The things I say, say a lot about me

So I am very slowly, I mean very slowly reading Eat, Pray, Love. The reason that I emphasized very slowly is because I love to read. One of my greatest joys in this life is reading a good book, I love words and I definitely love a writer who is able to weave words together into something beautiful that brings a smile to my face as I read it or that makes my heart melt. Eat, Pray, Love has been inspirational for me, there a number of times that I have stopped after reading a passage just because I want to allow it to marinate for a while. I got the book from the library but I soon decided that I needed to own the book because I wanted to be able to highlight passages of text and dog-ear those pages that I enjoyed hence why I am reading the book so slowly, I don't want to miss anything. Another reason that this book is so near and dear to my heart is because the book is about the metamorphosis that the author experiences. I too feel that I am going through a major transformation in my life. Back to the topic at hand while surfing the net for a copy of the book to purchase I began to read people's reviews of the book and it struck me how some people absolutely loved it and gave it a 5 star rating and others hated it and gave it 1 star only because there was not a lower option.  As I began to read the reviews I began to form an opinion of the reviewer in my head, alright you caught me I am judging again but acknowledgment it the first step to recovery! But in all honesty the opinion or judgment was not good or bad it was just my thoughts. We can see things from a very different vantage point depending on where we are in our lives or what we hold in our heart. We all know someone that is an eternal optimist that can find a silver lining in the darkest, most dangerous storm cloud and we all know an eternal pessimist that cannot see the beauty in anything, those feelings come from somewhere deep inside that only that person and their God can change. Matthew 15:18 says "But what comes out of the mouth gets its start in the heart", from The Message Bible (Don't worry I do not intend to start beating you down with bible verses, I just love this particular verse and it is appropriate for the topic at hand) Therefore if your heart is full of joy so too is your speech and to the contrary if your heart is full of sadness then your speech is as well. What are the things you're saying telling the world about you? As I continue to grow and be more mindful of the shadow that I cast I will make a conscious effort to be blissful in my heart so that my words reflect my joy. I cannot promise that I will not have my moment but I will try to be quiet rather than share my sadness with the world. Whoever said stick and stones make break my bones but words can never hurt me was a liar, words hurt worse!

In parting choose your words wisely, they say a lot about you!

And the Oscar goes to...

Each day we play a different role on this stage called life, as a matter of fact we play a number of roles throughout each day of our lives. What roles have you played today? This is weighing on my heart because I often hear people say that someone on Facebook represents themselves totally different in cyberspace than they do in person. That is so interesting to me because the same is probably said about me. And I know that I have said that someone is totally different when I meet them in person or if I already know the person and follow them on Facebook or Twitter and I see someone different from the person that I have known for years. But is there any harm in portraying yourself in a different manner online than you would in person or playing different roles in different situations in life. For me answering this question is similar to reaching the fork in the road, which road shall I choose? Is there a right or wrong direction to take? Since I assume a number of roles in life I can certainly play whatever role I want to play on whatever stage I choose to occupy. I was raised to believe that only God can judge me however I have often chosen to conform to the worlds standard "to judge and be judged" by those around me. Where am I going with that one? When we decide that someone is not being their authentic self in whatever forum we are judging, plain and simple. (The definition of Judge-Informal To have as an opinion or assumption; suppose) Before you decide to judge me again remember this is my blog and I am entitled to say whatever I want to say in my blog, you do not have to like it or support it. You can stop reading at this point and never return to read another word that spills forth from my heart that is your choice, your choice.  Again I have to admit that I have been known to play the role of a cry baby and I might cry if I knew that you left never to return so am I being authentic in my statement? These United States of America were built on the promise of freedom and equality, a nation where we are allowed to make our own choices, forge our own way in this life... yet racially inequality is still alive and well and Rowe v. Wade is a continuous debate. I am not writing to solve world peace, just calling it how I see it. At the end of the day, be whoever you want to be! Be authentic or as fake as a $3 bill but whichever path you select be happy along the way.

Polonius:
This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
Farewell, my blessing season this in thee!


Shakespeare's "Hamlet"

Own or rent?

My random thoughts today took me to this question, am I living my life like I own it or am I living my life like I am renting it. So I was blessed to buy a home after looking for 13 years, so I am kind of picky but anyway. I treat my home different than I treated my apartment for a number of reasons, there are no maintenance people to drop by to perform repairs at no extra charge, I know that I will be there for many years to come but most importantly I am proud of it, it is mine and I worked very hard to purchase it. Which brings me back to my question living like a renter or an owner? Do I live like I want to be here for many years to come or do I live like it could all be over tomorrow? Do I mistreat people and behave as if I need no one or do I value and cherish the relationships I have? Do I treat my body as a temple or put garbage in placing no regard on my health? If I were to answer that question truthfully I would have to say it varies from day to day for years my actions have resembled renting my life however lately I have been living the life of an owner. I have decided to live this life unapologetically, I will live my life the way I choose and not make excuses. I will respect my temple and I will respect my brand. Yes I said my brand, everything in life has become a brand and I will protect my brand! So as you embark on each day when you take that look in the mirror to assess how you look ask yourself "how will I live today, like I own my life or like I am renting?" Then go forth and conquer the world!