Old records and rain

I remember when Momma used to tell me that life is what you make it. It's funny how you dont really understand the wise things your parents say until youre "too smart" to listen and "too old" to want to. Some things must be experienced to be understood, (I believe so anywho.) Wisdom comes from living moreso than from the worn pages of a book. Granted, the idea of a wisdom can come from within its pages, but the true majesty of it will only be understood once youve stepped into the character's shoes. Seen what they have. Breathed the air of their mistakes.
Life truly is what you make it.
Just as our speaker last week told us, Mr Barry. I remember the story of how he got dealt a pretty bad hand, but he still won the pot.
It's all in how you play the cards.
Excuse my language Dr. Brewton, but SHIT HAPPENS.
Dont let it define you or weigh you down. I've done it before. For years. I let my mistakes and other people decide my happiness for me. They took it and ran. Ran like a bat out of hell. They stole part of my youth that I will never get back.
But truth be told, I gave it to them. I LET them take my happiness from me. Because happiness is a God given right. It's your own to do with what you will, and you and only you can determine how its spent. Not another soul.
It was only until recently that this thought truly slapped me in the face. Hard. I mean, yeah, Ive been told stuff like that my entire life, but the realization just kind of sank in one day. And for that, I am ever grateful to my mind, my friends, God, fate, the very stars themselves.
I made a pact with my friend to have fun forever.
Everyday would be a new adventure.
Every moment a beautiful gift from above.
Every stranger I met, a potential angel.
The only stop I would ever make on this lovely road would be death.
And so, everyday I wake up, it isn't "Oh, what do I have to do today?" It is, "What do I get to experience today?" "What memory do I get to make today?"

Every moment holds infinite potential, and even one second wasted in sadness or in regret is gone forever.
I shared all this to say, If you are where I once was, just let go. Let go and live a little. Happiness will find its way back into the wrinkles of your smile. I promise.
Freedom is a political and societal ideal, or whatever the world calls it, but more importantly, its a self given right. You have to free yourself before you can be free in any part of this big blue place.
I'm not saying go be a hobo, although I probably wouldn't mind ha, but what I am saying is that Bob Marley was right.
"Don't worry, be happy." maaaann.. haha
Be silly.
Go for a walk.
Dont be afraid to be alone.
Take a picture of something random, simply because the moment might never come again.
Play in the rain just to get wet.
Laugh at yourself.
Talk to strangers (safely ha.)
Paint with your hands.
Enjoy the little moments, so often forgotten in the hustle and bustle of busy college kids' lives and adults' careers.

Children usually always have it right. Maybe not factually, but morally, yes. They are never afraid to experience. Society hasn't engrained in them what normal is yet, and that, is what makes them so damn beautiful.

Make a bucket list and do every single thing on it.
STARTING RIGHT NOW.
Doesnt have to be extravagant things. They can be tiny events.
But those tiny events will be the things you remember when you are old and successful. Those will be the memories that bring the priceless smiles to your face.

Now go. And live.
Truly live your life away darling.


                         (Concert at Pegasus with my best bud Kayla Murphy!)
                                                Last weekend's adventure:p