Entailing Future/Dreams

Like many, my thoughts lately have been scattered.

I can think straight, but when it comes to translating my thoughts into words, they seem to die, like a filled balloon slowly losing its air.

The drive home from school today was sunny so I allowed myself to roll down the windows and crack open my sunroof. When I pulled into my driveway, my eye caught the extremely large tree that sits on the corner of my yard.

I grabbed my journal, stuck a pen in my mouth and climbed meticulously into the tree. Unsure how to sit lady like in the tree, at the same time avoid a fall, I gave up ettiquette and straddled the large branch.

I wrote my usual page then shut the leather bound book and let the combination of sun and breeze create temporary warmth on my skin and tangles in my hair. Meanwhile, my thoughts went awry:

I sat, picturing my life in a week, a month, a year, five years, twenty years?

There are many things we would like to do and accomplish in our years, although we cannot plan for anything.

A harsh truth: Plans set limitations, and in all honesty invites disappointment, for nothing ever goes accordingly.

Although we shouldn't plan, that doesn't mean we shouldn't chase after our dreams.

If I could eat dinner with ten people, living or dead:
1. Jesus
2. Anne Frank
3. Henry David Thoreau
4. Abraham Lincoln
5. Dave Matthews
6. Dr. Suess
7. J.R.R. Tolkien
8. Rosa Parks
9. Aron Lee Ralston

And Finally, 10. Walt Disney

"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths."

A man who had a dream, who put forth all the money he had. Who is now, one of the most successful people ever to live; Leaving behind a legacy

"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them."

It's one thing to sit back and tell the world what to do, it's quite another to prove what you say is indeed possible.

The world provides us with plenty of hinderings that will [try] to prevent us from succeeding.

I can honestly say from speculation and experience, time heals all things.

Although, we cannot sit back and wait. Our time here is limited, it only seems fair to do the most with what we have when others are cut short of theirs.

Sure, Tomorrow is a new day, but make today a good day, for it will become a yesterday, and our yesterdays are the only thing no one can take away from us.

Plan not, go with the flow of life. Seek everything as a new opportunity and a new adventure.

As calamitous life can get, strive to learn from it. What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger, right?

The life we are living is constantly changing and rarely goes the way we want it.

There will be those times when we feel worn down, disappointed and broken; strap a bandaid to the wound, and evetually it will heal. Rip it off quickly and it will sting, but only for a moment. Anticipating your next fall out for they never cease and never hurt worse. But everytime, we overcome.

As much as we like to think they do, people never change.
Once a cheater, always a cheater.
Broke your heart once, they'll do it again.
A liar will never stop lying.
etc. etc. etc.

People let us down, but our dreams never do.

Chase your dreams; The only thing stopping you, is you.

And so, I tossed my journal and pen out of the tree and jumped down. I took a deep breath, and whatever it holds, I enthusiastically welcomed my future, walked inside, smile and all..


PS. Readers, it would be greatly appreciated to get some feedback on my blog. Comments are the best! Please&Thankyou.

Entailing Switches

It's quite fascinating the things we put ourselves through.

The things we allow ourselves to endure.

The things we deprive ourselves of, to go with out.

In all perspective, it's rather silly!

Where is that little switch inside of us that makes us tick; It's as if there's a bomb hidden within, waiting for its cue.

Suddenly, something inside of us detonates.

Some call it drive. Some call it reality. Some say "enough is enough".

-Dripping sweat, what pushes the athlete to finish and finish strong?
-Hours into the night, books sprawled, sleepy, weary; doesn't the student sleep?
-The most forgiving, why do they finally stand up for themselves?
-Started merely as ideas, how did the entrepreneur start his company?
-Quiet and unnoticed, what makes the shy one speak up?


If you're into excuses:

I don't have time.
I'm tired.
Too much pressure.
I already did.
It's not my thing.
I don't want to be a b*tch.
It's not in the cards for me.
I don't want to look stupid.
He/she did/didn't.
I'm going to fail anyway
I don't want to.

Sound familiar?

Fear + Uncertainty = Excuses

What have you got to lose by trying one more time? If you fail, you can look back and said you tried.
Who cares what other people have done? You are you're own person, leave your own legacy.
Consideration and common courtesy, a preference. Standing up for yourself, absolutely necessary.
100 more yards, a few more seconds, one last shot, one more swing; Go. All. Out.
In the world we fight against each other. In our minds, we fight against ourselves.

- You want to eat healthy?
Set aside your bag of potato chips, throw away your brownies and buy some vegetables.

- Want to get in shape?
Turn off the TV and go for a run.

- Want to play a college sport?
They probably don't know you exist, take initiative.

- Sick of being broke?
Get up, get some applications, throw on your nice shirt and get an interview.

- Want to pass that class?
Sit down, open your book, and figure it out.

- Feeling friendless?
Grow a pair, introduce yourself to someone.

- Betrayed?
Drown yourself in the reality of human nature, and move on.

- Don't know where to start?
Something is a whole lot better than nothing. Stop thinking about it, and actually make some effort.

We have all been made to endure, along with the ability to challenge ourselves.

We have been made to tolerate pain, both physically, emotionally and psychologically.

Don't cheat yourself by playing it safe. Test yourself.

Discover whether you have what it takes to prevail; because when you do, that undescribable drive, that switch has been flipped, letting nothing stand in your way.

Others will wonder; You will be unstoppable.

Entailing The Way Out, Is Through.

A phase. A time frame. A series of events. Ranging from something small and irrelevant to something tragic and all around life altering.

Our lives are filled with things that challenge us to triumph.

For some reason, by observation and speculation, I have noticed a pattern. One concerning emotion, one I still don't completely understand.

Why do we feel expressing anything other than happiness is taboo? Why do we strive to push down every unsettling emotion to the very depths of ourselves, for no one else to see?

For days, months, maybe even years, we can cast our emotions deep into the labyrinth, bottle it up, and assume all is well.

So many are discomforted by the unperfect sentiments of others. Why? Why do some find themselves at a loss for words? It can in no way be a lack of understanding, for all human beings are capable of all emotion.

We differintiate from animals by our ability to feel and comprehend the whole spectrum of emotion, but for some reason society as a whole shuns anything but "having it all together". So we pretend; we pretend to abide by the ludicrous standards and expectations of society.

We must render our pride and come to realize, without fail, eventually even the strongest break.

I commend those who rebound quickly from their frustrations, betrayals, misfortunes, etc. I pity those who cannot escape theirs.

Now that hopefully you realize it's perfectly normal to have a variety of emotions, how do we deal with the hard ones?

What to do when we find ourselves paralyzed, eyes penetrating for a way out.

My advice, for multiple accounts:

1. Don't set a date to be "over" something. Unnecessary pressure.
2. Have a few good friends, one or two, you can confide in; Who understand you.
3. If talking about whatever your hardship is triggers tears, let it happen. My Mom told me tears are words you can't explain.
4. Deep breaths and count to 10. Surprisingly, it actually works.
5. You will have good and bad days. Take them as they come, the good are good, and the bad will pass.
6. Helping those in need reminds you there will always be someone out there who has it worse.It doesn't make what you're going through easier, but makes you aware someone has it harder.
7. Make a list of things that are going well in your life. A reminder not all is lost.
8. When things are out of your control, stop being so hard on yourself.
9. Appreciate what you have, while you have it. Don't wait for it to be gone to realize that.
10. Consider you're well being then, and now.
11. Pray.

I intend not to insinuate hardships in one's life are not in fact, hard. Nor do I believe I understand all suffering.

My life has been indeed blessed in numerous ways, I never doubt that for a second.

Recent happenings left me questioning myself, doubting people and searching for something to make it all go away.

Wrapping up the last day of a rough week, I figured there was no way out, just through. I could stay where I was, making no progress while I waited around for the result I wanted and half the time expected, cheating myself; or I could take a deep breath and move forward.

Currently:

- I posses a few very good friends, somewhat distancing myself from the rest.
- I am expanding my food horizon, having checked off Korean and Indian.
- I am volunteering with Habitat for Humanity.
- I have a journal, and I plan to fill it full with chicken scratch scribbles, meaningful as well as meaningless words, and pictures, sketches, etc.
- I'm reading books.. for fun.

I figured I hit the expiration date regarding a particular phase in my life. So I must be greatful for the opportunities and memories I had, accept they are no more, and move forward; thus planning to lengthen my list above.

There's no "out" in life, just dealing with it, adapting to it, and going through it.

Entailing Chasing

A good friend of mine told me:
"guys are like subway trains. Don't run after them, another one is on the way"

This can relate to both girls and guys.

When the train is leaving, why do we find the urge to chase after it? Obviously, it wasn't the train we were supposed to be on, and obviously, we won't be able to catch it.

Often times, we are so focused on something, want something so bad, we don't realize whether or not it's worth it. Is the plus really worth the minus?

My personal definition of chasing: Personal pursuit, no real chance to obtain.

Catching whatever is chased is not impossible, but it's difficult, it's dubious. I applaud those who stick it out, reaping the rewards.

Others like to be chased. Some more than others. We are built up, lured in, only to be left dumbfounded; A recurring cycle, effortless for the pursued.

Those who chase find it most difficult not to keep running, push through when it's hard, or give in when it's easy, but to stop, realize it's pointless and walk away with out regret.
.
What drives the pursued to play such harsh and cruel games? Where is the pride in hurting others? Is it power? Is it the satisfaction of being wanted? Vengeance? It's unexplainable.

We can all admit to once being the victim and the villain. Can you ask yourself why?

- Why was/am I chasing? Was/will I be successful? Was/is this really worth it?
These questions you must answer for yourself, in complete honesty with intent to benefit yourself.

- Why did/do I like to be chased? Did/do I realize how my actions are affecting others? Did/do I plan on being "caught"?
These are questions you must answer yourself, in complete honesty with intent to benefit others.

I tend to make a cliche out of cliches. But two hovering lately, (having many variations) "You never know a good thing til it's gone" and "Wanting what you can't have". These of which I think are catalysts in "the chase".

Not knowing a good thing til its gone; A sad, but ugly truth that we fail to appreciate what we have, when we have it. Why is there a sudden epiphany once it's gone?? Blasphemy!

Wanting what we can't have; Exactly what chasing is. Why are we so drawn to it?

TheReality
The chasers: Know when enough's enough, learn to differintiate between when you have a chance, and when you don't.
The chased: At some point, the chasers will come to their senses and wait and chase no longer. Figure out what you want, or you'll be left with nothing at all.

Simple, literal, actual.

Entailing Judging, Profiling, etc.

A few days ago a friend confided regarding his/her sexuality and that he/she was attracted to the same sex.

As it turned out the significant other was in the same class as we were. I questioned why they weren't talking I was told
"we are trying not to make it obvious. People are just bitches about it"

Personally, I had no criticism or judgment in the matter, although some are apparently not as understanding. My response: Well I'm happy for you! You found someone who makes you happy which is rare these days. Let other people say/think what they want, do what makes you happy because that's all that really matters.

At times, the world is cruel and judgmental. Every topic imaginable attracts some sort of harsh critique or personal opinion/judgement.

Who are we to make assumptions about those we don't even know?

Each day we walk the town going about our daily routine, crossing paths with those we know, and those we do not.

- What do you really know about the girl in the coffee shop besides the letters on her name tag and the smile that appears to be forced?
- Do you know much about the elderly brisk-walker besides the fact he always walks alone?
- Why is that one professor always so uptight?
- Does that jock actually have it all together like he protrays?
- Why is that girl crying to herself in the bathroom during class?
- He's looks classy head to toe, why does the gentleman and his brief case wait for the bus each morning at promptly 8:05?

We encounter millions of people in our lifetime and sadly, make unfair assumptions without reason.

Don't you think that's unfair?

Our lives are stacked with our own mistakes, our own struggles, our own ways of coping. How is it we expect others to sympathize without doing so ourselves?

All credit themselves to being "more than meets the eye" but are ironically quick to profile/stereotype/assume/critize.

I recently took a field trip to the prison. A 25 year old spoke of his alcohol addiction and homocide of a 15 year old boy.

I'm sure a fair amount of my classmates made a harsh judgement right then and there. He killed a person, a near unforgivable crime.

As for myself, I noticed the long blinks and sighs as the haunting memory replayed in his head. I saw the pain in his eyes.

While a room of high school students sat before the prisoner, it was then i realized; until his breathless day, he will remain a prisoner to himself.

That alone we cannot relate to, therefore, we must cast our judgement aside.

I often catch myself saying htings about people I would not say if i had a few minutes to think about it.

I am quick to stop and remind myself "Do i really have a reason for this/that?" My answer most of the time, No.

We are all acutely aware we don't live perfectly, nor perfectly happy. It would be foolish so assume others do.

My point being, be careful of you wired thoughts and poisonous gossip, it may come back to haunt you. Consider any hardships of those you pass by, whether it is a friend, teacher, co-worker, or even a complete stranger.

For all: There is plenty to be aware of.
For Most: There is room for improvement.
For Some: There is need for a serious character revolution.

Ready. Set. Go