Reflections

It's been a while since I have added anything to this blog.  I would have to say since 2009 by the looks of my last posting.  Nonetheless, I haven't forgotten that this site exists, and I felt that it was high time I contribute.

A lot has happened in the past 3 years.  In fact, a lot more has happened just within the past several months, but this post isn't for a recap of my life's events.  It's more or less to put down some reflections that I was re-introduced to today.  Quick flashback:  back in 1996, I would sit down to a dimly lit desk and start to write.  I really didn't pay attention to what I was putting down on paper, I just knew that I wanted to write something.  I've done that a few times since then...either writing original pieces of my own, or taking down words of wisdom that I've encountered over the years and tried to live by.  I say "tried" because...well...nobody is perfect, but we'd all like to think that we're making improvements upon ourselves and doing well towards others. 

In either case, what follows is from something I scribbled in 2000.  Simple reflections that meant enough to me to make me write them in my little log book.  I'm sure they're probably older than when I noted them, but I feel that they hold true today.  Who knows, you might even find yourself reflecting on them and trying to make a change for yourself after reading.

1.  Maybe God wants us to meet a few wrong people before meeting the right one so that when we finally meet the right person, we will know how to be grateful for that gift.

2.  Love is when you take away the feeling, the passion, and the romance in a relationship and find that you still care for that person.

3.  When the door of happiness closes, another opens, but often time we look so long at the closed door that we don't see the one which has been opened for us.

4.  The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with...never saying a word...and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had.

5.  It's true that we don't know what we've got until we lose it.  But it's also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives.

6.  There are things you'd love to hear that you would never hear from the person who you would like to hear from.  But don't be so deaf as not to hear it from the one who says it from their heart.

7.  Don't go for looks; they can deceive.  Don't go for wealth; in the end it fades away.  Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright.

8.  Dream what you want to dream, go where you want to go, be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do.

9.  A careless word may kindle strife; a cruel word my wreck a life; a timely word may level stress; a loving word may heal and bless.

10.  The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.

11.  Happiness lies for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched, and those who have tried.  For only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives.

12.  The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go on well in life until you let go of all your past failure and heartaches.

I've Been Tagged, Too!

Well, it appears as though I've been tagged by UAintNevaLied. I'm a fair sport, so here's the rules:

A). Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
B). Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself.
C). Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
D). Let each person know that they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Without further TO-DO, here are Seven Random High Fidelity Facts:

1. I have two degrees that have absolutely nothing to do with each other. I initially graduated from Alabama A&M University with a degree in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. The idea was to go into medicine, but I changed my mind after graduation when I saw where the medical field was headed. So I went to the University of Alabama and graduated with a degree in Computer Engineering and minors in Computer Science and Mathematics. Who knew?
2. My birthmark looks like the state of West Virginia. So there's this birthmark on the back of my neck that apparently looks like the state of West Virginia...or so I've been told. My geography and topography sucks, so I'll take your word for it, mom.
3. Collecting mechanical pencils used to be a vice. Okay, this one is weird, I know, but it's true. I used to have all kinds - thick, thin, multiple colors, etc. But I've narrowed it down to normal to medium sized barrels that have the thin, twistable, replaceable erasers. I also have a few drafting pencils as well. Between the two I only use .5 and .3 as any other size is too big or small. Hey, don't judge me. Like I said, this was a "used to be a vice", remember?
4. My hobby is collecting pennants. Okay, this one is more unique. Ever since I was a kid, I collected pennants - flags - from the places that I would visit. It could be schools that I liked, or places (i.e. Six Flags, Zoo's, landmarks, etc.). I would normally stay away from team pennants, but I've found moreso now that pennants aren't really made like they used to be, except for team stuff. So now, I get a team pennant to represent where I've been...normally for every new state or city I visit. I may have to start collection country flags for new countries I visit...I dunno, man.
5. I stay up late but with reason. Okay, though the reason may not make sense to any of you, here it is. I feel as though I'm missing stuff when I go to bed early, even if I'm doing nothing but watching TV or looking at the computer. Part of me feels as though I've spent most of the day inside an office, and that's 8+ hours that have passed me by and I haven't gotten to do what I want to do, and not necessarily have to do. For those of you who like to be asleep by the time the street lamps come on, ignore this one.
6. I played trumpet in high school. Yep...it's true. I actually played from 5th grade until I graduated. Little known fact...trumpet players make great kissers.
7. I talk in my sleep. I pray that my wife gets adjusted to this as I can foresee her waking one night and smothering me because I won't shut up. The sad part...I actually woke up one night to my own discussion. Even worse...I finished my sentence after I was awake and completely aware that I was doing it.

So there you have it. My 7 random facts. I only know one person to pass this two at the moment that hasn't received it. Man...I gotta find some new contacts on this thing.

Here you go, "cuzo": LifesABeach