When I started writing my Christmas cards last week, I stopped to think about what thoughts and feelings to put in each one. That then prompted me to think about what gifts I had actually gotten for everyone.
I naturally then started thinking about the amount of money I had spent overall and on each individual gift.
But I abruptly stopped myself.
These people are my family, and I shouldn't be worrying so much about my budget when it comes to people I love. I'm not hard up for cash or deep in debt, so why do I need to keep what I spend on my loved ones to a certain dollar value?
So I went out and bought some more gifts.
It felt good.
Merry Christmas
Monday, December 28, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Tipping Point
They say a watched pot never boils.
But what about when you ignore it?
Does it boil sooner?
Obviously, I couldn't care less about boiling pots, but the human will and the extent of a person's patience is something that has always fascinated me.
I consider it both part nature and nurture that make up one's limits of patience.
I, myself, have always been a very patient person.
As much as I've wanted certain things as badly as others, I've always been more than willing to take my time and wait....................................................................................and wait..................
and wait...................................................................
................ and wait some more when I'm trying to accomplish or hope for anything.
That doesn't mean I can't react quickly when I need to or want to, but it just means I believe certain things are worth waiting for - even if its not always easy waiting for them.
But sooner or later, everyone comes across something that they wait for and wait for but never get.
Maybe its something you can't predict,
or something you want but may just never obtain or have happen.
You tell yourself to give it time......
..........because "patience is a virtue" ................... right???
But what's your breaking point?
How much can you take?
At what point does patience become cowardice or laziness?
What will make YOUR pot boil over to action because you've waited too long?????
But what about when you ignore it?
Does it boil sooner?
Obviously, I couldn't care less about boiling pots, but the human will and the extent of a person's patience is something that has always fascinated me.
I consider it both part nature and nurture that make up one's limits of patience.
I, myself, have always been a very patient person.
As much as I've wanted certain things as badly as others, I've always been more than willing to take my time and wait....................................................................................and wait..................
and wait...................................................................
................ and wait some more when I'm trying to accomplish or hope for anything.
That doesn't mean I can't react quickly when I need to or want to, but it just means I believe certain things are worth waiting for - even if its not always easy waiting for them.
But sooner or later, everyone comes across something that they wait for and wait for but never get.
Maybe its something you can't predict,
or something you want but may just never obtain or have happen.
You tell yourself to give it time......
..........because "patience is a virtue" ................... right???
But what's your breaking point?
How much can you take?
At what point does patience become cowardice or laziness?
What will make YOUR pot boil over to action because you've waited too long?????
Friday, October 23, 2009
Escaping Dreamland
In the morning I'll wake,
to greet the sun.
And if when my eyes open,
it doesn't show,
I'll await my love,
with my own anxious glow.
With patience I'll wait,
for the soft rays of light,
anticipating an invitation,
to step out from this long night.
And though I remain,
a man of quiet dignity,
I hold my hopes and fears,
close by my side,
protected from the darkness of my dreams,
that precede the morning light.
But even I know,
they can't stay safe forever,
because,
I must still sleep tonight.
to greet the sun.
And if when my eyes open,
it doesn't show,
I'll await my love,
with my own anxious glow.
With patience I'll wait,
for the soft rays of light,
anticipating an invitation,
to step out from this long night.
And though I remain,
a man of quiet dignity,
I hold my hopes and fears,
close by my side,
protected from the darkness of my dreams,
that precede the morning light.
But even I know,
they can't stay safe forever,
because,
I must still sleep tonight.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Snapshot
And it occurred to me then,
that a memory is just
a snapshot of a distant scene,
from a faulty camera in our mind.
And it's with that thought
that I view our love,
as a photo montage
of random shots,
some blurred,
some skewed,
yet the lens of my heart
makes them perfectly clear
when they're memories of you.
that a memory is just
a snapshot of a distant scene,
from a faulty camera in our mind.
And it's with that thought
that I view our love,
as a photo montage
of random shots,
some blurred,
some skewed,
yet the lens of my heart
makes them perfectly clear
when they're memories of you.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Pimpin' Ain't Easy, But Healthy Is
I have no intention of making this post sound like a stupid book promotion, but fair warning - my content and information may be similar. I just don't have any hopes of making any profit off of it.
(except, of course, for the satisfaction of imagining I might be helping one of the people who accidentally stumble across my blog while searching for internet porn. One can dream......)
Anyway........
Let's discuss HEALTH, WEIGHT LOSS, and FITNESS.
If you really know me, you know I am a very healthy person in different aspects. If you ever see me eating or drinking a lot, its probably the only time that week I'm straying from my average daily diet of mostly protein shakes, salads, oatmeal and FiberOne or Kashi cereal.
But of course, in addition to how I eat, I also hit the gym on a regular basis.
You can usually find me there about 5-6 times a week either lifting weights, hitting the heavy bag, on the bike, etc.
I also do a lot of reading and research into exercises, supplements, training methods, nutrition, etc., so I think I'm pretty well-versed about the topics.
Imagine my dismay when I read this cover story from TIME magazine.
Great!!!
So not only do most overweight people not exercise already, but NOW they're going to think it's just a waste of time anyway!!
Awesome job, TIME magazine!!
Thanks for doing your part to help the obesity epidemic in America!
Now I'm not about to break-down this story and explain why it's shitty - Mens Health already did that for me.
However, I will skip all the BS and give you the information that matters, which is this:
Exercise is great for your heart and muscles and to help burn calories, but
DIET is MUCH MORE important to weight loss than exercise.
No wonder so many people stop going to the gym or give up on exercise altogether after a few months: there's an overwhelming feeling of failure when all that effort doesn't show in the mirror.
It's very naive to think that going to the gym everyday will give you the body you dream of. It's actually what you eat that will have a bigger impact on how much excess weight you're carrying around.
My advice?
Make a change -- some kind of positive change -- to your diet.
A great place to start is by cutting out the extra sugars and simple carbs.
That means water instead of soda, juice or sweetened teas.
That also means no candy.
Like sandwiches?
Skip the bagels, breads and wraps and try a croissant instead.
Add some more veggies or meat to your meal and drop the excess rice, pasta and bread.
It may not seem like much, but it's a start, and every goal worth reaching begins with a first step.
GOOD LUCK!
(except, of course, for the satisfaction of imagining I might be helping one of the people who accidentally stumble across my blog while searching for internet porn. One can dream......)
Anyway........
Let's discuss HEALTH, WEIGHT LOSS, and FITNESS.
If you really know me, you know I am a very healthy person in different aspects. If you ever see me eating or drinking a lot, its probably the only time that week I'm straying from my average daily diet of mostly protein shakes, salads, oatmeal and FiberOne or Kashi cereal.
But of course, in addition to how I eat, I also hit the gym on a regular basis.
You can usually find me there about 5-6 times a week either lifting weights, hitting the heavy bag, on the bike, etc.
I also do a lot of reading and research into exercises, supplements, training methods, nutrition, etc., so I think I'm pretty well-versed about the topics.
Imagine my dismay when I read this cover story from TIME magazine.
Great!!!So not only do most overweight people not exercise already, but NOW they're going to think it's just a waste of time anyway!!
Awesome job, TIME magazine!!
Thanks for doing your part to help the obesity epidemic in America!
Now I'm not about to break-down this story and explain why it's shitty - Mens Health already did that for me.
However, I will skip all the BS and give you the information that matters, which is this:
Exercise is great for your heart and muscles and to help burn calories, but
DIET is MUCH MORE important to weight loss than exercise.
No wonder so many people stop going to the gym or give up on exercise altogether after a few months: there's an overwhelming feeling of failure when all that effort doesn't show in the mirror.
It's very naive to think that going to the gym everyday will give you the body you dream of. It's actually what you eat that will have a bigger impact on how much excess weight you're carrying around.
My advice?
Make a change -- some kind of positive change -- to your diet.
A great place to start is by cutting out the extra sugars and simple carbs.
That means water instead of soda, juice or sweetened teas.
That also means no candy.
Like sandwiches?
Skip the bagels, breads and wraps and try a croissant instead.
Add some more veggies or meat to your meal and drop the excess rice, pasta and bread.
It may not seem like much, but it's a start, and every goal worth reaching begins with a first step.
GOOD LUCK!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Life Advice
I'm a young man..............at least by most standards.
I may have a few hidden gray hairs here and there, but I'm wrinkle-free, unmarried and don't have any kids. (that I know of!) :-P
Yet, I believe I've lived long enough to have truly learned some important life lessons.
Sometimes we know and believe things that may seem instinctive to us, but we take it for granted that it was usually a certain experience or interaction with a specific person who helped us to learn it.
But whatever the source, I hold these bits of knowledge very dear and rely on them to be the structure by which I build my life upon.
Even more important still, I'm always learning more vital lessons that help to reinforce my character and outlook on life.
So enough of the banter........let's begin the lesson.
Let's start with the end -- Death.
I've been unfortunate in the sense that I've had to deal with deaths slightly more often than most people I know.
Luckily nobody in my immediate family has passed, but I've lost grandparents, uncles, high school friends and others. Some of those very close to me have also lost people very close to them, so I've dealt with death on many occasions in one way or another.
There's one piece of wisdom I'd like to share when it comes to consoling someone who's lost someone they care about, and that is, don't ever try to rationalize it.
By that, I mean that what they're going through isn't like any other common problem in life that people experience. It's not a time for advice and not a time for any kind of logical explanation.
It is just a time for comfort and understanding. Period.
Don't remind them how long the person lived, or how good a life they may have had.
That does nothing.
The numbers of years, or degree to which their life was admirable does no good in consoling an ailing heart.
The best sympathy is that which provides silent consolation and sincere understanding.
Don't rationalize - just comfort.
Love them, support them, and let them know you're there for them.
No explanation required.
I may have a few hidden gray hairs here and there, but I'm wrinkle-free, unmarried and don't have any kids. (that I know of!) :-P
Yet, I believe I've lived long enough to have truly learned some important life lessons.
Sometimes we know and believe things that may seem instinctive to us, but we take it for granted that it was usually a certain experience or interaction with a specific person who helped us to learn it.
But whatever the source, I hold these bits of knowledge very dear and rely on them to be the structure by which I build my life upon.
Even more important still, I'm always learning more vital lessons that help to reinforce my character and outlook on life.
So enough of the banter........let's begin the lesson.
Let's start with the end -- Death.
I've been unfortunate in the sense that I've had to deal with deaths slightly more often than most people I know.
Luckily nobody in my immediate family has passed, but I've lost grandparents, uncles, high school friends and others. Some of those very close to me have also lost people very close to them, so I've dealt with death on many occasions in one way or another.
There's one piece of wisdom I'd like to share when it comes to consoling someone who's lost someone they care about, and that is, don't ever try to rationalize it.
By that, I mean that what they're going through isn't like any other common problem in life that people experience. It's not a time for advice and not a time for any kind of logical explanation.
It is just a time for comfort and understanding. Period.
Don't remind them how long the person lived, or how good a life they may have had.
That does nothing.
The numbers of years, or degree to which their life was admirable does no good in consoling an ailing heart.
The best sympathy is that which provides silent consolation and sincere understanding.
Don't rationalize - just comfort.
Love them, support them, and let them know you're there for them.
No explanation required.
Friday, June 26, 2009
On a Day Like Today
A lot has happened since my last post.
Wonderful things, and heart-breaking things........
I was debating about posting, and had actually almost completed, a detailed account of my Miami experience. But alas, too much other crap has happened that maybe it wasn't worth it to dedicate a whole post to.
Anyway.....
A few bachelor parties with life-long memories occurred.
Phil, Joe, Raktim, Pranav.
Montreal, AC, Montreal again, Miami.
There was plenty of strip clubs, drinking, clubbing, drinking, dancing, drinking, swimming, drinking, more strippers, more drinking, late night robbery and half-naked foot chases, police reports, and nearly missed flights.
Ahhhhhh................definitely some legendary times.
Then of course, we had some weddings for those bachelors.
Also fun times.
I'm very happy for my friends who are taking these big steps in their lives and relationships.
Not everyone is able to find someone they would want to spend the rest of their lives with, so it warms my heart to see them so happy with their loved ones.
Some people would give up anything just to fall in love once, while others may find someone special but the desire to get married isn't mutual or the relationship doesn't last for one reason or another.
......and which situation is worse?
If you had your heart set on being married with a family some day, and the person you're in love with doesn't want the same or it doesn't work out, how do you proceed?
On the other hand, what if you've never been able to find someone you really connect with and never experience a passionate relationship?
It may sound cliché, but is it really better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all??
I'm a private person, so I don't like to divulge all my personal matters, but I'd like to think on some level I can try and make the one or two people that actually read this stop and contemplate life, love and other matters in their lives for a moment. Introspection is healthy and keeps you well-grounded. People should try it more often.
Just something to ponder.............
...............or not.
Wonderful things, and heart-breaking things........
I was debating about posting, and had actually almost completed, a detailed account of my Miami experience. But alas, too much other crap has happened that maybe it wasn't worth it to dedicate a whole post to.
Anyway.....
A few bachelor parties with life-long memories occurred.
Phil, Joe, Raktim, Pranav.
Montreal, AC, Montreal again, Miami.
There was plenty of strip clubs, drinking, clubbing, drinking, dancing, drinking, swimming, drinking, more strippers, more drinking, late night robbery and half-naked foot chases, police reports, and nearly missed flights.
Ahhhhhh................definitely some legendary times.
Then of course, we had some weddings for those bachelors.
Also fun times.
I'm very happy for my friends who are taking these big steps in their lives and relationships.
Not everyone is able to find someone they would want to spend the rest of their lives with, so it warms my heart to see them so happy with their loved ones.
Some people would give up anything just to fall in love once, while others may find someone special but the desire to get married isn't mutual or the relationship doesn't last for one reason or another.
......and which situation is worse?
If you had your heart set on being married with a family some day, and the person you're in love with doesn't want the same or it doesn't work out, how do you proceed?
On the other hand, what if you've never been able to find someone you really connect with and never experience a passionate relationship?
It may sound cliché, but is it really better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all??
I'm a private person, so I don't like to divulge all my personal matters, but I'd like to think on some level I can try and make the one or two people that actually read this stop and contemplate life, love and other matters in their lives for a moment. Introspection is healthy and keeps you well-grounded. People should try it more often.
Just something to ponder.............
...............or not.
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