Ignorance Is Bliss

To live is to learn, that's a truth I believe in. Some may disagree with the argument that not everyone learns from their experiences, to that I disagree. We all learn as life passes us by or we jump on and enjoy the ride. It's not a matter of not learning, but simply a matter of to what extent we apply what we learn. For those of us that ignore the lessons life teaches us, we not so gracefully fall into ignorance. I, especially lately, have remained ignorant. Whether it's a phase or simply a rough patch in my life it doesn't really matter, what matters is when one is able to open their eyes and right their wrongs. There are few guarantees in life outside of death, but one thing that life always brings is failure. It is in the moments of failure that begin to define what type of person we will become. For me, failure is forever evoking the urge to not try, to not pursue what I so long to pursue so that I may not feel the bite of failure. Just typing that opens my eyes even more to the sadness that life can sometimes swallow us up in. After so many attempts and failures, denial begins to set in right along side comfort, and this is where so many people are and may forever remain, comfortably living in denial that their life is actually what they want it to be. But when someone dives into the deep dark spaces of their soul's wants and desires, their denial has left them far from the truth. Being ignorant allows our minds to settle, and there in lies the problem. It is in our nature to want to be happy, even if that means living in denial that we can be comfortably ignorant. Open your eyes, beg the question that may open up fear that could leave you paralyzed by the sudden jolt from denial and comfort, the question that may shake the very foundation that you have built your world around. But you have to remember that life is finite, and it is for this very reason that simply being ignorant so that life can be comfortable is so unjust and unfair that it's almost criminal to subject yourself to it. Be honest, be open, and answer the question, "what do I want?" For me I haven't quite locked it down, but that's the beauty of it, I know it's not what I'm doing now, and that very statement drags me from comfortable ignorance into the unknown, and that's great for me, it allows me to open up a world that I've never been in, and that friends, is living...

In Light of Love

Is it merely a thing that can illicit such emotion that can bring a man to his knees in despair or lift him off the ground in joy? It can bring both pain and pleasure and when taken advantage of is one of the worst mistakes a person can make. It can only be described by those who have experienced it and understood by those who have felt it. It creates a bond so strong that many die never have loosening their grip on it. Some have the pleasure of being in it as they read this and others the hope of what it brings. Some have felt it's unbelievably bitter sting that can leave scars deeper than the imagination ever allowed and others sheer joy from something as simple as look from the one they love. How is it that such an experience can bring about such opposite effects? I don't think anyone can quite give an answer, but I do feel that no matter the consequence, hard pursuit in spite of failure is beyond worth even the potential that it holds. Love, so intricate and delicate, yet bold and unbreakable, impossible to understand, yet irresistibly easy to feel. When treated with care, love can bring us through anything and will withstand the test they call time. A year ago today I wrote quite oppositely of love and February 14th, but I guess a year has given me time to become just a little more wise. I wish the best to all that read this, in love or not, searching or not. Whether it be a significant other or someone you barely know, take the time today to realize what love is and allow yourself to be aware of it. Happy Valentines Day.

Hello Summer

It's no secret that I absolutely loathe the coming months that are winter. It's like a blanket of dread wraps itself around all things happy, a dementor if you will. However, to avoid being negative and unpleasant to be around I've made a habit of looking forward to the spring and summer months. Just the thought has the potential to brighten my day, even if it is dark at 4:30. The truth is, a very vivid picture was laid out tonight while I watched a movie and as cheesy as it may sound it was wonderful. The scene was simple, two people, hopelessly bound to fall in love, naturally, and they sit on the edge of a dock on a summer night enjoying nothing more than each other and the sounds of summer. Flirting and romance ensue, clothes come off (not all of them, PG) and the next thing you know they are jumping in the lake. Call me cheesy, don't care, in a month as miserable as January, this scene brought more than just a few minutes in a movie, but packed in the beauty of memory and a little longing. I don't know about you, but spring and summer bring about so much life and color it is impossible that it go unnoticed. More than just flowers and trees spring to life, it's as if, like blooms, I begin to come alive in a new way every year. It was this feeling of life that the scene provoked, hence inspiring this post. So, if you're like me and the next few months just bring you down take some advice, go to the memory bank and recall the beauty and life that are not too far off. Take a breathe, imagine that favorite summer spot with the people (or person) you enjoy most, and slip away for a moment. That bit of longing gets me through my least favorite months every year, hope it can for you too.