Relent

Let it rain,

let it pour.

Touch thy body,

touch thy soul.

Breath of life,

breath of hope

Take thy strife,

take thy mope.

Feel it turn,

feel it toil.

Displace thy burn,

displace thy spoil.

Embrace thy tight,

embrace thy near.

Love of bright,

love of dear.

Beautifully Broken

Numb to the world, numb to the pain.

Trial and tribulations leave one stained.

Rely on many,

in the dark of night, find not one, not any.

The troubled mind turns,

while the broken heart yearns.

Turn to vices, begin to stray,

isolate and slip away.

Image by the incredible artist: Claudia. See more of her work at http://darkclau.deviantart.com/

I swear...this is the last time!

Everyone has fallen victim to it at one time or another; yet the culprit is unique for each.

Victim: The Dieter

Culprit: The Cookie

"I'll start my diet tomorrow. Today is my last day to indulge myself before the self-restriction and deprivation begins. I'll be working it out and sweating it off tomorrow so one last cookie, or dozen won't kill me. "

And when tomorrow rises and the day begins...

"Today is an absolutely horrible day. My boss is stressing me out, my man is acting up, and I had a huge falling out with my girlfriend. After a day like today, I deserve to eat what will comfort me. After all, it's only one more day. I'll start tomorrow."

And so the cycle continues..."I swear today is the last time (day) before I start my diet and begin my bodily transformation."

The Victim: Mrs. Naive

The Culprit: Mr. "Good-for-Nothing"

The Mrs., "We've had this conversation at least ten times before. You say you are going to the store and you stay out all night and don't come home until the following afternoon. No phone call, no answer, and then you come home smelling like perfume. That's it. I'm done spending countless sleepless nights at home waiting for you. Get your things and get out!"

The Mr., "But baby, I told you, I stopped by my boys and fell asleep on the couch. And you know his girl is always at his place. That's the smell of her perfume from her always sitting on the couch."

Less than a week later....

The Mr. (with flowers and teddy bear in hand), "Baby, I miss you not being in my life. You complete me. I love you and want to spend my life with you. I will prove it to you. Please, baby, just give me a chance."

The Mrs., "I love you too baby but I can't keep doing this. This is your last chance to change."

And so the cycle continues..."I swear this is the last time that I'm taking you back. If you mess up again that's it...we are done for good...no more chances after this."

The Victim: The "I'm starting-school-next-semester student"

The Culprit: Any other source of immediate income

"I swear I'm going back to college next semester. I had to take the semester off so I could work. My car broke down and I had to get it fixed because a face like this can't take public transportation."

And when the new semester is on the horizon...

"I got my car fixed but I really need to save money to go back to school. One more semester working and I'll have enough money saved up to finish school and live off of without having to work full-time."

And when a full year has gone by and another new semester is on the horizon...

"I was having issues with my car so I decided to sell it and get something new. I used all my school savings to buy the newest, coolest, chick magnet on wheels."

And so the cycle continues...

Road trip!

I had a beautifully amazing weekend with an absolutely incredible man. I saw more in two days in a 2003 VW Jetta, then I had in twenty years of living in the Golden State. For those who haven't hung up their inhibitions, overfilled schedules, and daily stresses for a trip down California's infamous Highway 1, words and pictures will never accurately express the simple wonders one is missing.

But if I could summarize my amazing weekend in 5 little thoughts this is what they'd be...

1. A backpacked lunch on a hill overlooking the Big Sur coast is more romantic then any high priced restaurant.

Sometimes in life you have to walk towards the danger signs, past the 80 feet waterfalls, up the hills, and around the bends to get to the place where you want to be.

2. God's coastal craftsmanship is more awe-aspiring, captivating, and breathtaking than any Hollywood production could ever be.

Enjoy it the way God intended - window down, wide-eye, smiling, and free. (And if your behavior appears to be mimicking your favorite pooch...don't worry...you are doing it just right!)

3. The most beautiful adventures in life don't follow a map, schedule, or a plan; they just happen.

You never know where a random detour may take you...a beautiful afternoon stroll in the rain or a grand beach adventure.

4. Even though you love someone, society won't love you together.

But when your eyes are open to the ignorance and you are in it together, you can lean on each other and take it in stride; so that the intolerant, discriminating host builds the foundation of your relationship rather than a tool to tear it apart.

5. A beautiful relationship transforms even the mundane meal-on-the-go into indescribable, priceless moments in life.

Priceless moments in life aren't defined by where you are or what you do; it's who you are with that make those moments in life take your breath away. When you can share a sandwich, Doritos, and an ice tea sitting in the car in the rain and you wouldn't trade that moment for a five-star exotic getaway, you've found it and don't ever let it go.

Process or Product?

This morning started off similar to any other weekday morning. My alarm went off, loud and blaring, telling me to get up and going. And for the twenty minutes following such a rude awakening, my snooze button became my temporary savior until I could no longer deny the inevitable...stepping out from the warm comfort of my bed and into the cold reality of the awaiting day. I sauntered into the bathroom to take my morning shower and then it hit me hard...I've lost myself in chasing the final product and lost my love for the process. Life is full of its up and downs and somewhere along the way I lost my focus and lost my love for the process. And so the introspection began one painful thought at a time...

Where was my focus during those times of great personal success in my life? My introspective search was impossible to deny. It wasn't in the achievement, the recognition, the championship, the honors, the degree, the money I made, the team roster I was on, or the size jeans I wore. It was in the process...the hard work, the sweat, the tears, the sacrifice, the determination, and the discipline. Which made me think...what is the key to success? Can one be successful by chasing the notion of success?

After some serious thought, I found my answer for myself.

The key to success lies in one's ability to find love and passion in the process of their pursuits; without such one will inevitably fall victim to complacency.