FYI...

Imagine yourself walking into a room full of people.

Your mind automatically makes judgments on the people you see.

Not in a bad way.

In a human way...

And as the night goes on...you engage some in dialogue and you formulate an impression of what their life may be like.

Some you think are lucky.

Some you think are unfortunate.

Some you really like.

Some you keep your distance from.

But just remember...

All of them (including you) are carrying their own cross.

Don't judge. Just accept.

We all are carrying something. And to a person...each one feels like a ton.

Just sayin'

Side note: Just to clarify...the picture or the topic does not mean I am making this a religious discussion. Just an apropos analogy. That's all.

It's Razor Thin

It's a constant balancing act.

The line is so small.

Trying to find the balance.

Strike it. Curse it. Believe it. Practice it. Break it. Do it.

It's the never ending battle between getting too close to the flame and burning your finger.

Between soaring to new heights and falling down too far.

Between touching the outer fringe of genius and getting cut from the razor sharp edge of insanity.

Between immersing yourself in the deep ocean of passion and drowning in irresponsibility.

Between drinking from the chalice of Carpe Diem and choking from short sightedness.

Between living in the moment and dying many moments too soon.

Between being there for everyone and being nowhere for yourself.

Between feeling the charge of being plugged in like an open wire and being fried by being too plugged in.

Between the medicinal effect of being child-like and the cancerous effect of being childish.

Between basking in the sea of anonymity and forgetting who you are.

Between toeing the line and crossing it.

Between taking risky chances and chancing risky choices.

It's a fine line.

Yes...yes it is.

Hold on a sec...will ya?

Fact number one: Life is hard.

Fact number two: There are days when it seems like you can't make it.

Fact number three: There is always tomorrow.

Let's face it...we have all been there. That place where we feel like all is lost. Like there is no hope. Like you can't go on.

How do you keep holding on?

How do you get through it?

You find one thing to hold onto. One thing to cling to. One thing that can give you the inner strength you need to keep going.

One thing is all it takes.

It can seem like the smallest of things. A sliver of light breaking through. The tiniest of seeds starting to sprout.

It can come in human form or not.

It is out there. You just need to continue to look for it.

One thing. That's it.

Find yours. Today.

Simple Complexity

Ever play the game Jenga?

Ever look at an individual Jenga piece?

Alone, it is simplistic in nature. Each piece of wood is three times as long as it is wide, and its height is approximately half its width.

One would say nondescript by nature.

But when combined with other Jenga pieces, a complex pattern can be created. An amalgamation formed from experimentation and trial and error.

Far from nondescript.

Have you ever met someone who would fit the Jenga paradigm? Easy (simple) to get to know but once you get to know them...you see complex layers that time, experience and perspective have molded into what they are today.

Has anyone ever said they were an open book to you?

You see, it's easy to open a book. It's not as easy to "get" the meaning behind the book.

But the "a-ha" moment is created when you find out that every chapter is a new story on its own.

The other element that goes along with the simple complexity paradigm of Jenga? Once a new creation tumbles, it's time to rebuild another one.

Sounds like another game we know. It's called life.

Sounds simple doesn't it? It's not...but we wouldn't have it any other way.

Plugging in and Unplugging

Are you the type of person that gets your energy from plugging in to everything around you?

You feed off the juice coming from your surroundings.

You need to feel connected.

But what happens when you plug in to the wrong conduit? What happens when the current running from one to another is negative? It drains you. You lose momentum.

It brings you into the downturn of the roller coaster.

Now, visiting the downturn of the roller coaster isn't bad because we realize quickly we don't want to stay and eventually it will turn back up. But if you feel like you are constantly being pulled down...

Unplug.

Sometimes to stay connected...you have to disconnect.

It's OK. You have permission.

Just remember to plug back in.

What is Left Behind?

e·ro·sion The group of natural processes, including weathering, dissolution, abrasion, corrosion, and transportation, by which material is worn away from the earth's surface.

I usually don't like starting a blog with a formal definition of a word but it's relevant.

Key takeaways from the aforementioned definition?

"natural processes" and "...material is worn away"

Now, let's redefine it as it pertains to the human spirit.

The group of human processes, including jealousy, hatred, spite, gossip and envy, by which the human spirit is worn away from the inner person.

Here is the thing though...

When erosion happens to the land, what is left is usually different but stronger. A new landscape has been created. A new beauty.

The same is true when it happens to our spirit. We are stronger because of it. A new perspective has been created. A new beauty.

Look, there are always going to be natural human reactions and actions that erode our spirit. That create self doubt. That create glass ceilings. But whatever new has been created...rest assured...the inner spirit will find a way to shine.

Look at human erosion as glacial in nature. What is left behind is the key.

Time for Some Random Thoughts on a Sunday Morning

We all have the same needs, dreams, hopes, fears and desires. Once you realize you aren't alone in this world...you feel better about everything.

There is nothing better than a morning hug or a kiss goodnight from your kids.

Don't ever underestimate the value of true friends.

Love lazy Sunday mornings on the couch with coffee and music.

Bummed that football is over for awhile. Truly love that sport. It is the one true TEAM sport.

A well placed random act of kindness can rock someone's day.

Passionate people experience the highest of highs and lowest of lows. A lot of times over the same situation.

There is nothing better than listening to a local radio station and the music flow from one song to another makes so much sense to you at the time.

It is OK to look at your glass half empty...sometimes.

There really is a thing called the mid-life crisis and it affects most of us. We just deal with it differently.

The older you get...the less important it is to be with the "right" people. It is more important to be the people who make you feel alright.

Everyone who comes into your life does serve a purpose. Some will be good. Some will be bad. But there is a reason they are there.

You can't please everyone.

The more things you do first...the more second guessing you will get.

Self doubt can be a good thing.

After every challenge...there is an opportunity.

Find ways to stimulate the mind and energize the body. It will do your life good.

Unplug...stay connected.

Love the enigma that is a mechanical pencil.

Don't just exist. Live.

Chew on that for awhile and let me know what you think.