Swing life away...

Swinging is an activity that can pretty much be enjoyed by people of all ages. Wouldn't you agree?! There aren't many things in this life like that, so...I regard it as something special. Anyway, I feel like this idea of swinging portrays well my life. I'm swinging life away. Just picture it. Picture yourself sitting in the most amazing swing known to man. But, you're not alone. There are numerous and identical swings right next to yours, and you are about to swing with many. Swinging brings with it a great sense of freedom. It allows you to look at the world from a different, sometimes in a quickened and sometimes in an almost slow motion kind of view. Though sitting, it requires thought and action. Whenever I picture myself or someone else swinging, I always see smiles upon the faces. Though the process of swinging, to the eye, can seem monotonous, there is actually a new adventure to be exposed to with each experience. Children require someone to push them, as they are unable to exert enough bodily force needed to create motion. I'm sure to some it can be a bit intimidating, as it presents a kind of battle with gravity. But once realizing that it's okay, the thought of never stopping enters. Swinging can be quite relaxing. Good and meaningful conversation can be made while swinging. Smiling and laughing can easily take place. Swinging can be done alone or with someone. It can even be done with many, if accommodations allow for such. Anyway, I think, almost always - swinging creates joy. So, who wouldn't want to 'SWING LIFE AWAY,' especially with the people they love.

Spending Time...

From our childhood on we are taught the following, "If you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all." So, what I'm wondering is, what about that statement of advice is so hard to grasp on to?! Because, in my opinion, as a human race, we haven't very well succeeded in doing that. Of all the things that we're taught, why does this one seem to get overlooked, forgotten about, or purposefully ignored?! Speaking of the majority of the population, for we can all be found guilty of this at some point or another, we don't bite our tongue and let the opportunity of gossip and belittling pass us by. Instead, we seem to latch on to any opportunity to tear others down and belittle them. I don't think we do this intentionally, rather, thoughtlessly. If only we would think about the things we want to say before we actually say them, I tend to think that there would probably be a lot less being said. What is one persons struggle becomes a moment of triumph for another. Just because we don't all share the same set of trials and hardships and temptations, in my opinion, doesn't mean that we can't reach out and try to understand the position of another and help lift them out of what might very well be a dark place for them. Other peoples trials and struggles and moments of weakness don't exist to give us some right to dance around them or walk all over them in celebration for ourselves. The way I look at it, somehow we were blessed or lucky enough for it to not be us. And, because of that, we should use the strength we have to help lift another. One of my favorite quotes goes like this, "What happens to a few, happens to all." So, the way I see it, someday, sooner or later, it is going to be us, me or you, that falls, that struggles, that makes our way into a weakened and/or dark place. And, all I know is that I hope and pray that someone will be there for me. That someone will have the strength and courage to bite their tongue about the details of the situation, whatever they may be, and help me get back on my feet again. You know, rather than telling me what a loser I am, or how sinful I am, or what a bad person I am, or whatever the case may be. Because, I'm pretty sure that I'd be able to handle the bulk of that all on my own. Don't get me wrong, in this crazy world we live in, there is RIGHT and there is WRONG. What is right is right and what is wrong is wrong. And, no matter how much the world might try to make that not so, the fact of it remains. We don't have to and shouldn't accept wrong doings. We don't have to and shouldn't agree with wrong ideas. We don't have to and shouldn't support wrongful practices. Hate, loath, despise the wrong doings, the wrong ideas, the wrongful practices. Make your feelings known about the subject. Fine. But concerning the person, well, if able - try to help. And, if nothing else, just walk away. I don't know that much about anything, however, one thing I do know is that the little things we say and do can have a HUGE effect. Not only that, but a HUGE, LASTING, effect. All it takes is something small...to make a situation/a person's life so much better, or so much worse.

SOMETIMES...

I've had a lot on my mind during these recent passing days. The journey forward, the constant battle, the ever changing view that surrounds us. Sometimes things come at you so fast you can't even see them coming and they are over before you can even make a move, or open your mouth to speak, or even create a thought. Life challenges us. It creates situations for us. Some that are comfortable and enjoyable, but many that are not. So often we find ourselves asking, WHY? Why this, why now, why me? WHY? The fact of the matter is, we don't know what lies ahead. Life and living is founded upon faith. Each passing moment holds a degree of uncertainty. We just have to be prepared for it, even though we don't know exactly what to be prepared for. The key is finding joy in the journey and making every moment count. O, one might reach heroic heights By one strong burst of power. One might endure the whitest lights Of heaven for an hour. But harder is the daily drag, To smile at trials which fret and fag, And not to murmur nor to lag The test of greatness is the way One meets the eternal Everyday. -EDMUND VANCE COOK- I'm grateful for my life here on earth. And though I certainly waste moments, moments I could be sharing and loving and giving and serving, I hope and pray that until I get it all figured out and get on a better and more efficient time schedule - the moments that I am out doing count for something, and are of worth to those around me, those that need me. I am always reminding myself of this great truth... IT ALL MATTERS. EVERYTHING MATTERS.

Well...

I know "they" (I don't know who "they" are, I just know that "they") say you should NEVER SAY NEVER, but...are there things that, truly, you would never ever say or do? I don't know why, but...I've been thinking about this a bit lately. I think being able to answer this question may help one realize how well they know themselves. I've thought of things that I would never do. However, as I considered each one and came to understand some relative and possible unpredicted circumstances, I realized that there may in fact be cases in which I would do them. Perhaps there are circumstances that would require us to do things we never thought we'd do. But I do believe there are some things, even if it's just one thing, that we would actually NEVER do. What do you think?

One of my goals for this year...

So, I've set many goals for this year, one of which is to read a book a week. And so far it is going well. I have already started a list of those I know I want to read. I am wondering if any of you have any suggestions for me. If so, I would love to hear.

Now, for 2009...here is an example of how it started...I wonder what to expect of the rest of it...

Have you ever done this? If so, how about this? Actually, something more like this would be more accurate with real events. But then, how would I know? I was not a witness to the event. I WAS THE EVENT! If you have done the second of the two, then you already know that such an incident would leave you with many scrapes and bruises, much soreness and stiffness, and an entertaining (I don't know if that is the best word to describe the situation - miraculous might be more like it) story to tell. Both of the aforementioned were a part of my weekend adventure. One that ended far better than many of the possible and much worse options. What an experience it was! One that I will surely never forget. I'd post pictures of the scrapes and so on...but, I'll spare you that view.

Some closing moments of 2008, sooooo late...

My brother and I took a trip to Brazil and Paraguay at the end of November, beginning of December. It was such a memorable trip. Quite honestly, I believe I left a portion of my heart in Paraguay. The people there are welcoming, accepting and incredibly loving. The people I met there feel like family, and I can't wait for the time when I get to go back and see them again. Here are a few pictures to prove that I really did go and that I LOVED IT!!!!!