Attempting To See The Good

One of the truths about life is that it is extremely complex.  Intertwined with the good is the bad,and with the bad the good. Life is of course then never easy. We will view things as easier than others,but life is complicated and hard.  Sometimes it is hard to make basic decisions,but then it is easy to make life changing decisions. Or the other way around,which for most is the easier.
What I have been thinking about the last couple of days is being optimistic.  For most of the people I know this is an easy task, but then for those chosen few, this is a complication within their life... basically they can't see what everyone else does. I have made a point in my adult life to stick to being optimistic because being depressed all the time in my mind is no way to live.  I'm not saying that I never get depressed, because I do. I just choose not to dwell on it, or I am trying really damn hard to avoid it.
So let's face it. There are a lot of shitty things going on for the young adults today.  The job market basically sucks.  So you are forced to decide between your happiness at home or trying to do something new somewhere else where you are not as familiar.  Some of you,like myself have no issue with this. You are willing to run into the distance and take on what ever challenges the world has out there for you. But then there are those of you who no matter what your circumstances are now want to run home as soon as you can.  And well, though I might not agree with your decision, it might be the best thing for you. Truth is, that some people just weren't meant to leave their family nest. And that is sad I think. I am not saying that there is something wrong with having roots. Everyone just has to make up their mind on whether they want to stick to the roots their parents set for them, or whether or not you want to stand up for yourself and set up your own roots.
If you decided to go to college and your parents are not paying your way, then you are putting yourself further and further into dept with college loans.  That is the case the case for me. Since I decided not to stay in TN and spread my wings elsewhere, I am well...... very very in dept to the government and Sallie Mae.  On top of that I decided to get a vehicle because I needed to be able to move around on more than just the metro and my own two feet.  That set me a few thousand back, and now I am having to pay for insurance and gas.  Yeah so I have a lot against my name right now, and guess what ... that is ok.  Everyone doesn't start out rich out their asses to where they really don't have to work for anything.  Getting in dept and paying it off is a cycle of modern life.  It symbolizes accomplishment. If you have to work for what you have, then you will appreciate things in life more than those people who just have stuff handed to them.  Because I am having to work off my education, I understand what separates me from other people.  I realize that not everyone got the chance to do what I am doing, and some people had to settle when I decided not to.  Not that everyone did, but what I am doing sets me apart... just like everyone else who is trying to do things completely on their own.  Now a few of my friends still depend on their families because the opportunity for them to get away just hasn't opened. To you I say keep doin what you have to for yourself.  If you keep pushing,your door will open and you will be free to make your own mistakes and truly live your own life.
So I guess in conclusion people, I am saying give life a chance.  You might not be in the situation you want to be in, but keep pushing and eventually you will.  Take the time to realize what you have and embrace it. Discover your strengths and revel in them.  Do what it takes so you can stand strong on your own and be proud of yourself.  Be able to smile at life, even though it might not be smiling on you now.

Us vs. The Rest of the World

It seems lately that I have had to have several conversations with people on how it is that the world seems to be fighting against us.  The idea that the world is pushing against all efforts and that no matter what we do, we seem to not be able to out-wit the world.  But I wonder, is this really the case?  Can the world really fight against you when all there is is what you and your elders have put into it?

In order to explain my advice, I must define some key terms.
So what exactly is the "world"?  I have come to understand it as everyone else who inhabits this planet besides ourselves.  It also may include the natural forces of nature of which we can influence,sorta,but can not actually manipulate or change.  It or they are everything else that affects our daily lives and decisions. For example, the oil spill in the Gulf is explained to be a man-made natural disaster.  Because of this open oil field which has been continuously spilling into our ocean for more than a month now, we can not really take and beach vacations to the Gulf. The contamination in the water is due to man's desire for oil with out any true means of control. There have been several efforts to decrease or stop the flow of oil,but it seems that all we are doing is making it worse.
What is the connection between us and the actions of other people?  I find this explanation to be the hardest. We are our own individuals who are responsible for our own personal actions. This applies to every human being on this planet. Now some actions are group efforts,like a team sport or an organized group event, and some individual actions affect groups outside of themselves,like suicide bombings.  Whether we want to admit it or not,our own personal actions in some way or another affect the lives of everyone else in the world. It is a grand concept, I know, but it doesn't make it any less true.  Here is a small example:
You go to the grocery store and you purchase and apple. Now in purchasing that one apple you have actually done several things. 1-you provided profit for the store in which you purchased the apple, 2-you provided a profit for the farm which grew the apple, 3-you increased the demand for more apples from that farm and that store, 4-you have given the opportunity for the clerk to do there job and then receive a pay check for that work. That is just a bit of the financial side of it I believe. For the more natural side of things: this can go either of the two ways...1-you have purchased something that once you have finished eating may be ground up and used as plant food with the rest of your fruit and vegetable mush or 2-if you toss the apple in the trash,you are providing job opportunities for garbage personnel and garbage separators.  For you personally  you have chosen something healthy which will not add to the luxury of your waist line and will help keep the doctor away.
Now my advice. I like to keep an optomistic point of view when it comes to our lives and the lives of others. It keeps things a lot less stressful, if you know what I mean.  In a sense,it is us against the world, but you must understand that this is nothing to be afraid of because everyone else is in the same shoes that you are.  Everyone no matter who they are,where they live,what their job is, who their family is, none of it matters.  These things can help when it comes to certain situations you face in your life,but the bottom line is it is you against the world. Now I hate having to pull the God card, but it apparently really helps with some people. You should know the line.... God will never give you more than you can handle. For some that is all they need to hear because of their unexplainable faith in whatever their god of choice may be. But for others,like myself,I like to explain things in a more we are the natural wonders of the world sort of thing.
Man was once just a cave creature. It roamed from place to place living off of natural animal instincts. Then when it was time, either by accident or inspiration, man created fire,he created the wheel,clothing,and on and on and on up till now where we are using almost completely man made everything for everything in our lives. We, man, are adapters and creators. Some of us might not think of ourselves as master inventors but we can adapt better than any other creature on earth. Whether it be family,financial,job,or relationships, or any other life situation, we will have something put on our plates,then we will continue on. We will fix,compromise, reconsider,change,give up, rethink, learn.... whatever it takes to keep us on our feet,that is what we will do. The fact is,some events hurt more than others,and it might take a little more umph to get us back on our feet and on our way. The goal/point is that we do it. We do to succeed. We do to accomplish. We do to live.

Yin and Yang

I have always been fascinated by the Yin and Yang symbol.  The simplicity of it captures the attention of every generation.  It wasn't until this last year when I took World Religion's and Taoism and Confucianism that I was truly able to learn about this symbol.  It's physical design may be simple, but it's inner meaning is far more complicated.
Out of the chaos came the balance of Yin and Yang.   It is not the elements of good and evil, but it is instead the presence of balance.  Yin, the feminine essence, represents the cool, female, water, light, etc.  The Yang represents the hot, male, fire, dark, etc.  In the cycle of life, there is in the height of Yin, the presence of Yang.  And in the height of Yang, there is the presence of Yin.  The initial idea is a balance of all things.
In our modern lives, I think that it is difficult to find that balance of all things.  We will try when we think the balance has gotten to rough, but in truth we should try to keep the balance every day.  Yoga and revitalization in the morning.  Exercise and invigoration during the day.  Cool down and relaxation in the evening.  Inn this cycle we can maintain a healthy balance in our lives.  I think it's worth trying.

Southern Charm

The thing about Nashville and most of the state of Tennessee is that no matter where you go you are welcomed with a smile and a helping hand.  Whether you are trying to see the city, travel through the country side, discover something new and musical, or just trying to get your stuff out of your car, Tennesseans are always willing to help.  I have lived outside of the state of Tennessee for three years now, and I am still baffled by how different the rest of the country is from my southern home.  Truthfully, Tennessee moves at a bit of a slower pace.  People actually take the time to enjoy the air and embrace the sunshine.  Everywhere you go, someone is willing to strike up a conversation with you about almost anything.  If you are thinking of family and friends, plus a good time, or reminiscing on good times, you have found the place.  I am proud to say that I am a Tennessean, and I am glad that I am able to show the people in Washington, DC, Maryland and all of my college peers what true Southern Charm is. 

I purchased my Honda CR-V

This is my 2006 Honda CR-V EX SUV 4WD.  She is gold with a cool tan interior.  Hey camping trips.  Here we come!!!

Getting a vehicle in another state

So setting things up to get my first paid for by me vehicle is going rather crabby,but is moving along. The plan was to purchase car insurance before I left Maryland so that when I purchase the vehicle in Tennessee,things will go much more smoothly. This is sorta not going to happen. I will set up renters insurance so that they have all of my information. I will then go to Darrel Waltrip Honda in Cool Springs Tennessee and purchase a Honda CR-V EX-L(used),probably a 2008.  Then I will call State Farm and set up the car insurance so that I can drive off the lot with my new(used) SUV. Because I live in Maryland,I will have to wait and come back to get plates and register the car here.  That sucks for me because I really don't want to be associated with Maryland drivers because they all basically don't know how to drive. What I mean is,  I have yet to see a Maryland plated driver follow the road rules. This is all so frustrating. But it will be ok. It will all happen on Monday and then I will be happy.  I hope.

What's Up~Update

So last week I decided to plan out my goals for the summer to keep myself more on track of things.  And well, things haven't been moving quickly,but it has only been a week. The only place I've deep cleaned this week was the kitchen. I can't wait to reorganize it the way I want it, I just have to go home and get my car first.  I spent a few hours in Ikea and Bed, Bath, and Beyond the other day. Saw several things I would love to have, but knew I couldn't afford as of right now. I also price checked the items I would buy and verified that they would still be there till around the end of Julyish. When it comes to the car,I'm still trying to pick an insurance company to go with. I'm stuck between Allstate and Progressive. I know more people with Allstate and the representatives that I have talked to on the phone have been pretty awesome.  However, the Progressive representatives have been just as helpful and have taken the initiative to work out what my insurance plan would be like/consist of,and discussed with me what I could expect in the next 5 or so years.  Not that any of that was true, it's just hard picking an insurance.  I would just rather not get screwed out of the gate, if ya know what I mean. Also when it comes to studying, I have started making note cards to study for the GRE.  I really need to get on top of that because I wanted to take the exam at the beginning of July.  The faster I go, the more information I'll have in my head.  Lets see.... oh, I did go to the mall and other stores to look at clothes and I hate to report that I really didn't find things that I was looking for.  I don't know if I'm just out of season or what, but the styles just aren't my type right now.  Yuck, right. Then last but not least, exercise.  I have been pretty good with my yoga but when I'm supposed to get up in the morning to run, i turn off my alarm and roll over.  It sucks, but o-well. I'll get up eventually.  So, now on to doing stuff and living my life.

Collecting Works to Study for Comps

Wow was I wrong.... I thought I had all of the works listed for my English comps exam next year,but I was way off. Instead I only have like 2/3's of the list. I checked amazon to see what the grand total of all the purchases might be and I'm looking to spend another 100-200 dollars on books to read from and analyze before January 2011.  I have plenty of time,but it just means that I won't really get to read any of my cheesy romance novels or Dan Brown mysteries until...well, January 2011. This blows.  But all for the sake of a great education right?

Irish Born - A favorite on my shelf

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There are several Nora Roberts novels on my shelves and I may say with a smile on my face that this is without a doubt one of my favorites.  Irish Born is a combination of three books titled Born in Fire, Born in Ice, and Born in Shame.  Each story follows the thoughts, emotions, and experiences of the daughters of Tommy Concannon.  He was a father trapped in a marriage without love, but he had an undying devotion for his daughters, two he raised with his own hands and one whom he never had the privilege to meet but loved all the same.  Maggie is the daughter who came from a moment of passion and nothing more.  She was viewed by her mother as the spawn of sin, and being such could never achieve anything except in sin.  Maggie has a burning personality which draws in the viewer but does not ask for their sympathies.  She stands on her own two feet and from her furnace builds works of fierce flaming art that gives us her story.  Brianna is the daughter who came from duty.  She was her mothers fulfillment to the church and was then raised as such.  She didn't have as hard a time as Maggie in certain ways, but she too suffered.  She is the home maker who turns her inheritance into a inn for travelers and families.  Her home is welcome to all, and more importantly so is her heart.  Shannon is the daughter conceived in adultery.  She was born and raised an American, but with the death of her mother and the man she thought her father, she goes to Ireland to discover herself and the heritage she never knew.  Nora Roberts once again gives us a series which pulls at the heart yet inspires the mind.  Once again I have this yearning to go see these roaming green hills and communities of passion and stories.  If you have a moment or two, let Nora tell you a tale.  I promise you will then go to sleep with a smile on your face and a warming love in your heart.

Irish Born - Nora Roberts

I absolutely love this series.  I breezed through the first novel Born in Fire, which was intense and awesome.  Then I finished the second novel Born in Ice this morning, which was a beautifully told story that tore at my heart.  I will be starting the third novel Born in Shame this afternoon.  I won't go into the full story details until I finish the third novel because I think this series should be read all at ounce, back to back.  If you are looking for a quick and intriguing read, I suggest you stop at your nearest Barnes and Noble and pick this up.  I can't read anymore because I want to start reading.  Good Bye!