And here's to you

Hey, all! 
I've been thinking a lot lately.  In fact, I've been lost in the music on my iPod as I walk to school, through campus, bike to work, fall asleep and etc. My life has a soundtrack, often based on my moods, that I can't escape nor would I ever want to.  I have a pretty wild imagination at times too, but lately it has been more grounded in reality.  I have told people time and again that I am the happiest I have ever been, but I wanted to show this to everyone in my own way.  For about a month now I've been listening to a few CDs in my car, one being "People and Things" by Jack's Mannequin.  As I listen to the song "People Running" I have have flashes of memories running through my mind of all the crazy people in my life.  Though I do believe words are one of the most powerful tools in the world, I sometimes have no words to properly describe how a song can effect me and the images and memories running through my mind.  So, here's my best shot at showing you all. Hope you enjoy :)

7.

And if we could float away 

Fly up to the surface and just start again

And lift off before trouble

Just erodes us in the rain

                                                                ["Us Against the World" Coldplay] 

The end of the semester is winding down, and I think everyone needs to relax.  BREATHE. Keep perspective.  My suggestion to you: pick soothing music, shut your eyes, and let yourself be transported to a beautiful place, where nothing stresses you.  Craft a place where you are smiling, perhaps prancing (always a joy).  Rarely do I find my "happy place" filled with a lot of people because that is what makes me happy in reality.  When I'm stressed I like calm and quiet and overwhelming joy.  I'm telling you all this because I have been trying to figure out how to describe how "Us Against the World" makes me feel (especially the part I have quoted above).  I feel like I'm in a serene fairy world, dancing with someone special under a blanket of stars.  (So peaceful).  Nothing can go wrong and my heart is filled with love. Crazy how music can impact us so much.  Listen to this song; let me know what you think.  I can't get enough of it.  :)

Listen (click me for music)

Over and out. 

Tell me something sweet

As I sit here scouring the deep recesses of my mind for some inspiration, I am thinking of you.  Your easy smile and sweet laughter are much more desirable than trying to figure out where to begin on my midterm.  Oh how I want to pull my own hair out.  Maybe we could converse over the problems and attributes of a liberal education.  Or could we discuss music? Or even better, books?! Books, books, books.  I so badly want dance between the letters of a trifling dialogue. Let's compare yesterday's authors to today's. Will Orwell be freakishly accurate in his allegory 1984? Who is one of the greatest authors today?--If you say Nicholas Sparks I will kick you.  Let's sing! Let's dance! Let's drive all night!   Suffice to say, I would rather be talking to you.  Smiling with you.  Laughing with you.  Listening to you.  Not writing this effing paper.

Stumbling upon inspiration

When the world is on your shoulders ask yourself what you can do to ease the pain.  There's something that can be set aside.  There is room to breathe. Come on, find it. Laugh. Remember who you love.  Listen to a great song.  Scream at the top of your lungs.  Cry, and cry hard.  Not just one tear.  Let it all flow.  Break up the big picture into small frames.  You can't take the whole world on in one day, so don't feel like a failure when you don't.

Stand for something.  Make it count.  Don't go through life indifferent to everything.  Your indifference is really boring.  Plus, if you dig in the depths of your indifference, you might actually find an opinion.  Even if it's just a little something, it matters. So, think with that mind you were blessed with.  Remember, if you truly believe in a cause, a belief, an ideology or person, you will hold strong to being loyal.  It will take a great deal to cause your belief to waver.  That does not mean that you shouldn't open your mind.  The world is chaotic, treat it like an adventure.  Listen to others' opinions and let yourself grow.  Make what you stand for your own choice, not just something your family holds to. Always stand for something though. That will shape you.   That will make all the difference.

An Ode to Friendship

An ode to my friends
who keep me strong
who make me laugh
and are the light of my life.
An ode to my friends
who never fail to amaze me
who I can have in depth Harry Potter conversations with
who, when I think of them, I can't help but smile
they are the best characters in my life.
An ode to my friends
the cast of my story
the dancing, craziest, most hilarious people I have ever met.
the ones who fill my heart with so much love
and, of course, the people I could not live without.

So, I have never really written an ode, and I found the cliches about friends difficult to overcome.  I've been meaning to write a thanks to my friends for so long.  When the going gets tough, I know who will be there.  I don't have to go too far for a laugh.  I can count on those who matter most.  Lately, this has been a somewhat overwhelming realization.  I believe I have found a wonderful group of people who never stop amusing me.  So, I simply want to say thank you-for all you do, all you have been, and what you will always be. My friend.

3.

Is beauty skin deep or does it come from somewhere else?

I think this is a funny question because my automatic answer was that beauty comes from somewhere else. I mean, aren't we taught that over and over again in an effort to build self-esteem? As young children we are told that there is more to a person than simply their facade. 

That being said, why does our society invest so much money on appearance? I remember a wild statistic that was thrown out in a sociology class.  This was in high school, and the section was on dieting.  My teacher had (and still has) 2 young daughters so this was an important subject for him.  The obsession starts during adolescence so "nipping it in the bud" at a young age is a good effort to make.  Anyways, back to the statistic.  The teacher said "around 90% of diet pills fail to make a person thinner, and yet millions are spent annually on this false advertising."  So we see that despite the lessons we are taught with constant vigilance are ignored all through adulthood.  Just look at advertisements on television! "How to have luscious lips, long lashes, and clear skin". Or magazines: "How to get a firm butt, toned legs, and rock solid abs in just 2 weeks!" Let's get real here. In 2 weeks you can start getting yourself into shape, but you won't completely change your body! Get motivated and be patient. These advertisements are making women doubt their beauty because they don't have that one product to "fix" everything.  Really, it's a vicious circle. Either you understand that you are beautiful as you are, or you chase this ridiculous dream of perfection. Don't doubt yourself. Have you ever heard someone say anything like I have just written? I am sure you have, in some form or another.  I hope you ignore the negativity and pay more attention to what these products really don't do.

I stand by my first response.  Beauty is far deeper than what your appearance can offer.  A friend once said to me: "I wasn't attracted to him at first.  Sure, he was good looking, but I had no interest.  Then he started talking and became so attractive."  That statement sums up something so wonderful.  When you get to know someone, you see them in their entirety.  Some people take their beauty and use it as a weapon.  They put themselves on a pedestal based on physical traits that set them apart from others.  They are uglier because of this.  Share yourselves with others, but don't expect praise in return.  Be confident, happy, and smile a lot.  Listen to others.  Care more for others than for yourself.  That will make you beautiful.  

2.

    Security to me includes a myriad of things.  My family keeps me strong and grounded when life becomes chaotic. I have seen people that hardly have a family, and I wish I could fix that for them.  If everyone could feel as secure as I do with my family the world would be a better place.
    Of course, when the house is erupting in chaos I find my security in my friends.  I feel secure with those closest to me because I know that, regardless of an conflicts in our relationship, I love them at the end of every day. I feel secure knowing that that won't change easily. I can turn to them for laughter or to fall apart. They help me pick up the scattered pieces and put myself back together. As the pieces are picked up, they secure a place in my heart that cannot be replaced--even by an insane fight or hundreds of miles.
    My books make me feel secure too. There are not many material things surrounding me that I actually need. My books have helped shape my character.  You need not learn all your lessons from adults, friends, or any living person. Some of the most important values in my life have manifested from a character in a book. Harry Potter taught me the importance of bravery in the face of fear. Daniel Sempere (The Shadow of the Wind) put into words how I feel about books. He also showed an undying loyalty to his friends and family. Liesel Meminger (The Book Thief) did not let potential danger get in the way of her thirst for knowledge. Furthermore, she understood the importance of words and how powerful a weapon they can be.  When I need to escape my reality I know I can enjoy another person's between the pages of a good book.
    A very small part of my security is my job. Money runs this world so I suppose having a job makes life a  bit easier.
    Finally, music. Lyrics and catchy tunes speak to me. Music can make or break a mood. What song do you wake up to? It could set the tone for the rest of your day. Right now I'm caught on Mumford and Sons as well as Jack's Mannequin. Just listen. Get lost in their voices, their words, their instruments. Let it change you. Don't forget to look everywhere for new stuff. Those musicians have a way with words and wisdom.


I am always looking for change in life, but the people, books and music that keep me grounded are always there. Those aspects are what keep me secure when life is spinning out of control.

Over and out.

1.

Running, running from it all.  I don't mean that I slapped on my action slacks and ran a few miles. As refreshing as that can be, I mean that my mind is running. It is swiftly moving from one thought and emotion to the next. I want to laugh, but I want to scream. I want something in life to make sense.

These are relatively new ideas. In the past I asked myself why something couldn't be different from reality, but I didn't dwell on it. I needed to live a little more, experience a little more, and run into a couple obstacles. I came up with this:
a) There are few people in this world you can trust. When you find those people hang on.  When I meet someone, I can usually tell if they will be in my life for awhile, but I still ease into the relationship.
b) Nobody cares about your problems so much that they want to hear about them 24/7. By practicing self-control in this department you will find yourself looking inwards to find the answers.
c) That brings me to (c). You hold the answers to your problems. Sure, you can seek advice from others as a booster, but eventually you will have to face yourself.  When you dig deep enough you will be surprised by what is there. It takes a lot to realize that you do have the answers because it is human nature to second guess yourself.
d) You will find love. It won't fall into your lap.  Do not always look for it. Let yourself live, and come to terms with who you are. As they all say-you must love yourself before you love others.  Confidence is so beautiful and others will see that glow.

Okay, cliches over. I guess the conclusions I have come to are really nothing you haven't heard before. It's one thing to read such thoughts, it's another thing to practice them. You must coach yourself to guide yourself. Nothing worth having comes easily (last cliche!) so work at what you love. Embrace who and what you have rather than strive for what is not there. You can be happy the majority of the time if you just learn to listen to others but most importantly to yourself.

Enough about me. Let me know your thoughts or what conclusions you have come to in life.

Over and out.