OMGEEEE

10 months, really? Almost a year?

Look at me not go. Commonly referred to as "stopping".

Where to even begin. Work was atrocious and I never got time off. And what little time off I did get, I spent worrying about work. I had nightmares about work. I had anxiety about work. I hated going into work. I hated seeing all of my friends leave while I stayed behind.

And now I have a new job. Same company, new job. A significant pay bump (which I certainly won't complain about), and a schedule that I make. It's a little unnerving, having this much freedom, but I'm thankful for the change of pace. I'm grateful for the challenge this sales job presents.

I've had the puperoo a year, which is mind-blowing. I've built a computer. Two of my friends have made gigantic moves to different states. One of my friends is expecting a baby. I'm buying a Mustang within the next month (and no one's gonna stop me). My sister is officially done her dissertation, which means she graduates as a master's degree holding person in October. I traveled to Ireland. I took Pinkerton on a five and a half hour road trip. I ran out of gas twice (because I'm stupid). And I went on my first real world, grown up work related trip.

Now for the reason behind my post.

I'm an adult now, as terrifying as that is. Which means my Facebook feed is filled with one of three things: engagements, weddings or babies. Not much else on there. There's the occasional spotty post about someone doing something unrelated to one of those three things. And I find them a breath of fresh air. They make me feel a little more normal.

In the midst of all of this happening, I've noticed something: Engagements and weddings that go viral.

I'm all about making a wedding a celebration. They really should be treated like that. But I've seen some things that have gone around that, essentially say, "This is the best engagement/wedding/baby on the planet, and no one else can even remotely compare". To be frank, it bothers me. I ignore them anymore because it makes me feel like either a) I'll get my hopes up or b) I'll be disappointed that those things aren't happening to me.

It's almost annoying how we've turned relationships into this trope to have. This thing to tout and show off. Like somehow, someone in their specific union has mastered something that doesn't have a textbook. Remember people, relationships are unique. Every single one of them. Because of that, how can we possibly allow ourselves to compare one to another? It's like comparing an apple to an orange - as cliche as that is. They are different in every single way.

That's how relationships, engagements, marriages, families, are supposed to be. They're all unique and special. They're all irreplaceable. Why do we put a star sticker on one? They're all genuinely beautiful.

I'm getting off my soapbox now. Simply because, for no adequate reason, I'm exhausted. I fear I'm getting sick. How annoying is that? It's like the year of the plague for me.

Currently I'm in between books. I'll pick up one of them sometime this weekend and dig in.

Currently Listening to: "Sleep" by Polyphony and Steven Layton

Making It

I've had the privilege over the past few weeks of talking with a number of friends about dreams, goals and success.

For a good chunk of my life, the idea of success and "making it" has been shown to me as having money, things, and being financially independent. The more new stuff you've got, the closer to "arriving" I become. I get a smartphone, that's a step. I buy a car, step two. I move out and get my own place, step three. So forth and so on until...what?

Lately though, I've found that I don't agree much with that mentality. Yes, I have a smartphone and a car and yes, I wish to move out and get my own place one day. But in no way does this make me feel like I've done anything worthy of the title, "arriving" or the phrase, "making it". I've got my degree, I have a fairly (sometimes) respectable job, and I can pay off my student loans without feeling like my legs just got hacked off.

Still, none of this has made me feel like I've done something...I don't know. Something important. And importance is all based on opinion. To me, "important" in the grand scheme of things is actually rather minute. The important things in life are people, conversations, quality time. Money is temporal - it will decay and mold and disappear. It's the idea of, "You can replace x, but you can't replace a person."

Not so long ago, I write about the idea that Alan Watts offers regarding, "What would you do if money weren't an issue?"

Do you know how many of my friends want to do something nonprofit? Either in starting a nonprofit or joining one. It's alarming how many people I know that have a heart for doing something more than live. To give to others without necessarily being given something in return. That selfless nature is so inspiring.

That, to me, is important. Doing something for others with no expectation of getting something back. In this crazy, me-centric world we live in, I think the most important thing for us to do as people is to start acting like the caring, selfless beings we should be. Not could be. Should be.

I've got a question for you. Do the Liberty Mutual commercials about the "pay it forward" idea inspire you to be better? Do they make you want to do more good in the world? They probably do. Why do you think that is?

Personally, I think it's because that's how we're supposed to be. All the time. No matter who we're with or what we're doing. Take off the blinders and start looking at the millions around you. They have stories. They have lives and dreams and hopes. Have you learned about any of them?

On my next adventure, I'm gonna learn about the dream/goal/passion of a friend or coworker. Then I'm gonna pray for them. I hope you'll do the same.

Happy adventuring everyone.

Currently Editing: Genesis
Currently Listening to: "Touch the Sky" from the Brave soundtrack

I'd Much Rather Just Stay Ignorant

This week, on "What Bugs Susan"...

We have faxing at Staples. You'd think in today's world, faxing would be obsolete. I mean, you can scan and email just about anything. Yet every day we've got a line out the wazoo for faxing. So right above this fax machine we've got this sign that says, "Self-Service Fax Machine". Pretty self-explanatory, right? It's even got instructions labeled all over the thing on how to use it.

Today I had this woman with a strong Spanish accent come in and need faxing done. Normally, when I have nothing else going on, I say, "Sure, step right on over to the fax machine and I'll walk you through it." I'm all about teaching a man to fish so he can feed himself for a lifetime.

The woman then proceeds to tell me she doesn't have her glasses and can't read the fax number. Then - as if to mock me - she says, "That's the number. 484..." I almost asked, "I thought you didn't have you glasses and couldn't read the number?"

It's as if she wanted to say, "I'd rather remain ignorant, so why don't you do it for me?" but she didn't have the courage to just call herself what she was - lazy.

The worst example of this though was a woman about a month back that came in and set her brand new phone down on the counter and said, "I need to email a document I have on here to you." I proceeded to tell her how to do it. She shook her head and waved her hand, saying, "No, you need to do it. I don't know how to work that thing. Anyway, whenever I come in here, they do it for me, so just do it for me." She spent the rest of the time yapping to her friend about what she may or may not want for lunch.

I literally want to scream at these people. They have no clue how good they've got it. Worse though are those that know precisely how spoiled they are, and they revel in it. I get it. We live in an incredibly awesome time. Technology is fascinating and can do just about anything. In my direct area, homelessness and poverty are pretty non-existent (aside from struggling college students). Aside from the occasional shooting, crime is minimal in my hometown.

None of this excuses laziness and selfishness.

One of my friends from school and I used to occasionally remind one another of how good we had it. She was thankful for indoor plumbing and I was always thankful for the fact that I could walk up to a refrigerator and suddenly have something to quiet my rumbling stomach. We did this to remember that we aren't dying. In fact, we're flourishing. We live in a country that (for the time being), is for the free. A good chunk of our society has it so good, they don't know what a real depression would be.

I've been lucky enough to not only have parents who refuse to let me be ignorant, but to have driven all over this country and seen with my own eyes the devastation of poverty. I've seen houses that look about ready to cave in. I've seen homeless individuals huddled on street corners, begging for something to eat. I've offered lunch to the hungry in New York City. I've repaired houses for those suffering from hurricanes. And I've listened to them in these moments and every time, I've thanked God for what He's given me.

Don't be ignorant and don't be lazy. Take control of what you can. Feed yourself, don't just steal someone else's time and energy. Give more than you take. Offer what you have and then double it. I understand. That's a hard bill to swallow.

Swallow it anyway.

Currently Editing: Genesis
Currently Listening to: Ludovico Einaudi's "Divenere"

Book 2013, Chapter 1 of 365

I've thought it over a bit today and I decided I don't like the phrase "happy new year". Couldn't rightly say why, just that I don't like it.

If I had to hazard a guess, it would be because everyone tends to ask questions like, "What's your new year's resolution?" and, "What did you do for new year's?" I have no resolutions and I drove through most of the east coast for my new year's. That might sound boring, but I got to see a bunch of fireworks shows along highway 95.

Regarding the whole "new years resolution" thing...

No, I don't have any. Not because I don't think I need them, but because I don't try to assign a multitude of things I wish to change about myself all on day one of a new book. It's hard enough to tackle the nitty-gritty of our lives. Only crazy people pile all that sludge up and say "I'll fix this all," and actually expect it to change within 365 days.

You know what I resolve to do? Spend each day trying to be the best me I can be. Pray more frequently and live with a freer attitude about life. There's so much more to this world than stress and worry and fear. There're infinite possibilities with our lives if we allow ourselves the opportunity to adventure into our ever expansive imaginations.

I'm really tired, so I feel like I'm not making sense. I'll sum up what I'm trying to say: Enjoy life. Don't pile up all the stuff you want to change about yourself and attempt to conquer the mountain of it all. Take life with each step and celebrate your victories - however small they may appear. Never stop aiming for improvement, but at the same time, never let yourself feel discouraged by "all you want to do differently". One day, I couldn't say when, you'll wake up and realize that suddenly you're where you never thought you could reach.

Have faith and hope. That'll keep leading you on.

Welcome to another rotation of the world. May the next 364 days bring you countless adventures that you can't help but tell the world about.