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.

We all have it within us to be a Drama Queen. Some more than others of course. And over the years, I've seen (a few) people change from"Best Dramatic Actor/Actress in a Leading Role" to "Best Director (of their emotions)." The one thing that helped the growth was humility, which would eventually lead to Self-Awareness.

Through my profession I've dealt with teenagers, young adults, young adults who still think they're teenagers and teenagers that think they're adults. I've realized that some people unknowingly through their actions, attitudes and choices, really put themselves in positions of victimhood. This ultimately of course leads to the drama in their life. The longer you choose to be a victim, the more you prolong the drama. It's a simple equation.

I've spent so many of my years being in the audience watching these drama-filled situations unfold. Some for the better and some for the worse. I've seen good hearted people become jaded but not wiser. I've seen insecure people compensate in the most heinous ways.

Like I mentioned earlier, the solution is simple for those wishing to end their reign as Drama Queen (in whatever area of your life.) You just need HUMILITY. When you have a large dose of this bitter pie, you begin to find out that you can't control every situation. That most sometimes you are to blame as well. That emo attitude, really doesn't do anyone good (especially yourself), and lastly and most importantly is that you need to be honest with the choices you've made. People choose drama. Be it the situations they put themselves in, the people they surround themselves with, and the attitudes/emotions/habits that they don't put in check.

So please... if you are a drama queen, we're waiting on you to Take a bow. Close the curtains. Take off the make-up and costumes and let the show be over with. Let's stop acting, and let's live life for real.

6 years is a long time. Lots can happen in 6 years, and a lot has. I've been reading some of my archives, and reminiscing and trying to remember where I was at the time of these old blog posts. On a spiritual level, an intellectual level and on an emotional level.

I thought looking back at some of these interesting posts, that it would be fun to deepen them or analyze them further. So I'll be reposting some of them, with new insights and comments. I've experienced and learned so much since some of these posts were published, I feel it would only be right to take a second look through wiser eyes.

Reflection is a good thing. It helps us remember the journey we've experienced... and sometimes that can lead to some answers for the future.

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

Thank You Audrey Stella.

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.

It's good to be the strong silent type every now and again.

I mean get to know them know them. You'd be surprised about the things that have shaped them to be the persons they are today. And the more you learn about them, the more you yourself figure out who you are.

I forget sometimes that my parents were my age. I forget they faced the same challenges, dilemmas and questions as I did (and probably a lot more). I forget sometimes that they're human, just like me. The times are different, culture is different but human experiences have never really changed for the most part.

The life journey of your parents, is really your journey as well. They cleared a path for you to follow, and in time you'll do the same for your kids (and/or people you serve).

Discovering the experiences of your parents is like finding hidden treasure maps. Riches are abound, we just need a little bit of direction.

And for the record... my dad was/is a badass. Let me tell you about it sometime.

1. Am I saying this to be vengeful and /or hurtful?
2. is this coming from a misdirected feeling of  having to be "real" and honest?
3. how is the other person in this conversation possibly feeling?
4. is this the appropriate time to say what I want to say?
5. What's the kindest way I can say this?

In the end, is your desire to "just say" going to uplift the situation? or will it lead the conversation to a place where only you feel good about yourself?

Let's all try to communicate kindly,be aware of others feelings and try to be watchful with the state of our hearts when we feel the need to be honest and straightforward.

This has been a Public Service Announcement brought to you by butcheee.com.

(Sorry to be preachy... I'm just saying...)

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.

What I do know is that there's something about this piece that makes me, the ordinary dude, understand a bit more the perspective of someone caught in an insatiable addiction (which was the inspiration for this). The struggle, the feeling of enslavement and that sense of letting yourself be thrown around and controlled by it. And ultimately that feeling of helplessness.

No Words Needed

Support Art. It can help us understand the things around us and inside of us that we deem as not "artsy."