Reflection

Reflection
Something, such as light, radiant heat, sound, or an image, that is reflected.

This apartment is filled with mirrors. There is an abundance. It seems as though wherever I turn, there I am. Quite interesting to get used to actually. At the beginning, I kept scaring myself. Later I started to get annoyed. Not only do I get to see myself when I choose to, but as soon as I wake up, there I am, crazy haired and baggy eyed. My bunkie and I always keep close watch on one another as well, where exactly we are in this place - not quite by choice, but because we are always being reflected.

I was thinking yesterday about all these mirrors, and realized that there must be some way that they could be properly appreciated. Then it hit me... My perspective on these many mirrors must be altered. Not only should I look at them as what they are, but what they represent - a reflection. I brought this new idea to my roommate. She kinda sorta rolled her eyes and said "ok, who is a philosopher of mirrors?!?". But for real, think about it.

Have you ever seen the movie "Patch Adams"? There is a point in the movie where Patch is confronted by a very intelligent man. He holds up 4 fingers and asks Patch how many fingers he's holding up. Patch answers "four" and the man is quick to get frustrated. He holds them up and asks again. Once again, Patch says "four". The man then says "look beyond the problem to find the proper solution". Patch changes his focus and responds with "six... I see six fingers". The man is then fully content, insisting that six is a really good answer.

So this morning when I woke up I tried my darndest to go beyond my physical reflection and attemp to "reflect" on my day, "reflect" on my thoughts, "reflect" on my Love. Hmm... was it a success?!? Not completely, but I'll keep trying!

"The world is your mirror and your mind is a magnet. What you perceive is in this world is largely a reflection of your own attitudes and beliefs. Life will give you what you attract with your thoughts. Think, act and talk negatively and your world will be negative. Think and act and talk with enthusiasm and you will attract positive results."
- Michael Lebeuf

Postcard

Postcard
A commercially printed card with space on one side for an address and a postage stamp, used for sending a short message through the mail.

Isn't it funny what makes you think of friends? I seem to be reminded of different friends when a certain song comes on the radio, a particular advertisement is shown on TV or even a familiar word is spoken. All quickly enlighten my memory. I purposely fill my space, my car and my piano bench with objects that would mean nothing to the ordinary eye but somehow mean the world to me.

Take for instance these rocks on my desk. My grandmother was not the biggest fan of my "decorative" tactics but when I look at them they bring nothing but smiles. As for the magnet on the fridge; not only one moment comes rushing into my thoughts, but an entire year of laughter and memories made. The silly note on my sun-visor - wow... not too sure if that will ever come down.

And so these objects cause me to think... will they always be as precious to me as they are right now? How is it that some of the friendships that I have had for years are continuing to grow and blossom while others are becoming more and more distant with time? And for the ones that are distant, how do we catch up? How do we make it how it used to be, maybe even how it should be?

A friend once told me that perhaps we were only in each others lives for a moment. He later sent me a postcard and shortly afterwards I began to realize that he was right. Although our time together was only for a glimpse, that postcard had somehow extended that moment into several years. I find myself cherishing the postcards in my life more than ever. They encourage me to never stop sending them, also reminding me to cherish the rocks, magnets and notes that I have been given.

"Postcards, from absent friends, extinguish fear, Unite division, and draw distance near; Their magic force each silent wish conveys, And wafts embodied through, a thousand ways: Could souls to bodies write, death's pow'r were mean, For minds could then meet minds with heav'n between. "
- Aaron Hill

Wonder

Wonder
To have a wish or desire to know something; to be filled with curiosity.

My greatest pastime used to consist of wondering. My most popular saying was perhaps "what if...". I would spend countless hours reflecting on certain situations, questioning the different outcomes and contemplating how better or worse off I could possibly be. This would explain my fixation with movies such as "Sliding Doors", "Big Business" and "Family Man". What a silly pastime! With total disregard of the fact that I was and currently am living in God's Will, I chose to stimulate myself with rambling thoughts and endless fantasies. Don't get me wrong, it was always tons of fun, but what was it that I thought I was accomplishing...

This is my life. Right here, right now - this is it. I have realized that no matter how much I try to dream up different outcomes of my past, present and future, this life that I have will remain the same - past, present and future. I have made the choices that have brought me here. I believe that the Lord has guided me throughout it all (most of it at least) and I have accepted that this is the best scenario that I could be in.

"What's next?", I wonder. First of all, let me change that to "what's next?", I trust. I trust that nothing but good lies before me, whatever package it comes in. I expect that I will continue to be taken care of, just as I always have been. I know that I will not possess all of the answers to the questions that I allow to haunt me, but I have faith in knowing that peace is the best answer possibly given.

So, for today, rather than wondering "what if", I choose to accept right now. Tomorrow will come, I will let it worry about itself. Yesterday has gone and perhaps I should let it fade away.

"Abroad to see wonders the traveler goes, and neglects the fine things which lie under his nose."
- German Proverb

Cliche

Cliche
A stereotype or any similar reproduction of a trite or obvious remark.

I am the first to admit that I may in fact be the queen of cliches. But just between you, me and the fence post, I figure that if you can't beat 'em, join'em!

My day has almost been as exciting as watching paint dry but at the end of it all I must say that I do feel well rested. The good thing about not leaving the apartment is that a penny saved is a penny saved. We all know that money doesn't grow on trees. Alas, good things do come to those who wait, even though waiting is the hardest part. Only time will tell as to the adventures that are coming my way. My hope is to avoid the "been there... done thats" this year. I mean, you only live once - but if you do it right, once is enough! Perhaps I ought to create some type of accomplishment in my day. Better late than never! With that, I'm gonna make like Tom and cruise!

"[Life] is a game of cliches, and I believe in every one of them."
- Vincent Lombardi

Glimpse

Glimpse
To look briefly; glance.

I must say that I am not one who particularly enjoys sharing very much info about myself, let alone over the WORLD WIDE web... but alas, I have been convinced that I am missing out on something grand and have no choice but to join in on the blogging. So here I am. I, along with many of you, have fallen prey to the fad.

How do I begin with only but a glimpse at the very beginning of this new journey? A quick summary should do the trick. I have moved to yet another new city, right into the heart of it at that (meaning downtown). I have a new roommate, I am attending a new school and I have recently bought a new pair of shoes. The joys are endless. Although this is my first time living in this particular city, I do feel as though it is right in my back yard. Since being here, 3 weeks already, there have been 10 guests who have shared our space, our sheets and our scenic view. Home has joined us!

I have enjoyed all of the adventure thus far, but must admit that I am starting to get a little exhausted, a little grouchy perhaps, and am honestly looking forward to having a night in... staying in pj's all day and having the extent of fresh air from a moment or two out on the balcony. I believe that its important to rest, in whatever way is best for you! For me, resting often means hibernating. But, it is in those instances when we are able to get a glimpse into our own thoughts, desires, hopes and fears. In the times of rest we are able to find the calm and are given the opportunity to hear. Hmm... perhaps that moment for me is only a few hours away.

"Beyond the horizon... a great, creative impulse is at work - the only thing that gives this [world] meaning and a guarantee of the future. Every [man] ought to climb up here... and glimpse the various, manifold life of which he is a part."
- Vance Palmer