The Greatest of These is Love

Valentine's Day is tomorrow and already I'm seeing flowers, cookies, and other types of edible love offerings being delivered to the office.  And, of course, Facebook is lit up about the dreaded holiday.  It seems to not  matter that it is 2013 and everyone makes fun of the day, people still want to express their loneliness on this day.  

"Another year alone"

"Guess I will spend it with my dog"

"Dateless....again"

These are some of the things I'm already tired of sifting through in various social medias.  Along with the invites to "Anti-Valentine's Day Movie Party".  Blugh, no thanks!

I'm not sure why some people like to draw so much attention to the fact that they are dateless and will be spending another week night on the sofa in their pajamas.  Is it perhaps a call to action?  "I'm all alone.  Rescue me".  And it's no better with people posting photos of ridiculous teddy bears wearing red t-shirts that read " I Wuv U".  Why is Valentine's Day so damn important - good o bad?  I think the answer may be found in the emotional maturity level of the bragger or beggar.  

See, I'm frustrated with the holiday.  No, it's not because I don't have a date and someone to shower me with flowers and chocolates to wreck my diet.  I don't care about all of that.  What I am disappointed in is the reaction people have to a day that is supposed to celebrate love.  You don't have a date?  Okay....but don't you have a lot of friends?  You're a single dad?  But, doesn't your daughter adore you?  Valentine's Day doesn't have to be for lovers - that's Virginia!  

See? 

My point is this: when you whine on social media, in the office, or to your friends about how lonely and unloved you are, well, that makes you an asshole, and perhaps why are you single.  Your mom loves you, right?  You sister thinks you hung the moon.  Your friends?  Shit!  They couldn't live without you.  So, before you decide to pop in Celine Dion's "All By Myself" and wrap yourself up in pity party for one, look around.  Perhaps you are more loved than you realized.  And even if it's not love, there is someone who counts on seeing your face, hearing your voice, or getting an occasional text message from you that just brightens their day.  Hell, maybe that lady who serves you coffee every morning really looks forward to your arrival because, for whatever reason, you just make it a good day. 

I don't want to be misunderstood.  If you are in love, by all means you are lucky!  Isn't that the best feeling in the world?  But, just because someone is single, not in a relationship, it doesn't mean that we are unloved.  I, for one, am in the middle of experiencing some of the greatest love of my life, and all of it coming from family and friends.

Happy Valentine's Day.  I wish you love.....

God Bless Us, America

There is something wrong in my country.  It seems like an over simplified statement, but sadly it is very true.

Each day our morning news brings us stories of great violence happening right down the street.  From Newtown to the quadruple homicide that took place here in Tulsa,  the amount of violent murders is gaining momentum and only proving that we, the people, of the United States of America  have a problem.

Of course there is violence all of there world. Of course there is great injustice and terrible crimes taking places daily in other countries. But I'm not talking about other places. I am talking about right here in my own back yard.  America is stressed out.

The "American Dream" is something we strive to attain and taking up that call leads us to unfulfilled lives.  We are over weight, over worked, under paid, under valued by others and ourselves.  We work for something that seems unattainable and the result is a nation of unhappy people who live in a country with such great potential.  Instead of experiencing life, we walk through it with our heads lowered to the ground, counting down the days until our next vacation or retirement.  And we are even shamed for taking vacation and asked to work while we're off and out of the office.   And what is it all for?  What is the reward?  We have disconnected from one and another and placed more value on stuff. Stuff that means nothing and we have lost our ability to follow what we truly desire.

I'm so sad for this nation.  I mean, this is the United States of America!  The land of opportunity   The "Free World", the "New World".  And what are we doing with it other than drinking too much, eating too much, and taking loads of medication for depression and anxiety?

It's so frustrating and heart breaking.  What do we have to get our shit together, We must stop it and learn to relax and enjoy life again.  I just don't know how to encourage this thinking.  To a lot of people it seems irresponsible and lazy.  So where is the happy medium?

I have no answers.  I'm only asking because I am desperate to learn how to change my own life so that I may enjoy it and be more fulfilled.

Dear god, help us all.....

"Do Something That Scares You, Carrie"

I promised myself that in 2013 I would take more risks, walk outside my comfort zone, and do something that scares me.  Before the first month of the new year ended, I added one check to my list.  And the results were liberating.

Each and every one of us have our limits.  I tend to feel that I am a pretty daring person.  I mean, I don't always go out and seek something daring.  But, if something is suggested to me I just may take the opportunity.  I admire people who do things that are uncomfortable but hold their heads up as brave soldiers marching into the field of the great unknown.  I have so many beautiful people in my life who are so courageous and they inspire me to be brave.

I think it is best to scare yourself from time to time.  Otherwise you live a life in taupe and gray, and that's just no fun - is it?  Since I made this bold choice, I feel as if it has opened the door to more risks and adventures.   I mean, it may have only been something small in the scheme of things, but it certainly helped light a fire under my ass.  And essentially that's all I was looking for in this experience.


I don't know what's next on my risk taking list, but I'm hoping for something big and I'm excited.