Stop and Stare

Stop and stare
I think I'm moving but I go nowhere
Yeah I know that everyone gets scared
But I've become what I can't be, oh
Stop and stare
You start to wonder why you're here not there
And you'd give anything to get what's fair
But fair ain't what you really need
Oh, can you see what I see


The above lyrics are from one of my favorite group's, One Republic, single "Stop and Stare" The reason that I am writing about this today is for many reasons but more importantly a few weird coincidences that all happened today. I have heard this song so many times. Having the album, hearing it on the radio and also from some of my friends.

First, I was talking with someone and they shared with me one of the most amazing compliments in one simple saying. First they said that they read a saying on a candy wrapper that made them think of me. I was curious so asked what it was and the saying was "Blessings only come to those who notice". Ok, this saying may mean a thousand different things to a thousand different people. However, to me in that moment, it meant more than the person saying it even knows. This has to be one of the most amazing compliments I have ever heard, period! I don't know why it hit me in that way, but through the course of our conversation, it meant a lot. Then later on I heard the song mentioned above on Pandora Radio while working. As you know, Pandora is completely random so having these two things happen within the same hour, well I saw no coincidence.

I wrote last post about being myself, and when you do, the right people that you WANT in your life will reveal themselves. What I forgot to mention is that when you are yourself and you notice the people in your life that makes it worth it, blessings will definitely enter your life. I believe that this is where a lot of people seem to screw up what can be an amazing thing. In my generation, people do not see what is right in front of them. I have heard countless stories from guys that wish they would have taken that chance and asked this girl out, or taken this job. Don't get me wrong, I believe everything happens for a reason. However, if we never notice that amazing thing in front of us...where will it ever get us? What are we afraid of that keeps ius from following what our heart says may be a good ting.

This goes for all walks of life. Not just romance, or your professional career, etc. I am talking about your faith, your family, and maybe even something as small as the new burger shop that opened up on the corner. I am a big believer in trying everything once. Just once, and if I do not like it then I wont do it again. However, life is way to short for me to go and say "Woulda, coulda, shoulda..." I was also told recently that I need to be assertive. I was a bit shocked at first but the person saying it to me had a very valid point. I have the confidence and inclination to be anything I want to be but from time to time I can see myself as not being the assertive person that I my family knows very well. I need to take what is mine and what I want out of life. If I don't, whats the point? I could just stay inside all day, play the lottery and watch "my stories"...I would probably get the same out of life.

With all this being said, lets recap very quickly. I have come to the conclusion that stopping "to smell the roses" or simply to notice the blessings that are directly in front of you should not be taken for granted. Things happen and people are met for a very specific reason, whether they be a major or minor point in your life. All I can say is to enjoy them while they are there or they may simply not be there one day. Tomorrow is never promised and neither are the blessings that are given to us. So the next time something comes around and you think about hesitating, all I say is to jump in with both feet, take some chances (smart ones, do not be dangerous), and enjoy this life that we have been blessed with. I guarantee, even if it doesn't work out, you will not regret the time you spent exploring and the learning the lessons that came from it.

I came, I saw, I LIVED...

I recently started to look at things in my life a whole lot differently. The past year has been a struggle, professionally and personally, and it took a dramatic change for me to get back to my usual self. After dealing with the drama that comes with relationships as well as friends that came and went, I found exactly where I wanted to be. I had to start living in the moment and start to enjoy my life. I was so focused on pleasing every other person around me that I wasn't happy myself. This needed to change and in turn so did I. I needed to get over the people that constantly hurt me, put them in my past and move on. There were a few key people that helped do this and I am glad they did. There was no way someone could have gotten through what I did alone.

I have been spending more time out, with my friends and with my brother, meeting new people and doing new things. over the past two years I got comfortable in a routine that was boring and predictable. I really didn't go out and be myself. I felt sorry for myself. Wow, weird seeing it. Yeah I really felt sorry for myself and the way I had been treated by multiple people. Last weekend I was in Las Vegas. It was a blast and everything someone gong to Vegas would expect. However, it proved to be so much more. It was the first time I just tried being myself. Not trying to please the people I was with or trying to impress the girl I was talking to...just being myself. If they didn't like it, tough. They could take off, I just stopped caring what other people thought. And go figure, it turned out people liked that more than when I tired to impress them. Go figure...

So I get back to reality, and I do the exact same thing as I did before. Tried to be the person everyone wanted me to be at work, and the person others wanted me to be at home. All it took was a few kind words over a text message and a phone call for me to realize what needed to change. Its amazing who you meet, where you meet them, for how long and the impact they have on your life. I am not the kind of person that usually meets someone randomly and keeps in contact. But there is something about certain people I come across that I feel it would be such a loss if I lost contact with them. Those kind of people have seen the true me. The people/ friends that haven't seen the true me, they seem to move on in my life. The rest stay.

The rest are my friends. My true friends that no matter what have my back. I wouldn't have these friends unless I was me, the person that wants to live life to its fullest and do not want to worry about what may happen a few years down the road. I want to live in this moment and enjoy what I am doing. I cant live in the past or in the future. I have to be myself and live day to day. Its the only way that I can enjoy the time I have, as tomorrow is never promised. I will always thank God for the people that pass through my life. I will enjoy the time I spend with them and even the conversations I have. But I refuse to let some people simply disappear out of my life. They help make me who I am and the man that I am quickly becoming. I know what I have to offer for that woman that makes my life complete one day. Until that day I will enjoy life and live it as if it was my last.

I love simple sayings such as "Seize The Day" and "I came, I saw, I conquered". They truly show how life it supposed to be enjoyed. In the moment and with the passion of a person that knows exactly what they want. I know what I want and there isn't anyone that can steer me from that goal. Time to enjoy life...