tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85790244653832280072024-03-19T03:11:40.095-07:00Awake My Soul Photography"Lend me your eyes, I can change what you see - but your soul you must keep totally free."
laura013http://www.blogger.com/profile/16364054137466280900noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579024465383228007.post-16812787139758031562015-01-02T06:26:00.002-08:002015-01-03T08:10:56.447-08:00Choosing What Matters in 2015<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Univers LT 45 Light"; font-size: 10.0pt;">I found my voice again. Time
to dust off the old notebook and re-sharpen the pencils… it’s been a little
over a year since I’ve done either, and as usual, I’m re-kindling the flame
from the road. New Years Eve creates a period of time for intentional
reflection, and for the first time in too long, I’m taking advantage of that. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Univers LT 45 Light"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdIVOnCsQf6mDYvCLBv8zP0R8TQxmCXB50zocnFIN0V9l3gnVN8UoEf0YDlomjlCLGvzbZUbncGSON3T9OoLrzAOElEJXuf6hQH8_NJyNlT1dGW7qjMiHYLxYJtvS_d-DPXze3p7rpwUou/s1600/1017141_10204828970952165_6365133354977275075_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdIVOnCsQf6mDYvCLBv8zP0R8TQxmCXB50zocnFIN0V9l3gnVN8UoEf0YDlomjlCLGvzbZUbncGSON3T9OoLrzAOElEJXuf6hQH8_NJyNlT1dGW7qjMiHYLxYJtvS_d-DPXze3p7rpwUou/s1600/1017141_10204828970952165_6365133354977275075_n.jpg" height="150" title="" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You have to learn which bridges to cross and which to burn. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Univers LT 45 Light"; font-size: 10.0pt;">2014
has been what the sports world commonly refers to as a “rebuilding year”. It’s
been riddled with a variety of fumbles, false starts, and hail Mary’s that have
caused me to reevaluate my playbook completely, but as the year comes to a
close, chaos has transformed into clarity, uproar into unwinding, hurt into hopefulness and pain has turned to peace. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Univers LT 45 Light"; font-size: 10.0pt;">While
much has been lost over the last 365 days, more has been gained. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Univers LT 45 Light"; font-size: 10.0pt;">If
I’ve learned anything definitively (aside from the fact that a good shower can
totally change your outlook on life and that dark chocolate saves lives) it’s
that life is all about choices. Not a day goes by where we aren’t making
choices. From the moment your alarm goes off in the morning you have a choice
to either postpone the inevitable or to rise to the occasion, and in my own
meandering experience, it’s that choice that sets the tone for the rest of your
day. How do I know? I’ve made plenty of wrong choices. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Univers LT 45 Light"; font-size: 10.0pt;">I’ve
perpetually put myself last. At times, that meant stretching myself too thin mentally,
physically, and financially as a result. I’ve hitched my wagon to the wrong
stars for what I thought were the right reasons. I’ve misplaced my trust and
have had it shattered. I’ve chosen to settle for good enough instead of
bettering my best. I’ve chosen someday instead of today and I know first hand
what it feels like when tomorrow never shows up. I’ve chosen to speak in anger
instead of act in compassion - and I’ve paid dearly for each of those choices. But
they were choices, and what I know about choices is that they have
consequences. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Univers LT 45 Light"; font-size: 10.0pt;">A
choice, by definition, is the act of selecting or making a decision when faced
with two or more possibilities. A mistake, by definition, is an action or
judgment that is misguided or wrong. Clearly, they are not the same. I have
made choices and I’ve made mistakes, but I do not mistake choices for an action
or judgment that is misguided or incorrect. Every action has an equal and
opposite reaction – whether or not you hold yourself accountable, you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">are </i>responsible for the reaction your
actions cause.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Univers LT 45 Light"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Accidents
happen in the blink of an eye. Floodwaters rise and fires rage. Babies are born
too early and in the same breath, someone dies too young. Bad things happen to
good people and good things happen to people who don’t deserve it – but those
are not mistakes, nor are they choices: they are circumstances. And in those
circumstances – it is up to us individually to make the best choices we can <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and</i> to forgive ourselves (and each
other) for the mistakes we make along our journey through uncharted territory. There are plenty of things in
this world that we cannot control – there is no excuse but to do our best with
the things we can.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Univers LT 45 Light"; font-size: 10.0pt;">There
is a quote in one of my all time favorite books <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Secret Life of Bees </i>where Sue Monk Kidd illustrates the
challenge of choosing what matters: “Some things don't matter much. Like the
color of a house. How big is that in the overall scheme of life? But lifting a
person's heart--now, that matters. The whole problem with people is...they know
what matters, but they don't choose it...The hardest thing on earth is choosing
what matters.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Univers LT 45 Light"; font-size: 10.0pt;">So many of you have made the time to lift my heart this year - most of you, in ways you'll never know... </span><span style="font-family: 'Univers LT 45 Light'; font-size: 10pt;">I have spent time in nurturing places with people who illuminate my path, and I hope I've been able to return the light they've given me. </span><span style="font-family: "Univers LT 45 Light"; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Univers LT 45 Light'; font-size: 10pt;">I have learned many lessons the hard way, redefined myself repeatedly, and broken out of the self-oppressive chains I thought I deserved. </span><span style="font-family: 'Univers LT 45 Light'; font-size: 10pt;">I have done the hard work, and when I look in the mirror, I am no longer disappointed. Y</span><span style="font-family: 'Univers LT 45 Light'; font-size: 10pt;">ou gave me hope through uncharted territory - thank you. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Univers LT 45 Light"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Univers LT 45 Light"; font-size: 10.0pt;">I am committed to making better choices this year and I wish you the
opportunity to do the same. I also wish for each of us the chance to take ownership of our choices - good, bad, and ugly. I hope you’ll join me in ditching the glorification
of “busy” and in taking time for yourself so you can make time for
others. I hope you’ll look in the mirror and see past your reflection. </span><span style="font-family: 'Univers LT 45 Light'; font-size: 10pt;">You are
enough… and what I know thanks to 2014 is that I am too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Univers LT 45 Light'; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Univers LT 45 Light'; font-size: 13px;">Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% what you choose to do with it. </span><span style="font-family: 'Univers LT 45 Light'; font-size: 13px;">I choose to wake up, to breathe deeply, love fearlessly, and live intentionally. </span><span style="font-family: "Univers LT 45 Light"; font-size: 10.0pt;">No more hitting snooze. </span><span style="font-family: 'Univers LT 45 Light'; font-size: 13px;">The problem with time is you always think you have more of it - but someday isn't good enough. </span><span style="font-family: 'Univers LT 45 Light'; font-size: 10pt;">Today is your day, my day, our day - lets get on our way! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Univers LT 45 Light"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Univers LT 45 Light"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Here's to you 2015, the year of no excuses. </span></div>
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laura013http://www.blogger.com/profile/16364054137466280900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579024465383228007.post-71800096660389026442013-04-15T23:04:00.001-07:002013-04-16T10:29:39.925-07:00Look For The Helpers<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-size: small;">We
will prevail. That is what Nikki Giovanni told Virginia Tech 6 years ago today.
We ARE Virginia Tech, and we will prevail. In the wake of a brutal and
senseless massacre, we needed that guidance, that hope, that help. Nikki
Giovanni was a helper. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAN5jUwtlJGYgm5AorTjkGz5eGOIk1fusI9MPHFe8-Qe_MO7DtWypkLJvQ8MqTJpMNnt71qtHo-6nABZaO50L9NL2tg7fm9y2-BrWhguHL7W1ZACUC6Kp1wb6E3eNizLebiqulJ362_0lA/s1600/Danielle-80.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAN5jUwtlJGYgm5AorTjkGz5eGOIk1fusI9MPHFe8-Qe_MO7DtWypkLJvQ8MqTJpMNnt71qtHo-6nABZaO50L9NL2tg7fm9y2-BrWhguHL7W1ZACUC6Kp1wb6E3eNizLebiqulJ362_0lA/s320/Danielle-80.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">During
finals week two years ago, a gunman walked onto campus killing an officer at
point blank range, jarring our gradually healing campus to its core. David
McKee, the director of the Marching Virginian’s threw himself in front of his office
door until he was sure it was law enforcement coming to move us to a safer
place. We were getting out of there together or none of us were – but he was on
the front lines. Dave McKee was a helper.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">This
fall, Hurricane Sandy tore through the eastern seaboard leaving millions without
power, thousands homeless, and countless broken hearted. A group of people
decided to start a Facebook page called For Shore in an effort to reunite
pictures, heirlooms, and other irreplaceable items with their families. They
are an inspiration – they are also helpers. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Not
many months ago, first grade teacher Victoria Soto lost her life while saving
her students, becoming a human shield to Adam Lanza’s bullet spray at Sandy
Hook Elementary. Janet Vollmer read to her students while the shooting took
place, hoping, that even if they were to die, her voice would be the last thing
they heard… not the gunfire. Those teachers were helpers. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">On
Friday afternoon, a young man opened fire at NRV Community College right in the
middle of a mall, severely injuring two women. An unarmed guard talked the shooter into
holding fire – with <i>no </i>weapon. That
security guard was a helper. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Just
yesterday, two bombs were detonated in the streets of Boston at what is
considered by many to be one of the most prestigious marathons in existence.
First responders were on the scene in seconds, running, not walking, straight
into the aftermath of the explosions. Civilians took off their shirts and their
belts to fashion tourniquets in an effort to assist the wounded. They are all
heroes – and they are all helpers. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Some
runners proceeded to the finish line, through the finish line, and past it –
straight to Massachusetts General Hospital to donate blood after running over
25 miles. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Those runners are helpers. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Why
all this talk about helpers? Because one of my favorite quotes from a childhood
TV show has rightfully made a recent comeback:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://i.huffpost.com/gen/908244/thumbs/o-MISTER-ROGERS-HELPERS-QUOTE-570.jpg?6" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i.huffpost.com/gen/908244/thumbs/o-MISTER-ROGERS-HELPERS-QUOTE-570.jpg?6" width="295" /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">We
– myself included – are SO quick to cry “what is this world coming to?” We pick
a deity and pray because we lose all faith in the humanity that we sometimes
forget we’re a part of. The truth is, I’m <i>not
</i>sure what this world is coming to, but I <i>am </i>sure there are still good people in it. I know that the
admirable actions of these helpers are more powerful than any act of violence
and will resonate appropriately as time passes. These ordinary people doing
extraordinary things despite unthinkable tragedy gives me hope.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">It
doesn’t have to be national TV to constitute a tragedy and you don’t have to
make headlines to be a helper – most don’t. There is a helper in the friend who
knows they need to catch you before you know you’ve fallen; in the card that
comes in the mail even though handwritten notes are an endangered species; in
the homemade meal you weren’t expecting; in the cup of coffee you wouldn’t have
had time to brew; in the quarter a stranger places in your parking meter just
before you run out of time. Sometimes the simplest spontaneous acts of human
compassion mean the most. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">It is in the helping that we heal - and in the helping that we prevail. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Be
a helper – thank a helper – and on your next bad day, look for the helpers. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">You will <i>always</i> find people who are helping. </span></div>
laura013http://www.blogger.com/profile/16364054137466280900noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579024465383228007.post-81810216528508554742013-01-11T12:08:00.000-08:002013-01-11T12:13:38.272-08:00Do You See What I See? <div style="font-family: inherit;">
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">There
are a lot of things I love about traveling. I love the X factor of a new
adventure. I love meeting new people and experiencing previously foreign
places. I love trolling truck stops and making a point of observing even the
silliest of things. Prime example: Oklahoma has the best windshield wiper
squeegees between Roanoke, VA and Tucson, AZ. I love being far enough removed
from my daily routine that I’m forced to adapt the motions I get lulled into
going through on a regular basis. Change is as good at it is hard. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">I find
that time spent on the road forces me into being a captive, more observant
audience to this universe. I am more easily removed from my admitted addiction
to technology – although, not often removed enough. I am able to focus with
more clarity on the road ahead instead of the road behind, and I find
inspiration in places I never would have thought to look for it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">I try
hard to keep track of things worth remembering, and anyone who knows me knows
that I operate religiously on lists… so for traditions sake, I made another
one. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Here
it is, a running list of things I’ve come across, thoughts I’ve had, and
lessons learned when old memories are jarred loose by the act of creating new
ones. There is a lot of brokenness in this world – perhaps there is mortar in
some of these observations.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">+ The
best stops are often the ones you never intended to make. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">+ It is
important to recognize that there are two sides to every story – for more
reasons than one. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">+
Respect silence - sometimes emptiness is the only thing capable of filling
vacancy. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">+ If you
don’t understand my silence you don’t deserve my words. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">+ If a
tadpole spends its entire life in a well, it becomes the world… that’s a tragic
perspective. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">+ There
is nothing any of is can do to keep the tides from rolling in, but how you
emerge from the waves is all in how you ride them. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">+ It is
true what they say about the journey of 1000 miles. It is also true that the
first step is the hardest. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">+ Find simplicity in the chaos of this world. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6yXaGFEW1-wvKKwLhkS7ajdSRHnoMS5EIacEKo0MmkcCti0446y_T6qbIzy-io6O3gC2poMnbGyD3d6isPIXI1vi5jkgZ3S8JsvO-cWDRqxguh6YgFcFpX37gL2ob4-NLfhzFDOBx9GZ/s1600/IMG_5253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6yXaGFEW1-wvKKwLhkS7ajdSRHnoMS5EIacEKo0MmkcCti0446y_T6qbIzy-io6O3gC2poMnbGyD3d6isPIXI1vi5jkgZ3S8JsvO-cWDRqxguh6YgFcFpX37gL2ob4-NLfhzFDOBx9GZ/s320/IMG_5253.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">+ Stand
up for yourself – no one else will be more convicted in your beliefs than you
are.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">+ Tell
the truth. It takes so much less energy and a lot less people get hurt in the
crossfire. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">+ Build
bridges everywhere you can – but be cautious about burning them before they’ve
been crossed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">+ Drink
more water. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">+ Find
the line. Respect the line. Be smart about when and where you choose to cross
it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">+ You
don’t need to have many friends, but it’s important to have real ones. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">+ Have
faith in others – but not instead of having faith in yourself. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">+ Dress
for success. You never know who you’re going to meet.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">+
Everyone has baggage. What breaks you down is not the load you’re carrying –
it’s all in how you carry it. I recommend getting a luggage rack. You need to
be able to set your troubles down every now and then. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">+ Assume
everyone else’s load is twice as heavy as your own… empathy will come
naturally.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">+
Surround yourself with good people – they will surround you. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">+ Choose
the wrench – pain is temporary, scars fade, but words last forever. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">+
Listen… and recognize that it is no mistake that silent contains the same
letters. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">+
Fighting with someone who won’t fight for you is a battle lost before it began.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">+
Accountability is everything. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">+ Road
signs are almost always more important than we give them credit for. Truth or
Consequences is one worth pondering.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRX-KrdX6E51LcuNSDL5kIfi7J8wy-1P7djxFU9lUj16UvMz5AZTHEds1GeLNH9EmO1K73Nx0dmdnGHt2Hv3YYql7-TeEZtLMUAkIDnQUPjwaRWLmJZ8BElhb5Q_32xae0OUVSo-Q3IVk-/s1600/torc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRX-KrdX6E51LcuNSDL5kIfi7J8wy-1P7djxFU9lUj16UvMz5AZTHEds1GeLNH9EmO1K73Nx0dmdnGHt2Hv3YYql7-TeEZtLMUAkIDnQUPjwaRWLmJZ8BElhb5Q_32xae0OUVSo-Q3IVk-/s320/torc.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">+ You
might have to scale a mountain to find the horizon, but I promise it’s there. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">+
Practice what it is you preach. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">+ Follow
your dreams, but take the opportunity to enable the dreams of others along the
way… you’ll find it to be just as fun and often more rewarding than enabling
your own. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">+ Karma
will take care of itself. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">+ Act
your age, not your shoe size. There is no expiration date on the need for
maturity. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">+ Before
you put yourself on a pedestal you might want to check your balance. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">+ You
can never say “I love you” too much – unless you don’t actually mean it.
Actions speak louder than empty words, but hurtful words speak loudest. Don’t
forget that. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">+ Taking
advantage of someone is one of the most destructive things you can do to a
person’s soul. Pay it forward, always. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">+ We
really are what we eat… and we’re at our worst when we don’t. I should probably
start carrying a snickers bar. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">+ I
truly believe everyone has a good side, but it isn’t always their <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">first </i>side… you have to give them a
chance to prove it to you. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">+ Honor
the legacy of those who have changed what yours will be.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UE1vVrlTxv5qsCZpffWvLiaYIyN8jZjiax_rjIod8ocilm1YFiUD5p4rXa51Ne26iN8sMbhKytFn70Q1vHzasac-BdfmZ1ZNN5-HaPosA8YlUWwIf9b-Zmrh1XgboZTieIkjwBk3Bk8v/s1600/IMG_6134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UE1vVrlTxv5qsCZpffWvLiaYIyN8jZjiax_rjIod8ocilm1YFiUD5p4rXa51Ne26iN8sMbhKytFn70Q1vHzasac-BdfmZ1ZNN5-HaPosA8YlUWwIf9b-Zmrh1XgboZTieIkjwBk3Bk8v/s320/IMG_6134.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">+
Wrinkles should be worn with pride. They’re a tribute worth sharing and a
testament to a life well lived. Take every opportunity to ask questions that
beg for the wisdom in between the lines – you’ll be glad you did. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">+ There
is a lot of brokenness in this world, be the mortar where you can, but remember
the Taj Mahal wasn’t built in a day. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">We push
and pull as human beings. We live and we learn. We are fragile and we are
resilient. We make mistakes and we are mistaken. We are a lot like the trees I
saw on the side of a Texas highway… When we’re in full bloom it’s hard to tell
the direction in which we’ve been blown, but when the seasons change, the
leaves disappear, and we are exposed - the battering is blatant. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-k6vwKr9zLk-GOqayVuZJ6Eo5a04V_4wb9gQximKt5hKl8JOKSXHIw6D7fMaladoQdXpj9AaIm_jOnDDAhh6BzLrM9lYOz-nUgG88lgTMuXu6QbMgrgVGkmhGUAgkNoREKBON-Ls4gzi/s1600/IMG_5167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-k6vwKr9zLk-GOqayVuZJ6Eo5a04V_4wb9gQximKt5hKl8JOKSXHIw6D7fMaladoQdXpj9AaIm_jOnDDAhh6BzLrM9lYOz-nUgG88lgTMuXu6QbMgrgVGkmhGUAgkNoREKBON-Ls4gzi/s320/IMG_5167.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">It
doesn’t make us broken – it makes us bent. It doesn’t make us un-loveable, it
makes us that much more appreciative of the love we are given. It doesn’t make
us immobilized, it just means our roots run deep… Conviction is a good thing,
conflict is healthy, and compromise is the key to success. Sometimes the thin
ice that you’ve landed on has solid ground underneath. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtk7ITKBKQuVWpdSHEL58c-2vdwW7_Nmbd4oai6tFPz9BHFsTBaNbdtVOrmpOqozj9FYA1o1wIpTTs73fuMYM6Jc3sfZb5K2PAnxXG6QoDmof308tD5IpkPlbyTTL5vcw_CJAzJkfKAaG/s1600/IMG_5281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtk7ITKBKQuVWpdSHEL58c-2vdwW7_Nmbd4oai6tFPz9BHFsTBaNbdtVOrmpOqozj9FYA1o1wIpTTs73fuMYM6Jc3sfZb5K2PAnxXG6QoDmof308tD5IpkPlbyTTL5vcw_CJAzJkfKAaG/s320/IMG_5281.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I was
flying over the mountains of Arizona’s painted desert when the importance of
perspective hit me with crystal clarity. From 30,000 feet, what the world has
us seeing as impassible mountain ranges are so easily conquerable. I realize
that in reality, it’s a long hard road, but sometimes all you need is to see
the glimmer of light to know that there is always at the end of the tunnel. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaARuEjNfQcNnqS4XxwX1is6WKKvKgg6m6cLeRo0VuVNpqShiTNQwPgIvYzcf8_11Xe1kXuZ0y65rPXAJtDqzdw5zIhBjiI923_6W4dKgC2o9XwG8qa4VZ8EbuDpHLCspaZIJiu0FPxduc/s1600/IMG_5791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaARuEjNfQcNnqS4XxwX1is6WKKvKgg6m6cLeRo0VuVNpqShiTNQwPgIvYzcf8_11Xe1kXuZ0y65rPXAJtDqzdw5zIhBjiI923_6W4dKgC2o9XwG8qa4VZ8EbuDpHLCspaZIJiu0FPxduc/s320/IMG_5791.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Someone
told me the other day that they were concerned that I would lose my faith in
people… it was funny because it came directly from a homegrown source of my
hope in humanity. I’ve always thought of myself as a hopeless wanderer, but a
recent correction has me thinking that perhaps I am a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hopeful </i>wanderer after all. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Sometimes
the molehill really is a mountain, and sometimes the ripple really is a tidal
wave, but more often than not, it all comes down to your perspective. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Maybe
you’re the one who needs to see the light, maybe you’re the one holding the
candle at the other end – either way, don’t put a glass over the flame… There’s
a soul looking for a lighthouse somewhere in your world. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Sometimes
all the firefly needs is for someone to loosen the jar. </span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPkEl9vC1B1vuZibImQnuyeJ4LzvkvNhjnBZEG1Uz_UzXhHUfPq0P1PHocO80Hj7c-_Elf-sZ_3slDMizTmd0y8wT2LVBgoDqnsGns0VgPSJl60Ged-ItesnmpnxIYmCYJ2MVdEcxRBG0/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPkEl9vC1B1vuZibImQnuyeJ4LzvkvNhjnBZEG1Uz_UzXhHUfPq0P1PHocO80Hj7c-_Elf-sZ_3slDMizTmd0y8wT2LVBgoDqnsGns0VgPSJl60Ged-ItesnmpnxIYmCYJ2MVdEcxRBG0/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
laura013http://www.blogger.com/profile/16364054137466280900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579024465383228007.post-30490826953060694072013-01-09T12:29:00.000-08:002013-01-09T12:31:14.516-08:00Out with the Old<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Thonburi;">It’s practically become tradition
to spend this time of year traveling to a post-season bowl game. So here I am,
doing exactly what I do every year: sitting on a charter bus, chewing on a pen,
scribbling pieces of the year behind on a notepad as I look to the year ahead.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year - I forget how much I treasure this
time. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Thonburi;">2012 has been a whirlwind and a
roller coaster. When things were good they were great, but when they were bad,
they were ugly. 2012 was tragic and triumphant, discouraging yet enlightening,
stressful but balanced, and hopelessly hopeful – it was full of possibility but
strategically riddled with trap doors. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Thonburi;">I talked this time last year about
how I longed to find a fine balance between what I thought I needed and the
things that <i>really </i>matter. I always
find checkpoints throughout the year, but none better than the transition from
the end of one year to the beginning of the next. It was the time in between
all of the ups and downs that I learned my most important lessons. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Thonburi;">I have learned a lot about the
world. I’ve learned the importance of being an informed citizen in a country
where we’re allowed to have an opinion.
We take a lot for granted here in America. We are luckier than we think
we are to call this fiscal cliff dwelling nation home. Our “problems” might not
seem so great if we spent more time looking at the big picture. I have learned
that if you go through your like a tadpole in a well, your world will shrink…
rapidly. Perspective is key – if you don’t have a good view, it’s important to
consider changing your vantage point. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Thonburi;">I have learned a lot about people.
Everyone has a good side, but it isn’t always their <i>first </i>side – you have to be willing to give them the time to prove
it to you. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Thonburi;">I have learned a lot about myself…
and some of those realizations have been difficult. I have learned that it is
important to love your family – even if you don’t always like them. I have
learned that life-support is much more than a machine in a hospital room. You
never know what other people are walking around carrying – so for the sake of
everyone, assume their load is twice as heavy as your own. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Thonburi;">I have learned that if you truly
reflect on your experiences and take the lessons that life offers you along the
way they’ll become an encyclopedia of how to help others. Ruin is the road to
transformation – keep your eyes wide and your mind open.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Thonburi;">We make a conscious choice every
day to either embrace or deflect love… and when we deflect it because of the
packaging we become a product of our own poison. We live in a world full of
poison – it is us to us to create and employ the filter necessary to ensure that
we make it through our days with the least amount of brain washing possible.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Thonburi;">There are a lot of parts of 2012 I
would love to re-visit, but just as many I’d rather not. I am starting to recognize that as pattern.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Thonburi;">So for 2013, I hope you have the
opportunity to change the world by starting with your own. I hope you have the
opportunity to be the light to others that they are to you. I hope that you
have the chance to learn from the best and worst of every experience you
encounter. I hope you’ll remember that roadblocks are only temporary and that
brick walls are there to give you a chance to prove how badly you want
something. I hope you’ll take the road less traveled because you can, not
because you have to – and I hope you find, as I have, that the difference is
always worth going the long way. I hope you find wonder in simple things and
simplicity in the chaos of this world. I hope that you take every opportunity
to expand your mind, treat others with compassion, and explore open doors with
bright eyes and a hopeful heart. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Thonburi;">And I hope, that at every turn, I
recognize, treasure, and graciously accept every opportunity I have to do the
very same things. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
laura013http://www.blogger.com/profile/16364054137466280900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579024465383228007.post-27575773090845004522013-01-09T11:15:00.000-08:002013-01-09T11:15:34.292-08:00A Tribute to a Friend<div style="font-family: inherit;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Exactly
two years ago Annalee Marshall was just another person in a classroom full of
people I was unfamiliar with – but at first glance, it was so obvious that she
had a story to tell. As chance, luck, or fate would have it, we edited each
other’s writing, and I began to learn what that story was. We exchanged phone
numbers, the occasional cup of coffee turned routine, and we quickly became close
friends. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92JO6pe9plw4F_DPU3ULi2KNOUbg2D1YVT2-p8OsG3Td17tPt2pQy6ytT1KreGuduloVHY3pqQwLlnvWwAgu08ut-tcZcfoQe5NDbj0N3FQQ7i0D-v41Tjp8Oa5FWCu9WkIrez2X-CiDR/s1600/150497_552338931448192_498084557_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92JO6pe9plw4F_DPU3ULi2KNOUbg2D1YVT2-p8OsG3Td17tPt2pQy6ytT1KreGuduloVHY3pqQwLlnvWwAgu08ut-tcZcfoQe5NDbj0N3FQQ7i0D-v41Tjp8Oa5FWCu9WkIrez2X-CiDR/s320/150497_552338931448192_498084557_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span> Annalee
and I were both so moved by the Help Save The Next Girl campaign and the response
it was to violence. We knew we wanted to be a part of it but we had no way of
knowing the incredible journey the next 365 days would have in store for us. With
the critical help of several other students and faculty members, we rallied
together and founded the first collegiate chapter of HSTNG at Virginia Tech.
Annalee immerged – not surprisingly – as a natural leader in the organization.
She was creative, compassionate, driven – that girl was on fire. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span>I have a
friend who describes people she would characterize as fireflies as someone who
goes unnoticed in the glare of sunlight, but given the right circumstances,
they give off a spectacular glow. They are not typically “flashy” people. Quite
the opposite really. They don’t really try to shine – it’s just who they are.
It’s a part of their being. The source of their light is often mysterious – or
at least not obvious – but they are undeniably attractive to be around. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Annalee
was a firefly. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span>I was
inspired by, motivated by, and in awe of her passion constantly - she was a
courageous crusader for change, a warrior for peace, and the brightest of lights
in any room. We embraced the best of times together and we shared in some of
the worst. She was never the fair-weather type and I will always be grateful for
that.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3hpOSbkv9qya6u_STzSQkdi5WvDgjw5zknr_ZsMApjLZVv_vpaBl1QtV0eY6j0W4TkfwkD6t-mMq9UnNOHT9PKNEIdyxt7tmrWKvmuGa2Lm01jwWYDUq4dSvwg1gMoJA8zYFDQAYPd_E/s1600/563246_3767063103205_408058587_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3hpOSbkv9qya6u_STzSQkdi5WvDgjw5zknr_ZsMApjLZVv_vpaBl1QtV0eY6j0W4TkfwkD6t-mMq9UnNOHT9PKNEIdyxt7tmrWKvmuGa2Lm01jwWYDUq4dSvwg1gMoJA8zYFDQAYPd_E/s320/563246_3767063103205_408058587_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span><span> </span></span>
</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span>We’ve
stood hand in wax-covered hand memorializing the victims of Virginia Tech’s
massacre by candlelight. Those same hands held mine at Take Back The Night last
spring as VT Help Save The Next Girl emerged as one of the fastest growing anti-violence
organizations on campus. Those same hands are immortalized in the PSA for the national
Help Save The Next Girl campaign – a cause she tirelessly poured her heart and
soul into. Those same hands never met a person they couldn’t reach and those
same hands chalked, with bright colors and intricate design, the entire Copely
Bridge in honor of another life lost too soon... She did everything she could
to honor and perpetuate the legacy of others – it still seems unreal to be speaking
in past tense while doing the same for her. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span>I could
tell you stories for hours about Annalee – I have 730 days of them, but my
stories aren’t any more important than yours. We are all here because we have a
gaping Annalee-shaped hole in our hearts that we’re not quite sure what to do with.
Perhaps that hole is the perfect treasure chest for our stories and for the
memories we will share with one another in her absence. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span>I have
spent a lot of time on the road recently, and I find that on the road, the
writing comes to me. On my way back from Orlando, FL at an unexpected stop on
the edge of the ocean, I found these words: </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Today, I
am grateful for the reminder that there is triumph in the face of tragedy,
light in the darkness, and beauty in the breakdown. I am reminded that how we emerge
from the waves is all in how we ride them. I am reminded that even the most
devastating storms run out of rain – so perhaps the lesson is that it is up to
each of us to find peace within the silver linings that shelter us while it
passes. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMuPrNmOeLJSJD1j7nyu7ImNRsNKlj8lxNGHEnozfaLnjAvGJwSHiyvJjSdQIkAtozwCg6-LDQFk4faBsDwn12b-stxGuXc3GIq3lU1WSGA6NKq299HuclfQESoNAri3gnq9sHatifjxaY/s1600/386700_10200189233081618_1845807342_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMuPrNmOeLJSJD1j7nyu7ImNRsNKlj8lxNGHEnozfaLnjAvGJwSHiyvJjSdQIkAtozwCg6-LDQFk4faBsDwn12b-stxGuXc3GIq3lU1WSGA6NKq299HuclfQESoNAri3gnq9sHatifjxaY/s320/386700_10200189233081618_1845807342_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span><span> </span></span>
</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Perhaps
the silver linings will be in the memories we share today, in the relationships
we build tomorrow, or in the peace we find years from now knowing we’ve got one
incredible guardian angel on our side. Perhaps the silver lining is in the four
lives that are forever changed by the priceless gift she was able to give as
she transitioned peacefully from this life into the next. Perhaps it’s in the
love she shared with each of us – making us better individuals and empowering
us to cultivate for one another a better world. Annalee <i>lived </i>the change she wished to see in the world – so perhaps the
silver lining is that we now have the opportunity to do the same in her honor.
Wherever that silver lining may be, I encourage each of us to embrace it –
because I think we’ll find it’s her that embraces us back. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpilKVvesj0EQes-Bu_YmbISBc55f2IlVONWa7YUUQO9-GcrsLgjTTUc9_SpnGSgUyaeUWe0NWU8ocPRdrdZq6cRWcO7EJwjuzdbrXCbJXm6AZVb9I2uKqe6EIeuCOR5GuQinYxjSHzFPJ/s1600/552264_358354300924140_341648946_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpilKVvesj0EQes-Bu_YmbISBc55f2IlVONWa7YUUQO9-GcrsLgjTTUc9_SpnGSgUyaeUWe0NWU8ocPRdrdZq6cRWcO7EJwjuzdbrXCbJXm6AZVb9I2uKqe6EIeuCOR5GuQinYxjSHzFPJ/s320/552264_358354300924140_341648946_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span><span> </span></span>
</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Two
years later, I am beyond grateful to not only know her story, but to have her
ink on the pages of my own. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span>So it is
with life – pages turn, bridges burn, and lessons are often learned the hard
way. We never get the time we think we have so we must make the most of every
moment as it happens – I learned that from Annalee. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span>I wish I
could tell her one more time just how much she meant to me… How much I
appreciated her compassion… How loved she is by all of us… Just how much her
very presence changed my life. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>But I
can – because she’s right here in my heart – just as she is in yours</span><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> <br /> <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1417420958&extragetparams=%7B%22group_id%22%3A0%7D" href="http://www.facebook.com/annalee.marshall?group_id=0"></a>Annalee had hoped I would someday take her the the beautiful peaks of Gates
Pass - and as chance would have it, I could. With the help of friends and family, we took </span></span><span class="userContent">the pieces of this particular
journey gathered at the closest point to heaven the geography of Tucson, AZ could offer
us. A stone from every state traveled through, bits and pieces of memory
placeholders, and prayer flags from around the world pay<span class="text_exposed_show"> tribute to a life that couldn't help but enrich our own... </span></span><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxya5rAMuIGCCxpSSjNMy_Fefo8rpv029VdFBRm_OdrhhbOFncL5Tx1Pw_tcbi6IIhfva4vNtxMwC-x2nKXlVS2sTtunoN-62bl-Jk0apJcNcE4fL0yCCLiffBK7cpH17YE-WSQEXxnopG/s1600/IMG_5923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxya5rAMuIGCCxpSSjNMy_Fefo8rpv029VdFBRm_OdrhhbOFncL5Tx1Pw_tcbi6IIhfva4vNtxMwC-x2nKXlVS2sTtunoN-62bl-Jk0apJcNcE4fL0yCCLiffBK7cpH17YE-WSQEXxnopG/s320/IMG_5923.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Annalee,
I know you’re always listening to great music, but take the headphones out and
listen to me... My world was a better, brighter place because you were a part
of it. I am only just beginning to process the magnitude of this earthly
robbery, and in doing so I must believe that you were planted on earth to bloom
in heaven. VT Help Save The Next Girl will miss you and so will I, but your
roots in each of our lives are eternal and your legacy will prevail. You will
always be an angel in the architecture of my world and I will carry you with me
wherever I go. Up you go, my beautiful friend. Fly with the angels… Soar. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoNI7WZMa3H8zNB6QlC_lK4mP_6gFzWtgqZvF9OhWv109EYp592w_hylFmoeRi70_FZcwTdKNvb8Ks3D3Mp_4DBYK-Eqewz3TwQKmcLki2BlEtFYPR1mzLKChJffIfmDdeOXB0IhjoJjp/s1600/IMG_5914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoNI7WZMa3H8zNB6QlC_lK4mP_6gFzWtgqZvF9OhWv109EYp592w_hylFmoeRi70_FZcwTdKNvb8Ks3D3Mp_4DBYK-Eqewz3TwQKmcLki2BlEtFYPR1mzLKChJffIfmDdeOXB0IhjoJjp/s320/IMG_5914.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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</span>laura013http://www.blogger.com/profile/16364054137466280900noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579024465383228007.post-21467805044747313242013-01-08T10:06:00.000-08:002013-01-08T21:09:08.790-08:00Truth or Consequences<div style="font-family: inherit;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEliGkAlDfeD5whyphenhyphenXzT2LHiuPEdj2y4zMenTWkAyv4cA69uM9fqlTd6ZKDVgLYsqZcRR-KHRn_pz2hzfbCsPQEBISQ3o4DmRG-Kk3zywpa3YpdKbDiKye0ZebocmvfCtsG5YlG85dlH0s8/s1600/torc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEliGkAlDfeD5whyphenhyphenXzT2LHiuPEdj2y4zMenTWkAyv4cA69uM9fqlTd6ZKDVgLYsqZcRR-KHRn_pz2hzfbCsPQEBISQ3o4DmRG-Kk3zywpa3YpdKbDiKye0ZebocmvfCtsG5YlG85dlH0s8/s320/torc.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I was
lucky enough to spend some much needed time on the road less traveled and along
that road, specifically in New Mexico, was a sign for a town called “Truth or
Consequences”. As we drove past Truth or Consequences I began thinking about
those very things. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">As I get
older, I’m becoming less inclined to believe that everything happens for a
reason – instead I believe that there is reason within everything that happens.
I was raised to take complete ownership for my actions and I can count on one
hand the number of times I didn’t. Accountability was not optional – I am
eternally grateful to my parents for instilling that in me. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Don’t
kid yourself - I have told my fair share of little white lies, blatant lies,
half-truths, blurred truths – call them what you want - but you can bet your
bottom dollar that the consequences decked me square in the mouth, and more
importantly, that I learned from them. You know how it goes. You get
confronted, you get caught off guard, and you spit it out – like uncontrollable
word vomit – an itty bitty lie. The problem with this teeny tiny lie is that
it’s really a seed… now it’s planted… and as it takes root, it metastasizes. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Now
you’re terminal. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">The <i>truth </i>is, we are all terminal. So why
spend time intricately designing a snare of lies only to end up trapping
ourselves? Because it’s easier… </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Easier?
Of course it is… It’s easier to tell people what we want them to know. It’s
easier to control the flow of information. It’s easier to Instagram the image,
to filter the pollutants, to sweep the dust under the rug than it is to be
proactive – we have backed our way into a corner of being a supremely reactive
society. We gloss over reality, and like a bandage covering a flesh wound – it
can’t help but get infected.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">But it’s
not just easier to tell a lie, it’s easier to live one. It’s easier to be the
person people see in the spotlight than to let people see who you are behind
closed doors – but shouldn’t we be the same? It’s easier to settle for what you
think you deserve than to fight for it – but shouldn’t we want to? It’s easier
to live by someone else’s table of contents than to write your own book… if
you’re an invertebrate. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">What is
it about the truth that makes it so hard to tell? Is it the clarity? Is it the
vulnerability? Is it the transparency of having nothing to hide behind? What is
it about a fictitious life that is so attractive? Nothing. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">I would
much rather write my own book and stand my own ground than to hide in the shadows
casted by a web of lies… Why do we build the walls of Jericho knowing they’ll
all come tumbling down? …because in the very moment where lies become the
‘truth’, even temporary shelter seems comforting. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Perhaps
the next time you find yourself at the intersection of Truth or Consequences
the high road will be more appealing. If it is not, I suggest a brief vow of
silence. I believe there is more honesty in silence than we are apt to suspect…
and if you can’t understand my silence, you don’t deserve my words. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">You must
choose your words like you choose your clothes… and if you cannot, prepare for
the wardrobe malfunction.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Look in
the mirror. Question your reflection. Be honest with yourself – you’re the only
one who knows the difference. Evaluate what it is that you believe in and
embrace those beliefs as the foundations of your life. I do not expect every
human being to feel and act upon the same convictions as deeply and as sincerely
as I do, but I do expect a certain level of accountability. You must stand up
for yourself and the people who stand up for you – if you do not, consider what
that looks like to them. The truth seeps through the cracks of the walls right
before they tumble, so take every opportunity to build before it’s destroyed. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">A quote from Sue Monk Kid, author of <i>The Secret Life of Bees, </i>goes like this: </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">“There's release in knowing the truth no matter how anguishing it is.
You come finally to the irreducible thing, and there's nothing left to
do but pick it up and hold it. Then, at last, you can enter the severe
mercy of acceptance.”</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<br />
</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">If
you cannot be honest enough with yourself to be honest with others, you’ll find
my pity for you somewhere between the end of this sentence and the intersection
of Truth of Consequences. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">We hold
these truths to be self-evident, but just in case they are not, let your trumpets
blow. </span></div>
laura013http://www.blogger.com/profile/16364054137466280900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579024465383228007.post-59661447969647013402012-11-23T11:01:00.000-08:002012-11-23T11:45:12.434-08:00Anderson Mambwe: Best Foot Forward <div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
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</style><span style="font-size: small;"> Inspired by the courage displayed in the characters of Kathryn Stockett's Best Selling Novel <i>The Help, </i>Anderson Mambwe channeled his own courage by openly sharing stories of his own. What began as post-its on the counter, jotted down ideas on a notepad, and "what if" conversations over breakfast, the stories as told by Anderson and transcribed by Laura Schneider have settled nicely into an impressive outline of a memoir. <i>Anderson Mambwe: Best Foot Forward </i>tells of the journey from life as he knew it to life as he'll know it
after a handful of angels in disguise extended unprecedented amazing
grace. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Facing double above the knee amputation or certain death at age 17, Anderson was shepherded into the country by OMNI: Orphan Medical Network International and Seeds of Hope Ministries in pursuit of a future he never dreamed of having. On a mission to prove disability is not inability, Anderson tells of his life in Zambia, his time in the United States, and his excitement to return home after a life-altering journey to America and 21st century medicine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Anderson wished to share this piece of his writing with all who have walked this path with him along with his deep gratitude for all of the assistance he's received and the support he's been overwhelmed by.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiua-XNfWB43n3wAemnZcbdVQkKbvdPtYAHjddMNBREDvLWLw8lpJOq77E3YGD2tnJAbl7lXFNYJz10MLSLL-VqjqRaBBST0TS7LD5CnAAw1MMJNo9sygSIp3tJoUi0C-E5gCkE82SICjNQ/s1600/andersonpicturefull.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiua-XNfWB43n3wAemnZcbdVQkKbvdPtYAHjddMNBREDvLWLw8lpJOq77E3YGD2tnJAbl7lXFNYJz10MLSLL-VqjqRaBBST0TS7LD5CnAAw1MMJNo9sygSIp3tJoUi0C-E5gCkE82SICjNQ/s320/andersonpicturefull.jpeg" width="240" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Anderson Mambwe</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Mambilima School - September 2011</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> --------------------</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Excerpt from <i>Anderson Mambwe: Best Foot Forward:</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I am so grateful to all who have helped me and to all who
have healed me on this journey. Great thanks to Dr. Remine and Mrs. Remine who
have graciously cared for me as their own son. Thanks also to my best doctor,
Dr. Chuck for his kindness and for giving me the chance at a future I never
would have had. When he told me he was going to save my legs, I couldn’t believe
it. He didn’t just save my legs, he saved my life. Thank you to Seeds of Hope
and my sponsors for everything they have done and to Lewis-Gale Medical Center
for their generosity. Thank you to Dr. Dan and Mrs. Gil for being so kind and
for all of their help. Thank you to Ms. Jane for her paintings. Thank you to my
friends, Mr. Bruce, Mrs. Stephanie, Maddy and Tee and to my sister, Laura for
helping me write my story. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRE_jSxZ5YRfpWrnNRejWTfR9uRhiMhpYe4zF8WAfGHLfFJxh39BrmLP53j0oQAdCjv7Yj9MBNdNdlYf2A66uFG6w48kUrLI8zpx9s95IZQCJGTv3rSyX0rLzSPrMkJwEvjzINN9y6WDV9/s1600/IMG_1563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRE_jSxZ5YRfpWrnNRejWTfR9uRhiMhpYe4zF8WAfGHLfFJxh39BrmLP53j0oQAdCjv7Yj9MBNdNdlYf2A66uFG6w48kUrLI8zpx9s95IZQCJGTv3rSyX0rLzSPrMkJwEvjzINN9y6WDV9/s320/IMG_1563.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I will return back to Zambia able to walk on my own two
feet, in shoes, for the very first time. I can’t begin to describe how amazing
that feels. I was scared and excited about the surgeries, but am so thankful
for the experience I had with the doctors and nurses who treated me so well. I
look forward to returning to my school and my village as someone who will be
able to participate in the community instead of living in isolation. I don’t
know what its like to be unashamed of my feet, but I’m looking forward to
finding out. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I am returning to Zambia having seen the hand of God at work
in my life. I hope to return to my country with hope for the hopeless and with
faith for those who need it. I have truly been blessed by great people in
America – I will never forget them and I hope they will never forget me. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2brulDiy4mhemf1HJ8DfNGhlSHWBZDinX9G-yCEoJK950wevh62a5dalX8vI5bwDkTdMC16ZpXQv4_vuzsHNt9W_oe93uYXiDSJhDFu95VCNsgGGHK4RLfVtSevOTvCNHylGTp1AoxmD/s1600/photo+copy+21.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2brulDiy4mhemf1HJ8DfNGhlSHWBZDinX9G-yCEoJK950wevh62a5dalX8vI5bwDkTdMC16ZpXQv4_vuzsHNt9W_oe93uYXiDSJhDFu95VCNsgGGHK4RLfVtSevOTvCNHylGTp1AoxmD/s320/photo+copy+21.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Anderson Mambwe</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Roanoke, VA - November 2012 </span></td></tr>
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laura013http://www.blogger.com/profile/16364054137466280900noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579024465383228007.post-77657970359009898962012-11-23T10:23:00.000-08:002012-11-23T10:25:01.636-08:00Angels in the Architecture<style>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">I have
always been a fan of Frank Ticheli’s <i>Angels in the Architecture. </i>Ticheli’s
notes read</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">This
‘angel’ — represented by the singer—frames the work, surrounding it with a
protective wall of light and establishing the divine. Other representations of
light — played by instruments rather than sung—include a traditional Hebrew
song of peace (“Hevenu Shalom Aleichem”) and the well-known 16th-century
Genevan Psalter, “Old Hundredth.” These three borrowed songs, despite their
varied religious origins, are meant to transcend any one religion, representing
the more universal human ideals of peace, hope, and love. An original chorale,
appearing twice in the work, represents my own personal expression of these
aspirations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">In opposition,
turbulent, fast-paced music appears as a symbol of darkness, death, and
spiritual doubt. Twice during the musical drama, these shadows sneak in almost
unnoticeably, slowly obscuring, and eventually obliterating the light
altogether. The darkness prevails for long stretches of time, but the light
always returns, inextinguishable, more powerful than before.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">I had my
iPod on shuffle as I was cleaning my house and beginning to wrap my brain
around the week ahead… While this Thanksgiving Break is perhaps the least
stress-ridden academic break of my college career, it packs no less of a punch
as I come to terms with an inevitable goodbye looming at the finish line. Just
as the floodgates behind my eyes breech maximum capacity for the countless
time, <i>Angels in the Architecture </i>begins to play. I wouldn’t necessarily
call it a religious experience, but I will confess that in that moment, the
presence of angels has never been more apparent.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Angels
in the Architecture</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">
is a fifteen-minute piece and for all of those fifteen minutes I sat and listened
as I thought about the angels in my life. I thought about who they are, where
they come from, where I’ve found them, and where they’ve found me… On any given
day I am graced with more angels than I deserve, but today I’m focusing on one:
Anderson Mambwe.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiua-XNfWB43n3wAemnZcbdVQkKbvdPtYAHjddMNBREDvLWLw8lpJOq77E3YGD2tnJAbl7lXFNYJz10MLSLL-VqjqRaBBST0TS7LD5CnAAw1MMJNo9sygSIp3tJoUi0C-E5gCkE82SICjNQ/s1600/andersonpicturefull.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiua-XNfWB43n3wAemnZcbdVQkKbvdPtYAHjddMNBREDvLWLw8lpJOq77E3YGD2tnJAbl7lXFNYJz10MLSLL-VqjqRaBBST0TS7LD5CnAAw1MMJNo9sygSIp3tJoUi0C-E5gCkE82SICjNQ/s320/andersonpicturefull.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Anderson
arrived in America March 8, 2012 by the grace of OMNI: Orphan Medical Network
International and Seeds of Hope Ministries to have a reconstructive surgery on
both feet that were severely misshapen due to a rare birth defect - an
operation that, if performed in Zambia, would have resulted in a double
above-the-knee amputation. On a life-altering journey to America and 21<sup>st</sup>
century medicine, Anderson has been a source of pure joy for those of us who
have shared in the pieces of his journey.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Anderson
possesses an infectious love of life, a contagious wonder of the world and all
things in it, and a smile that puts the lights of NYC to shame. He has taught
me more about the good side of humanity than I ever knew existed and I can’t
begin to imagine what my life would be like having never met him – just as I
can’t imagine my world without him as a part of my daily life. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRE_jSxZ5YRfpWrnNRejWTfR9uRhiMhpYe4zF8WAfGHLfFJxh39BrmLP53j0oQAdCjv7Yj9MBNdNdlYf2A66uFG6w48kUrLI8zpx9s95IZQCJGTv3rSyX0rLzSPrMkJwEvjzINN9y6WDV9/s1600/IMG_1563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRE_jSxZ5YRfpWrnNRejWTfR9uRhiMhpYe4zF8WAfGHLfFJxh39BrmLP53j0oQAdCjv7Yj9MBNdNdlYf2A66uFG6w48kUrLI8zpx9s95IZQCJGTv3rSyX0rLzSPrMkJwEvjzINN9y6WDV9/s320/IMG_1563.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">I have read
and re-read a column by Stephanie Koehler called “Waiting for Fireflies” and
I’ve found this segment to best exemplify life in the presence of this young
man. “I too, know people I would characterize as fireflies. People who go
unnoticed in the glare of sunlight – but given the right circumstances, they
give off a spectacular glow. They are not typically “flashy” people. Quite the
opposite really. They don’t really try to shine – it’s just who they are. It’s
part of their being. The source of their light is often mysterious – or at
least not obvious – but they are undeniably attractive to be around.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Anderson is
a firefly.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQodaI2sgi3zlM_zIUZpAYEZqKX4eHrgpUecxs-DkCDrsUOWvqmzOaKcr26sS2LEsfbu13clzVK5HNdEuMyDN7hFECXoE5RbNeo0odNDEnYWBVcZXB7mTdx4oYzdwMLzt38RvCnm1Fyde/s1600/68419_4493292303301_1861579079_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQodaI2sgi3zlM_zIUZpAYEZqKX4eHrgpUecxs-DkCDrsUOWvqmzOaKcr26sS2LEsfbu13clzVK5HNdEuMyDN7hFECXoE5RbNeo0odNDEnYWBVcZXB7mTdx4oYzdwMLzt38RvCnm1Fyde/s320/68419_4493292303301_1861579079_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">He’ll begin
his journey back to Zambia tomorrow morning able to walk on his own two feet in
his very own shoes for the very first time in his 18 years of living. In his
wake, Anderson leaves behind former strangers turned forever family by the bricks
and mortar he may never know he so significantly placed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">As I put
together a scrapbook that can’t help but fall short of doing justice to the
undeniable impact Anderson has had in all of our lives, I think of the moments
when these weren’t memories. While I am deeply saddened by the rapidly disintegrating
time to create more, I’m forever grateful for the opportunity we’ve had to make
them in the first place. I am constantly amazed by the mosaic life creates in passing,
and I treasure that he has been a part of mine.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_i8ewF9IXPHIWJI47c61bL7IlG3XKA_ILp7hEVbdoOgwsBv1_go_urmB2yhCUZaHFZMpiQF2Withb5vwkC7lVnh9HO0k6N9Zq6skVyyLG5BoYh6ATRr_Ivdj5zdJwHJxZf6PtNW9iyAS/s1600/We+wear+our+sunglasses+at+night.+;%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_i8ewF9IXPHIWJI47c61bL7IlG3XKA_ILp7hEVbdoOgwsBv1_go_urmB2yhCUZaHFZMpiQF2Withb5vwkC7lVnh9HO0k6N9Zq6skVyyLG5BoYh6ATRr_Ivdj5zdJwHJxZf6PtNW9iyAS/s320/We+wear+our+sunglasses+at+night.+;%29.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">This will
be a goodbye of record-breaking difficulty. There will undoubtedly always be an
Anderson-shaped hole in my heart – but perhaps it’s the perfect treasure chest
for these memories to weather the test of time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">I will
greet the shadows that will surely follow his departure with open arms knowing
that the sun must set to rise. I have all the faith in the world that as the
sun fades on his chapter in our lives, he’ll rise with it tomorrow, brighter
than ever before ready to change the world one sure-footed step at a time. His
future is locked and loaded with more potential than the average human would
know what to do with – but he’s no average human.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">We talked
one day about the 7 wonders of the world and as he flies into the sky on his
journey home, I’d like to offer an 8<sup>th</sup>. You see, the stars are a
unique bond that binds this universe. At any point, from any place on this
earth, we share the same stars – the only difference is the vantage point. So
when I miss him more than words can say, I will look to the sky and know that
we share that piece of architecture. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNjExMMaZcCVfhimCxP0Ro3NSnpL5n70nKmmPPdBUZpgrk1h5jZX00OPF0NNu6N4hgVyfp36c571riXNn6nmQ38HYWITTPGGbg6MkjIW60-Q-AGj8m708dqykJFRdfuTs0y2JgeP71SXt9/s1600/Dear+Moon,+stop+being+so+distracting...+I+can%27t+resist+the+urge+to+take+epic+pictures.+Sincerely,+Tone+down+the+awesome+-+I+need+to+sleep..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNjExMMaZcCVfhimCxP0Ro3NSnpL5n70nKmmPPdBUZpgrk1h5jZX00OPF0NNu6N4hgVyfp36c571riXNn6nmQ38HYWITTPGGbg6MkjIW60-Q-AGj8m708dqykJFRdfuTs0y2JgeP71SXt9/s320/Dear+Moon,+stop+being+so+distracting...+I+can%27t+resist+the+urge+to+take+epic+pictures.+Sincerely,+Tone+down+the+awesome+-+I+need+to+sleep..jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">To the world,
I challenge you to find the people who are the angels in your architecture.
Life has a funny way of teaching you that time is really all you have –
someday, you will wake up and realize you have less than you think. So I
challenge you not only to find them, but also to let them know they are valued
as the vital pillars they so obviously are – today, not tomorrow. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">To my brother,
Anderson Mambwe, who’s inextinguishable light transcends every shadow of the
valley of death, thank you for the hope you’ve given me, the faith you’ve
restored in me, and for the light you are in my life. I wish for you safest
travels home and the very best this life and this world has to offer. You will
always be an angel in the architecture of my life – my world is forever a
better place and I a better person for the time I’ve spent encompassed by your
unconditional love and vibrant light.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguw2c0RNzreMUl86VWpJDWy8-Is-8qa0TNvgu3T7BTNgAlpqhTTL5hM_vagJE09klu9mTFoVffoeOk2FWel_9QGdI2ZBTG3Yepi4c5y08pnhzGFj7i6cLXHOlesYUwvidtH7YqnjbLd_zR/s1600/9651_4914420506423_1219149234_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguw2c0RNzreMUl86VWpJDWy8-Is-8qa0TNvgu3T7BTNgAlpqhTTL5hM_vagJE09klu9mTFoVffoeOk2FWel_9QGdI2ZBTG3Yepi4c5y08pnhzGFj7i6cLXHOlesYUwvidtH7YqnjbLd_zR/s320/9651_4914420506423_1219149234_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption" data-gt="{"timeline_og_unit_click":"1","app_id":"124024574287414","action_type_id":"282366618453208","object_type":"instapp:photo","unit_id":"447280888645770","og_ref":"ogexp"}">Though the miles lie between us, we're never far apart, for friendship doesn't count the miles... <br />It's measured by the heart. </span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">I hope and
pray to the heavens and back that the winds of life will blow our sails in such
a direction that eventually our journeys overlap again, but until then, I will
look to the sky, I’ll pick the brightest star and I’ll watch you shine.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Walk tall,
stand strong & love fearlessly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">It doesn't matter how far you are, we're right behind you. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">241</span></div>
laura013http://www.blogger.com/profile/16364054137466280900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579024465383228007.post-20029812780932062332012-11-11T22:10:00.004-08:002012-11-12T21:34:49.582-08:00Pursuing "X"<span style="font-family: "Univers LT 45 Light"; font-size: 11.0pt;">It is no
secret to anyone who knows me that I am plausibly the world’s worst
mathematician. Long division is a lost cause, in Algebra I drew caricatures of
my Charlie Brown droning teacher, in Geometry I drew graffiti, and if I’m being
completely honest, even basic addition and subtraction has always been a bit of a challenge… but my
longstanding nemesis has always been solving for variables.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Univers LT 45 Light"; font-size: 11.0pt;">It used to
infuriate me when teachers would tell me to solve the equation for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"X". </i>How? <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You </i>tell <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">me </i>what <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"X" </i>is and <i>then</i> I’ll solve the math problem. I
have never understood why <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"X" </i>was
allowed to be the sacred placeholder for whatever value the cruel textbook
curator wished it to be – until now.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Univers LT 45 Light"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I have
given absolutely no consideration to math outside of necessity since I
completed my last required math class two summers ago, but I’ve found myself in
the position to re-visit solving for variables. When solving for variables,
there are multiple things to consider – the constants, the functions, and the
variables themselves.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Univers LT 45 Light"; font-size: 11.0pt;">This past
year has been a hell of a roller coaster. I have been up, down, and upside down
more times than I can count. I have sucked the poison out of parts of my life
only to inadvertently contaminate others. I have played with fire and gotten
burned. I have poured concrete into new foundations only to realize I was
standing in it, but somehow, despite the odds and often thanks to others, I
have managed to move forward. I have been abundantly blessed with opportunities
to actively engage in things that I believe in, work that I love, meaningful
education, and substantial personal growth. All of these factors have
contributed significantly to the metamorphosis of my bigger picture and to the
variables in my equation.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Univers LT 45 Light"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I have
known what I wanted to do with my life since I was in 8<sup>th</sup> grade.
I’ve wanted to teach music forever: it was a straight-laced math problem. Case
closed, done deal – except that it’s not. In fact, I’ve been having quite the
identity crisis about it. It’s not that I don’t want to teach music, I love it
more than I love a lot of things – but I have an ever-expanding laundry list of things worth
pursuing.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Univers LT 45 Light"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I am ready
for the next chapter in my life… I am hopelessly addicted to new beginnings and
admittedly guilty of wishing time away to pursue them. I have always been an
old soul and I’m not sure I could ever reverse that even if I wanted to. Life
has often taught me lessons the hard way, serving as jet fuel to an already ambitious
fire… I have always colored outside the lines, and any time I’ve spent “inside
the box” has been spent thinking of ways to get out. Patience has never been a
strong virtue of mine, but it’s one I’m working on channeling now more than
ever.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Univers LT 45 Light"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Two weeks
ago I was apartment hunting and interviewing for jobs for the year I was <i>planning</i>
on taking off of school – but you could say I had a bucket of ice water dumped
on my head last week and that idea froze alongside me upon contact.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Univers LT 45 Light"; font-size: 11.0pt;">You see,
I’ve been doing it wrong. I’ve been solving for variables by trying to
establish the constants when in reality, there really aren’t any. Opportunities come and go, friends come and go - lets face it, even family comes and family goes. I am the only
constant in my equation - if I cheat myself the education I know I’m capable of
and have already invested in, I’m only robbing myself… and by “taking the year
off” I’m simply operating on borrowed time.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Univers LT 45 Light"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I want that
year "off" more than I can begin to describe, but the longer I put off grad school the more
time I spend postponing the inevitable. I can't not finish what I started. I
see the value in taking the sanity time, some days I’m not sure I can make it
without it, but if I spend 365 more days committed to finishing what I started,
I have the rest of my life to solve for variables… and the best part about that
is, I get to define <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"X" </i>in my own
textbook.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Univers LT 45 Light"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I could
take the year now, never go back, and spend the next twenty years of my life
justifying the lack of credentials one more year could have gotten me – or I
could put my best foot forward, whether I want to or not, and let the variables
solve themselves. I will openly say I don’t remember ever being so unsure of
myself, but this is also the first time the bigger picture has morphed into
panorama.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Univers LT 45 Light"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I call it the "X Factor." </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Univers LT 45 Light"; font-size: 11pt;">"<i>X</i>"
is untapped potential. "<i>X</i>" is the future, and "<i>X</i>"
is mine for the taking. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Univers LT 45 Light"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I’m not a sideline sitter –
never have been, never will be. I’m a go-getter, or at least I try to be. I
don’t always make the right decisions, but I try to make smart ones. I
certainly don’t know what lies beyond the crossroad where opportunity meets
reality, so for today I'm defining "X" as possibility. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Univers LT 45 Light"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I am
absolutely aware that opportunities fall out of reach just as quickly as they
fell into your hands in the first place, and I hope by postponing a
full-fledged new beginning I haven’t imposed a premature ending - but I have to
believe that either way, the door will continue to revolve. Everything in this
life is a variable and subject to change. God knows I have no idea how to solve
this equation, so perhaps I’ll take a backseat for now and let time do what it
does best. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Univers LT 45 Light"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Contrary to
my passionate hatred of mathematics, I am a believer in the variables. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
laura013http://www.blogger.com/profile/16364054137466280900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579024465383228007.post-59873030690096568912012-09-30T15:44:00.001-07:002012-10-02T20:15:45.942-07:00Piecing Puzzling Pieces<style>
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<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
I’ve always enjoyed puzzles. The
mindlessly simple ones, to the ones that make you think, to the ones that blow
your mind – I like them all. I thoroughly enjoy the concept of taking lots of
little images and seeing how they all come together to create the big picture. Some
obviously take longer than others, but the fix I get from the “voila” moment
when clarity strikes always makes it worth it. There is only one problem with
my puzzling habit – I am a chronic user of the box. I want to know what I’m
looking for, I want to see the big picture before it’s created, and I want to
know – more than anything else – that I’m headed in the right direction.
Simple, right? Sure – if only it were actual puzzles I was referencing. </div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
Rule number one – nothing is ever as
easy as you hope it will be… especially when there are no instructions. There
are not many things about my life that I would go back and change – I mean
that. I have learned a lot from where I’ve been and I’m not sure that going back
to re-hash or re-do anything would be worth the risk of losing what I know now
that I didn’t know then. I firmly believe there is a reason your windshield is
bigger than your rearview mirror - however comma there are days where I really
wish I could look further ahead… and this is one of them. </div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
I have a lot of ambitions. I always
have, I suspect I always will. They are ever-changing as I progress in life and
again, they always have and I suspect they always will. I have wanted to be a
forensic investigator, a veterinarian, a psychologist, a massage therapist, a
writer, an artist, a head chef at a 5 star restaurant, a photographer, an
interior designer, a band director, a public relations guru – but the one thing
I’ve unwaveringly wanted to be for longer than I can remember is a Mom. </div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
It is no secret to anyone who knows me
that I have fought tooth and nail for this right for more years than I’d like
to think about. I have been a case study, a cutting board, a mystery, a lecture
topic… you name it. I have been treated extensively for endometriosis, and five
years and four surgeries later, have found myself, yet again, back at square
one. There is nothing more depressing than the moment the pain returns… the
pain that is indicative of the imminent downward spiral you’re headed for.
There is nothing to be done about it – its cyclic and it doesn’t go away…
unless you have a baby, or a hysterectomy… and those, my friends, are the two
choices I am rapidly approaching as my only options. </div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
As you can imagine, that went over about
like a led balloon. I mean, could continue to have relatively minor surgeries
that impose substantial damage to my body for minimal relief, but approaching
the fifth surgery, one has to be a realist - at what point is enough, enough?
There are a lot of risks associated with not taking conclusive steps in making
this go away, but for the same reasons I am nowhere near ready to be married, I
am not ready for a baby. Granted, odds are I won’t be able to have one anyways,
but I am 100% less than ready to give up on that permanently… It is physically
painful to watch parents of kids who so obviously don’t want to be bothered by
raising them knowing that I may never have what they never wanted. </div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
But what if there is a flipside to all
of this? If I take a giant step back and take an objective look at my life
there is one subliminal message that is blatantly obvious. The last thing
family is defined by is DNA. The times when I have had less than desirable
relationships with my biological family cultivated a deep appreciation for
people who so effortlessly became the family I was in desperate need of. I
celebrate more people each Mother’s day than the average person celebrates in a
lifetime – the most beautiful part of that statement is that half of them are
mothers, the others are not. They are each incredible women who have shone a
motherly light in my life whether they held the title or not… I am eternally
grateful for their light because it is in these moments that their illumination
permeates the darkness of probable reality with hope.</div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
What if all of these people who have
stood in front of me, beside me, and behind me through thick and thin were
lighthouses amongst a sea of people who will need someone to do the same for
them? Come to think of it, so many of the people I love and care deeply about
have fought their own battles in this arena and/or have adopted children who
would have been in the world of parents who simply couldn’t be bothered to
care. There is no black and white here. I am trying to solve the puzzle without
giving the bigger picture a chance. Don’t get me wrong - if push comes to shove
and biology fails me, there will we a deep sadness in the crater where the
bottom of my world used to be… it is inevitable - but this isn't the end of the road. It is the letting go of a
lifelong dream, but it’s not letting go of THE dream. I have witnessed love
withstand the war that family cannot… and I have seen family cultivated where
love was not. </div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
It’s painfully obvious that there is
no box to look at, no instructions, no dimensions – nothing. I don’t know how
this will end up and I don't know what I'll do because I don't know what to do. I wish I could see ahead here, but I cant. I don’t have to make any decisions today - but I can’t not think about it.
Instead I’m going to choose to think about it in a way that allows love to come
from wherever it may. Mother’s day may never be a holiday I see the other side
of, but I’m going to hope, fiercely, that I may be a light for others that so
many have been for me. I am not looking forward to what appears to be
inevitable, but I am going to try my best to take a backseat to the bigger
picture – because the only way to piece the puzzling pieces is to be at peace
with every piece. I'm not yet, but I am trying. I always feel like the beginnings of this downward spiral are
like taking a step into a dark tunnel… but I think its time for me to start
taking the advice I’ve been giving to everyone else. </div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpLast" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
“Never lose sight of the light that it
always at the end of the tunnel. Follow the light to wherever it may lead you –
let the rest of the pieces fall into place where they may.” </div>
laura013http://www.blogger.com/profile/16364054137466280900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579024465383228007.post-4647653902440831742012-09-01T15:56:00.000-07:002012-09-01T21:00:56.449-07:00101 things I learned from Route 101<style>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> The road from Tucsan, Arizona to Novato, California is long but so breathtakingly beautiful. A lot of that drive takes place on or near US Route 101, a road I found to be particularly loaded with inspiration. So, in an effort to give pause to the many things I learned along the way, here are 101 observations, lessons, experiences & thoughts that I gleaned on my journey from the East to the West. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4KVXjgKY0a1hJ0COLqO1mJdRTgAAXYyxJAIcJOlpJhg0cD5TMVmebRHees2vJhCIOqGxVaGb-vp9RxTfvyp7-Ul7JWy1HuswUsOA0ySYn-KtbcLsU2Ke4nby6r70zp5FirjwiU9reP6d/s1600/IMG_5371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4KVXjgKY0a1hJ0COLqO1mJdRTgAAXYyxJAIcJOlpJhg0cD5TMVmebRHees2vJhCIOqGxVaGb-vp9RxTfvyp7-Ul7JWy1HuswUsOA0ySYn-KtbcLsU2Ke4nby6r70zp5FirjwiU9reP6d/s320/IMG_5371.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">1)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>Desert
Storms are simply indescribable. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">2)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>Juxtaposition
is the 8<sup>th</sup> wonder of the world. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">3)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>Even
if you only bloom for a day, it’s worth waiting for your whole life. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">4)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>Beauty
is everywhere. Find it in everything and everyone – including yourself.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">5)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>The
desert is a place of survival – any human could stand to learn a thing or two
from the things that survive. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">6)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>Find
a passion and pursue it wholeheartedly – inspired by a 12 year old tiny dancer. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2eVe-wdvvIjy20MQgNyG8i95GJmvuAcp1mGcL6fXDe4ym6rAYwNpTWILdAI04105gphu2mIOm7g1EuibjJ_KL9Ulni132-_qPoBGlpIHF6jAxL2tmqG_LjwEBoxayyANkN5W7dkx-ZSH/s1600/181156_3968847352505_1623186914_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2eVe-wdvvIjy20MQgNyG8i95GJmvuAcp1mGcL6fXDe4ym6rAYwNpTWILdAI04105gphu2mIOm7g1EuibjJ_KL9Ulni132-_qPoBGlpIHF6jAxL2tmqG_LjwEBoxayyANkN5W7dkx-ZSH/s320/181156_3968847352505_1623186914_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Stephanie Koehler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">7)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>Good
people forgive accidents, really good people forgive accidentally dumping Dr.
Pepper all over their entire house. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">8)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>Each
of us has something to offer one another.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">9)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>Read
the newspaper, but question everything you read. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">10)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Drink coffee, for
the love of God, drink coffee – and drink coffee with others.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">11)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Initiate inquisitive
small talk over coffee – you may find it to be more awakening than the caffeine
it’s loaded with. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">12)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Breathe deeply in
the presence of good air. You need more oxygen than you think. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">13)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Be flexible. </span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">14)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Appreciate your
body. Treat it well. Push your limits, but accept your limitations. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">15)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>“Wear Sunscreen”: <a href="http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ipcdXTx7DJE">http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ipcdXTx7DJE</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">16)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Eat at In and Out
burger at least once in your life… more if possible. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">17)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Seek out Whole Foods
and eat better than you usually do when you’re able. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">18)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Screw the box of
chocolates: Life is like a bag of onions, so are people. You can’t see what’s
inside unless you peel away the layers. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">19)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Don’t be afraid of
peeling said layers, especially your own. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">20)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Wear your seatbelt.
Life is a bumpy ride with lots of blind turns.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">21)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Sometimes good
people let you down, but sometimes, good people are actually great people. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">22)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Appreciate the times
in your life when you find yourself in really good company. “The world will give you
that once in awhile, a brief timeout; the boxing bell rings and you go to your
corner, where somebody dabs mercy on your beat-up life.” –The Secret Life of
Bees</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YMZTcr33x9z0MIWTR-ys4ofsFXNmYXKcZv83Bq6CDDAjuWBA6aBsHWRGN8VmYw8OyEFhhkKL0uyyt42gJfIKLwc6OZVFxctDq6_t3bN4pbqtbmAR2rFzlLmcI2LiFrwFAxEnNG7JLUYp/s1600/IMG_6398+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YMZTcr33x9z0MIWTR-ys4ofsFXNmYXKcZv83Bq6CDDAjuWBA6aBsHWRGN8VmYw8OyEFhhkKL0uyyt42gJfIKLwc6OZVFxctDq6_t3bN4pbqtbmAR2rFzlLmcI2LiFrwFAxEnNG7JLUYp/s320/IMG_6398+-+Version+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">23)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Buy a map – figure
out how to use it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">24)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Play in the sand,
even if you aren’t dressed appropriately. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">25)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Take time to smell
the flowers – especially lavender. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">26)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Shoot out of the
sunroof – you really do miss 100% of the shots you never take.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">27)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Always, always,
always say thank you. Showing gratitude is so important. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">28)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Cursive is a lost
art form, embrace it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">29)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Observe</span> with your
ears. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">30)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Learn with your
eyes. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">31)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Listen with your
heart. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">32)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Work with your hands
– help with them too. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">33)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Love with your soul.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">34)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Live fearlessly – no
regrets. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">35)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Respect large bodies
of water. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgseIy1ErvrdJt5e5REel16LBxQgV99lAfqgydhNmH29Ugqf8X8DdYKUhyphenhyphenb0RKA3L_RpxwV9_eO29dzbtG8uamIq2sLVMLmjTygFC-Txw3FTNUfhoxhXNqEfHJxOPD1699yDVeOPu15fdg0/s1600/IMG_6324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgseIy1ErvrdJt5e5REel16LBxQgV99lAfqgydhNmH29Ugqf8X8DdYKUhyphenhyphenb0RKA3L_RpxwV9_eO29dzbtG8uamIq2sLVMLmjTygFC-Txw3FTNUfhoxhXNqEfHJxOPD1699yDVeOPu15fdg0/s320/IMG_6324.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">36)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Cross bridges, but
always look both ways…</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">37)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Stop for
pedestrians, they’re going somewhere too.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">38)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Pull up your pants,
you don’t want to be put on someone’s team. ;)</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">39)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Do one thing every
day that scares you. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">40)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Greet new places
with enthusiasm and release any expectations upon arrival. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">41)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Turn off your screens
at least once a day – while you’re sleeping doesn’t count. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">42)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Be where you are
when you’re there. Be present. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbjPxV-JQmEN1fcU8WJ-2Oj4jfDAGmomQz9hDm9IjI6dCE8cfeXgD0YusuXZpAnWkjHQibf39lRfkR-tzAPBi93wBZ_QYv5ISwukeCz7IEEuE4vRjetxLCO8YHx9jZCEKoFDmsmszMOXA/s1600/Yogo+Toes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbjPxV-JQmEN1fcU8WJ-2Oj4jfDAGmomQz9hDm9IjI6dCE8cfeXgD0YusuXZpAnWkjHQibf39lRfkR-tzAPBi93wBZ_QYv5ISwukeCz7IEEuE4vRjetxLCO8YHx9jZCEKoFDmsmszMOXA/s320/Yogo+Toes.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">43)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Thou shall not
lament for where you are not. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">44)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Sometimes you have
to disengage to engage – let it go & let it be. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">45)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Tides come and go – let
them wash away what they came for. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">46)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Don’t apologize for
re-charging your batteries. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">47)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>In order to be good
to others you must first be good to yourself. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">48)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Listen to new music
and embrace it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">49)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>At new restaurants,
find something on the menu that looks vaguely familiar then take a risk. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">50)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Give pause to
tragedy other than your own. It breaks and binds us all. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgvk72RyHKKm7FY-YH4ctj-3lNvvPBIpG0hiUclJbSjjk6M6pqnXsj6jzyfVOx-Ulmu-CTN9cC1lheJAY-k_H7UUZMmizoWGiwXDHJ33Kz18W4jt1xK1oboAS4eSekPRSd7Qwrw2rUTFku/s1600/It's+important+to+take+time+to+acknowledge+tragedy+outside+of+your+own.+It+breaks+and+binds+us+all..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgvk72RyHKKm7FY-YH4ctj-3lNvvPBIpG0hiUclJbSjjk6M6pqnXsj6jzyfVOx-Ulmu-CTN9cC1lheJAY-k_H7UUZMmizoWGiwXDHJ33Kz18W4jt1xK1oboAS4eSekPRSd7Qwrw2rUTFku/s320/It's+important+to+take+time+to+acknowledge+tragedy+outside+of+your+own.+It+breaks+and+binds+us+all..jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">51)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Tell stories, but
more importantly, listen to them. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">52)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Preserve the
relationships you have with good people – they will be your pillars. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">53)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Take a lesson from
the Redwoods. They grow in a circle. Stick together.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">54)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Don’t criticize
others, empathize. You have no idea what you would have done in their shoes, so
don’t be a fool by trying to fool yourself. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">55)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Be kind to animals. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-s4gcH5nJXYEVEXM3ocuDzqdfKHCCjpIpxaZ2WgUtws78tgWPPIUk9wrgL007sYKa7u3xe9ex6N8hxR6DoGuEKkYk9ZRNFQGz0rskDHAUQ8gtkopYYN-UuiPwj3xJoOuKeeWbMrcrpwm/s1600/Perfect+Puppyyyy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-s4gcH5nJXYEVEXM3ocuDzqdfKHCCjpIpxaZ2WgUtws78tgWPPIUk9wrgL007sYKa7u3xe9ex6N8hxR6DoGuEKkYk9ZRNFQGz0rskDHAUQ8gtkopYYN-UuiPwj3xJoOuKeeWbMrcrpwm/s320/Perfect+Puppyyyy.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">56)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Focus on the things
that matter, forget the things that don’t. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">57)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Always be prepared.
You never know who you’re going to run into… </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">58)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>If you have the
ability to make someone else’s life easier, do it. Why wouldn’t you?</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">59)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Support local
businesses. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">60)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Appreciate genuinely
good food. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">61)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Eat food where it
comes from whenever you can. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvv2vQOT6-Rj6wS7eMB23tzK6vWpzasUACsrXkgUi7-h2P6w2718pvUMogLS1MBb16_8I0w4eC8TDCaccp8oLepLvB0mlnrm78TxpgFLIwt3SW28VKBT_4JTKIz1WSZa5Fr9KdO0GwrBB/s1600/IMG_5391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvv2vQOT6-Rj6wS7eMB23tzK6vWpzasUACsrXkgUi7-h2P6w2718pvUMogLS1MBb16_8I0w4eC8TDCaccp8oLepLvB0mlnrm78TxpgFLIwt3SW28VKBT_4JTKIz1WSZa5Fr9KdO0GwrBB/s320/IMG_5391.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">62)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Take pictures. Lots
of them. You can’t get the moment back, but you can look back fondly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">63)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Read the signs. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">64)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Break stereotypes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">65)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Always carry cash. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">66)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Work hard, play
hard, party harder.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">67)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Hand-write letters.
It’s becoming such a rarity. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">68)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>You get what you pay
for. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">69)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Take red eyes home –
they’re worth the time. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">70)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Carpe Diem – all
day, every day. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">71)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Learn from previous
generations every chance you get. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">72)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>You don’t need as
much of anything as you think you do. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">73)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Center yourself.
Finding a balance is more important than you think. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">74)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Everyone needs
something to believe in. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">75)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Look for inspiration
in unexpected places. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAtf5W037kbH7kAaLRXZYAzxlk9kEYDE5Vb8p7v0J-omY3RUm9Sq8n9qEG_ozDpm5BO2J_FGXpDWl2XY-aGih2jDM1bwzg6fGGb-i0B_QqrOLp4z18TdTvKdeTrjY72QVsquACEPIl9t1K/s1600/542399_4134967905415_272344215_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAtf5W037kbH7kAaLRXZYAzxlk9kEYDE5Vb8p7v0J-omY3RUm9Sq8n9qEG_ozDpm5BO2J_FGXpDWl2XY-aGih2jDM1bwzg6fGGb-i0B_QqrOLp4z18TdTvKdeTrjY72QVsquACEPIl9t1K/s320/542399_4134967905415_272344215_n.jpg" width="238" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">76)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Always travel with
your pillow. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">77)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>When you feel like
your head is in the clouds walk barefoot – its always good to know whether or
not you’re feet are on the ground. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">78)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Good news is best
received when totally unexpected. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">79)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Home is wherever you
find it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">80)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Drink water…
seriously. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">81)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Secret Beauty Tip: Blow-dry
your eyelash curler – it’s better than any mascara. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">82)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Time is precious.
Respect everyone’s – including your own. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">83)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Chai tea is the
secret nectar of Gods. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">84)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Famous people are
people too. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">85)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Over appreciate the
people in your life who are constantly underappreciated. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">86)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>The healing process
is exactly what it sounds like – a process. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">87)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Nothing about life
is black and white – see it in color.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">88)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Some music needs
air, roll down the windows. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">89)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>No matter what the
occasion, the view is always better from the high road. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUe-qgXWCM20ELRkng5WyZ6Ki0MJaSnj44D1cAVH75kPkHKBiZ2BTgfIDz98RRWbLX2lNo68RNeL_Sqx4Ee1wh1sBXS_Z2-e9kCwY7GgJockxlmussJ1Ii-xKGusyLz-iyMQerrFGhbR2a/s1600/A+Perspective+on+Zen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUe-qgXWCM20ELRkng5WyZ6Ki0MJaSnj44D1cAVH75kPkHKBiZ2BTgfIDz98RRWbLX2lNo68RNeL_Sqx4Ee1wh1sBXS_Z2-e9kCwY7GgJockxlmussJ1Ii-xKGusyLz-iyMQerrFGhbR2a/s320/A+Perspective+on+Zen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">90)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Yoga by the ocean is
an unparalleled peace. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">91)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>There is nothing wrong
with being a wanderer, just be aware of the general direction in which you are
headed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">92)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Sometimes, you just
have to look at things… and when you do, look closely. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">93)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Stop, turn around,
and look at just how far you’ve come.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">94)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Carry what you
believe in with you wherever you go. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">95)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Always stop at flea
markets… its an opportunity to dig for buried treasure. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">96)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Let your hair down –
its okay to stop caring what you look like. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGkVWv0RKjAYmTHmCxH2gH_jSrZPUtqbYobNGFfKreixl6y3p2G7StOjHkbK6iajRXwoTJNtPu6UBvmnXYtWwnGfmSttKesJ5S7V_qxH_9DqB_YJio2KcZISEFwf6Y0WVlEZ5oLOLMsLD/s1600/IMG_5507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGkVWv0RKjAYmTHmCxH2gH_jSrZPUtqbYobNGFfKreixl6y3p2G7StOjHkbK6iajRXwoTJNtPu6UBvmnXYtWwnGfmSttKesJ5S7V_qxH_9DqB_YJio2KcZISEFwf6Y0WVlEZ5oLOLMsLD/s320/IMG_5507.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">97)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Go the scenic route
at least once – it’s not always about crossing the finish line first. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">98)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Have faith in
something. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">99)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>There is never a
testimony without a test – don’t lose sight of the light that is always at the
end of the tunnel.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">100) When bad rains down on good people, be
an arc, not an anchor… the last thing anyone needs is someone else bringing
them down. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">101) Wander along the path less traveled by,
it really does make all the difference. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2DSG8vX6x5VphvVjhFL5d8zfpypCuaieaTKKHWgvm8a2oArvBkQ0h3XnFwCB8HmnEczBq3AERtliyIReORV4Qi3lSwvkUB40NMJXwIIXVI9L8i6ce9qgMJUrtHCTNqNj_P0mDUaiyVNC/s1600/Literally+one+of+the+greatest+birthday+presents+of+all+times:+%22So+you+don%27t+lose+your+way.%22+Thanks+Stephanie+Anne+Koehler.+:%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2DSG8vX6x5VphvVjhFL5d8zfpypCuaieaTKKHWgvm8a2oArvBkQ0h3XnFwCB8HmnEczBq3AERtliyIReORV4Qi3lSwvkUB40NMJXwIIXVI9L8i6ce9qgMJUrtHCTNqNj_P0mDUaiyVNC/s320/Literally+one+of+the+greatest+birthday+presents+of+all+times:+%22So+you+don%27t+lose+your+way.%22+Thanks+Stephanie+Anne+Koehler.+:%29.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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laura013http://www.blogger.com/profile/16364054137466280900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579024465383228007.post-67211012165674232432012-09-01T12:30:00.000-07:002012-09-01T12:30:27.217-07:00A Keen Observation of the Obvious<span></span><br />
The desert is a funny place. It is hotter than hell but quite
the unexpected heavenly haven of beauty and wonder. Within only a couple
of hours of being in Arizona I experienced the awe-inspiring phenomenon
that is a desert storm. You know - the kind that comes out of nowhere,
rages relentlessly, and somehow, through a strange turn of events,
leaves everything renewed and restored – not unlike life.<br />
<br />
<span class=""><img alt="" class="photo_img img" height="266" src="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/s720x720/228506_4420789645960_67799087_n.jpg" width="400" /></span><br />
<br />
I’m
a wanderer at heart and I do my best to seize each and every
opportunity I have to immerse myself in the newness of wherever life
takes me – this was no exception. I am an observer who’s always looking
for more. I suppose going to the heart of the desert was more appealing
to me than it would be to some people, but I saw it as an opportunity
for a journey of sorts and was thrilled to be there.<br />
<br />
You
could say I’m in Arizona with my boss ‘on business’ but I say I’m in
Arizona getting a complimentary crash course in life from one of the
smartest people I know. You learn a lot about people when you travel
with them. You hear their stories, you share your own, and you throw
some ink on the pages of new ones along the way. I am grateful for the
opportunity to have spent time doing just that over the course of the
past several days. She's a writer and I’m a wannabe so I’ve invested a
lot of time into reading what she’s written – time that has been,
without question, nothing short of well spent. Though I have many
‘favorite’ columns of hers and honestly believe they could all be bound
into an overnight bestseller, “Disappointment and Magic” is today’s
homerun.<br />
<br />
The column begins like this: “I seem to spend a
lot of time being disappointed. Disappointed in myself and the people
around me. Disappointed in the ways of the world and the attitudes
therein. Disappointed in what I have accomplished and what I have not.
And so on…” And so on indeed. I am the poster child for irrational
disappointment. I tend to hold people to high standards, but I hold
myself to higher. Disappointment – be it in myself, in others, or to
others – exists as an unforgivably crippling word in my vocabulary.<br />
<br />
At
first glance, everything in the desert looks the same, but also not
unlike life, first glances are deceiving. I experienced a desert mirage
for the first time the other day, and had to give pause to the wonder
that couldn’t help but seep from the experience.<br />
<br />
<span class=""><img alt="" class="photo_img img" height="266" src="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/s720x720/293286_4420810806489_617413638_n.jpg" width="400" /></span><br />
<br />
There
has been something missing in my life. I’ve experienced, been a product
of, or instigated some relatively major changes in the past year both
intentionally and unexpectedly in search of that ever-present missing
link. I have searched and searched and without fail always wound up
empty handed and disappointed. I've looked and I've looked and I must
have looked right at it, through it, up and over it, but guess what?<br />
<br />
I found <em>it</em> in the desert: Freedom.<br />
<br />
<span class=""><img alt="" class="photo_img img" height="266" src="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/s720x720/405564_4420803166298_1597821769_n.jpg" width="400" /></span><br />
<br />
I
have been a wide variety of willingly, circumstantially, hopelessly,
hopefully, consciously and unconsciously tied down for as long as I can
remember. I am a planner. I always have a plan. Even if the plan is to
make a plan. I am a chronic list maker. If I don’t write a to-do list in
the morning, you can forget about it. I am admittedly a self-imposed
box dweller – never ever have I ever allowed myself the freedom to
really think outside the imaginary box I’ve placed myself in – until
now.<br />
<br />
In the middle of the desert, though my feet may get
burned, I am fearlessly taking a step outside the box. I am coloring
outside the lines, I am embracing the freedom of possibility, and for
once in my life, I’m being selfish. There, I said it – and I’ll say this
too – I’m not sorry. There are too many things I haven’t done yet, too
many places to go, people to meet, lessons to learn, pages to turn…
Freedom is free, and I’m cashing it in - because I can, and because I
need to. There is a sweet sense of liberation that comes from allowing
yourself to just let things be – Paul McCartney was really onto
something there.<br />
<br />
<span class=""><img alt="" class="photo_img img" height="266" src="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/552144_4420795006094_1391639179_n.jpg" width="400" /></span><br />
<br />
I
looked at this cactus my last morning in Arizona and spent a moment
acknowledging and appreciating just how much we are the same. The desert
is a place of survival, and at the end of the day, I’m a survivalist. I
have no problem gritting my teeth and pushing through droughts,
although I do occasionally find myself wishing it was merely water I
thirst for. I will continuously wait patiently, weather the storm, find
restoration in the downpour, and sustain myself until the next storm
blows through without complaint or need. The odds are not often in my
favor, so self-preservation is second nature. There are a lot of things
about me that act as armor. I am well aware I’ve spurred people along
the way - for <em>that</em> I <em>am </em>deeply sorry. But, on the days
that I’m able, I really do try to branch out and give a little bit of
whatever it is I have to offer this world and the people in it.<br />
<br />
Her
column closes brilliantly with this: “Sometimes flowers grow in the
cracks of the sidewalk and a grain of sand becomes a pearl. Sometimes
people really do “walk the talk” and care about the “greater good”.
Sometimes people survive the un-survivable and conquer the
un-conquerable. Sometimes the painting turns out to be a Picasso and the
rock is really a diamond. Sometimes the underdog wins. As it is with
many things – disappointment comes down to attitude. So every day I try
to remember: hope for the best, be prepared for the worst and look for
the magic.” – Stephanie Anne Koehler<br />
<br />
I always look for
inspiration in unexpected places, but this time, inspiration
unexpectedly found me. To me the magic is in the mirage. What if what
I’ve been looking for isn’t something that can be obtained? What if I
spend my whole life so focused on the destination that I disregard the
journey? Therein lies displaced disappointment. Real disappointment
happens – its unavoidable - but I don’t have the time, energy, or desire
to waste being <em>unjustly </em>disappointed. Instead, I will be a
believer in the flower, the grain of sand, the rock, and the underdog -
and perhaps most importantly - I will give myself the freedom to look
for the magic in what's in front of me instead of being disappointed in
what's not.<br />
<br />
<span class=""><img alt="" class="photo_img img" height="171" src="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/s720x720/418714_4423265507855_400822421_n.jpg" width="400" /></span><br />
laura013http://www.blogger.com/profile/16364054137466280900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579024465383228007.post-89382986096816326392012-07-11T23:50:00.001-07:002012-07-12T00:26:27.004-07:00Are you an Ark or an Anchor?<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">When it rains it really does pour, and sometimes a lot of
bad things happen to really good people - but no cliché can accurately describe
what it’s like be in the eye of the storm while its raging. I’ve recently
watched several friends endure storm after storm after earthquake after tornado
after, well, you name it – it’s probably happened. Even as a mere onlooker I’m
being blown away by the whiplash of impact after sudden impact and yet the
grace with which these blows are being taken in stride is both dumbfounding and
awe inspiring at the same time. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I have a lot of friends under black clouds right now – loss,
uncertainty, injury, betrayal, sickness, and disappointment are plaguing way
too many of the people I care about. Practically, logistically, and morally it
has been easy to the point of being involuntary to push back against the
wrecking balls that have been swinging violently in my par view. In doing so,
I’ve gotten a lot of the “I’m sorry to ask you this, but…” or “I know you’re
busy but…” or “I’m so sorry – I know this puts so much on you…” or “Thank you so
much, you’re a life saver” or “You’re a saint”. No I’m really not… in fact, no to all
of the above. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate that my friends are appreciative
– but it actually strikes me as alarming - since when are such basic acts of human compassion perceived as acts of valor? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> As a
society, have we fundamentally become so far removed from the “do unto others”
mentality that it’s now considered an incredible act of kindness to actually come
through for people? That’s incredulous. </span><span style="font-size: small;">I really did seriously contemplate the opening of this can of worms, but decided after investing over twenty years into the art of saying exactly what I think, its not worth employing the filter now. </span><span style="font-size: small;">I have always been of the 'pay it
forward' school of thought – you do all the good you can, in all the ways you
can, for all the people you can, for as long as you can. Period.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> Why wouldn’t you? Because its not convenient,
because there’s nothing in it for you, or because you're just too busy? Shame on
you… </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I have both weathered and witnessed many a rainy season in
my almost twenty-two years of living, and for every monsoon, I can think of two
kinds of people: the ones who built the arks, and the ones who dropped the
anchors. The ark builders are the ones who see the red sky in the morning, have
an ark built by high noon, and are dragging you onto it come hell <i>and </i>high water. The anchor droppers are
the ones who see the same sky, run for the hills, and drop their anchor –
pleading themselves as a source of stability from a distance, but never gaining
enough mobility to come through for you: AKA the textbook fair weather friend.
I’ll tell you a little secret – 90% of my ark builders have no idea that their
support was an ark in a flood of biblical proportions – but you can bet your
bottom dollar I’d do the exact same for them on any given day without giving a
moments pause to consider the storm I’ve just decided to weather. Maybe that
makes me crazy and irrational, but I’ll take that over the shallow apathetic
alternative. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">It all comes back to how your treat people. I have seen
marriages fail, friendships destroyed, love lost, and reconciliation denied all
because self-absorption and complacency takes precedent over basic human
compassion. You take care of the people who take care of you… Perhaps that is
the point at which grace abounds. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">So when the monsoon comes, which are you – the ark or the
anchor? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.spc.noaa.gov/misc/AbtDerechos/images/HampshireIL2008July10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="http://www.spc.noaa.gov/misc/AbtDerechos/images/HampshireIL2008July10.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">To all of my ark builders, thank you… and to my anchor
droppers, thank you too – you’ve taught me twice the lesson. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Love fearlessly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">241 </span></div>laura013http://www.blogger.com/profile/16364054137466280900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579024465383228007.post-680385610824331022012-07-04T17:46:00.000-07:002012-07-04T21:18:08.799-07:00Apocalyptic Revelations<h3 class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.converstations.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/MLK_FaithQuote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></h3>
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<span style="font-size: small;">So,
just in case you haven’t been in tune to the greater portion of the east coast
– we have endured an apocalypse of sorts. A Derecho storm ripped and roared
through here on Friday night, rivaling the tornado producing storms I used to
only encounter living in Oklahoma, and leaving comparable damage in its wake.
So much so that walking out the front door of my house the next morning – one
of the only few with power in the entire Commonwealth – was like a bad
combination of “Twister” and “After the Storm.” News stations reported the
storm as “the most damaging storm in Virginia history.” You don’t say…</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://gowally.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/ohio_valley_to_east_coast_Derecho.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://gowally.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/ohio_valley_to_east_coast_Derecho.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/120630_capitol-trees.grid-6x2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/120630_capitol-trees.grid-6x2.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The day
after was a day like any other – the sun came up, people had to go to work,
cars were on the road, and a weekend full of weddings was upon us. My friend
was one of the lucky ones getting married the day after the apocalypse. Little
did any of us know, there was no power at the venue. That little detail seemed
to escape the list of important things to tell the bride. Oops. Moving on –
through an act of God himself and a hard working staff, the venue was
beautified by the time we arrived, and despite no running water or electricity
of any kind, we were off to a good start. Heading down the road to get the
bride ready and what do we see? None other than a car EXPLODING into the air on
the side of the road. No lie. Dodged that bullet. I forgot to mention the
record-breaking heat wave we were encountering simultaneously with the storm. I am beginning to think the Mayans are onto something - it was literally so hot I saw the devil seeking shade. But, let me tell you
what - for no power, no prior natural disaster back up plan, and with
absolutely no warning - that wedding was absolutely breathtaking. I mean, would
you look at that picture? Just look at it. No one would know it was no less
than 100 degrees outside. I wish this beautiful couple all of the endless happiness they deserve - Mother Nature ain't got a thing on their wedding day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo03dhAduhacKn_MuBUrMZbF2VwCPEj06dyFfQuYr_kTu5ET0Hq6qeWnu0rJKC2kDrWFY7MBZEw1H4Mhs2lsuGTIIy3m0GczRFRUquKdhIMtCTMtZbdtRHec0jTdZkVbnkH5o82CJEoNVa/s1600/IMG_1814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo03dhAduhacKn_MuBUrMZbF2VwCPEj06dyFfQuYr_kTu5ET0Hq6qeWnu0rJKC2kDrWFY7MBZEw1H4Mhs2lsuGTIIy3m0GczRFRUquKdhIMtCTMtZbdtRHec0jTdZkVbnkH5o82CJEoNVa/s400/IMG_1814.jpg" width="288" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">So,
while the world was busy surviving the apocalypse, I was encountering one of my
own. The kind that build up inside when you let something fester, or when
you’re about to make a potentially life altering decision. My dilemma was the
latter. You see, I took this job working as a Public Relations associate at
SAKinterMedia in April. I knew I would like it, but I have actually found
myself hopelessly in love with this type of work. Let me preface the eye of the
storm by saying I am about to be a senior Music Education major who has devoted
the last 3.5 years of my life pursuing an education that prepares me for what
has now been an 8 year burning desire to teach music… And guess what I don’t
see myself doing anymore – teaching music. Therein lies the problem. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">This
personal apocalypse lies in the current war within myself to pursue a Masters in
Education. I have sold my soul to grad school this summer to get ahead on my
degree so that I am free to travel next summer. In doing so, I’ve sort of hit the
career decision accelerator. I have to be pretty committed to being a teacher
to purse a Masters in Education – the problem is, I’m not. Don’t get me wrong –
I LOVE teaching music, always have, always will – but I think I falsified an
illusion that teaching full time would be comparable to what I do in the summer
when I teach leadership camps and band camps. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
intensive week-long camps where you get the kids at square one and by the time
they go home they’re leaving with a sense of accomplishment, empowerment, and
enthusiasm is where it’s at for me. I have always had a passion for those kinds
of intense bursts of instilling positivity and cultivating change. I am a
chronic people pleaser: I motivate others, I am constantly seeking new sources
of inspiration, I strive to enable the dreams of others, and I experience
success of my friends, family, and co-workers as equal to my own, if not
greater. I am a people person – period. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I think
my biggest fear in life is a 9-5 cubicle job. I am simply not cut out for it. I
have nothing against those kinds of jobs, but personally, I’d be miserable. I
am a creative person by nature; I am a seeker of solutions and a defiant of the
impossible. I take it personally when people tell me something cannot be done.
I need to be in an environment where I can apply creativity, work with people,
and contribute positively to the world around me. I believe I have convinced
myself that teaching music was the only way to ensure I could really do that –
until now. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">When I
started this job in Public Relations I was handed a book called Idea-Links: The
New Creativity by Jim Link. I read it, and it rocked my world. That book
single-handedly instigated a complete metamorphosis of the way in which I
experience life. The author talks about how every experience is a lesson, each
relationship is a network, and that the secret behind every success is an
Idea-Link. For clarification here is his definition: Idea-Link: (noun) a
succinct insight or realization about why or how something works or succeeds
that is stored into memory. He breaks creativity out of the confines of
stereotypes and shows you, through experience and practical application, that
successful creativity is achievable in any capacity. I salute you, Jim Link, that
was news to me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Post reading
the book I have consciously and perpetually logged all of my experiences since
starting this job and have been absolutely stunned by the inter-connectivity of
all of the things I love to do. Everything can work together: writing, music,
photography, graphic design, networking, interacting with countless incredible
people – it ALL links together. Music will always be a huge part of my life –
it just might not BE my life in the way I have anticipated… and as foreign as
that is to admit, I’m okay with it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I am
beyond over school, but I am committed to setting myself up with my best foot
forward. Finishing a Masters in Education is not wasted time even though it
feels like it – in fact I bet you I’ll have my own book of Idea-Links by the
time I’m done. Every experience is connected, and I might have found my calling
too little too late in the degree seeking world, but better late than never.
It’s a good place to be when you have to pick between things that you love –
I’m simply trading an old dream for a new one. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">As for
the revelations part of this - I said at the beginning of the year that I was setting
out on a truth-seeking journey, externally and internally, called the Physics
of the Quest – and I have. If you are truly willing to regard everything that
happens to you on that journey as a clue and if you accept everyone you meet
along the way as a teacher and if you are prepared, most of all, to face and
forgive some very difficult realities about yourself, then the truth will not
be withheld from you – and it has not.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">This
“truth” is perhaps a revelation of apocalyptic proportions in the small
picture, but I can’t help but feel a sense of liberation because the big
picture has such unprecedented potential. I have the best job in the universe
with the most incredible people I could ever imagine working with and simply
could not have asked for a better introduction into a field I think it’s now
safe to call a new career path. This is not a door closed – it is a door opened,
and I am beyond thrilled by the endless opportunities at every turn. The only
things worth regretting in life are the chances you didn’t take – this isn’t
going to be one that falls through the cracks. I fully believe in seizing
opportunities when they present themselves – I have found a passion that I
never saw coming and I intend to dive into pursuing it headfirst. If you always
do what you’ve always done, you will always get what you’ve always gotten. On
this Independence Day I am exercising the freedom I have to change my mind. Carpe
Diem.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Live fearlessly.
</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">241</span></div>
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</div>laura013http://www.blogger.com/profile/16364054137466280900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579024465383228007.post-5120885698089389852012-05-21T22:21:00.000-07:002012-06-17T16:53:46.814-07:00It's About Never Giving Up<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
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<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="background-color: magenta;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple;">"Sometimes you gotta lose to win, you gotta never give up, and never give in." -Emmanuel Jal</span></span></span></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;">There are always moments in life that
will bring you to your knees. You know, the “come to Jesus”-“rock bottom”-“hell
froze over” kinds of moments that end up defining you whether you like it or
not. But what isn’t always the case, is having someone who will reach into the
snake pit you’ve found yourself in to pull you up. To be brave enough to extend
a hand into that kind of circumstance takes a special breed of courage and determination, with a side of fearless stupidity. While I’ve been lucky enough to have a
monopoly on people who are willing to do such things, I’m going to focus, mostly, on just
one. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;">An excerpt from a poem I wrote serves
as an appropriate preface: </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The cuts will heal and fade with time,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">But there will always be the scars,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">To remind me of what happened </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">To the life that once was ours. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Looking in the mirror seven years from
then,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">At the fighter I’ve become,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">I wonder how I ever even fought the war</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">I never should have won.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Once upon seven years ago,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">A stranger passed me by,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Once upon seven years ago,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">That stranger saved my life. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Indeed he did. That stranger, turned
saving grace, taught me one of the best lessons I’ve ever had the privilege of
learning: the importance of never giving up. Perhaps, even more meaningful than
that was the underlying importance of being willing to reach out to others in
that capacity – like he did for me. In other words – to pay it forward. I was
on the fast track to nowhere 7 years ago, but in one conversation, everything
changed. In one conversation, I learned about the value of empathy, the spark
that ignites authentic compassion, and the importance of giving back instead of
giving up. I am fortunate to have received that gift when I did... what could have been a negatively life altering defining moment was pushed, molded, framed, and conjured into something positive and sustaining. Because of
that, and also in part because I cant actually express to him my deepest gratitude
in person, I have committed myself to never giving up on myself or anyone else. </span></i><br />
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<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosO8SxQ3jIvUleH0whXEbk9Nk4v3kMmg5qkpuU6D6Sxa07hb7xE-7dAVKPr9WBXQ_Nw0RsEYWvFqcNGlIOTpZGhhyphenhyphenxycdo_neWOboKASqF-pGXfu4P5ryHhly3sQ6IX7EQ7ApuulIMdGS/s1600/Never+Give+Up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosO8SxQ3jIvUleH0whXEbk9Nk4v3kMmg5qkpuU6D6Sxa07hb7xE-7dAVKPr9WBXQ_Nw0RsEYWvFqcNGlIOTpZGhhyphenhyphenxycdo_neWOboKASqF-pGXfu4P5ryHhly3sQ6IX7EQ7ApuulIMdGS/s320/Never+Give+Up.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;">It is true that giving up is the
easiest thing in the world to do, but I have found myself surrounded by people
who understand what it takes to hold it together - and do so - when everyone else would get it if they fell apart.. now, that’s true strength. Today, on the seventh year anniversary of
when this world lost a great man and I lost a hero, I remember with heartfelt gratitude that the
journey does not end there. Legacies don’t die with the dead unless you let
them… in the same respect, they don’t stay alive unless you perpetuate them. I
am so lucky to have found myself at a place in my life where I can look back
on the past and be so grateful, even for what I've lost, while at the same time looking forward with pride,
purpose, and passion for perpetuating the legacies I am fortunate enough to
know. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;">To Dennis Gryder, who made me promise
never to give up - seven years later, I’m still fighting like crazy… Even on my
weakest days, I get a little bit stronger cause I know I have to. Thanks for that. To my grandmother,
Marlene Schneider, who I cannot believe has been gone from this earth for
nearly a year - I miss you like crazy, but I’m still doing everything I can to
keep my heart open… I hope that you’re proud of who and what I’ve let in. And
to Morgan Harrington, whose legacy is newest to the list of lives that have changed
mine, it is a privilege to have the chance to pay it forward in your honor - we would have been great friends... We are doing
everything we can to do you justice and to find it at the same time. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Seven years have gone by entirely too
undetected… I have no conceptual understanding of how time has passed so quickly. A wise person once told me you never know what life is going to give to you, but more importantly, you never know what might be taken away - so don't take anything for granted. If I die young - not to dwell, or suggest, but rather, to be a realist - I want to know I used every single nano-second I was given.</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> The fact of the matter is we are ALL terminal and what we do with the time we're given determines our legacy.</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> I'll probably never hold the brush that paints a masterpiece, and I'll probably never find a pen that writes a symphony, but if I will love than I will find that I have touched another life - just as others have done for me - and that's something worth leaving behind. So, to the friends and family who I am humbled by and grateful daily
to still have by my side – don't you ever give up. I know the value of an unexpected extended hand, and you can bet your heart and soul I’ll dive head first into a snake pit any day
for every single one of you. </span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Cheers to stupidity: life is way too damn short to be anything but fearless. 241 </span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></i></div>laura013http://www.blogger.com/profile/16364054137466280900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579024465383228007.post-17661667332218867852012-04-23T13:21:00.000-07:002012-04-24T09:53:36.825-07:00Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost<style>
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<span style="font-family: "Malayalam MN"; font-size: 10pt;">Pathetic that I haven’t sat down to complete an entry in over three months, but nevertheless, I have returned. I have returned because I have reached my max capacity intake of any and all things but more so because this is the only way I know I will successfully process all of the below as reality. Fact: this is how I clear my head, but today, this serves the dual purpose of a major reality check. I’m going to present this in synopsis form simply because, as much as this would serve as an amazing story line, I don’t have the time to write a novel. Fair warning, it’s a long one, but I give you my word: it’s worth it. </span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Malayalam MN"; font-size: 10pt;">One year ago, I took a class called The Creative Process taught by Jane Lillian Vance. It encouraged me to challenge myself to seek a deeper understanding of all things I encounter, endure, and embrace, while teaching me to enable unbridled empathy and compassion towards everyone I meet along that way. I have taken that to heart</span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; font-size: 10pt;">…</span><span style="font-family: "Malayalam MN"; font-size: 10pt;"> perhaps more than I should, but as you continue reading, I invite you to be the judge of that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Malayalam MN"; font-size: 10pt;">Eight months ago, my life turned into a complete crap-storm of one burden, loss, and hurdle after another. In passing, I reached out to this former teacher, who I had still remained in contact with, and got a response that was a lesson of a lifetime: “So you’ve lost a lot. You’re slate has been wiped cleaner than most people could ever imagine</span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; font-size: 10pt;">…</span><span style="font-family: "Malayalam MN"; font-size: 10pt;"> Don’t let the smoke from the old house follow you into the new one.” That became my new golden rule.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Malayalam MN"; font-size: 10pt;">Six months ago, I stopped in Charlottesville on my way home from the Virginia Music Educator’s Association Conference just because -- I didn’t need gas, I wasn’t stopping to see anyone, I just pulled off the exit and by the time I got to the bottom of the ramp, I didn’t quite know why I was there. I drove, getting ready to turn around totally dumbfounded, and realized I knew where I was. I was headed toward the Copely Bridge. This is where the memorial plaque for Morgan Harrington, a former VT student who was abducted and murdered in October 2009, was placed. I knew this because Ms. Vance had told me her story – a story that had ended tragically and much too soon. I left a flower on the bridge, almost selfishly thanked God I was able to visit this in her honor instead of it being the other way around, and left</span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; font-size: 10pt;">…</span><span style="font-family: "Malayalam MN"; font-size: 10pt;"> but I couldn’t let it go. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Malayalam MN"; font-size: 10pt;">Four months ago I met Morgan’s parents on a day campus was locked down because a gunman had opened fire and had shot and killed a police officer. Fancy meeting them under those circumstances. Morgan, their daughter, had been Ms. Vance’s student. It was with Ms. Vance, who had since, for multiple reasons, become family to the Harrington’s, that I fled from the campus that day after the lockdown was lifted for the safe-haven of a gallery presentation in Roanoke and post presentation glass of wine at the home of Dan and Gil Harrington. I was greeted with open arms, hot food, and unbelievably selfless kindness and concern. Instantly I was saying to myself, “I don’t know how these people get up in the morning, much less, treat me -- a complete stranger ten minutes ago -- with such open compassion.” That was a reality check in and of itself, but what came as much more of an eye opener was this: I knew they had launched a campaign in response to their daughters murder called Help Save The Next Girl, but what I hadn’t quite put together was that the ‘next girl’ that they were fighting to save could easily be me. I was stunned by the common ground I had so effortlessly found with people who were otherwise complete strangers only moments before. They were on a crusade to do everything they could to keep this from happening to another daughter, wife, sister, friend</span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; font-size: 10pt;">…</span><span style="font-family: "Malayalam MN"; font-size: 10pt;"> to you, to me, to anyone. If they, after losing SO much, were going to fight for those spared such tragic loss, I believe it is our responsibility to join them in giving a voice to those that have been forcibly silenced</span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; font-size: 10pt;">…</span><span style="font-family: "Malayalam MN"; font-size: 10pt;"> so speak out, we did. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsMBArrFW59Na1qkrMK5TcoeZcH0ayJunMLUGvIjqFikb7FM4ZJdeLzbiZnrn0F_Z8hcDkWkTrvU1rzJBYVX_6Zc6Wgkto8sGcC1C6YaCRsoc8oxRa0lejFx_JBW8VsbmSnLc7dtlW_Yd/s1600/2012.02.02_04.30.56-15984_ldm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsMBArrFW59Na1qkrMK5TcoeZcH0ayJunMLUGvIjqFikb7FM4ZJdeLzbiZnrn0F_Z8hcDkWkTrvU1rzJBYVX_6Zc6Wgkto8sGcC1C6YaCRsoc8oxRa0lejFx_JBW8VsbmSnLc7dtlW_Yd/s400/2012.02.02_04.30.56-15984_ldm.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Malayalam MN"; font-size: 10pt;">www.helpsavethenextgirl.com</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Malayalam MN"; font-size: 10pt;">www.facebook.com/SaveTheNextGirl</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Malayalam MN"; font-size: 10pt;">Three and a half months ago, at the end of January, Ms. Vance and a few students who had known Morgan gathered with Karen Kiley of WDBJ 7 who had picked up a line I had dropped about Hokie Compassion in response to the shooting in December. We talked about Morgan’s story and how we, as VT students and faculty, see the dire importance in creating positive legacy and to exemplify Virginia Tech, not as a place of tragedy, but as a brilliantly vibrant, safe community full of solutions: Help Save The Next Girl could be a part of that solution</span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; font-size: 10pt;">…</span><span style="font-family: "Malayalam MN"; font-size: 10pt;"> and so it began. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Malayalam MN"; font-size: 10pt;">www.facebook.com/VTHelpSaveTheNextGirl</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Malayalam MN"; font-size: 10pt;">Three months ago, we founded VT Help Save The Next Girl. To say we hit the ground running would be the understatement of the year. I have no real sense of time since this began. The students who had gathered for the news story became my right and left hand as we power-housed through the initial stages of launching an official on-campus organization. In no time, we had meetings, university approved logos, all the info flyers we could imagine, business cards, bracelets, t-shirts, etc and these students, who I had known no longer than a week when we teamed up had transformed effortlessly and unconsciously into family. The story was all over the news, all over Facebook, and had become a movement on campus with unstoppable momentum. I need to take a moment to give a shout-out to my friends, who have absolutely blown me away with their support. I love you all for seeing the importance of this and for helping me carry this message. You ALL give me hope. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Malayalam MN"; font-size: 10pt;">Two months ago, with no problem at all, we obtained the endorsement of a couple of the biggest names at VT: Head Football Coach Frank Beamer, and Head Basketball Coach Seth Greenberg. They both, without blinking an eye, threw their full support behind our efforts, exemplifying the university motto of Ut Prosim: That I May Serve, at its finest. They each produced PSA’s endorsing our efforts and offered to be of any service we could ask for or imagine. Frank Beamer cried the moment he met Gil as she and Jane presented him with a picture of The Hunted, a painting she did in Morgan’s honor. He later said, “What you’re doing is important. This is why my heart belongs to Hokie Nation, you have my full support.” Two weeks later, when we went to meet with Coach Greenberg, we ran into Coach Beamer. He said hello in passing and then stopped, turned with purpose and pride while pulling up his shirtsleeve to reveal that his bracelet was still on his wrist. THAT is why MY heart belongs to Hokie Nation. Thank you, Coach Beamer, I will never forget that moment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Malayalam MN"; font-size: 10pt;">One month ago VT Help Save The Next Girl participated in Take Back The Night as our first sanctioned group event. The turnout was remarkable. We had over 50 people representing VT HSTNG that night. To observe Dan and Gil there and able to see that SO many people came in honor of Morgan was one of the proudest moments of my life. We remember</span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; font-size: 10pt;">…</span><span style="font-family: "Malayalam MN"; font-size: 10pt;"> and so do so many others. I was given the opportunity to address the crowd gathered that night and found myself so thankful to see my friends there in the crowd. One of the key points I made that night was how important it is to refrain from wearing the false mask of invincibility – it could have been me, it could have been them. But it wasn’t</span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; font-size: 10pt;">…</span><span style="font-family: "Malayalam MN"; font-size: 10pt;"> and so they were there, joining me and VT Help Save The Next Girl in taking back the night. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Malayalam MN"; font-size: 10pt;"> VT Help Save The Next Girl at Take Back The Night</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Malayalam MN"; font-size: 10pt;">Three weeks ago we filmed a national spot for the Help Save The Next Girl Foundation. The PSA was done beautifully and has the potential to mean huge things for this cause as a whole. There are so many brilliantly talented people coming together to bring forth this message that I can’t help but think that this is going to be a bigger movement than any of us could have hoped for or imagined. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Malayalam MN"; font-size: 10pt;">Two weeks ago one of my two vital jobs for the summer fell through entirely</span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; font-size: 10pt;">…</span><span style="font-family: "Malayalam MN"; font-size: 10pt;"> worst timing ever. The financial strain of this past semester with car trouble, unexpected bills, etc has been astronomical, so this was absolutely the last thing I needed. But, this seems to be what always happens</span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; font-size: 10pt;">…</span><span style="font-family: "Malayalam MN"; font-size: 10pt;"> just as soon as I think I’m on the right track, I realize I’m on the wrong train. I quickly came to terms with the fact that this means another 4-job summer on top of grad classes and started looking for another job or two to replace what had fallen through. Story of my life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Malayalam MN"; font-size: 10pt;"> My new boss is a rockstar. The end. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Malayalam MN"; font-size: 10pt;">www.facebook.com/pages/SAKintermedia </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Malayalam MN"; font-size: 10pt;">One week ago, that all changed. I was offered a job with a rock star of a publicist, Stephanie Koehler of SAKintermedia who is the publicist for the Help Save The Next Girl foundation and for my former teacher and artist, Jane Lillian Vance. I suppose the work I’d been doing with VT HSTNG had been half decent, because as much as I couldn’t believe it was real life, she was totally serious. Not only do I have a better job than I could have ever hoped for, its possible that this job, singularly, could be the stepping stone I have so desperately longed for to get out of this multi-job nightmarish schedule. I genuinely feel like it’s too good to be true, but it IS real life, and I am so eternally humbled and grateful for this opportunity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Malayalam MN"; font-size: 10pt;">Five days ago, at the April 16<sup>th</sup> candlelight vigil I had the real opportunity to reflect on just how far everything had come, how many doors have opened, and how inconceivably lucky I am to be a part of so many incredible things. I was reminded of how valuable each fragile life is and was instantly overwhelmed with the gratitude I felt to be right where I was at that very moment. </span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Malayalam MN"; font-size: 10pt;">Two days ago, I had a similar feeling of overwhelming gratitude at my boyfriend’s sister’s wedding, standing in total awe of the company I was surrounded by. Emerson is the most caring, compassionate, authentic, selfless, loving, anti-stereotype guy that I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing. He also just so happens to be the son of my teacher, Jane Vance. Oops. Oh, the ties that bind us all. ;) That day was a fairytale full of incredible people I now absolutely consider to be a vital part of my ever-expanding family. I learned so much about life in that one day. I learned that blood is not always thicker than water, but that, when push comes to shove, you find what you’re made of and you build yourself some character. I learned, reinforced rather, that it takes much more than death to tear love apart and that just because you’ve been robbed of one joy you cant allow sorrow and despair to infiltrate the possibility of ever having it again. I learned that it is important to give what you can, even when it’s not much, because the little things DO matter. I learned that opportunity absolutely comes when you least expect it and often in a form you never could have imagined being possible. In direct conjunction with all those things, I learned about the importance of fearlessness. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Malayalam MN"; font-size: 10pt;">Family friend, Jenna Swann talked in her toast about the fearlessness she’s always seen in Iris. I am so inspired by her. I want to be the kind of daughter, sister, friend, and now, wife that Iris has been, is, and always will be, by living and loving fearlessly. I want to see the world with the fearlessness of my teacher, now, lifelong friend, Jane. I want to love with the fearlessness Emerson exemplifies daily. I want to teach with the fearlessness of my band director who was honestly been a huge inspiration to me. I want to embrace and uplift others compassionately with the fearlessness I see sewn between not just some, but ALL of my friends. I want to persevere with the fearlessness, strength, and resolve of Dan and Gil Harrington. I want to work with the fearlessness of Stephanie Koehler who takes on the world like its nothing. I want to inspire fearlessly like my teacher, David Widder, who absolutely refuses to give up on me even and especially when I give up on myself. I want to learn fearlessly from my parents who really did do the best they could for as long as they could. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Malayalam MN"; font-size: 10pt;">I want to speak out fearlessly, I want to make a difference fearlessly, I want to cultivate change and compassion fearlessly</span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; font-size: 10pt;">…</span><span style="font-family: "Malayalam MN"; font-size: 10pt;"> and I think its possible that I’ve found myself exactly where I need to be to do that. This has not been an easy road; in fact it’s been quite the opposite. I’ve hurt, I’ve struggled and I’ve fought like hell to make to the side that had the mere potential for green grass, but I’m here now and in the end, that’s all that matters. I have rocked the boat on some fronts, and I know it</span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; font-size: 10pt;">…</span><span style="font-family: "Malayalam MN"; font-size: 10pt;"> but sometimes you just have to do the right thing simply because it’s the right thing, even if it means standing alone; all the while loving those who leave you behind or those you have to leave behind anyway. A great quotation from The Shack comes to mind: “I know that most of our hurt comes through relationships but so does our healing, and that grace often times doesn’t make sense to those who remain on the outside looking in.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Malayalam MN"; font-size: 10pt;">I am traveling at warp speed, but I can so clearly see everything coming together as if it were slow motion</span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; font-size: 10pt;">…</span><span style="font-family: "Malayalam MN"; font-size: 10pt;"> Do you see it? Everything is so perfectly intertwined, not tangled, but interlocking with purpose and passion. Never have I ever been as happy as I am at this very moment</span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; font-size: 10pt;">…</span><span style="font-family: "Malayalam MN"; font-size: 10pt;"> There are so many incredible opportunities in sight that I can’t quite process them all as possibilities, but they are there, and I am beyond thrilled to see where it is that this journey is trying to take me. I’m not sure when I got to be so lucky, but I am so grateful. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Malayalam MN"; font-size: 10pt;">For those of you loyal readers, I believe I’ve found my fine balance; this is really starting to feel like home. Not all those who wander are lost. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Malayalam MN"; font-size: 10pt;">Love fearlessly.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Malayalam MN"; font-size: 10pt;"> -241-</span></div>laura013http://www.blogger.com/profile/16364054137466280900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579024465383228007.post-68762047152880753012012-01-12T18:17:00.000-08:002012-01-14T07:22:23.267-08:00Its Family Business<style>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Gurmukhi MN"; font-size: 11pt;">I am sitting in the airport in Austin, TX, and as sad as I am to have just completed another round of tearful goodbyes, I have never in my life felt more surrounded by family. Not just by the people I consider my ‘Texas Family’ but my all of my adopted/unbiological family I’ve gained over the past several years. I meant it when I said I can really see only where my family begins because when I look around, in any direction, I can see no end to the people in my life who have become family, and I have a good feeling its going to be like that as long as I live. Some family we are given; the rest we choose</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Hoefler Text"; font-size: 11pt;">…</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Gurmukhi MN"; font-size: 11pt;"> and sometimes, when we’re extraordinarily lucky, they choose us. I never knew it was possible to love this many people</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Hoefler Text"; font-size: 11pt;">…</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Gurmukhi MN"; font-size: 11pt;"> and I think in the back of my mind, even more so, I never knew, or believed rather, that it was possible for this many people to love me back. I am indisputably the luckiest girl in the world. </span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjuGjq3qSqwSsGNvXHJqg3vEVehu7KjbfDFg0YjRrbb_VKfL2MOxrCQTOm6uCfvItuUvTjVdTIALf6THonZvv3drPZ7hb1aBsZBxTqFAZeG7ps3sM7ChG_0vpzfog1DrC2UEEH4vhu8Xfo/s1600/DSC07733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjuGjq3qSqwSsGNvXHJqg3vEVehu7KjbfDFg0YjRrbb_VKfL2MOxrCQTOm6uCfvItuUvTjVdTIALf6THonZvv3drPZ7hb1aBsZBxTqFAZeG7ps3sM7ChG_0vpzfog1DrC2UEEH4vhu8Xfo/s320/DSC07733.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Sisters </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><b><span style="font-family: "Gurmukhi MN"; font-size: 11pt;">Life is so good</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Hoefler Text"; font-size: 11pt;">…</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Gurmukhi MN"; font-size: 11pt;"> and to finally be in a place where I can appreciate it fully is so unbelievably freeing.</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Gurmukhi MN"; font-size: 11pt;"> This is the first time in years that I haven’t been working multiple jobs, playing cat and mouse with hospitals and doctors, or doing things with my time to keep everyone else happy</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Hoefler Text"; font-size: 11pt;">…</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Gurmukhi MN"; font-size: 11pt;"> but me. So I took full advantage of that. </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Gurmukhi MN"; font-size: 11pt;">As much traveling as I’ve done over this break, </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Gurmukhi MN"; font-size: 11pt;">in between all of the destinations I’ve managed to have enough travel time to really reflect and put things in perspective. I think having that time is among the things I am most grateful for from this past month. Lets re-cap, shall we?</span></b> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Gurmukhi MN"; font-size: 11pt;">Chicago was incredible</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Hoefler Text"; font-size: 11pt;">…</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Gurmukhi MN"; font-size: 11pt;"> I got to tour Northwestern, I loved seeing the city; I learned SO much at the Midwest Clinic and met so many talented and inspiring people there</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Hoefler Text"; font-size: 11pt;">…</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Gurmukhi MN"; font-size: 11pt;"> I learned a lot about the path that I’m headed down, and about the direction I want to go</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Hoefler Text"; font-size: 11pt;">…</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Gurmukhi MN"; font-size: 11pt;"> and to top it off, I got to go there with some of my closest music family. </span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhie5HAnr2s1nzCEyZPWNxO_8rgk9FZF6okFrP5hjMc2_JU_eQEYeumfK2YeMo_J0RddmXMWRPrdNqLJx4FhzN8z7uxxXW-Dkfm5bIF9r4y6FYdhvTisSqf6n7vL7gqpLH09ptRSLTiDPah/s1600/DSC09217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhie5HAnr2s1nzCEyZPWNxO_8rgk9FZF6okFrP5hjMc2_JU_eQEYeumfK2YeMo_J0RddmXMWRPrdNqLJx4FhzN8z7uxxXW-Dkfm5bIF9r4y6FYdhvTisSqf6n7vL7gqpLH09ptRSLTiDPah/s320/DSC09217.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Some of my Music Family...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Gurmukhi MN"; font-size: 11pt;"> I finally got to go home to spend some much needed time with my family: both biological, and otherwise</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Hoefler Text"; font-size: 11pt;">…</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Gurmukhi MN"; font-size: 11pt;"> I needed that more than I realized. They keep my head on straight. </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Gurmukhi MN"; font-size: 11pt;">All of them. And in more ways than one, good and bad, blood or not, as complicated or uncomplicated as it may seem, they keep me balanced. I love them for that...all of them.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHESHQltARPSZxB8yOH0zDu07-txcRZF1V8qRjMVylVrdLthLM_B5LRs7gPUKMIYws_4GC13jyWbhPAYQysv4R5Dx8QUEHqve40DALLTlaB2tuIzZthnOn4TDpdI8p8KayTwpCwnEDGgu/s1600/DSC09319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHESHQltARPSZxB8yOH0zDu07-txcRZF1V8qRjMVylVrdLthLM_B5LRs7gPUKMIYws_4GC13jyWbhPAYQysv4R5Dx8QUEHqve40DALLTlaB2tuIzZthnOn4TDpdI8p8KayTwpCwnEDGgu/s320/DSC09319.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszuIeqBn4_MxGhokkAvDQCLNUMlhKPX-s_obCIK6zm1Gsw4yrgWrlAbf8E9Va86qmvykf_GkXaTQerfUIjk1m7AJBk7PmaFJwNiGiQTKmlQ6Z3a8H-UCrnDmlVDDU6Zz1fIMzEUjP5xZj/s1600/399042_2903186946841_1475493282_3090228_2083744404_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszuIeqBn4_MxGhokkAvDQCLNUMlhKPX-s_obCIK6zm1Gsw4yrgWrlAbf8E9Va86qmvykf_GkXaTQerfUIjk1m7AJBk7PmaFJwNiGiQTKmlQ6Z3a8H-UCrnDmlVDDU6Zz1fIMzEUjP5xZj/s320/399042_2903186946841_1475493282_3090228_2083744404_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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</tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Gurmukhi MN"; font-size: 11pt;">Then there was New Orleans</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Hoefler Text"; font-size: 11pt;">…</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Gurmukhi MN"; font-size: 11pt;"> Ah, New Orleans. You were so good to me</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Hoefler Text"; font-size: 11pt;">…</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Gurmukhi MN"; font-size: 11pt;"> (see previous blog post) I lent you my eyes, and you changed what I could see, but you affirmed that my soul I must keep totally free. Thank you for teaching me how to rebuild from ruin, and ultimately, how to embrace restoration. I am so grateful that I got to share that experience with my VT Family</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Hoefler Text"; font-size: 11pt;">…</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Gurmukhi MN"; font-size: 11pt;"> I love you guys.</span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKlDb1s_bMOChP24PGPaTRgHseupUB47frf198owfzJVHqNdZ8ehUvNvO9cFheKg-Xjusf09ua1NQroJ3BNSRvikqnAjOBYfhjl4FkE6yl8MLOPbSCCR0xrEh7weK6xovUvMGyVDLXK0v/s1600/DSC09335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKlDb1s_bMOChP24PGPaTRgHseupUB47frf198owfzJVHqNdZ8ehUvNvO9cFheKg-Xjusf09ua1NQroJ3BNSRvikqnAjOBYfhjl4FkE6yl8MLOPbSCCR0xrEh7weK6xovUvMGyVDLXK0v/s320/DSC09335.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">VT Family</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Hoefler Text"; font-size: 11pt;"> …</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Gurmukhi MN"; font-size: 11pt;">36 hours after New Orleans, I went to Texas with two of my closest friends, and we were greeted immediately by more unbiological family that I’ve missed greatly. It was so, so wonderful to see them. Funny the way it is, when people cross your path briefly in the scheme of life, but you know immediately that they are meant to be a permanent facet of your life. That’s the beauty of extended family; there is no end. The coolest part about the Texas trip is that there were multiple people that are native to other said ‘families’ of mine that are now interwoven into the same sphere. It’s a small world after all, now isn’t it? </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Gurmukhi MN"; font-size: 11pt;">These are the moments I'll travel halfway across the country for:</span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicR8oQ2IAiGcXPcSj66PGDDAxrCoMIt7L_BfjwiBheVoBlnHamAZkXhmVbOzPIP49WwGJblIu_lWexH9Zkby3uLB7JIgtMguKIZSRJPVspjMe8Jr_8OXUQwsh3jgJlTNIAly8Oj39iXLrj/s1600/DSC09461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicR8oQ2IAiGcXPcSj66PGDDAxrCoMIt7L_BfjwiBheVoBlnHamAZkXhmVbOzPIP49WwGJblIu_lWexH9Zkby3uLB7JIgtMguKIZSRJPVspjMe8Jr_8OXUQwsh3jgJlTNIAly8Oj39iXLrj/s320/DSC09461.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Bath Co. Band Family Reunion </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilswc4nP-XXlkzkv97QHc4P-5zf6hmm0FlVRZHli0B_vya2lf0MOCBLukGD9RGHJslHX9cT2-rqvyOrMYOLZBqGhuLkN9gN69NQ6a24N31vHOStB_hK7rRGWXkN8YGdtW9I62f3rp_QTLg/s1600/DSC09545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilswc4nP-XXlkzkv97QHc4P-5zf6hmm0FlVRZHli0B_vya2lf0MOCBLukGD9RGHJslHX9cT2-rqvyOrMYOLZBqGhuLkN9gN69NQ6a24N31vHOStB_hK7rRGWXkN8YGdtW9I62f3rp_QTLg/s320/DSC09545.JPG" width="243" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There is no better friend than a sister...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ66QVTGSxBwIHGGm4pZYCTdnnYCyznb5SVq3Qc4u-xGu9Mqb9GvqprcsDmxnKp6z5T_RHMdyHp9YiRJaHIFXXM3MdxXFbMFrE2q6wzOSUC24KOQc3uQklc62fdYn4OvEaLXjPDFwsr_I0/s1600/DSC09534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ66QVTGSxBwIHGGm4pZYCTdnnYCyznb5SVq3Qc4u-xGu9Mqb9GvqprcsDmxnKp6z5T_RHMdyHp9YiRJaHIFXXM3MdxXFbMFrE2q6wzOSUC24KOQc3uQklc62fdYn4OvEaLXjPDFwsr_I0/s320/DSC09534.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Gurmukhi MN"; font-size: 11pt;"> The University of Texas is incredible</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Hoefler Text"; font-size: 11pt;">…</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Gurmukhi MN"; font-size: 11pt;"> I love Austin. I could totally see myself there, and I fully intend to go back. I’m not a fan of force-feeding the straight and narrow prescribed path, so I’m not going to. Instead I’m going deeply appreciate this experience, know that if I end up here in a few years after doing some teaching, I will be happy, but above any and all things, knowing and trusting that I will end up where I belong. I have thus far</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Hoefler Text"; font-size: 11pt;">…</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Gurmukhi MN"; font-size: 11pt;"> So what specifically is bigger in Texas? The brick walls that hit you in the face when you realize just how lucky you are</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Hoefler Text"; font-size: 11pt;">…</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Gurmukhi MN"; font-size: 11pt;"> that’s what. </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsNXZyxurjSx11tMlyZa7DEgO6LwzJmaWrZsm74fRjSR1tO2dxGtjMmeSv_ns-rhG_FJkHS0QcSPioqb5g4-XlVhI3w22Gp-zrRO6Me8QW7-Uvp_blc12OvPLyDvbhs-7t-OB6FFtiODD/s1600/DSC09512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsNXZyxurjSx11tMlyZa7DEgO6LwzJmaWrZsm74fRjSR1tO2dxGtjMmeSv_ns-rhG_FJkHS0QcSPioqb5g4-XlVhI3w22Gp-zrRO6Me8QW7-Uvp_blc12OvPLyDvbhs-7t-OB6FFtiODD/s320/DSC09512.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Gurmukhi MN"; font-size: 11pt;"> I’m now on the plane; reluctantly well on my way back to the East Coast and still sporadically fighting back some tears</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Hoefler Text"; font-size: 11pt;">…</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Gurmukhi MN"; font-size: 11pt;"> Not of sadness and heartbreak, but of overwhelming appreciation for the people in my life who make it so easy for me to see just how lucky I am. I find it oddly appropriate that I am parallel with the clouds as I finish these thoughts; I’m in a freefall. I’m in a place in my life where I can see beyond the clouds while appreciating being on the ground, all the while knowing the direction I’m headed could change with the wind</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Hoefler Text"; font-size: 11pt;">…</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Gurmukhi MN"; font-size: 11pt;"> I can appreciate the present and look forward to the future without being held back by the past. </span></b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DqEM7iSYJlzL6VTUbhA1mw_5vvWS3o7miVCpRS0dnW0iNQjAI6is7_gsJoUc2Yo7A1F_PSSdoMhzIlw5NqokcIGuDGmVjJAF2ZCW8-BNIkcMRcKVXTxZRegwESQGo0x27kQ3fmZXRb2X/s1600/DSC09644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DqEM7iSYJlzL6VTUbhA1mw_5vvWS3o7miVCpRS0dnW0iNQjAI6is7_gsJoUc2Yo7A1F_PSSdoMhzIlw5NqokcIGuDGmVjJAF2ZCW8-BNIkcMRcKVXTxZRegwESQGo0x27kQ3fmZXRb2X/s320/DSC09644.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Gurmukhi MN"; font-size: 11pt;">The journeys between the destinations are sustaining me and are opening so many doors that I am no longer afraid of not knowing exactly where I’m headed. I am well on my way to where I am meant to be, and that is enough for me. I have family here, I have family there, I am quickly realizing that I have family everywhere I go, and I’m starting to see that these people, intertwined or not, will be a part of my life forever. It’s family business. I like to think I have good taste in people; they all prove it. I am so very grateful for every single one of you who I am humbled to love as family, who love me as such back. </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObpITYKvc_zg4bewYeovP3Sh_BUFxq1BYPzUg2fZ7d4UoqAyZ0p4esx0eLYZu-0xvXQ6usf3_mmWagW7CmMIHRpPN27GJCilojBHFPJBGMfD_lwwW6zAT3VvldIxyUonTtbKJ5TIGHhK5/s1600/IMG00357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObpITYKvc_zg4bewYeovP3Sh_BUFxq1BYPzUg2fZ7d4UoqAyZ0p4esx0eLYZu-0xvXQ6usf3_mmWagW7CmMIHRpPN27GJCilojBHFPJBGMfD_lwwW6zAT3VvldIxyUonTtbKJ5TIGHhK5/s320/IMG00357.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them... give them a reason to believe in themselves." -Lady Bird Johnson</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Gurmukhi MN"; font-size: 11pt;">2.4.1</span></b></div>laura013http://www.blogger.com/profile/16364054137466280900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579024465383228007.post-73480663210133603342012-01-08T16:43:00.000-08:002012-01-08T23:27:22.155-08:00Ruined, Rebuilt, Restored.<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";"> I’ve done a lot of traveling this Christmas break… hell, I’ve done a lot of traveling in general… But I think New Orleans takes the cake… for sure the most incredible place I’ve been in the United States. Going to New Orleans at this point of my life was like reading an autobiography… about myself. I thought about a lot of things approaching this city, while I was in it, and since leaving. Having the time to process it and to think about the experience in and of itself, it is almost disturbing how many parallels I’ve discovered. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://thewe.cc/thewei/&/&/images5/katrina/new-orleans-9th-ward-020a.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://thewe.cc/thewei/&/&/images5/katrina/new-orleans-9th-ward-020a.gif" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">I have touched a lot on the part of my life that destroyed me… but I don’t care to relive any of it. I no longer see the point. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been a fool and I’ve been blind, I could never leave the past behind. But it was comparable to a shot in the dark… aimed right at my throat. I was in ruins, and I stayed that way for a long time, not because I wanted to, but because I wanted, even less, to fight the demons on my back. That was my Katrina. I waded through stagnant water of things not worth saving, and as the water receded, I took several steps back to re-evaluate what I should let go of and what was worth hanging onto, but more importantly how and where to start rebuilding. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://davidkiyokawa.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/rebuild-new-orleans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://davidkiyokawa.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/rebuild-new-orleans.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">The rebuilding period was the hardest and the longest part of that transformation. There’s something about rebuilding that makes you realize you will never again have what you had before, and that’s sometimes a difficult pill to swallow. When you take a step back from what knocks you on your ass, you learn how to defend yourself. I was quite the exoskeleton of defenses for a few years, as I can tell New Orleans was while justifying their determination to rebuild… I don’t regret being that way, because I think sometimes you really do have to protect yourself above any and all things. I was still rebuilding, but from the inside out… There’s a lot of forgiveness that has to take place when you rebuild something that once was your fortress, even if only for yourself. Like the people of New Orleans, I had to forgive the storm: both literally and figuratively. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">I’m not sure you’re ever finished with the re-building phase of anything, but the beauty of the restoration part of this whole thing is the realization that, even though you will never be able to rebuild what you had before, you have the opportunity to build beyond it and make it better. That is beautiful to me… I saw the beauty in the breakdown of New Orleans and of myself in the form of restoration, front and center, more than anything else… and I think perhaps, maybe, that’s why I am wholeheartedly in love with that city. It put everything I knew about myself and many other situations in my life and the lives of those I’m surrounded by into storybook format. Pictures, illustrations, and sound effects… no stone unturned. What a beautiful, beautiful place! I mean that in every definition and capacity possible. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglrnRFwrPuJd3I7Jsr7NRqVLsrLThXf5t5HiOWmoH78iw6QCwlK2lpZ4yfQcd3jtXzmN9MfU_yzes8CBFxtfmtfnS1TigoZgMWnyCEqV9VPKUHgErH6VorI_KHgVeW3HeQaJgN_Q7xlpU2/s1600/bourbon_street_new_orleans_lousiana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglrnRFwrPuJd3I7Jsr7NRqVLsrLThXf5t5HiOWmoH78iw6QCwlK2lpZ4yfQcd3jtXzmN9MfU_yzes8CBFxtfmtfnS1TigoZgMWnyCEqV9VPKUHgErH6VorI_KHgVeW3HeQaJgN_Q7xlpU2/s320/bourbon_street_new_orleans_lousiana.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Don’t get me wrong, Bourbon St was the greatest, the music was incredible, and the food was to die for, but it was what was underneath the face of New Orleans that was inconceivably beautiful. It was shocking to me how, so many, many years later, the destruction from Katrina was still very prevalent to the face of New Orleans, but how, at the same time, it made it that much more beautiful. To me, that was a parallel as to how to wear scars as assets, beauty marks, storybooks; not deformities, ailments, or disabilities. It all goes back to the sentiment that “what breaks you down is not the load you carry, its all in how you carry it.” </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbq17-6C6OEcKEhuRhyH1gNht02wI2UAws8IgpUVqPxHkYnqO_wAnWCqLRUgFhDpta9fce4EvzoAPJ7QiuxGe2wnoZQa_Ep4jHsHPa86MwX1iEmg0jwhz-TA3FbAEoU-1_LgV9a83elRu/s1600/DSC09335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbq17-6C6OEcKEhuRhyH1gNht02wI2UAws8IgpUVqPxHkYnqO_wAnWCqLRUgFhDpta9fce4EvzoAPJ7QiuxGe2wnoZQa_Ep4jHsHPa86MwX1iEmg0jwhz-TA3FbAEoU-1_LgV9a83elRu/s320/DSC09335.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">So to New Orleans, thank you for being so great to me and my family... (see above) I salute you and thank you for an experience of a lifetime… You taught me a lot about how to restore gracefully. You and I will be close friends, and I look forward to a lifelong relationship. I’d say for the first destination on my eternal journey to an awakened soul, I hit the jackpot. I find it inconceivably rewarding to be able to stand on the other side of this rubble and see where I am now and what I’ve rebuilt, and what I’m working on restoring. When push comes to shove, you find out what you’re truly made of… I know I did. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">2.4.1</span></span></div>laura013http://www.blogger.com/profile/16364054137466280900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579024465383228007.post-78243300057352547812011-12-31T13:31:00.000-08:002012-01-08T23:32:06.100-08:00A Fine Balance<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Harrington; font-size: 13pt;">This is the New Year, and I have only one resolution: to find, establish, and maintain a fine balance. I feel it is safe to say that balance is something that I’ve needed to incorporate into my life and for the first time in years, perhaps ever, it appears to be attainable. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: Harrington; font-size: 13pt;">Past:</span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Harrington; font-size: 13pt;">A lot of things have changed in the last several years… My parents got divorced, which quickly turned into the absolving of ‘family’ as I knew it. Home lost its meaning, I moved out when I was still in high school, and have moved 10+ times since then. I transferred schools, almost gave up what I love, on multiple levels… I’ve had about 15 jobs in the last 5 years, 3 cars, 2 computers, lost all of my documents, pictures, financial records, everything on one of them.. I’ve lost a lot of people I love to both death and other less permanent, more potent, living venom, which packs a different kind of sting. </span><span style="font-family: Harrington; font-size: 13pt;"> I have been shaken, broken, and unsettled. </span><span style="font-family: Harrington; font-size: 13pt;">A lot of people have hurt me, and I have hurt a lot of people back. I have a lot of scars… but in this life, who doesn’t. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: Harrington; font-size: 13pt;">Present:</span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Harrington; font-size: 13pt;">I am learning to wear my scars instead of them wearing me. It has been a long, painful, draining, but intricate and beautiful transition. I would not change, trade, or go back for anything in my life: good or bad. The trials of this life, the rain, the storms, the darkest nights, are mercies in disguise. It’s taken a while for me to be in a place where I can see that. So, brick by brick I have built up from the floor. My life is a pile shrine of bits and pieces of things that broke me, that through utmost determination, I’ve turned into a stained glass reflection of things that changed me, people who saved me, and unthinkable amazing grace. My family now extends so far beyond blood that I know only where it starts, because from where I’m standing, there is no end. I am surrounded by angels in disguise, on the daily, who have taught me invaluable lessons about unbridled compassion. I am fortunate to have taken a class called the Creative Process that, thought an unexpected, and currently still unfinished journey, opened my mind and healed my soul in a way that would have otherwise seemed inconceivable. This experience has taught me the value of truly finding myself, who I am in relation to the world around me, and the importance challenging my beliefs to the core. I see with new eyes now, and that is the honest truth. I have met people who have suffered immeasurable tragedy, specifically the parents of Morgan Harrington, who wake up every day determined to fight for justice for their daughter who was brutally murdered, and who’s case, 3 years later, is still unsolved. They are incredible people, and I hope to help support them and their efforts through involvement with their campaign, Help Save the Next Girl, launched in hopes of creating awareness and preventing this from happening to someone else’s child. That’s right, instead of melding into their tragedy like I did years ago for an offense much less worthy of defeat, they have chosen to ride on the coattails of adversity with unthinkable conviction and beautiful grace. If that doesn’t put your life into perspective, I am sorry for your soul, because I don’t know what will. From them I have learned of a new unconditional kind of love… how to love someone too much, forever, and one more time, but more importantly the kind of love that death cannot sever. I hope to love people that unconditionally. How beautiful is that? How can you love someone or anything more than too much, forever, and one more time? I don’t think its possible. What breaks you down is not the load you carry, it’s all in how you carry it. Mr. and Mrs. Harrington, I salute you. I am finally in a position where I can pay it back because of people who paid it forward and I intend to do so with every day I have, every relationship I invest in, and every breath I take in and let go of for the duration of whatever time I am meant to have on this earth. I have dealt with my ghosts, and I’ve faced all my weaknesses… I still am and will always be rebuilding, but I am closing this chapter and moving on. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: Harrington; font-size: 13pt;">Future:</span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Harrington; font-size: 13pt;">The road to self-reliance cannot lie in the past. I have a lot of things to look forward to and I can’t wait to see where the roads that lie ahead will take me. I will tell you that I have relinquished my future to the powers that be, so come hell or high water, I will be where I’m supposed to. There are many things that scare me about ‘unknowns’ but what scares me more, is never taking the chance to explore the ‘what if’s’ behind those ‘unknowns’. I am on a pilgrimage to find my place in this world, but I am not searching for it. Things are falling into place and I have faith that they will continue to do so if I stay true to myself, keep my eyes forward, and my heart wide open. I am not perfect, nor do I want to be, but I know that some things in my life need to change, and they will. Renovation is a slow process, but it will happen. It’s hard to dance with the devil on your back, so from this moment forward I’m shaking him off. I’m not going to keep dragging the past around for those who aren’t willing to let go of it. I’m burying that horse in the ground. That is non-negotiable. This may come as shock to people who won’t expect it, but it must happen. You must take care of yourself in order to take care of anyone or anything else. I can see the bigger picture for the first time in years and I can’t wait to see what begins appearing in the landscape. This is my first step in the journey of a thousand miles. You may laugh and call me a fool, and that’s okay… People throw rocks at things that shine, and I know that, but no river, no lake, and no ocean can put this fire out… I am on a crusade to find a fine balance. I know that the past can only be imperfectly distanced… it’s a slippery thing, slithering into the present through un-repairable cracks, but I know where I am in relation to where I’ve been. I am forever moving forward, and if that means I have to leave things behind to do so, then so be it… I am not sorry. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Harrington; font-size: 13pt;">And so begins my pilgrimage: I truly believe that it’s an important step to a fulfilled life… a step a lot of people my age explore but don’t always take, but more importantly a step it’s never too late to take. I hope to be the best person I am capable of becoming. I hope to pour myself into my music, my writing, and to be surrounded by colors of the art that I almost gave up entirely. I hope that hard work and perseverance will continue to pay off. I hope to see more clearly, love more unconditionally, and treat everyone I cross paths with, with more compassion. I hope to help create awareness and to help find justice for Morgan. ( </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/SaveTheNextGirl">Help Save the Next Girl</a> )<span style="font-family: Harrington; font-size: 13pt;">I hope to find myself deep in the valleys of India and/or the mountains of Napal in the next 365 days learning about myself, awaking my soul eternally, and finding the calm and open mind that is necessary for a healthy body and a peaceful spirit… I hope for those I love to have the best that this world has to offer as they’ve given me nothing short of the same. And I hope, more than anything, to find a fine balance between all of the above and everything in between. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Harrington; font-size: 13pt;">“In the end, I've come to believe in something I call "The Physics of the Quest." A force in nature governed by laws as real as the laws of gravity. The rule of Quest Physics goes something like this: If you're brave enough to leave behind everything familiar and comforting, which can be anything from your house to bitter, old resentments, and set out on a truth-seeking journey, either externally or internally, and if you are truly willing to regard everything that happens to you on that journey as a clue and if you accept everyone you meet along the way as a teacher and if you are prepared, most of all, to face and forgive some very difficult realities about yourself, then the truth will not be withheld from you." </span><span style="font-family: Harrington; font-size: 13pt;">-Eat, Pray, Love</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Harrington; font-size: 13pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Harrington; font-size: 13pt;">In these bodies we will live, in these bodies we will die… where you invest your love, you invest your life. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Harrington; font-size: 13pt;">Out with the old… Cheers to 2012! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div>laura013http://www.blogger.com/profile/16364054137466280900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579024465383228007.post-28331316989129685492011-12-12T10:28:00.000-08:002012-12-08T06:22:32.338-08:00The Art of Prevailing<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-size: small;">There is something about the word ‘gunman’ that makes any human shudder, but there’s something about combining that word with two others; ‘on campus’ that makes any Hokie’s stomach drop and heart skip a beat... its the same thing that gives you an odd sense of clarity when you feel as though you might be in trouble… that makes every voice an offender, every knock on the door a threat, every text message twice as important, and every breath much more intentional. There is something about being stormed by a SWAT team that solicits, involuntarily, a new level of unparalleled, and unprecedented fear… Welcome to my Thursday, and the Thursday of many other fearful Hokies last week. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I was on campus for the shooting. I was sheltered, with several other students and faculty members, for a significant time, in the office of Marching Band Director, David McKee. We were shaken by the alert, but hoping for a false alarm. When it became common knowledge that at least one person was dead, it became real and way too close to home. Up on the wall behind Dave’s desk is a picture of Ryan “Stack” Clark, a former Marching Virginian, young, vibrant soul, and the first victim in the April 16<sup>th</sup> massacre. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one in the room glancing at his picture and thinking to myself, “not again.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Phones started going off with more intensity as it became obvious that this was anything but a false alarm. One thing I found to be very profound in a moment of crisis: You find out who your friends and family are… real quick. Someone beat on the door of the office, and in seconds Dave had thrown himself in front of it demanding to know who it was and not opening it until he knew it was safe: it was clear that it wasn’t his first rodeo. At that moment, for the entire duration of that tragic event, still now, and forever, that man is/was a hero. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">We got moved to the 2<sup>nd</sup> floor of Squires where we met everyone else who was in the building, realizing quickly that we were not alone, but more importantly, that this was not a test. There had been reports of alleged gunshots outside of our building and instantly we were surrounded by people with guns… The SWAT team herded us all into a larger auditorium. “Go, go, go!” No questions were asked as we did what we were told, tears pouring down the faces of many, myself included. I have been afraid of a lot of things in my twenty-one years on this earth, and while there was never a moment that I genuinely felt unsafe throughout this ordeal, I was absolutely terrified for its entirety. I knew no one was getting through that SWAT team, it was the fact that we were in a position where we needed to be surrounded by them that scared me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">With communication limited, every piece of information and every outgoing message was crucial. I was scanning the news for updates on my computer when I came across a quote from a CNN reporter, “I wonder if Virginia Tech has tracking shooters down to a fine science.” My initial reaction: WE’RE STILL HERE. We’re still on lockdown and THAT’S what you’re going to contribute?!? My second: rot in hell. Third: What kind of pathetic, despicably heartless, shallow human being would say something like that? And right there, still surrounded by the SWAT team, still surrounded by friends and faculty desperately trying to let their loved ones know they’re okay, still, with no news on the status of the gunman and reports of shots all around campus, still terrified, in that very moment, began the art of prevailing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">It doesn’t take much to get a Hokie to defend Virginia Tech, and it takes even less in the midst of a crisis. Instead of Facebook feed’s just reading “Not again.” and “What is it about that campus.” or “VT.. and the bullets spray again.” I began to see posts reading “We will prevail.” and “Hokies united.” or “Praying for VT and the media personnel who misrepresent it.” I was one of them. I couldn’t fathom the kind of human being who could think otherwise... </span> <style>
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<span style="font-size: small;">--></span><span style="font-size: small;">Sitting in what many would consider the wrong place at the wrong time, I found myself reflecting on being in the right place at the right time. I thought about how lucky I was to have spent an entire semester with the woman, my teacher, Nikki Giovanni, who told us almost four and a half years ago what we know now: “We are Virginia Tech…We will prevail.” I knew the Hokie Nation was a real entity, but I became more than aware of its size, strength, and ability to endure while sitting in that room surrounded by nothing but fear and uncertainty. </span> <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Those are the moments that define us… Not the moment where the trigger was pulled, but the nanosecond after, when thousands of people unite as one. Its the strangers becoming friends, friends becoming family, and family becoming your life support that define us in that moment. That is who we are, and that is what we did. Teachers became our legal guardians, parents if you will. I know one of mine did. I was in constant contact with one of my former teachers, Jane Vance, who picked me up the second the lockdown was lifted, taking me away from campus, and giving me the chance to release the breath I hadn’t even realized I’d been holding for hours. No stranger to tragedy, this was all too familiar territory for her as well… but we are Virginia Tech, and we take care of each other. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I had the honor and privilege of meeting some very special people in my evening away from campus whose story will have to be one for another day, but I can tell you that in the midst of their own tragedy, they opened their home to ours. They welcomed us, even I, who was a stranger, with open arms and provided a refuge from the day’s events… a shelter from the storm. I wish I could explain to you the magnitude of this experience. They are Virginia Tech, and that is what they do for one another. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">We are Virginia Tech, and now more than ever, we must remember who we are. We are more than a crime scene. We are more than a skewed, aired in bad taste news story. We are more than a gunman. We are a school, we are a community, we are a nation... and above any and all things, we are a family and we will always, always prevail. You can't change that, I can't change that, and neither can anyone with a gun.. We ARE Virginia Tech, and we will find the triumph in this tragedy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">So to the reporter who says we are a “snake-bitten campus, and a breeding ground for violence” I rebuke you. To the one who asks if we have “tracking a shooter down to a fine science” how dare you. To the ones who say we’re nothing more than “the campus were you’re most likely to get shot.” That tells me you’ve never stepped foot into Blacksburg… I am sad that you clearly have no one close enough to you to realize that family extends well beyond the blood that binds it. To Westboro Baptist Church, you are despicable and make me absolutely sick to my stomach... we are better than you, and we'll prove it. Not only will you be greeted by thousands of Hokies prepared to shelter the loved ones of fallen Officer Crouse, you’ll be driven out of town by the sheer magnitude of our unity. We are Virginia Tech, you mess with one, you get us all. Bring it on…I dare you. To News Channel 7 who refuses to cover Westboro’s picketing, I salute you and commend your lack of publicizing these imbeciles. But to the Hokie Nation, I thank you. I thank you for standing by us, for your outpouring of prayers, and for your stoic support in the face of ridicule, adversity, and tragedy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Say what you want about Virginia Tech, but this says it all without saying a word. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JVhfCW04KaDFz88mN0VveL1JemsSmj0l6bnU0lnnOa8VgF3Pc2A1rK-dYm-SsszQyIM7juSaNAswAgTi2dN1RVYbKyONlj8RPMI6oKqyxO8gzn3GsR-iYvN32kwVWuN6ZyQwjdG4atVg/s1600/384020_277624418954817_175394162511177_831626_645333180_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JVhfCW04KaDFz88mN0VveL1JemsSmj0l6bnU0lnnOa8VgF3Pc2A1rK-dYm-SsszQyIM7juSaNAswAgTi2dN1RVYbKyONlj8RPMI6oKqyxO8gzn3GsR-iYvN32kwVWuN6ZyQwjdG4atVg/s400/384020_277624418954817_175394162511177_831626_645333180_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">We ARE Virginia Tech, and THIS is how we PREVAIL.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKeyEf-4Mp91xyi0nFarjn8cXYO5LEzlkzgxyOwmTIl7zwCYMNhvrHqy2HSBgIPzCfDIaPf-wbJuAdAIOJWaC_vMnFnFRiDJUZPHBhp8yU9EOV8Ru681_R5x3Uc9QimMsNyodDWLQFBmq/s1600/378631_1661674238117_1725044355_837392_1038531984_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKeyEf-4Mp91xyi0nFarjn8cXYO5LEzlkzgxyOwmTIl7zwCYMNhvrHqy2HSBgIPzCfDIaPf-wbJuAdAIOJWaC_vMnFnFRiDJUZPHBhp8yU9EOV8Ru681_R5x3Uc9QimMsNyodDWLQFBmq/s400/378631_1661674238117_1725044355_837392_1038531984_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> Hokie Pride forever and always, always and forever. </span></div>
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laura013http://www.blogger.com/profile/16364054137466280900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579024465383228007.post-54760306785878971792011-11-04T20:10:00.000-07:002012-10-02T21:23:43.110-07:00To Everything There is a SeasonThis semester I'm taking a poetry class with Nikki Giovanni, who likes to assign extraordinarily vague assignments... This one was assigned as followed: "Autumn... 1500 words. Any questions?" So here is my abstract take on making that happen.<br />
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<div align="center" class="poet1-vn-ch" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">To Everything There is a Season</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="poet1-vn-ch" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">and a time for every purpose under heaven.</span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="poet1-vn" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A time to be born and a time to die.</span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="poet2" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A time to plant and a time to harvest.</span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="poet1-vn" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A time to kill and a time to heal.</span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="poet2" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A time to tear down and a time to build up.</span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="poet1-vn" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A time to cry and a time to laugh.</span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="poet2" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A time to grieve and a time to dance.</span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="poet1-vn" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.</span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="poet2" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A time to embrace and a time to turn away.</span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="poet1-vn" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A time to search and a time to quit searching.</span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="poet2" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A time to keep and a time to throw away.</span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="poet1-vn" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A time to tear and a time to mend.</span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="poet2" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A time to be quiet and a time to speak.</span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="poet1-vn" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A time to love and a time to hate.</span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="poet2" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A time for war and a time for peace.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Winter</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I always said it would be a cold day in hell,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">And it is…</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The moment I step through the threshold where daydreams meet reality</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I’m accosted by a frigid wind, instantly evicting all breath from my body.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I balance, terrified, on the plateau of hell frozen over,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">gazing into the abyss of what once composed my soul.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Fragments of my former existence lie all blurred together,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">no longer defined by anything other than the blanket of white that covers them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">There is nothing left for me here, I have nothing left to give. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I have fought with myself… with you… with everyone.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I fought with more fight than I ever knew I had inside me,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">and it still wasn’t enough.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Not for you. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">My tears freeze the instant they fall,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">shattering like the rest of the broken glass;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">the glass that once protected our family,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">in a frame encapsulating what we used to be.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Those days are long gone, dead and buried like those in the graveyard I’m passing by.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Everything is covered in ice…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">So many layers that I’ve lost sight of what was inside to begin with.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The winter months are long, dark, and lonely stuffed in a room full of people,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">all the while being alone… I resented that time.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The time you stole from me, the time you froze me in,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">stuck in an ice age of empty promises, deceit and lies.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">If only I had known that was merely the tip of the iceberg. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I think I would have rather walked through a tornado of broken glass…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I would have come out less wounded.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">You’re going to catch a cold, from the ice inside your soul…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">So don’t come back for me,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Don’t come back at all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Spring</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">So melted the ice,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">with it releasing the wrath-ridden choke-hold of winter,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">breathing life into the sharp daggers of truth </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">rising from the ground that once housed </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">the walls of ice I intricately and deliberately surrounded myself with.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I had been safe there…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Up came everything that I had purposely kept</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">tucked neatly inside my core…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">slowly defiling me from the inside out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I find myself suffocating in the lull of a room</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">filled with plants that bloom</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">no matter what the season.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Re-telling the same stories,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">as if reliving them would give me a chance to change the ending.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I began again just for the sake of starting over</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">with the rest of the universe.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">And so I started over, chained to the burdens of seasons past</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">moving forward, yet going nowhere. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The April showers mirror the cascade of tears falling down my face</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">after been held back for far too long. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Eventually they bring May flowers to remind me that</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">everything worth having is worth fighting for… </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Even in the dead of winter</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">something lives. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I can feel it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I am angry still.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I have such a furious fire burning in my soul…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I should be ashes by now,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">but I am letting go.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">So melts the ice…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">out with the old, in with the new.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Summer</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Paradise.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Sunrise, sunrise,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">you couldn’t stop me if you tried.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Free at last.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I am as free as the wind blows,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">free as the sun to rise and set as it pleases,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">finding the joy in elongating the light of each new day.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Free like the honeysuckle vine</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">wrapping desperately around everything it touches</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">begging to expand its ability </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">to make something crippling, beautiful.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Free like the dandelion seeds floating through the air,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">finding ‘home’ wherever the winds of life take them,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">expanding their ‘family’ to those encountered along the way.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The world around me is bursting with life,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">and for the first time in years, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I see it for what it is,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">instead of what it is not. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I counted the stars on the fourth of July</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">knowing that this independence day meant much, much more</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">than rockets bursting in the sky.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Talking about redemption and leaving things behind…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">At peace with how I played the hand I was dealt,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">at peace with the beauty in the breakdown.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Encompassed by the eternal serenity bestowed upon me </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">by the angels I spent time with,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">just passing through the crossroads.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The warmth of the air is comparable</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">to the heart I finally allowed the chance to thaw. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Through the changing tides of time</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I’ve come to understand,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I must write the good in stone,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">and lie the bad down on the sand.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Autumn</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">It is true what they say;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">a journey of a thousand miles</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">does indeed begin with the first step. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I took that step, and many, many thousands beyond it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Though my feet may hurt, I’ll never stop walking.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I’m starting over, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">for the sake of starting over </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>without</i></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> the rest of the universe. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Once upon a time,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I wanted everything to stay the same.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Once upon a time,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">it was better that it changed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I changed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">What if trials of this life,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">the rain, the storms, the darkest nights,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">are really mercies in disguise?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">What doesn’t kill you builds character.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The winds of grace are always blowing</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">but you must raise the sail…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The combination of the sunshine on my face,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">the chill in the air, and the hues of every season </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">joining together in a grand finale</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">reminds me of the journey…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">and that it is far from over. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I walk down the paths I’ve walked before,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">past the graveyard I used to call home,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">and in the absence of disdain, I'm planting seeds…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Seeds of the memories that now compose my soul</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">coupled with the desire to cultivate new ones. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">You reap what you sow. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I’m reminded by the leaves, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">as they fall from the trees, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">that there IS beauty in the breakdown.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">It is true that in order to gain something worth having,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">it may be necessary to lose everything else. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Like the flowers shriveling up</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">into nothing but the seedpod fruits of their labor,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I will find something worth leaving behind. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I will go into winter knowing</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">that I used everything I was given </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">to cultivate for myself a new existence,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">a new and deeply impassioned ambition;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">a new and selflessly loving family;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">a new and eternal inspiration to be the change;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">a new and unparalleled happiness.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I will go into winter </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">knowing there is no need to shelter my heart with walls of ice;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">knowing that it is better to love and lose;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">knowing that even in death there opens doors for life to enter;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">knowing that it is not always about what is ending, but what’s beginning.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">So starts the beginning to my new ending:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">May God grant me the serenity</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">to accept the things I cannot change,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">the courage to change the things I can, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">and the wisdom to know the difference, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">and the strength to do all the good I can,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">in all the ways I can,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">for all the people I can,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">for as long as I can.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">forever and always,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">always and forever,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">till death do I part from this earth.</span></div>
laura013http://www.blogger.com/profile/16364054137466280900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579024465383228007.post-39247937278048032692011-09-22T21:46:00.000-07:002011-09-22T22:02:50.221-07:00If I Die Young<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I find it hard to believe that its been over a month since my last post, but in retrospect, looking at all the events that have taken place since then, its harder to believe it hasn't been longer. I find myself in disbelief that I'm well into the fall semester of my Junior year at Virginia Tech. It really doesn't seem like I should be that old. I am voluntarily shadowing a middle school choir at a local school one or two mornings a week and was introduced a couple weeks ago as Ms. Schneider. WHAT? I think I aged 20 years in those 2 seconds. And so begins the days of being addressed with formality. I suppose I'll look back on that moment someday and say, "Those were the good ole days" but until then, I feel SO old. </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have jotted down so many things that I wish to write about, but with 21 credit hours, 11 classes and barely enough time to eat and sleep in between, the time to sit and reflect on said thoughts has simply evaded me.. I'll perhaps get to those as time allows. But for now, I think I'll pick up where I left off in an effort to get back into this more actively. If I Die Young by The Band Perry was one of my 'Songs of Summer' and at some point I started wondering if I were to die tomorrow what I would be leaving behind... Not because I anticipate doing so by any stretch of the imagination, but because it got me to thinking about how I have invested, am investing and will continue to invest the time I've been given... I don't know if you're a religious person, and to be honest, I'm not sure if I am either, but when it comes down to it, if I find myself face to face with God, I want to be able to say, "I used everything you gave me." I have since realized that in order to ensure I'm doing what I should with what I have when I can, I must first evaluate the things I value, the life lessons I hold in high esteem, and the people I surround myself with. I started this list this summer and have since added to, taken away, and modified slightly the things on it. So without further ado, and in no specific order of importance, I present to you, the 21 most important things I've learned in my 21 years of living.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>1)</b> It is better to be silent then to be silenced. It is no mistake that silent contains the same letters as listen.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>2)</b>It is better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all...it shouldn't take death to make you realize how important someone is to you.. if it does, you need to seriously re-evaluate your relationships.Where you invest your love, you invest your life. I can't speak for the stock market, but I'm pretty secure in my investments. </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>3)</b> There is no prescribed path... but you should have a plan. Followed by a series of 'what-if' back ups. Its important to keep in mind that the moment you try to force things, they'll never happen. So while keeping in mind the bigger picture, take baby steps. You can always change your plan, but only if you have one. </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>4)</b> You've got to stand for something, or you'll fall for anything. If you're not convicted enough in yourself and what you believe in, who will be? You cannot live eternally behind a brick wall of eggshells. At some point you must take responsibility for your own happiness... even if that means being selfish. Sometimes you simply must save yourself. </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>5)</b> No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>6)</b> We are given moments. They turn into hours, that turn into days, that turn into weeks, that turn into years, that eventually make up your life time... Invest in them wisely, spend them well, give them freely, and treasure them forever. Waste not want not.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>7)</b> People are going to disappoint you... the sooner you realize that, the better off you'll be. Don't place your faith in anyone who wouldn't place their faith in you. Don't cry over anyone who wouldn't cry over you... Sometimes the ones who are supposed to be closest to you will fail you the most... Unfortunately, you often times learn that the hard way.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>8)</b> When you are most secure in your circumstances, prepare for the other shoe to drop. Everything happens for a reason. When painful things happen it is important that you realize its because good things have fallen apart... But its more important to realize that better things will fall together. The best thing you can do is try your best to grow instead of falling to pieces. You must not forget the good was there to begin with..</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>9)</b> The most important requirement for success is conviction in your dream even if the world thinks its worthless pursuing it. The second is coupling that conviction with the relentless action to make it come true. Be the best you can at what you're doing... in every aspect of your life. Push your limits, no one else is going to do it for you. Do it or don't, just don't do it halfway.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>10)</b> The hardest part of teaching is realizing you are in fact the one being taught... the moment you feel you are done learning, begin looking for another job. Cause you missed the point.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>11)</b> Take the good with the bad and make something better. Life is not fair... let it go.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>12)</b> You can never say I love you too much.. unless you don't actually mean it.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>13)</b> You have two choices in this life: to enable or disable. You decide.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>14)</b> Try to focus on how lucky you are instead of how lucky you are not... because no matter how bad things seem, it could ALWAYS be worse. </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>15)</b> Blood is not thicker than water. While I love my family, I have expanded it greatly and I can honestly say I'm not at all related to some of my closest family members. </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>16)</b> Do not go to bed angry... Holding onto anger and resentment is like drinking poison and hoping your enemies die. Forgive the source of your anger for yourself and evaluate in the morning. Forgiveness is not about forgetting, its about releasing the hold you have on somebody's throat. </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>17)</b> Do one thing every day that scares you. </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>18)</b> Enabling the dreams of others is often times more rewarding than achieving your own. </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>19)</b> You never outgrow Crayola crayons. If you think you have re-prioritize your life. </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>20)</b> 'Goodbyes' are the one thing in life that doesn't get any easier with age, practice, repetition or preparation... </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>21)</b> Something earned is twice the value of something given... but when given something, never forget to give back. Foolish is the man who does nothing because he can do little. In everything you do, pay it forward.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In addition to this, I'm in the process of creating a bucket list... Its going to be comprised of things I want to achieve, things I want to do, things I want to see, but most importantly, things I would love to someday be able to do for others. I have been abundantly blessed with good family, great friends, and a lot of people who have really enabled me to appreciate what life is truly about... I would be absolutely lost without them... I am eternally grateful to all of those people and only hope that I can give back to humanity a fraction of what they've given me. </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"If I will love than I will find that I have touched another life, and that's something worth leaving behind." -Lee Ann Womack</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>laura013http://www.blogger.com/profile/16364054137466280900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579024465383228007.post-75867150485040650792011-08-08T08:49:00.000-07:002011-08-08T08:49:50.902-07:00Amazing Grace, Brick Walls, and CatalystsTo all of you who believed in me, thank you... to all of you who didn't: I made it to the "oh-so-glorious, long-awaited, deeply-coveted" age of 21. Successfuly, independently, not always gracefully, but I would hope humbly and with the utmost gratitude to the ones who HAVE stood beside me... not because they had to, but because they wanted to... Its been an honor proving the rest of you wrong. <br />
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On the days leading up to my 21st birthday, the day of, and these couple days after, there have been three things consistently on my mind. This first of which is amazing grace. I talk often about how lucky I am to be surround by the people I'm surrounded by. There is someone up there looking out for me... I'd be a fool to think otherwise. I cannot say that anyone who has been in my life has been there by coincedence. Its just not possible. For every bump in the road, there has always been someone at the ready to take me on the detour. Talk about amazing grace. I once was lost, but now I'm found, was blind, but now, I see.. Thank you to everyone in my life who knowingly, or unknowingly keeps me believing in God... I consider you all angels. I would have never made it through the last several years without all of you... which brings me to my next topic.<br />
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Brick walls. In the words of Randy Pausch, "The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out; the brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. The brick walls are there to stop the people who don't want it badly enough." I cannot tell you how many brick walls I've hit, run through, jumped over, slammed into, or just sat and stared at in the last handful of years. I could have built an entire city out of all of them... but looking back at all of that from where I am today, its good to know that those mountains are now mole hills, and some, better yet, canyons. I learned a lot about life in the years that I spent falling apart... but I've found that most importantly, I've learned to rebuild. And though I don't always get it right the first time, I've learned a lot about what not to do, which I like to believe puts me a little closer to rebuilding for good. "The struggles make you stronger, the changes make you wise, and happiness has its own way of taking its sweet time.." I've grown to become quite fond of brick walls... they really do give you a chance to prove yourself. You've got to learn to fight for yourself when no one else will fight for you, and though initially its a big pill to swallow, it really makes you a stronger person from the inside out. But what happens once you make it past those walls?<br />
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That brings me to my third and final contemplative subject: catalysts. One of the last things my grandmother said to me was "Congratulations, you've made it to the other side... now its time to stop treading water and move forward." I would say her death was the most significant catalyst I encountered this summer. She's right. I am finally on the other side of the ever-looming black cloud. Sure bad things will still happen, but I'm quickly learning that that is just life, and its to be expected. It really and truly is time to move forward.. no excuses. In losing my computer this summer which was packed full of memories from the last several years, I realized its not about being able to hold onto those things, its about being able to let them go. I was lucky to be able to make those memories in the first place. There was a lot of negativity packed onto that hard drive... those are gone, but the happy, meaningful, most treasured memories are in my heart forever... that's what counts. Sometimes you lose the people closest to you... but A) thats not really true because if they were that close to you in the first place they will always be present in some aspect of your life, even if it is just in your memories. B) it allows room for others to reach out to you and ultimately for you to reach out to others. <br />
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The Lion King got it right, "Its the circle of life, and it moves us all through despair and hope... through faith and love. As we find our way on the path unwinding in the circle, the circle of life." I am so excited for the future... I did something for myself last week... I've done this about once a year since my parents got divorced... but before going to teach my band back home, I drove past my old house: the last place where we lived together as a family. For the first time in years, I felt nothing. Not happiness, not sadness.. nor resentment, nor hate... not anything but complete peace. That, my friends, was an awesome feeling. . I have started over more times than I can count, and I have gone backwards more times than I care to admit... But I am taking a stand to move forward. I have hit a lot of brick walls... but the point is, they're behind me. I can honestly say I am happier than I have been in years. I have some big plans and some crazy big dreams and I have no intentions of letting anything or anyone get in my way. <br />
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Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come. 'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home. <br />
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laura013http://www.blogger.com/profile/16364054137466280900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579024465383228007.post-54725368197003750392011-07-20T20:18:00.000-07:002011-07-20T20:30:37.720-07:00A Series of Un(fortunate) Events<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, its definitely been a while...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The past handful of weeks has felt like somewhat of an eternal downward spiral. Just as soon as I’d cross one hurdle another immediately jutted up directly in front of me. These new challenges coupled with the ones I knew were lingering in the distance for me to overcome eventually really got to be more than I could wrap my head around. Just for kicks and grins, here’s the running list of said ‘series of unfortunate events’.<o:p></o:p></span> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6 weeks ago, I found out I was going to lose a couple close friends to a job relocation across the country… this wouldn’t have packed as harsh a sting had it not been completely out of the blue and had it not been people who had somehow gone from complete strangers to family in less than a year. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5 weeks ago, my grandmother died: She is probably the most influential person I’ve ever had the pleasure and honor of sharing time on this earth with, and to have to say goodbye to her just about shut me down.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4 weeks ago, someone ripped off my check card number and drained my bank account. This also, wouldn’t have been quite as catastrophic had it not been 48 hours before the end of one month and beginning of another. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite having numerous rounds with BB&T, they refused to refund any of my money until they had investigated everything. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3 ½ weeks ago, I got into a blowout with the family I’ve considered my own for years, and came way too close to burning a bridge I’m not quite sure I’ve even finished crossing yet. We don’t need to go there. You know that feeling when you’ve let frustration get the best of you, and you explode, not caring who you catch in the cros fire, and you feel better for about 30 seconds… until your stomach falls out your ass because you know you just did some serious damage? That was me… and that’s all I have to say about that. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3 weeks ago I worked 52 hours in less than three days, not sleeping from Tuesday until 2:30am Friday morning. I was complete and total zombie status by the end of that week, but was so excited to have put in so many hours because it would have just put me over the top to pay for all the major anticipated expenses for the summer. What a huge sigh of relief. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">NOT. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2 weeks ago, I was leaving after dropping off my favorite 3 year old from one of our last “Adventure Days” before he moved to TX and in my haste to get everything in my car, I put my $1,600 MacBook Pro on top of my car. My passenger side door was locked, which is where I placed my computer... So I guess I walked around to get my keys, put the things in my arms on the driver’s side, put the rest in my trunk, and drove away. No, you didn’t miss the part where I walked back to the passenger side to put my laptop safely in the car. Bon voyage, $1,600 and 2+ irreplaceable years of my life. Despite walking the 5 miles from their house to mine, filing a police report, and going door to door; no sign of it since. Now that’s an EPIC fail.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 week ago, I had to say goodbye to said friends and their little boy. To say that that ripped my heart out would be somewhat of a massive understatement. In the absence of a “text book normal” family, it has become somewhat second nature for me to consider others as my own. So to lose people I consider as such, felt twice the loss. If there is one thing I’ve learned this summer, it’s that heartache really and truly is a physical pain. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All in that week, the dogs I were pet sitting absolutely destroyed the deck furniture while I was gone and I had to let the people know… looking like an idiot. I locked my keys in my car… twice. I got bit by a brown recluse spider, which obviously didn’t kill me, but didn’t hurt anything shy of ‘like hell’… My checks stopped working, so I had no access to my bank account in any way, shape, or form… which ultimately ended in me having to call friends a couple times to bail me out for dinner. That was embarrassing. I made yet ANOTHER trip back to the dentist (6<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> visit for the same problem) to try AGAIN to get my teeth fixed, so far to no avail. But after all this… you wanna know the straw that broke the camel’s back? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was a fortune cookie. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After all the crap, the ups and downs, the frustration, the anger, everything… it was a freaking fortune cookie. I was eating $5.00 Chinese food for dinner, which was all the change I could find, and more relevantly, all I had time for, and after a craptastically difficult and nothing shy of awful couple of weeks, I was really looking forward to the fortune cookie. So, like a little kid, I open the wrapper with excitement, cracked it open, unrolled the paper, and read “Bad luck and misfortune are sure to follow you.” And I lost it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">That was enough. I decided that there was a flipside to all of this. There is a flipside to everything… you just have to be willing to look for it. Up until that point, I wasn’t, but I was desperate for something to hold onto. So I did some soul searching… and what I found brought me straight back to “everything happens for a reason.” I don’t think I could do a better job of summing it up that with this Marilyn Monroe quote, so here it is: "I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they're right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together."<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Out of all that crap that happened, things WILL come together. Yes, my grandmother is gone, but at least she isn’t suffering anymore. Yes, it sucks that someone made off with a bunch of my money, but it could definitely be worse. Yes, I play with fire when I’m exhausted, frustrated, and at my breaking point, but don’t we all? Yes, even I, who makes it a point to say exactly what I mean, sometimes go a step further into the land of things I wish I could take back. You can’t take back the words after they’re said… so you just have to learn to say ‘I’m sorry’, which is most often, the bigger pill to swallow. Yes, the stupid spider bite sucks.. but I'm not dead... yet. Yes, losing my MacBook BLOWS. Not only because its $1,600 down the drain, but because of the pictures, important documents, music, etc. that I lost as well. But at least I was able to make those memories in the first place. I’ve had about 3345980398450938987 of those “oh, shit. That was on my computer…” moments, but the best advice I got in that regard was the following: “Okay, so in essence part of your house burned down. You’re able to start cleaner than most people can imagine. Don’t let the smoke from the old home follow you into the new one.” </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Maybe, as circumstantially stupid as it may seem, this is all part of a master plan to make me move forward. I think I was stuck in a rut of treading water in many different aspects of my life. Now I have no choice but to move on, because there’s nothing to hang on to anymore. Yeah all the other little stupid things that have gone wrong pissed me off and have been quite the annoyance, but such is life. Yes, saying goodbye to such good friends broke my heart, but it wasn’t goodbye anyways… I’ll see them soon enough. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that wearing my heart on my sleeve makes me an incredibly vulnerable person and easily susceptible to heartbreak, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I couldn’t stand the thought of going through this life not loving unconditionally only because I was afraid of being hurt. I know several miserable people who have wasted their lives doing so, and I have no desire to be one. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My apologies for the lengthy post, but I needed to spend some time decompressing… I guess all this to say, the series of unfortunate events really, in hindsight, made me focus on how lucky I am, instead of how lucky I’m not. So take that fortune cookie, I rebuke you. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>laura013http://www.blogger.com/profile/16364054137466280900noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579024465383228007.post-27148696010004610752011-07-01T20:06:00.000-07:002011-07-01T22:12:54.730-07:00Words of WisdomDon't get too excited:<br />
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I'm not putting myself on some high horse and issuing out words of wisdom or free advice by any means... In fact, I'm doing quite the opposite: I'm taking it. I've mentioned before that I am someone who firmly believes in interconnection and that no one that crosses your path crosses it by accident. I have been extraordinarily lucky to have crossed paths with some of these people, but luckier to have noticed it... It saddens me to think about the opportunities that I've witnessed people miss because of egotistical nonsense, pure arrogance, stubbornness, animosity, and otherwise... but what saddens me even more is, I've done so myself.<br />
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I am issuing myself a voluntary attitude adjustment that I feel has become somewhat rather mandatory... I don't want to miss what's right in front of me... not anymore. I try to be an open-minded person, but I can be incredibly closed minded about things once my mind is made up. I hold more grudges than I realize and I'd like to make a conscious effort not to do that anymore. I'd like to find some good in every situation before acknowledging the bad... I've found that if I first acknowledge the bad, I never get around to finding the good because its simply too easy to be negative. I don't want to be like that.<br />
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I have been spending a significant amount of time with people I was fortunate enough to not let slip by unnoticed, talking endlessly about things that actually matter. For the record, those really are the most invaluable conversations... I really try hard to pay close attention to those... because thats where said "Words of Wisdom" come into play.<br />
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I have spent the better half of my life trying to figure it out. I want all the answers. I want them now. I want a step-by-step plan as to how things are going to happen, when they're going to take place, where my next step is going to be, etc. But I think that some of the best advice I've ever been given came from a recent conversation among a few good friends of mine... In talking about past, present, and future events the notion came up that "there is no prescribed path." That statement blindsided me in a way I didn't really expect. It became so apparent to me in that moment just how much I tried to micromanage every aspect of my life. Sure, some things I have no control over, but when I do, buddy, back off.<br />
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I have changed a lot of things in my life intentionally, and several things have changed unintentionally because of it, but more often then not, things change that I have absolutely no control over... and instantly I go into damage control mode, trying to control the uncontrollable. That's a lot of control... or rather, lack thereof. What I got most from that conversation was that I didn't need to have a plan, a map, a blow-by-blow of the rest of my life. Its okay to not have control of everything and to relinquish a little bit of your fate to the powers that be... I really do believe things happen for a reason, and now I know why. I was also told "If you can figure out the 'why', then the 'how', the 'where', the 'when', etc. will all fall into place." And I believe it will. It has thus far... which up until now, I was too nearsighted to see.<br />
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There really is no prescribed path... But I do know I'm headed down the right one... and that's all I need. I've figured out the 'why'. So, until the rest of the things fall into place I'm going to make a conscious effort to be less critical, more open; less judgmental, more accepting; less focused on the things that are insignificant, with my eyes wide open to the bigger picture... and all the while making sure that I'm not letting the people who have been put in place to change my life slip by without knowing it.laura013http://www.blogger.com/profile/16364054137466280900noreply@blogger.com0