The Power of Love

Love has had such an indescribable affect on my life.  I have been so blessed to experience unconditional love from my family, unwavering dedication and support from friends and the warmth in my heart from connecting with guys that I deeply care about.  The loss of a loved one has been one of the hardest trials I have had to go through.  I am thankful for it, though.  He accepted it with grace and gratitude as an inevitable step in life.  Luckily he is always with me, because when you really love someone, they stay with you in your heart no matter where you go.

The most important thing I have learned about love is that before all else you must love yourself.  When you love the person that you are and the wonders that surround you, you are truly able to share that love with others.  A benefit of loving yourself is humility.  Loving yourself takes clear self reflection.  You have to acknowledge yourself as you are.  Flaws and all.  When you see this you realize you are a human, and so is everyone else.  We all just want to love and be loved in return.  So go on and shine.

THREE :) songs about love to brighten your day:
Everyday - DMB
Love Is My Religion - Bob Marley
One Day - Matisyahu

What I've Learned From Traveling

People often ask me, "What is the best country you have visited?"  This has been a very hard question for me to answer. Through self-reflection, I discovered why . . . 

-how you view a country is intrinsically shaped by the way your travel (where you stay, your outlook, the places your visit, do you hit the main attractions or the back roads?  Did you learn the language?  how much research did you do on a place before traveling, etc. . .)
-every place is unique in its own way (with benefits and drawbacks)
- your state of mind and the way you think
- the people you are with and those you meet
- your experiences

I ultimately learned that all people are the same.  Every where.  We may look slightly different, share slightly different beliefs, and live in different conditions, but we are more alike than we are different.  We all love, die, breathe, sleep, experience hate, pain, and joy.  We all deserve shelter, food, access to basic healthcare, kindness,and the respect of taking care of the planet we share. 

Oh NO!

After watching a recent Parks and Rec <3, I decided to create my own “Oh no” list, and add an “oh yes” one as well.  

Oh no

Crocs

Wearing your pants where your underwear shows – what would your mama say?

Playing video games more than 4 hours a week

Pajama pants in public – there’s a place for those - HOME

Skinny jeans – if I can wear ‘em, you shouldn’t

Arrogance

Games – there was a time and place for those – middle school

Stickers and tags on clothing.  They are almost as annoying as clothes with blaring logo’s.  For example: most any shirt from Abercrombie.

Getting your mom to do your laundry.  Let’s keep it movin’.

Inability to listen.  To truly be able to hear someone is an art.
Smoking.
I thought we were too old for me to list this, but apparently we are not.  Getting your friend to tell a girl's friend to tell that girl that you like her.

Oh yes

Passion for something.  Many things, hopefully. Social and economic justice, career, learning, spirituality, etc.

Basic. Hygiene. Soap and deodorant should be a vital part of any man’s daily routine.

A kind compassionate heart <3

Confidence.  Boys confuse this with arrogance.

Ability to work on your car – greased up outside under the hood of your Chevelle sun beaming down on your sweaty body.  Whoops!, I digress…

Independence

Ability to aid me in my computer needs, which believe me there are many.

INTELLIGENCE – shout-out to the smart men

The ability to make decent money.  Note the word ability.  If you are doing something for a noble cause for low wages, more power to you.  But you must possess the ability to recognize and achieve your potential.

Good manners.

Southern gentlemen :)
Intelligence and wit.  I love a man that can challenge me mentally.
A touch of sarcasm.

This list is by no means exhaustive, so please feel free to add any I missed!  Keep in mind, your list should be flexible.  The right guy can change the rule, or the right gal can change the guy ;-)