Crash and Burn

Someone once said, ~I think that we are like stars. Something happens to burst us open; but when we burst open and think we are dying; we're actually turning into a supernova. And then we look at ourselves again, we see that we're suddenly more beautiful than we were before.~ If you think about it, when two people suddenly find themselves falling for each other it's like two stars colliding with one another to the point where they possibly merge together to form a newer and larger star. The sheer impact of it all for him/her/both has the propensity to cause unknown and not to mention a mental, emotional, physical, and/or spiritual reaction in an unstable way. For its most definitely a thought provoking situation indeed as it pertains to matters of the heart in regards to forming an absolute worthwhile relationship that has the potential to shine brighter amongst a sea of countless other stars trying to do the same as well.

As I said before, when two people suddenly find themselves falling for each other it's like two stars colliding with one another to the point where they possibly merge together to form a newer and larger star. Of course, it's considered to be an awe inspiring sight to behold knowing everyone is witnessing it unfold and it's not an event that can be kept hidden or a secret either. Thinking about it further, it's in a way how love/true love can be witnessed and/or personally experience at time as those gravitating around you/him/her/them, so to speak, clearly see what's going on despite their attempts to keep it hidden from view, which can be also deemed an inspired sight to behold to say the least. Oftentimes, it's a genuinely rare occurrence that has you truly transfixed. Hey, for anyone who is in all intents and purposes a star watcher of sorts you can't help but genuinely smile for two people in hopes it's destined to turn into something worthy of a supernova.

Without a doubt, when two stars collide there is a chance it potentially merges and becomes/forms something tremendously spectacular. However, it has the capability to turn into something totally opposite causing a collapse whereby forming a black hole. True, the sheer impact of it all for him/her/both has the propensity to cause unknown and not to mention a mental, emotional, physical, and/or spiritual reaction causing conflict as previously mentioned. Essentially, it's a conflict where they may not even be a significantly strong relationship forming at all due to a person or both people's thoughts, feelings, and/or emotions being sucked into the quintessential black hole of doubt, anger, fear, sadness, worry, frustration, utter contempt, disappointment, etc. Let me tell you something, nobody ever wants to experience being one of those stars or even be a witness to the sudden collapse leading to the painful death then gradual disappearing of the human heart into the darkness of heartbreak.

Let me ask you this question to those who have found themselves in the past colliding with a star representing a certain special someone and have happily merged together, is/was there at any point feeling as if you wanted to burst open? What I'm asking is were you able to completely open up to clearly convey all that you've been holding inside? A confusing jumbled, twisted mix of your thoughts, feelings, and/or emotions expressed to where it actually made sense out loud, so much so it inevitably helped alleviate any of the stress that just weighed you down. In any case, I think it's safe to say not too many people would suddenly burst open in song expressing their love in front of a guy/girl they're falling for as it leaves one vulnerable in putting yourself out there and at the same time facing the scary realization of the fear of being rejected. Yet, if the opportunity presented itself and were given the chance to, I honestly think they would do it all for a chance at true happiness.

In retrospect, there comes a point where for those living the single life the thought of meeting their forever best friend is like looking up at the starry filled night sky to see a shooting star then make a wish soon after. In other words, it's merely wishful thinking and the dream come true of finally having a solid foundation of trust, faith, honesty, respect, contentment, commitment, communication, etc. will be sucked once again into the quintessential black of hole of being single for eternity. Granted, while it may be wishful thinking to some it's something to grab and hold on to for others who wholeheartedly believe their supernova will happen as it's just a matter of having utmost patience. In the end, don't ever crash and burn when shooting for the stars in the form of a wrong and unhealthy relationship that ultimately wastes your time because one day you'll have a reason to believe there's truly someone out there for you who'll make you believe he'll/she'll beautifully outshine the rest.

My Own Thing

Someone once said, ~The happiest couples never have the same character. They just have the best understanding of their differences.~ Without a doubt, one of the things that makes a strong, worthwhile relationship work between two people is their independence in regards to allowing each other to pursue their own personal interests. For it's a truly interesting and thought provoking situation indeed concerning 2 completely different individuals who are able to have a deep understanding when it comes to embracing one another's independent side. What it primarily comes down to is having a partner who knows certain or every aspect of their significant other's weird/unique/nerdy/geeky individuality pertaining to what one thoroughly enjoys doing.

If you think about it, there are times when taking time for yourself while being in a committed relationship are deemed opportunities that should never be passed up. In other words, being able to take a step back from time to time in order to all intents and purposes recharge the mental, emotional, physical, as well as spiritual batteries that tend to get drained, so to speak. When I say drained, it doesn't necessarily have a negative connotation as it's more of a positive reflection in which you know taking a moment for yourself is considered to be tremendously cathartic, especially for one's own sanity. Essentially, to take time away from your best friend for life can considerably strengthen the already strong bond established between each other.

As I said before, it's a truly interesting and thought provoking situation indeed concerning 2 completely different individuals who are able to have a deep understanding when it comes to embracing one another's independent side. Of course, to attain that aforementioned deep understanding there should most definitely be open communication to honestly discuss being able to avoid becoming absolutely burned out, in a manner of speaking, due to the relationship itself. Thinking about it further, by doing this there's a much stronger and not to mention deeper ongoing understanding to the point where you're able to gradually regain one's individuality back whereby one has a tendency to possibly be lost or forgotten after being in a committed relationship for quite some time.

Let me ask this question to those in a significant relationship, even though there's a shared mutual strength, are you able to encourage one another's independent individuality? I think it's safe to say that having someone in your life who isn't reliant on having their wants and needs being constantly fulfilled shows he/she has a much deeper understanding of having your own space whenever it's warranted. Oftentimes, being encouraged by your best friend for life to reconnect with yourself or vice versa doesn't always mean doing it alone as it provides a reconnection with your best buds/gal pals. In any case, the shared encouragement to go through a personal self rejuvenation of sorts gives himself/herself and the relationship itself a renewed sense of a brighter future together.

In retrospect, there are times when being in a relationship has its fair share of conflict and stressful moments so much so a quintessential time out should be called. A time out in which there's an open forum of what's wrong and how it can potentially be fixed. You see, a lack of open communication will only cause even more stress related conflict. Ultimately, matters of healing the mind, body, and heart for the sake of metaphorically/literally coming back to not just yourself, but to your partner in crime is at times a vital necessity to grow closer together instead of apart in love/true love. In the end, when or if it ever gets to the point where there's a feeling of getting burned out in the relationship don't be afraid to openly talk it out to discuss with him/her of wanting to do my own thing.

Rise To The Occasion

Someone once said, ~Live, love, laugh. Volleyball the main necessities. Love like you never loved before. Live like you are going to die tomorrow, and play like you mean it!~ If you think about it, a strong worthwhile relationship and the game of volleyball are synonymous with each other. How and in what way you might be asking yourself? You see, they both deal in being able to face a strong and quite possibly unbeatable opponent whose strength, as well as abilities can seemingly be viewed unmatched, which is love/true love. For it's certainly a tough task to undertake indeed knowing how it can leave any person or couple for that matter absolutely overwhelmed with a plethora of mixed thoughts, feelings and/or emotions as you're playing with the volleyball that is a representation of 2 hearts potentially becoming 1.

Without a doubt, one of the most important aspects in the game of volleyball other than teamwork is communication, which relates to being in a strong, worthwhile relationship. Essentially, establishing effective communication builds cohesively, effective unity and not to mention tremendous success in regards to matters of the heart involving a best friend for life. Thinking about it further, being able to interpret and actually understand your teammate's/partner's verbal, as well as non verbal signals shows a profound ability in sharing any difficulties whatever they may be. What it primarily comes down to is to not let yourself carry on your own shoulders the immense responsibilities in guiding each other in successfully scoring, in a manner of speaking, minor/major relationship points when they really matter.

As I said before, love/true love is considered to be an opponent whose unmatched strength and abilities can most definitely be viewed as overwhelming leading you to running around within your thoughts, feelings, and/or emotions. Why? You see, it never gets tired thus having endless amounts of stamina making it considerably tougher for a team of 2 knowing they're going to incredibly battle tested in more ways than one. Trust, faith, honesty, respect, understanding, and commitment combined as a whole instead of completely separate aspects makes a huge impact when facing the odds stacked against 2 players on the other side of the proverbial relationship net. True, it's a scary notion to think about the dominance of utter heartbreak it has befallen past "teams" but despite that the both of you forge ahead with game faces on, so to speak.

Let me ask you this question to any current or past volleyball players out there, what is the one thing you don't ever want to find yourself or another teammate doing while competing? If you answered looking down you'd be correct. I think it's safe to say you always want to look up and focus on where the volleyball is at all times because if you aren't closely paying attention then points are scored against you. In a sense, that's how two people who have committed themselves to each other in all intents and purposes playing the game should always be doing. In other words, focusing on each other's heart/volleyball to the point where you/him/her do everything in your/his/her power to mentally and emotionally dig after it in any/all directions from not ever hitting the floor to where it will continue to be in play at whatever the cost.

In retrospect, earning the bumps and bruises of a strong worthwhile love isn't easy by any stretch of the imagination. Granted, it would be simple enough to avoid all the effort, time, and hard work altogether in order to be crowned the quintessential champions of true happiness but the victory wouldn't in a way taste such as sweet. Oftentimes, by completely opening yourself up there's a gradual reveal of a level of vulnerability to where you know the guy/girl in question is right there with you every step of the way even if you don't see him/her. Vice versa as well. In the end, there will always be great obstacles in facing the crafty volleyball veteran otherwise known as love/love; but if there's a willingness to do the hard work, to never quit, scramble to dig for every point, and be in constant communication with each other then my friend the both of you will rise to the occasion spiking down together any challenging situation that lies ahead.

Dancing On My Own

Abira Mukherjee once said, ~Love is a mystery, love is passion, love is one of your truest emotions. It can take your breath away and leave you dancing in your heart's way.~ As I've said before, when it comes to matters of the heart in regards to the dating scene it can in a sense be like stepping into a crowded dance floor. True, there can be a plethora of mixed emotions to deal with, especially if you're truly interested in a certain someone one wants to set their sights on to dance with. In any case, it can most definitely be either a fun or nerve racking situation indeed in trying to find your own rhythm while being able to hopefully establish a strong, worthwhile rhythm located somewhere within the metaphorical crowded dance floor, in a manner of speaking.

Without a doubt, we've all heard the phrase dance like nobody's watching and it can certainly pertain to living the single life involving the dating scene. I think every person has experienced while living it up and dancing to the beat of their own heart of noticing a possible dance partner you are/have been interested in only to find he/she is already dancing with someone. Thinking about it further, it can cause anyone to do either of the following 2 things: leave you completely thrown off to where you end just watching from a distance OR step forward to cut in, whereby making your presence known to him/her. Essentially, there lies the difficulty in stepping out in order to want to be seen and at the same time the fear of not being seen at all by the guy/girl in question.

If you think about it, dealing with the aforementioned plethora of mixed emotions has the propensity to leave any individual dancing in circles within themselves so to speak. Unfortunately, it's in a negative rather than a positive way as your own thoughts, feelings, and/or emotions spin you around internally in such a complicated, as well as confusing way it drives you absolutely insane. For it's those 3 aspects previously mentioned that insanely spin you around internally to the point where you in all intents and purposes are backed in a corner not only figuratively, but literally as well. So, has anyone felt or is feeling like you're never going to be able to get yourself out of the corner representing heartbreak, the friend zone, or whatever the case may be?

Let me ask this question to those living the single life who are on the quintessential crowded dance floor. Have you found yourself getting lost in the crowd or have you been able to maneuver your way through to the best of your ability? I think it's safe to say being on an actual dance floor and the dating scene have their similarities in a number of ways like taking notice, the initial approach, possible rejection, potential acceptance, etc. Of course, this happens in the darkness, which is a representation of the utter uncertainty of whether or not the connection made will continue once you both step out into the light and the music still plays on instead of dying out. What it primarily comes down to is to not quickly part ways when it gets too hard after losing the relationship dance rhythm.

Someone said, ~If you stumble, make it part of the dance.~ In retrospect, love/true love is all about stumbling in hopes of coming face to face with your forever dance partner somewhere within the crowded dance floor of the dating scene. Fortunately, for a lucky number of people they've stepped out from the darkness and into the light with their potential/significant other knowing the music hasn't stopped for the two of them. However, for those who haven't yet met him or her you have your best buds/gal pals to keep you company while living it up despite going through the mental and emotional struggle. In the end, from time to time each one of us who are still out on the dance floor have that one initial thought of how long will I be dancing on my own, which is a song by Swedish singer/songwriter/producer Robyn but performed in a much slower version by Britain's Got Talent alum Callum Scott.

G.O.A.T

Hall of Fame Laker center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar once said, ~Great players are willing to give up their personal achievements for the achievement of the group. It enhances everybody.~ Let me ask you this question in regards to Michael Jordan and Lebron James, who among the two men is considered to be the greatest basketball player to ever step foot on the court? For its most definitely a divisive question indeed as the initial debates that start off relatively calm end up turning into truly heated discussions/arguments so much so people tend to lose their sanity along with their composure. In any case, instead of focusing on stats such as career points per game times gone to the finals, etc. the focus will be on the following 3 things: competitive drive, being battle tested, and overall leadership.

Without a doubt, Jordan and James' competitive drive to be the best has resulted in countless and impressive accolades worthy of their historic legacy. However, Jordan's competitive drive is considerably noteworthy as his incentive was to play the game for the sheer competition of facing off against opponents who were considered the best as well. Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Isaiah Thomas, Domonique Wilkins, Hakeem Alajuwon, Gary Peyton, Patrick Ewing, Reggie Miller, etc. who were each in some ways teachers of sorts and vice versa. Therefore, the growing confidence in his skills and ability combined with his competitive drive to beat his peers deemed him in a sense a student of the game who was continually learning whether he won or lost. So, what's Lebron learned thus far?

If you think about it, the topic of whether or not Lebron James has actually been battle tested in the more physical has been contested for years. I think it's safe to say today's NBA is vastly different when Jordan played as it was a more physical game back then. True, Lebron has faced physical challenges to where he's pushed himself beyond what he's capable of causing his body to break down, which shows his effort and commitment to the game itself. Yet, being tested physically playing the likes of The Knicks and Detroit Pistons back in the day who certainly brought the physicality and then some, which I dare say Jordan thrived on thus earning those quintessential battle scars. Hey, it makes you wonder how Lebron would have fared against Laimbeer, McDaniel, and Oakley who would let you know that he's been fouled.

Current Cleveland Cavs player J.R. Smith said, ~It's almost a gift and a curse. You play on his team, you’re playing with the best player in the world...and on the other side if you win he will get all the credits and if you lose you will get all the blame. That’s probably why Kyrie Irving wanted to be traded.~ Of course, Smith's words speak volume in overall leadership when the media such as ESPN Sportscenter and certain sports commentators would rather tout "The Face'' of the Cavs as the greatest while treating his teammates as mere footnotes. Granted, even though Jordan was and will always be "The Face '' of the Bulls he shared the spotlight with his non-footnote teammates Pippen, Paxon, Kerr, Grant, Armstrong, Kukoc, Cartwright who he encouraged to shine. Lead by example and in turn the leader will also follow.

In retrospect, there is no debate when it comes to proclaiming who is deemed the greatest player in basketball. Why? When you have former and current player/owners like Kobe who have gone on record as saying he's been the most influential in their career when they were young and for the most part patterned themselves somewhat like him. Of course, this goes without saying that Jordan stays with bulls and creates opportunities to help his teammates to become better, thereby reiterating the notion that not one person is better than the team itself. In other words, teamwork and working together as a team shows that Jordan is miles above Lebron in that particular aspect. In the end, tremendous amounts of respect are well deserved for a guy who went out on the court playing to win and that is why The King of The Air Michael Jordan will always be in my view the G.O.A.T.

Triggered

Actor Ray Fisher aka Cyborg from 2017's Justice League movie once said, ~I'd have all these crazy sort of 'who would win battles' with my friends who were big fans of other comic book characters, and I'd always find a way for Batman to win. It was deep for me, man.~ Without a doubt, there has always been lively to heated debates/discussion/arguments concerning who would win in hypothetical battles between characters in either the anime and/or comic book realm. For it can most definitely be an intensely crazy situation indeed as relatively calm face to face and/or online conversations between friends/strangers suddenly turn into loud screaming matches that go absolutely nowhere. Of course, when the latter happens the only thing that ever gets accomplished is the exchanging of endless amounts of childish, immature insults/comebacks that don't end up helping both side's case at all.

As I said before, there has always been lively to heated debates/discussions/arguments concerning who would win in hypothetical battles between characters in either the anime and/or comic book realm. Thinking about it further, when it comes to The Dark Knight otherwise known Batman there is a constant debate that has been going on for years about him having the ability to defeat any of his opponents with enough prep time. True, this is evident in how smart, knowledgeable, and not to mention calculating Batman is in studying the weaknesses of not only his enemies but his allies as well, which was shown in the animated movie Justice League: Doom. True, although The Caped Crusader doesn't have the Kryptonian strength of Superman, fast speed of The Flash, Wonder Woman's Amazonian strength etc. he does use his keen sense of observation then utilizes the information for a potential takedown.

If you think about it, the argument involving who is the strongest anime/comic book character of all time has been tirelessly talked to death to where it becomes incredibly ridiculous. Goku, Vegeta, Jiren, Thanos, Darkseid, Hulk, One Punch Man, Superman, etc. are such names proclaimed as the strongest character either in the anime/comic realm to the point where Dragon Ball Z character Goku have been hypothetically pitted again strong characters from other different anime/comic book universes. Granted, the main argument involves the character's overall power and strength with a character like Goku who turned into going from ordinary Saiyan to Super Saiyan 2 leveling up SS3 then becoming SS God leading to SS Blue and ultimately achieving Ultra Instinct against Jiren in the Tournament of Power in Dragon Ball Super. Hey, whether he is or isn't the strongest overall character continues to be highly debated.

Let me ask this question to my fellow geeks/nerds, are you for DC or Marvel? Personally speaking, I'm both. In any case, it's a seemingly normal question to ask someone unless it's posed to any die hard fan willing to express their opinions on the subject matter at hand. Oftentimes, it's considered a truly risky endeavor to express the reasons they're for or against DC/Marvel without having to state the following: DC/Marvel Sucks! Of course, much can be said for the strong success the MCU has had for the past 10 years with the exception of Thor: The Dark World. On the other hand, the struggles the DCEU has had with their live action movies like Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice have achieved relative success in regards to the animated movies being produced. Essentially, the battle between Marvel and DC is overwhelmingly one sided for now and there could possibly be a gradual shift in DC's favor later down the road. Time will tell.

In retrospect, there will always be hypothetical battle debates amongst deeply passionate and arguable insane geeks/nerds around the world pertaining to anime/comic book characters depending on the hero and/or villain in question. Of course, there will be those certain factions of geeks/nerd who will continually state that particular characters sucks and can't beat whoever he or she is pitted against. For the most part, you just have to remind yourself it is all merely hearsay as it involves a fantasy world comic book, as well as anime fans enjoying discussing at length about. Unfortunately, there are some individuals who get too passionate, so much so it can very well take it very personally. Ultimately, what it primarily comes down to is the fun factor in being able to talk about what we most enjoy without going completely bonkers and in the end getting triggered when something is said one doesn't agree with.

Love Takes Hostages

Connie Brockway once said, ~The heart doesn't ask permission. It is singularly unconcerned with the qualifications of those it chooses to love. It mocks the intellect, it subjugates reason, and it holds hostage the will to survive.~ If you think about it, when it comes to matters of the heart pertaining to potential/significant relationships and/or utter heartbreak you can find yourself or should I say your heart being taken hostage by your own thoughts, feelings, as well as emotions. For it’s a thought provoking situation indeed to experience an inner hostage situation of sorts that can last days, months, and/or even years. Of course, while going through the metaphorical hostage situation deals are trying to be made to either embrace true happiness that could very well be an absolute positive or finally let go of negative past issues that are/have been considered a threat personally, mentally, and/or emotionally.

As I said before, when it comes to matters of the heart pertaining to potential/significant relationships and/or utter heartbreak you can find yourself or should I say your heart being taken hostage by your own thoughts, feelings, as well as emotions. True, the initial beginning phase of any hostage situation is considerably violent or brief depending how long it lasts to subdue the hostages. Essentially, it's while one's own heart is subdued there can be in all intents and purposes an all out assault occurring and the instant or gradual impact of it can certainly be traumatic. Thinking about it further, there's initially an inner mental/emotional mass of chaos and confusion in a hopefully non violent way happening within, in a manner of speaking, after being captured to the point where it can be considerably difficult in focusing after coming to the realization of what is going/has gone down.

Without a doubt, once the initial phase of the emotional and mental hostage situation is over then comes the negotiation phase, which is an all too familiar experience for quite a number of individuals. I think its safe to say for those living the single life there can most definitely be demands listed off, so to speak, involving our thoughts, feelings, and/or emotions towards one's own heart. The proverbial inner conflict of what you think you want and what you're most deserving of as it pertains to true happiness. In that instance, the quintessential hostage negotiator enters the picture and even though there may not be an actual hostage negotiator present your own inner voice takes metaphorical form in trying to negotiate/mediate a deal or deals whatever they may be. Unfortunately, one's inner voice may not be able to resolve the conflict to where a resolution is unable to be made thus a standoff ensues. So, how long has your inner standoff lasted?

Let me ask this questions to those who are currently in a hostage situation regarding their own heart that has lasted for quite some time. At any point have you come to the decision with the termination phase? What do I mean? What it primarily comes down to are the following 3 scenarios/options: 1.) Your thoughts, feelings, and/or emotions surrender peacefully to the reality of the situation and let the possibility of potentially falling in love run its natural course. 2.) You're mentally and emotionally strong enough in overtaking all 3 so that you can move on from past issues by your own terms. OR 3.) You've given into the demands settled for and didn't really want because you allowed them to overwhelm you therefore killing any chance of moving on to experience a worthwhile love life. For the most part, you have those 3 scenarios/options to choose from or go with something completely different altogether and hope it works out for the best.

In retrospect, the most frustrating part of your heart being taken hostage by your own thoughts, feelings and/or emotions is the unpredictability of it all. Oftentimes, it's an absolute unknown as to whether or not negotiations will turn into a dangerously volatile situation to where it should always be handled with care. However, there are times where you have no other alternative than to just bust in with guns blazing in SWAT Team fashion to truly free yourself from past issues, which is an aggressive albeit useful tactic to undertake. Granted, you're not in this alone as you have your fellow SWAT Team members of best buds/gal pals who will always head in to make the save knowing they could become collateral damage. Hey, there's always a risk but it's a risk they're willing to take. In the end, love takes hostages and when or if you find yourself in one you want to come out the entire ordeal with a very much "alive" heart rather than have it end up be "dead".

Frame Of Heart

Khano Makwarela once said, ~Sometimes broken relationships are like broken glasses. People often hurt themselves trying to put the broken pieces back together.~ Without a doubt, matters of the heart involving broken relationships is most definitely synonymous with getting glasses after it has been for quite some time or ends up getting broken. You see, when you experience both there is in a sense the inability to see clearly even though there have been attempts to try to fix it the best way you can. True, fixing what's been broken or close to being broken can sometimes help you see in the visual context. Of course, the same can be said in regards to trying to fix a relationship that has gradually lost the sense of sight mentally, as well as emotionally whereby there is an inability to see clearly in a person's or one another's heart, in a manner of speaking.

If you think about it, when you deal with broken glasses or glasses close to being broken you can find yourself taping it up as a temporary fix, which those who wear glasses such as myself have done in the past. Essentially, that's how it can be at times as a guy/girl/couple tries for the previously mentioned temporary fix deemed absolutely easy for his/her/their relationship only to end up re-taping the part/parts again because the problem wasn't truly dealt with or should I say discussed in depth. Thinking about it further, although the tape on a broken or soon to be broken relationship is viewed as metaphorical it has the propensity to make its presence known in an annoyingly, irritating way. So the question remains is there presently tape put on as a temporary fix on your relationship right now? Here's another question, how long has it been there?

As I said before, when experiencing a broken relationship and glasses there is in a sense the inability to see clearly even though there have been attempts to try to fix it in the best way one can. Unfortunately, when it's not able to be fixed via the aforementioned temporary fix the alternative is getting new glasses thus getting your eyes or in this particular case your heart checked in order to in all intents and purposes see what you're truly deserving of on the quintessential strong, worthwhile relationship eye/heart chart. For it's certainly a tough and frustrating situation indeed to go through as you're in a way doing an oftentimes exhaustive self eye/heart examination so that you'll be able to see clearly line by line in someone else all the quality aspects of a deeply meaningful relationship such as trust, faith, honesty, respect, faith, patience, hope, understanding, communication, commitment, etc.

Let me ask this question to those who have been wearing broken glasses and have constantly been fixing them with tape. How did it feel when you were finally able to wear it without always having to make those annoyingly, irritating adjustments? In other words, how many of you are with your best friend for life and are now clearly seeing the quality aspects of a deeply meaningful relationship mentioned above instead of unfortunate aspects like doubt, being lied to, anger, fear, worry, hatred, confusion, frustration, bitterness, utter contempt, disappointment, etc. Granted, it takes time along with the much needed eye drops of reality in which it puts into perspective the type of guy/girl one hopes to find/meet/encounter someday. What it primarily comes down to is facing the temporary tape fix head on and not avoiding the issue(s) so you won't always feel absolute discomfort.

In retrospect, wearing the right glasses makes all the difference as it helps see what you've been missing out on after your heart has experienced the discomforting blurriness and/or feeling of a bad past relationship. For the most part, when you get your eyes checked in the form of your best buds/gal pals in possibly helping you get them wide open visually in mental and emotional capacity it's an experience unlike any other. Ultimately, what brings it all together is having the right frames with occasional adjustments that will positively stick with you. Hey, it may take days, months, and/or maybe even years before you inevitably find the frames that will keep you stable in every sense of the word but it's so worth it.. In the end, it's when you're able to get into a genuinely right frame of heart with a certain special someone in hopes of being able to see with continuous 20/20 vision or better a future that makes you smile .

20/20

Joseph Joubert once said, ~Words are like eyeglasses, they blur everything that they do not make clear.~ If you think about it, life is in a sense like wearing glasses in which any one of us can seemingly have a clear vision, so to speak, when it comes to certain goals one wants to achieve. For its a seemingly thought provoking situation indeed in being able to in all intents and purposes try to clearly see in the distance a better future but at the same time it can turn considerably blurry as well. Why? Essentially, a person starts off with a strong line of sight of where they want to go to the point where if doubt happens it gradually becomes harder to see. What it primarily comes down to is having the determined, clear focus pertaining to each objective in hopes of successfully achieving what one's seeing behind their own prescribed lenses.

As I said before, in life any one of us can seemingly have a clear vision, so to speak, when it comes to certain goals one wants to achieve. Although, there may be an innate clear focus on our hopes, dreams, goals for a number of people it can at times become quite difficult to see or fully focus on because of foreseen, as well as unforeseen circumstances that turns them considerably blurry, in a manner of speaking. In other words, it's all about having a completely different perspective in how you look at what's in front and all around you with a positive instead of a negative attitude. I think it's safe to say the decision to metaphorically put on/wear the quintessential rose colored glasses of positivity can certainly make the difference whereby seeing the potentially complicated situations in life in a totally interesting albeit unique way.

Without a doubt, glasses help bring into focus what a person is struggling or struggles to see and the same can be said in regards to aspects of life such as friendship, career, walk with God, matters of the heart involving relationships/love/true love, etc. True, each one of us can most definitely find ourselves being stubbornly blind in not wanting or refusing to see the red flags that can clearly be seen by those around you who care about enough in looking out for your own best interests. Thinking about it further, being someone who unfortunately is shortsighted or far sighted for that matter has in some ways a blurred viewpoint to where they're constantly stumbling/bumping their way into/though life. Hey, you have to set your ego aside and be humble enough in helping you put on the glasses of reality when you're unable to see the truth for yourself.

Let me ask you this question to those who have worn or are wearing glasses, what do you think is considered the most important aspect of the glasses itself? If you answered picking the right frame you would be correct. You see, the right frame makes all the difference so much so it in a way brings it all together, which is a mindset relating to life too. Of course, picking the right frame is synonymous with life in the context of setting the overall tone. What I mean is we oftentimes try our best in being able to always perfectly frame or should I say having stability that's continually strong as it pertains to our own personal, mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual journey we've individually set forth on. So the question remains, do you believe you have a sense of stability as it pertains to picking the right frame of life?

In retrospect, there are times it's hard to make out and clearly see where we're going in life, which is often the case. Of course, even though we may try to avoid the unfortunate scratches on the lenses of life it can't be helped and all we can really do is not let ourselves focus on them or you'll end up being driven insane. In any case, it's all about making constant adjustments in order to comfortably see/feel and for the most part it makes a difference. Ultimately, I say to those who are having troubling seeing with their glasses of life they're wearing now it may be blurry, but it will eventually clear up if you continue making focused adjustments that best help you see. In the end, make sure you have the right fit, make those occasional adjustments and see with as much 20/20 vision or better so you won't be able to miss out on seeing/experiencing what life itself is showing you.

My Anchor

A.J. Green once said, ~I've been the same guy since day one. No matter how successful I am in life, I'm going to stay true to myself and stay humble and grounded. I feel like that's where your success comes from. Once you get that big head, it's over. You feel like you can't be stopped. Staying humble is the only way you can be great.~ Let me ask you this question, what and/or who keeps you grounded? For it's a seemingly simple question to answer, but at the same time it can most definitely be a deeply meaningful, thought provoking one as well. Thinking about it further, there's a sense of a positive influence in whoever or whatever keeps you grounded in which your ego and feet are firmly planted on the ground, in a manner of speaking, to the point where your reality is stable, as well as well balanced instead of in an unbalanced fantasy world.

If you think about it, your very own gang of best buds/gal pals have the capacity to keep you grounded, especially those who truly have your best interests in mind. Of course, it's your innermost circle of friends who have their own unique way of not letting/allowing you to attain a big head and/or become completely full of yourself. Essentially, the type of friend I'm speaking of are the ones who may not show it at times and possess a strong moral compass. They are the people who keep you humble, build up your self esteem when it takes a tremendous hit, provide helpful advice on occasion, and will never allow you to conform into someone they know you're not. Hey, even though you and your friend may be completely opposite in the friendship spectrum there is a deep kinship that for the most part can't quite be explained.

Without a doubt, a family member such as a grandparent certainly has the power to keep an individual absolutely grounded. I think it's safe to say one of the many reasons a grandparent wields that type of unexplained power is their ability to talk to, see and not mention treat you as a grown adult while being treated as if you're still a little kid by everyone else including the parental units. Oftentimes, there is an unmistakably. strong connection/bond between grandchild/grandparents that is considered to be absolutely special and so amazingly remarkable despite the generation gap. The warmth, feistiness. wit, stubborn tenacity, no nonsense attitude, the delicious food/treats, and most of all the sage, impactful wisdom provided are what usually make for a grandparent who has been there, as well as done that.

Colossians 1:23 says, ~If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven, whereof I Paul am made a minister.~ For the question can be ask, how many of you are grounded in the faith of the word of God? You see, each of our lives are constantly tested by the trials and tribulations in regards to one's daily walk with our Lord Jesus Christ. However, it's the effort we make in continually meditating in God's word and through fervent prayer no matter what involves the good and/or bad circumstances pertaining to the life we live by. Hey, we may not be perfect Christians by any stretch of the imagination and although we aren't we strive to firmly stand, trust, as well as believe in the strong, solid foundation of God's love.

Actor/Rapper LL Cool J said, ~When adversity strikes, that's when you have to be the most calm. Take a step back, stay strong, stay grounded, and press on.~ In retrospect, a person can be tossed around within the metaphorical waves of life trying to not be flipped out of and/or destroyed in one's ship, so to speak. Granted, there will be/are moments where life's trials and tribulations will figuratively and literally rock the boat causing us to hold on for dear life. Yet, it's how you handle the situation and who/what you look to during/after the situation(s) in question that determines how steady of a boat each one of us are riding in. In the end, when the waves of life toss your around you can positively say pointing with utmost confidence HE/he/she/that is my anchor and helps keep/has kept me personally, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually afloat.

A Heavy Heart

Frederick Lanz once said, ~Fears are just conditioning. They don't exist. They are something that we are taught by people who are afraid or seek to make us afraid. It is time to unload the baggage.~ If you think about it, when it comes to matters of the heart pertaining to a past relationship or relationships a person in some cases brings along their own set of baggage associated with it. Yet, what's an absolute unknown is the sheer size, volume, and/or scope of what's in all intents and purposes packed inside. For it can most definitely be a tremendous weight to be constantly carrying around, so to speak, as it involves issues of heartbreak one has a tendency to in a sense pack away and never really open any more to truly experience much needed closure.

Without a doubt, you can certainly have a somewhat keen inclination as to whether or not a guy/girl you're potentially interested in has some kind of baggage they're carrying around. Granted, it may not be hidden and not seen right away until the right amount of time has passed to carefully unload them one by one, in a manner of speaking. The question is though, when is the right amount of time exactly? In any case, it's a totally natural instinct indeed to be cautious as you're gradually letting/allowing yourself to become unguarded/vulnerable and not to mention safe in a personal, mental, emotional, as well as spiritual kind of way as you're willingly unpacking what's been quite possibly deemed a mess, which is an absolutely scary feeling for anyone to experience.

As I said before,you can certainly have a somewhat keen inclination as to whether or not a guy/girl you're potentially interested in has some kind of baggage they're carrying around. Oftentimes, it's seen clear as day upon meeting him/her so much so their baggage is dumped on and/or in front of you whereby leaving you in an incredibly awkward situation. Anger, frustration, confusion, fear, doubt, worry, sadness, depression, guilt, bitterness, disappointment, contempt, betrayal, etc. are what each individual forms of baggage represent and have been dumped out either one by one or all at once. Of course, it's how that person reacts and handles the seemingly overwhelming mess that determines if he/she actually sticks around to help clean up or walks away completely.

Let me ask you this question to those living the single life and dealing with their own set of personal baggage they've been carrying around. How long have you been carrying it? Here's another question for you. Do you want to finally unpack and be done with it to get the closure you're in need of? Thinking about it further, it's not so much meeting someone who will help carry the painful burden of the baggage itself as it's more about being able to have a deep understanding of each one of them that's been stuffed tightly away in order to try to forget and not deal with any longer. Easier said than done. What it primarily comes down to is having a guy/girl who'll want to stay in order to be able to patiently sort through an assortment of weirdly strange, complicated and complex issues.

Wayne L. Misner said, ~Keeping baggage from the past will leave no room for happiness in the future.~ In retrospect, you will never exactly know the magnitude of past relationship issues stuffed tightly away in the baggage(s) of a certain someone of interest. Granted, the solution doesn't always mean trying to help fix whatever is wrong. You see, even though the guy/girl in question may not solve all the issues they'll hopefully handle them with as much gentle care, respect, tact, and dignity to where he/she becomes one's quintessential baggage handler of sorts. In the end, to those living the single life with a heavy heart, may you one day find true happiness with your future best friend for life who'll somehow lighten the load of past issues to where you have nothing left to carry except a smile on your face and in your heart.

2 Words 8 Letters

Damon Lindelof once said, ~I think that, at the end of the day, I'm drawn to a certain level of ambiguous storytelling that requires hard thought and work in the same way that the 'New York Times' crossword puzzle does: Sometimes you just want to put it down or throw it out the window, but there's a real rewarding sense if you feel like you've cracked it.~ Without a doubt, there is in a sense similarities between matters of the heart and a crossword puzzle to the point where both have the ability in have you trying to figure out and solving any clues provided. For it can most definitely be a thought provoking and mentally challenging situation indeed knowing there is the potential for wrong answers before you truly end up with the right one that somehow brings it altogether.

Let me ask this question to those who enjoy doing crossword puzzles, was there anything that it has taught you in attempting to complete it in its entirety? I think it's safe to say what it can certainly teach you is what you think is probably right is in actuality totally wrong. In other words, being so certain you have the right answer only to discover it doesn't fit/match what's relating to the other horizontal and/or vertical clues. What I'm trying to say is all too often a person can achieve premature success then failure of a connection that wasn't actually there. Hey, every person has mistakenly interpreted the verbal/physical clues to where the answers of true happiness easily fit into every empty block of the metaphorical worthwhile relationship crossword puzzle that is the human heart.

If you think about it, the clues each of us are given can at times be frustrating to figure out and the same can be said for a forever best friend as well. Oftentimes, it's not difficult to figure out what the answers are; but there are times where it will get so confusing it becomes absolutely frustrating. Essentially this best describes the struggle in figuring out our own thoughts, feelings, and/or emotions as it relates to looking for any sort of clues within what is being said/done by that certain someone of interest. Thinking about it further, it's during one's mental and emotional struggle the blocks within the aforementioned metaphorical crossword puzzle representing one's heart are constantly being filled in then erased because of the all out indecisively, insane inner turmoil of figuring out the right answer.

For the question can be asked to those who have spent time doing crossword puzzles, how many times have you constantly erased and written an answer down that wasn’t quite falling into place? As I said before, it gets considerably confusing and frustrating as it pertains to figuring out our own thoughts, feelings, and emotions. True, there are moments where we find ourselves constantly erasing, so to speak, the answers we think are right in the horizontal/vertical crossword grids of your heart that it by all intents and purposes is torn apart. What it primarily comes down to is being able to stop and take a step back to rethink, as well as relax in order to look at it with a clear mind/heart from a new approach, which is how it should be when living the single life as it pertains to the dating scene.

Craig Finn said. ~There's this moment sometimes, when you do a crossword puzzle and you have the one really long word. And once you get that, the whole thing kind of comes into focus.~ In retrospect, there are those who are incredibly lucky enough to have figured out the answers to the entire crossword puzzle grid representing their heart. Trust, faith, honesty, hope, respect, understanding, patience, communication, commitment, etc. have been correctly filled vertically and horizontally to where it intersects perfectly with each aspect of a strong, worthwhile relationship. Of course, those who are still working on and figuring out their own heart crossword puzzle like myself it's just a matter of patience and taking a step back for a fresh take on it from a completely different perspective. In the end, I leave you with this clue of 2 words 8 letters as it's something people either believe it does exist while others simply don't believe it exists at all.

Easy At Goodbyes

Someone once said. ~It is better to let someone walk away from you than walk all over you. You don't deserve to be a doormat. Let go of those who hurt you, and make room for those who actually deserve you and want to treat you well.~ If you think about it, when a person experiences constant relationship heartbreak it can most definitely get or has come to the point where walking away is considered to be the easy choice. For it's not that difficult of a decision to make knowing how much you've given and a tremendous amount has been literally, as well as figuratively taken from you while living the single life pertaining to the dating scene. Essentially, the unfortunate experiences of bad past relationships can certainly lead or have left one hardened in such a way you as an individual ends up becoming a different person who doesn't care at all.

Without a doubt, to be the type of person who simply shrugs off a break up and has the ability to completely walk away from any personal, mental, along with emotional attachments reveals pain that runs so deep it leaves you feeling absolutely nothing. Granted, it may have not been easy in the beginning as you're dealing with the thoughts/feelings/emotions so complex, contradictive, and conflicted it drains you in every sense of the word. In other words, the interior scars can plainly be seen on the surface or just below it by those around you. Yet, as you move on it becomes a lot less complex, contradicting and conflicting to becoming more cynically jaded within your own heart. Essentially, the jaded cynicism is in some way like a metaphorical light switch that's never really been switched off for quite some time because he/she/you didn't see a point in ever switching it back on.

As I said before, the decision to walk away from a relationship isn't a difficult one to make for any individual who is just plain fed up with getting hurt as it pertains to matters of the heart involving love/true love. I think it's safe to say it's an unfortunate sad state of affairs indeed when you've found/are finding yourself constantly picking up the pieces of your broken heart, so to speak, leading you to reach a moment where walking away is deemed totally normal as if it were considered to be a rapid reflex response. Women, more of than not, know this seemingly all too well as they've emotionally switched themselves off after reaching their quintessential BS limit so much so it leaves them emotionally and mentally constipated. Of course, the same can be said for some guys too who even though they share somewhat similar situations they didn't really care all that much to begin with I'm sorry to say.

Let me ask you this question to those who have recently walked away in the past or recently from an incredibly toxic relationship, how long did it take to part ways knowing it was the best decision you've made knowing there's someone out there somewhere who you're far more deserving of? True, for a number of people it took a considerable amount of soul searching and not to mention supportive help from one's best buds/gal pals to leave whereas for others they were gone like a fart in the wind. Hey, you have to have perspective when it comes to your own needs and you have every right to be selfish sometimes in wanting true happiness as long as you don't overly obsess over it. What it primarily comes down to is having an innate inner strength and having the determination in wanting to be happy inside and out instead of tirelessly faking it for some many years on both accounts.

In retrospect, don't ever become a person who checks out of a strong worthwhile relationship because you're actually being treated with respect. A far cry from how you've been usually treated in your past relationships that had you feeling the urge to bail immediately. Why? If I fair to guess it's an unfamiliar and uncomfortable feeling of vulnerability not felt in a long time to where the inability to process or even deal with a guy/girl showing the true meaning/qualities of a loving relationship is mind boggling. You see, that feeling shows you actually care. Oftentimes, the knee jerk reaction is to either attack or make fun of him/her for actually being a genuinely, caring guy/girl who is patient and taking the time to allow their/your heavily guarded inner walls to come down. In the end, to my fellow single peeps I hope there comes a point in life where you are easy at goodbyes as you finally say farewell to a past filled with heartbreak and move forward to a future. shared with your future best friend for life.

A Clean Sweep

Paul Gross once said, ~It's not just a rock. It's forty-two pounds of polished granite, with a beveled underbelly and a handle a human being can hold. Okay, so in and of itself it looks like it has no practical purpose, but it's a repository of possibility. And, when it's handled just right, it exacts a kind of poetry - as close to poetry as I ever want to get. The way it moves.... Not once, in everything I've done, have I ever felt the same wonder and humanity as when I'm playing the game of curling.~ Without a doubt, life and the Winter Olympic sport of Curling are in a sense synonymous with each other in such a way it has the propensity to capture your attention in a deeply compelling way. How? Well, we can at times become so transfixed at what's in front of us we'll find ourselves either falling short, being right on the mark, or sliding past one's hopes/goals/dreams we're targeting to achieve.

As said before, life and curling are synonymous with each other because in both areas we all strive to reach intended hopes/goals/dreams only to possibly fall short, be right on the mark, or slide past what we've been targeting/aiming to achieve. Thinking about it further, we all start off at the quintessential "hog line" holding the 42 pounds of polished granite with a beveled underbelly representing the hold and being able to handle our own aspirations in hopes of directing them to where you want them to go. True, it can be an oftentimes tough and frustrating situation indeed to fall short at the shots taken concerning certain aspects of life one presumably has a handle on. However, if you're a true curling competitor of life you go back to the start knowing full well you at least have a 2nd, 3rd, or whatever number of chances to get it done.

If you think about it, when it comes to the path between life and achieving our hopes/dreams/goals it may not always be a smooth slide towards where each one of us want to be. Essentially, that's where our teammates of best buds/gal pals come into play, so to speak, who represent the strong support system in helping/assisting to sweep away the dirt or should I say absolute dirty negativity blocking your way. Hey, it's your "teammates" who always have your back shouting positive words of encouragement and drowning out the negativity of any haters expecting/waiting for failure to happen. Of course, it's what you want in a teammate who genuinely cares and looks out for you. What it primarily comes down to is having the right teammates by your side who'll be there for their "Skip" knowing you'll be there for them no matter what.

Let me ask this question to those who have watched the Winter Olympic sport of curling, do you think it seemingly looks easy enough to try and even go so far as to actually form a team of your own to compete? Granted, even though it may look easy it's a deceptively difficult sport to navigate through, which is how life can be like sometimes. I think it's safe to say if you're on the outside looking in you're for the most part there as a spectator of sorts being a witness to an individual(s) life only to find what you're seeing is in fact an unfortunate misconception of what it truly is. You see, unless you're in the proverbial know and right there in the icy trenches with broom in hand sweeping alongside your teammates then you have no earthly idea of the reasons behind wanting to win, in a manner of speaking, those meaningful life points.

In retrospect, the game of curling otherwise known as life is filled with an odd mixture of thrilling drama, quiet suspense, calm intensity of excitement, stress related insanity and not to mention unpredictable fun. Yet, despite that aforementioned odd mixture it's a life that somehow draws people in as a totally compelled spectator and at the same time having absolutely no clue what they're looking at. Anyways, I digress. Balance, focus, patience, knowing when to back off, the determination to keep going, trusting your instincts, taking the wisdom/advice of those around you into consideration, etc. are ultimately considered key factors/strategies in potentially scoring major life points. In the end, I say to you, may the icy surface you're playing on be a smooth one void of dirty obstacles and every goal you're sliding towards be a clean sweep.

Fortes Fortuna Adiuvat

Francis Quarles once said, ~Necessity of action takes away the fear of the act and makes bold resolution the favorite of fortune.~ If you think about it, throughout life we're given the opportunity to take the initiative in stepping up and be bold in hopes of gaining fortune. Granted, it doesn't necessarily refer to the financial aspect of it even though an individual may profit, in a manner of speaking, in taking a risk knowing there may be a chance of failing. For it's a risky situation indeed in being able to boldly face the fear of the unknown in regards to friendships, career, and not to mention relationships. What it primarily comes down to is having that bold determination in taking the first step in the possibility of potentially forever changing the directional course involving your very own future.

Without a doubt, when it comes to your own group of best buds/gal pals one can most definitely be considered in some ways massing a fortune. Unfortunately, having all that kind of wealth in regards to your inner circle of friends can at times become a considerable headache rather than an absolute privilege. True, the decision to sever ties with a particular friend or number of friends in order to positively move forward for sanity sake in order to alleviate the insurmountable negative stress metaphorically weighing down on you is certainly a bold one to even consider, especially the length of said friendship(s). Hey, it's a difficult task to undertake for any individual to experience a far less stressful, drama free life whereby profiting from it with some much needed peace of mind as it pertains to the friends each of us deal with.

As said before, life gives us the opportunity to step up and be bold in hopes of gaining fortune. Of course, a sense of fear when boldly seizing your chance and possibly taking your career to the next level wherever it may be going The fear of the professional unknown in either starting a whole new career path altogether or seeking a higher level position is truly scary and at the same time exciting. Why? On one hand, you're taking a professional leap of faith not really knowing if it will work out and end up failing completely whereas if you actually succeed in accomplishing what you've been focusing on then it will literally, as well as figuratively pay off immensely. Essentially, it's just a matter of using the fear, excitement, and every other mixed emotion to your advantage to prove to yourself rather than proving it to others it can be done.

Let me ask this question to those who made or are making bold strides in rebuilding their lives after walking away from a relationship that sorely needs/needed a fresh new start. I think it's safe to say there are a number of those living the single life who have gone/are going through their fresh new start and even though it has been quite difficult to stay positive they're gradually moving on slowly but surely. Oftentimes, the pangs of feeling lonely come into play causing one to become affected personally, mentally, emotionally, and sometimes spiritually as well. Fortunately, if you have the close support of family and close friends along with focusing on the health/well-being of your children all-the-while making bold steps to improve your way of life then you're rich beyond your years despite the lack of financial stability.

In retrospect, the action to make any or all bold moves in every aspect of life has the propensity to lead to in all intents and purposes a blessed, well rounded life you're richly deserving of. For the most part, those aforementioned bold moves, whatever they may be for you, won't have instant results right away as it will take tremendous amounts of time and patience to attain the fortune you seek whether it's financial or otherwise. You see, it's seemingly easy to start the process, but the hard part is bravely staying the course knowing full well there will be obstacles to stop you. Ultimately, adapt to obstacles so you won't find yourself losing the meaningful fortune you've worked so hard for. In the end, take heed the following 3 word Latin phrase that's translated fortune favors the bold: Fortes Fortuna Adiuvat.

What's The Catch?

Someone once said, ~Once in a lifetime maybe you meet someone who is instantly different from everyone else. Whatever level it might be, the two of you belong together. As just a friend, or lover, or something entirely different. For some reason, you just work. What is it called? Not coincidence. Not sheer luck. I don't know what I believe in. Fate sounds too good to be true. Whatever it is, it makes me believe in something.~ Without a doubt, every person has heard or said the expression "if it looks too good to be true it probably is" and in this particular case it can most definitely involve a guy/girl in regards to love/true love. For its a suspicious mindset indeed to inhabit when meeting someone new after experiencing disappointments pertaining to past potential and/or significant relationships.

As said before, the expression "if it looks too good to be true it probably is" has been heard or said at one point or another, especially when it involves a guy/girl in regards to love/true love. I think it's safe to say every person finds or has found himself/herself mentally questioning what could possibly be wrong with someone they're interested in/dating who by all accounts is deemed boyfriend/girlfriend/husband/wife material. Yet, he/she has been living the bachelor/bachelorette life for quite some time. True, one can certainly have a nagging feeling to the point of being absolutely suspicious at what he/she could be personally, mentally, emotionally, physically, and/or spiritually hiding.

If you think about it, to have the too good to be true mentality has the propensity to constantly dig for anything to be suspicious of even though there may not be any evidence/proof to the contrary. Unfortunately, it can become a persistent nagging feeling as previously mentioned that's so unrelenting it has the ability to negatively affect how and what an individual thinks/feels/views pertaining to a potentially hopeful worthwhile relationship. Essentially, it's a type of mental and emotional self sabotage of nitpicking something seemingly insignificant or totally irrelevant and turning it into a much bigger issue knowing full well there's none at all to deal with.

Let me ask this question to those who have encountered in the past or are encountering now a "too good to be true" guy/girl, what questions weighed/are weighing on your mind on whether he/she was/is genuinely the real deal? Thinking about it further, those aforementioned questions could be as such: Why has he/she been single for so long? How many exes does he/she have? Is he/she not over an ex? Does he/she have a great relationship with their mom/dad/parents? If not, what sort of issues is he/she dealing with? Is he/she relationship material? Of course, the inquiring minds of the vast majority of women rather than men want those questions to be answered and so much more.

Someone said~ It's sad how I just wait for the best things in my life to end cause good things never last for me...and this is almost too good to be true.~ In retrospect, experiencing consistent heartbreak can leave someone jaded to where there's no meaningful value in the word trust anymore and replaced it with a highly suspicious mentality. What it primarily comes down to is being able to meet a guy/girl unlike any other who somehow has the innate ability to forever break that suspicious mindset whereby giving trust back its meaning and value. In the end, I say to those who are hoping and maybe even have met that person, may your first thought not be the following three words: what's the catch?

Chaos Heart Theory

Jonathan Carroll once said, ~Real love is always chaotic. You lose control; you lose perspective. You lose the ability to protect yourself. The greater the love, the greater the chaos.~ Let me ask you this question in regards to matters of the heart, do you think there are seemingly random events that will unknowingly lead you to that certain someone in a serendipitous sort of way? For it's a thought provoking situation indeed as the chaos of bad past relationships are ultimately a much larger interwoven scheme that may be utterly confusing and frustrating at first; but they eventually become considerably clearer once you finally see what or should I say who is standing in front of you.

Without a doubt, there is potentially an inherent unpredictability involving love/true as it pertains to a certain guy/girl who is considered to be the proverbial chaos who may or may not be known or vice versa. Thinking about it further, it's the chaos of the absolute unknown where it feels as if there is a tornado of thoughts, feelings, and/or emotions creating havoc internally so much so, it gets uncontrollable to where it sweeps you up and swallows you whole, in a manner of speaking. However, it's that same chaotic individual who also has the innate ability to be the quintessential calming peace to the personal, mental, and emotional pandemonium you've been experiencing for quite some time.

As said before, there is potentially an inherent unpredictability involving love/true as it pertains to a certain guy/girl who is considered to be the proverbial chaos who may or may not be known. Of course, there is a tremendous amount of risk involved when meeting someone you're truly interested in/drawn to and for the most part you want to instinctively put all your effort in words, as well as your actions into something positive in hopes the odds turn out positive in your favor. Unfortunately, that's not always the case as a person will in all intents and purposes never be seen again after being swept up in the chaotic tornado of their thoughts, feelings, and/or emotions, whereby having no way of finding a way out of it.

If you think about it, the chaotic tornado representing true happiness has the capacity to provide a sense of strength you can undeniably hold on to and all you have to do is let go. True, there may be unrelenting fear, anxiety, doubt, disappointment etc. of letting go and allowing yourself to become vulnerable in being swept up in the emotional/mental vortex not knowing somewhere within the swirling chaos someone's hand is positively reaching out for you to take it. Essentially, it's a hand that represents and signifies trust, faith, honesty, hope, respect, patience, safety, understanding, commitment, communication, stability, etc. So, the question remains will you reach out and take it?

In retrospect, the chaotic tornado that is potentially a strong, worthwhile relationship is like trying to solve an extremely long and difficult equation. Granted, it may work out for the best or you end up going to the metaphorical drawing board of the heart. In any case, despite the simplistic nature of it all you don't want to have that utterly complex chaos rule over you. What it primarily comes down to is being able to some way have control of the chaos and know where it's taking you. In the end, the equation otherwise known as the chaos heart theory is continuously being worked on for those living the single life like myself and hopefully each of us will be able to solve it someday.

Simply Perfect(1st Yodaism of 2018)

Ed Sheeran once said, ~Your partner should be your best friend. You feel like you want to spend every single day with them and you always have something you can talk to them about.~ Without a doubt, it's considerably rare these days to find/meet who will be considered your forever best friend. For it's a type of forever best friend who you have the ability to in one's own unique way to perfectly communicate with each other verbally and nonverbally. Thinking about it further, it's a connection that is so deeply genuine personally, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and not to mention emotionally you can hardly believe he/she is real. However, when that realization finally sets in you smile knowing the guy/girl in question is someone who you've been truly waiting for has come true.

Let me ask this question to those in a potential and/or significant relationship, did you meet when you were childhood kids or later in life as a hopefully mature adult. Oftentimes, having two people who have been best friends since they were kids supposedly makes for a strong worthwhile relationship. Why? I think it's safe to say a couple who have known each other since they were kids have more inside knowledge in regards to possible inside jokes, their hopes, dreams, shared family life/school experiences, and whatever the case may be while growing up together. On the other hand, the case can be said for those who've met/found each other after going through past relationship experiences whether they were bad or good whereby giving personal life lessons of love/true love. Hey, some people just click instantly while others just take time.

As I said before, you want a type of forever best friend who has the ability to in one own unique way to perfectly communicate with each other verbally and nonverbally. Of course, being able to show love without any words spoken can speak volumes with one's proverbial partner in crime. True, the eyes are said to be the windows to the soul and certainly have a way of saying so much without saying a single word when it involves matters of the heart. Yet, at the same time, a simple touch in a Sasuke touching Sakura's forehead from the popular Japanese anime Naruto has the innate propensity to affect any person in such a way your heart skips a bit, leaves you breathless, time stops, and/or all three combined. In any case, it's not always what you say in showing how much you love someone as it's also how it can be said too.

If you think about it, having a guy/girl willingly hold your heart in their hands shows utmost trust. A trust in which that certain someone's heart is deemed the most valued and priceless possession any individual one can ever hope to. as well as lucky enough to own, in a manner of speaking. In a sense, it's like being given the most special gift shared between one person to another you absolutely don't want to break, play with, and/or break for that matter. Essentially, it's a feeling you never want to go/fade away and if compared to it would certainly feel like walking barefoot in the grass, listening to a favorite song that defines the two of you, softly whispering underneath one's breath so much so it causes the back of their/your neck to stand, etc. For the question can be asked how many can say they've experienced this in the past or are experiencing it right now?

In retrospect, when it comes to the potential for true happiness you can either dive right in with someone who may/may not be your better half or keep yourself emotionally distant from experiencing something totally amazing. Fortunately, there are a number of people who took the lead of successful leaps of faith and now are with their better half while others are keeping themselves from feeling the pain of getting hurt again. In some ways, whether you're diving in or keeping yourself emotionally distant it's like dancing in the dark and trying to blindly find then match the exact rhythm as him/her. Ultimately, we all want to find/share a literal and figurative home within someone's heart who will be able to house, so to speak, more than just our own well kept/hidden secrets. In the end, when everything clicks whether you've known each other forever or for just a certain amount of time it can feel simply perfect, which is the song by 4 time Grammy winner Ed Sheeran that best represents this thought.

I Let You Go (Last Yodaism of 2017)

Mareez Reyes once said, ~One of the hardest lessons in life is letting go. Whether its guilt, anger, love, loss or betrayal. Change is never easy. We fight to hold on and we fight to let go.~ If you think about it, when it comes to the turning over of a new year once again it's in a sense like a regeneration of sorts and each one of us is The Doctor. Essentially, every year we're given the opportunity to regenerate into a whole new person, so to speak, to the point where sticking to a resolution for the new year is considered to be a battle within itself we either face head on or struggle with entirely so much so you run away. For it can certainly be a tough and frustrating situation indeed at the very start knowing you'll be tested mentally, emotionally, physically, and not to mention spiritually as well.

As I said before, every year we're given the opportunity to regenerate into a whole new person, so to speak, to the point where sticking to a resolution is considered to be a battle within itself we either face head on or struggle entirely so much so you run away. True, it can be quite difficult to stay focused in wanting to achieve set goals for yourself knowing there are countless Dalek-like distractions that could in all intents and purposes exterminate one's own journey into trying to become a far better person. Of course, it's a continuous journey year after year in which a person reflects back sometimes not by choice on the many faces of the past you can either fondly smile back on or shed tears of sadness. What primarily comes down to is having the determination to see it through or run away because of how overwhelming it is.

Without a doubt, it's during one's year to year journey in their own metaphorical TARDIS in which it's much bigger on the inside regarding the deep vastness of your thoughts, feeling, and/or emotions. Thinking about it further deep emotions such as anger, confusion, betrayal, bitterness, utter heartbreak, etc. are remnants of a past self that may still remain underneath the surface and haven't really let have let go as certain mental, emotional, and physical memories are a unwanted haunting reminder that continue to resonate like a nightmare you so desperately want to wake up from. Unfortunately, it's a sad state of affairs when the pain is so humanly unbearable you want to shout out with angered tears for everybody to hear in somewhat similar fashion of the 11th Doctor in a memorable scene of the episode The Rings of Akhaten.

Let me ask this question as it pertains to the bed buds/gal pals or should I say companions you've in a sense traveled across the universe with over the years? Are they still companions of yours or did you end up making the difficult decision to part ways with him/her/them? Here’s another question. Do you still remember their names and faces? You see, life and truly worthwhile friends are a rarity to hold on to, whereby no matter how long you haven't seen/talked/interacted with each other falling into the same old fun filled, mischievous routine is easy. However, what's never really easy is making the decision to part ways with friends for the betterment of your own mental and emotional sanity like encountering a Weeping Angel and with an eventual blink of an eye they're gone from your life never to be heard or seen from again.

In retrospect, 2018 provides everybody the chance to push the quintessential reset button and experience a whole new set of unknown adventures lying in wait for each one of us. Granted, whether it involves the same companions you've been traveling with for years or much different ones it will be considerably interesting to say the least. Fortunately, for some people they have a fantastic outlook to the new year with a 9th Doctor like vigor while others feel it's not getting here fast enough so much so you would gladly have your mind wiped like Donna by the 10th doctor in the episode Journey's End. Ultimately, this year has been a journey of more highs than lows and vice versa as its just a matter of perspective involving our own personal journey of life. In the end, I think each of us can unanimously agree and say to 2017 it's been a pleasure but now I let you go

No Strings

Someone once said, ~I let it happen again. You've gotten the best of me all tangled up. You have known which strings to pull, getting depth in this beaten heart. I trust you won't walk out again, as we both had the custom. This feeling is not something that is wanted. It's just needed from now on. Love was a monster I had no intentions of facing, but all it did was chase. I have been worn down to the end of my rope, I know you'll catch me before I fall.~ If you think about it, it can oftentimes feel as if love/true love is considered to be a master marionettist with the ability to pull the strings of the metaphorical marionette/puppet that is the human heart. For it can truly be a frustrating situation indeed in trying to deal with the mental, emotional, and not to mention the physical strings that can certainly get tangled up when facing the possibility of a worthwhile relationship after experiencing utter heartbreak.

As I said before, it can oftentimes feel as if love/true love is considered to be a master marionettist pulling the wire/strings of the metaphorical marionette/puppet that is the human heart. Essentially, what I mean is a person can inevitably go through similar motions when the strings associating matters of the heart become in all intents and purposes attached once again to the point where it gradually takes hold and twists you up inside, in a manner of speaking. I think it's safe to say we've all experienced this or are experiencing this and it's an absolutely scary feeling. True, there is an initial mindset in which you think you'll have the strength to resist being moved by the wires/strings representing one's own thoughts, feelings and/or emotions. However, it really depends on how strong those aforementioned strings are that determine if you have complete control or end up losing that control completely.

Without a doubt, when you do get tangled up in the wires/strings of one's own thoughts, feelings, and/or emotions it can most definitely be quite difficult to untangle the mental, as well as emotional mess you find yourself in. Of course, that's where a gradual internal panic sets in to where the initial instinct is to immediately struggle merely out of sheer desperation to get free causing one to be even more tangled up than you were ever before. Unfortunately, it has a detrimental effect on how you think, act, feel, and/or say as it internally flips you upside down in such a negative way, whereby making it harder to untangle yourself thus focusing on anything remotely positive. What it primarily comes down to is to avoid getting tangled up in the same relationship mistakes in the past or be left in a sense mentally, as well as emotionally dangling from the same strings of doubt, frustration, anger, fear, confusion, bitterness, etc.

Let me ask this question to those who are living the single life, does it ever feel like you're simply a marionette/puppet dangling on a wire/string when it pertains to dating sites/apps? You see, the thought of placing your heart in the hands of so-called master relationship marionnettes who tout their ability in being able to expertly move you in the right direction towards true happiness sounds easy. Yet, even though it may sound easy having the marionette that is your heart being dangled out there "dancing" for a potential future best friend there lies within the difficulty of the unknown in attracting and then keeping someone's attention in an age where it's simply now a quick swipe to the left or right. Hey, as much as a certain number people place their heart in the hands of these marionnettes you don't ever want to ever have the feeling it's going to be left hanging there being passed by not being truly seen.

In retrospect, nobody ever wants to put their heart out there hanging like a marionette/puppet and have it be utterly ignored or even manipulated by a guy/girl with their own sordid ulterior motives. Sadly, for most people past bad relationship experiences and heartbreak have taught them the master marionettist that is love is an incredibly cruel monster who has the power to expose your beaten down heart so much so you're left hanging absolutely vulnerable. Ultimately, it's hard to face a harsh and unwanted reality in which you can either accept the fate of forever being a marionette/puppet to it or making the decision to cut the tight bonds of those strings/wires allowing you to move freely in every sense of the word. In the end, if the latter is chosen then and not let the pursuit of a relationship be your entire reason for living then my friend you'll have the confidence in saying that when it comes to your own heart there are no strings on me.

United Not Divided

Ramor Ryan once said, ~If solidarity is unity of purpose or togetherness, how to span this great divide of inequality, privilege, universal rights, political agency, and even our seeing things completely different? In constructing this bridge of international solidarity across we even begin?~ If you think about it, that's the million dollar question right there and being able to bring people together with words and/or action instead of creating a divide is considered to be far more imperative as it pertains to the state of a seemingly broken culture system sorely needing to be fixed, so to speak. For it's not a complicated situation indeed to understand as it merely takes common sense to not say and/or do anything one would end up regretting, whereby facing the consequences because of their utter recklessness in not thinking before they act/speak.

Without a doubt, it seems as if there has been as of late a tremendous amount of negativity in regards to harsh words being spoken, especially when it involves senseless acts of tragedy. A tragedy that happened on the night of Oct 1, 2017 in Las Vegas. It's those words that are intended to cut a much deeper divide rather than heal an already extremely sensitive open wound that was and still is fresh in the hearts, as well as minds of the American people. You see, a cold and heartless remark from CBS executive Haley Geftman-Gold concerning the unfortunate victims of the Vegas shooting referred to the country music fans attending a Jason Aldean as "Republican gun toters'' and in addition to that she wasn't sympathetic at all towards them. Fortunately, that controversial statement caused absolute outrage so much so she ended up getting fired from her job and rightfully so.

As I said before, words harshly spoken in a negative way doesn't help in bridging the divide as it causes more of the increase in distance to where it hinders the process of getting to the other side. For the most part, Democrats and Republicans will never really see eye to eye on certain hot button topics; but at the end of the day their human beings. Yet, it's a sad state of affairs when a human being such as Union County Democrat James Devine called for a "hunt" on Republicans and said he had little sympathy for Republican House Majority Whip Steve Salise after getting shot by James Hodgkinson during a baseball practice in Alexandria, Virginia along with 4 others. True, even though words can be spoken out of anger, the decision to not express concern on the health and well being of one's fellow man whom you disagree with from time to time shows an incredible lack of human decency.

Let me ask you this question as it concerns President Trump, no matter what you think of him personally and his policies, is there a way of bridging the gap in order to bring everybody together and not constantly be at war, in a manner of speaking? In other words, focusing on the more important issues facing the United States and abroad knowing how much hatred Trump gets from every direction. Thinking about it further, the news media as a whole has to be a responsible entity in not being out rightly biased and out for their own agenda in reporting what may or may not be solid pieces of potential damning information. Granted, I'm not a Trump supporter by any stretch of the imagination, but when the media and a certain number of Senator's sole focus is to get Trump out of office and brushing off other news that needs to be shed on there's something totally wrong in my honest opinion.

In retrospect, the words "lead by example" hold an incredibly deeper meaning now more than ever. Oftentimes, the childish antics and demeanor of those up in Washington D.C. are far too embarrassing to even contemplate. Sadly, there aren't any signs of the fighting between both sides to stop any time soon and so it's up to the American people to step up to be the true leaders we know we can be. Hey, we as citizens of the United States may have differences of opinions but when the chips are down we help our fellow man during times of great sadness and tragedy. Ultimately, it's what makes America great in coming together in being able to heal in times of immense crisis. In the end, let's all lead by example and take the initiative to be a more united not divided country because our elected officials aren't doing a very good job at it.

Take A Knee

Benjamin Franklin once said, ~Without freedom of thought, there can be no such thing as wisdom; and no such thing as public liberty, without freedom of speech.~ The first Amendment. Without a doubt, the right to free speech is considered 1 of the 5 basic freedoms guaranteed to we the people in order to express it in a verbal and/or nonverbal way. Essentially, the right to freely express a powerful and not to mention controversial message concerning the decision to kneel during the playing of the national anthem involving the man who initially started it last year Colin Kaepernick. For it truly has been a highly heated and much debated discussion indeed in which it has certainly garnered tremendous amounts of attention to say least to the point where an individual's patriotism is being called into question.

Let me ask you this question pertaining to the decision by a number of NFL players and most recently a MLB player in not standing when the national anthem is played, has your opinion been positive, negative, or somewhere in between? True, there has been mostly a negative backlash deeming the rebellious act of protesting while down on one knee can be from a certain point of view labeled unpatriotic. Why? In a number of individual's eyes it spits in the face, in a manner of speaking, of all that is good and what has been freely given by those who swore a patriotic oath to protect those freedoms so much so their own lives were given up in doing so. Thinking about it further, those aforementioned men and women of the armed forces who are far more deserving of respect knowing full well what they have been/are enduring on a professional and personal level.

As I said before, there has been mostly a negative backlash deeming the rebellious act of protesting while down on one knee can be from a certain point of view labeled unpatriotic. However, on the flipside, the reason for kneeling is bringing to light social injustices in regards to racism and police brutality among the African American community that have constantly been going on for years. Granted, the topic has been brought up countless times in the past and even though they've become the proverbial hot button topic they've gradually faded or should I say set aside for much more important matters whatever it may be at the time. Of course, one could argue the fact that it's a seemingly repetitive cycle that has yet to be broken and even though it's right in front of our eyes we as a nation have not fully opened our eyes in properly handling such a touchy subject matter.

For the question can be asked, if you could come up with a compromise or some sort of solution of sorts to deal with what some have viewed as being disrespectful to the American Flag what would it be? I think it's safe to say in order for a compromise or solution of sorts to happen there must be open dialogue to where the 2 or 3 sides are speaking with and actually listening to each other instead of angrily at/over each other. Thinking about it further, one possible proposal is having athletes, singers, etc. pay up a substantial portion of their salary to a charity of their choosing every time they make the decision to kneel so that way they're in a way giving to a cause while standing up for theirs, so to speak. Unfortunately, the possible proposal may not solve anything and at the same time it's a potential starting off point for a meeting of the minds in a more respectful way.

In retrospect, I will always stand when the national anthem plays because I am the son of a retired military veteran who served in the United States Navy and in turn made his country proud for many years. Personally speaking, it's an honor and privilege to stand knowing my father proudly served/honored a flag that provided with him so much despite having so little coming from the Philippines. Oftentimes, we forget this great country is based on the ideals of being able to have the freedom to say/do/choose knowing that in certain countries they don't have that afforded right. Sadly, those rights in certain countries are taken away and punishable by death when it comes to their own laws. In the end, what it primarily comes down to is choice and if you choose to make a statement you're wholeheartedly standing up for then by all means take a knee; but don't do it because it's simply a popular trend you want to take part in.

Iron Heart

Game of Thrones character Robb Stark once said, ~Love's not always wise, I've learned. It can lead us to great folly, but we follow our hearts...wherever they take us.~ If you think about it, the HBO hit series Game of Thrones and matters of the heart are synonymous with each other in a such a way there can be a sense of immense victory, as well as tragedy along with everything in between within the fictitious world of fire and ice. For it's a seemingly epic world where intense battles are fought in regards to utter heartbreak, confusion, betrayal, death, trust, faith, honor, and most definitely name. Oftentimes, you fight with everything you have to win and other times it's an all out losing battle altogether where the odds are so overwhelming you have no chance whatsoever like the Battle Of The Bastards just outside the gates of Winterfell. True, it's a difficult decision indeed to not always know whether or not the fight will be worth it unless you're actually in the battle itself. Thinking about it further, when you're living the single life you try to metaphorically conquer/restore those previously mentioned in hope of one day uniting/establishing all 7 Kingdoms in your own heart with one's unknown King/Queen ruling by your side, so to speak.

As I said before, when you're living the single life you try to conquer/restore those previously mentioned above in hope of one day uniting/establishing all 7 Kingdoms in your own heart with one's unknown King/Queen ruling by your side, so to speak. Granted, even though it's considered a work of mere fiction it can become reality with the right guy/girl in question. Yet, there are times while fighting the intense battles that are quite certainly deeply personal in a mental, emotional, and not to mention physical way you can come to a point where you end up telling yourself, others close to/around you, or being told "you know nothing" like Ygritte tells Jon Snow from seasons 2-4. In any case, it's those metaphorical relationship scars that you receive in the field of battle otherwise known as the dating scene that hopefully help you gain significant perspective and clarity so much so you'll be more rather than less in the know. Hey, it's a constant learning experience as you put yourself out there knowing there will be times where you'll be faced with cold, hard truths and hopefully you don't end up meeting your "demise" by an arrow straight through the heart from behind like Ygritte in the battle of Castle Black.

Without a doubt, there are times when suffering and dealing with utter heartbreak it can feel as if you've been stabbed several times with a knife in the heart as did Jon Snow by 4 members of the Night Watch at Castle Black. Essentially, you've in a sense died because of the treacherous betrayal of being cheated on, whereby leaving you humiliated and feeling absolutely exposed like Cersci Lannister walking the street of King's Landing by order of the High Sparrow. Essentially, the feeling of being "naked" and fully exposed leaves you completely vulnerable as you metaphorically walk the street of your own heart. While doing so the quintessential crowd of your thoughts, feelings, and emotions are angrily yelling as your conscience rings a bell repeating the word "shame" right behind you, in a manner of speaking, whereby making it a truly brutal/tortuous experience for yourself to say the least. What it primarily comes down to is being able to come back from death with help from your own red witch Melisandre representing your best buds/gal pals by your side who'll always be there to help/encourage you to move past the humiliation then forward to grow stronger in every sense of the word.

Let me ask you this question to you single ladies, if you could mix together the character traits of the guys of GoT and create your future best friend what would they be? If I'd fair to guess, it'd be the responsible leadership of Ned Stark, insightful wisdom of Tyrion Lannister, informative nature of Varys, and pure innocence of Jon Snow's honesty in wanting to do the right thing. Jamie Lannister's sense of honor and not to mention handsome features along with the sarcastically dark, humorous bad boy mentality of Bronn make for some potentially attractive qualities. The skilled hands of Gendry, Grey Worm's strong sense of duty, and the unwavering determination of Podrick Payne make an admirable combo. In addition, the passionate Wildling Warrior like spirit of Tormund Giantsbane, no nonsense, straight forward bluntness of The Hound, and the untamed, charismatic fierceness of Khal Drago gives off a quirky albeit confident strength. Of course, the keen foresight of Bran intertwined with the protective nature of Hodor along with the mixture of Samwell Tarly's sensitivity and the loyalty of Davos Seaworth sprinkled in with the loving devotion of Jorah Mormont make for one guy who is seemingly perfect. However, the question is does he exist?

In retrospect, the proverbial throne of love/true love is quite certainly what those living the single life such as myself want to find ourselves sitting on, especially with someone truly special by our side. Yet, be careful and avoid encountering any Littlefinger/King Joffrey/Ramsay Bolton type individuals who have their own scheming, entitled, and/or morbidly twisted ulterior motives with incredibly bad intentions in mind. Truth be told, it would be far better to simply handle bad past relationships by commanding Drogon to engulf those aforementioned individual types in fire wouldn't you say? Unfortunately, it's not always the case as a number of people have sadly turned into no one exuding a cold, emotionless White Walker on the inside after struggling to fight beyond the wall for their efforts in experiencing their dreams of a strong, worthwhile relationship. Hey, you just have to attain that inner Sansa like graceful strength with a happily flirtatious sprinkle of Margaery Tyrell along with an added pinch of Oleanna Tyrell sassiness then swirling in some kickass Arya and a gallantly stoic Brienne medium to balance it all out. Ultimately, for those seeking a Theon like redemption regarding true happiness you'll have it as it is just a matter of being patient. In the end, never let yourself have an impenetrable iron heart mindset because someday you'll find yourself standing in front of/encountering someone who may very well be your prince/princess that was promised.