Doors

When one door closes another one opens.


Often, when these certain doors are slammed on us (or so it feels like) we are just so shocked, that all we can do is stare at it. Stare at what could have been, what was.

Is that really the point of life, to stare at closed doors?

This is my problem. Out of all the things in life, what I find I struggle with the most is looking back, wishing that I could do it again, wishing that I could change a moment in my past so that I wouldn't have to be sitting here, writing this. Writing that I know I have a problem, that I know that I have tried everything to fix it, but no matter what, I can't move. Stuck in a frame of mind, waiting for everything to stop and go into reverse.
What is wrong with me?
Sure, I can be an intelligent person, but I feel absolutely dumb when it comes to the knowledge of letting go. I know there is a part of me that yearns to look for another door, a new light, a new beginning; but my mind screams at me, "Wait another minute! What if it opens again, and you're gone?? You've always wanted this!"

No, it will never open again. Maybe it has in the past, but what are you doing to yourself? There is a world out there, and all you want to do is sit around waiting for it to come crawling back to you. This is no way to live, to think.
That door; forget it. Years from now you'll be wishing that you had. You'll be wishing that you had gained enough courage to turn your back on it while you still could, that you could just turn around and see that you have more than you realize.
This is it, this is your chance. It's time to stop worshiping doors and opening your eyes.

It's time to live.

Can't - 't = Possible

"I can't"

Do you have any idea how much that phrase bugs me? Ugh, every time I hear it, it just makes me want slap the person who said it. Come on, people! You think that if you stick a "t" at the end of "can", all of a sudden you can get out of anything.
No. Just, no.
Forget about slapping you, heck, I want to slap the person who came up with this word! I mean, who says that you "can't" do it? I know for a fact that if you put your mind to something, anything is possible. It just bugs me to see you standing there, good health, brilliant mind, and you say that you aren't capable of something.
You can't do math, you can't read that word, you can't dance, you can't play that sport, you can't, you can't, you can't, you can't.
I'm am here to tell you that, I swear, the English language should be sued for coming up with these things. Really?? This isn't impossible. Nothing in this life is so far out of your reach that you can't grasp it. Nothing.
Have you ever really considered this? Truly, can your mind even wrap around what I am saying to you? I know this might be coming to you as a shock, but right now I am here to tell you that this is your life, and in the vocabulary of life, there is no "impossible". Just, "I'm Possible".

So please, will someone do me a favor and write a letter to our dear friend, Mr. Webster? Because I believe that the future of our world depends on these stupid words, and it is sad to think that we don't have the ability to see it. If we keep going down this road, bringing ourselves down, we will only end up with a nation of people who don't think for themselves, because they "can't".  You don't believe me? Look around, we are almost there. We train our kids to think like this, all because that's the way we have been taught ourselves.

"You want to back out? Fine, you're weak. You couldn't do it even if you tried. Go sit out. We don't need you. We don't have time for you. This isn't your game." 

No, this isn't the way we should live. This isn't the way we should teach. We are one of God's greatest creations, and there is nothing in this world that is out of our reach.


When they say the sky's the limit, remember, there are footprints on the moon.

Pass it on.

I Won by Losing

Today I faced one of the bitter sweet moment of my life. Sweet, because I was able to addresss my entire school while running for the position of Studen Body President. Bitter, because I lost.
Even though I didn't make it, I came to realize that this was one of the greatest blessings of my life. Before this, I never knew just how many people stood behind, who support me. All the sophomores, majority of freshmen, a few juniors, and a couple seniors... Things I never would have known if I never tried this.
What follows is the three minute speech that I memorized and addressed them with today at 9:45am, in our high school gym. At the end, I was surprised to see that not only was the crowd literally the loudest I've ever heard them, but there were also many giving me a standing ovation, something that I have never seen them do for anyone, before.
I didn't win the position, but to me, I won much more than that. :)



"Can I just start off by saying, that it has been an honor just being able to come up here and speak to you.
I honestly hope that you all know just how blessed you are to be a part of this school, of this community. Out of all the places that I have lived in my life, it is an honor to call this my home. 
I know that many of you don't entirely feel the same way, that you are basically counting

Poster with over 100 pictures of students.
Theme: "Caring for Your Future"

down to the day that you can book that flight out of here. Am I right?
And you know what, it's fine to have a desire to get out of here, to want to see the world; but some day what I want to see, when you're finally standing at those doors for the last time, cap and gown, I don't want you to look back and say, "Dang, Im glad to be out of here. "
No, when that day comes, I want you to be able to stand there and say that you would do it all over again in a heartbeat. I want to see you looking back at this next school year and be able to say, without a doubt, that it was the best years of your life. If not your life, then at least the best out of your high school career.
This next year, I want to help you prepare for your future, because I know that you can't do this alone, no one can.
I believe that this is not just a school, this is a team; your team, your family. 
And I believe that this team, can do anything.

Thank you."

Only Human

Have you ever questioned your actions?
Has there ever been a time where you have decided to do something so out of the ordinary, so far above you, that you start believing that it can't be done? It seems right at the time, but when you're alone the thought starts to creep in that maybe you aren't ready for this, that maybe you aren't smart enough, or that you aren't popular enough. This could change your entire life, but is that really what you want?
Right now you go throughout your day, hiding in the shadows, keeping a low profile. Those around you think that you have no voice, no thoughts. They trample you under their feet, keeping you low in rank; but you don't mind. You tell yourself enough, to the point where you actually believe it, that you don't mind. They have their spotlight. It was never meant to be yours, so why should you try?
Then it happens... You have an opportunity to do something with yourself besides converting oxygen into carbon.
What do you do?

Last night I had a dream. In it, I was faced with the same challenge that I have in my life right now. I remember standing in front of everyone that I have ever known and every single one of them were screaming at me that I can't do it. That I have failed before I have even begun. They looked down on me as usual, and I watched as they shoved me into the shadows and rode off with the victory that I fought so hard for. They made it clear that this is not my place, that I am not welcome here.
When I woke up from my dream, the passion I had for what am fighting for was replaced with the same fear from the night. All the 'what-if's' came into my mind and I started backing into my favorite place. Under a rock.
To tell you the truth, I'm still scared about what might happen, but I started thinking about it. I started thinking of who I'm doing this for, and why.
I don't know if I will walk away from this with success, but I do know one thing: Exactly one year ago I made a commitment to myself and those around me, that even if it's just one, I want to touch someone's life. It has taken a while to understand this, but I can't accomplish this when I'm under a rock, out of sight.

I'm not sure if this post even makes sense. Right now everything seems a little confusing...  But hey, thanks for listening, anyway. :)

Women of Strength

So let me ask you something; in this world, what makes up a strong woman?

There are so many women today that think that being "strong" means, in many ways, to be feared. They classify strong women as those who have the ripped bodies and gruff voices. The ones that look as if mountains would crumble before them. But here's the deal, while those women may be physically strong, are they really a strong woman?
When I think of a woman of strength, I don't picture those with the rippling muscles, but, rather, I see a kind, gentle woman filled with compassion and mercy. These women are so few and far between, they are considered, what I call, the diamonds in the ruff. So, why are they so rare?
In this generation it seems like more young girls are growing up trying to be more like the boys, like they are ashamed of their gender. They turn away from their kind and gentle ways in desperate attempts to be accepted. Why can't they see that they have such an amazing part to play here on earth? I don't care who they are, they are the chosen women of God, and they don't need to act as something else.

Back to our original question: what makes up a strong woman?
My answer?
It is not the measure of her strength, but of her love. The love for her God, herself, and those around her. When she finds that, all else follows.


"Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised." -Proverbs 31:30