Following God

We're not asked much in this life except to follow God. Through all the hardships and battles we endure, we should endure them with God. There will be times we won't understand, there will be times we won't want to understand, but we should know we follow God. There are moments in our life where we will not understand as to why God has let something come into our lives, but we need to trust him and his decisions. We may not have asked for the rocky uphill battle that had been put in our way, but we push past it with the help of God. Even now in the times where the future is starting to look darker and darker we still see the light that he has left for us. I know it's hard to keep faith when you have things crumbling down on top of you, but when all the rubble has fallen and the dust has settled God will be there to pull you from the heap to lead you to the path he has always wanted you to have.

Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

Ocean Raised

My mother, what a woman. She built me a solid foundation, one only God could diminish.  She raised me in a sense that I think all mothers should. She raised me just as God raised the ocean. She has shown me how to be gentle and powerful all in the same manner. Just as God has shown the waves to be calming, yet strong bringing serenity to those who are worn and strength to those who are weak. Just as the ocean, I too feel the need to bring people to a place of peace, a place to feel safe and at home. The ocean mirrors my sense of anger and despair by unleashing it's fury all in one powerful storm. But soon the lightening ceases and the rain let's up, brining the ocean to cleanse itself ridding what it has bottled up. She has given me the ability to feel deeply about my beliefs, just as the ocean portrays things in a way to give a deeper meaning for life. Like the ocean, my mother has told me to show my true beauty through every action I take.  God has shown my mother in each and every way possible to raise me as he has raised the ocean. No one truly understands my connection to the salty waters, only the the lucky ones. I am proud to say I was and will forever be ocean raised.

My Dare.

Why is it that there are so many things wrong with life? Have you ever noticed that when you try to explain a story to someone, about a little situation that you have going on, it just doesn't consist of one problem, but many that make one gigantic problem? It always seems to feel like everywhere you turn a wall is caving in  barricading you deeper and deeper, trapping you with nowhere to escape. Yeah sure life throws you a few good days here and there, making you feel just a little bit confident that things are alright, and then all of the sudden blind-sides you and knocks you back to reality. And in those moments when your at your wits end and you're hanging on by a thread, you get the most strength. You use whatever bit of energy you have left and exert it into an extreme burst of rage. Finally you feel the need to take what's your, robbing from the rich to give to the poor. Life may be not all its cracked up to be, but in some strange way that just seems to be the thing we all need to stay in check with ourselves and snap back to reality. Now today I'm not asking for easy, I'm just demanding possible. So life I look you in the eye, take a shot of whiskey, and challenge you to a duel with one of the most stubborn people you have ever messed with. Come on I dare you.

Salt Water

There always seems to be a certain way for people to deal with their problems. I know that I have my own regimen for the hardships that life throws my way. When I'm frustrated with what the world has thrown at me I tend to run or induce myself in some other sort of strenuous exercise that let's off the steam that has built up inside. Then there is the dreaded way of dealing with my emotions and that is crying. I do not enjoy the act of crying but I know that in some way it can just make things better. I push myself each and everyday and I know how hard I am on myself. I let pain and misery well up inside until the pot boils over and the tea kettle explodes. So finally as I let down and allow the tears to overflow, things just seem to lessen. But the most important way that I deal with things is the ocean. There is just nothing like it in the whole world. I feel as if I come to a place where I'm as close to God as I can get. It is where my soul feels most at peace. The sea allows the storm to take full wrath on my body and then all at once take it away as if nothing ever happened. Island and coastal life are what feels to be the only way of life, my way of life. It will forever be the only place where I feel the mostly settled and completely alive.

I See You Everywhere

You're here. You're still here. I see your smile and I can hear your laugh. As I walk the desolate beach, just as the sun gives light to the sand, your foot prints begin to appear. The sight of you walking the waters edge, looking for a perfect shell to bestow upon me, is etched into this beach. The pride, that washed your face when you made your first salt water catch, still resignates with the suns rays. The moment you finally caught the perfect swell still captures the tides. The island breeze mimics your warm touch as it wisps the hair from my face. I stay here just to be with you in spirit. I see you along the sidewalks and among the tourists in the shops. I know you do not reside with me on earth any longer, but I can still feel you here. I can still feel your skin pressed against mine as the storm raged on and on. I can see your breath in the morning air just as clear as the day we woke in the sand. I feel your eyes on me and as I turn your smile begins to disappear with the trade winds. Some nights I feel your body next to mine and I wake in the morning with the imprint of you next to me. I tried to go back to the place we called home and yet I couldn't help but want to be back here. When I was at the home we established I never seen even a trace of you. I always knew you wanted me to live the life I have always wanted. You always wanted me to become coastal. Now since you have brought me here I see you everywhere.

Sunrise to Sunset

My favorite part about the coast is the unending life it brings. The sun beams in light to awake some of the island goers and to warm the rest. But it doesn't just stop there, it brings vibrancy to the sandy towns and beaches to attract the tourists from all around. With each beam of light it seems as if the day could go on forever, as if new life is given to the coast with every shimmer. And as it slowly begins to descend it brings with it a whole new sense of life. The hustle and bustle begins to slow, while laid back appreciation of the scenery begins to sink in. Even the ocean brought creatures begin to follow with suit. The warm colors on the horizon bring a new ambiance that soothes the ocean and welcomes the effervescent fireflies. As the sun slowly slips into the salty waters, life on the coast doesnt stop there, it carries on. The dread headed locals emerge from their slumber, to take on the vivacious night. Even the inexperienced tourists fight fatigue to enjoy the island's night life. From sunrise to sunset, the coast's life is never-ending and always alive.

Ignored Dreams

We hear everyday that we should live our lives to the fullest. We should do this, take risks, never look back, and have no regrets. These little pieces of advice smack us in the face from every direction. Yet even with all the propaganda we still decide, as a majority, to ignore these life hints. But why? Why can't we just go by what our aspirations and dreams whisper in our ears? This is something that I've even asked myself. I want to be that person that has the life they have always dreamed about. I want the life story that will inspire others and give people the little encouragement they need to dive off the deep end. I want to look at my career knowing that this is exactly what I should be doing. I want to look at my future children and know that I have laid a solid foundation for them to dream big. inspiration is around every corner, trying to coax us into believing in ourselves and taking that leap of faith. Now I am a new year older and a new year inspired to be all that I can be. With the good Lord by my side nothing can stop me, not even myself.