"To go into solitude, a man needs to retire as much from his chamber as from
society. I am not solitary whilst I read and write, though nobody is with me.
But if a man would be alone, let him look at the stars. The rays that
come from
those heavenly worlds, will separate between him and what he touches.
One might
think the atmosphere was made transparent with this design, to give
man, in the
heavenly bodies, the perpetual presence of the sublime. Seen in the streets of
cities, how great they are! If the stars should appear one night in a thousand
years, how would men believe and adore; and preserve for many generations the
remembrance of the city of God which had been shown! But every night come out
these envoys of beauty, and light the universe with their admonishing smile."
-  RW Emerson

It has truly been too long since I have written. I have had a wonderful few months and am starting to become the person that I want to be. Daily I am questioning my deepest thoughts and emotions and learning about what makes me tick. Here are some thoughts in a letter to one of my best friends:

You know, reading a few bits and pieces of Thoreau's works have begun to excite me. "As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler."  I've heard you talk of these ideas of simplicity several times, today it resonates differently within my heart. How can we be sure to live a "simple" and happy life? Gandhi's ideas of non-violence and peace make me think of a "simple life". The idea that I can be happy, and have little material possessions, that I can promote peace amongst the people around me, that I can love to the very depths of my soul; to me these are the simple things that get passed by so easily. How quickly we get wrapped up in material things, new cars, gear lust, and clothing; to end up let down and empty inside with nothing to show. Why not dedicate your life to becoming great and serving those in need?

"Life comes to us in its most pristine forms while we are en-route, traveling, not as we sit and wait and plead for creativity to sprinkle us with some magic silvery dusting of artistic success."  - from Leighann's Novel

Journey. Experience. Life. Abundant. Joy. Transformation.

These are the very things that tug my heart, these ideas of living a full and abundant life, a unique life, drives my inner most being. At times I simply expect results, answers, a big ending. When the reality is that its not a big ending that makes a story; its the journey, the transformation, the experience along the way. I could live my life continually hoping for something more, always looking forward to the next big thing; or I could learn to love every second of this life that I have so gratefully been given. I could learn to not take people and my experiences for granted, I could wrap myself within every second of every day. This is my desire....

"To live only for some future goal is shallow. It's the sides of the mountain that sustain life, not the top."
-Robert M. Pirsig

the events in my life always amaze me and tend to come out of the blue...i'm grateful for this abundant life. its always so exciting and unexpected. Not too much really goin on, its just the little things that have made the last few weeks wonderful. Finding joy in the unexpected, in the irregular, in the beauty of this world and the smiles of people. :) trying to make some sort of goals for myself, so i dont sink into some sort of depression. Its been really freeing to contemplate these goals and dreams.....

some wondrous and romantical things that i've experienced lately.....

+ my first ever motorcycle ride on the most gorgeous day ever, so fun!

+ good conversations with friends that always leave my mind racing

+ finding joy in being by myself, reading and journaling in the coffee shop

+ witnessing true love at the library: I saw an old couple who were so incredibly cute and so in love.  The old man with his little cane spent at least five minutes adjusting his wife's fanny pack (she was totally wearing stirrup pants too) it was so cute because he would let her move till he had it just perfect for her.

+ Baby Hayden who is freakin handsome and his parents who are totally in love with him. there is nothing like the joy of a new lil one.

fyi- looking out my window a leaf just fell off my tree...LOVE IT!!! Autumn is here and that makes me soooooo happy!

"I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love." -Mother Teresa