“Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality.” -MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
It’s amazing that one person can capture a feeling so well. This song, surprisingly, has been a comfort and form of release for me when I’m just having “one of those days.”
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. The lyrics are listed below. A heart is always the greatest place to sing from… no matter what it may sometimes seem.
All at once
The World can overwhelm me
There’s almost nothing that you could tell me
That could ease my mind
Which way will you run?
When it’s always all around you
And the feeling lost and found you again
The feeling that you have no control
Around the sun
Some say it’s going to be the new hell
Some say it’s still too early to tell
Some say it really ain’t no myth at all
We keep asking ourselves
Are we really strong enough?
There’re so many things
That we got too proud of
I want to take the preconceived
Out from underneath your feet
We could shake it off
And instead we’ll plant some seeds
We’ll watch them as they grow
And with each new beat
From your heart the roots grow deeper
The branches, well they reach for what?
Nobody really knows
But underneath it all
There’s his heart all alone
What about when it’s gone?
It really won’t be so long
Sometimes it feels like a heart
Is no place to be singing from at all
There’s a world we’ve never seen
There’s still hope between the dreams
The weight of it all could blow away with a breeze
But if your waiting on the wind
Don’t forget to breathe
Because as the darkness gets deeper
We’re sinking so we reach for love
At least something we can hold
But I’ll reach to you
From where time just can’t go
What about when it’s gone?
It really won’t be so long
Sometimes it feels like a heart
Is no place to be singing from at all
After reading The Open Space of Democracy, by Terry Tempest Williams, I am full of hope and anticipation for the future. Her intelligence and knowledge shared have quenched a thirst I did not know I had, and made me thirsty again for more. The thirst is not only for her wise words, but for a knowledge of things as they exist and- in contrast- as I believe they must be.
I can see now how my part in democracy is as important today as were the parts played by our founding fathers years ago. They fought with patience, bravery, and an unending desire to understand and create a democracy for all Americans. They had the foresight and wisdom to create a government for the people, of the people and by the people- a government ever changing with the population that supports it and participates in it’s growth.
As an American it is my responsibility to preserve, change and grow our democratic republic as is needed in our current state- to contribute to an ever changing, ever evolving, and hopefully ever improving society.
Without each person as an active member of this democratic republic, it will be flawed, people will fall through the cracks and ultimately, we will fail. This is a civic duty that I have never recognized before. I have felt anything but powerful. I felt microscopic and insignificant when it came to politics and public interest, but I have changed.
If one person does not share or participate in this civic duty, they make a hole in the safety net of our great government. The web of our desire to preserve a functioning democratic republic must reach far and wide to encase the beauty and diversity of mankind.
It’s been awhile since I’ve written about my favorite little guy, Ryder. He’s my nephew, and I love him more than I ever thought I could love a person - which is what scares me about having kids of my own. The positives heavily out-weigh the negatives though, and maybe someday, I’ll have kids. For now, I’ll spend as much time as I can with the nephew’s and niece that I have. Yesterday Ryder, his mom, and I went out taking pictures in some of the industrial areas of town. I couldn’t resist taking bunches of pictures of him, so her are a few that I think are cute and show his wonderful personality.
Ryder just turned 4 and is full of fun. No longer is he a baby, or a toddler. He’s a full grown little boy. He goes to pre-school and brings home some really great, creative art projects. Some of them I’d even frame. (Not just because I’m his aunt) He’s quite a talker! We have great conversations and I’m always surprised at how perceptive and thoughtful he is. He’s got great ideas, and is always directing me in how to help him fulfill these ideas. Even when he gets a little bossy, we always have fun.
He loves all trains, but more specifically Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends. He was totally psyched to see the trains up close and take pictures yesterday, but when it came time to get up on that train all by himself, he was a little scared. He swears we saw Gordon. (one of Thomas’ friends) I don’t really know what he looks like, so I took his word for it.
He walked all over town with us and didn’t complain once. He’s the best 4 year old picture taking buddy ever! He even had enough patience to pose for most of these cute pictures. (Quite photogenic, I must say.)
After the picture taking, we went to an outdoor concert. It was a lot of fun, but it was a long day. He was doing front flips and back flips (while his mom and I were holding his hands) when the concert was over and we finally left. Finally he started to crash when he got comfortably into the car for the fairly long ride home.
The picture above is Ryder with his mom- my favorite sister. ; )
I’m all about living life with no regrets. It’s hard when life takes you down a path you didn’t expect to go down. I compare my feelings about these unplanned detours to a time when I was younger- I always found myself wishing I was a year older. When I was 6 I couldn’t wait to be 7, when I was 7 couldn’t wait to be 8, and then I realized that if I wasn’t enjoying the age that I was, it was like I was missing out on a year of my life. From then on I’ve tried to enjoy each age, each moment, and each phase in my life for what it is. I’m still really bad at enjoying the hard stuff, but hey- it’s part of my life. I guess that’s where the phrase “roll with the punches” comes in.
My life has rarely taken me down the road I expected to be on. Sometimes I feel like it’s my fault that I’m not where I thought I should be. Then I think back… and really, I have very few regrets. Although I’m nowhere near where I thought I’d be by now, I’ve learned a lot and met people who have changed my life forever. If I hadn’t taken such an unexpected road, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. A few years ago, I adopted the saying, “An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered.” by G. K. Chesterton . I’ve tried to remember that when life presents me with surprises.
For my job, I take inbound Roadside Assistance calls. People call me and they’re generally a little grumpy and upset because something happened to their rental car that threw a wrench in their plans. The interesting part about all this is… I like it! I like talking to people all over the US and Canada and I like the challenge of making a bad situation better. I like how by the end of the call I have usually seen a turn around in the whole demeanor of the person I’m talking to. It’s a challenging and sometimes stressful job, but to sum things up, it’s a perfect fit for me right now, and ironically fits right in with my thoughts today. The sad part is, they’re closing down the Roadside department in Salt Lake, so I won’t be doing it much longer. It’s just another fork in the road of my life. I look forward to whatever comes next.
“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”
- Mother Theresa
I’ve recently decided to explore the online dating scene, and I can honestly say it’s a whole new world to me. I find the whole concept and process of meeting someone on a dating site very interesting. I’ve been on a few dates through these sites, but I’d only give one of those dates a rating of 5 stars- if you know what I mean. Most of the time I get along great with men while we’re in the emailing, chatting, and exchanging photos stage, but I’ve found that nothing replaces the face to face chemistry (or lack thereof) that you feel when you meet. Is it pheromones? I don’t know, but there’s definitely something to be said for up close and personal physical attraction.
Online, I can be charming and witty and have perfect grammar, but during face to face conversation- I’m not so perfect. So, I understand when I meet someone from a social networking site that it truly is a 1st meeting. I may know this person’s favorite hobbies, movies, name, phone # and a million other little things, but I don’t know this person. Nothing can replace the moment, the experience, or the feeling of meeting in person.
Throughout my life I’ve tried not to judge by looks alone, and as a general rule I don’t, but I’ve learned that when dating online I can’t judge by words alone either. Saying that sounds a bit stupid in the traditional sense, but it seems relevant and real when the internet and social networking come into play.
I’ve read books and seen movies about the internet being a detriment to society, satires that predict a population full of fat and stupid people who rarely experience something real. (versus virtual) I’m so happy that I can say that nothing replaces the real thing. Nothing replaces sunshine, the glory and physical effort of hiking in the mountains, and nothing replaces a real human body. I’m thankful for the irreplaceable experience of reality and I’m thankful for the progress and improvements technology provides to society. I’m happy to say technology for me, will always be a supplement to living, not a replacement.
Summer time, for me, means travel! I’ve traveled a little this summer and as I’ve traveled, I’ve been experimenting with my camera and definitely enjoying the scenery.
Every now and then, I find myself with a collection of a lot of things that I think are just plain ol’ cool, and what kind of person would I be if I didn’t share them? (Wait, don’t answer that.)
Here’s a bunch of free stuff that has made my life better, easier, or more fun… or all 3 combined!
I’m not much for dating sites, (I’m a little shy) but this one is pretty fun. It’s not only a dating site, but a social networking site as well- very laid back. New features are popping up daily and I’m finding things I’ve never noticed every time I log on. My profile name is Becca, add me as a friend! LuvHappens when you least expect it…
YouMail is one of the greatest inventions ever for my cell phone!! I absolutely love it. You can customize greetings for each person who calls, and you can ditch callers that you no longer want to remain in communication with. You can select pre recorded greetings, or record/make your own AND you get each voicemail as an email too- If you want! You can also eliminate phone texts by texting from YouMail online. When your friends have YouMailtoo, it gets even better!
I may be a little behind the times on this one, but Meebo is one of the greatest gifts to instant messaging ever! You don’t have to download any programs and you can instant message and see who’s online for all of your IM groups together. I haven’t even begun to explore all of their features. I don’t know if I’m explaining this very well…
Here’s a quote from their site:
“At meebo.com, millions of
people every month keep in touch with friends on an any IM network (AIM, Yahoo!,
MSN, Google Talk and Gmail, ICQ and Jabber) and chat with people in Meebo Rooms.
Meebo also enables live communication integrated into any website with Meebo Rooms, Meebo Community IM (coming soon!),
and Meebo Me. Meebo is the Web’s
live communication platform - instant messaging from absolutely anywhere, no
downloads or installs required, and free! “
And Here’s my widget: (Add me, I’m WondahWoman!)
All 3 are very cool, check them out- you’ll love each one!
It touched my heart. It’s sweet and real. I like this song too.
You’re a part time lover and a full time friend
The monkey on you’re back is the latest trend
I don’t see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you
Here is the church and here is the steeple
We sure are cute for two ugly people
I don’t see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you
We both have shiny happy fits of rage
I want more fans, You want more stage
I don’t see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you
You are always trying to keep it real
I’m in love with how you feel
I don’t see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you
I kiss you on the brain in the shadow of a train
I kiss you all starry eyed, my body’s swinging from side to side
I don’t see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you
The pebbles forgive me, the trees forgive me
So why can’t, you forgive me?
I don’t see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you
Du du du du du du dudu
Du du du du du du dudu
I don’t see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you
“Do not think of your faults; still less of others’ faults; look for what is good and strong; and try to imitate it. Your faults will drop off like dead leaves, when their time comes.”
-John Ruskin
I am learning slowly to apply the principles above to my own life. I strive constantly to see the best in those I come into contact with. I seek diversity and promote having an open mind. I seek balance and fairness, I’m a good listener, and I love to help people. I’m generally not the type that finds and dwells on the faults of others. I have not been so kind to myself.
So much have I assisted friends and loved ones in times of hardship and change, that I’ve been lovingly labeled, “The Angel of Change.” While helping others, I’ve neglected my own needs and well being.
I’ve spent much of my life consumed with guilt, remorse, or regret for things that should have been learned from and then forgotten. I learned as I could, but the accumulation of past mistakes (as I’ve viewed them) quickly overwhelmed me and consumed my life. The guilt made it much easier to ignore my own doubts, troubles, and despair, and to focus on “taking care” of others as I helped them through their times of hardship and change. Only recently have I realized that I have used my knack for helping others to avoid facing my own fears and problems. By focusing on the problems of others, I’ve stopped my own personal progress in all aspects of life: physical, mental, and spiritual.
When I focused only on the needs of others, I brought some of their problems upon myself and successfully avoided my fears of actually taking a look at myself and dealing with my issues and my problems. I’ve gotten very good at collecting leaves.
All of this leaf collecting has helped me to develop my interpersonal skills- to the point that dealing with others’ problems is, quite often, a pleasure. I delight in the challenges I’m faced with, and I take satisfaction out of the peace and happiness I’m able to pass on to others. My ability to look at a situation objectively, without judging harshly, has helped me greatly in relationships both past and present. Now, fortunately, those skills I’ve developed help me daily at work and contribute to the overall pleasure I take in my profession.
With these realizations comes the responsibility to face my faults, problems, imperfections with the same compassion I give to others and without judging myself so harshly that I can’t move on. In the great words of a song Perry Como sang, “Accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative, and latch on to the affirmative. Don’t mess with Mr. Inbetween.”
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