Life Dreams

I came across an inspirational word porn video I watched on YouTube talking about failure, how failure strips away the inessential things in your life and creating a life you never knew could end up better from a failure. Because treading so lightly in life being afraid of failure isn't living a life worth enjoying.

Here is a reply I made to a comment in hopes to provide positive feedback to a person. A person that currently is/was working a cubicle job, and feels they need to move on from such a job that doesn't feel fulfilling to them:

One time, in vocational school during my high school days, I had a vocational instructor ask the class in a group setting a meaningful question: What are you wanting to do or accomplish in life? How do you want to live life? Are you working to live or living to work?

That last question has stuck with me and is a very good fork-in-the-road decision setter that you can choose to change at anytime in your life. How are you willing to live your life? It's an eye opening question.

Are you willing to help others persue their dreams by working to continue to make theirs happen or do you want to work on your own life long dreams?

Some people are content working for others and that's ok. Others are not and have bigger plans for their life and that's ok too. Life is truly what you make of it. ❤️

$15 minimum wage

Every now and then, I receive a few political newsletters in my inbox in support of a specific problem that's presently affecting the public. I won't go into details as to whom the newsletter was from or what political party. I only want to share one note out of hundreds of people who wrote in to share how a raise to $15 an hour would change their lives.

"If I made 15 dollars an hour at one job, I would not have to work 65 hours a week at three different jobs to afford rent, bills, food and other living expenses. If I made 15 dollars an hour I could easily support myself while having money left over to put in savings, invest back into the economy, and have a rainy day fund in case my car breaks down or something unexpected comes up without having to rely on a credit card or small personal loans. I think psychologically I would be a lot happier."

Reading this message myself, I thought 56.5 hours a week was hard. Try 65 hours. That's harsh. At this point, my concern is that no one wants to live this way. A lot of people are doing everything they can to stand up to the plate to change this kind of problem. Just because it doesn't make any news medium doesn't mean there isn't anyone striving to make FAIR changes for the betterment of ALL Americans. Such a change isn't a want, but for sure a possible need. 

As for the note, there are no extra specific details on where the note came from. There's no state listed and there's no way to tell if the person is working solely minimum wage jobs. But either way, they're working 3 jobs JUST to get by. They're not being lazy. They're in a position/situation that doesn't give them the chance or time to grow while getting paid fairly for it. I'm not talking just money, but balance. Time as a human being to have a chance to rest. To have a life. The political system within the government is so corrupt. Not all, but a lot of Americans are being ran ragged and it has absolutely NOTHING to do with anyone not trying hard enough. Anyone who says otherwise must be living in their own little bubble. That bubble is in dire need to be needled and then I'd proceed to walk up to the person who were in the bubble and give them a good b-slap. There's no need for others to continue to find excuses to keep things as they are. Which is unfairly unbalanced.

It's ok for politicians to have/raise money for their campaigns so as to draw the public's attention. It's the corruptive influence of money in political campaigns that needs to be addressed. There's an extreme amount of bribery by entities, such as corporations for example, using money to sway politicians to do the biding of their own agendas. It's drowning out the voices of the American people, which our voices are very crucial to hear right now, but money is what majority of the politicians "hear".

A good way to help get the corruptive influence of money out of politics is by going to www.wolf-pac.com. It's a very simple website to navigate, to sign the petition and/or volunteer your time to the cause. There's a resolution on the website that's been introduced by volunteers in their state, and has passed. Some of the states that have passed the resolution are Vermont, California, Illinois and New Jersey to name a few. Please feel free to take the time to check it out. The movement that is occurring may not be instantly beneficial now, but if carried through, it will be a huge stepping stone in the right direction for fairness and equality. I didn't mean to make this post so long. When I see an example of something that compels me to work toward fairness in an unfair world. Who wouldn't want to stand up for the rights they have now, while they still have the chance to take advantage of them?

I'm not making this post to guilt trip anyone into thinking they have to be a part of this movement in all it's entirety. There are people who are just so ridiculously busy, like the person in the example note above, that any little bit of participation helps. Every initiative made to push this movement forward helps tremendously. Even if it's just stopping by and signing the petition. Everyone who can participate in any way, shape or form is like adding another wolf to the pac. Eventually, there won't be no wall high enough to barricade us.

Yes - Classic Yes (Full Album)

I went to a thrift shop and didn't think for the life of me I'd find a cassette player, on top of it a handful of cassette tapes that were back in the 80's that were good bands. One of them I was able to play right off the bat was Classic Yes. I think the cassette itself is around 33 years old. Though most of the songs were done in 1977, the cassette tape itself didn't come out until 1981 and it sounds better than this playlist honestly. It doesn't do justice. I still wanted to share it so that others can search for the songs individually, because there are songs on here that you can find else where across the Internet in higher quality. I popped the cassette in the car for the first time not realizing I had a cassette tape player in my car (forgot I had one) and listened to it on an hour drive back to my destination one night. I about wanted to cry the music was so good. I didn't even have to fast forward past any of the music. Even if you can't understand what's being said, I loved the music itself. I have looked up the lyrics to all the songs since I've listened to the cassette tape, and am happy with my investment. It was the best .50 investment I've made in music all year.  :D

I know I can't keep the cassette tape forever. It will eventually give out, but it was nice to hear this kind of music, from a tangible format that the rest of the world no longer finds of interest anymore. At least one last time. For nostalgia sake. I couldn't help but fan-girl over the different cassette tapes that I was coming across that, whoever had them, and whatever the reason they had to be brought to the thrift store, I appreciate them for having good taste in music. Without them, I wouldn't have had the chance to be exposed to such beautiful music. I thank them. A lot.

Below are two videos. One of the cassette tape I have, and the other, a high quality version of one song I really like from the album. Out of all the songs listed in the first video, it was a tough call. I like them all, but I have to say "And You And I" is my favorite. It's long and it allows my mind to drift away for a while. So pretty. It leaves me all warm and fuzzy inside right here: *pats heart* <3  :F

The Cross In My Pocket

I've had this card a long time. I think it's something I kept that my mother kept, so that's why I keep it. I just wanted to share it because I like it and it's unique.

I carry a cross in my pocket
A simple reminder to me
Of the fact that I am a Christian
No matter where I may be

This little cross is not magic
Nor is it a good luck charm
It isn't meant to protect me
From every physical harm

It's not for identification
For all the world to see
It's simply an understanding
Between my Savior and me

When I put my hand in my pocket
To bring out a coin or key
The cross is there to remind me
Of the price he paid for me

It reminds me too, to be thankful
For my blessings day by day
And to strive to serve Him better
In all that I do and say

It's also a daily reminder
Of the peace and comfort I share
With all who know my Master
And give themselves to His care

So I carry a cross in my pocket
Reminding no one but me
That Jesus Christ is Lord of my life
If only I'll let him be

-Verna Thomas, Agora

LIFE

This is a sliver of a note I kept from... I think a church devo home group or something a few years back. I just wanted to share. I don't know who wrote it and/or passed it out, but I found it inspirational and kept it. The only thing I can nit pick on with the entire note would be that, I think including God into the picture is just as important as including Jesus too. Just my personal opinion though. Feel free to print it off and spread it around if you like. =)

Life isn't about keeping score. It's not about how many people call you and it's not about who you've dated, are dating or haven't dated at all. It isn't about who you've kissed, what sport you play, or which guy or girl likes you. It's not about your shoes or your hair or the color of your skin or where you live or go to school. In fact, it's not about grades, money, clothes, or colleges that accept you or not. Life isn't about if you have lots of friends, or if you are alone, and it's not about how accepted or unaccepted you are. Life just isn't about that.

But, life is about who you love and who you hurt. It's about how you feel about yourself. It's about trust, happiness and compassion. It's about sticking up for your friends and replacing inner hate with love. Life is about avoiding jealousy, overcoming ignorance and building confidence. It's about what you say and what you mean. It's about seeing people for who they are and not what they have. Most of all, it is about choosing to use your life to touch someone else's in a way that could never ave been achieved otherwise -- as Jesus would have done.

These choices are what life's about. Life is about Jesus.