Where Do We Go From Here?

With the end of 2011 at hand, we're all wondering the same thing...where do we go from here?  Is the world going to end?!  Should we continue with the relationship that we're in or should we end it?  Is it time to have a baby?  Will I make that April 15th tax deadline this year?  Or if you're like me, you really aren't thinking much about anything and the initial question doesn't even apply.

I do wonder 'what's next', though.  With every New Year, it's been my experience that someone will die, someone will be born and more drama will ensue and with every New Year, I look forward to each and every new change, which is odd, because I don't handle change too well.  Of course, I don't wish for anyone to die, but, really, what can I do about it except hope that the Grim Reaper stays FAAAAR away from me and anyone I know and love.

Anyway, as usual, you have me rambling here with absolutely no direction whatsoever, but then again, this really is all about me and what I think about in the strangest of moments while I waste away some portion of my day either on Facebook or watching the Kardashians.  Yes, I live a life that most people are jealous of...that of a couch potato.

I have made a decision about my blog though!  I'm sure you will be happy to know...I'm going to write more!  Yeah!  Can you hear the crowd roar!  I haven't been doing much writing lately, because I've been living life, and being someone who doesn't like to share, I'd rather not publish my every waking moment on Blogger...which is also why my Twitter is a bit dusty lately, as well.  That reads a bit perverse, but I really do mean my Twitter account...on Twitter.com.  There.  Clarification.  Pervs.

Anyway, after tomorrow, I will be posting more opinions and my life experiences, so when you're done celebrating the New Year and you dust off your drunken funk, don't forget to rush home and check out the first of many postings right here where you have a front row seat to My Mind...Amplified :)

Happy New Year, One and All!  See you in 2012!

Overly Happy People

You see them everywhere. They're at your bank, your grocery store, church, even when you are just trying to have a few drinks with friends you run into them...the Overly Happy People. Those mind numbing, ecstatically happy people that always seem to be a ray of sunshine in their own lives. I mean, really, who truly is that happy all the time?

I can understand having a good day, but these people almost always seem to be nothing but sugar and spice and they annoy the hell out of me. I know, I'm a complainer and being a complainer that comes with being an observer. I watch everything and everyone, so I see this sort of syrupy kinda person pop up at least twice a day. In fact, I know a few myself and it's been a rare occasion when even the ones I know in person, let their guard down long enough to let reality set in and they finally look normal.

I don't know if I'd ever want to be that person and I'm almost certain I've never been jealous that I'm not that person already. I like being me and I like being sad, grumpy, quiet, loud, occasionally to the moon happy, and normally down to earth happy.

I just wonder, in looking at these people, are they TRULY happy or is it just all an act? AND, do they annoy their spouses with their fakeness (if that's what it is) or is their spouse convinced that they are just the greatest because they are happy, bubbly people?

Personally, I couldn't be attracted to someone like that, so to get to the point where they'd be my spouse, would be a miracle!

Is it Judgement or Just Me Being Fed Up?

I posed the question on Facebook about me being judgemental and if I should feel bad about it, because to be honest, I usually do feel bad when I go off about something. There are so many things in this life that I enjoy and so many things that can truly screw up my good day. So, for those reading...here's a list of basic things that set me off:

1) Liars
2) Cheaters
3) 'Guys'
4) People who think that it's ok to be in relationships and behave as if you aren't.
5) When people speak as if they're from another planet.

1) Liars: Lying by omission is still lying. Grown people who lie REALLY tick me off. You're an ADULT...own up to your stuff and face the consequences or DON'T MESS UP!

2) Cheaters: I'm the type of person that believes that if you can't do it in front of your spouse/partner/whatever, then you DON'T NEED TO BE DOING IT! Are you checking out someone and later on 'fantasizing' about them...and you know exactly what I mean by that. Seriously, do you think that's NOT cheating?! Emotional cheaters...do you confide in people other than your spouse? THAT'S STILL CHEATING! UGH!

3) 'Guys': Two words...GROW THE F UP! How old do you have to be before you realize that your days of being a 'playah' are over? Get a family, get a job, PICK UP YOUR FREAKIN' PANTS!!!

4) People who think it's ok to be in relationships and behave as if you aren't: Really, why do you even bother?! Is your ego THAT HUGE that you have to drag someone else into your little world of 'its all about me' to make yourself feel better than the next person?! Let that person who you're 'playin' with' find someone who deserves them!

5) When people speak as if they're from another planet: Now, you know what I'm talking about. People who use the worst possible grammar, sentence structure and spelling ON PURPOSE! Especially when they were educated properly! Did you learn from wolves or something?! No, let me take that back, I don't mean to insult wolves. SPEAK ENGLISH CORRECTLY OR SHUT UP!!!

So, that's just 5 things that tick me off...there is without a doubt a whole lot more, however, I'll just list those for now.

So, what do you think? Am I expecting too much from mankind?!

Slackers!

Yes, that would be me. I have a blog, but I hardly blog. What am I thinking?! I could be blogging everyday about nothing, but yet, I don't! Maybe I just don't have enough on my mind lately...or maybe I do and it just hasn't spilled over the edges of my insanity...so to speak. Either way, I think I need to blog more. In doing so, I wonder if I should delete my old blogs and start fresh...and in starting over, should I have a theme?

I know this blog is supposed to be about anything going on in my head at any particular moment, so hey, I guess I already DO have a theme. But, really, what good does it do me if I don't really sit down and blog about it? Anyway, just my mindless thought for the moment. I hadn't posted in awhile and figured, I might try to do something semi-productive on this thing before it started to grow cobwebs.

Setting 'Boundaries'

According to dictionary.com the term 'boundaries' means: something that indicates bounds or limits. The word means different things as well, but today's blog is going to be dedicated to those who have a problem setting boundaries. Are you one of those people? Then this blog is for you.

If you find yourself at your wits end over people, their behavior or feeling the need to constantly please them, then you need to stop. Ask yourself 'Why am I doing this?!', 'What's in it for me?'. Yes, this is one of those times when you actually have to become selfish and put your foot down. Why? Because their selfishness is standing in the way of your happiness.

Now, that doesn't mean that if you're being told that you're doing something dangerous or completely out of character that you should just tell people to stuff it...NO! If someone is trying to show you that you're acting weird, odd or in a not so you character then take heed, they're probably correct. What I'm actually referring to are those people who, no matter what you do...THEY KNOW BETTER THAN YOU!

Trust me, I'm one of those people. Yes, we do exist and yes, we do know what we're doing, when we do it. Some of us, don't care what impact it has on your life, as long as you do as we say...then there are those, like myself, that actually take the time either before or after the fact and ask ourselves if what we just said or did was what you needed to hear or were we acting in our own self interest. You can recognize us, the latter people, because we usually apologize or try to work things out with you. BUT on the off chance that you know someone who is the former, rather than the latter, then keep reading, you aren't done yet.

The people that don't give a crud how their 'advice' or actions affect anyone other than themselves are easy to spot. They have almost nothing going right in their lives. They have tons of 'friends' with little substance, and nothing stable to speak of or to fall back on. Think about it...do you know anyone like that? Oh, look carefully, because even those types can 'appear' to have their lives in order, but do they reeeeally?

Anyway, as I tend to, I'm rambling. Bottom line is if you're reading this and are at a point in your life where you're about to pull your hair out because of someone else, then STOP! Take a deep breath and walk away. Walk away until you're cooled down enough to go back and set your boundaries...and trust me, those boundaries aren't there because YOU didn't set them in the first place. That's right, you have ownership in this, too.

There was a point in your relationship or friendship where you had the opportunity to tell the other person, 'Enough', but for whatever reason, YOU chose not to. So, you decide. Do YOU want to keep living THEIR life, or do you want to take the reigns and live YOUR life?

So, do as I say and set your boundaries! ; )

The Half-Christian

'I'm Not Who I Was' is a song by Brandon Heath. I had heard the song many times before, and today it really hit me when I caught myself praying as I was looking over some old videos, that I'm not who I was.

So, I have to ask you, are you who you were? Whomever that may have been, are you the same person you were before God came into your life? If not, then why do you hang on to the baggage from your past? All the hurt, all the pain, all the hate and anger...if that isn't you, then why is it still part of you, now?

I have to admit, I'm not Christian. Don't take that as a denial of my Faith...finish reading and you'll see where I'm going with this. I fail completely in what it means to be Christian. I would love to be able to say that I have an open heart to all people, that I don't judge, that I don't hold grudges, that I'd walk miles and miles to save the masses, but honestly, I wouldn't. For me to say that I'm Christian, would be a lie and Christians aren't supposed to lie.

I will say that I believe in God, I believe that Jesus died for our sins and that one day He will come back for His children. I don't know that I would be one of them, I just know that I'd like to be, but to achieve that, I'd have to stop hating the people I hate, forgive and ask forgiveness, let go of those that have abused me, abused my trust and betrayed the One I love.

In saying that, I just realized that if I don't do any of that, then I'm placing my Faith, my Life, my Obedience in the hands of everyone other than God. Sure, God can wash away my sins, but I'll never know it unless I allow Him in my life 'above all others'...all other people, all other things, all other feelings (good or bad).

I've heard people (and myself) say, 'I will never forgive' followed by a person or what that person did to them (remember, I've done it as well). Why won't we forgive? Are we afraid of the initial fallout of saying those words or of embracing forgiveness? How is it that we can so easily say, 'I'm Christian', but can't easily back it up by saying, 'The past is the past, I forgive you, will you forgive me?'. It shouldn't matter how great the wrongdoing, because nothing can be greater than God's healing hand.

God can wash away our sins and He will heal all the pain, scripture not only tells us this, but God shows us this in every good thing we see, but none of that will be apparent to us until we just let go of what's literally eating at our soul.

How often we each have looked at the people in our lives that upset or disappoint us and we point out their flaws and make statements like, 'I can't believe they did that', 'I would never say such things'...but yet, we make no move to stop long enough and realize that person might need you to be the one to step in and show them how God has Graced your life, so that they might feel comfortable enough to embrace his Grace as well.

With God, fear is not an option, anger, judgement and hate aren't either. The list is endless, you know this, because we are all guilty of partaking of this list and living for every piece of it, instead of doing the one and only thing God has ever really asked of us and that is to Give it to God.

Let God deal with it...you fear rejection and remember the hurt, you've given in to the anger and frustration, so now surrender it all to the Lord, wholeheartedly and see what happens. Do you really think you'll be worse off for doing it?

I know, for myself, I'm tired of living a half life, being a half Christian. Whatever message God has for you, I hope you get it soon, because I'd rather walk this road with you, instead of ahead of you.

On the Male Blogger

I've heard so many times from people when I suggested that they start a blog, the following statements: 'Why should I blog?', 'I have nothing to say!', 'Who would want to read my blog?'. It shocks me to see so many people who don't realize that they have some amazing things to say!

Personally, I like to read the male blogger. I don't know if anyone else has noticed, but men who blog blog about things that are out there. They don't blog about their cute little puppy, the love of their life (guilty!), or Charlie Sheen ruining their TV schedule (guilty, again!). They write about LIFE, about things they're passionate about, things that if you took the time to sit down with them and take away all the fluffy stuff of dating or the hardships of providing for a family, you would see the actual man.

I find my Love, Chad, most interesting when I'm reading what he writes, because then I can see him. Not the him that the world sees, that being the guy who goes off to work, or who makes my heart soar when I hear his voice or see his face (see, there I go, again!). I see the man who has thoughts all his own, (who, for who knows how long) has thought about a topic and it just explodes on the pages of his blog when he gets motivated enough to write...or on the pages of the book he needs to finish ; )

Let's face it, the true man that you see across your table, sleeping on the pillow next to you, or the morsel that you're scoping out at the grocery store, really isn't that guy. The real guy is the one who, if you gave him an inch of space, he'd give you a mile of his mind and his soul, which would surpass even your greatest expectations.

An Open Letter to My 'Husband'

As you sit there tap tap tapping away at the computer, playing your game, I'm sitting on the bed, typing this to you.  You have no idea I'm doing it, which makes it all the more fun for me.  I look over at you and see you sitting there with no shirt on, a tattoo on your shoulder, long hair down past your neck and I can't help but notice how handsome you are, even from this angle.

I smile remembering that there are moments throughout my day when I think about you.  I'm sure I've been doing it all along, but really, lately, it's been hitting home.  Sometimes, you're at work, taking a drive or a walk, doing something around the house or the yard and all I can think about is you.  Not about where you are, what you're doing or who you might be with...just you.

Everyday, I know that when you drag out of bed and go to work at an hour that's even too early for a sane person, you will call and leave a message to tell me you love me.  You don't just leave me for the day and not look back until you're ready to come home - you keep me with you.  I know this, because throughout the day, I'll get a text message or a call telling me that you love me - even in moments when you don't have to

I remember the early days of us, the excitement, the long conversations, staying awake for hours on end just hating to hang up the phone.  Sometimes, I forget who I'm with and begin to long for those days  and sometimes, rarely, but sometimes, I let my guard down and wonder, 'Does he still love me'?  Then, in a moment, without saying a word, you remind me of all those moments ago with a single look, you say something a fraction of a second before I do or you touch my hand or wrap your arms around me at just the moment when I begin to wish you would. 

There's no wedding band on my finger saying that I'm your Wife, no document as proof...just you, your word, and all the things you do that tell me that we are One for Always...and just so you know, here and now, before God and everyone, I know you love only me, I know your faithful to me and I know without a doubt in my mind that you cherish what we have.

Your Wife in Faith, Trust & Absolute Devotion...

Charlie Sheen Has Ruined My Life!

It's been months since I last posted to my blog, so since I'm back I figured I should blog about something interesting...like, Charlie Sheen.  What is up with Charlie Sheen?!  Does he not realize that his insane behavior has left me without a positive end to this season's line up AND he's also put 'How I Met Your Mother'(s) execs in a position to renew that show for another 2 seasons?!  Which means, Mr Sheen that I have to wait 2 years in order to find out who the 'Mother' truly is on that show?!  Do you know how long I've waited?!  Of course you don't, and neither do you care, because you have Adonis DNA and Tiger's Blood, which I do not. 

What I do have, is the ability to be fickle and in my fickleness partnered with your arrogance, I gladly accept the position you have put ME in...and that is to find someone else from my youth to swoon over!  Since we no longer have the handsome Patrick Swayze (RIP) to fill that void, I'm left with watching Ralph Macchio on Dancing with the Stars'!

So, THANK YOU, CHARLIE SHEEN, for jacking up my viewing pleasure for the 2011 television season.  I hope Zeus wacks some sense into you with his lightning bolt real soon!