Reminiscing

I’ve learned that things change, people change, and it doesn’t mean you forget the past or try to cover it up; it simply means that you move on and treasure the memories. Letting go doesn’t mean giving up, it means accepting that some things weren’t meant to be. Direction isn’t always easy to find, and what we think is the right path, can actually just lead us back to where we started, the place of question and doubt. Maybe we missed something, or didn't prepare for our journey. But in order to truly love or achieve something, you must first give it a chance to fail. If afterward it can find a way to survive or prevail, you will then be a part of something stronger than you ever imagined.

Mothers

Today is Mother's Day. What does this day mean to you? Is it an evaluation of the current state as to which your relationship with your mother is in, or is it a celebration of the relationship you endure? Maybe it's a day of remembrance or a day of mere admiration. To me this is a day where I take the time to honor the most influential person in my life. Now my use of the word influential isn't always rose colored. God knows that my relationship with my mother has taken about a million turns and switches throughout my lifetime. However, it is still important to explore, honor, and recognize where we come from. Whether that be a pleasant vision or not. Reality is reality and we can learn and grow, or avoid and coast. Let's face it, our relationships with our mother's are probably up there as being one of the most complex relationships we have. And every mother to child relationship is different. That is what makes them special. Today, I recognize my mother. The woman who is imperfectly beautiful and human. The woman who has shown me things I want to be whether it be by example or simply vicarious. She is also the woman who I have learned what not to do from. She has shown me my tendencies through a mirror of actions. She loves me and knows me better than anyone, and is the person that will never turn her back on me, no matter what. Sometimes I think we take the unconditional aspect of the relationship for granted. So today, Mom, I love you. For everything you are and everything you're not. You are my mom. And today, that is something to celebrate.

Choices

Sometimes life brings us to a point where we must "choose." The concept of decision making, no matter what the circumstance, is extremely dreadful for some of us. Maintaining our mediocre state of being seems completely less terrifying than entering an unknown alternative. We constantly fear that the uncomfortable feelings we get by thinking about reaching into something foreign are accurate assumptions of what our future holds. There is a fine line between the fear of the unknown, and our "gut" instinct telling us to hold back. How do you know if your scared or if what you are considering really isn't for you? Often times, choices really are about revealing ourselves. We make choices based on what is in our heart. It's important to really evaluate your situation logically and emotionally. A list of priorities, goals, and basic necessities should lead us into the right direction. I think the hardest part is truly understanding our emotions and the motives behind them. If we take the time to do this, then maybe the burden of certain decisions that rest on our shoulders, might not feel so heavy.

Sometimes we become overwhelmed and feel run down by the thoughts of our responsibilities. I have come to find that the thoughts themselves are actually worse than the outcomes of our duties and we walk away pleasantly surprised. Nothing is usually as bad as what we stir up in our heads. Let's focus on the efficiency of our tasks so at the end of the day we can look back on a job well done, and pictures with a few less wrinkles.