mindXposed Quote of the Week

"Every man I meet is my superior in some way. In that, I learn of him." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

I found this quote in Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence People. I have yet to finish the book because I keep losing it, but I am halfway through, and now that it's in my possession again, I'll do my best to keep it in sight. But this isn't about the progress I am making in reading the book; this is about the quote. So let me continue...

Emerson made a great point, which I kind of touched upon in my post "Your Past..." in which I said that everyone, no matter how long or briefly you have known a person, has some kind of influence over you. Every person you come across is someone you can learn from, no matter where they came from or how far advanced they are in their formal education. In fact, the more different you are, the more you can learn.

Everyone's life experiences are different; therefore, you can take something valuable from someone else's story. Life is too short to experience everything ourselves, and human relationships and interaction are important in shaping who we are.

I absolutely love meeting new people and listening to stories. I am constantly learning. We have to humble ourselves in order to better ourselves. We cannot shrug off advice from a young child or from someone who quit high school. We cannot ignore the words of someone of a different religion or sexual orientation just because their beliefs or actions are not like ours.

We are no better than each other, and if we lived by what Emerson stated, imagine how much more intelligent and logical we would be as a whole. Imagine how much more understanding we would be of each other, and how much more grateful we would be for sharing this world with each other.

"April Showers Bring May Flowers"

It's been raining a whole lot these days here at the Jersey Shore, and I'm guessing in other areas as well. It's spring time, and the rain helps the natural world grow.

"April showers bring May flowers." This saying has many layers to it. Take it at face value. It rains a lot in April, but come May, the flowers bloom and the sun is shining. Spring is in full force.

I can't play basketball in the rain, and it's even more difficult to plan a tennis match in this weather. However, I know that it rains for a reason and I just have to patiently wait for the day to come where I can be able to do what I want.

To get to the beauty and serenity of spring, we have to put up with the rain. In life, to reach a higher ground, to get to a better and more positive place, we have to endure trials and tribulations. We have to fight, argue, bleed, sweat, work. Nothing valuable comes easily. Life lessons are not found on a chalkboard. They are found when you make the mistake, when you're on the ground with your knees scraped and your head pounding with pain. They are found when you witness others falling. They are found when the wounds heal and you get up to face another day with the hope of a better tomorow. Lessons aren't learned unless you think about what you've been through and realize why it happened and how it can benefit you. You can fall time and time again, but if you don't learn from the first few times...don't question why you keep on fallng. That's the reason right there. You didn't learn. You knew you made a mistake but haven't done anything to prevent it from happening again.

They say that you won't know true happiness without experiencing sadness, that you don't know what it's like to have a rich life unless you've experienced being poor (metaphorically speaking). There's a reason why there is an opposite to everything in life.

When it rains, just remember that the rain is there to help something better grow. If it's in your control, it doesn't have to rain as often as you think. If it's out of your control, think about why it's raining and what you can learn from it.

mindXposed Quote of the Week

"What do you mean you don't believe in homosexuality? It's not like the Easter Bunny, your belief isn't necessary." - Lea DeLaria

This quote is hysterical. Since it's Good Friday, I figured I'd associate this week's quote with Easter. I Googled and found this one. I wanted to originally reflect on Christ's resurrection, but I did that already, and you can read it here: http://mindxposed.blogspot.com/2009/02/bare-bones-please-heed-warning.html

I Googled (I Google a lot) who Lea DeLaria is and found out she's a music artist and author, and she seems pretty effing cool. I'm not homosexual (not that it would matter, right?...unless, of course, you're trying to hit on me), but I am absolutely all for it. Love knows no color, gender, age, or any other kind of boundary. Love is a verb, an action you take when you care deeply about someone. "Believing" in homosexuality just sounds funny. Saying you believe in something, in a way, means that you think it is real. Like, if you believe in the Easter Bunny, Santa, and the Tooth Fairy, then you think they exist. So, if you don't believe in homosexuality, does that mean you don't think it is real?

Think on that vocabulary lesson, and if you celebrate, have a Happy Easter!

"If"

"If" is used when making a decision or in preparation for what is to come.
Example - "What if I make a career change?"

"If" is also used when questioning the present situation or a past choice.
Example - "What if I went to school abroad instead of staying at home?"

"If" is used in these two very distinct ways. In the first example, a person is planning for the future, preparing him or herself for what will happen. The second example shows how a person is wondering about how life could have been had he or she taken a different route.

Consider this: Is it more worthwhile to question how things are going to be, or how things were already done? Of which should you focus more or less?

mindXposed Quote of the Week

"Develop a negative into a positive picture." - Lauryn Hill ("Everything is Everything")

I have faithfully been listening to The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill since its release in 1998. Eleven years later, I still have it bumping in my car. I absolutely love the beat of "Every Ghetto, Every City," and since I'm a Jersey girl, I am very familiar with the streets and cities she mentions on that track. "Nothing Even Matters" with D'Angelo melts through the speakers. Her emotions pull you in on "To Zion." This album is by far probably my most favorite.

Anyway, back to the quote. Ever since I first listened to this track, I have lived by the words, "Develop a negative into a positive picture." That is why I have been so resilient, despite everything that life has thrown at me. I have been through hell and back numerous times, and yet, I have not been depressed ever. I immediately take a negative situation, find the lesson in it, grow up and move on. It is amazing how quickly I just move on. Metaphorically speaking, I'd be beaten up and boggled down by life, but no one around me would ever know, because the next day, you'd find me on the tennis courts trying to win one for them team or in a Student Government meeting trying to lead my peers, without one teammate or SGA officer knowing how upside down and shaken my life just was less than 24 hours before.

Other people who have gone through similar circumstances have not bounced back nearly as fast as I have from the shit (forgive my language) I have gone through. I am blessed and grateful to be such a positive person who lets nothing, and I do mean nothing, stop me from enjoying life and going after my dreams. With what I've gone through, some people might try to hide from the spotlight and live anonymously in fear. Some people might lose trust in everyone they meet, and even people they have known for quite some time.

By developing every negative into a positive, I do not live in fear and I learn so much about myself and about life. Because of what I have been through, I am more cautious about certain things and letting people into my life, but I do not, nor will I ever, limit myself just because of my past. Also, I have learned how to forgive, how to be happy despite the facts, and I am not stressed out at all from anything that happens.

Continuously, I say that everyone deals with problems differently. However, I am really glad that I know how to move on and not dwell on the past. Doing so just keeps your life on a standstill, and that is no way to be living! It honestly aggravates me to hear people complain about their lives. Not everyone's life is golden, and not everyone knows how to deal with that. However, every situation can be altered if you try. It takes a lot of effort, a lot of discipline, and a lot of strength to make a change and to learn from the past. Easier said than done, but it must be done. And once it is done, baby, you are on track to the happiness you deserve! It'll take time, but only the greatest things are accomplished with patience and diligence.

Distractions

Certain situations come up in life and distract you from doing what you want to do.

If you have children, they are a major distraction. You can no longer put yourself first as often as you'd like. Traveling, going out to parties, etc., all have to be put aside or held off for the sake of raising your little ones. Even simple things like wanting to watch a movie alone in a quiet setting could be difficult.

If you are in a relationship, sometimes you have to sacrifice your own time for your boyfriend or girlfriend, husband or wife. Quality time is key in a relationship, and you cannot be selfish.

Your job is probably one of the hugest distractions in your life. If you aren't self-employed or in business for yourself, the 40-hour or more work week is your restraint. You have the choice of waking up late or not showing up for work, but the price for that is getting a cut in pay or losing your job. So, you have to compromise. You can't stay up late to watch the game when you have work early in the morning. You can't go on vacation unless you have vacation days added up. You can't. You can't. You can't. Unless you don't care about making that dough.

Without these distractions, what would you do with your life? What little things that make you smile have you had to put on the back burner for others? At times, we tend to put others before ourselves, and it is understandable. However, we cannot forget that we can't make others happy without being happy ourselves. We cannot lose ourselves just because we have obligations. Remember, it is absolutely okay to treat yourself once in a while. If others love and care about you, they will understand why you need to do certain things for yourself. People become too busy to go after their dreams, to do fun activities like dance classes or join sports leagues, or to enjoy a hobby. Next thing they know, they claim they're "too old" to do what they want. Time is not unlimited.

Life has to be lived with a balance. Often we don't realize we are living kind of on a tilt. We worry too much about meeting deadlines or about making sure our family is safe and healthy. We are supposed to care for others and handle our responsibilities, but that's not all we're about. You are not a slave to your life; you are your life. Enjoy yourself. Make sense?

mindXposed Quote of the Week

This is something new I am doing on my blog because I like quotes. They make you think, and sometimes people say things in better ways than you can. Besides this week, you can expect a new quote every Friday.

"It isn't ever going to be today again." - Tom Hopkins in How to Master the Art of Selling

The last thing I expected while reading a book on how to sell was a general life lesson. I expected this book to be very technical, and was pleasantly surprised by this quote. The quote speaks for itself, but it is worth a thousand words. I read the sentence in the book and immediately stopped reading. I was so intrigued by this quote that I posted it next to my bedroom door as a reminder every time I leave my room. "It isn't ever going to be today again." You only get one chance to live today, one chance to make an impact, one chance to make a difference. If you knew today was going to be your last day, what would you do? Would you forgive someone who did you dirty? Or would you seek forgiveness from someone you did wrong? What places would you visit? What kind of lessons or advice would you share with your children? In what ways would you give back to your community before it is too late?

"It isn't ever going to be today again." So, what are you going to do?

Because I Am Who I Am ...

...I don't quite understand why people discourage others from pursuing their "pipe dreams." I say, go after what you want because you never know what could happen! If people listened to others who said they could not accomplish their extraordinary dreams, we would not have such technological advances, such amazing works of art, music, and film, a Black president, etc.

...I don't quite understand why people can't just leave each other alone. I am extremely open-minded. I have nothing against homosexuality, any religion, etc. I think if everyone was as open-minded as me, we'd have a much more peaceful world. Just because I don't do what you do or believe in what you believe, doesn't mean you have to make me change. Because I won't. I don't expect you to change your way life for me either. On the other hand, if we were all open to change and trying new things, we'd learn so much from each other, and overall we'd be well-rounded individuals with amazing life experiences.

...I can't imagine living anywhere but a busy suburb or city. I am not a country girl by any means. I need to be surrounded by people, and stores must be a short drive away. Even though the countryside is scenic and gorgeous, I cannot live in the middle of nowhere. Mad props to those who do because I'd get bored fast!

...I can't go a night without praying, but sometimes I forget, so I pray in the morning. I am not an avid church goer, but I do count my blessings and thank the Lord for everything and ask for my sins to be forgiven. I used to fall asleep in the middle of prayer, so now I pray on my knees so my full attention is on Him.

...I am overly sarcastic. Call it a defense mechanism, but it's my sense of humor. People say certain things and the sarcastic comments that come to mind fit like a glove in the conversation, so I don't keep them to myself because they're too genius not to share! It cuts like a knife at times, so I try my best to limit it around people I don't know, and around people who get offendended easily. Sometimes people take things too seriously, but that's because they are who they are, and I can respect that.

...I don't like drama. I am so laid back and chill that when people start complaining about things, I just tell them to brush it off and don't take it to heart. I know situations affect people in different ways and not everyone can just let things roll of their back, but because I am who I am...I got no stress, no stress, no stress! I don't let things upset me because it isn't worth the energy. At times I do get mad and I yell, but I cool off in like five minutes. No grudges = no wrinkles!

...I have a very strong competitive personality. Even if I'm not good at something, I will try so hard to be the best. I can be a sore loser at times, but it's no biggie; I just get caught up in the moment. Competing in things like sports gives me a major adrenaline rush. I like friendly competition, and you can only get better by competing with people who are on a higher level than you. So, bring it on!

...It takes a lot for me to get bored. I am like a little kid, and everything amuses me. I can do anything and have a good time, just like I can hang out with anyone and have fun.

...I like my "me" time and my privacy. Sometimes I prefer to be alone watching a movie or reading. I like shopping by myself, and I'd rather work out alone than with a partner. Both activities require a certain amount of time for me that just doesn't quite fit well with other people. I think privacy is healthy; it helps me stay sane, to be honest. "Me" time is extremely important to me for the same reason. Being by yourself really forces you to think about stuff, and it helps me resolve any problems or issues I might have at the moment.

...Writing is my escape. I've been writing stories ever since I learned how to write. Everyone has their escape from reality, whether it is movies, video games, or books. I realized, though, that novels are not my forte, and my goal is to be a published author of short stories and maybe poetry, but I'm not big on poetry. That's my so-called pipe dream!


I know not many people follow my blog or leave comments. However, I think it'd be interesting for those of you reading this to share in the comment section your own "Because I Am Who I Am..." It wouldn't surprise (or offend!) me if there are no comments. I don't expect this blog to be very interactive, anyway. It just made me think and put certain stuff in perspective for me. Maybe it'll do the same for you!

Your Past...

...is only an indication of your future. It only repeats itself if you don't correct yourself. To progress ourselves, we must check and re-edit ourselves.

...is a series of lessons, and I don't know about you, but I tend to pick and choose which lessons to learn from. I am beginning to realize that I must swallow my pride, admit to my wrongs, and only then can I really mature and grow. To be changed, you must make a change. As simple and logical as that is, it falls under the list of things that are "easier said than done."

...consists of people who make an impact on who you are, consciously or not. I truly believe that every single person I have laid my eyes on, or had some correspondence with, has had an effect on me and who I am. We all judge books by their covers, hence first impressions. Even if we speak to someone, that is most likely still their cover because it takes time to truly know a person, and people don't let you in on who they are until they completely trust you, at least that is how I am at times (sorry, I went off on a tangent). Whenever I see someone, I immediately have an opinion about that person, or I compare myself to that person. I do this all the time without even noticing. For instance, if I saw a girl walking down the street with a really toned body and a nice outfit on, I think about my own body and how I really have to get myself into better shape in order to pull of whatever she is wearing. Human interaction is so important because it helps us learn more about ourselves, not just each other. I believe every single person who I crossed paths with in my life, no matter how briefly, has helped me define who I am.

...is filled with triumphs, failures, happiness, and pain. Depending on who you are, you either thrive from your triumphs and happiness or dwell on your failures and pain. If you thrive from your triumphs and happiness, you will succeed and make the most out of life. However, if you suppress your failures and pain in order to be happy, that could hurt you in the long run. Life is a crazy balance of these opposites, and honey, the sun don't shine forever. It is important to realize life is not all smiles and cupcakes because there are down moments, and if you always expect happiness, when that pain comes at you... it could knock you down because you didn't see it coming. On the other end, if you dwell on your failures and pain, you will only feel like a failure and be filled with pain. Do not overshadow your triumphs and happiness with your pessimism. Life is a crazy balance of these opposites, and honey, darkness falls but the night always ends. It is important to realize that when seemingly too good to be true circumstances come your way, you shouldn't be wondering what's going to come next that could ruin the moment.

Full of Myself? Not at All!

Someone once asked me why I have really high expectations for myself.

My response:

Why not?

Procrastination :(

I am the Master of Procrastination. I want to relinquish the title!

In high school, I was able to write whole entire research papers the night before their due dates (minus the researching part, of course. That actually took a few days), and still manage to get good grades. I'm not trying to brag about my stellar academic performance back in the day, don't get me wrong, especially since all of that really doesn't matter now. I just want to illustrate exactly why I'm considered the Master.

Real life is a whole different story. Without deadlines and anyone watching me or being affected by what I do, I have no pressure outside of the pressure I put on myself. I am the only person holding myself accountable. I need to be more disciplined! When it comes to accomplishing my 101 Goals in 1,001 Days (http://journeyto101.blogspot.com), which I have started and am now restarting today, and when it comes to other stuff like cleaning my car (I still have a box in the trunk from when I moved back home in JANUARY), I really need to stop slacking and start working!

Procrastination separates the players from the bench warmers. So, if you are anything like me, just get up and go...because really, what are you doing that is serious enough to keep you from what you are supposed to be doing? Get real and get going!

And I will do my best to take my own advice.

"We the People"

Targeted at the ones who work for ultimately selfish reasons; an ode to the ones who don't just think about themselves! :)
------------

Our country's baffled by this recession,
Considered by some as a second Depression.
I see it as a much appreciated blessin',
A hard earned, well-learned life lesson.

People were working their dream jobs.
Now they feel flat broke and recklessly robbed,
Once taking money for granted and being materialistic.
This is God's way of telling us to be more realistic.

Competing for big mansions, the new high-tech trends,
A pair of brand new kicks and a brand new Benz.
What are we trying to get filthy rich and famous for?
To buy fancy things and leave people piss poor and ignored?

We spend our paychecks on new dresses to show off in.
Others struggle to buy t-shirts and jeans every so often.
Manicures and pedicures to stand out are considered a necessity,
While thousands of people sweat and labor forever in anonymity.

The value of the dollar is decreasing,
Not because our economy is depleting,
But because we have forgotten the whole entire reason
For working for a dime so our children could keep on eatin'.

The rich are getting poor and the poor are stuck where they’re at.
What are we doing to stop this downward spiral in its tracks?
Watching and waiting for the ones on top to end this is lethal.
Even though we got leaders, this is a democracy, and we the people.

American Cancer Society's Relay for Life

I have decided to participate in William Paterson University's Relay for Life, a fundraising event on behalf of the American Cancer Society. In some way, cancer affects us all, and I want to take part in the fight. I know at this time in our economy, donating to charity could be difficult. However, any amount helps, and prayers, thoughts, and words of encouragement also go a long way.

To make a donation online, or to print out an offline donation form, please visit my personal page: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/jamiemariano.

To learn more about the event at William Paterson, please visit
http://www.relayforlife.org/wpunj.

One More Thing For Today...or For Now (and it doesn't rhyme!)

Why do people think that the world is against them? Man, the world is not coming after you. Stop twisting everything and people's words to make it seem so negative, like people are out to get you, or they have no respect for you. You could get yourself into some trouble for no reason because you don't think anybody likes you. The world probably is against you only if you are a bad person. And most likely you're not a bad person. So check yourself before you wreck yourself.

I Don't Sing in the Shower, I Freestyle

I only do this in the bathroom lol, but this is Round 2 today. I just got out of the shower, still dripping wet, but had to type this up before I forgot it since my notebook is in the car. Wherever you see (...) is where I paused for a second in the shower cause I don't flow perfectly...obviously, because I am not trying to be a rapper haha.
-----

I'm hiding a lot behind this rhyme,
Those who know me, read between the lines.
Got an angel looking down upon me,
Do not want her to look down on me.
Gotta take care of the life I lead.
I'm gonna get bruised up, I'm gonna bleed.
But it's not about how many times I fall,
But when I succeed.
Want to live a life that makes her proud,
Gotta live on purpose, can't sit around.
Can't wait, can't count down...
One, two, three, four, five
Til I'm no longer alive.
That ain't no way to pass the time.
I'm gonna live twice... as hard just for you.
For a short time you grew,
But God called you to be an angel, so off you flew.

i feel like randomly rhyming

i get impulsive
gotta be explosive
stayin on top is my motiv-
ation to succeed
such a crazy need
to crush my competition and leave
them all behind
watch in due time
i gotsta get mine
dunno where the hell i'm goin with this rhyme
but i do know where i'm goin in life
and that's to ease the pain and strife
of those who could use me to there benefit
gotta stay healthy, positive, and be fit
cause people rely on me to fix their shit-
ty situations and life's complications
so i can't be negative or have hesitations
nah really, i can't stop flowin,
still dunno where this is goin
but like i said i got my life figured out
better than this rhyme, no doubt
addicted to typin this out
i'm just goin with it, cause who knows where this'll take me
like in reality
just gotta take a chance, who knows where i'll advance
and it's all about the adventure and the romance
but f* romance cause it's just a show
don't need no flowers or chocolates, oh hell no
i ain't down for that, don't put up an act
just show me who you are, i don't need all that
but this ain't a dating service, just flowin with these...verses?
haha, don't know what i'm doin
but it's a snow day so i'm chillin
don't like to play in the snow like children
but God's gift of beauty is laid out on my lawn
we gotta count our blessings, from dusk til dawn, big and small
i walk around wit confidence so high i feel ten feet tall
but i don't got a big head, i don't talk a big game
just eager to bite into my slice of life and establish my name
for some reason
this always goes back to my need for succeedin
but thats cause i'm constantly dreamin and movin toward achievin
this is gonna finally be over, done with this
cause backspace got abused like rihanna wit chris

Even if You've Dropped the Ball, You Haven't Lost the Game!

The best way to win is to know there is no chance of losing, even if you drop the ball.

Basically, we should always keep in mind that failure is certain, but losing is not. For instance, a basketball team could be down a few points by halftime, then come back and win the game. The players probably failed at making baskets and blocking their opponents, but they did not lose.

I don't know if this makes sense to anyone else, but failure occurs more often than losing. A defeatist attitude means that once you fail, you believe you have lost. With a more positive attitude, you can truly live out that saying, "It doesn't matter how many times you fall, but how you bounce back," or whatever the quote is. You get the idea.

Personally, there have been times when I've failed quizzes but managed to get an "A" or "B" in the class. If one "F" puts you down, then you should really consider the kind of outlook and perception you have toward life beyond the classroom.

I was introduced to this quote over the summer from Tom Hopkins: "I am not judged by the number of times I fail, but by the number of times I succeed, and the number of times I succeed is in direct proportion to the number of times I can fail and keep trying."

What I get out of this quote is that people are not waiting for you to fail, and nobody counts your failures. Instead, they take note of all of your successes, sometimes not even knowing that you've failed countless times in the process.

Keep your head up, and just stay hungry :)

101 Goals in 1,001 Days

I don't know if anyone has heard of this concept, but I have decided to commit to this project. Basically, I made a list of 101 goals that I want to accomplish in the next 1,001 days beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, February 25, 2009. I am going to start a second blog: journeyto101.blogspot.com.

"The Birthday Party"

Bare Bones (Please Heed Warning)

Warning: I try my best in this blog to remain as unbiased as possible, especially with sensitive topics. This might be a touchy subject, but my intention is not to offend anyone. If I do, please tell me, and if enough people complain, I will take this down. Thank you.

The topic of this post is religion and spirituality. No, I will not be pressing my views onto anyone. I am just stripping this to its bare bones.

There are different religious and anti-religious views in the world, as we all know. There are religions that believe Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the Savior who will forgive sinners and enter them into Heaven. Then, there are religions that believe Jesus was a man from Nazareth, but not the Son of God, only someone who claimed he was. Who can blame them for not believing Jesus isn't the Son of God? Not many were witness to his resurrection, and put this into present context... What if someone on the street, a former carpenter to boot, told you he was the Son of God and will save this world from evil? Moving on, there are groups who believe that Satan was an angel who is just seeking revenge on God because he betrayed him. There are religions that do not acknowledge Jesus whatsoever, and there are people who do not believe in a higher power at all.

Putting aside the belief that Jesus is the Son of God, let's look at him simply as a man who wanted to sacrifice himself for the good of mankind. How many of you could say that you would shoulder all of the world's sins and errors, and die for everyone? That's quite a humanitarian effort, to say the least. People try to heal the suffering all of the time, and this man thought sacrificing himself was the best way to help others. Bare bones -- think about that in general, no matter what your beliefs are. A man sacrificed for his people. He was taking pain away from people by feeling and experiencing that pain for them through his death. Whatever you believe happened after the day of the crucifixion is totally up to you. Would you be able to do what that man did? Would you want to? Do you think all of the people in the world are worthy of your self-sacrifice? Personally, I give him props for doing something I would not dare to.

I don't have the answer to world peace; I am just trying to express myself.

Now onto the power of prayer. A lot of people pray daily, often several times a day. People believe that the power of prayer helps them through life's obstacles. Then, there are people who do not believe in prayer and are like, "Who's listening?" because they think these people are just talking to themselves. For anyone who knows what The Secret or Law of Attraction is...you know that by thinking about something all the time or saying the same thing out loud is what will happen in your life. For instance, if you are having money issues, and you pray that you will find money or a means to help you financially, and you think about this constantly, eventually a solution will surface. Or, if you don't pray, but everyday you think that you will find a way to make ends meet, to pay those bills, to be financially stable, eventually a solution will surface. At the very least, bare bones -- if you don't believe a higher being hears prayers, you at least have to agree that thinking positively on a constant basis will help you find inner strength and will help you through life struggles. Wherever you believe that inner strength comes from... Allah, yourself, nature... at least you've found it, and you are better off than you were before.

I really hope this didn't offend anyone. My message is basically this: wherever you find your source of strength, your inner happiness, and your motivation to keep on living... by all means, continue to use that source. Stand by your convictions and believe in what you think helps you the most.

In Moderation

So I'm learning how to let go of things that are unhealthy, mentally and physically. People always say too much of a good thing is bad, like certain foods and alcohol. I think people focus too much on the wrong things. People enjoy food and cigarettes and alcohol...and whoever read a previous post knows that I believe "live and let live." However, I think people are out of focus of what is more important. Continue to enjoy whatever makes you happy, but honestly, I think the wrong stuff is in moderation. We are told daily to cut back on the bad food and to stop smoking packs of cigarettes a day. Obviously if these messages are everywhere, then we indulge in stuff that is unhealthy for us instead of what can improve our lives. This is really hard to put into text, but basically what I am saying is: we are told to do certain stuff in moderation because we do too much of it and it is harmful. In turn, we are told to do more of the good stuff because we aren't doing enough. Basically, we do more bad than good. I guess that's the easiest way to explain what I am trying to say. Like, why are we told to quit smoking so much and encouraged to exercise more? Does anyone else see just how upside down, backward, and warped that is?

Rather than overdosing on drugs, alcohol, junk food, reality TV, sex, etc., if people overdose on good stuff such as community service, making other people laugh, smiling, thinking positively, doing good deeds for neighbors and friends...you get the idea...just imagine how much better the world would be.

"Finally"

I've been with me my whole life,
But I swore others knew me better than I knew myself.
I stared into the mirror. "Why are you this way?"
It was hard to see into those eyes, so I closed them and cried.

I've been with me my whole life,
But I swore I could not take my own advice.
I stared into the mirror. "You must end this."
It was a struggle to let go of things I thought I couldn't live without, so I held on.

I've been with me my whole life,
But I swore I needed to change my ways.
I stared into the mirror. "Who are you?"
It was frightening to face the reflection of a distant stranger, so I turned away.

I've been with me my whole life,
But I swore I had everything in control.
I stared into the mirror. "Girl, you got it all wrong."
It was the intense glare back that made me ashamed, so I confronted it.

I've been with me my whole life,
But I swore I've never felt so alone.
I stared into the mirror. "You can do this."
It was inspiring to look at this image, and I was made stronger.

I've been with me my whole life,
And I swear I'm learning more about me every day.
I stare into the mirror. "There I am, through the fog."
It is refreshing to find the genuine smile of someone familiar.

I've been with me my whole life,
But I have had others along for the ride.
Fighting to be the half of empty wholes,
I'm discovering who I am on my own,
Slowly...surely...
Finally.

A Quickie

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to just strap a backpack on with food and water, no cell phone or any kind of way to contact anyone? To be able to just walk in the mountains...I'm not talking about for a few hours, I mean for months. Just to let go and not look back. How freeing would that be? How liberating would you feel, just to walk away? I don't mean to walk away from problems (cause no matter where you go, they're still there!), but just to clear your head, to live like an undomesticated animal without any worries except to find food and water for survival.

Honestly, anyone who can truly rid themselves of all materialism and all of society's barriers and obligations, has reached inner peace. And obviously we know of philosophies that encourage this.

I wholeheartedly believe that once a person can live without worrying about money and bills, a person can truly focus on one's self. This is essentially how life is meant to be lived.

It's too bad it can't be that easy because once you return to "civilized" (notice the quotes, ha ha) life, you return to all of those obligations...but have you ever felt like you should just go off and do it anyway?

QUIT YOUR CRYING!!!!!

*Don't feel like getting up for work because you're dreading another day in the office? ... QUIT YOUR CRYING. With thousands of layoffs weekly in the US alone, and a global recession, be glad you got a boss at all, whether he or she treats you well or not.

*Slacking at college, sleeping in and missing class because your professor is mad boring? ... QUIT YOUR CRYING. There are bright minds out there who cannot go to school for many reasons. Maybe they cannot afford it. Maybe they have to have a full-time job because their family needs their support. Maybe their dream school is the one you are attending and complaining about, but they didn't get in and they are crushed, while you are sitting in the classroom they wish they could be in, falling asleep and anticipating the day you never have to go back to class. (I'm guilty of this one)

*Did Mom cook some nasty food for dinner that you just couldn't force yourself to eat, so you threw it away? ... QUIT YOUR CRYING. One convenience store in the US has more food in it than some cities in the third world. Nasty or not, think about the people who would kill for a plate as full as yours with anything that is edible to keep them alive for one more day.

*Had to take a cold shower this morning and that just pissed you off for the rest of the day? ... QUIT YOUR CRYING. There are places all over the US and the world without running water. At least you don't have to shower with well water in a bucket or in a lake that'll only make you dirtier or sick.

*Parents got you mad because they're on your back for not cleaning your room? Unless they are abusive ... QUIT YOUR CRYING. Be grateful to have parents who want you to learn responsibility. Be grateful to have parents PERIOD. There are families out there with parents who get locked up every six months, who neglect their kids because they think crime and violence will bring food to the table, either not realizing or totally ignoring how much of a negative, not beneficial, effect they are having on their families. They think they're being heroes by giving their loved ones stolen things so they can eat and be happy. Then, there are mothers and fathers who pay no mind to their kids because they are way too busy to even yell at them for having a messy room. There are also families who may be without a mother or father because one of them, or maybe both of them, passed away. There are kids out there who wish they could have one more day with their parents yelling at them because they miss them like crazy.

I can go on and on and ON about the things and the people that are taken for granted. Take a step back and realize that there are people struggling every single damn day for what you have and for what you wish you didn't have. And just because I wrote this doesn't mean I don't do these things. There are times that I complain, but I realize that there is no reason to. On my end, life is good.

flowin

What I been lookin for externally
has just been found internally.
Got an idea of where I’m headin,
the past ain’t worth regrettin.
Got a new outlook toward the horizon,
for sure I’ll be risin,
Like the sun, only higher,
cause limits are tired.

And I don’t just speak words,
actions follow.
My dreams are concrete,
they ain’t hollow.
Watch where I be in a few years,
it’ll bring you to tears
Of joy because I made it,
it’ll make you elated.

Filled with too much possibilities
to focus on negativity.
Won’t be brought down by disbelief
cause pessimism is a common thief
Of visions in hungry eyes
that go blind by words that demoralize.
So I’m deaf to that ridiculous shit I hear
cause I know I got nothin to fear.