there is always…

Life has changed, but not ended.

It's a line that's recited at all Catholic funeral services. It's a good reminder especially when things don't go as planned or we find ourselves in great despair or just overwhelming situations.

I guess that's the thing about anything challenging, draining, humbling, or difficult. We will definitely be changed by these experiences. But it could be for the worse, if we keep acting like it is the end; acting like there's no hope.

The way I see it, if hope is lost, so goes the will to make life worth living. I guess it comes down to a couple of things. Of course it always comes down to the individual to choose hope over despair. Secondly, it's those who care for the person to not just remind them to hope, but to be a concrete example of what hope is. Something tangible, real and just as human as they are.

I do know that a lot of people out there need hope. There just might not be as many people to bring it.

all things considered

A thought occurred to me last night during our family prayer time. It's simply this:

Love is responsibility.

In the giving, in the receiving, in the nurturing of it, there should be a deep sense of accountability.

Things fall apart, when all we do is point fingers at everybody else but ourselves.

around the edges

One of the greatest things about being dad is... I'm learning to be a more well-rounded man.

Thank You Audrey Stella.

double-edge sword

Free will.

Man's greatest gift and greatest curse. It's the one thing that can make you a better person and the worst person at the same time.

So be careful when swinging this double edged sword around. It'll either maim or protect the precious things in your life. From self-esteem, faith, relationships, career path, happiness, fulfillment... well pretty much everything.

So don't just choose because you can. Aimlessly swinging this sharp blade simply because it's in your possession. That's dangerous and exhausting. Choose because it means something. Swing that sword like you know why it's in your hands in the first place.

Is your name Victor?

Just something I was thinking about last week...

Are our lives constantly shaped by circumstances? Or are we living in a way in which we shape our own circumstances?

Or to put in even simpler... are we living from the inside out? or the outside in? Are we digging deep into our souls to respond as best we can especially when isht hits the fan? Or are we being constantly pushed around by the things on the outside of us that we can't control?

I know life is not meant to be easy or comfortable. By accepting this simple fact, I've taken half the stress out of my every day life. I'm not saying I'm free from heartache, disappointment or anything bad for that matter. What I do know is that I should always choose wisely how I react, how long I dwell on negativity, how much I complain, and how much looking into the past for 'what-ifs.' Basically... how long do I want to be a victim for?

From what I've observed and gathered, victims really live from the 'outside in.' While victors (or people who want to be victorious!) live from the 'inside out.'

For myself, I'm really trying to win at this life thing. I've only got one chance to win, because I know no one else can win it for me.

*now play "Lose Yourself" by Eminem* and read this again as it plays.