that have either failed miserably or have been an absolute sucess. Daredevil, Fantastic Four, Steele, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, Ghost Rider, Spider-Man, Superman, Batman, CatWoman, Scooby Doo, Josie and the PussyCats, X-Men, Wolverine, the upcoming Avengers/Thor movie, etc. are just a long line of characters that many of have seen jump of fhe pages of our comics or televisions on to the big screen. Yet, as a fan we have a right to voice our opinion when a douche bag director makes the decision to remake "The Crow" in order to be more realistic is a very bad idea for so many different reasons. In the end, when it comes to turning cartoons from our childhood into big screen blockbuster movies I can speak for my fellow peeps and say if it ain't broke don't fix it.

Face-Off

2010-05-09T22:56:00.003-05:00

"Mr. Hockey" Gordie Howe once said, ~You've got to love what you're doing. If you love it, you can overcome any handicap or the soreness or all the aches and pains, and continue to play for a long, long time.~ If you think about it, life can oftentimes be compared Canada's favorite sporting event and that is the game of hockey. In a sense, we're all on the so called ice rink of life all suited up with hockey stick in hand and ready for battle each time we wake up in the morning. For it can be a tough situation indeed to get to one end of the blue line to the other knowing full well you're going to quite possibly encounter obstacles in front/all around you in order to reach and slap the puck that represent out own individual goals, ambitions, aspirations, dreams, etc. between the pipe.

Let me ask you this question to all you hockey fans out there, what aspect of the game itself do you thoroughly enjoy? For some, most, or all people its rooting for their favorite team such as the Red Wings, Canucks, Rangers, Islanders, Kings, Habs, and the list goes on. Though each of us many not be on a well known professional hockey team being cheered on by the crowd, we do however have groups of people rooting us on as we skate with the puck in our possession towards the pipe in hopes of hearing the blaring siren of sweet success. You see, no matter how many mistakes made, losses suffered, close personal/professional victories taken away. etc. its your "fans" known as family/friends who will always cheer you on whether you win or lose.

Without a doubt, there are times in life where we metaphorically find ourselves in the penalty box of life, so to speak. I think it would be safe to say where we've exprienced those stressful days where absolutely nothing goes right leaving you with a plethora of emotions to the point where you want to just drop your gear in order to throw down. When I say throw down it doesn't necessaruly mean in the physical sense when taking you're "opponents" jersey, pull it over their head, and just beat the living snot of him/her. It can also be in the verbal sense as well. Let me tell you something, there have been days where I've wanted and actually at some point have body checked certain people through the plexiglass and felt good doing it afterwards.

For the question can be asked to those who are single, how many of you have felt or are feeling as if you're always being tripped, trapped, speared, slashed, roughed up, penalized, kneed, high sticked in the face, head butted, elbowed, cross checked, and/or have found yourself triple deked when it pertains to matters of the heart? Thinking about it, hockey is physically a tough sport and yet when it comes to your own heart there is an emotional toughness you go through as one will metaphorically be beaten up, battered, and bruised trying to maneuver your hockey puck of a heart into the five hole of someon's heart, whoever it may be, all-the-while up against "opponents" who try to stop you seemingly by any any means necessary from accomplishing that goal.

Gordie Howe said, ~You find that you have peace of mind and can enjoy yourself, get more sleep, and rest when you know that it was a one hundred percent effort you gave - win or lose.~ In retrospect, in the ice rink of life we're going to be up against "opponents" that will try to take you out either in a mental, physical, emotional, or spiritual way. Hey, like the saying goes when life hits you then you hit it back. We all may not be a Mario Lemieux, Brett Hull, Patrick Roy, Eric Lindros, Jaromir Jagr, Mark Messier, or the great Wayne Gretzky but we use the skills we have to overcome life's obstacles in order to not only get our puck into the net, but win our proverbial Stanley Cup. In the end, every day we find ourselves at center ice in a face-off wilth life itself and win or lose we hope to leave everything on the ice giving 110%.

Wait For It

2010-05-04T18:56:00.001-05:00

Brian Adams once said, ~Learn the art of patience. Apply discipline to your thoughts when they become anxious over the outcome of a goal. Impatience breeds anxiety, fear, discouragement, and failure. Patience creates confidence, decisiveness, and a rational outlook, which eventually leads to success.~ Let me ask you this question, how many of you truly believe in that old familiar saying patience is a virtue? I think it would be safe to say we all have and for a certain number of people its not a character trait that doesn't quite fit whereas its fits just fine for others. For its a tough situation indeed to exude patience as one waits for aspects of life to come to fruition especially when it pertains to the following three things: decision making, job opportunities, and matters of the heart.

Without a doubt, the decisions each of us make on a semi-daily basis exude a particular amount of patience, depending on how big it is. Its how quickly one responds to those decisions that can essentially determine whether you're the type of person who is totally spontaneous and takes an absolute risk or thoroughly thinks it all through weighing the pros, as well as, cons of said decision. What it primarily comes down to is how anxious a person is in making the decision and how high on the level of importance scale it is that you hopefully don't end up regretting it later. Hey, we've all made in the past rash decisions that have bitten us in the butt, so to speak, inevitably giving us one of many hard lessons to learn in regards to the lack of patience in the decision making department.

As said before in the quote above, impatience breeds anxiety, fear, discouragement, and failure espeically when it concerns patiently waiting for a potential job opportunity. For some, most, or all people have been in a situation where they were so impatient in getting a job that they felt a sense of anxiety, fear, and discouragement from the lack of responses despite consistantly putting one's resume out there. Its those lack of responses that can mentally breed a sense of fear that will have you worry about how you will able to pay off certain expenses. However, once you do get a response its best to get all the information concerning the job or you'll end up in a position where you're in over your head because you jumped the gun in wanting a job that oftentimes looks to good to be true.

For the question can be asked, when it comes to matters of the heart how many of you are still patiently waiting for the right person to step into your life? As a single guy, I can attest that its difficult to wait for the right person and yet by having patience you essentially successfully grow in confidence, deciveness, and rational thinking. I think it would be safe to say there are many people out there who are now sure about themselves, are very decisive on not settling on the first guy/girl they're with, and made rational decisions not with just their heart to where they are currently experiencing true happiness with their best friend for life. Let me tell you something, its better to wait and know it than to end up making a big mistake and blowing it.

Psalm 27:14 says, ~Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.~ In retrospect, there is a lot in life that can test our patience as it can most definitely push us to the brink of insanity mentally, physically, emotionally, and spirtually as well. Its a sad state of affairs when a person doesn't have the courage or strength for the matter to have patience when it come to certain aspects of life, especially when it involves matters of the heart. What it primarily comes down to is knowing its in God's timing as he guides you to the right decisions, the right job you're suited for, and the right guy/girl who will make you truly happy. In the end, I say this to you as it as it has been said to me many times over, which is pray to God and wait for it.

A Neverending Story

2010-04-29T10:28:00.005-05:00

Someone once said, ~True Love. It isn't some insignificant passing thing. Its lasting and its solid-it doesn't change just because things around you do. Its doesn't waver, or disappear just because you're faced with problems. It doesn't fade away just because you get older. Its fixed, its sold, and it doesn't change-its the bright point of someone's life, brings them back on their path in life when they're lost Its endless.~ Without a doubt, we all want to experience our own story of true love that is able to stand the test of time and for a certain number of people they're fortunate enough to be living it. For its indeed a story like any other of patience, triumph, disappointment, tragedy, moments of frustrations, times of regret, sadness, joy, and everything in between that make finally experiening true happiness such an absolute epic tale, so to speak.

As said before, we all want to experience our own story of true love that we can essentially pass on from generation to generation that is most definitely worth hearing. I think it would be safe to say we've all heard the stories told by our grandparents/great grandparents who truly knew the meaning of what true love is all about to the point where it can bring tears to your eyes. Its when you sit and listen to them telling their story you see the light shining brightly in both their eyes as they not only continue to look lovingly at each other with the same burning passion they have for one another when they first met, but are able to still see the young/man woman they fell in love with 50, 60, 70 years ago. Let me tell you something, its those kinds of heartwarming stories of true love you don't get to hear all too often and I'm sad to say are very rarly heard these days.

If you think about, when it comes to the epic tale that is true love problems will be encountered, which is to be expected in any relationship. Yet, its how those particular problems are handled that determine whether or no the both of you want to continue the story knowing the work the both of you put into the relationship wasn't an easy process by any means whatsoever or end up just another sad story of a broken relationship where its easier now a days for two people to just walk away/give up/quit than to get to the root of the problem in a relationship. What it primarily comes down to is pride and oftentimes you have to set aside one's foolish, selfish pride and deal with the unresolved issues possibly involving fears/insecruties face to face for the sake of the relationship or the story you've imagined wanting for so long within your heart will never come true.

Let me ask you this question to those in a significant relationship, how many of you truly know that the story your bf/husband/wife/gf are writing together will always be filled with endless amounts of happiness and excitement ? In all honestly, you can't know and that is what makes true love such a tremendous story as the both of you will find yourselves in situations that are so unbelieveable you can't help but laugh. A sense of humor is vital because it helps you get past the seriousness of life that tends to throw at you from time to time to where it leaves both of you so stressed out you want to kill each other. Thinking about it though, to look back at past chapters of your lives together with your forever best friend and being able to laugh through it all, the good and most certainly the bad, makes life worth living don't you think?

In retrsopect, stories of true love never change but its the people and circumstances concering those people that do. Its solid and can completely change a person's life to where it can metaphorically erase chpaters of past heartbreak. Granted, each of us have been in the past or currently finding ourselves lost because of the pain leaving us wandering around within our own heart but through faith, hope, the love of friends/family and fervent prayer to God you'll be guided on the right path to true love. Stories of true happiness. always have a beginning, a middle, and an end, which is a formula that has always worked. In the end though, when it comes to your own personal story there will always be for you a beginning, a middle, but no ending because the epic tale of true love you're currently writing together/hope to write someday with someone special is/will be a neverending story.

Love Conquers All

2010-04-20T19:14:00.003-05:00

Someone once said, ~I've never been in love so I guess I don't know the happiness of love. I've never been nor am I now. I'm kind of afraid to step that deep into something because I'm just tired of giving everything I've got. But its hard when you know that you could be giving more but you're just giving what you want to give, not because you're receiving less but just because, just simply because you're afraid to admit to yourself that you would give that person your whole world. And your just afraid that your whole world or your everything just might not be enough. You just don't want to end up empty handed and admit to yourself you want to give that person everything.~ Let me ask you this question, whether it the first time or lucky enough to get a second chance at it, how many of you are quite honestly afraid to fall in love?

WIthout a doubt, love and fear will always coincide with each other causing a plethora of mixed emotions/feelings such as confusion, frustation, doubt, worry, sadness, happiness, elation, joy, contentment, etc. Its a tough situation indeed to be falling in and/or being in love with someone who at the same time absolutely scares the living daylights out of you. Why? Essentially, you're allowing the guy/girl a true glimpse of the person you truly are to where the walls you've built up gradually come done leaving at a level of vulnerability that causes you to be extremely uncomfortable. As much as you want to emotionally and mentally shut yourself off because of how uncomfortably scary it is knowing how comfortable you've become in the so called cocoon of sarcastic cynicism there is a small part of you that wants to experience what those around you are forever cherishing...true happiness.

As said before from the quote above, one can be afraid to step that deep into something because of being tired of constanty giving yourself emotionally, mentally, personally, spiritually, and physically but receiving nothing back in return. I think it would be safe to say a woman knows all too well of stepping in deep into a relationship with a guy only to find he hasn't committed himself into stepping in deeper causing her to in all intensive purposes sink into the depths of heartbreak as tears of sadness are shed. Thinking about it, for any woman, as well as many guys out there the fear of finding yourself deep in love can be intensely scary to where you either back off because you honestly don't know how to handle it or you move foward knowing that even though you're scared out of your mind you have that certain someone by your side who is possibly as scared as you are.

Personally speaking, I have never been in love or have never really known the feeling of what falling in love is like. Of course, I've been in the puppy love/infatuated/like stages of pre-love/true love but when in comes to falling deeply in love I can honestly say it scares me to no end. However, as a single guy who is mostly surrounded by friends who are married, you get the opportunity to learn/seek advice from them on the fears each couple has faced or is currently facing in the course of 3...8...20 years of marriage. Essentially, one of the many fears that many of them face is allowing himself/herself to be completely open and honest to their bf/husband/gf/wife without fear of being laughed at, judged, or rediculed. Let me tell you something, there are certain things I'm afraid of that I haven't shared with anyone or even with my best friend for that matter but hope to someday with the one I love.

In retrospect, the fear of love is something that quite a few people have overcome depsite experiencing their own personal relationship nightmares. Its a sad state of affairs for a certain number of people who have the inability to get past their fears of a past relationship that quintessentially has left them with emotional and mental scars that haven't been able to heal. For its those scars that have caused him/her to be scared when a guy/girl who is genuinely and honestly real steps into his/her life inevitably turning one's world upside down. In the end, matters of the heart are scary but if you keep in mind that when you meet someone special who even though scares the living daylights out of you, in a good way of course, then you'll be able to face and possibly overcome all your fears together leading you to the realization that the old familiar saying rings true...love conquers all.

Hold On

2010-04-12T12:31:00.007-05:00

Crystal Southerland once said, ~Love is like a balloon...when you push your relationship with someone forward it is like blowing up a balloon. If you blow too hard and too fast the balloon pops and likewise the relationship breaks. But if you take things slowly and let the balloon of love strech on its own, it grows into a huge, prosperous balloon full of love. Also, if you don't push the relationship at all or at least hold it at the same level it was at, the air flows out of the balloon, deflating it, and your love will shrivel up and become flat and lifeless. So when you are in love, push the relationship foward slowly and gently and the balloon will grow comfortably into a strong immense love.~ Let me ask you this question, do you believe that you can never go too far when it comes to "blowing up" the balloon of love/true love?

As said before in the beginning quote, love is like a balloon and the amount of love you in all intensive purposes breathe into it determines whether you're committed to filling it fully or just stopping half way. Essentially when it comes to matters of the heart you can most definitely find yourself not only mentally and physically pushing forward, but emotionally as well. For its a scary and tough situation indeed to make the decision to go from being just a friend to wanting to be more than a friend. Every person has been or currently is in a situation where you're, in a way, breathing into the heart of a special someone slowly filling it with a certain amount of trust, security, honesty, care, hope, faith, love, tenderness, respect, contentment, etc. because too much can cause it to metaphorically pop in your face, which is an unfortunate experience quite a few people have been through.

If you think about it, there have been coutnless relationships in the past where the balloon of love have been deflated, in a manner of speaking, because of not pushing forward hard enough. What do I mean? You see, for a certain number of people they have given up too easily on relationships because its just too hard to deal with whereby letting all the love he/she supposedly has for a potential and/or significant other escape causing it either end up blowing back in their face or flying around inevitably falling to the ground shrivelled, empty, and lifeless. Thinking about it, its those who give up to easily on love who aren't willing to push themselves mentally, emotionally, physically, as well as, spiritually till their red in the face. What it comes down to is putting the work in to make a relationship last, which I'm sad to say is quite rare these days.

For the question can be asked to those who are in a potential and/or significant relationship, how many you before ever establishing a closeness where feelings and emotions bonded you together in the balloon of love you first stretched out the balloon of friendship? I think it would be safe to say every person at some point physically stretched a balloon so that it will be able to not only easily inflate, but make room for more air to fill it. Without a doubt, when you give time in establishing a friendship before love ever happens you have room for growth between the two you. Oftentimes, by allowing room for growth you're able to gradually stretch, so to speak, each other's hearts to where you don't have to ever worry/fear of quite possibly over filling it with endless amounts of trust, happiness, honesty, respect, hope, faith, love, contentment, etc. that will have it burst just like a balloon.

In retrospect, when you believe you've met the right person you do your best to keep the balloon of love you have with him/her inflated. Of course, there will be times where the air will leak out because of stupid mistakes, which become lessons learned. For the most part, you just have to continue supporting and not quitting on each other when you think there is no more air left in the relationship allowing it to become all shrivelled up. Unfortunately, there are people out ther rather twisted and/or bored who simply enjoy popping the balloon of true happiness wanting nothing more than to see a couple deflate right before their eyes. In the end, to those have found/met their love/true love hold on to each other not too tightly where you "pop" him/her letting all the air out but not too gently either where he/she can easily slip from your fingers to float away to possibly never be seen again.

Amen

2010-04-09T22:54:00.003-05:00

John Bunyan once said, ~Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan.~ Without a doubt, the power of prayer is something wonderous to behold as you put all your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to answer what you specifically have been praying about. It can most definitely a tough and frustrating situation indeed to continually prar for a specific need/request pertaining to your own life only to not have it come to fruition. What it primarily comes down to is waiting patiently for God to answer you prayers. For it may not be answered immediately or the next day because when it comes to Him answering our prayers its within his time, especially when it involves important decision making, family/friends, and matters of the heart.

As said before, when it comes to God answering our prayers He answers them within His time, especially when it pertains to making important decisions concerning one's life. I think it would be safe to say every person has prayed to the Lord above about a potential job opportunity or for that matter deciding to leave a job he/she has been a part of for quite some time. Each one of us have been or currently in a situation where you're either contemplating leaving a job to find something worthwhile whereas others are in search for a job that makes him/her happy all-the-while putting one's faith in Him looking for spiritual guidance. Personally speaking, I am faithfully praying that God will lead me to a job where I am not only happy, but it will be a career I will thoroughly enjoy.

If you think about it, the power of prayer works in regards to family and friends particularly when health issues occur. You, see in life there comes a point where it hands us an unexpected blow leaving us to experience a plethora of unwanted feelings, thoughts, and emotions. However, despite the turmoil you, family, and/or your friend are going through during that trying time you pray to God for strength as you leave all your worries/fears to Him. Its a sad state of affairs when a person doesn't pray and ends up blaming God for letting it even happen to the point where he/she not only gradually loses faith, but inevitably believes there is no God. Let me tell you something, don't ever lose faith or belief in Him because its not a matter of opening your eyes to see Him as its a matter of opening your heart.

Let me ask you this question to those who are and were single, how many of you prayed to the man upstairs to send you/guide you to that certain someone special bringing absolute true happiness? As a single guy, I pray that God senda me or at least has me meet a woman who loves me for just being myself along with my geeky/nerdy quirks. Whether I have met her not its my faith in God as He gives me the wisdom to properly ascertain if she is "the one." On the flip side, to those who have prayed are now in a long lasting, loving relationship in the bonds of holy matrimony with a guy/girl who has fulilled all his/her prayers and then some. Hey, I tip my hat to all you ladies and gents out there who didn't give up praying because you are now undeniably happy with your forever best friend.

Psalm 4 says, ~Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou has enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.~ In retrospect, there are so many amazing and unbelieveable stories that are shared from people who ferverntly prayed to God. Thinking about it, all throughout the Bible you've read countless people who faithfully prayed to God like Daniel who was in the Lion's Den, John the Baptist's time in prison, Job's turmoil by way of God's hand, etc. For the question can be asked, how many of us can honestly say that when it comes to our own prayer life can it compare to those men mentioned above? In the end, the prayers we say during the day or at night are request that hopefully come true and when they eventually do one word best describes it all...Amen.

A Fresh Start

2010-03-21T20:34:00.002-05:00

Richard Bach once said, ~Don't be discourage at goodbyes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again after moments or a lifetime, is certain for those who are friends.~ Without a doubt, working at the insane asylum aka the youth center for the past 12 years has had its highest of highs and lowest of lows. For its a tough situation indeed to walk away from a place that has felt like home and yet I did knowing it was my time to leave. Thinking about it, I knew one day I would have to leave but the exact date was a complete uncertainty until now. Essentially, what I will most remember during my 12 long years there are the fun times, the drama, and the relationships built over a period of time that will last a lifetime.

Let me ask you this question, how many of you get paid to have fun at your job? Personally speaking, I had a blast being a big kid taking part with "my kids" in activities such as go karts, movies, bowling, pool, the beach, Waterville, counselor/kids basketball games, paintball, skating, laser tag, minature golf, atc. Oftentimes, when it coems to certain activities like basketball games, bowling, and go karts, which I have a tendency to be competitve to the point where I've been known to ram a child up against the wall during a race. Hey, my mentality is that if you're old enough to to get behind the wheel of a go kart then its every person person for one's self and the counself/kid relationship doesn't exist once the light turns green.

If you think about it, every place of business has to deal with some kind of drama and the youth center was certainly no exception. It truly befuddles the mind on how I've been able to mentally last in a place where something seems to always be heard, said, and/or done whether its between employees/management to where problems occur. You see, not a doay goes by where as soon as you step into the building you can sense something is in the air causing you to on high alert. Its a sad state of affiar when you feel emotionally, physically, and most of all mentally exhauste/stressed out when dealing with the drama than with the kids themselves. Let me tell you something, there have been times where I didn't want to go to work because of what has gone in the past and still continuing after I left.

For the question can be ask to those who work or have worked in the child care/youth profession, how strong is the relationship you built with not just the kids but with the parents of those kids as well? As I've said before in a past yodaism that you will sure become attached to the kids who you've gotten to know, especially over a 12 year period. However its not just the counselor/kid attachement that can have has such a strong bond as its also the established bond between parent/counselor that makes part of the job worthwhile. You see, in a way, you've become part of their extended family as you helped raise their child and when you tell him/her/them you're leaving its sad, shocking news to hear.

In retrospect, it was Mr. Mike Sidebottom who took a chance giving me my start and even went as so far as saying he liked me. It seems like only yesterday that I first walked into the doors of the YC and being the newbie that I was didn't know what to expect and now 12 years later I am the first of the last big 3 of the YC with my best friend Biggie and my mentor Ms. Cindy as the last two of the original counselors to leave. Ultimately, I attain a wealth of knowledge, as well as training that will quite possibly serve me well down the road. Though I walk away from friends/co-workers and "my kids" I have gotten to know I do not say goodbye because all roads lead back to where you started from and I will pop in from time to time to say hi. In the end, its a fresh start for with a bright future of endless possibilities as I venture off into a new path and you know what I'm not looking back.

Unbreak My Heart

2010-03-14T14:49:00.006-05:00

Someone once said, ~Of course, you're going to get your heart broken. And it isn't just going to happen once, but a lot. That's just part of growing up, and it makes you stronger. Then you can handle it better next time. You may not get through it yourself, but your friends will help you through it. And you'll be a stronger person because of it. Then one day someone will come along, and it'll all pay off and no one will ever break your heart again.~ Without a doubt, matters of the heart can at times be considered a cruel bastard. For its a tough situation indeed to face heartbreak leaving you with so many unanswered questions, especially if those questions left unanswered pertain to a certain someone you are in real genuine like with.

If you think about it, when it comes to the pangs of utter heartbreak you try to make sense of the actions and/or words of the guy/girl in question who done you wrong. Essentially, when you absolutely know the reason or reasons for why you're heartbroken you can deal with it all-the-while gradually healing mentally, emotionally, personally, and spiritually. However, when you're left without any answers to speak of you deal with it by trying to search for the answers and its during the search the pain will gradually grow to the point where you inevitably become mentally, emotionally, personally, as well as spiritually numb within your heart due to the sheer impact of it all, which is an experience quite a number of people have gone through or are currently going through.

As said before, making sense of hearbreak can most definitely be difficult to even understand. Thinking about it, if I had to guess it would be like having a straight jacket strapped on to you trying to get out of it. In a sense, all your emotions and feelings are in all intensive purposes wrapped tightly around your heart and no matter what you do you can't seem to escape from it. For even the smallest function done on a semi daily basis are impaired as things such as thinking and breathing are difficult making the emotional straight jacket around your heart increasingly tighter leaving you to constantly struggle to where you;re left doing the only logical thing to do when you think nobody can truly help in your time of need...cry.

Let me ask you this question, when experiencing heartbreak from a guy/girl you're ina real genuine like with and the physical aspect of the relationship was involved what best describes how you feel? Betrayed, disappointed, angry, frustrated, bitter, confused, the feeling of wanting to crawl out of your own skin, etc. are just a plethora of emotions one may possibly feel when you bring yourself to become vulnerable with a guy/girl and completely let your guard down. Hey, we all know someone or are that someone who has in that type of situation. Its a sad state of affairs for a person who feel as if a part of himself/herself can never be given back after sharing an intimate moment with a guy/girl who supposedly cared about him/her.

In retrospect, heartbreak is a hard pill to swallow, so to speak, and as much as it painfully hurts to not know why you can't let it become something you hold on to. You see, you have to let it go because if you continue to harbor all those feelings/emotions they will fester and when/if you do meet the right guy/girl something in that relationship will cause you to flashback leading you to throw all that baggage on to him/her, which is never a good thing. In any case, heartbreak can make you stronger just as long as you don't keep it locked away in your heart. In the end, to get through the pain you know you can rely on your best buds/gals to help you through because even though you don't want outright say it you want them to be at your side and trust they will as you say to them help me to unbreak my heart, which is song by six time Grammy Award winner Toni Braxton that best reflects this thought.

The Simple Life

2010-03-07T14:48:00.002-06:00

Robert Louis Stevenson once said, ~The best things in life are nearest. Breathe in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, dutues at your hand, the path of the right just before you. Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life's plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweatest things in life.~ Ultimately, its been 23 years since my last visit to the Philippines and the difference as a 9 year old then to now as a 32 year old is perspective. You see, as a 9 year old you pay more attention to your own self interests than the surroundings before you causing you to miss out on a truly wonderous experience. For its an eye opening situation indeed when you take in not only the positive aspects, but the negative aspects as well as I focus on the following three topics: traffic, family interaction, and poverty.

Let me ask you this question to those who live in an area where traffic is highly prevelent such as New York and Los Angeles, do you think your neck of the woods is totally outrageous? During my time in the Philippies I witnessed traffic that went beyond totally outrageous as there are no rules. Essentially, a two lane street becomes 5 lanes and there is no such thing as who has the right of way leading to witnessing an absolute standstill in traffic at a 4 way stop where nobody didn't want to move to the point where an alteraction nearly ensued. Yet, as much as there is complete choas on the roads there weren't any accidents whatsoever while I was there. Let me tell you something though, as much as it was an enjoyable experience I wouldn't want to drive there because I know I would have/suffer high blood pressure, an aneurism, and/or a heart attack.

Without a doubt, part of what made my trip in the Philippines so enjoyable other than the food and the awesome activities was spending time with family I haven't seen in years. Thinking about it, my time spent reconnecting with relatives outside on the porch rather than inside because of the lack of air conditioning was fun. The times sitting outside enjoying the entertainment of just laughing/sharing stories were the most memorable to me making me realize that for a number of families in the states there is a serious lack of family interaction. The entertainment of the internet, tv, video games, work, etc. are just some reasons that have separated the family dynamic in the U.S. causing kids/parents/husbands/wives to see each other as strangers than family, Let me tell you something, U.S. familes can learn a thing or two for Filipino families.

If you think about it, you never really know how good you have it until you actually see it for yourself with your own eyes. Personally speaking, I have a deeper appreaciation of who I am as a person and what I have after visiting/seeing the places that many of the filipinos call home. Whether its living in a run down shack next to a landfill, under an overpass, in the streets itself, or walking up to a vehicle and asking for handouts you can't help but feel for your own people, which is a sad state of affairs. However, what made me absolutely speechless was seeing both kids and adults rummaging though the trash in order to find something to eat. For the most part, that is the way of life my friend for a number of filipinos who don't have the financial means to support themselves and have to hustle any way they can by any means necessary in order to survive.

In retrospect, my time in the Philippines was filled with excitement, fun, and not too mention food out of the wazoo, which is why I humorously named my vaction the Philippines Food Tour. Being back in the Philippines after 23 years gave me new found insight as to what is most important. Unlike most kids in the U.S., kids in the Philippines enjoy chasing each other, playing basketball on broken down/carton made goals, or playing on mounds of dirt. In any case, a big house, fancy cars, expensive video games/video game systems, air conditioning, updated/current electronics such as DVD player or stereo system, cable, etc. are what my relatives don't have and despite that they are a extremely happy with what they have without any complaints whatsoever as they all live the simple life.

You Make Me

2010-02-14T00:10:00.003-06:00

Someone once said, ~Love, an emotion so strong that you would give up everything; to just feel it just once, to know that you are part of something special. To know that you can feel what love is really is; to know, to feel, to love.~ Without a doubt, when it comes to matters of the heart you can most definitely experience a plethora of emotions from that quintessential warm fuzzy feeling you get inside oftentimes described as butterflies to falling head over heels. For its those emotions a person experiences can in all intensive purposes be considered a rollercoaster as he/she goes through highs and lows within their heart. Essentially, its the genuinely honest and real emotions one feels for another causes you to say the following three words: you make me.

You make me feel good both inside and out. If you think about it, when you meet someone who make you feel absolutely comfortable not only in your own skin, but in your heart as well you just feel on top of the world. I think it would be safe to say when you're in this heightened state of euphoria you find yourself completely unaware of doing certain things such as forgetting how to breathe, singing/humming a tune to yourself, having a glow about you, having a kick in your step to the point of doing a little dance, or whatever the case may be. Its quite an amusing and at times considerabley annoying situation indeed for those witnessing the display of true happiness and yet deep down inside its what single people like myself want to experience.

You make me crazy. Love and being crazy are synonymous with each other as you can go through a mixed bag of emotions over someone such as frustration, anger, bewilderment, confusion, etc. Thinking about it, every person who is in a potential and/or significant relationship knows all-too-well how crazy their gf/bf/husband/wife can make him/her. A level of craziness where any other person would run away screaming all-the-while tearing their own hair out but when it comes to your own "bag of crazy" you stay because even though he/she makes you want to cause him/her bodily harm you truly love him/her. Hey, how many of you can say with 100% surety you and the guy/girl you're with make each other crazy in the best possibly way?

You make me a better person. Let me ask you this question to those who are in a potentional and/or significant relationship, how many of you see the best of yourself every time you look into his/her eyes? Guys, more often than not, look into the eyes of their girl knowing they not only see who they want to be knowing he has the potential to be the best man she has have known. When I say the best man she has ever known, I mean the best in being able to always provide for her emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. Let me tell you something, all guys tend to think this way concerning a woman they absolutely love/care about as they strive to be that guy not knowing that in her eyes he is already that guy.

In retrospect, the emotions that go along with love/true love is something you can't stop or even try to stop from happening no matter how hard you try. For a certain number of people those emotions can seen as unwanted knowing how much of a powerful force, in a manner of speaking, it is and to avoid experiencing any kind of emotions they bury their feelings deep inside. However, you can't bury how you feel for long because sooner of later they will gradually surface as he/she finds himself/herself with someone who will be worth letting their guard down and not being afraid to risk their heart. In the end, when you finally experience the emotions of love/true you say to that certain someone you make me so many things from being happy to sad but most of all you make me smile, which is a song from a former member of Kid Rock's entourage Uncle Kracker.

Smile

Uncle Kracker | MySpace Music Videos

My Promise

2010-01-29T08:12:00.003-06:00

John Lennon once said, ~Love is a promise, love is a souvenir, once given never forgetten, never let it disappear.~ Let me ask you this questions to those who are in strong siginificant relationships, how many of you have not only made promises to your husband/wife/bf/gf/fiance, but have been able to keep his/her word in making those particular promises happen for matter? You see, the promises made to someone you truly love are considered aboslute priceless to the point where where if it comes to fruition its closely held in a very special place within their heart. Essentially, when it comes to love/true love you want a guy/girl who can look you in the eyes and will make a solemn vow/rpromise to you to always lie, cheat, and steal in a good way of course.

Without a doubt, to make the solemn vow/promise to always lie to your best friend wouldn't necessarily sound appealing espeically in matters of the heart but to always lie with your best friend gives it a whole new context don't you think? I think it would be safe to say every person who is in a strong loving relationship would most definitely appreciate lying with their best friend for life who loves him/her with all his/her heart. For its that someone who you can happily lay together with on the couch either watching a movie, tv, reading books, simply taking a leisurely nap, or help keep you company when your sick. You have to agree, its a comforting situation indeed being wrapped in each other's arms knowing the the sense of peace felt as both of you become lost within the warm embrace with the love of your life.

If you think about it, not too many people would tolerate being cheated on and for a certain number of people they have unfortunately experience to where even thinking about it bring about a plethora of emotions. Yet, when you have someone in your life who can trust to never break your heart with acts of infidelity your only concern to actually worry about is whether or not he/she will cheat on you when you're playing video/card/board games. Thinking about it, to have your significant other cheat on you when playing a game like Uno or Scrabble is far less disappointing than cheating on you with another man/woman. Let me tell you something, I've witness many married couples having fun cheating when it pertain to games and hope they continue to do so for many years rather than the latter.

For the question can be asked to those who have had a bad past relationship, how many of you believe that certain guy/girl in a sense stole something from you? Oftentimes, when a person experiences utter heartbreak he/she feels as if part of themselves has been stolen from or him/her. In some aspect, their own identity isn't fully complete because a part or possibly all their heart containing caring, compassion, trust, faith, honesty, innocence, love, etc. has in all intensive purposes been stolen away from you. However, to have a guy/girl who can steal your heart every single day till the latter years of life and continues adding to what is inside adding more to what is already in there instead of taking away is something quite honestly so very rare to have or even find these days but its out there.

In retrospect, promises are easily made in relationship and at the same time they can easily broken. Its a sad state of affairs when the promise to never lie is broken causes you to no longer feel someone by your side physically laying next to you because of being lied to so many times over. To know the promise to never cheat on you is broken leaving you feeling mentally betrayed as you believed what he/she did/said causing you to think your worth it only to find yourself feeling worthless. To not experience the happiness that brings a smile to your face and have it be taken away from you because of a promise being broken leaves you feeling violated in a way. In the end, as strange as this sounds I say to that certain someone out there whoever she may be my promise to you is to always lie, cheat, and steal in the best way possible.

Enjoy The Ride

2010-01-20T20:03:00.004-06:00

Kenny Ryan once said, ~Facebook is the Disneyland of the internet.~ Without a doubt, one of the most of THE most popular "attractions" in the world of social networking is Facebook and each time you log on you never know what you're going to encounter making it at times a truly enjoyable experience. For its an experience in which you in all intensive purposes "step" into a world where you can spend hours on end reading the high/lows of every day life, posting notes, adding friends, unfriending, tagging photos, poking people, etc. I think we can all full agree many of us have become highly addicted to the nonstop entertainment each one of us gets from the countless number of interesting people who we personally consider as our friends.

As said before, you never really know what you're going to encounter each time you log into Facebook, especially after updating your status message. In some aspect, one's status message is like a proverbial public announcement system where instead of verbally announcing your activties for your friends to hear, they read it. Its a humorous situation indeed as there are times where you tend not to think about what're going to write and as soon as you share it for others to to the point where the "news" spreads like wildfire. Let me tell you something, I've had more of my friends/family message/text/call/ talk to me in person concerning status messages concerning my social life in regards to hanging out with a female, which is apparently interesting news for curious people out there.

If you think about it, one of the things we all tend to do from time to time while in Disney is people watch and you can't help but be fascinated by such a diverse group of people to where you're either in utter disbelief or totally amused. Thinking about it, we all have the comfort of people watching as classmates, co-workers, and long time friends who we've known for quite some time post and share videos giving us a glimpse into their life with family, as well as friends. You see, its within those videos you witness the happiness of unveiling a new addition to the family, a baby's first words/steps, family having fun singing karaoke, showing off a new pet, sharing their skydiving experience, friends just being stupid together, or whatever the case may be.

Let me ask you this question for those who have been to Disney, what do you most look forward to when you go? If you said the rides you would be 100% correct. Space Mountain, Its A Small World, Splash Mountain, Rock and Roll Rollercoaster, Tower of Terror, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Pirates of the Caribbean, etc. are rides we've all stood in line for. Essentially, there are plethora of "rides" on Facebook you don't have to stand in line for that suit individual tastes none of which I am currently riding on, so to speak, so please stop sending me invites...but I digress. In any case, you can witness for yourself firsthand not only the popularity of these particular rides, but the all out intense fervency for "rides" such as Cafeworld, Farmville, Castle Age, Pet Society, Yoville, Sorority Life, and Mafia Wars which is pretty intense to say the least.

In retrospect, facebook is one huge amusement park where you can play to your heart's content. Its a place where dreams can possibly come true by way of networking in order to find a career/job, chat with old friends/classmates, get up-to-date on reunions, become fans of particular people, places, or things, share in causes like Haiti relief, and make connections both literally and figuratively with certain people. Hey, we all spend time in this place, some more than others, to where we end upeventually feeling like 5 of 7 dwarves in which we can be Happy, Grumpy, Sleepy, Dopey and have moments of being intellectual like Doc. In the end, the one thing we can take out of being on the popular attraction known as facebook is you don't have to pay for anything so have fun and enjoy the ride.

Are You Ready

2010-01-15T08:42:00.001-06:00

Stephen R. Brad once said, ~I think there are some valuable lessons we can learn from the game Simon Says. In a nutshell, the game is all about obedience.~ If you think about it, Simon Says is not only a fun game we've all played back in the day, but its also considered a metaphor for life. As said before, the game in a nutshell is all about obedience and you have to basically play by the rules and obey what the person is telling you to do knowing full well he/she is going to attempt to trick you in order to you out of the game. For its a matter of staying focused and trying not to mak any mistakes in the process but they will unforunately be made in regards to friendships, love, and in one's spiritual walk with God.

Without a doubt, when it comes to the game of life that is Simon Says the friends we hang with on a semi daily basis can be influential either in a positive or negative way. I think we can all agree, there are a certain number of friends who have that if we tell him/her to jump he/she will jump no questions asked mentality where they will get you to do some thing knowing full well you may end up looking like a complete fool, especially if alcohol is involved. It can be a dificult situation indeed to know you've royally messed up as you listened to certain friends who seemingly have the ability to do whatever insane, illegal, dangerous, or just plain stupid activity that causes you much pain and regret afterwards not just to yourself but to others as well.

Essentially, Simon Says is a game of deception and you have to have excellent listening skills because if you don't you will find yourself wishing you paid closer attention. In some aspect, the sense of deception in the game of Simon Says can also be found in matters of the heart in regards to a relationship you truly regretted being in. Oftentimes, a guy/girl can be so focused or should I say blinded by the love of a potential and/or significant other is saying to him/her they don't catch what their actually doing using deceptive actions going on right in front of him/her until its too late. For some, most, or people know all too well the feeling of being absolutely deceived by a particular guy's/girl's words and actions leaving him/her wishing they should have listened to those who saw it clear as day.

Joshua 1: 7 says, ~Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest.~ Let me ask you this question, does it seem like you're in some ways playing a game of Simon Says as your challeneged by what the worlds says and what God says leaving you to struggle in your spiritual walk with God? You see, to listen to what God wants you to do rather what the world wants you do shows absolute trust and obedience in Him. Thinking about it, there are times where you may not be listening or refuse to listen to Him whereby succcumbing to the desires you want in life and that's when God in his own way shows you he's in control telling you you're out.

In retrospect, life is a fun a game to play and at the same time can be very hard if you play the rules. Every person has been or currently in a Simon Says situation concerning their own life and whether its work, marriage, getting out of debt, illness, or whatever the case may be you try to play by the rules even though they stink sometimes. Of course, you break the rules and try to avoid being seen/caught but you inevitably pay the consequences sooner or later, which hopefully valuable lessons were learned/continue to learn from. Hey, nobody is perfect as we will mess up from time to time. In the end, you have to thank God for being with you every step of the way in life and will continue to be with you as you face Simon Says challenges/situations ahead to where He will say to you are you ready?

Where Are You

2010-01-06T06:41:00.008-06:00

Someone once said, ~Ask questions from your heart and you will be answered from the heart.~ Without a doubt, a person can have so many questions when it pertains to the who, what, when, where, why and sometimes how of their own heart. Yet, its not so much the questions but the answers you try at best to wait patiently for, which is considered a difficult task. You see, its those unanswered questions that can become a source of utter disappointment causing one to be absolutely frustrated as you find yourself continually asking the right questions but unfortunately getting the wrong answers or not answers at all. For those who are living the single life, it can be a tough situation indeed to feel as if true happiness may be never be answered for themselves whereby leaving a permanent rather than temporary question mark within their heart.

If you think about it, when it comes to love/true love one of the questions that is frequently asked is who am I going to spend the rest of my life with? For its the question of who in which a many number of people have asked or are still asking in regards to their quintessential guy/girl of mystery. Who will this person be to have you experience endless amounts of happiness and joy instead of experiencing endless amounts of sorrow and pain? Who will this person be that will have you never doubt myself as a person leaving my self esteem in shambles? Who will this person be to show you how much of a incredible you truly are in his/her eyes? Who will this person be to put my entire trust in and having faith he/she will never break it? Who will this person be that the committment he/she has for you will be strong and everlasting?

Oftentimes, the question of what tends to be asked when it involves the more detailed aspects concerning matters of the heart. A woman, more so than a guy, thinks at length on the question of what pertaining to the guy they hope to meet or possibly have met. What is his name? What will he look like? What qualities/attributes can he show her that tells her he is not a a guy who is immature and needs to grow up but rather a guy who is mature and is continuing to grow? What makes him different than all the other she's met or were in a relationship with in the past? What is his family like and does he have a relationship with them or lack thereof? What are his sense of values and morals or does he even have any? What kind of emotional security will he be able to provide her when she's feeling down in the dumps. What type of husband/father will he be?

Let me ask you this question to those who are living the single life, how many of you are wanting to know the question of when will you finally be happy in love? Thinking about about it, it can be exciting to want know the answer to the question of when love will happen for you but at the same time it can be mentally exhausting. When is my time to be truly happy going to happen? When can I be able to breathe easier know all the drama of a past/current relationship is no longer weighing down on me? When can I have a permanent smile on my face instead of finding myself in tears? When can I be surprised by acts of stupidity that are honestly genuine rather than the constant stupid acts of infedility that tend be not at all surprising? When am I going to meet the right guy/girl instead of meeting the wrong ones?

In retrospect, there comes a point while pondering the questions of the heart your left wondering how long you can keep asking them until you've reached the point of possibly going completely insane. Personally speaking, I've enjoy asking the challenging questions and hopefully they will be answered in the form of a special lady whoever she may be. In any case, its nice to know that while asking the seemingly tough questions on your own you have your best buds/gal pals there by your side to try to at least provide the helpful answers knowing they care about/love you and don't want to see you giving up. In the end, love/true love has been answered for some as they say to that certain somene with a smile on their face there you are but for others they still have question about that certain someone out there one of them being where are you, which is a song that tends to reflect this thought by Justin Roman feat. Soluna.

Never Gonna Be Alone

2009-12-22T22:37:00.017-06:00

The late Raggae Singer Bob Marley once said, ~Love would never leave us alone.~ Without a doubt, when it comes to experiencing the pangs of the utter heartbreak in which sadness, frustration, disappointment, etc. reside, a person can oftentimes consider himself/herself alone in dealing with the feelings and emotions that in all intensive purposes weigh him/her down. Its a tough situation indeed for any person struggling by themselves with the inner turmoil felt within their very own heart causing it to become a heavy burden not only on their shoulders, but on their heart as well. Thinking about it, to put it into words can most definitely leave a person with this sense of not being able to have someone who can truly understand the sheer magnitude of what he/she is personally dealing with.

Let me ask you this question to those who are or have been heartbroken, are you feeling/did you feel like the issues your facing now or have faced in the past caused you to keep your emotions and feelings isolated to the point where its better to be closed off than to talk openly about it? I think it would be safe to say there are girls, as well as guys out there who portray a happy go lucky I'm fine with a smile on their face facade, but behind the smile lies a battle from within the very deeps of his/her heart/soul. For its a battle they're enduring alone where he/she is fighting against being stuck in the rut of sorrow, hopelessness, drama, negativity, sick of being sick and tired, etc. which has made people nearly or coming close to giving up.

If you think about it, when it comes to the unforunate feeling of being alone and unloved because of being hurt in the past a person can find himself/herself clinging on by their fingertips, in a manner of speaking, to the edge of his/her heart. A person can come to a point where he/she can either keep hanging on or just let go and for a certain number of people they know the feeling of trying to pull themselves up but can't because of personal issues of the past trying to pull him/her down. Its a sad state of affairs for those who they once trusted to catch him/her when they couldn't bear the weight of it all to where they end up letting go and instead of falling into the loving arms of their best friend they fall back hitting something considered their worst enemy...reality.

For the question can be asked for those who felt alone within their heart, did you have anyone to be there for you to talk to or have as a shoulder to cry on? We all know someone or are that someone by the look on his/her/your face can tell one has a lot bottled up inside and he/she/you want nothing more than to express whatever is eating at him/her/you to where possibly tears are shed. You see, to have someone who not only is able to somehow understands what you're going through and can provide sage wisdom to hopefully help in one's time of need puts a smile on your face. Women, more so than guys, are greatly appreciative of this and to not have that worry/fear/doubt as to whether or not the guy their talking to/crying on their shoulder will take advantage of the situation showing he genuinely cares.

In retrospect, there is a positive presence in love and whether its in person or in spirit it has the ability to never cause you to feel alone and cold. It can hold you tightly with both hands whereby showing you that no matter how tough relationships are/can be he/she will not let you go or let you fall. To have that positive, warm presence in the form of a guy/girl represents a whole new world where you always look forward to live every single day filled with unknown surprises. Hey, how many people would want that type of true happiness and how many actually have it? In end, when you have the love of possibly someone special in your life along with friends, family, God by your side you're never gonna be alone, which is a song by a group/band who got recently nominated for their newest album Dark Horse in 2010 Nickelback.

Shock and Awe

2009-12-17T08:27:00.002-06:00

Leo F. Buscaglia once said, ~Love withers with predictability, its very essence is surprise and amazement. To make love a prisoner of the mundane is to take its passion and lose it forever.~ Without a doubt, a person can most definitely become jaded when it comes to matters of the heart to the point where it becomes not only predictable, but uneventful as well. Its a sad situation indeed when love or true love for that matter doesn;t have the zing of surprised excitement it once had in the past because of how much the dynamic of relationships has immensely changed in today's society giving way to this sense of lost hope, especially for those who have constantly found or still find themselves in utter frustration and heartbreak.

Let me ask you this question ladies, how many of you have truly exprienced genuine surprise and amazement in regards to a guy putting all his heart into doing something absolutely special such as planning a surprise birthday party, Its a sad state affairs for those women who have had birthdays they sorely wanted to forget because of how embarrassingly inconsiderate the guy(s) was/were to her. In any case, it makes any woman feel appreciated to have a man who takes into consideration concerning her favorite food, flower, scent, etc. to calling and inviting all her gal pals instead of the other way around. For its an amazing shock to the system to know the amount of effort a guy took to plan it all whereby showing and essentially feeling the passion within his heart for her.

As said before, a person can surely be jaded from being in bad past relationships to where it can sometimes seem to no surprise at all to them as if the predictable actions of the past follow him/her to another relationship leaving you in all intensive purposes feeling like a prisoner sentenced to life without true happiness. Thinking about it, there a certain number of people who are currently doing time within their own heart, in a manner of speaking, and would like nothing more than to have their feelings and emotions set free to share with someone special. You see, its those feeling and emotions that have, in a sense, been down in the hole, so to speak, for quite some time and have never seen the light of day because of being in the cold, perpetual darkness of frustration, heartbreak, anger, bitterness disappointment, etc.

For the question can be asked, how many of you have been so desensitized to a never ending slew of broken relationships you gradually developed an I'm not surprised/shocked mentality. What do I mean? When you hear about infidility involving celebrities like Tiger Woods you find yourself going from surprise and shock to all out cynism leaving you considerablly non remorseful to celebrities who do get caught. Let me tell you something, there is a serious lack of the pure innocence going into love and when you lose aspects of it like surprise, amazement, unpredictability you end up not with a vibrant, thrilling relationship always asking with a smile what's next but a relationship that is stale and possibly boring causing you to instead ask with a confused look what now.

Actress/Comedian/Singer Sandra Bernhard said, ~Love is the only shocking act left on the face of the earth.~ In retrospect, there isn't anything predictable about love/true love as its the people who are considered to be predictable. Guys, more often than not, tend to lack orginiality when it pertains to wanting to surprise/shock/amaze a potential and/or significant other. If you think about it, as a guy you have to show your individuality setting yourself apart from other guys out there who I dare say don't have a clue as to what the real meaning of being romantic is all about...but I digress. In the end, every person wants an amazing relationship that's never predicatable and will always have great surprises in store for you into the latter years of your life leaving his/her/your heart in a continual state of shock and awe.

Game On

2009-12-07T08:26:00.005-06:00

Someone once said, ~Life is a video game. No matter how good you get, you're always zapped in the end.~ If you think about it, there are times where you feel as if you're living life inside a video game and even though we're not physically holding a controller in our hand to specifically guide/direct us to where we want to be we make do by the choices that are made or possibly going to be made. For those who are true gamers at heart, they know all-too-well it takes determination, teamwork, the will to win, as well as the mental and physical stamina to not give up or quit when you find yourself in certain chapters in the game of your own life that are difficult to get past you just want to tear your hair out, which is what a whole number of people have experienced or experiencing now as we speak.

Without a doubt, life would be so much simpler if there was an all purpose cheat code that one could easily punch in within our mind when you find yourself going through tough situations leaving you exhausted. It would be awesome indeed to just mentally punch in up-down-up-down-left-right-left-right-b-a-b-a-select-start in order to have an infinite amout of hope, love, faith, energy, etc. that tends to drain from us on a semi-daily basis. I think it would be safe to say for those gamers like myself who played Nintendo back in the day know the code mentioned above goes with what I consider to be one of the best 2 player games of its time...Contra. In any case, to even have that particular option radily accessible would most definitely make life a little less complicated to play, so to speak.

As said before, it oftentimes takes dtermination to not give in the video game of life, especially when it pertains to climbing the proverbial ladder of success. In some aspect, climbling the ladder of professional success is similar to that of the vido game Donkey Kong where he stops at nothing to not let Mario, who in a way is a representation of ourselves, get to the top by throwing obstacle after obstacle in his way. Thinking about it, we're all up against our own metaphorical Donkey Kong in the professional world. You see, even though barrels may not be thrown down our way we're try to be agile enough to not get "hit" by metaphorical obstacles in real life causing us to return to the very beginning inevitably showing us it truly doesn't get any easier the higher you go trying to achieve professional success.

Let me ask you this question, when it comes to matters of the heart in regards to love/true love would you like to be that of an epic romance like in the video game Final Fantasy for PS2? As those who have played the game before it can mainly focus on the romance itself like in FF VIII between Riona and Squall or it can focus on the adventerious journey leading up to the romance like in FF X between Yuna and Tidus. According to Eurogamer Yuna and Tidus' relationship was considered "one of the best examples of a mature romance" whereby showing the natural progression of making the love story among the fans the best element in the game. Personally speaking, I would rather take the journey leading up to the romance rather than to have it all about romance because it makes for a better story to tell don't you think?

In retrospect, video games and life go hand in hand as they provide something that we're all familiar with...challenges. In life, like video games, you prepare to face and hopefully surpass difficult challenges set in front of you that will test you mentally, physically, emotionally, and most of all spiritually. Of course, there will be times where you'll end up coming so close but fall short and yet its how you learn from it that determines the thrill of satisfying victory instead of the agony of bitter defeat. In the end, when you have that mindset to never give up and have the determination to keep moving forward overcoming obstacles thrown your way, in a manner of speaking, in the video game of life all-the-while knowing God is by your side giving you strength you can be rest assured its game on.

Are You Serious

2009-11-22T22:16:00.006-06:00

Oscar Wilde once said, ~Everything popular is wrong.~ If you think about it, Oscar Wilde is right to a certain extent except when it comes to things such as a popular social network like Facebook or a place like YouTube where millions of people go to either watch or upload funny, amazing, and oftentimes weird/strange videos for our own entertainment. However, Mr. Wilde is certainly dead on when it pertains to the seemingly heightened popularity of a growing pop culture phenomenon that is in my opinion mind boggling. For it truly befuddles the mind on how passionate, vocal, and at times crazed people/fans become in regards to what is considered to be popular to the point where it stirs an absolute frenzy in not just kids, but adults as well especially when it involves the following three things: television, music, and movies.

Without a doubt, its a confusing situation indeed when a television show apparently captures America's heart making it a supposed smash hit that everyone talks about. I quite honestly for the life of me don't know why the television show Glee is such a tremendous hit with fans and as much of a fan I am of music I unfortunately didn't jump on the proverbrial Glee bandwagon. Now before any of you Glee fans or whatever chosen name you fans call yourselves get on my case for not watching the show and giving it a chance to change my mind I would to say on my defense I did in fact watch the pilot episode. It captured my attention for 15 minutes before I got bored and switched to something more entertaining on Wednesday night like the TAPS crew investigating the possibilities of paranormal activies on a show called Ghost Hunters.

Oftentimes, the music industry introduces solo artists/bands/groups that inevitably becomes popular to the young female demographic who go absolutely nuts particularly for The Jonas Bros. As a guy, I don't get it at all as to why those three guys are so popular not only to young girl but to adult women as well, which is creepy in itself. Looking at it from a guy's perspective, you can't help but be both confused and amused at how young girls completely lose their freakin' minds shedding tears as they babble on for their reasons on which Jonas Bros. is their favorite or become greatly concerned/shocked when one of them suddenly gets a haircut during the 2009's Kid Choice Award several months ago. If you're wondering, no I am not a jealous hater as I am far from that as I'm just someone who is bewildered at the fanatical craze or frenzy if you will that doesn't make any sense whatsoever.

Let me ask you this question ladies, how many of you are not only fans of the Twilight book series, but also the movies too? FOr the fans of this rising albeit mind numbing mostly tween fanbase phenomenon its in their view a triangle love story involving a human female named Bella, a vampire named Edward, and a werewolf named Jakob. Essentially, that is pretty much the extent of what I know and really all I care to know because when tweens get to the point where there is an all out heated debate/argument on whether their on Team Edward or Team Jacob or who should Bella choose to love its time for a reality check. You see, its understandable for young female tweens to be head over heals for the Twilight books/movies, but if you're a guy and are a die hard fan then I must ask you on behalf of all the guys for you to hand in your man card immediately.

In retrospect, there are so many things considered popular by society standards it can give you a headache. Hannah Montana, Taylor Swift, former American Idol constest Adam Lambert, Elmo, Dora The Explorer, etc. are just a handful of things/people that can cause a person like myself to do two things which are throw your hands in the air and ask why. Let me tell you something, its just not me who thinks this way because I know there are other people out there who feel the same way as I do and we have no earthly idea why certain things/people are popular. What it primarily comes down to is the powers that be who use their jedi mind tricks to influence kids to have their parents to buy their merchandise. In the end, what's popular for some adults/kids may not be for other because people like me all we end up doing is scartching our head saying are you serious!?

A Risk Worth Taking

2009-11-16T06:15:00.005-06:00

Someone once said, ~To love is to risk not being loved in return. To hope is to risk pain. To try is to risk failure, but risk must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.~ Without a doubt, one of the scariest aspects of love or true love for that matter is taking a risk with your own heart. For there are absolutely no guarantees that the risks one takes in the pursuit of true happiness are truly successful because of how much of an unknown it is. Pain, humiliation, disappointment, doubt, frustration, etc. are associated with something so scary and yet a person is willing to face it head on knowing full well there is the possibility of rejection, which is an experience that quite a number of people personally know all too well.

As said before, part of what makes love so scary is to risk hitting the painful and oftentimes embarrassing wall of rejection. Its certainly a tough situation indeed to be rejected by a guy/girl your interested in, but to be rejected by a significant other is both tough to deal with and utterly shocking as well. Its a sad state of affairs when you completely open yourself up in an emotional, mental, and spiritual way to someone who you thought loved you with all of his/her heart only to have them be rejected. I think it would be safe to say a part of you dies inside and whether or not you see it coming you, in a sense, feel robbed because he/she in all intensive purposes reached within your heart taking what belongs to you...joy and excitement.

If you think about it, when it comes to matters of the heart there is always risk involved when you put your feelings out there, especially if you're falling for someone you know or are friends with. You see, it can most definitely be a struggle in itself to share your feelings with a certain guy/girl you're potentially interested in knowing there is that innate fear of knowing he/she may not have the same feelings for you to the point where there is a risk in hurting a well established friendship. For some people they took the risk only to have an awkward friendship while others didn't take the risk at all inevitably hiding their feelings to where they live a tortuous existance within their heart. Yet, for most people they ignored the risk putting all fear aside as they now live a life filled with love and contentment.

Let me ask you this question, how many of risked doing/saying what was in your heart and when you were able to look back on it you didn't have any regrets whatsoever? Thinking about it, every person runs the risk of having the proverbial monkey of regret on our back whereby putting us in the unfortunate position nobody ever wants to be in. What might that position be you ask? The position of always asking the ever nagging what if or what could have happened if we had the courage to talk to him/her when given the chance but didn't because you felt he/she was either out of your league, wouldn't even give you the time of day, or whatever the case may be. Let me tell you something, life is too short to wonder so risk trying and regret nothing.

Mary Manin Morrisey said, ~We take a risk when we open our heart because the truth is, if we open our heart, we will get hurt. You can't open your heart and not have some hurt because you're in a human experience. Even it its the love of your life and you have many wonderfl, deepening, growing, powerful years together, its a human experience and that person will pass over, Love takes courage. Be courageous.~ In retrospect, every person has the courage to take the risk with their heart and if you say its not there you're lying to yourself because its in there somwhere you just have to find it. In the end, love is a risk as the fear and pain from being hurt so many times over or facing constant rejection in the past will be worthwhile as you will finally meet someone who will be a risk worth taking.

On and Off

2009-11-13T07:20:00.002-06:00

Sharon Salzberg once said, ~It doesn't matter how long we may have been stuck in a sense of our limitations. If we go into a darkened room and turn on the light, it doesn't matter of the room has been dark for a day, a week, or ten thousand years - we turn on the light and its illuminated. Once we control our capacity for love and happiness, the light has been turned on.~ In some aspect, love/true can be like turning on a light switch within a person's heart but unfortunately for a certian number of people their heart is in all intensive purposes in the off position waiting for someone truly special to finally flip the switch of true happiness. What it primarily comes down to is making the innate choice to be happy instead of just settling to be comfortable.

Without a doubt, when you make the choice to be happy and not settle for being comfortable in a significant relationship it can most definitely flip the darkened frown felt within your heart turning it into a bright shining smile. Oftentimes, when a person is comfortable rather than happy in love he, she, or both people tend to be complacent in the the relationship to the point where not only the friendship is gradually lost, but there is a loss in caring about the other person's feelings. Its a sad situation indeed when a guy/girl "flips off" certain aspects of love such as caring, compassiong, tenderness, etc. because he/she assumes the other is going to deal with it then eventually get over it, which I'm sorry to say is what some people have experienced or currently are experiencing.

If you think about it, we've all played with a light switch as a kid having a grand ole' time repeatedly flickering them from dark to light? In a sense, when you're in a comfortable relationship you put up with or should I say let yourself go through so much crap you know you didn't deserve that you're feelings and emotions are played with so much so it leaves you in the darkness of disrespect. Essentially, it can be annoying, tiresome, and utterly frustrating to where women, more so than guys, are absolutely fed up with being treated as if they have the so called power to easily switch off the feelings and emotions you so want to express to them but aren't able to because he either doesn't want to hear them or refuses to hear them.

Let me ask you this question to those who are living the single life, how many of you would hope to be someday in a happy, loving relationship where you share in the future the bright light of true happiness than be in comfortable, loveless relationship where the light burned out months/years ago with the relationship going nowhere? You see, its a sad state affairs when guys/girls are so comfortable in a relationship they physically can't find their way out of the dark, in a manner of speak, to where they are seemingly lost emotionally, mentally, and even spiritually as well. For it sometimes takes either a kick in the buttockal region from a best friend/acquaintance you talk with to finally see the light switch on from in your eyes and in your heart.

In retrospect, the light of love is unlimited and forever illuminated when you're in a happy relationship with a guy/girl who doesn't have any intentions of playing with your heart as if its were a light switch. For some, most or all people they personally know all-too-well the feeling of a relationship that has a broken fuse and whats worse is they were comfortable being in the dark knowing full well they deserved someone much brighter/better than him/her. However, its good to know your friends, family, and possibly a potential interest are supportive in every way whereby showing you they will never turn out the lights of betrayal on you. In the end, love is so much more than simply flipping an on and off switch within your heart as it is about working hard in the relationship to be a happy couple than to be just a couple sitting comfortably hardly working at all in the relationship.

Just Ask

2009-11-09T06:57:00.003-06:00

Amber Richards once said, ~I believe that it doesn't matter who takes control, just as long as someone step up to the plate.~ Let me ask you this question does it really matter that the guy be the one to ask the girl out or have it be the other way around with the woman asking the guy? For it can truly be a debatable topic indeed where reasonable and valid points of views for either side are placed on the talble, so to speak, giving way to discussions in which you're niether right or wrong. You see, times are a changin' as there has been a gradual turn or should I say a reversal of roles if you will when it pertains to a woman asking a guy out. What it primarily comes down to is the era of tradition to what is now readily accepted in today's society.

If you think about it, tradition dictates that its the guy who should ask the woman out whether its merely as a friend or on an actual date. For guys like myself, we make the choice of asking out a woman as a friend first in order to get to know the woman on what her likes, dislikes, her favorite activites, etc. and if she genuinely enjoys hanging out plans are made to hang out again. Ultimately, when a certain amount of time has passed...possibly a month...he then asks her out on a proper date. Essentially, it by hanging out and talking with the particular woman of interest you take into consideration what possible activities, places to eat, etc. you know she likes/enjoys instead of thinking what she supposedly might like, which in my opinion women really appreciate.

Without a doubt, there is certainly a change these days as women are now stepping up to the plate, in a manner of speaking, doing the asking out. As much as I consider myself a traditionlist, a woman do have the right to ask a guy out because quite frankly there can be times where a guy can be so indecisive as to asking her out they inevitably beat him to the punch. Why? It that mindset of thinking she may be out of his league or she would never go out with me that leads us to doubt. Anyways, if the woman really likes him and the signals she is giving, whether they're subtle or not, aren't apparently working because we're either completely dense or we can be absolutely confused at the signals leading us to have a mental tug of war within our head asking ourselves if she actually like likes us or likes us in the brother sort of way then she step up to make the move.

Personally speaking, in the span of 2 months I asked a woman to hang out and been asked by a woman to hang out both as a friend. Thinking about it, when I asked that particular female I chatted with on facebook with to hang out...no cheesy pick up lines used...we met up for lunch spending a comfortable time talking and getting to know a little bit about each other. I can honestly say it was an enjoyable experience and for her as well. Now on the other side of that coin, being asked out by a female friend was both surprising and yet flattering at the same time because I didn't expect it alI. What did I do? I did nothing...I was myself and it caught her attention. Plus, for the first time I was in the position where I had the power to either say or no...I said yes and we pretty much had a nice time hanging out at the movies.

In retrospect, when you're a guy/girl doing the asking out or being the one asked out it can be flattering and a surprise. However, there can be times where doing the asking can be a big mistake. For the question can be asked, has anyone ever been in a situation that turned from bad to worse like asking out as a friend someone you had a crush on in middle school only to find out they not only completely changed, but somehow you ended up being taken to some kind of pyramid, get rich quick scheme involving some kind of wine that supposedly had healing powers? Don't ask. In the end, my friend Elissa summed it up best by saying it doesn't really matter who asks who out because when you just ask as a friend its okay but when you're actually asking in the context of an interest towards a real date then its all on the guy to step up.

A Change Is Gonna Come

2009-11-07T06:56:00.005-06:00

Actor Jason Schwartzmen once said, ~Dating is just awkward moments and one person wants more than the other. Its just that constant strangeness. I think its a very real thing.~ If you think about it, the word "dating" can put considerable amount of pressure on a person. Why? I think many would agree when it comes to dating there is so much stress related pressure to act a certain way, not say/do anything that may offend him/her, or whatever the case may be. For it oftentimes feels more like fulfilling an obligation than just having a good time eating lunch/dinner, seeing a movie, playing miniature golf, etc. You see, unlike back in the day when people actually took the time in establishing a relationship it now moves fast, which is why I personally think the word "dating" should be changed to "hanging out" whereby taking the stress completely off.

Without a doubt, being able to hang out as friends does indeed take the pressure off because it puts you and that certain someone in such a relaxed state where you can not only think better to the point where there aren't any long, uncomfortable awakward silences in between conversations, but the tension one tends to experience within pretty much every part of your body is no longer there to be felt. Its when you feel that pressure the pain becomes increasingly difficult to deal with, especially when you know the date isn't going so well. Essentially, when there aren't any specified obligations of any kind to be met it leaves you open to simply have fun enjoying each other's company eating a meal and/or engrossed in a particular activity without having to worry so much about as to whether or not you're making a great impression on him/her.

Let me ask you this question, when you are hanging out with a friend and the both of you are meeting for lunch/dinner at a disignated local where do you meet? Thinking about it, as a guy you don't under any circumstances suggest a fast food restaurant inevitably telling her you're a cheap bastard or going to a fine restaurant like The Olive Garden to where it says to her that its a date set in an intimate type atmosphere. What it primarily comes down to is a neutral middle ground as in a Chinese restaurant located within the vicinity of each other's house or somewhere downtown with a festive atmosphere such as McGuire's where the staff is dressed in traditional Irish serving attire. Let me tell you something, choosing a place to eat can be a tricky endeavour as it determines a balance that doesn't lead the person on either way.

Personally speaking, I am meeting up with a female friend who asked me to hang out and we're seeing a movie tonight...my treat by the way. In any case, how I went about choosing the movie came about by eliminating any romantic comedies like Love Happens starring Jennifer Aniston and Aaron Eckhart. I then eliminated action movies involving explosions and/or bloody battles where body parts get sliced/ripped off like Ninja Assassins. I also eliminated any horror type movies like Saw VI where it would/may be assumed grabbing an arm would give a reason for an ulterior motive for physical contact whereby sending the wrong signal. So...what I ended up choosing and she mutually agreed upon it is the spy comedy Men Who Stare at Goats starring Ewan McGregor and George Clooney giving both of us the opportuntity to enjoy the movie having a good laugh in the process.

In retrospect, the concept of dating has changed immensely as there are now expectations to consumate the relationship, especially on the first initial meeting. To be perfectly honest, its far from my mind because the primary focus isn't on satisfying my own carnal desires as it is instead being a friend, which is exactly what all guys should be because the good ole' days of what I like to refer to now as "hanging out" is falling by the wayside. Hey, to all the ladies listen up because there are number of guys who aren't trying to get into your pants the first chance they get as they genuinely want to hang out with you. Yeah, its truly shocking to hear but that is the honest to goodness truth. In the end, women more than anything want that change and hopefully a change is gonna come but if it doesn't you know at least one guy would like to see it happen.

Nice Guys Do Finish Last

2009-11-06T18:18:00.004-06:00

Addison Walker once said, ~Its not true that nice guys finish last. Nice guys are winners before the game even starts.~ Without a doubt, the saying "nice guys finish last" as it pertains to always getting the short end of the stick in regards to the love/relationship dynamic is right...to a certain extent. Thinking about it, the topic of the proverbial nice guy has gradually lost its distinction to the point where there can be a misunderstanding as to the type of nice guy initially being described. When it comes to the nice guy he can be broken down into two different distinct categories which are the readily available at a moments notice 24/7 doormat who can be easily manipulated into doing whatever the woman wants/says and the actual nice guy who can not only think for himself but is also the absolute real deal.

Let me ask you this question ladies, have you ever told a guy that you couldn't be in a relationship with him because he was too nice, which coincidentally happened to my best friend. In any case, as I've said in a past yodaism women are fed up as they want a guy who is nice and actually cares about her instead of caring about fulfilling his innate desire for personal self gratification in the physical aspect of the relationship. For it would most definitely be a far cry from the usual jerks, losers, aholes, liars, cheaters, womanizing players, and self absorbed douche bags they have unfortunately found themselves being in relationships with. You see, its these types of guys mentioned above who have made women doubt their own self worth inevitably destroying their confidence, shed countless tears, not realize how beautiful they truly are, and so much more.

As said before, ther are two types of nice guys as one is soley focused on one woman putting her high on a pedistal all-the-while letting her step all over him whereas the nice guys sees the faults, refuses to be the doormat, has a possible interest but knows he has options giving him the opportunity to see who else is out there. Essentially its the nice guys like myself as well as my best friend who have the ability to show they're confident, are focused on their life/goals to achieve, knows what he wants, is funny in his own weird/strange/silly way, etc., which are considered qualities that are tremendously attractive to women. Let me tell you something, its when you're being yourself exuding a quiet self confidence in such a way its seemingly attractive to the female species to where you unknowingly cause them to either freak out/become nervous in a good way its a surprising albeit flattering experience...trust me on this.

For the question can be asked to those ladies living the single life, how many of you are actually fed up with dating the quintessential "bad boy" and would love nothing more than to meet, as well as possibly fall in love with a nice guy? Its easier said than done but they are out there and all you have to do is open your eyes because they have been standing right in front of you the whole time. In today's society, women have been wined and dined by guys with the intention of the immediate hook up afterwards leading them to become absolutely desentisized at the whole dating process. However, it can be refreshing change of pace indeed for any woman to not feel as if there is always a catch for the wining and dining when out with a nice guy so much so she can be stunningly surprised as she waits or should I say expects days/weeks/months for it to happen only to find there is no catch to speak of.

In retrospect, the time of the "bad boy" is gradually running out as they should step aside handing over the torch, so to speak, in order for the "nice guy" to step forward. Ultimately, they can either hand the torch over to us or we can just take it by force because our time is at hand. In all seriousness though, women do deserve better and guys as well, it just a matter of making better choices when it comes to matters of the heart. In the end, nice guys do finish last because when a woman is able to make it to the other side pushing through/getting past the bad ones that represent dissappointment, hurt, sadness, anger, frustration, etc. she'll be able to finally see/meet the nicest and most caring guy walk into her life at the right moment because he patiently took his time getting to a place she always wanted be within her heart...a state of true happiness.

Schrodinger's Cat (Note Dictionary Needed)

2009-11-05T07:21:00.008-06:00

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart once said, ~Neither a lofty degree of intelligence nor imagination nor both together go to the making of genius. Love, love, love, that is the soul of genius.~ Let me ask you this question, do you know the exact equations for figuring out and putting together the so called perfect formula for love or true love for that matter? I think many would agree, a person would have to be an absolute genius to know the definite components that inevitably make up what is at times a worthwhile and yet albeit confusing social construct involving relationship in regards to matters of the heart. For its truly a tough and frustrating situation indeed to find yourself continually "standing" in front of the proverbial white board of your heart crunching the numbers, so to speak, all-the-while in a considerably paradoxical state of mind.

Without a doubt, part of what makes love such a complex paradigm are the countless number of hypothesis and theories concerning the oftentimes predictable/unpredictable behavioral patterns of one human being's physical, emotional, mental, and/or spiritual attraction towards another. As said before, there are countless number of hypothesis/theories regarding human behavior and love to where the positive outcomes outweighed the negative or vice versa depending on one's own view. Hey, its just a matter of keeping with the research as you make correct and keenly valid observations about the data you've been able to collect in field studies, otherwise known as dating, from past/current personal experiences in which you take into account so many known/unknown variables/anomolies it can lead you to the brink of insanity.

If you think about it, the hypothesis and theories we formulate whether we're single or in potential/significant relationships are all purely speculation of course although there are quite a number of findings to substantiate actual merit. Thinking about though, women hypothesize certain set parameters concerning said male counterparts of interest, which are so infinitesimal it would be nearly impossible to quantify them to just a short list. A list mind you that is so complicated to understand, the debate over string theory vs. loop quantum gravity would be easier to comprehend if set to the humorous context of the tv show The Big Bang Theory....but I digress. In theory, however, those particular set parameters are not only considered totally illogical and irrational within the male psyche, but are also irrelevant in the overall symbiotic relationship.

For the question can be asked, from what you have hopefully gained from your own personal knowledge in past relationships or even in a current current relationship if you were to extrapolate the exact equation for the so called perfect formula for love/true love what would it consist of? In my own careful case study by way of interviews and personal observation in the field that has lasted approximately 13 years, I've been able to come up with the following components of what I believe to be so tremendous its worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize...just kidding. Essentially, it comes down to committment, honor, trust, consitency, reliability, generosity, being real/genuine, communication, honesty, caring, compassion, understanding, respect, patience, being considerate, intimacy, loyalty, friendship, faith in God, a willingness to work with you instead of against you, security, etc.

In 1935, Erwin Schrodinger, proposed a principle in quantum theory of superposition in which he place a living cat into a steel chamber, along with a device containing a vial of hydrocyanic acid. There is, in the chamber, a very small amount of a radioactive substance. If even a single atom of the substance decays during the test period, a relay mechanism will trip a hammer, which will, in turn, break the vial and kill the cat. To know if it were alive or not, you would have to merely open the box. In some aspect, that particular experiment is a representation with ourselves as the box, our heart as the cat, and love/true love the "radioactive" variable whereby putting it all together create an experiment that has being ongoing since the dawn of time. In the end, its by way of Schrodinger's Cat that we shouldn't be afraid to open up in every way and seek to find another live heart just like ours.

More Than A Friend

2009-11-03T09:06:00.013-06:00

Someone once said, ~True love, like many things, can only be seen in the eyes of the beholder. It cannot be jealous, proud,or anxious; it is found in the depths of your heart, and longs only for one whose heart longs for the same things as your own.~ If you think about it, the friendship you share with a guy/girl you're potentially interested in is considered truly special. For its within that friendship where you gradually get a glimpse of what he/she hopes for/wants when it pertains to matters of his/her own heart. Thinking about it, its a rarity these days to have a type of caring plutonic friendship where hooking up isn't of great deal of concern to either of you as it more about enjoying the times spent together having fun to the point where each time you and that certain someone part ways you're always smiling from ear to ear.

Without a doubt, when you have a friendship with a guy/girl you genuinely like you most definitely look forward to spending time with each other. Its the chances you get to spend with him/her either at a particular eating establishment, activity, and/or event are the ones you happily cherish because you know in the back of your mind he/she could be spending it with someone else who he/she knows is taller, better looking, and quite possibly attains certain physical qualities/features you don't have, which can cause you to experience a bit of jealousy...but I digress. Yet, despite those inital concerns/worries/fears you set them aside getting out of your head in order to just be in the moment with someone who not only makes you feel absolutely comfortable to be yourself around, but be safe around in a physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual way as well.

As said before, for its within a friendship that you gradually get a glimpse of what he/she hopes for/wants when it pertains to matters of his/her own heart. Ultimately, what has been seriously lacking for some guys and practically all women who have experienced or are currently experiencing heartbreak is consistency and reliability. You see, for any woman having a guy who can be consistent as you're able to hopefully relate and agree on what he says/does 99.9% of the time. In addition, what women want most is a guy who they can rely on to be there for them emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and even physically in regards to having someone to talk to/vent, listen, or simply to have a shouder to cry on. Let me tell you something, women are truly fed up with guys who are totally inconsistent and unreliable in the past leading them to make definite changes for the better in pursuit of true happiness.

Let me ask you this question to those who are in significant relationships, when you began as friends was it hard to keep the feelings for him/her on the down low? I think it would be a tough situation indeed to keep how you feel for a guy/girl you're "just friends" with bottled up because there are so many things you want to try to say out loud within your heart that all you can do is just smile. In some aspect, he/she makes your day brighter as you, as well as your heart are metaphorically brought out from being hidden in the dark. Whether its just sitting together having conversations while having a meal, talking on the phone, or whatever the case may be time just flies by. Essentially, there is an initial fear felt within yourself and maybe within that person too but you don't run away from it because the fact of the matter of it is you don't want it to go away.

In retrospect, friendship and true love will always be synonymous with each other because you can't have one without the other. Its a sad state of affairs when relationships aren't built on the solid foundation of friendship as it was first built on the oftentimes shaky ground of the physical aspects of it. What it primarily comes down to is not being the type of guy/girl who makes small steps in the wrong direction but the type of person who can make one big step in the right direction all-the-while going at a slow, steady pace instead of rushing things too quickly to where you completely embarrass yourself. In the end, every person who is in this type of close friendship with a particular guy/girl hope, if there is any, to someday hear with a smile on his/her face the words I want to share my life with you as I see you as more than a friend, which is a song that best relflects this though by the group known as Michael Learns To Rock.

Better With Age

2009-11-01T21:36:00.005-06:00

Country Legend Willie Nelson once said, ~The older I get the better I feel about things. There's alot to be picked up if you keep an open mind, an open spirit. There's wisdom out there. I've learned patience. And I've learned to get out of the way and not to try to make things happen but just let then happen and accept them.~ Without a doubt, getting older is something each one of us are facing and as much as we don't like it we have to accept it much to our chagrin because quite frankly that's life. Essentially, life is about experiencing, as well as accepting changes in ever sense of the word when it pertains to out seemingly ongoing battle against Father Time. You see, no matter how hard try to stop it from happening it will gradually sneak up on us reavealing itself in certain ways.

Let me ask you this question to all the guys out there, when it comes to the aftermath of chowing down are you experiencing repercussion/problems now that you didn't experience back in the day whe you were younger? I think it would be safe to say that all guys including myself are dealing with the uncomfortable torture, so to speak, of heartburn and/or acid reflux. Its a sad situation indeed for any guy to no longer be able to devour with reckless abandon chicken wings, a whole pizza, bbq, or whatever tha case may be as we now reach for the pepto, rolaids, pecid ac, tums or down a glass of water to help conquer the pain and not have it be the other way around. Let me tell you something I've learned, drinking a glass of milk helps subside heartburn when you're unable to get a good night sleep.

If you think about it, you accept you're getting older when the conversations you have with your friends begin to gradually change. What do I mean? Well, when you're young the conversations oftentimes are about the late night/early morning adventures one has with his/her best buds/gal pals out on the town partying up all-the-while getting absolutely tipsy. However, as time passes on the conversations go from trying to remember what happened the previous night to talking about the televisions show you watched last night and asking their thoughts on particular episodes. House, So You Think You Can Dance Dancing With The Stars, Glee, Grey's Anatomy, Lost, Chuck, WWE RAW/Smackdown, etc. have, in a funny way, become our generation's Matlock.

For the question can be asked, how many of you 26-35 year olds are accepting the fact that you're either losing your hair or its in the process of going grey. As a guy who works kids for the past 11 years, they will say out loud what you don't want to know or hear for that matter pointing out the lack of hair I don't have and the grey hairs as well. In any case, there methods in which to turn back time in order to avoid looking older than you're actual age like coloring one's hair or receiving treatment for hair loss, which personally I am not going to because I'm just going to end up shaving my head anyway. Hey, in all serious though by accepting the fact you're either going bald/grey you inevitably accept the knowledge in which you're not old but more destinguished than these young kids today.

In retrospect, getting older stinks and yet there are distinct advantages about it that helps you grow mentally, emotionally, physically, and even spiritually as well. Ultimately, the one advantage of getting older is we can share our wisdom of what we learned over the years of what has either worked or hasn't work with these young kids today. You see, its our past mistakes that can be a lesson for those who we see a bit of ourselves in teaching them there are other alternatives such as patience, spending wisely, and having faith in God to lead them to their future spouse...but I digress, In the end, when it comes to the sands of time in regards to aging we all don't want to end up, in a manner of speaking, smelling like spoiled milk, instead we want to have the sweet smell of a finely aged wine because as wine goes they simply get better with age.

Up In Flames

2009-10-29T09:12:00.011-05:00

Miguel de Cevantes Saavedia once said, ~The phoenix hope, can wing her way through the desert skies and stil defying fortunes spite; revive from ashes and rise.~ I think it would be safe to say many of us pretty much know the ancient mythology of the firebird known as the phoenix. For its this fiery creature that lives for possibly 500/1000 years and dies leaving only the remnants of its own ashes. Yet, from within those ashes new life is born as the strong and fiery creature once again emerges. If you think about it, there are certain aspects of life that, in a sense, compare to the death and rebirth of the phoenix. You see, when it comes to aspects in life such as friendship, the human heart, and faith that at times tend to metaphorically burn up and die out, so to speak, only to rise up from the ashes once again.

Without a doubt, a friendship can most definitely burn up and die out leaving ashes of what was left of a stong bond between two once great friends. Its a sad situation indeed when two best buds or gal pals are no longer blazing the skies, in a manner of the speaking, creating long lasting memories because of a guy/girl coming in between the two of them or whatever the case may be. Every person has been a witness to or were one half of a dynamic duo in which something happened during a particular time that the friendship was extinquished leaving in its wake the charred ashes of a great friendship. However, the friendship was able to to rise up from the ashes burning stronger and flying higher depending on whichever person took the initiative to make amends whether it was his/her fault or not.

Oftentimes, the human heart can in all intensive purposes die from being burned so many times over to where it comes to the point of completely crumbling in your hand. For a many number people they know all too well that innate feeling as if their heart has been totally charred from seemingly experiencing the unfortunate scorching flames of heartbreak, disappointment, anger, bitterness, sadness, confusion, etc. You got to give much respect to those individuals who even though they have been baldy burned in the past by guys/girls that left them to, in a way, sweep up the ashy remains of what used to be filled with absolute true happiness, they continue to fight to live each day no matter what exuding an inner emotional, mental, physical, as well as spirtual strength.

1 Peter 1:7 says, ~That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.~ Let me ask you this question, how many of you have went through or are personally going through now your own trials and tribulations where your faith in God is being/has been tested? For some, most or all people have experienced or are currently experiencing situations in life where they've either battled/are battling getting their life back together as they deal with their personal demons concerning alcohol/drugs or dealing with a complications in a marriage/divorce leaving him/her tired, frustrated, and not being able to smile. Let me tell you something, you may lose faith in God when your lif seemingly falls apart but its God who will always be by your side and will never lose faith in you.

In retrospect, we're all facing or will face situation in life where one life "dies" and a new one begins. Marriage, a birth of a child, the death of a beloved friend/family member, a new job, faith in God, etc. are considered just a number of things that can be in one's own view as a new flame being born or a dying flame that has caused/is causing you grief. Thinking about it, just like the phoenix we all have a certain amount of time to live on this Earth and you can focus on either the positive aspects in this world as you live it to the fullest blazing a trial flying high in sky or focus all your attention on the negative aspects letting the ashes of your life run between your fingers. In the end, when it comes to the fire that burn in certain aspects of our lives we want it to keep continuously burning and instead not have it go up in flames where the life you live is stained with the dark ashes of pain and sadness.

Down To You

2009-10-24T10:26:00.007-05:00

Robert Sexton once said, ~In a time when nothing is more certain than change, the committment of two people to another has become difficult and rare. Yet, by its scarcity, the beauty and value of this exchange have only been enhanced.~ Without a doubt, when it comes to matters of the heart in regards to an engagement that moves towards marriage you have to be 100% certain you truly love the person you're going to spend the rest of your life with. For its most definitely a big change in two people's lives and even though there may possibly be a sense of fear being felt they both have committed their lives to each other and nobody else. Thinking about it, of the many values that make a lasting marriage absolutely beautiful the following 3 are considered key: friendship, trust, and faith.

Let me ask you this question to those who are engaged/married, how many of you started off as friends and the physical aspect didn't come into play in the relationship whatsoever? Its an amazing concept indeed to be just friends where talking to each other is actually involved first before ever establishing a relationship that is totally physical. In today's dating scene where hooking up immediately is the norm, you can't get a good grasp of who stands in front of you without knowing what gets one in a lively excited state of mind, which is oftentimes something simple yet thoughtful if you really pay close attention. You see, when you start off as friends you have a smile on your face but as the friendship grows further into something more the smile eventually is seen in your heart.

If you think about it, its rare these days to have one of the most important values needed for a marriage to succeed...trust. Why? The importance of trust plays a pivotal role in a marriage and I think it would be safe when you have someone special in your life you know with absolute certainly you can place your trust in wholeheartedly your worst fears are squashed. To have a guy/girl like that in which it causes you to no longer have any deep concerns leaving you fearfully doubting as to whether or not he/she will hurt you gives you a sense of peace in your mind and heart, which quite a few of you haven't had much of in the past. Let me tell you something ladies and gentlemen, its hard to trust especially when your heart is on the line, but when time is taken to earn that trust its all worth it.

Ecclesisastes 5:4-5 says. ~When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.~ Essentially, you have to be certain that the solemn, sacred vows made faithfully to each other, to the people in attendance, and to God as well to where every word leading up to "I do" not only represents Him as it also represents a strong committment in every sense of the word because if it isn't you're just not fooling yourself you're fooling Him as well. What it primarily comes down to is serious dedication in walking with God who sees, in a sense, two fools genuinley in love for the all the right reasons as you both put in the effort of working hard to stay in love instead of being seen by Him as just two foolish people making a big mistake.

In retrospect, you have to wonder how many people are certain they married or are marrying a guy/girl who is their/has been their best friend from the very beginning, a trusting confidant in which what is said between the two of them is kept on the down low, and a Godly spiritual human being who will pray/has always prayed for you when experiencing tough times emotionally, mentally, and/or physically. In the end, to those who are certain you can say to the one you love with a smile on your face that when it comes down to you I have no uncertainty to speak of because there's nothing more certain in my life than you as I give you/have given you my friendship, my trust, and my unwavering faith in you to always lead the both of us on the right path when it involves our spiritual walk with God as we journey together in true happiness.

Don't Speak

2009-10-20T10:01:00.001-05:00

Someone once said, ~You don't have to love in words: even through silence, love is heard.~ If you think about it, when it comes to matters of the heart there are moments of unspoken silence shared with a certain special someone that are truly cherished. For its those particular moments of shared silence where there is this a feeling of a strong sense of comforting ease letting you and your potential/significant other know there isn't a need to say anything to each other. A touching smile, a soulful gaze, a soft caress of the hand, a meaningful kiss, etc. are just a number of ways a person shows how much he/she genuinely and honestly cares about you. Essentially, its a type of love only a handful of people who are truly in love understand as they can hear it loud and clear within their heart.

Without a doubt, so much can be said from one heart to another without uttering a single word. Its an amazing situation indeed to witness couples married for 40, 50, 60 years sitting together and the husband expresses his love towards his beloved wife/best friend in absolute total silence. I think it would be safe to say every young couple strives to have that sense of contentment where you in all intensive purposes embrace the tranquil silence and not let the noisy surroundings become a distraction. Thinking about it, its difficult for any young couple these days to be in a place of such a hightened state of awareness where you're so emotionally, mentally, and spiritually in tune, so to speak, with each other the love you share goes beyond what words can say.

As said before, there are moments that are cherished in matters of heartfelted silence where you let the surroundings speak for the both of you giving way to the possibilites of an unforgettable, romantic memory. For those who are in potential and/or significant relationships can you remember a specific moment you still continue to cherish in your heart such as sitting together quietly on the beach watching the sun slowly set off in the distant horizon or simply taking a walk hand in had on a particular nature trail leading to a breath taking scenic view? You see, its those two special moments and others like it in which you're given the opportunity to say in words how you feel but instead let it be said in a look, a smile, a kiss, and/or an embrace.

Let me ask you this question ladies and gentlemen, how many of you ever experienced a moment where someone looked you in the eyes and you could feel him/her staring into your very soul to the point where the whole world goes completely quiet? To be perfectly honest, its rare these days for any person to meet someone who can look not just into your eyes, but look into your heart as well to where he/she sees the remarkable person you undeniably are without opening his/her mouth to speak to you. Every person has experienced or is currently experiencing a feeling like anything you've never felt before as the unspoken care/love being shown to you leaves you speechless, which causes you to become scared and yet its a good kind of scared.

William Shakespeare said, ~The silence often of pure innocence persuades when speaking fails.~ In retrospect, its definitely hard to put into words the love one has within his/her heart for another, which is why there are so many countless acts of stupidity in the name of it. Oftentimes, it makes you doubt as to whether or not opening your mouth to say what is in your heart worth it. However, you can't deny the fact there is something powerful in the pure innocence of love or true love for that matter that can't be hidden as a person's true feelings are revealed and seen clear as day in that person's body language. In the end, its the special moments in a relationship where you don't speak are the most cherished in relationship and will be remember as they speak volumes for years to come.

Just Breathe

2009-10-17T07:34:00.008-05:00

Someone once said, ~Love is giving someone the ability to destroy you but trusting them not to.~ Without a doubt, when it comes to matters of the heart in regards to love/true love you can most definitely allow yourself to experience absolute vulnerability knowing full well that particular person has the power to destroy you physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually as well. Destroy you in such a way the inner turmoil one goes through leaves you with a tightened sensation within your chest to where its hard for you to even breathe. Yet, even though you may have this overwhelming sense off fear concerning getting hurt by a certain special someone you inevitably put all your trust in him/her leaving you with this sense of peaceful calm you can't explain to the point where the times you continue to spend with him/her you begin to breathe easier and easier.

Let me ask you this question to those who experienced in the past or currently are experiencing a situation in a bad relationship where the guy/girl focused/is focused on metaphorically destroying not only your heart, but your overall sense of being? Its a sad situation indeed to know someone or are that someone who isn't shown any kind of love from a once best friend you wholeheartedly trusted to never cause you pain but he/she unfortunately does. Essentially, the negativity coming from him/her gets in all intensive purposes dumped on to your shoulders leaving feeling the stressful pressure weighing down on you causing difficulty in being able to take in air. However, you no longer feel the stress of negativity weighing your shoulders down as you have met someone who has gradually helped lighten the load, so to speak, off your tired shoulders.

If you think about it, its impossible to destroy a person's heart because no matter how many times it gets put in the proverbial grinder or gets repeatedly stomped on its always able to come back from the brink of utter destruction. In a sense, the all out painful beating one takes can leave you emotionally, mentally, physically, and spritually beaten/bruised all suffered at the hands of a guy/girl who seemingly doesn't show any kind of mercy. For its a type of pain that doesn't heal quickly and for a certain number of people they personally know all to well the discomfort of having their own heart tightly bandaged due to the senseless brutality of someone who just doesn't care. Let me tell you something ladies and gentelmen, bruises heal and the pain will go away as time along with the right guy/girl by your side heals all wounds.

For the question can be asked to those are still standing after nearly getting destroyed in a past relationship by a guy/girl who wanted nothing more than to see you break, who/what has helped you through it all? Friends, family, shedding of tears, smiling, laughter, praying to God, reading His word, etc. are just some of the things that initially help not just ease the pain of heartbreak but it helps make every breath you take easier to breathe in each and every day. What it comes down to is having supportive people that have your back no matter what and will stand in front of you if need be to take the brunt of the beat downs. You see, its the people who genuinely and honestly care about you, along with The Almighty God, that don't have intentions to seek and destroy but instead have intentions to seek with comforting, caring love whereby giving you more room to breathe easier as times go by.

In retrospect, there are people out there who allowed themselves to be truly vulnerable and have ended up with their heart destroyed causing their views on love/true love to be destroyed also. For some people, they refuse to take off the tight bandage around their heart causing difficulties in breathing to where their hopes of ever experiencing true happiness never happen while others have made the decision to take off the bandage around their heart as they slowly but surely breathe in and out. Its a painful process but by enduring the pain you eventually let go of the fear, doubt, and negative people weighing down on you giving you the chance to live the life you always wanted with someone who loves/cares for you with all his/her heart. In the end, when the weight of the world is off your shoulders and experience for yourself true happiness you're absolutely deserving of with a smile on your face you can finally just breathe, which is song by former Rockstar Supernova contestant Ryan Star that somewhat reflect this thought.

Good Grief

2009-10-12T07:42:00.006-05:00

Iconic Peanuts character Charlie Brown once said, ~In the book of life the answers are in the back.~ In some aspect, life can be at times best described as being a character of the late great Charles Schulz's best know and beloved cartoon/comic strip many of us grew up reading/watching as kids...Peanuts. In a sense, the answers to life are in front staring us in the face as they're found in an array of colorful and not to mention memorable cast of characters you can in a way relate to in a deeply personal way. Essentially, you see yourself in not only in the character of Charlie Brown, Sally, Snoopy, Woodstock, Linus, Lucy, Pepperment Patty, Marcy, Franklin, Schroeder, etc., but also in certain aspects of life each of them go through that in a weird, eerily funny way parallel our own.

Let me ask you this question, when it comes to Charlie Brown and the gang who do you see yourself as and by far represents you? I think it would be safe to say there are quite a number of people who immediately have a character in mind. For any woman who possibly grew up as a tomboy wearing sandals all the time would gravitate to Peppermint Patty whereas guys who are musically talented and enjoy jamming on the piano would gravitate more towards the musical phenom Schroeder. Personally speaking, the character I see myself as is Charlie Brown's best friend Linus without the blanket and thumb sucking of course. Why Linus? Thinking about it, Linus to me shares moments of sage, thought provoking wisdom to those around him, which fits me perfectly.

If you think about it, you wouldn't normally expect the most annoying aspect of life known as dram to be associated with characters from a classic cartoon show/comic strip. However, when you take a step back to analyze it drama and Peanuts character Pigpen coincide with each other because they both basically come in the form of a seemingly dark, stinky cloud you never want to find yourself in, close to, and/or around. For some, most or all people they not only know what the smell of drama is like, but know all too well what it feels like to be metaphorically standing in a dirty, cloudly mess of anger, hatred, jealousy, vindictiveness, etc. that was primarily caused by the absolute stench of a certain someone who makes it increasingly difficult for you to breathe.

For the question can be asked, how many of you compare love/relationship in regards to heartbreak and true happiness to that of Charlie Brown trying to successfully kick the football held by Lucy? In a sense, Lucy is a representation of pain, suffering, heartbreak, and pretty much all the negativey you've experienced in the past or currently are experiencing coming in the form of a guy/girl who is constantly taking away your chances of finally experiencing the kick of true happiness you're truly deserving of. Its a sad situation indeed for any person to go through as one always finds himself/herself on the ground looking up at the sky experiencing a plethora of unwanted emotions. Let me tell you something to those who are looking at the sky, your time to finally kick the football will happen for you.

In retrospect, life many not always be as imaginative or even care free for that matter as seen through the eyes of Snoopy along with his best bird bud Woodstock but we get by as best we can along with own best buds. You see, even though it may be different siutations for each of us we all considerably go through the same encounters dealing with our own kite eating trees or metaphorically finding ourselves sprawled out on top of a pitching mound possibly with our clothes knocked off from us...who knows. In the end, you just have to not focus on all your failures/negativity in life like ole' Charlie Brown that have you uttering good grief; instead pray to God, read His word, and tune into/listen to the music from friends/family that help bring about smiles, laughter, and possibly the enjoyment of group dances.

All Or Nothing

2009-10-07T21:07:00.009-05:00

Someone once said, ~Life is like soccer. If there's no goals, its just playing around with friends. But as soon as goals appear, the people become you're enemy, and the other half are just co-workers.~ As said before, life like the game of soccer where we're all, in a sense, kicking a soccer ball that represents certain aspects such as friendship, professional ambitions, and most definitely matters of the heart. For its a tough situation indeed to not only handle the proverbial soccer ball of life, but be able to stay focused knowing opposing forces are/will be standing in your way as you set your sights in trying to all intensive purposes kick your professional, as well as personal ambitions/aspirations/goals into the net of success.

Without a doubt, life is much more interesting and not to mention entertaining when you have your close personal friends by your side running up and down with you on the soccer field of life. Each of them initially play the following dual roles or should I say positions that test how strong the cohesive unit of friendship you inevitably share with people who aren't just considered teammates as they're also considered to be family. Essentially, in your group of friends you have wingers who helps you in a supportive way by setting up perfect or close to perfect target giving you the opportunity to take your shot(s). Thinking about it, you can't have wingers without having defenders who prevent anything from happening to you when you're knowingly or unknowingly in danger of being hurt. Tell me, do you have friends like the ones mentioned above?

If you think about it, when it comes to the soccer game of life you push yourself like never before, especially involving the professional working world. Its truly competitive in the real world and its certainly a challenge in itself to metpahorically have the ball, run with it, and then unfortunately drop it, so to speak, during or so close to the end of your professional journey as you made a costly mistakes or several costly mistakes. We've all heard the saying no guts no glory and its a true statement because if you don't give 110% of your blood, sweat, and tears by aggressively going for the offensive towards the goal your kicking straight for you're never really going to know if you left everything of yourself or nothing at all on the field. What it primarily comes down to is working through the mental/physical pain you know you're going to endure all-the-while refusing to quit because you're hurt and tired.

Let me ask you this question to those who play or used to play soccer, how many of you put in the effort by practicing and working hard in order to be THE best or one of the best players on your team? You see, its that same work ethic that should be implemented in significant relationship where you work hard to use the skills that help make the two person team both of you developed together a force to be reckoned with that can't be beat. Committment, communication, trust, faith, honesty, loyalty, security, intimacy, caring, understanding, tenderness, compassion, patience, tolerance, forgiveness, respect, etc. are the skills you continue to learn to use every day with someone you absolute love, which is something you're not a master at and if you think you are then you're totally deluded.

In retrospect, in the soccer game of life you either play by the rules or you don't. For some, most or all people they played by the rules and at times got in trouble whereby receiving a simple slap on the wrist in the form of a yellow card giving them a clear warning not to do it again. However, for others they broke the rules countless times leading them to receive a red card in which their punishment consisted of serving time in jail or prison. In any case, whether its friendship, work, and/or love you work your butt off showing you're taking it very seriously. In the end, the soccer game that is life you go by an all or nothing mentality because if you're not in it to win then its time to take yourself out of the game and go home.

Lucky In Love

2009-10-04T21:07:00.008-05:00

Someone once said, ~Lucky is the man who is the first love of a woman, but uckier is the woman who is the last love of a man.~ Let me ask you this question to those in a significant relationship, how many of you are truly lucky to have a guy/girl in your life who absolutely loves you with all of his/her heart and vice versa? For it can most definitely put a smile not only on your face, but in your heart as well to be with someone who you're lucky enough to have as your very best friend for life. You certainly have to pinch yourself at times just to make sure you're not dreaming because when it comes to love or true love for that matter you can't help but thank God for leading you to/sending you someone who is so unbelievebale you think to yourself you can't really be this lucky.

Without a doubt, there are a number of people who are lucky enough to be with the love of their live. As said before, to be in a significant relationship with your very best friend is what many of us living the single life strive to have someday. We all know couples that when you see them together you think how lucky they are to have found/met each other as their individual journey experiencing past sadness, frustration, anger, loneliess, etc. are forgetten as they both are presently living the good life heading towards a prosperous future together. Essentially, the love they share can be witnessed by the looks in their eyes but its not a look of lust as it is more a look in which two people are very fortunate to share a love that is genuinely honest and real.

If you think about it, there are people out there who believe their luck as run out when it pertains to matters of the heart. Its a sad situation indeed to be friends with someone or is someone who has unfortunately suffered a streak of bad luck in the dating scene. For most, or all people they have been in this constant unlucky streak for quite some time and would like nothing more than to have the streak of unwanted heartbreak and disappointment to be over with. In a sense, a person doesn't want to be in all intenseive purposes in a Susan Lucci type sutuation in regards to relationships where you seemingly end up coming short of what is within reach as you so want to experience something extraordinarly wonderful for a change, which is what many single people would love to have happen.

For the question can be asked, how many of you consider your significant other your proverbial good luck charm? The reason I'm asking is because when you're with him/her you feel as if everything is going your way and nothing is going to cause you to lose the smile plastered on your face. I think you would agree you are given the greatest gift of love/true love its possibly worth much more than a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Thinking about it though, its not a matter of luck as you put your faith and trust in such things as a rabbit's foot, a penny, or whatever the case may be as it is a matter of putting your faith and trust in God who provides you with all the luck He can provide knowing full well it will never run out as long as you pray, as well as read His word.

In retrospect, every person is lucky to have someone who can make it much easier than making it harder when things in life become incredibly difficult. Its a sad state of affairs for any guy/girl who is in a relationship with someone who makes you sick and tired of just being sick and tired as they are always finding themselves either in tears, heated arguments, not smiling, or not at all in a good mood. Ultimately, you know he/she is bad luck and you have to do what's best for you in order to attain the luck you're truly deserving of within your own heart. In the end, to those who are lucky in love I tip my hat to you as I hope the two of you stay hoplessly in love for years to come and a song that best reflects this thought is Lucky by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat.

In Your Dreams

2009-09-27T23:08:00.004-05:00

Someone once said, ~Love is the most beautiful of dreams, and the worst of nightmares.~ Without a doubt, when it comes to love or true love for that matter you can most definitely become effected in such a way you truly suffer, especially when it involves nights of slumber. I think many would agree love/true and suffering are synonymous with each other as a person can experience a sort of painful contentment within their heart inevitably manifesting itself when you close your eyes at night. For its a type of suffering that is both positive and negative as you have someone in your life who has given you continuous dreams of absoluyte true happiness leaving a smile always on your face, but at the same time leaves you frowning as you go through times of sleepless nights.

Let me ask you this question to those in a significant relationship, what aspect of love/true love cause you to suffer to the point where you find yourself having both sweet dreama and the worst of nightmares? If you said dealing with the issue of distance you're correct and its a frustrating situation indeed for any person to have someone you loves/deeply care about miles away or overseas. We all know someone or quite possibly are that someone who is going through separation anxiety as there is a long distance relationship happening and the effects of being away from each other for a certain amount of time causes a lack of sleep leading you to toss, as well as turn dreaming that he/she is with you right by your side, which can be clearly seen by the haggard look on your face.

If you think about it, matters of the heart in regards to being in a significant relationship is both a blessing and a curse. Why? Essentially, the qualities of love you've been dreaming of has been found in someone special who is no longer a mere fanatasy dreamt up while asleep, but is actually real as you can feel, touch, talk to him/her. Thinking about it, the reality of having love/true love in your life can surely be a tortuous experience for couples who aren't able to be together because of such infortunate situations as the man/woman working out of state, in the military fighting overseas, or whatever the case may be. Its a sad state of affairs when the person you so want tp be at your side when you need him/her the most leaving you to settle with just hearing his/her voice to give you temporarily relief.

For the question can be asked to those who are living the single life such as myself, when you dream of love/true love do you see or are you able to see his/her face? We've all at some point had dreams where each one of us are chasing someone who is seemingly out of reach and if/when we do finally reach him/her we end up turning him/her around you either can't see his/her face or wake up immediately just as you're about to. For some, most or all single people its a recurring dream that at first causes you to happily look forward in seeing the face of the person who haunts your dreams, but as time goes on it becomes a nightmare causing you to not only have many sleepless nights, but also experience the loss of one's own sanity as well.

In retrospect, the dreams of a experiencing love/true has come to fruition for many people and yet they too are silently suffering as well. Oftentimes, the dreams of a better tomorrow are a catch 22 because what you've been dreaming of is a far cry from the reality of a long list of broken relationships. However, the reality of having your forever best friend sticking by your side and going through every high, as well as low with this particular person is so much better than the dream don't you think? In the end, I say to those who are silently suffering in their sleep be rest assured that its in your dreams that love/true will become a reality or has become a reality for you and that certain someone is finally giving you a peaceful nights rest instead of unwanted nightmares.

Hope Floats

2009-09-21T19:45:00.002-05:00

Someone once said, ~Love comes to those who still hope even though they've been disappointed; to those who still believe even though they've been betrayed; to those who still love even though they've been hurt before.~ If you think about it, hope is something that people sometimes don't necessarily hold on to, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. Essentially, hope and love are synonymous with each other as you can either easily give up on it because of bad past relationship experiences or keep holding on to it knowing true happiness you most definitely deserve will come to fruition. For its a tough and frustrating situation indeed for those to still have hope when they've experienced constant disappointment, from guys/girls who metaphorically drained not only the hope within their heart, but the love as well.

Let me ask you this question to those who have seemingly faced disappointment time and time again, have you personally given up hope in one day finally experiencing true happiness? You see, its difficult for any person to keep the bright light of hope in one's own heart from being in all intensive purposes extinguished and avoid have it sinking into the dark despair of anger, bitterness, sadness, confusion, loneliness, etc. Yet, its those unfortunate past relationships that gradually flickered the light within your heart to the point where it nearly or possibly has gone completely out has lead you to someone special whose given you a new found hope. A new found hope in which it always burns brightly never to sink into the utter darkness where past heartbreaks that left hurtful scars are now healed by the shining warmth of his/her love.

Without a doubt, there are those that are living the single life who hold on to the hope of one day finally experiencing true happiness. They have this unwavering belief that going through the unwanted pain and heartbreak was all worth it as each one of them hopes he/she meets someone who can look him/her in the eyes and make him/her truly believe there is an absolute strong, bright future for the two of you. However, there are those who unfortunately are losing/have lost their grip on the innate hope of someday finding love that is honestly genuine. Thinking about it, there comes a point where a person doubts as to whether or not to keep holding on to the hope of love/true love gradually leading to the notion that it was merely fleeting because it became physically, mentally, and emotionally tiresome causing one to make the painful decision to let go.

For the question can be asked to those who are hopeful instead of hopeless, what has continually kept your hopes high in meeting that certain someone who you will spend the rest of your days with? For some, most, or all people its their faith in God as they pray to him in order for their prayers of a wonderful life of joy, happiness, and contentment to be fulfulled. As its been said many times before, its just a matter of patience and timing as you spiritually read the word of God for guidance when there is inner turmoil going in within your heart. What it primarily comes down to is letting go of the hope you have as you trust in yourself to make love/true love happen for you and instead hold on to the hope in what God can do when it comes to the love you are deserving of all-the-while completely letting go as you trust in Him that He is guiding you to Ms./Mr. Right or vice versa.

Actor Josh Hartnett said, ~Hope is the most exciting thing in life and if you honestly believe that love is out there, it will come. And even if it doesn't come straight away there is still that chance all through your life that it will.~ In retrospect, the hope of falling in love can get anyone excited and even though it may not be happening for you right now you pray to God in hopes that it will. Personally speaking, as much as I'm a cynic when it concerns love/true love I continue to pray to God that he sends me a very special lady who I will fall excitedly in love with for a lifetime. In the end, if you don't put all your faith in God then the hopes of bright future of love/true love will sink completely out of sight into darkness, but ultimately hope floats for those who set both their heart and eyes on Him giving way to a life full of pure, loving excitement.

The Usual

2009-09-07T10:02:00.002-05:00

David Knopfler once said ~I feel like I'm stepping into a place of spiritual contemplation every time I step into the stuido, its always had a certain magic to me that have never worn off with fimiliarity.~ If you think about it, we all have a place that has an ere of familiarity and even though it may not have a certain magic to it you always experience a sense of ease whenever you step in. For its when you step into a particular place or particular places you're possibly greeted in sort of the same fashion as fictional character from the tv show Cheers Nrom Peterson with everyone inside calling out his name. Although he had his spot sitting at the stool aong side his best bud Cliff Clavin at the end of the bar, we sometimes don't have the luxery of sitting in the same place we do however sit with the same familiar friends on hand that help make any area to sit in my/our spot.

Without a doubt, there is a place guys frequent every couple of weeks and its a place of considerable comfort where one can leave his hair to a trusted professional. Its in a barbershop in which a guy can be rest assured the person he goes to knows how and what style haircut he wants without even saying a word. What it basically comes down is how long he has been going to that particular barbershop and depending whether or not their is a strong friendship with the barber in question. You see, there is a strong, unexplainable bond between a guy and his barber so much so that a guy will actually get upset if he isn't there leading him to begrudgingly have his hair cut by someone else. As rediculous as it may sound its absolutely true and ladies ask any guy the name of his barber he personally goes to get his hair cut.

Essentially, there are countless coffee drinkers out there and it would be safe to say there are certain number of people who not only frequent a specific Starbucks in their area, but rhey also in all intensive purposes consider it a second home. We all know someone or are that someone who sets up shop, so to speak, as he/she makes himself/herself comfortable at a particular Starbucks in one's favorite table/area possibly bringing along books, classwork, and/or laptop in hand to keep one's self occupied while downing the coffee you tend to order all the time. Thinking about it, one can be considered a regular to the point where a friendship is forged with both the staff and manager, which gives any person a sense he/sh isn't just seen as a simple customer but as a friend who they most definitely make one feel at home.

Let me ask you this question, have you every been to a restaurant that when you immediately stepped in they knew who you are because you went there so many times before? We all have a place we like to eat at either with friends and/or family that has an atmosphere of familiarty where the service, as well as hospitality you receive are top notch as you partake in your favorite meal. As said before, you don't feel like you're just seen as a simple customer as you get to know certain people from the servers to the chefs who work there getting to know them not just on a professional basis, but in a personal basis as well. Whether its just shooting the breeze about what's going on news wise or talking about how each other's family is doing you enjoy being there to where you don't want to leave when the meal is done.

In retrospect, being in a place that you're so familar with and can always go to is something quite enjoyable. Its in how you look at it really as you take the experience of what is seen as primarily mundane by others is seen by you along with friends as a situation where you spend time having fun with the people you love/care about. A bookstore, museum, golf course, church, etc. are just a few places that you can most definitely spend at times in quiet tranquility away from the outside world for a couple hours as you either get a haircut, drink a cup of coffee while busy at your laptop, or eat your favorite meal. How many of you have a place like this where the combination of people, atmosphere, and the food/drink is absolutely fantastic? In the end, its the usual places you go to alone or with friends that seem to never loses its magic and you hope it never does.

It All Falls Down

2009-08-27T21:47:00.006-05:00

The 34th President of the United States Dwight D. Eisenhower once said, ~You have a row of dominoes set up, you knock over the first one, and what will happen to the last one is that it will go over very quickly.~ In some aspect, life can be compared to a row dominoes that at times can be a tough, as well as frustrating situation as a person works hard setting up something that most definitely takes enormous amounts of time, patience, and effort. Yet, all the hard work one puts into setting up the life he/she always wanted can all be easily knocked down or in this case toppled over not just by the hand of someone else, but from their own as well. If you think about it, each domino individually represents aspects of life each of us want to not have fall to where we end up starting back at the beginning all over again.

As said before, life can be compared to a row of dominoes and when you're setting up you certainly want a steady hand in order to not let them fall. In a sense, when it comes to our own life each of us try to steady ourselves on something/someone solid as we go on about our business in hopes we don't end up being sabotaged or accidentally sabotaging ourselves to the point where we fall flat on our buttockal region. You see, one of the things that tends to metaphorically knock each one of us down to inevitably ruin the awesome day/week/month we were thoroughly enjoying up to that particular point is drama. Essentially, drama is something you can never see coming in the game of life, so to speak, where one simple touch can teeter totter a situation/event/moment causing you to not only hold your breathe, but also experience a domino effect of emotions.

Without a doubt, we've all at some point became too focused at setting up a row dominoes that you alienated those around you because of selfishly wanting it done your way. Thinking about it, each and every person can get too focused in life to where it can become an absolute obsession especially when it comes to achieving professional goals. For its within those professional goals in which a new path is set up to follow filled with possible fame, fortune, and noteriety all-the-while veering off the original path one originally started out on leading one to gradually ignore the sound advice coming from friends/family. Its a sad situation indeed when a person is blinded by the intense focus of professional ambition leading all the people who lined up behind him/her being the helpful support system through the good and bad times to unfortunately fall back/out of his/her life one by one.

Let me ask you this question, have you ever been so close to accomplishing setting up all the dominoes you found yourself watching it all just fall? How did you feel when it happened? I think it would be safe to say you would feel shock, disappointment, annoyance, aggitation, aggrevation, frustration, and quite possibly anger. Oftentimes, its those same feelings you experience in watching all the dominoes fall is in a sense the same feeling you get when it pertains to matters of the heart involving heartbreak. Every person has come so close in the past to hopefully being in a potential relationship with a certain special someone only to find out he/she doesn't feel the same about you. Let me tell you something, the joy, happiness, excitement, etc.are all completely knocked back leaving your heart in utter disbelief.

In retrospect, we all go about setting up the domino pieces in our own life that are deemed important. Marriage, family, freinds, money, a thriving career, etc. are all what each one of us hold or would like to someday hold in our hand carefully placing them down one by one on something level and solid in hope it doesn't tip over. However, if you're not looking to God through constant prayer and the reading of his word to keep all the domino pieces steady He will continue to tip them over one by one until you do. God has lined up for us in terms of what was mentioned above and for certain number of us it has come to fruition. In the end, He can look down with a smile on his face as he tips all the domino pieces of your life and all the hard work...all the pain, suffering, and frustration you went through...and all you truly deserve for your heart...it all falls down into place absolutely perfectly.

Watch Your Step

2009-08-18T21:33:00.010-05:00

Jonathan Carroll once said, ~You have to walk carefully in the beginning of love; the running across fields into you lover's arms comes only later when you're sure they won't laugh at you trip.~ As said before, you most definitely have to walk carefully in the beginning of love because a person overstep boundaries leaving one not only embarrassed, but considerably apologetic as well. Whether its your words both spoken and unspoken or your actions the slightest mistake can inevitably stop you in your tracks towards experiencing true happiness. For its in the beginning of love in which personal space should exist in order to show that when it comes to matters of the heart you're willing to walk a slow, steady pace instead of rushing into things whereby stepping on his/her toes, so to speak, causing that person to "limp" in the relationship.

Without a doubt, walking a slow, steady pace in the beginning of love initially helps in process of a growing relationship. Every person has heard the saying that roughly goes to know a person you must walk a mile in their shoes. In somewhat the same context, to truly get to know that special someone you must in all intensive purposes walk a mile in their heart. You see, being able to know someone on a more emotional level all-the-while giving him/her that much needed personal space to eventually be comfortable enough to share of his/her own free will special and/or difficult events/situations/moments of the past he/she doesn't normally share with anyone else without feeling as if they're being pressured into doing so. which is something that I dare say every woman wants to experience for themselves.

Oftentimes, there are people out there who aren't the type who walk carefully in the beginning of love as they are the type who steps up getting all up in your personal space. Thinking about it, you have to be a little creeped out when guys, as well as girls get a bit overzealous to say the least by doing certain things that are unorthodox such as talking about marriage, kids, planning each other's entire life way too early in the relationship. You see, there a fine line that every person walks when it pertains to what topics should and shouldn't be said in the beginning of what could be love to the point where if that line is crossed you end up looking like you're completely out of your mind. Hey, if you know someone or are in fact someone like this all I got to say to you is take a step back because the more you step on his/her toes the likelyhood you'll end up with a foot up your arse.

Let me ask you this question ladies, would you rather have a guy walk carefully with you in the early stages of love or run with you full speed ahead throwing careful out the window, in a manner of speaking? If you think about it, it touches any woman when a guy is able to walk softly in her heart as he gets to know her before the physical aspect of the relationship happens leading to a much stronger relationship. Yet, its a sad sitautaion indeed when the adrenaline rush a woman felt as she ran along side a guy who had given her that thrilling excitement within her heart is gone because the physical aspect of the relationship became the primary incentive to run. Let me tell you something, I've read emails/listenedto/talked to a number of women who have taken the long walk of shame within their own heart and if done all over again they would have rather walked carefully than ran.

In retrospect, to walk carefully in the beginning of love is a venture that takes a lot of hard work, time and patience, especially with someone you care about with all your heart. For the question can be asked, how many of you have royally messed up in the past to the point where he/she walked out on you and you vowed to yourself to not make the same mistakes you did in the last relationship? I would fair to guess its difficult to do, but you persevered as it indeed took hard work, time and patience on your part because he's/she's absolutely worth walking a thousand miles for. However, you can't be too careful in love or you'll end up, in a sense tripping over your own heart, which is what many have done a time or two or three. In the end, to those in the beginning stage of love I say to you learn from your mistakes and watch your step because the times you do trip/fall can be a doozy.

Follow Me

2009-08-11T21:04:00.007-05:00

Someone once said, ~Not the cry, but the flight of the wild duck leads the flock to fly and follow.~ In some aspect, love or true love for that matter can be compared to a flock of ducks flying up in the clear blue sky. For its a seemingly wonderous sight to behold to see a flock of ducks flying in absolute perfect formation to the point where you can't help but be in awe of how beautiful and majestic it truly is. To those who are in significantly strong relationships you in a way represent the flock of ducks who have been able to in all intensive purposes fly further than anyone could ever possibly imagine. Essentially, every person wants to experience for themselves a continually soaring love that is so beautifully majestic all apsects considered important in a relationship stick together when the oftentimes unpredictable climate/situations try to break what you both have apart.

If you think about it, we've all at some point stood firmly on the ground looking up at the sky watching a flock of ducks fly by. It can be a mesmerizing situation indeed to be standing there knowing a part of you wonders what it would be like to fly amongst the clouds. You see, when it comes to matters of the heart you want to be where those ducks are as you want to experience being a part of a beautifully majestic relationship with someone special, instead of just standing there looking up from within your heart wondering what it would feel like to be in their position. Hey, for those who are living the single life they're tired of having that feeling of being stuck on the ground in some sort holding pattern and would like nothing more to spread one's wings in order to finally experience the feeling of true happiness.

Without a doubt, being able to witness a flock of ducks in perfect formation as they do the flying v is amazing. In a sense, the flying v is a representation of aspects in a relationship you want in perfect alignment whereby making the flight of love absolutely smooth. Committment, trust, honesty, intimacy, communication, respect, friendship, etc. are aspect of love that inevitably help keep a relationship perfectly aligned or close to it to where you and that certain somone are nsync mentally, emotionally, as well as spiritually. However, there are situatiions where unpredictable forces of nature become obstacles leaving you absolutely frustrated, angry, bitter, cynical, disappoineted, etc. and whether they be known or unknown they will try/have tried to break apart the strong, solid v-like formation in order to throw the love you share with each other completely of course.

Let me ask you this question to those in potential and/or significant relationships, have you ever experienced or are currently experiencing the dastardly hunter known as drama who tried to/is trying to "shoot" your relationship down? I think it would be safe to say there are people out there who are hiding in plain sight waiting for the perfect opportunity to lock in their scope, in a manner of speaking, in order to target a particular guy/girl who is an excellent relationship. A best friend, brother, sister, a co-worker, an aquaintance, etc. are just a plethora of people who may possibly be lying in wait with fire power in hand to secretly keep you from going the distance. For a certain number of people they unfortunately have encountered being winged while others have found themselves in an all out assault in trying to bring down their relationship by any means necessary.

In retrospect, there is a saying that goes birds of a feather flock together and that is a true statement as you will meet someone or already have met someone who is flying in the same direction you are. How many of you can say you have a guy/girl in your life who physically sticks with you through gusty winds that blow extremely hard at times in a relationship. A guy/girl who leads you safely through the utter darkness and into the light at the other end when you're lost mentally and emotionally. A guy/girl who spiritually guides you knowing that when all else fails he/she shows you praying faithfully to God helps keep you on the straight and narrow. In the end, when you do meet this person who you're totally quakers for...sorry I had to do it... and he/she says follow me you won't be scared at where you're flying to because you know in your heart you're forever safe with him/her.

I Love You Came Too Late

2009-08-04T10:44:00.006-05:00

Someone once said, ~People so seldom say I love you and then its either too late or love goes. So when I tell you it doesn't mean I know you'll never go, only that I wish you didn't have to.~ Let me ask you this question, how many of you out there were at some point in a relationship with a guy/girl you considered to be "the one that got away?" For its that person you deeply regretted not saying I love you to and not sharing within your heart what you didn't have the courage to say to him/her when opportunities presented themselves in the relationship. I think it would be safe to say that some of you possibly have someone in mind as you're reading this to where so many memories that have been tucked away, so to speak, in the back of your heart come flooding back, which are painfully depressing in a good way of course.

Without a doubt, every person possibly has a story of "the one that got away" and by their own stupid mistake let him/her slip right through one's own fingers, in a manner of speaking. Thinking about it, one can most definitely experience feeling the blues when reflecting back on that certain someone in the past who you supposedly cared for with your heart. The color of his/her eyes, the sound of his/her voice, the way he/she laughed, the way he/she smiled are just some of the things that a guy/girl is never able to forget as they're considered a haunting reminder of what he/she could have held on to now, but instead it was all lost because he/she could never really bring himself/herself to say those three important words that he/she has been waiting, as well as, wanting to hear for quite some time.

As said before, there are certain people who can never really bring themselves to say I love you leading his/her potential/significant other to become absolutely frustrated to the point where he's/she's sick and tired fo waiting for those three words to come out of your mouth. Why? I think what it comes down to are that he/she may not have been certain as of yet if those three words were just that...words. Its a sad situation indeed when a person simply goes through the motion of saying I love you knowing full well they're not just lying to their potential/significant other, but also to himself/herself as well. You see, for any girl or guy for that matter you want the words I love you to mean to have true meaning as they in all intensive purposes pierce deeply into your heart in such a person and emotional way you don't question it.

For the question can be asked, if it were humanly possibly would you go back in Quantum Leap type way to fix the wrong and make it right concerning "the one that got away" essentially erasing all your past yesterdays? If you you think about it, being able to change the past when it pertain to matters of the heart is a leap many would not pass up on but unfortunately life doesn't work that way. Its tough for any person to deal with the regret of not opening their eyes in time as he/she didn't wake up to the signs of the lack of attention that he/she gave to that certain someone whereby putting him/though an all out mental, as well as, emotional rollercoaster inevitably pushing him/her away little by little. Oftentimes, the words I love you followed by a geuninely remorseful I'm sorry weren't enough to rekindle what once was as pain of losing him/her again hurts twice as much.

In retrospect, when it comes to "the one that got away" a smile can appear on your face as you know he/she was the one person who knew you better than you knew yourself. Plus it's this particular person who could see through all your bs and has that innate ability to have you open yourself up leaving you not only scared but vunerable. Hey, its a fear that every person has faced, is facing, or is going to face and whether you stay in order to conquer the fear or run away completely because you're scared he's/she's going to leave you first is all up to you. In the end, to those who are in a potential/significant relationship don't be afraid/put off saying out loud what's in your heart or you'll end up looking back at past regrets because the words I love you came too late, which is a song by solo artist/NKOTB member Joey McIntyre that best reflects this thought.

Shake and Bake

2009-08-01T05:51:00.006-05:00

Dale Earnhardt Jr. once said, ~Target is to run as good as you can every week. Everything else takes care of itself. We just got to go out there and race as hard as we can, take the car we got, do the best we can with it every week.~ In some aspect, life can in a sense be like racing in NASCAR as each of us are in a way going head to head against not only friends, but also adversaries as well vying for that proverbial checkered flag to be waved in our favor when experiencing victories that considered to be either small or huge. For the checkered flag is a representation of our hopes, dreams, goals, true happiness, etc. that most definitely motivates one to give it all he's/she's got in order to follow closely behind the person in front of you, stay side by side, or possibly be the leader of the pack.

Let me ask you this question, when it comes to being on the track of life are you strapped in, revved up, and have your game face on similar to that of the Initimidator Dale Earnhardt Sr? Thinking about it, NASCAR is a sport that is all about facing overwhelming challenges as a driver works his way to establish himself as THE best or one of the best drivers in the game. You see, you have to have that competitive spirit in you and exude a winner's mindset or you'll end up feeling absolutely frustrated for always seemingly come so close to victory ala JD McDuffie. In any case, that is how many of us are/should be when it pertains to our professional lives as we work hard day in and day out doing the best job one possibly can in hope of adding to our own individual point standings of life receiving a well deserved reward in the process such as a promotion.

Without a doubt, in any NASCAR race there will always be potential problems for a driver that either need to be fixed, cut/ripped off, or pounded out/in to make the car run better. Its at that point, a driver pulls into pit row where his personal pit crew tries their very best to keep you in the race, so to speak. If you think about it, its comforting to know whenever we suffer damages/breakdowns in a mental, physical, emotional, and/or spiritual way you can count on your pit crew of bros/gal pals who can try their very best to in all intensive purposes help pound out/fix, in a manner of speaking, whatever problems/difficulties you may be experiencing on any given day. Let me tell you something, to have a pit crew you can truly trust who knows you so well inside and out to the point where they will not let you down when you need them the most.

For the question can be asked, what is the one thing that ever driver needs to help guide them through not jut well planned pit strategies, but also to victory lane if/when a win happens? For any die hard NASCAR aficionado, having a great crew chief on your team is one of the most important aspects to have as he is the quintessential glue that holds the team together. Essentially, the crew chief that holds all of us together is God and just like a driver is able to communicate with the main man by way of a headset we are able to communicate by praying to Him. Oftentimes, we can lose our composure when we feel like we're being bloxed in on all 4 side to where we find ourselves at a complete disadvantage leading us to lose our composure and that is when we go to the Lord in prayer when we're faced with obstacles we think are sometimes absolutely unpassable.

In retrospect, life can be a heart pumping 200 plus mph adrenaline rush where you will/currently are experiencing times of ending up against the wall/part of a multiple car wreck either by your own stupid mistake or by someone else's fault to where you're temporarily knocked out of the race possibly suffering a mental, emotional, and/or physical injury. It can be a difficult situation indeed to strap yourself back in experiencing doubt as to whether or not you're ready, espeically when it involves matters of the heart. Ultimately, you just have to take each race day by day as you knowingly or unknowingly will suffer mental, emotional, physical, and/or spiritual dents/dings/stratches you know you can overcome as you have the best pit crew by your side. In the end, leave everything on the track of life as you give it 110% knowing someday you will shake and bake towards victory lane with checkered flag in hand.

Step Up

2009-07-26T14:28:00.002-05:00

James Cagney once said, ~Perhaps people, and kids especially, are spoiled today beause all kids today have cars it seems, When I was young were lucky to have a bike.~ I stand on my proverbial soap box once again as I say the following statement: kids today are spoiled bratz. For it truly beuddles the mind on the things kids possess in today's society because they not only don't deserve it, but they are just too scared to say no. I apologize ahead of time to any parent who take what I'm about to say as a personal attack but it has to be said. You see, there are a number of kids today who are seemingly living the good life with certain rights and priveleges that when you hear as to what their parents give/do for them you're initial responce is you got to be kidding me.

As I said before, it seems to me that these days kids are being given things they in all honesty don't truly deserve or for that matter worked hard for, which is a statement that I wholeheartedly standy by. I think many would agree there a particular parents who give in way too easily these days on their kid's requests or should I say demands on certain things they now have but didn't work hard for. For many of us back in the day we all did chores either around the house or the neighborhood in order to earn an allowance by doing such things as mowing the lawn, raking leaves, babysitting, or whatever the case may be. Its a sad situation indeed when a handful of kids of this generation don't even lift a finger to earn what they have just because its too hard and/ot too hot.

Without a doubt, cell phones are a permenant fixture in today's society as they are considered technological wonders that many of us back in the day didn't have the privilege to own. Thinking about it, many young kids today are reaping the beneifts of having cell phones that do everything from surf the internet to watch tv/movies. Yet, would you as a parent give a child as young as 6/7 years old a cell phone knowing full well he/she doesn't really need it? Its a dicey situation to give young children a cell phone because with features such as texting they are able to send messages not knowing how much their racking up until the bill comes. Let me tell you something, we all remember hearing the news of a 13 year old girl who racked up a $4,756 texting bill in one month alone so imagine what a 6/7 year old would do.

Let me ask you this question to many of you parents out there, would you give your 8year child a credit card? I think it would be safe to say no parent would allow their 8 year old child to have a credit card in their possession even if they're to use it "for emergencies." You have to question the sanity of any parent who would give a young child...an 8 year old girl mind you...the power to charge whatever she wanted, which is like opening pandora's box. As the saying goes, with great power comes great responsibilty and its the parent's responsibilty to know that its a bad idea to give any child, especially at the age of 8, a credit card because its indeed like a kid being in a candy store where they'll get in way over their head buying things that they don't have the money to pay for when the bill comes.

A friend recently said, ~It's a challenge these days. Families aren't always the traditional type we grew up with. it's scary to let kids roam free even in their own neighborhood because of creeps. It used to be dads brought home the moolah while women saw to the kids. Now it's both parents, when the family has managed to remain intact, that work like crazy. The saying goes: "it takes a village to raise a child"....well, we don't have that sense of "village" much anymore. When I was a kid (a long time ago) people looked out for each others kids. Our world is changing too fast and it's the kids that are getting the short end of the stick!~ In retrospect, I agree with her as there are a number of parents who aren't being responsible and just letting their kids run the show, so to speak. In the end, to those parents who are incapable of taking control I say you have two choices which are step down or step up.

If Tomorrow Never Comes

2009-07-16T21:00:00.009-05:00

Somone once said, ~May the love hidden deep inside your heart find the love waiting in your dreams. May the laughter that you find tomorrow wipe away the pain you find in your yesterdays.~ If you think about it, the word tomorrow can most definitely convey a deep meaning, especially when it pertains to matters of the heart. A person can look forward to their tomorrow happening as he/she patiently waits for that special someone to step into his/her life. Yet, you can't help but wonder to the point of asking yourself if tomorrow will be my time to finally experience true happiness that you know will erase all your yesterdays that unfortunately filled your heart with sadness, frustration, disappointment, anger, bitterness, etc., which is considered a dream come true.

Let me ask you this question to those who are single, how many of you are anxiously waiting fot your own tomorrow to happen when it comes to love or true love for that matter? I think for those who are living the single life it can be quite difficult to be the type of person who isn't capable of waiting patiently for love and instead makes their own tomorrow happen now. Hey, you have to give props to those who don't sit idly by and let opportunitiues for a love match to slip through their fingers to where there is a possibility of a heart to heart connection. For a certain number of people their dreams of a better tomorrow for their own heart has come to fruition and they continue to live for today, tomorrow, as well as for the coming future with their significant other.

If you think about it, for those who throw caution to the wind exuding a carpe diem attitude with their heart and ignore any advice of patiently waiting for tomorrow they tend to find themselves unfortunately looking back to painful yesterdays of heartbreak, sadness, disappointment, frustration, betrayal, anger, etc. Its a sad situatiion indeed for any person to have their hopes of a better tomorrow filled with genuine love dashed as if it never really existed. Why? Essentially, the eargerness to be with Mr./Ms. Right Now can undoubtedly make the pain of being hurt hard to take to where there is the seemingly constant past reminders of how one's blind ambition to fall in love can truly have dire consequences that can be both mentally and emotionally haunting.

For the question can be asked to those who have lived through your past yesterdays of heartache, what has been the one thing that has inevitably helped ease the pain as you try to go about not only moving on, but also attaining closure. Thinking about it, other than partying yourself into a drunken stupor with your bros and/or gal pals its the ability to laugh about what happened in relationship(s) past that can give you an outlet in which you give a humorous spin on his/her stupidity. Oftentimes, being able to laugh at the misfortune of your heart reflecting back at the absolute aburdity of what he/she put you through can initially help in the healing process and for a woman to laugh till she cries with her female friends doing the exact same thing along side with her helps is in all intensive purposes what the doctor ordered.

In retrospect, a person can have this mindset if love doesn't happen for them either today or tomorrow the world is going to end, which is in my opinion quite deluded. What it comes down to is not intently focusing on tomorrow as you just focus instead of living each day with the love of family/friends/God and only then the love you deserve that has all the hopes/dreams deep within their heart will eventually fall into place into yours. In the end, I look forward for my tomorrow to happen someday and He will guide me to a woman I've waited patiently for who I know fulfills all my dreams that I have within my heart into tomorrow, as well as into the coming future, but if tomorrow never comes its okay because I know its not the end the world as God has seen me through my lowest of yesterdays as I pray to Him for the strength to live each day with family/friends by my side.

Deep and Wide

2009-07-11T07:46:00.005-05:00

Hazrat Irayat Khan once said, ~Love is living and therefore growing; love is growing and therefore expanding,; there is a no limit to the expansion of love; for itssource is divine thus its expansion is perfect.~ Without a doubt, to be in a growing, mature relationship with someone truly special is a life most definitely worth living. For it touches your heart to have someone or hope to have someone in your life who essentially left behind their childish, immature ways in order to establish a more grown up relationship. Its that type relationship in which the guy/girl grows into a responsible adult and actively working hard to put in the work instead of slacking off whereby making not only the mental, emotional, as well as spiritual bond grow increasingly stronger, but the bond of love as well.

If you think about it, when you're in a growing, mature adult relationship you want to be with someone who mentally builds you up in a supportive way. Women, more often than not, are somehow in relationships with complete douche bags who mentally abuse them in such a way their self confidence is so progressively battered it effects them to the point where its deeply psychological. Its a sad situation indeed when a woman looks to her man to be a mental motivator of the heart by giving encouraging words/compliments and/or always being told I love you with meaning behind it, but unfortunately what she recieves are childish comments/actions that inevitably place doubt in her own mind as to why she continues to be with that guy knowing deep down she deserves much better than him.

As said before, love is growing and therefore expanding which is what you want to have happen when you're with someone who is able to grow/expand emotionally. I think many of you would agree handling particular relationship issues without acting like a 5 year old throwing a temper tantrum because he/she didn't get what he/she wanted or didn't like what needed to be said shows a maturity level beyond all measure. Of course, there are guys/girls...maybe you...who are currently in a relationship with someone who hasn't emotionally grown up at all and because he/she has been acting childish by selfishly wanting what is best for him/her than wanting what's best for the both of you it has put you in considerable stress leaving you with no choice but to hopefully do what's best for you.

Psalm 1:3 says, ~And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.~ Let me ask you this question to those in a potential and/or significant relatiionship, how many of you are growing spiritually together in God's love as both of you are deeply planted in His word to where it bringeth forth fruits that are in abundance of happiness and blessing iwhen it pertains to work, family, friends etc. Essentially, to have a growing, mature relationship with the one you love, you must first maturely grow in God's love through seeds of prayer and the reading of His word because you can't bear fruit, so to speak, when the decisions you selfishly make with your heart aren't coinciding with His will for not only your life, but also the one you love as well.

Larry A. Bugen said, ~Mature love offers us our most profound opportunity for regaining wholeness - not because our partners will fill all of our emptiness, but because we can use the embrace of a loving relationship to nurture ourselves toward greater maturation and ripening.~ In retrospect, every person wants to be in a mature relationship that continues to grow stronger each day and it takes large amounts of courage to do so. It can be scary to grow up in matters of the heart by yourself but when have someone with that same courage of willing/wanting to grow up to face whatever problems that may come in a mature, adult manner along side you into the unknown all-the-while praying to God for His guidance then my friend its a perfect love that is in the end both deep and wide.

Nothing But Net

2009-07-03T16:58:00.008-05:00

Basketball Hall of Famer "Pistol" Pete Maravich once said, ~Love never fails; character never quits, and with patience and persistance,; dreams do come true.~ In some aspect, love is like the game of basketball as those who are single are looking to permanently go one on one with someone truly special on the so called court of the heart. Yet, instead of a basketball in our hand its our very own heart that we in all intensive purposes dribble with as we try to or should I say attempt to make pivotal shots into the hoop of someone else's heart. For the metaphorical hoop of that particular person's heart is a representation of your hopes, dreams, and all the excitement your shooting for, so to speak, when it pertains to absolute true happiness.

If you think about it, when you're playing basketball you're considered part of a team that works together in order to accomplish a common goal, which is winning a championship ring. In a sense, when you become part of a relationship you work together to one day accomplish the goal of winning a ring and in this case the championship ring means the one that bonds two people in marriage. Women, more so than men, have waited or still waiting for their championship ring to be placed on their finger but unfortunately they've found themselves either on a Clipper like team that is absolutely going nowhere or she found out her former teammate wasn't focused on the relationship because the guy was secretly dealing under the table with another team behind her back.

Without a doubt, every person has heard the phrase there is no I in TEAM and that is very true, especially when it comes to love or true love for that matter. As I said before, being on a basketball team means to one day accomplishing a common goal by working together and not selfishly doing it all on your own ala Kobe Bryant. Thinking about it, that is not what being in a significant relationship is about as it takes two people who can achieve as a cohesive unit a mindset in which they both can quickly switch from offense to defense or vice versa. Essentially, each one of us wants a guy/girl who unselfishly thinks about their teammate more than one thinks about himself/herself and to have that type of relationship can make the two of you an unstoppable, dominate force to be reckoned with.

Let me ask you this question, what is one of the most important parts in winning a basketball game? I think many basketball aficionados agree that being able to shoot free throws at critical moments is intrical and in somewhat the same context as love guys, as well as girls will come to a point where they will stand at the free throw line when they're in a foul situation they caused or merely in a situation where paying close attention concerning what one knows about their significant other can either be good or bad. Its tough indeed to be put in that sometimes high pressure situation as a person stands there sweating like Shaq at the foul line hoping to gain points or end up missing completely to the point where you not only dissappoint yourself, but your teammate as well.

In retrospect, you have to work hard at what you love as the time and patience you put in will be a slam dunk as it ultimately pay dividends in the near future as your dreams will come true. Oftemtimes, we can be scared at having our heart being blocked/rejected when we shoot to where it can end up being an air ball, but that is to be expected. What it comes down to is either backing off and missing out on the chance of turning the tide in your favor or executing a full court press showing you're not afraid to fight to steal one's heart, in a good way, and grab those rebounds on possibly missed shots. In the end, when you do finally have a teammate who works with you, is able to pass/handle problems/issues smoothly, knows what you're thinking to where you can excute a no look pass, and makes those unexpected 3 pointers that will hopefully put not just a smile on his/her face, but yours as well you know its going to be nothing but net.

Gone But Not Forgotten

2009-06-30T20:51:00.005-05:00

Michael Jackson once said, ~I am always writing a potpourri of music. I want to give the world escapism though the wonder of great music and to reach the masses.~ The man, the legend, the "KIng of Pop" without a doubt is considered a pop culture icon who most certainly made great music and was able to reach the masses. For many of us, we grew up either listening on the radio, watching on tv, or live in concert perform song from his days Jackson 5 to his stellar career as an accomplished solo artist. Michael Jackson was and will always be considered an absolute juggernaut as he left his mark on the music/dance industry so much so that his influence will continue to reverberate for future potential artists who for the most part look to MJ as their inspiration to sing and/or dance.

Let me ask you this question, can you name your top 5 most favorite Michael Jackson songs of all time or is it impossibe to just pick 5 because there are so many to choose from? Thriller, Billie Jean, Beat It, The Way You Make Me Feel, and I'm Bad are my top 5 songs that I enjoyed listening to as a kid back in the day. Now as an adult, things haven't changed as I continue to enjoy listening to those songs as they are still able to make an impact after all these years. Why? Essentially, it harkens back to fond childhood memories as I sang along to his songs possibly with something in hand that represented a microphone to the point where I knew the words to each song by heart, which probably many of us did back in the day as kids as well.

If you think about it, you can't talk about MJ's songs without mentioning his dance moves that were so unbelieveable you were quite utterly amazed. I think it would be safe to say that we've all tried or should I say attempted moves such as the moonwalk, standing on the tips of yours toes, the MJ spin, and the moonwalk after carefully studying his cinematic music videos that were truly epic. In any case, its those moves that many choreographers, dancers, actors/actresses, and singers like Chris Brown, as well as Usher who emulated his dance moves into their own. For its artists like Usher and Chris Brown performing moves that he did before they were even born give credit to the gloved one because it from his influence they even have a career...well maybe not so much Chris Brown.

For the question can be asked, when it came to Michael Jackson's fashion sense did you at some point in your childhood dress like him? You have to admit, Michael Jackson had a one of kid sense of style who was really the type of guy you saw sporting jeans, sneakers, a Fubu shirt, or wearing a nice pair of Timbalands on his feet. Michael wouldn't be Michael without his ecletic taste in wardrobe like his plethora of interesting jackets, white undershirt, shin guards, black fedora hat, pants above the ankles, white socks, white sequence glove, red leather zippered jacked from Beat It, Thriller jacket, etc. Let me tell you something, at some point and don't lie to yourself as I say you may have bought the Thriller or the Beat It jacket to where its sitting in your closet as we speak.

On June 25th 2009 Michael Jackson died of a cardic arrest shocking many fans both in the United States and all across the world. MIchael Jackson, in regards to his personal life, left little to be desired in my opinion and though the public has judged him over the past several years, its God who ultimately judges him and He knows the truth. However, professionally speaking, he leaves behind a legacy that has broken racial barriers, transformed the music/music video industry, and paved the way for many artist who saw him as a high influtential figure in the world of music. Ultimately, the music business has lost a music genius to where I, along with many other people, will always be a fan of MJ's music/music videos and in the end, he's gone but not forgotten.

Nobody

2009-06-27T20:09:00.010-05:00

Someone once said, ~No, life may not be easy, it can be lonely. Full of people we think we know, but barely comprehend. Yet, we must always remember: its the challenges that define us best and the obstacles that illuminate what we're truly capable of. We must welcome adversity and embrace struggle, and no matter what we get from life, never give less than 100%. Of course, at the end of every battle weary day, we fold ourselves into peaceful darkness and find comfort in those gentle words...good night.~ Without a doubt, its not an easy life for those who are living the single life as it can not only be a challenging experience to go through, but its also considered at times a lonely existance, especially when it pertains to matters of the heart.

If you think about it, its a challenge and a struggle to keep a smile on your face when there are certain moments that leave you with a lonely feeling within your heart. As I said before, it can be a challenge and a struggle as well to keep a smile on your face when there are certain moments happening near and/or around you that inevitably causes considerable discomfort. I think if you're a single person you would agree that witnessing couples who perform public displays of affection not in an outlandish way in such areas as in line at the movies or at an eating establishment with friends can be viewed as distgustingly annoying and yet there is a part of you that wants what they have leading you to temporarily wallow in loneliness both emotionally and/or mentally.

Oftentimes, one can most definitely go through a tortuous silence within their heart and soul to the point where it hurts even to take a breathe. For its a tough situation indeed to find yourself being the proverbial 3rd, 5th, or whatever wheel amongst a group of your friends who are in significant relationships. The happiness, joy, contentment, etc. you see in their eyes whenever you hang with them is a seemingly constant reminder of how much you're not only missing out on something so special, but the precious time you possibly thought you may have had is slowly slipping away. Let me tell you something, to experience that type of silent torture as you look from the inside out within your heart can surely lead you or may have already have led you to the brink of insanity.

Let me ask you this question to those who are single, have you ever come to a point where being lonely left you not be able to sleep at night? I think its safe to say every person has gone through a sleepless night or two when they greatly experienced discomfort within their heart as they either stared up at the ceiling or simply standing/sitting looking out the window up at the starry filled moon lit night sky. Thinking about it, during that time of solitude all sorts of things run through your mind so much so that a person will possibly shed tears because of how much those particular thoughts can greatly effect you. Women, more so than men, know all to well about crying themselves to sleep when it comes to the feeling of being lonely and to them its a fate worse than death.

In retrospect, the so called battle against loneliness will always will be a difficult one as there obstacles put in front of your heart, so to speak, that test your emotional. as well as mental will. What it comes down to is not succumbing to the mind games of what loneliness can do as it can be a tricky and devious adversary following you like a dark shadow. However, its good to know that you have great friends to back you up all-the-while praying to God and even though they may not know what you're personally going through in your heart and mind, they support you nonetheless, which is what true friendship is all about. In the end, love or true love for that matter happens/will happen for you, me, or anyone else but I can safely say nobody wants to be lonely, which is a song by Ricky Martin and Chrstina Aguilera that reflects this particular thought.

I Told You So

2009-06-22T14:03:00.003-05:00

Pete Koerner once said, ~"...Many call common sense, the "wisdom of the heart." Oftentimes, when we "use our heads" we are relying on prejudices and fear-based programming that doesn't allow us to consider certain possibilities that might be available to us if we were to use our heart rather than our head.~ Without a doubt, the ability to use common sense can at times be difficult, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. As said before, its a difficult situation indeed to make the smartest choice possible when there is a clash between the feelings/emotions within your heart and the analytical, intelligence of your mind. For its most definitely a struggle to keep from mentally kicking yourself from making a big mistake whereby experiencing an unfortunate emotional heartbreak.

Let me ask you this question to those who are currently in the dating scene, which gender tends to lack common sense when it pertains to the opposite sex...men or women? As a careful observer, I've not only listend to countless "war stories" of bad past relationships but also have been involved in long, extensive discussions with both sides and I've come to the conclusion that women edge out the men just a bit in the common sense department. Now before I get angry emails commenting on how I've lost my common sense on this particular subject hear me out before you quickly pass judgement. What it comes down to is being bamboozled by a guy you mentally know is totally wrong for you yet, your so visually/physically stimulated that you ignore the warning signs anyways.

If you think about it, we all have stories about someone or are that someone who has possibly continued to lack the common sense to where one has gotten their heart broken over and over again. Case in point, my best friend sharied a story with me a few weeks ago of how a female friend of his has been in a relationship with his guy who has cheated on her several times. You may be asking yourself how many times have this douche bag cheated on her and the answer to that my friend is at least 10 times. He also informed me that his female friend is still together with this idiot and has tried to get through to her but to no avail. For the question to be asked to you ladies, how many times would it take for you to wake up and kick your man to the curb after cheating on you more than once?

Henry Norman Hudson said, ~Common sense in one view is the most uncommon sense. While it is extremely rare in possession, the recognition of it is universal. All men feel it, though few men have it.~ As a guy, I can tell you what many women already know and agree with which is that all guys lose all common sense when it comes to the female species leading one brain to shut down and the "other brain" to take over. To be perfectly honest, at that point all common sense is thrown out the window and guys will literally make a fool of themselves to either score at least a number or get lucky with that particular female of interest. Let me tell you something ladies, whether they're successful or not its about the thrill of the hunt with one's boys along side as backup.

In retrospect, common sense and love go hand in hand as you have to make the best possible choices for the sake of your own heart or you'll end up being hurt so many times over. Oftentimes, the common sense you tend to lack can be provided by your friends who love/care about you and will always have your back even when you refuse to listen to what they're trying to warn you about concerning a certain guy/girl whose bad news. Hey, just remember these words to live by that may help you in the future...be smart don't be stupid. In the end, nobody wants to here those 4 words that can be considered an annoying jab at you when you know you've screwed up royally and didn't have the common sense to listen to not only yourself but to those around you...I told you so.

Live and Learn

2009-06-14T21:54:00.006-05:00

Joseph Sugarman once said, ~Not many people are willing to give failure a second opportunity. They fail once and it is all over. The bitter pill of failure is often more than most people can handle. If you are willing to accept failure and learn from it, if you are willing to consider failure as a blessing in disguise and bounce back, you have got the essential of harnessing one of the most powerful success forces.~ If you think about it, one of the most innate fears each one of us have is the fear of failure when it pertains to our peronal and/or professional life. For its not a good feeling whatsoever experiencing the taste, so to speak, of failing at something that can potentially become a lesson learned especially when it involves the following: friendship, parenthood, and marriage.

Without a doubt, a person can most definitely be a failure at being a friend or a best friend for that matter. I think it would be safe to say that some, most, or all of us at some point have failed at being there as a friend and didn't have his/her friend's back when he/she truly needed some much needed support. Essentially, its the lack of support concerning a bad breakup, an accident of some kind, family troubles, sickness, spiritual guidance, or whatever the case may be can possibly cause friction to the point where the friendship is severed either temporarily or permanently. Its a tough situation indeed to be considered a failing disappointment in someone's eyes, epesically when that person is someone you love/care about and see him/her not just as a friend but also as a brother/sister.

Let me ask you this question to all those who are parents, how many of you consider yourselves a failure when it comes to you own kids? Thinking about it, its a question that can be taken so personally to where it scares you because one doesn't want to end up becoming one of those parents whose kids blame them for being screwed up from the lack of parenting being given. Its a sad situation indeed when children are either closed off, lash out in anger, seek affection, want attention by getting into trouble, etc, from someone other than their mom and/or dad who are too to pre-occupied with their own seemingly important priorities or just don't care about their child's/children's well being, which is something I've witnessed working in the child care profession for the past 11 years.

According to the latest 2009 statistics for the United States, roughly 60% of marriages end in divorce and its those who are currently married don't want to become a part of. To become a failure at marriage is an experience that nobody wants to experience and yet it happens to certain couples for many different reasons. Infidelity, falling out of love, pregnancy, mistaking getting into a marriage relationship way too quicky, etc. are just some of the reasons that a marriage may fail and if there are kids involved it becomes an even tough situation to where the kids are caught in the middle. In any case, second chances are rarity these days when trying to work at re-establishing trust in a marrriage and whether it takes months or even years its absolutely worth if he/she is taken back.

In retrospect, failure is a part of life and there are times we must accept what we're most afraid of even when we don't want to. What it comes down to is accepting the fact we may fail and hopefully get a second chance if given the opporunity. Life is a test that we can either pass or fail and there are no easy answers as we have to figure it out on our own. Hey, we've all failed a test in school/college because we just didn't study for it and they're usually two way we react. We either don't care or feel badly about it and oftentimes that's how many of us are when it comes to failing at particular situations in life. In the end, always anticipate the possiblity of failure because we ultimately live and learn from what we're most afraid of to where one potentially grows stronger from going through it.

Hit Or Miss

2009-06-06T09:36:00.006-05:00

Someone once said. ~Life can be like dodgeball. You line up, you work hard to to avoid being hit, but sometimes you have to take the hits as they come. The last one standing seems to be the winner. They don't neccessarily win because they are smarter, faster, or bigger. They just learned to dodge the ball better. When the whistle blows, a new game begins and no two games or outcomes are the same. We can trey to fix or avoid a problem one way in life, but the next time comes that comes along, it may knock us off our feet. In the game of life, on one can dodge the ball forever.~ As said before, life can be like the game of dodgeball as we find ourselves ducking, dodgeing, weaving, falling down, jumping up, and trying to target, as well as hit certain personal/professional objectives all-the-while avoiding being hit by life's most stinging situations.

If you think about it, the game of dodgeball is indeed a metaphor for life as each of us, in some aspect, are in a battle where we're trying to stay on our feet as certain things in our own life, whether its known or unknown, are thrown in our direction. It can be a tough situation indeed to stay on our feet as life throws something at us that can possibly have an effect on us either in an emotional, mental, physical, and/or spiritual way to the point where one can be left stumbling in a dazed/confused state of disappointment, frustration, anger, bitterness, heartbreak, etc. For it truly takes great agility, stamina, and focus to be in the so called game of life in which you will most definitely fall flat on your butt if you're not paying attention to your surroudings because if you don't you can quickly be taken out of the game within a blink of an eye.

Without a doubt, you never really know who is targeting you, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. I think it would be safe to say we've all been in a situation where we can be so focused to the point of being distracted as we're metaphorically throwing our heart at someone special that we may not realize someone else is throwing theirs at us. Essentially, its that focus/distraction that can leave us open to getting hurt as all our energy is possibly wasted in throwing our attention/affections towards someone who may not want to be hit, so to speak. Thinking about it, nobody ever wants to get hurt and end up left with the stinging welts of heartbreak on your heart but we all unfortunately do. You see, no matter how much you want to in all intensive purposes hit someone's heart there is an absolute uncertainty as to whether he/she will "hit" your heart back, which is why the aspect of love is considered to be a tricky part of the game.

Personally speaking, when it comes to my own life I've been able to hit particular targets such as having great friends around me who have my back, having a job that helps pay the bills, and finally graduating college. However, the one target I haven't been able to hit is falling in love and that will happen in it's own time as I pray to God as He directs that certain someone into my life. Hey, if someone out there is targeting me I'm not only honored but also flattered that she has a keen interest in me so I tip my hat to you whoever you may be. To be pefectly honest though, I'm not all that concerned about being hit or throwing at anybody in particular right now because I'm just having fun being in the game as I enjoy going out with my friends to WWE wrestling house shows, skydiving at 14,000 ft in the air, and many other activities/events that I look for toward to partaking in the future.

In retrospect, the dodgeball game that is life there aren're really any winners or for that matter losers as it is more about who can be able stay on your feet as much as possible and hopefully avoid being hit by drama that can leave us sitting on the sidelines recovering from the pain. We've all been hit in life and depending how hard the ball of drama and/or heartbreak was thrown you sat out for a few minutes, dealt with the pain, shook it off, and got right back in the game hopefully learning something from the experience. In the end, life comes down to a hit or miss philosophy as you may successly hit certain situations/achievements that has you standing tall in victory or end up being hit as you completely miss the intended mark causing you to temporarily sit out on the sidelines, but if you don't give up and pray to God for strength then my friend you're a true competitor.

The Good Life

2009-05-31T23:17:00.006-05:00

Sylvester Stallone once said, ~I learned the real meaning of love. Love is absolute loyalty. People fade, looks fade, but loyalty never fades. You can depend so much on certain people, you can set your watch by them. And that's love even if it doesn't seem exciting.~ Without a doubt, when you're in a loyal, committed relationship you can most definitely experience a level of excitement that not only thrills your own heart, but the heart of the one you love as well. For its a type of love in which there an undescribeable energy shared either in an emotional, mental, physical, and/or spiritual way between two people who absolute get "it" about love. Essentially, when you truly know the meaning of what love is for yourself and that certain special someone life itself gets just better and better.

Let me ask you this question to those in a significant relationship, what is considered the most exciting aspect of the person you love that tells you there's never really a dull moment whenever you're with and/or around him/her. For its a question that can certainly put a smile on one's face as he/she thinks of those particular qualities, character traits, and other attributes other people may find quite odd, but to you its endearing because it represents to a T how you personally know him/her to be. Thinking about it, its those things that may have embarassed/annoyed you at first causing you to cringe are now thing you're not only used to, but they cause you to laugh because you have someone in your life who brings that excitement by thoroughly entertaining you sometimes without even trying.

If you think about it, when you experience love that is exciting it doesn't necessarily mean your physically taken on an all out adrenaline rush of thrilling adventures to memorbale destinations. Oftentimes, the most exciting places to travel are areas within you and your significant other's heart as quality time is spent together in peaceful tranqulity by doing such activities like sitting quietly together reading a book/newpaper, sitting in the front/back porch watching the sun rise while drinking morning coffee, walking hand in hand around the neighborhood, etc. Let me tell you something, its those seemingly insignificant moments that are far more thrilling to experience than going skydiving, going to a concert, bungee jumping, etc. because experiencing the adrenaline rush of true happiness lasts a lifetime.

For the question can be ask to those who have been in a committed relationship for over 30 years, does the person continue to thrill you when he or she gives you that certain unmistakeable look? Its a touching situation indeed for any couple well into their latter years of life who are not only able to continally feel excitement within each other's heart, but still see the man/woman they married those many years ago. As said before, people fade, looks fade, but loyalty never fades and its a true statement indeed because even though he/she may not be what one used to be physically its what in his/her heart that sends a chill down your spine as you look at the unmistakeable glint in one's eye, as well as the smile on his/her face that makes you fall in love all over again.

In retrospect, love is never boring unless you make it to be because unless you're in an relationship that's about good looks or the physical aspect of it isn't exciting. Its a sad situation for those couple who weren't able to keep that excitement flowing within a relationship as the rush of adreanline fades from within each other's heart. You see, when it comes to matters of the heart its the little things that pertain to a relationship that ultimately pay big dividends to the point where women, more so than guys, appreciate how much the man in their life is paying attention. In the end, to those couples who are bringing excitement of love into each other's life for more than 20 years I say to you I hope you never lose the rush of adrenaline pumping within each other's heart because the both of you are living what people like me dream of...the good life.

A Perfect Pair

2009-05-26T09:40:00.005-05:00

A woman once said, ~How can I put it? Love is like searching for the perfect pair of shoes and find them. But when he loves you back too, well my friend...that's like finding the shoes, you try them on and they're a perfect fit.~ In some aspect, love or true love for that matter is indeed like searching for the perfect pair of shoes that not only metaphorically fits your own heart, but that someone special as well. Yet, for those of us who are living the single life we are, in a sense, holding in our hand one shoe that initially represents half of our heart and somewhere out there is a a guy/girl who holds the other half. For its a tough situation indeed thinking you may have possibly met the guy/girl you match up perfectly with, so to speak, only to find he/she didn't quite match up or fit at all

Let me ask you this question ladies, when it comes to searching for the perfect pair of shoes do you go for absolute style that possiby gives way to where it leaves you with a feeling of uncomfortable pain or do you look for dependable quality in which you have this feeling of absolute relief that you got your money's worth, in a manner of speaking? For any woman I would fair to say they would most definitely be comforted within the soul of their own heart in knowing they have a guy or will have a guy in their life who doesn't make them feel as if they're going to be replaced or should I say tossed aside like an old pair of tattered shoes. How many women in siginificant relationships today can honestly say when it comes to true happiness they have a man who comfortably fits in every apsect of their life.

If you think about it, matters of the heart can oftentimes leave you in all intensive purposes worn out in a mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual way. Every person has, in a sense, walked over a million miles within their heart to the point where there is a hole left behind because of the wear and tear from the stress of bad past relationships. Its a sad situation indeed when instead of being able to always experience that seemingly constant fresh new shoe smell one unfortunately experiences the nasty stench of being used so many times over you don't know whether or not your heart will be able to hold together. For a certain number of people their own heart is falling apart held together by just a mere string and no amount of duct tape will help further the longetivity of someone who never fit your heart in the first place.

For the question can be asked again to you ladies, are you the type of woman who takes time in making the best selection in regards to picking the right shoe for your feet or are you impulsive in picking shoes that visually stimulates your eyes? For some, most, or all women they make the mistake of picking impulisvely a guy who on the outside looks too good to be true, but when they essentially try him on by talking with him they experience that pinching discomfort within their heart. In other words, a guy may have the flashy style of good looks and a great body on the outside, but on the inside there isn't any substance to him whereby a woman continues to look until she finds one of the things that is most important in a relationship and makes her happy in the long run...committment.

In retrospect, we're all wanting a type of love that is not only comfortable, but there is also a versatility to it in which you want to experience certain things for every situation in life and love. What do I mean? If you think about it, a woman wants a guy who can make her feel magnificent, sexy and attractive instead of plain, frumpy and unattractive. Plus, he is able to be durable in the oftentimes unpredictable terrain of her heart, which is to be expected in a relationship. Thinking about it, no woman wants to ultimately regret making a poor investment on a guy who isn't able to provide with her with everything she needs/wants. In the end, I say to you ladies who are still searching/looking/hunting for the other half of your heart I hope you find him and utlimately become a perfect pair for each other.

The Big Bites

2009-05-20T07:09:00.004-05:00

Someone once said, ~Life is like a sandwich. Sometimes you eat the sandwich, and sometimes the sandwich eats you.~ As said before, life can be compared to a footlong subway sandwich and the more you add to it the better it becomes whereby each bite you take is simply enjoyable. Yet, there are times where many of us may possibly bite off more than we can chew when it pertains to aspects of life such as work, friendship, family, love, and/or marriage. Hey, its what life is all about as we, in a sense, mix it up with the best ingredients that are before us in order to make a seemingly tasteful combination worthy enough to be considered of great value. Essentially, when it comes to fullfilling your appetite on life do you live it healthy, spicy, or with with reckless abandon?

Let me ask you this question, are you the type of person who prefers ordering the Veggie Deilte subway sandwich? For in this increasingly health conscious society there are those individuals who look to not only eat healthy and watch their calorie intake in the foods they eat to the point where meat is cut out leading one to possibly become a vegetarian, but they also stay fit by exercising daily. Its most definitely a challenging situation indeed for the those who have been able to successfuly trim the fat, so to speak, of certain aspects of life, to where they continually experience for themselves a fervent energy within. What it comes down to is having the will power to avoid indulging in the proverbial guilty pleasures of life that you know are wrong for you.

William Cowper said, ~Variety is the spice of life.~ Without a doubt, there are people out there who enjoy the taste of a spicy subway Italian sandwich and in turn they like to spice things up when it comes to their own life as well. Thinking about it, a person considers life a bit more interesting when it changes often and with so many different, exciting, memorable, strange, etc. flavors of life you experience over a period of time you can't help but be in awe when you look back on it all. Oftentimes, by making those experiences happen for yourself you're in all intensive purposes sinking your teeth into the so called hot peppery unknown of life that can surely leave your taste buds burning with desire to make an impact both personally and professionally.

For the question can be asked, how many of you could care less about counting calories or burned by hot peppers as you partake in the Big Philly Cheesesteak Subway sandwich? Thinking about it, if you're like me you're the type of carnvious person who tears into the sometimes tough meaty goodness of life by not only making certain aspects of life happen by doing something totally insane like skydiving for instance, but also waiting in God's time for that someone special to appear in your life. You see, it can be frustrating to keep chewing on life's toughest situations, in a manner of speaking, and feel like you're not going anywhere, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. Let me tell you something, just keep chewing or should say praying to God because He answers prayers.

In retrospect, there are times where life isn't that fullfilling as you're left feeling hungry and then there are times where it absolutely fulfilling as you experience moments that leave you stuffed beyond belief. If you think about it, each one of us are provided with a plethora of rich ingredients like our friends, family, career/job, strong marriage, faith in God, etc. that help make our own life savory and sweet. I think we can all agree nobody wants a life that ends up being stale to the point where the ingredients didn't mix well at all leaving you experience the bitter/sour aftertaste of heartbreak, drama, frustration, anger, disappointment, etc. In the end, whatever ingredients you have in your own personal sandwich don't waste your time nibbling at life because it's no fun and instead just enjoy the big bites.

Let It Flow

2009-05-12T22:46:00.006-05:00

Someone once said, ~Some people say love is like fire, but I say no. Fires burn and die. Some fires are hot, and others cold. True love is more like water, it never dies, it never ends, it just changes.~ When it comes to true love it is indeed more like water than fire as it has the capacity to never die or should I say evaporate but changes in ways that is considered to be truly refreshing. To have a natural, genuine, resource such as true love "bottled" within a particular guy or girl's heart is considerably scarce these days to where it can leave with you an overwhelming thirst, so to speak, within your heart. For its quite a soothing experience to all intensive purposes have your heart quenched by the absolute purity of what can most definitely bring you to life.

As said before, true love has the capacity to change in ways that's considered to be truly refreshing as you can feel it wash over your own heart. I think it would be safe to say for those who have "tasted" for themselves the pure richness of something so undescribeable you're left speechless and the only response you can give is a smile because you finally sense your holding in your heart true happiness. However, its a sad situation for those who instead of experiencing the tantilizing, rejuvinating, sensation poured out from a special someone's heart into their own whereby energizing them they've unfortunately experienced the polluted, contaminated, disease infested impurities that leave a bad taste in their mouth, in a manner of speaking.

Let me ask you this question ladies, have you recently immersed yourself in water like in a tub/spa of some sort and how was the overall experience soaking in it? You see, for any woman, its undeniably therapeutic to relax in a cool or warm/hot enviornment possibly with bubbles, soothing music, and/or scented candles. In any case, a woman would certainly want a guy who is able to in a way cool her off and take the physical, emotional, and mental stress away from a plethora of possible heated situations. Essentially, a woman would also want a guy who is able to warm her up with encouraging words, a comforting embrace, hold her hands in order to lift her up when she's down, give his shoulder to cry on, and gives you the time for him to listen when the coldness of life slaps her in the face.

If you think about it, love or true love for that matter is like swimming in water as you have this innate feeling as if you're floating/gliding peacefully along within your heart. Yet, when you swim in water there is the danger of drowning and when you're experiencing true love you become frightened of the feelings/emotions you have for a certain guy/girl causing you to feel like you're drowning with yourself and you do your best to keep your heart above water. However, true love is about not fighting or struggling as to who God has planned to be your swimming partner for life and what it comes down to is just completely letting go in order to become completely vulnerable to someone that will be your potential partner who will never let your heart drown in heartbreak, which is a deeply rewarding experience.

David Kam said, ~Love is the only water that can quench the heart's thirst.~ In retrospect, there are people out there who are, in a sense, dehydrated and have constantly found themselves experiencing the bitter aftertaste of disappointment, sadness, frustration, anger, frustration, etc. For people like myself, we've been thirsty for quite some time as we wait for our chance to have our own heart filled with the albeit refreshing taste of true happiness, which is something you tend to think is never going to come to fruition. Yet, you know there's something in the water when you look around at your friends who are in strong, happy, significant relationships. In the end, its in God's hands as He will someday quench the thirst within my heart concerning true love and He will let it flow in His own time.

Face In the Crowd

2009-05-04T16:39:00.003-05:00

Jon Bon Jovi once said, ~ Each one of us has something no one else has or has ever had: your brain, your heart. Be an individual. Be unique. Stand out. Make noise. Make someone notice. That's the power of individuals.~ If you think about it, we spend much or our life looking a way to stand out and be considered someone special, especially when it pertains to matter of the heart. For its a tough situation indeed to try to stand out and be noticed as a unique individual who is totally different than any of the guys or girls out there that are seemingly carbon copes of each other. Oftentimes. the "noise" we make in order to be seen can unfortunately be drowned out inevitably getting lost among the crowd of men and women who are in all intensive purposes much louder than you are.

Without a doubt, it can be a difficult at times to set your heart apart from the heart of those around you to be able to catch the attention of someone your potentially interested in. Why? Thinking about it, a person may not be as "vocal" about it as other who instead of being subtle in their approach to being noticed are totally up front as they in a sense have no problem "exposing" themselves by the outright flirtatious manner being directed towards that certain someone of interest. Hey, to not be the type of person who stands out by exhibiting peacockish qualities and character traits that don't necessarily fit who you truly are shows one isn't willing to sell out to the pressures of adhering to the status quo in regards to having your heart catch hi/her attention."

Let me ask you this question, what do you think the biggest risk you can ever take to have your heart be noticed? Essentially, the biggest you can ever take is simply being yourself and even though you may exude a quiet, sweet, "nice guy/girl" demeanor that tends to be deemed as unappealing/boring to some it does in fact work for you instead of against you. I think it would be safe to say any woman would rather be intrigued by the subtle charm of a guy who, in his own way. shows her not only his individuality in which there is no ego involved but how truly genuine he is without compromising his morals, ethics, and beliefs. What it comes down to is being a guy who has the self respect of knowing the type of woman he wants to share his life with instead of a woman he's just willing to settle for.

Personally speaking, I ask the question what makes me special to where it enables me to stand out among countless guys who have qualities, characteristics, and/or physcial attributes that I could never compete with. Yet, what I've been able to learn over the years from careful observation of relationships is that love isn't a competition in which you treat a woman as a prize you hold above your head in victory because you ultimately won her. If a guy thinks that is what love is then he's a totally misguided fool who needs to be slapped upside the head. Let me tell you something, love is the greatest prize given to us by God himself and to have the purest/truest kind of love within your heart clearly stand out among a crowd of unpure hearts shows that you do in fact win out for being you.

In retrospect, a person can pass by true happiness so many times over that one can be totally oblivious as to who is truly standing out in front of him or her. To say love is blind is an understatement because we value the friendship with a certain guy/girl and to see where/if it goes anywhere is a risk you're willing to take with your heart. For the question can be asked, has there been or is there someone who you've passed by countless times and is trying to stand out with his/her heart to get your attention? In the end, when it comes to love or true love for that matter you don't want to be seen as just another face in the crowd and hopefully someday I'll catch the attention of a someone special who is able to clearly see the love that stand out for her within my heart.

Someone

2009-05-02T18:18:00.008-05:00

Someone once said, ~Love may come in all kinds of strange, unexpected ways. Yet, once love comes, it comes to stay.~ Without a doubt, the purest and oftentimes the truest kind of love happens when it comes unexpectedly between two people who didn't get along at first or started out as friends. For its a type of relationship were a man and a woman share a plutonic friendship where the love they have for each other doesn't involve any kind of sexual tension whatsoever and is built on mutual respect. I think it would be safe to say that when it comes to the simple act of giving your time and just enjoying each other's company to where you don't feel obligated to give anything back in return you're left absolutely comfortable in talking with him/her in personal matters of the heart.

Let me ask you this question ladies, did you ever at some point think you found the guy you had in your mind for your heart only to unfortunatly find out he wasn't what quite you expected? It's a frustating and sad situation indeed for any woman to not have come to fruition their ideal man who she's been longing to see and is able to be such a positive influence in a physical, mental, emotional, personal, and even spiritual way. All too often, when it comes to to a bad past relationship or past relationships for that matter a woman tries her hardest to forget the mistake she made in being with a guy who wasn't truly real and completely honest with her to the point where she feels as if she's lost within her own heart not knowing where the right path is that leads to true happiness.

As said before, a woman can feel as if she's lost within her own heart not knowing where the right path that leads to true happiness. If you think about it, that feeling of being lost within herself can be a representation of an innocent lost lamb that has gone astray. In a sense, like a lost lamb a woman can most definitely experience sadness, worry, doubt, anger, frustration, panic, loneliness, etc. Essentially, it takes a guy who can in all intensive purposes sheperd her way gradually back from the emotions that could not only tear away at the innocence of her very being as a person, but could also be easily manipluated to follow the wrong path. Let me tell you something ladies, when you meet a guy like this your eyes, heart, and yourself are opened to something totally unexpected.

For the question can be asked to the ladies in a significant relationship, is the man you're in love with handsome? When I say handsome, I mean is he stunningly good looking like Brad Pitt or Johnny Depp. Its these particular men who in their own right are considered by women to be handsome or whatever guys are dsecribed these days. Yet, they don't compare to your man who you believe to be the sexiest man alive in your heart and is far beyond in good looks to the above mentioned men. For some women, its not about being superficial as it is about finding out the unexpected things about a man that makes him abolutely attractive in their eyes to where he holds the right key, in a manner of speaking, that opens up a slew of infinite possibilities causing you to smile from ear to ear.

In retrospect, loves happens unexpectedly when you're not even looking for it. You go about your daily life doing your usual routine and then one day a person comes along who doesn't stand out at first, which makes love so special. For a woman, it can sneak up on her in the most littlest of ways and no matter how hard she tries to ignore it she can't as there are moments that are shared that are so undeniable it tugs on her heartstrings. Think about this ladies, you will come face to face with a guy you never thought you would fall in love who may not be what you expected. In the end, you can say to yourself or to that guy thanks for finally showing up because I've been hoping, wishing, praying, and waiting for you to be that someone to watch over me, which is song by Ella Fitzgerald and George Gershwin that was perfomed in the movie Mr. Holland's Opus.

Dirt Off Your Shoulders

2009-04-27T18:48:00.002-05:00

Someone once said, ~Life is dull only to dull people.~ Without a doubt, there are people out there who exude a less than enthusiastic mindset whereby the positive vibe you and/or your circle of friends are experiencing is considerably lowered leaving you bummed out as the level of excitement is suddenly sucked out from the once joyous atmosphere. I think it would be safe to say each one of us are friends with or at least know someone who is the proverbial glass is half empty cynical type person and no matter how hard you try to put a positive spin on certain aspects of life he/she focuses on the negative. For its these type of people who you try to avoid on a semi-daily basis so that you won't in all intensive purposes crossover into the darkside.

Let me ask you this question, have you ever had someone completely ruin your morning, noon, and/or night simply by saying something negative. Its a type of negativity you tend to take personal offense to because before you ran into/talked with this particular person you had a smile on your face with a noticeable spring in your step. We've all quite possibly been in this situation and your whole attitude can most definitely change within in a blink of any eye. The nice, calm , sweet seemingly gentle demeanor you started out with has now instead been replaced with a grumpy, irritated, sour, significantly harsh individual whos demeanor reflects that of either Ebenezer Scrooge from Charles Dicken's classic A Christmas Carol or Dr. Seuss' The Grinch.

As said before, you whole day can be ruined by one person saying and/or doing something whereby planting the tiny grudge seed within you. Thinking about it, the tiny grudge seed can fester inside you and as time passes it grows causing you to lose focus mentally. We've all at some point been thrown off our game, so to speak, to where it just doesn't affect us mentally as it can effect us in a physical, emotional, and even spiritual way as well. Essentially, your left physically tense not being able to relax, emotionally stressed out because you let the words he/she get to you, and you end up losing yourself spiritually holding on to the anger your feeling, which is quite possibly many of us have experienced or are currently experiencing at the moment.

For the question can be asked, do you consider yourself to be a dull person but have no way of knowing if you actually are? If you think about it, there are certain tell tale signs that may possibly confirm your inifinity to being a dull person. 1.) Have you ever been excited about arranging furniture because you wanted to change things up? 2.) Has a friend ever told you thaty he/she would rather watch paint dry than hang out with you? 3.) You think photoshop is the greatest thing ever invented and create works of art to display for others to see. 4.) Does sitting in front of a computer on Friday/Saturday night and logging into either Friendster, Myspace, Facebook, and/or Twitter for hours on end sound enjoyable? Of couse, I'm just kidding on # 1, 3, and 4."

About 2 weeks ago, one "my kids" at work stepped off the school bus and walked up me with a smile on his face asking me why I was so dull. It was a question that I took personal offense to leading to a stern lecture for the young man. In any case, when you work with kids they want to have fun and yet there is difference in defining what kids see as fun whereas an adult sees it as dangerous to the point of hurting themselves. For a couple of days, I stewed about it and let what he said get to me to where I not only kept my focus on that rude comment, but I took a survery among the rest of "my kids" at work, which was a big mistake. In the end, if I've learned anything concerning that particular situation its that I should take comments like his and brush'em off like dirt off your shoulders.

Just Say No

2009-04-18T08:26:00.003-05:00

If you think about it, we all have succumed to certain fashion trends growing up and depending on the particular decade you quite possibly regret what you thought was the so called hip style at the time. Bell bottom jeans, platform shoes, members only jackets, fanny packs, pegging the bottom of your pants, leaving the tags on your new shoes, etc. were just some of the many trends that would come and go. For its those particular trends that were considered tolerable back in the day and yet when it comes to one specific fashion trend I just have to shake my head at because the pure absurdity of it all. Essentally, the fashion I'm speaking of that has become quite popular among young males is the act of sagging their pants.

Without a doubt, we've all seen the boxers/underwear...not by choice mind you...of many young males who proudly sag their pants with pride. It befuddles my mind how these kids today think its cool, fly, off the chain, off the hook, pimpin', or whatever lingo is being used to describe the absolute travisty of what being easily influenced has done to a certain number of young people of America. What has it done you may be asking? It has basically turned them into human penguins who shuffle/waddle around in a relatively slow pace holding their pants up to keep it from falling. Its a humorous situation indeed to witness saggers who run and at the same time try to keep from tripping/falling because their pants are down to their ankles.

As said before, its absurd on how sagging has become somewhat accepted as the norm in today's society to where there is a cultural crossover. The influence the United States has on other countries when it pertain to certain things such as television, music, and most definitely fashion styles as well. Thinking about it, young people all across the globe adopt a seemingly rediculous trend not oftentimes not knowing its true origins or how it does't particularly suit their own culture to dress that way. What it comes down to it is following the status quo and exuding a swagger in which you have this wannabe gansta persona that causes you to act, as well as talk like an utter fool. Let me tell you something, a good slap upside the head would work wonders for them who truly need it.

Let me ask you this question ladies, how many of you actually find guys who sags their pants attractive? To perfectly honest, I don't see how any woman can be attracted, around, or in a relationship with a guy who doesn't properly respect her by dressing in a way that shows a lack of consideration on his part. I will apologize ahead of time for saying this but as much as I want to believe all women have the common sense to avoid guys who every 10 seconds have to pull their pants while talking with them it has gradually fallen by the wayside. Out of curiosity ladies what is the first thing you notice about a guy that is considered a turn on for you? Is it his eyes? Is it his smile? Is it his overall physique? Or is it the sight of his boxer clearly displayed for the public to appaulingly marvel at?

About a week ago or so, Mayor Stan Wright of Bayou Le Batre, Alabama passed an ordinance making it illegal to wear sagging pants that exposes their boxers/briefs or too much skin below the waist. According to the law, a first-time offender who fails to pull up his or her pants faces a fine up to $100 and eight hours community service. The punishment escalates up to 150 and 16 hours for a second offense, and up to $250 and 32 hours for a third offense. In my opinion, its good to see/hear someone like Mayor Wright taking the intiative to primarily voice what many of us are thinking...PULL UP YOUR PANTS AND FOR CRYING OUT LOUD USE A BELT! In the end, I think the whole sagging pants situation should go a step further by doing public service annoucements and I have the perfect slogan...Just Say No To Crack.

Love Remains The Same

2009-04-12T14:41:00.005-05:00

William Shakespeare once wrote, ~Love is not a love which alters when alteration finds. It is an ever-fixed mark that look on tempest and is never shaken. Love alters not with time's brief hours and weeks, but bears it out even to the edge of doom.~ Let me ask you this question, have you ever stood back and looked at a couple and thought to yourself those two are going to make it because you have this innate feeling in your gut they actually will? Its a feeling you can't explain and yet you somehow know they will not become anotehr sad statistic of broken relationships. I'm sure we've all had that feeling and whether its two people you known for quite some time or just met you know they'll defy the odds that can possibly changes the course of both their forever for better or worse.

If you think about it, there is a sense of hope and safety when you look at a couple that you somehow know will make their relationship last. For its a type of hope and safety in which your personal life in regards to dating is filled with so much drama or lack thereof you can always count on those two to be your proverbial fortress of solitude to show things are going to be okay whereby giving hope within your heart. Its a tough situation indeed to get frustrated when it comes to matters of the heart but when you have the opportunity to talk to a couple who are in a happy, significant relationship you're seemingly put at ease. Thinking about it, within the safety of their relationship you're comforted in knowing the fears, worries, doubts, etc. you may have fall by the wayside.

Without a doubt, every couple has had their fair share of arguments or should I say discussions concerning significant, as well as insignificant aspects of a relationships. I think it would be safe to say men and women get angry to where an argument occurs to the point where they both can be driven completely insane. We've all been in a situation where we witnessed a couple having a discussion putting us in an awkward position but during that discussion you see something truly amazing happen. Its through one simple gesture. possibly verbal, that inevitably turns the mood of the whole situation around from being tense to one where they embrace each other apologizing for their attitude. Let me tell you something, to witness this in person is a sight to behold.

For the question can be asked to those in a significant relationship, has there ever been a point where you've experienced a rough patch when it pertains to your marriage? Essentially, all couples face the same difficulties and yet the circumstances are different for each one of them. For a number of couples, they've endured being separated when problems arise resulting in living apart bring unwanted changed whereby giving time for both people to think and have a breather from the pressures restulting from the drama that in all intensive purposes smothered them. When enough time has passed a step towards a reconciliation is taken and it doesn't matter who takes the initiative to do it first as long as both have the willingneess to fight/work to help heal the relationship fome the inside out.

About a week ago a friend of mine said to me in regards to a past yodaism, ~Love is purely good and perfect. It is humans, however, who are not so good and perfect. Because of that, we have a tendency to mess things up" In retrospect, I agree with her because when it comes to a significant relationship such as marriage it isn't perfect as mistakes are made that can mess up the dynamic of what two people created together. As long as we learn from those mistakes and not continue to not repeat them the relationship has a chance to become perfect in an imperfect way. In the end, relationships are bound to change as a couple may screw up, have arguments to the point where they drive each other up the wall, and possibly deal with rough patches, but love remains the same, which is a song by ex-Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale that reflects this thought.