HTL

We need 'hard-to-love' people in our lives.  They smooth our edges and train us to love the way that Jesus loves.

No. 13

Number 13 - the new fishies!  Introducing Coco, Louis, and Hugo.

Coco

Louis

Hugo

No. 12

Bruxie gourmet waffle sandwiches! 

 

Smoked Salmon & Dill Cream Cheese

Prosciutto & Gruyere

Dare to be vulnerable

“We take a risk when we open our hearts because the truth is, if we open our hearts, we will get hurt. You can’t open your heart and not have some hurt because you’re in a human experience. Even if it’s the love of your life and you have many wonderful, deepening, growing, powerful years together, it’s a human experience and that person will pass over. Love takes courage. Be courageous.”
 -Mary Manin Morrissey

 “We do not believe in ourselves until someone reveals that deep inside us something is valuable, worth listening to, worthy of our trust, sacred to our touch. Once we believe in ourselves we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight or any experience that reveals the human spirit.”
 - E. E. Cummings

“Fear of failure must never be a reason not to try something.”
 -Frederick Smith

"The risk it takes to remain tight inside the bud is more painful than the risk it takes to blossom."
- Anais Nin

"Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails."
1 Corinthians 13:4

2/14/11

There is no need to search hard for love...it will be stumbled upon when the time is right. 

You are already loved by Him.

A new one?

A new...
 

No. 11

Number 11 - Filipino food + karaoke

No. 10

Number 10 - Good, genuine, deep, enlightening conversation. 

The Reason

You know when other people say...or you tell yourself, "everything happens for a reason?"  I love it when you realize what the reason actually is.  It's a good feeling.

No. 9

FRIDAYS

Be water, my friend

Risks

Risks
To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach out to another is to risk involvement.
To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self.
To place your dreams, ideas before a crowd is to risk their loss.
To love is risk not being loved in return.
To live is to risk dying.
To hope is to risk despair.
To try is to risk failure.
But risks must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.
The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, and is nothing.
They may avoid suffering and sorrow, but they cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love, live.
Chained by their certitudes, they are a slave: they have forfeited their freedom.
Only a person who risks is truly free.





Thanks for the link Jewel!

No. 8

Number 8 - The roomies! It's only been a few months...but we've already had so many good times...and there are plenty more to come!

No. 7

 

Number 7 - Working out - Not only do I enjoy working out cuz first, it's a step towards living a healthier and happier life...but also I love the fact that you can apply any type of energy towards a work out.  It doesn't matter what kind of mood you're in...happy, sad, energetic, pissed off...you can use all of those emotions to drive your work out to the next level.  Nothin' like a work out session to relieve some stress...I feel so much better after. I'm proud of myself for keeping my work out schedule consistently.  Of course...it is easier when you have more free time... 

No. 6

Number 6 - TRAMPOLINES!

Summer in January

It's January, it's winter, and it's usually cold
Rain and low temps can get pretty old
Past couple days the sun was warm
Head to the beach to see if the waves would form
Clean waves crashin' as the birds fly by
Not a worry on my mind, no need to wonder why
Just me and the beach, on a search for waves
Gotta get barreled, it's what I crave
Been so long since my last skim session
Need it more than as a fix for my obsession
Ocean water on my skin like a sweet caress, no reason to stress
Just being out here reminds me that I'm blessed
And if you're blessed, make sure you're a blessing
Because helping others is one of the best things
It's days like this that really make me miss
When things were all good, nothing misunderstood
Just relax and chill cuz I'm at a stand still with not knowing how I feel
Love, sorrow, hurt, hate...I needed that sand to exfoliate...
away everything and make me feel cleansed
Cuz right now it's different and I won't pretend...
like everything is perfect, but I know that in the end...
things will be just fine, just give it some time
Something so amazing, so special about the beach
Calm, worry-free mental state that's hard to reach...
In this chaotic world, people need to relax
Set aside their troubles and get on the right track
I needed this...just to bring me back to the ground
Felt like I was getting lost, I'd never be found
But before you find yourself you need to lose yourself
Riding waves made me feel so free
Don't know where I'm at...but know where I wanna be
I wish I could put this feeling in a glass
Bust it out when things are going too fast
Slow down, take a look around
Waves crashing should be the only sound...
that I hear while I'm here
Have no fear, the future is near
And it will bring good things if you let your heart sing
Discard that negative attitude
Don't forget to show your gratitude
When things don't change, you start to feel tired
Just keep your head up and your soul inspired
No matter what happens, the world still turns
I got a lot to teach, but even more to learn
I do what makes me happy and this is me
Spread love, spread happiness, spread positivity

No. 5

Number 5 - Dancing - Soul sessions on Friday night was SO MUCH FUN.  Dance circles aaallll niiiiigggghhhhttt!

Relax

I need to relax...slow it down.






Awareness.

A reminder

No. 4

Number 4 - Family

No. 3

Number 3. This video - the people running...the music...can't help but smile :)

No. 2

2. Meeting new people - making new friends is always fun.




TBC...

30 things that make me happy

(in no particular order...)





1. Skimboarding - I've never had a bad time going to the beach...truly my get away from everything.





...list to be continued....

Commonality

It's cool how similar experiences can draw people closer together :)

Change in focus

It’s interesting how the sorrows, pains, and bad times we have in our lives infest our minds more easily than the happy moments, that we only cherish in the moment.  Why is negativity more memorable?  I think it’s because we don’t take the time to appreciate the good we have in our lives often enough.  When things are good we hardly acknowledge it…just let it pass by like the wind.  Once we are surrounded by negative events or feelings we wake up, we notice, we feel the pain, and it lingers with us as long as we let it.  NOW those good times are missed.  We should look back at the good times more often.  With that said, I want to thank anyone I’ve had good times with.  And I mean EVERYONE…Every one of you…whether it was just one good moment in time, or if we shared countless memories.  THANK YOU.  I really appreciate the impact (bigger than you think it is) that you have made on my life.  And to those who I have had any bad times with…THANK YOU.  It might sound weird that I’m thanking you, but the way I see it is that you have impacted my life (maybe negatively at the time) but I have learned from it and it is part of the person that I am now.  If anything I think it’s important to be able to feel both ends of the spectrum so that we can use our lows to appreciate our highs…and just feel…alive, cuz that’s life. We don't live live in a fairytale world. There are plenty of other people in the world that would much rather have your problems than theirs.  At least you have a computer. 

As difficult as it is, we need to focus more on the positivity in our lives.  What’s the point in dwelling over sorrows?  The more time you waste stuck in a stand-still of negativity, the less future you have to live as your own.  As much as I think we shouldn’t dwell on the sadness…at the same time we can’t just forget about it.  Some people say “forget about the past…leave it behind you and move on.” I say eff that!  Your past is part of you and makes up who you are.  Your past is the reason you are here today.  Embrace it, don’t fight it.  Don’t dwell on it, but grow from it.  You can’t change the past, gut you can learn from it.  We all make mistakes...we are human, after all.  Parts of your past may re-enter your life and become your present or even your future. It's not that your past is changing…but just becoming part of your life again, which can be good, because sometimes things are different depending on the timing.   Keep your past around as reminders and lessons on how to live your present.  Use your past to MOVE FORWARD. Take the hard feelings, the emotions, the pain, the anger…and USE IT.  Use it as motivational fuel to develop or find new passions.  Being passionate about something is a good way to keep a positive attitude and do great things.    We can always wish that things were different…but how often does wishing something change anything?  Do what you love, do what makes you happy, and everything else will fall into place.  Focus on the good you have in your life and good things will happen.  Love life. Appreciate life.  

Lingerer

Let's get a move on 2011...2010 is still lingering.

Better mistakes

I Believe...

I Believe...
That just because two people argue,
It doesn't mean they don't love each other.
And just because they don't argue,
It doesn't mean they do love each other.

I Believe...
That we don't have to change friends if
We understand that friends change.

I Believe....
That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I Believe...
That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance.
Same goes for true love.

I Believe....
That you can do something in an instant
That will give you heartache for life..

I Believe...
That it's taking me a long time
To become the person I want to be.

I Believe...
That you should always leave loved ones with
Loving words. It may be the last time you see them..

I Believe...
That you can keep going long after you think you can't.

I Believe...
That we are responsible for what
We do, no matter how we feel.

I Believe....
That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I Believe...
That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I Believe...
That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I Believe...
That my best friend and I, can do anything, or nothing and have the best time.

I Believe...
That sometimes the people you expect to kick you When you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up..

I Believe...
That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, 
But that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I Believe...
That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had
And what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I Believe...
That it isn't always enough, to be forgiven by others.
Sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I Believe...
That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I Believe...
That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are,
But, we are responsible for who we become.

I Believe...
That you shouldn't be so eager to find
Out a secret. It could change your life Forever.

I Believe...
Two people can look at the exact same
Thing and see something totally different.

I Believe...
That your life can be changed in a matter of
Hours by people who don't even know you.

I Believe....
That even when you think you have no more to give, when
A friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.

I Believe...
That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I Believe...
That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

I Believe...
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything;
They just make the most of everything.

I Believe...
Sometimes you have to forget what you want, and remember what you deserve.

Awesome

The cycle

Attitude is a decision