miracles

"If I conceive it then I can achieve it. And if I dream and believe it then I can be it."

When Joseph was young he wanted to be a lot of things. A pediatrician, a teacher, a fireman. He believed in each of those dreams. As he grew older, he changed. He realized that those childhood fantasies came with very hardwork. Work and diligence he found himself unwilling to do.

Joseph reached his senior year of high school with no real interest in attending college. He had taken all the performance exams but only because it was the norm. He had gone on a few college trips with his buddies for fun. Still his motivation was lacking.

But in one day, Joseph's life took an unexpected turn. He was leving the school late after lacrosse practice and saw one of his a girl he vaguely knew from class crying. Joseph sat down and talked to her. He quickly found out that her father had been laid off from his job, and the financials situation at home was becoming dire.

Joseph did his best to console her, but could only really help by giving her a ride home. That night he laid in his bed and his mind could not help but to ponder the girl's dilemma. Here was a girl with so much potential that was considering droppin g out of high school four months before graduation to help her family pay the bills. He was restless so he got out of bed and began searching the internet for solution.

The next day, joseph anxiously looked for the girl at school. When he finally spotted her, he bombarded her with all the information he had found about government assistance for her family, about legal rights for people that had been laid off, and about financial aid plans.

And there began his purpose. It started small, in that moment wanting to help that girl. But it sparked a passion. Jospeh became intrigued by the intricacies of the law, began to monitor first national then state legislation. He went to college and studied political science. He went to law school. He did public service law for seven years. He ran for a state office and served in the state legislature for ten years. He ran for Congress and served there for another seventeen years. He then was appointed to a Secretary of Labor.

That girl in high school had sparked a desire to reform employment law in a manner that protects the financial security of families. And now he is in a position where he can.

through the wire

"But I'm a champion. So I turned tragedy to triumph. Make music that's fire. Spit my soul through the wire."

So what if he's cocky? All rappers are. But instead of having confidence about his ability to sell drugs on the corner, he is sure that he is smart, talented, and worthy of being listened to. Is he wrong?

To most of us, he emerged on the rap scene after a near-fatal accident. His first hit was recorded while his jaw was still wired for recovery. And we all knew it was amazing.

He followed with songs that made us think, laugh, and celebrate. He changes moods between lines. He creates beats with moods. He is attempting to revolutionize hip hop.

And he has. He is mainstream but real. His music is catchy enough to grab the attention of the thug. But his songs are a reflection of my life. He talks about identity crisis, religion, and the pitfalls of fast-living. Then he talks about club-hopping and reminisces on college days.

Yes he is a bit rough around the edges. He knows he has a voice, and I suspect he's still learning how to express that voice appropriately but uncensored. But he gives his soul every time he opens his mouth. I think its encouraging, and wish I had more of his confidence.

everything you want

"He's everything you want."

Intelligent
Strong
Ambitious
Focused
Affectionate
Adventurous
Caring
Funny
Attentive

"He's everything you need."

He's here right now. He wants to take care of me and show me the world. He wants to hold my hand and listen to my life. He wants to be loyal, honest, and committed. If I let him, he will sweep me off my feet. He adores me... at a time when I feel alone and unsure of myself.

"He's everything inside of you that you wish you could be. He says all the right things at exactly the right time but he means nothing to you and you don't know why."

But I don't spend my nights with him. I don't wake up and think of him. I don't reminisce on our time together. I don't yearn for him when we are apart. I don't find it cute or exciting when he calls. Its too much of an effort on my part, when it should be effortless. My indifference is devastating for both of us.

crush

"Love hurts so much more than it seems."

Jamie fell in love with a man five years ago. They did all the things that a couple does. They went on dates. They met each others families. They went on vacation together. Jamie loved that man but always felt that something was off. He didn't really share enough and he was reluctantly intimate sometimes. Last night he proposed and she said no. How could she marry someone when her gut told her not to? But she does love that man.

Terry had a best friend he had known since high school. They knew each others life stories. He loved her and only wanted her happiness. He had watched her suffer through three abusive relationships in the past ten years. He talked to her about them over and over again, urging her to end the relationships. She would, but then she would start dating another abusive man. Last night, Terry walked away. How could he support this self-destructive behavior? But he still loves her.

Crecia and her mother were always very close. Crecia thought of her mom as her confidant, counselor, and protector. Last night, Crecia found out that her mom has Stage 4 cancer, and the doctors estimated she had about eight weeks left. How can she survive this world without her mommy? She needs her love.

i will be

"If I hold on I will show the world all the things that you never expected to see from little old me."

I feel as if though I've always been surrounded by doubt and low expectations. And maybe its my own fault. Its true that I probably don't come across as the girl with the biggest dreams or the greatest potential. I can be quiet and awkward in professional social settings. I don't interview well. My grades have never been startlingly good. I have a lack of clarity about what I want for my life and no vision of who I want to be in the future. My ambition and potential seem mediocre.

But I am far from mediocre. And if you cared to pay attention, you would know too. And despite my uncertainty about the path I want my life to go, there are a few things I know for sure.

I am and will be strong. I will show this world all that my soul has to offer. I will be unabashed about the things I am passionate for. I will love abundantly. I will write beautifully. I will work diligently.

And when I am done I will have left my imprint in the life of every person I loved, every friend I made, every client I represent, every fan I earn.

never let you down

"I'm talking to you, my many inspirations when I say I can't let you or self down."

I wake up every morning. I go to work. I work hard and come home. And sometimes its easy to get lost in the daily shuffle and then become discouraged by the monotony of life. I don't get lost.

I wake up with focus. There are people I adore that I am determined to make proud. There are people that I love that I want to take care of. There are people I respect that I want to impress. There are people that I work with that rely upon me. And there are things I want for my life that I have to work hard to achieve.

And I'm not saying those days don't come when I struggle to get out of the bed. Especially when its cold out. But I always get up. And I make the decision to face the day with enthusiasm, and to believe that each day brings new challenges and opportunities which strengthen us.

who can i run to

"As I stand here contemplating on the right thing to decide, will I take the wrong direction all my life?"

Here comes another dilemma. MJ sat heavily on the wooden bar stool in the kitchen. She laid her head an the countertop and found the cold granite to somehow be oddly comforting. But still her mind raced. MJ had a decision to make, and truth be told, she hated making decisions. She was terrified of being solely responsible for making the wrong choice. No scapegoats, no blame. Just her.

And she sat there on the stool with her head pressed to the countertop for a while, until the awkward position began to make her neck ache. MJ sat up with hesitation. She needed another distraction.

Ice cream will help. She grabbed a pint of Ben & Jerry's from the fridge and shuffled into the living room. MJ ate and she thought. Ms. Anthony was expecting her phone call any moment. She wrote down all the practical reasons why staying was the best option. Then she wrote down the one reason why taking advantage of this opportunity would be so amazing.

Finally, she reached for the phone. Ms. Anthony answered on the second ring. MJ confidently informed her that she would take the gig, and that it would only take her three days to formally withdraw from school and pack up her things. Some dreams are worth the risk, MJ thought assuredly as she hung up the phone. But really she was terrified of the choice she had just made.

h to the izzo

"He who does not feel me is not real to me therefore he doesn't exist"

My name is Rhyan. Rhyan Martrell. I am a junior in high school. I have a 3.85 gpa, am vice-president of the honor society, and am in the glee club. I raise my hand in class and enjoy answering questions correctly. I prefer playing Trivial Pursuit more than watching football. I am, by all definitions of the word, a nerd.

So what does that mean? That I am smart, hard-working, self-motivated, and goal-oriented. It means that I embrace my uniqueness, and don't necessarily long to fit in. And I have friends. I have fun times. I have parental issues. I can't wait to get my own car. I look forward to moving away for college.

But, I have no desire to be one of the "cool kids". I don't want to hang out and party on weekends. I'd rather read Thoreau. I don't want to smush into the bleachers at football games just to cheer on the home team. The list goes on... Most importantly, I don't want to dumb myself down just to fit in. I'm sure they make fun of me. Or maybe they don't even notice me at all. Either way, it doesn't matter. They are not like me. They don't want to understand me. Their priorities are vastly different than mine. Therefore, their opinions don't matter. In my mind, they barely even exist.

hands

"Worry is wasteful and useless in times like this. I won't be made useless or be idle with despair."

Shit happens. I cannot be more blunt than that. We all know it does because it happens to us on a regular basis. That is why I lobe this quote / song. I'm not saying that there aren't unavoidable circumstances, nor am I trying to belittle the everyday struggles. But some things are simply inevitable. You will have bad days.

As of this moment, I will be unemployed come August. I have about five months to find a job during possibly the worst recession since The Great Depression. Still, I will not worry. I will focus on doing the job I have, learning as much as I can. I will network. I will tirelessly apply for jobs. I will job hunt. I will even make an alternate plan in case my efforts are in vain. But I WILL NOT worry. I will not be overcome by the consequences of unemployment. I will not be paralyzed by the prospect of unemployment. If I allow those things to happen, then I will be unemployed.

Its that simple. To worry is to get caught up thinking about something so much that you neglect to act to remedy the situation. Just shake it off.

love is

"Love takes the fear and the pain, and turns it into the beauty that remains."

Welcome to the common bond. What do we all want? LOVE. How are we gonna get it? By suffering through the days, doubting ourselves, and trying to be strong. And it is precisely those challenges that make us lovable. The bad times strengthen us. Our complexity makes us beautiful. Our vulnerability makes us yearn. Our imperfections make us easy to adore.

Yes we all face pitfalls bad days, dry spells, and frustrations along the way. But it is important to remember that those are the challenges that teach us how to love others and resolve us on the way we want to be loved.

he touched me

"He touched me and suddenly nothing is the same."

An accidental hand brush
The brief caress of skin
And I am left dazed

I have to touch him again
For touching him is like breathing air
Necessary

His hand was like a jolt of electricity
How can an instant of contact do so much?
Sets my skin on fire
Sends my heart racing
Clears my mind
Elevates my soul

I can't imagine what his kiss would do
But I can find out...

takeover

"A wise man told me don't argue with fools, cause people from a distance can't tell who is who."

It all begins and end here.
I am on vacation from dealing with these foolish dudes who either have no game or think they are God's gift. I'm tired of searching for the middle ground. I can teach you game, but I don't have time for that. I can tell you about yourself, but you're not ready for that. So I'm on vacation from the constant soulmate search. I'm only interested in building friendships and networks. So step off til August.

AND I'm done with the pretense. I refuse to let the foolish folks at work stress me out while they get to live in contented oblivion. My job is not to protect people from clashing or to minimize the crazy. I'm on vacation, which the rest of my tenure at this job should be interesting. We shall see who survives it with a paycheck and their sanity.

Jay, thanks for the advice. I've been trying to change these foolish people, which is nothing but a foolish act in and of itself. Obviously, I need to take some time to reassess my approach. So until further notice, there's no reason for me to be nice or safe... Keep your eyes open and your hands to yourself.

the light

"It don't take a whole day to recognize sunshine."

Its about appreciation. When you take a moment to reflect and realize that there are people that make your days better. But you've got to see them and understand the important role they play in your life. I'm not talking about just your spouse or significant other. You can have fifty sunshines in your life.

The person at work that shares their snacks and crossword puzzle. The friend whose laugh always makes you laugh. The child that reaches for your hand before crossing the street. The sibling who always has a moment to share funny stories. The person goes out of their way just to make you smile.

So take a moment to really reflect on the people that take brighten up the small moments and in-between spaces of your life. Make sure they know they are appreciated. Then take a longer moment and think about whose life you brightened lately.

your body is a wonderland (part II)

"I'll never let your head hit the bed without my hand behind it."

There had always been something beautiful about Eddie. The first Kara met him she just knew that she could fall in love with him. And she did. By the time they had their first date, she adored him.

The first time they made love, Kara knew that Eddie was the one. There were these little things he did that could be nothing else but reflections of love. Eddie kissed her, her hands her shoulder, her back, her stomach. He held her hands. He spooned afterwards. And somehow, she always felt his hand at the nape of her neck, supporting her. His genuine care for her was clear, especially when making love. Kara couldn't imagine another man she would rather share the rest of her life with.

your body is a wonderland (part I)

"I love the shape you take when crawling towards the pillowcase."

Eddie didn't particularly believe in love at first site and never really understood how people could just "know" in a moment that they had found their one true love. Which is not to say he didn't love his girlfriend Kenya. He and Kenya had been together for about 14 months, and he adored her. But their relationship was no instant success. It had taken weeks to woo her into a date, and had been two months before they settled into a committed relationship to one another.

Eddie woke up this morning and it was just like any other day. Kenya had spent the night at his place. The alarm went off and they both reached for the snooze. After the second time the alarm went off, Eddie turned on the news and they debated about who was going to get up to make the coffee. Kenya was the loser that round, and stumbled down to the kitchen to start the coffee. After about six minutes, she came scampering back up, and crawled back into bed to reclaim the snugly warmth.

It took approximately ten seconds for Kenya to crawl back under the covers, but those few moments had taken Eddie's breath away. And it wasn't some sort of seductive crawl. In fact, she had stumbled a bit over the footboard. Her hair was still wrapped up from the night before. She had on a pair of sweatpants and a tank top with clouds on it. But somehow it was the most amazing thing he'd ever seen.

Somehow that quick action became a clarifying moment. Eddie's heart was racing. A part of him felt on fire, wanting her so passionately that it was hard to breathe. At the same time, he had never felt so safe and so sure. He knew that he wanted to see her do that everyday for the rest of his life.