happy tanksgibing.

I'll be honest--holidays do take a great amount of logistics to be orchestrated properly. We plan for that "magic moment" which is when the family is together at the same time with all the food in place. And it's easy to get carried away trying to execute this moment that we lose sight of the true reasons for the holidays. Instead of merriment, it's more about time. Getting there on time. Having the food ready on time. Start cooking on time. Time, time, time. I cannot tell you how many holidays have been soured by stressed individuals trying to get the goods by deadline. And its not a pretty sight--when we have a man down it turns into a rescue mission.

We so easily forget that when you are with family, its home, its warmth, its comfort, its safe. At least its should be. Among our own, they should be the slowest to anger. deadlines and time shouldn't sway the holiday spirit. A cold stuffing, late turkey (or relative) shouldn't ruin the occasion. Because its about the community. The "magic moment" isn't trying to get everyone together at the same time. That is too literal of an interpretation. It's the moment when we have achieved that sense of community and comfort.

It is much easier to have a light heart. If it is easier to be angered, then I would suggest a different approach to the holidays because, quite frankly, you are missing the point.

As my family would say, "Happy Tanksgibing."

Currently Listening: "Free Falling" by Tom Petty, covered by John Mayer

obama drama.

I knew that the day would come when the United States would have an African-American president; and will one day have a woman president, and then an African-American woman president (not necessarily in that order) and be open for anyone regardless of gender, race, and dare I say, sexual orientation. So what does this mean? What does it mean that we finally have an African-American president? Does it mean we believe what the Constitution stands for? That this a land of opportunity, equality, and liberty?

It is amazing to me the nonsense that has been going around during the presidential campaigns. First thing that comes to mind is when the Republican voters in Arizona booed when McCain acknowledged Obama's victory. It disgusted me the lack of respect and class they showed. Also, some of the low blows that have been thrown toward Governor Palin were pretty awful. All this nonsense for this mindless rivalry between parties. Our worst enemy is ignorance. Americans calling candidates names such as "evil" or ethnic slurs such as "Arab" (usually pronounced A-rab) is not only asinine but a display of poor character. Both candidates are exemplary men and deserve respect. Just for the record, Mr. Obama is NOT an Arab. He is of Kenyan origin. His father being Muslim does not make Mr. Obama an "Arab." There are other Muslims besides Arabians. Again, this is simply due to ignorance.

I hope for our nation to be more open-minded. Change is inevitable. Bickering and name-calling does nothing. Regardless of who you wanted to win this presidential election, America voted and a candidate was chosen. Now, instead of holding allegiance to party lines, we need to come together and support our new leader. An entire nation united is much stronger than one divided, especially due of party differences.

facing myself.

When it came to writing, I always tried to write in a more sophisticated manner. I would sit and ponder trying to express myself eloquently. Needless to say, I wouldn't be able to find inspiration, and so convinced myself that what I have to say is not worth writing. And at the end of the day, another opportunity to express myself would be lost. I realized that I was never trying to write honestly. No, instead I was trying to be something that I wanted people see me as, such as "sophisticated" and "intellectual."

So I had to come to the end of myself. I had to face myself. I am no great writer. I have not been endowed with the gift of prose. Rather, I am an ordinary man with a passion to express myself. I write because I feel it. So first things first: stop writing like its a term paper. Self-expression has no structure or limitations. Write with heart, write with passion, write with conviction. I don't know if being "sophisticated" or an "intellectual" are things we are supposed to consciously achieve. Perhaps they are mere aesthetics that are only appropriate for persuasion. If that is the case, sophistication and intellectuality are not important to me. They are not essential for being kind, or compassionate, or being honest with yourself. Because kindness, compassion, and honesty are virtues and hold more substance than any form of aesthetics.

Currently reading: True to Life: Why Truth Matters by Michael P. Lynch

Currently listening: Jack Johnson

seasons of life.

We experience life in seasons. A short span of time, place, and theme. Every instance is but a mere paragraph, every day but a page. And just as quick and effortless it is to turn a page, so to do these moments we experience, end. Life is a journey and every step we take is written in the empty pages. We too often stay stationary in stagnant waters. Don't you know that running water never grows stale? Life was meant to move forward. Pages were meant to be turned and stories meant to continue on. I wonder what He writes after every step I take. And does he write with his face fixed and intense with concentration? Or maybe with a smile? Or does He write with disappointment?

The seasons are changing. And I am becoming something else. A friend of mine said to strive to be the type of person you should be. It is that person you want and were meant to be whether you realize it or not. It is a hard road to walk but my desire to be better than before fuels me. This is just another season of life. This time in my life that is not necessarily "good" or "bad." There those times that just require us to be something better, something different; Life molds us. We are constantly transposed from one season to another and in the process we are weathered and polished much like a rare jewel. The the dullness, the dirt, and grime are carved away and we realize that we are something more than what we seem. And it is something beautiful. I guess I see life as a refining tool God uses to make us the beautiful things he intended us to be. A beauty that is deep inside all of us.