Just like you splatter paint on your paper
I splatter these words upon this page
tuck them away and save them for later.
I told them to stop, and "Please, smell these roses?"
"It's winter" they told me
and stuck up their noses.
A simple question, yet they pose levity.
I wish they'd fall off the earth,
no thanks to gravity.
In the end
they'll be victims of resignation.
I'll shrug my shoulders and sniff my roses
all out of direct retaliation.
Living in a plain and colorless world
they plead to be relieved of the merciless pit.
No ropes by my side, holding one end of my rose, I call down, "grab hold".
Across the street I hear them say
"Sir, would you stop and smell my roses?"
The man said no, turned, and walked vainly away.
Shaking their head
they explained to each other
"Just as we learned, one day he'll see he should have stopped and smelled them instead".
1.13.2011
12.31.2010
Entailing 2010
Confetti flies and pots hit pans as December 31 becomes January 1.
New Years is a (if not the most) motivational holiday. Why? Because it's free.
In a matter of 24 hours you can change yourself, so to speak. We set goals to become who we want to be or limitations to get rid of who don't want to be.
New Years is an opportunity to rid the wrongs you've done, the regrets you posses, the memories you'd like to forget. Because the clock turns 12 a.m., we can wipe our slates clean and start something new.
Realistically, a new number on the calendar doesn't erase anything. The things we most want to forget are the things that are virtually impossible to do so.
But we can try. Without some sort of motivation, more than half of us wouldn't try again, so why not throw in a holiday to raise the bar?
New Years isn't necessarily a challenge to look forward, but an opportunity to look back.
Last 12/31, who were you? And this year, same question. The answer to both questions is most likely different.
What/who was your..
Chances are more than one of these has changed, therefore, you have changed.
In the last year, who has kicked you to the ground? And who has picked you up?
Thank the people who made you who you are today. Not just the ones who helped you do good; you are never picked up if haven't fallen.
The past 365 days have not gone without fault nor without happiness. Appreciate what you earned and what you were given, be humble in what you gave.
New Years resolutions do not have a 90 day limit; If you haven't succeeded right away, try again.
- If you had that piece of cake on day 3 of your new diet, start over.
- If you went shopping the day after you got your paycheck, start saving and do better.
- Can't make amends with your ex, its ok, sleep on it, tomorrow is a new day.
News Years resolutions are not perishable, they do not have an expiration date.
Although, don't just wait for the new "year" to make a change. Every day is a new "day". The clock changes from 11:59 to 12:00 every night, the bite sized New Years, don't underestimate the power and opportunity of a new day.
In order to achieve any goal, you must
As you end the year, give it a high five and a pat on the back on the way out. Say your thank yous and your goodbye's.
Take a deep breath and welcome the new year. Introduce yourself, and begin a flourishing relationship.
So raise your glass and make a toast, hello 2011.
New Years is a (if not the most) motivational holiday. Why? Because it's free.
In a matter of 24 hours you can change yourself, so to speak. We set goals to become who we want to be or limitations to get rid of who don't want to be.
New Years is an opportunity to rid the wrongs you've done, the regrets you posses, the memories you'd like to forget. Because the clock turns 12 a.m., we can wipe our slates clean and start something new.
Realistically, a new number on the calendar doesn't erase anything. The things we most want to forget are the things that are virtually impossible to do so.
But we can try. Without some sort of motivation, more than half of us wouldn't try again, so why not throw in a holiday to raise the bar?
New Years isn't necessarily a challenge to look forward, but an opportunity to look back.
Last 12/31, who were you? And this year, same question. The answer to both questions is most likely different.
What/who was your..
Political perspective?
Pick for superbowl champion?
Drink of choice?
Income
Religious Belief
Best friend
Significant other
Enemy
Role model
Budget
Living situation
Chances are more than one of these has changed, therefore, you have changed.
In the last year, who has kicked you to the ground? And who has picked you up?
Thank the people who made you who you are today. Not just the ones who helped you do good; you are never picked up if haven't fallen.
The past 365 days have not gone without fault nor without happiness. Appreciate what you earned and what you were given, be humble in what you gave.
New Years resolutions do not have a 90 day limit; If you haven't succeeded right away, try again.
- If you had that piece of cake on day 3 of your new diet, start over.
- If you went shopping the day after you got your paycheck, start saving and do better.
- Can't make amends with your ex, its ok, sleep on it, tomorrow is a new day.
News Years resolutions are not perishable, they do not have an expiration date.
Although, don't just wait for the new "year" to make a change. Every day is a new "day". The clock changes from 11:59 to 12:00 every night, the bite sized New Years, don't underestimate the power and opportunity of a new day.
In order to achieve any goal, you must
First: Believe in yourself. Edison would have never created the light bulb if he didn't believe it could be done.
Second: Be realistic. It's obvious you can't literally, "reach for the stars", its more like.. reach for the top cabinet. Set goals for yourself you can actually achieve.
Third: Forgive yourself. This is a prerequisite. We all make mistakes but if you cannot forgive yourself, you will be stuck in a rut you can't get out of. If you're stuck you simply cannot move forward.
Fourth: Positive influences. Surround yourself with people who support and help you achieve your goals. If you're trying to lose weight, it's probably unwise to be friends with a cake decorator. Understand?
Fifth: Embrace failure. Goals are clearly things you are not comfortable with or have not done before. Nothing is right the first time around, but that doesn't mean they're not meant to be or achievable.
As you end the year, give it a high five and a pat on the back on the way out. Say your thank yous and your goodbye's.
Take a deep breath and welcome the new year. Introduce yourself, and begin a flourishing relationship.
So raise your glass and make a toast, hello 2011.
12.04.2010
Entailing Fight
It's like a light switch. Something inside you ignites.
You can go on the field/court and shoot the ball and go one-on-one against your opponent. But you have to want to be there, you have to want the game.
If you don't have passion you have nothing.
Every coach and athlete knows you have to have passion to win.
But every human fails to realize you have to have passion to live; to do anything.
Everyone has goals, and going through the motions has never and will never get you where you want to be. Make the necessary sacrifices, go the necessary distance; go beyond the requirements.
If nothing in your life drives you, your life is probably boring. The most joyful moments are when we finally, metaphorically, flip off the challenges that have been laughing in our faces.
The easiest fuel to feed off of, "You can't do it"... Says who?
Everyday society challenges us to backdown and surrender, waving a white flag.
Stand up, look em' in the eye, and begin shooting; ammo of your choice.
Beat the other team, beat the record, beat cancer, beat the odds. Whatever you do, don't beat yourself.
Fight in the ring, fight for that girl, fight for your life. Whatever you do, don't stop fighting.
A life without passion is like bread without butter (or whatever topping you prefer). It can keep you alive, but its worthless and boring until you add something to it; once you experience that new sensation, it's hard to ever go back to plain bread again.
Prioritize and reflect. Are the things you're fighting for, really worth fighting for?
What things, if stopped fighting for, could you/could you not afford to lose?
The fight itself..
If what you were fighting for was easy, it wouldnt be fought over, it would be equally distributed among individuals.
Obstacles aren't signs from God to give up, it's a challenge to keep going.
Sacrifice sleep for it. Sweat for it. Consume your mind with it. Get after it. Don't stop until you get it; once you do, hold on it and never let it go.
Just as baking bread requires yeast, achieving anything in life requires passion. Without either of them, the turn out will never be as you want it.
Find one thing, or many for that matter, and devote your being to it. Achievements satisfy far more than failures hinder. Failures are just a special ingredient. They make it so much better when you finally succeed.
Ready. Set. Go.
You can go on the field/court and shoot the ball and go one-on-one against your opponent. But you have to want to be there, you have to want the game.
If you don't have passion you have nothing.
Every coach and athlete knows you have to have passion to win.
But every human fails to realize you have to have passion to live; to do anything.
Everyone has goals, and going through the motions has never and will never get you where you want to be. Make the necessary sacrifices, go the necessary distance; go beyond the requirements.
If nothing in your life drives you, your life is probably boring. The most joyful moments are when we finally, metaphorically, flip off the challenges that have been laughing in our faces.
The easiest fuel to feed off of, "You can't do it"... Says who?
Everyday society challenges us to backdown and surrender, waving a white flag.
Stand up, look em' in the eye, and begin shooting; ammo of your choice.
Beat the other team, beat the record, beat cancer, beat the odds. Whatever you do, don't beat yourself.
Fight in the ring, fight for that girl, fight for your life. Whatever you do, don't stop fighting.
A life without passion is like bread without butter (or whatever topping you prefer). It can keep you alive, but its worthless and boring until you add something to it; once you experience that new sensation, it's hard to ever go back to plain bread again.
Prioritize and reflect. Are the things you're fighting for, really worth fighting for?
What things, if stopped fighting for, could you/could you not afford to lose?
The fight itself..
If what you were fighting for was easy, it wouldnt be fought over, it would be equally distributed among individuals.
Obstacles aren't signs from God to give up, it's a challenge to keep going.
Sacrifice sleep for it. Sweat for it. Consume your mind with it. Get after it. Don't stop until you get it; once you do, hold on it and never let it go.
Just as baking bread requires yeast, achieving anything in life requires passion. Without either of them, the turn out will never be as you want it.
Find one thing, or many for that matter, and devote your being to it. Achievements satisfy far more than failures hinder. Failures are just a special ingredient. They make it so much better when you finally succeed.
Ready. Set. Go.
11.06.2010
Prince Charming, is he real?
Every little girl grows up hoping that prince charming will sweep her off her feet and fall head over heals in love.
That same little girl ends up disappointed every time a boy breaks her heart.
Every girl rolls her eyes at her dad and older brother when they hassle & tell her not to date the boys she brings over.
That same girl ends up wishing she would have listened.
Every dad tells her daughter he will cry when he walks down the isle on her wedding day.
His daughter never believes it til' he actually does.
Every teenage girl grows up, dates a million and one boys, thinking everyone is the boy she's destined to be with. Without fail, he ends up being a scum bag, cheater, or gay
Naturally, she moves on, or declares she's going lesbian.
But then, there's that one. The one who changes everything.
She begins to doodle all over her homework, "Mrs. (insert name)" accompanied by hearts and swirls.
Everything she is is compromised:
The sad thing is, he never does the same, but it doesn't matter because she loves him.
As long as I've written, I've avoided the topic of love because I feel it's an entirely broad, cliche, and untouchable subject. But, here it goes..
When a girl is in love:
Sadly the list could go on.
A common phrase, "You complete me", How true that phrase is..
Yes.. Because you won't do the dishes I will. Yes.. Because you won't make the bed I will.
Make sense?
But in reality, love makes us do stupid (or not stupid depending on how you look at it) things; Some people are just more comfortable with it than others. Some people are more willing to make sacrfices.
Every relationship requires some sort of sacrifice, whether it be from sacrificing the pillow at night to taking/making a phone call that interupts a guys/girls night out.
The thing about (most) girls: They will make all the sacrifices to keep the relationship.
Deep down she wants him to buy her flowers, call her when he's with his friends, watch gossip girl with her, and do all the cheesy things we see in chick flicks. But when it comes down to it, to her, nothing matters but his love, and thats enough for her.
Every girl, or victim for that matter, knows the difference between what she really wants to say and start a fight, and what will keep the relationship peaceful and ideal.
No guy wants a clingy girlfriend, so she'll pretend she doesn't miss him. She'll pretend she doesn't care that slutty girls are coming on to him. When he forgets to call she'll tell him it's fine, and pretend she hadn't been frantically thinking about what she did done wrong.
No guy wants to be whipped and get shit from his friends, so she won't call him when he's with his friends even though she has something to tell him. She'll tell him he doesn't have to visit her when she's sick or come to her game. She'll tell him a guys night sounds great, and forget about the plans she spent all day thinking about.
Even though half the time a girl spends the time pretending she doesn't care, or having secret heart attacks over something, she genuinely wants the best for her boy. She is genuinely happy for him when he is happy. She is genuinely willing to let things go for the sake of a realtionship.
Reality check for the boys? Possibly.
Confessions of a girl? Most likely.
Every little girl grows up searching for prince charming, but every woman grows old trying to preserve him.
That same little girl ends up disappointed every time a boy breaks her heart.
Every girl rolls her eyes at her dad and older brother when they hassle & tell her not to date the boys she brings over.
That same girl ends up wishing she would have listened.
Every dad tells her daughter he will cry when he walks down the isle on her wedding day.
His daughter never believes it til' he actually does.
Every teenage girl grows up, dates a million and one boys, thinking everyone is the boy she's destined to be with. Without fail, he ends up being a scum bag, cheater, or gay
Naturally, she moves on, or declares she's going lesbian.
But then, there's that one. The one who changes everything.
She begins to doodle all over her homework, "Mrs. (insert name)" accompanied by hearts and swirls.
Everything she is is compromised:
- Friends
- Schoolwork
- Likes
- Dislikes
- Hobbies
- etc.etc.etc.
The sad thing is, he never does the same, but it doesn't matter because she loves him.
As long as I've written, I've avoided the topic of love because I feel it's an entirely broad, cliche, and untouchable subject. But, here it goes..
When a girl is in love:
- Being ditched by her friends isn't so bad anymore
- The world could be on fire & she'd be fine, but if she got in a fight with him, she'd cry
- A minimum of 85% of what she thinks about involves him.
- She would genuinely give up everything she has for him.
- She'll take the blame, just because
- She wants other guys to ask if she has a boyfriend, just so she can say yes
- She'll get mad at him, but it lasts a max. of 10 seconds
- Talking to him never gets old
- He can hurt/take advantage of her, but she'll pretend it's ok and not happening
Sadly the list could go on.
A common phrase, "You complete me", How true that phrase is..
Yes.. Because you won't do the dishes I will. Yes.. Because you won't make the bed I will.
Make sense?
But in reality, love makes us do stupid (or not stupid depending on how you look at it) things; Some people are just more comfortable with it than others. Some people are more willing to make sacrfices.
Every relationship requires some sort of sacrifice, whether it be from sacrificing the pillow at night to taking/making a phone call that interupts a guys/girls night out.
The thing about (most) girls: They will make all the sacrifices to keep the relationship.
Deep down she wants him to buy her flowers, call her when he's with his friends, watch gossip girl with her, and do all the cheesy things we see in chick flicks. But when it comes down to it, to her, nothing matters but his love, and thats enough for her.
Every girl, or victim for that matter, knows the difference between what she really wants to say and start a fight, and what will keep the relationship peaceful and ideal.
No guy wants a clingy girlfriend, so she'll pretend she doesn't miss him. She'll pretend she doesn't care that slutty girls are coming on to him. When he forgets to call she'll tell him it's fine, and pretend she hadn't been frantically thinking about what she did done wrong.
No guy wants to be whipped and get shit from his friends, so she won't call him when he's with his friends even though she has something to tell him. She'll tell him he doesn't have to visit her when she's sick or come to her game. She'll tell him a guys night sounds great, and forget about the plans she spent all day thinking about.
Even though half the time a girl spends the time pretending she doesn't care, or having secret heart attacks over something, she genuinely wants the best for her boy. She is genuinely happy for him when he is happy. She is genuinely willing to let things go for the sake of a realtionship.
Reality check for the boys? Possibly.
Confessions of a girl? Most likely.
Every little girl grows up searching for prince charming, but every woman grows old trying to preserve him.
10.27.2010
What are you eating?
"For the sake of a little flesh we deprive them of sun, of light, of the duration of life to which they are entitled by birth and being" - Plutarch
How many times a week do you run through the Mcdonalds or Wendy's drive through to grab a quick hamburger on your way to work or school?
The average American eats three hamburgers and three-four orders of fries each week (Schlosser). Roughly $10-15 a week turns into $120-150 dollars a year. Times that average by 30 years and it comes out to about $4,500. Times is by 50 years and it's $7,500.
What could you do with $4,500? Take a family trip to Hawaii maybe? What about $7,500? Maybe purchasing a car, well probably a used on, but a car nonetheless.
What exactly are we paying for? Not just a slice of beef between two buns.
One hamburger isn't just one cow, it's Betsy and her entire family tree.
In slaughter houses 22 million animals are slaughtered daily (Goldstein 46) to fuel the traditional American diet of which are given growth hormones and contaminated feed; Remains of horses, pigs and poultry (Schlosser).
You try telling Bobby the chicken he played with earlier is the same one Betsy just ate, who will later end up on his plate. That'll keep him smiling.
American Beef Associations constantly reassure it's buyers hormone injection is safe and it won't end up in our food. Well if that's the case, why have other countries banned to use of hormone growth injections? What's not being told?
A trip to the doctor leaves you with direction to eat more fruits and vegetables. And no, the strip of lettuce on your cheeseburger does not count. The doctor informs you of your high cholesterol and increased blood pressure. Eating a bowl of Cheerios's won't do the job.
Vegetarians are statistically proven to have lower cholesterol and blood pressure and far less likely to be obese (Goldstein 46). Not only health benefits, but vegetarians live about seven years longer than meat eaters and vegans live about 15 years longer.
No, not only you hamburgers, hot dogs, and chicken contain animal products. Jell-o's, some yogurts and ice creams contain gelatin; The hides and bones from pigs and cows (Goldstein 90). Even your french fries are cooked in "animals products" for flavoring. McDonalds used to fry their fries in beef tallow, giving them "more saturated fat per ounce than its burgers" (Schlosser).
In Eric Schlosser's Fast Food Nation he discovers some secrets in fast food. Wendy's grilled chicken sandwich actually contains beef extract and the Burger King broiler chicken breast patty that claims to have a 'natural smokey flavor' isn't what it seems:
So when they say smokey, they mean it!
Bill Haw, CEO of one of the largest cattle feedlot operations in the country explain that a slaughterhouse is
One word particularly sticks out in that paragraph; Dehumanizing.
Websters Dictionary defines dehumanizing as: to deprive of human qualities, personality, or spirit .
Slaughter house animals are packed fiercely into the building where they can in-fact hear, smell and see the slaughtering of other animals. Apart from these are typically the young calves and veals that are dragged there because of weakness, for the animals are unfed for a minimum of 24 hours prior to slaughter who show up foaming at the mouth(Schlosser).
Reflecting on some the greatly looked up to men and women of history, not all of them were meat consumers. To those who look down upon and criticize meatless eaters, what would you say to these people?
I am no preacher, nor an activist. I simply challenge you to consider, what are you eating? Or rather, who?
When you pull up to the drive through, what corporation are you fueling by handing over your credit card or ten dollar bill?
Do you believe in the pursuit of life in every one of God's creations or the superiority of one, unnecessarily killing off the rest?
Sources
Happy Cow Compassionate Eating Guide.
Schlosser, Eric. Fast Food Nation. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Complany, 2001.
Goldstein, Mark A.. Controversies in Food and Nutrition. Westport: Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc., 2002.
How many times a week do you run through the Mcdonalds or Wendy's drive through to grab a quick hamburger on your way to work or school?
The average American eats three hamburgers and three-four orders of fries each week (Schlosser). Roughly $10-15 a week turns into $120-150 dollars a year. Times that average by 30 years and it comes out to about $4,500. Times is by 50 years and it's $7,500.
What could you do with $4,500? Take a family trip to Hawaii maybe? What about $7,500? Maybe purchasing a car, well probably a used on, but a car nonetheless.
What exactly are we paying for? Not just a slice of beef between two buns.
One hamburger isn't just one cow, it's Betsy and her entire family tree.
In slaughter houses 22 million animals are slaughtered daily (Goldstein 46) to fuel the traditional American diet of which are given growth hormones and contaminated feed; Remains of horses, pigs and poultry (Schlosser).
You try telling Bobby the chicken he played with earlier is the same one Betsy just ate, who will later end up on his plate. That'll keep him smiling.
American Beef Associations constantly reassure it's buyers hormone injection is safe and it won't end up in our food. Well if that's the case, why have other countries banned to use of hormone growth injections? What's not being told?
A trip to the doctor leaves you with direction to eat more fruits and vegetables. And no, the strip of lettuce on your cheeseburger does not count. The doctor informs you of your high cholesterol and increased blood pressure. Eating a bowl of Cheerios's won't do the job.
Vegetarians are statistically proven to have lower cholesterol and blood pressure and far less likely to be obese (Goldstein 46). Not only health benefits, but vegetarians live about seven years longer than meat eaters and vegans live about 15 years longer.
No, not only you hamburgers, hot dogs, and chicken contain animal products. Jell-o's, some yogurts and ice creams contain gelatin; The hides and bones from pigs and cows (Goldstein 90). Even your french fries are cooked in "animals products" for flavoring. McDonalds used to fry their fries in beef tallow, giving them "more saturated fat per ounce than its burgers" (Schlosser).
In Eric Schlosser's Fast Food Nation he discovers some secrets in fast food. Wendy's grilled chicken sandwich actually contains beef extract and the Burger King broiler chicken breast patty that claims to have a 'natural smokey flavor' isn't what it seems:
"Red Arrow Products Company manufactures natural smoke flavor by charring sawdust and capturing the aroma chemicals released into the air. Then the firm turns this smoke into liquid with a solvent" (Schlosser: 128)
So when they say smokey, they mean it!
Bill Haw, CEO of one of the largest cattle feedlot operations in the country explain that a slaughterhouse is
"..not now, nor never will be, a very pretty thing. Animals come there to die, to be eviscerated, to be decapitated, to be de-hided -- and all of those are violent, bloody and difficult things to watch. So your first and foremost impression of at least the initial stages of the packing house are a very violent, very dehumanizing sort of thing"
One word particularly sticks out in that paragraph; Dehumanizing.
Websters Dictionary defines dehumanizing as: to deprive of human qualities, personality, or spirit .
Slaughter house animals are packed fiercely into the building where they can in-fact hear, smell and see the slaughtering of other animals. Apart from these are typically the young calves and veals that are dragged there because of weakness, for the animals are unfed for a minimum of 24 hours prior to slaughter who show up foaming at the mouth(Schlosser).
Reflecting on some the greatly looked up to men and women of history, not all of them were meat consumers. To those who look down upon and criticize meatless eaters, what would you say to these people?
Albert Einstein - Vegetarian, Scientist
Aristotle - Vegetarian, Greek Philosopher
Ed Templeton - Vegan, Professional Skateboarder
Ghandi - Vegetarian, Hindi spiritual leader
George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney - Vegetarians, Singer/Songwriters of The Beatles
Jason Mraz - Vegan, Musician/Singer
Jean-Jacques Rousseau - Vegetarian, Philosopher
Leonardo da Vinci - Vegetarian, Painter/Inventor
Luke Cummo - Vegan, UFC Fighter
Michael Franti - Vegan, Singer of Spearhead
Mr. Rogers - Vegetarian, TV entertainer
Plato - Vegetarian, Greek Philosopher
Plutarch - Vegetarian, Greek Philosopher
Ralph Waldo Emerson - Vegetarian, Writer & Poet
Rosa Parks - Vegetarian, Civil Rights Activist
Sir Isaac Newton - Vegetarian, Physicist
Socrates - Vegetarian, Greek Philosopher
Tom Delonge - Vegetarian, band member of Blink-182
Weird Al Yankovic - Vegan, Comedian & musician
I am no preacher, nor an activist. I simply challenge you to consider, what are you eating? Or rather, who?
When you pull up to the drive through, what corporation are you fueling by handing over your credit card or ten dollar bill?
Do you believe in the pursuit of life in every one of God's creations or the superiority of one, unnecessarily killing off the rest?
Sources
Happy Cow Compassionate Eating Guide.
Schlosser, Eric. Fast Food Nation. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Complany, 2001.
Goldstein, Mark A.. Controversies in Food and Nutrition. Westport: Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc., 2002.
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