Thank You, Reba

So, I have a confession to make. I’m a 27-year-old man who lately, tends to watch Reba whenever I’m bored, feeling down, or stressed. Yes, it’s been off the air for over twelve years, yet it’s still a hilarious show that’s also not afraid to talk about some very challenging issues, such as divorce, teen pregnancy, living with mistakes, etc. And a show with a very encouraging theme song. For life happens, and your “roots may be planted in the past,” but you gotta keep going. Stay strong and courageous and just take this life one day at a time. . . . He can get you through anything:

Your Value

No matter what you go through, no matter what others say to you, no matter what choices you choose, you will never lose your value:

“The Restaurant of Life”

Life is like:

Secret Norse Wisdom for the Modern Era

This morning, I was sweating on the treadmill in my basement before work–still laboring to keep one of my New Year’s resolutions in the second week of 2018. Besides the sound of the belt rotating, there was the invisible narrator speaking to me from out my phone, reciting to me the myth of the Völsungs. The narrator helping me to stay focused upon my task.

I had about only five minutes left of my routine, when I recall hearing such amazing words from the Norse myth, which penetrated straight through my chest to my heart: “Fear not death, for the hour of your doom is set and none may escape it.” The Norse were a pretty pessimistic people, as can be seen by their myths and legends, such as how only two persons (a man and a woman) will survive the day of Ragnarök (the end of the world). A cataclysm that even most of their gods will meet their doom in, such as Thor and Odin. Nevertheless, they still have a saying that understands a moral which is greatly needed in the United States, that death is not something that should be feared.

Watch Out for Yellow Landmines

Sometimes, life can be like a banana. It can be going well, sweet even. A source of nutrition that makes you feel good and healthy, and gives you the potassium that you need.

But sometimes, life can be like a banana peel. Not like a peel in real life, but in cartoons or Mario Kart racing. A peel that you step on, and slips you up. Even if you try to avoid it, you may slip on another peel that you hadn’t seen from the lack of attention.

In the midst of life are struggles; they come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. Bills, bullies, peer pressure, poison ivy, flu, cancer, etc. No matter who you are, you have a struggle of some sort. 

You’re Not Better

Stop it!

I’m gonna step onto my soapbox for a moment, to address an issue that’s been bothering me a lot on social media:

The Scrunchie

It’s the beginning of a new semester at Harding University. But with the starting of the year, comes certain tasks which must be carried out in order to properly prepare for the trials to come. One such task, is the stocking of supplies which is needed to take care of one’s body. Accepting such a mission, I ventured to the one place I knew would carry all my needs in a general location, commonly nicknamed “the Happiest Place on Earth”–Wally World.

And so, I entered my trusted silver steed and drove to my target, making sure to pick a parking spot in the back, so I would easily be able to locate my vehicle in my return (relieving my mind of the burden of having to remember such a weighty thing).

I strolled in casually, in a cool swag as I strode to the bath and body work section of the store–who sells practically everything, even kitchen sinks. I felt like a man as I picked out a new razor with some shaving cream and aftershave to go with it. I even picked up some beard balm, to take care of the sign of masculinity growing upon my face. I was feeling good . . . until I picked up one more item. 

Like Tyger Stripes, it can’t be Stopped

Tyger Tyger, burning bright,

It’s hard to believe, that this little cub in the photo above, could one day grow into a cat like this one in the photo below:

A cute, petite kitten–into a majestic, beautiful cat–yet dangerous and frightening all the same. Of course, those of whom have raised kittens and cats probably already know this concept.

Things change. Believe it or not, today is not the same as yesterday. Boys become different as they transform into men. Girls are not the same as women. Tadpoles have the potential to grow legs as caterpillars have the chance to gain wings.

Your Bookcase

For those of you who are nerds like me, you have a bookcase. Maybe one . . . or two . . . or a dozen or so. A place of sanctuary to house and showcase all of your books. And if you’re also like me, you’ve only read about half of them. I mean, you’ll get to the others . . . eventually. But not before buying a few more books which you must have and plan to read too. It’s not like there’s so many good books out there that must be read, and reread. And it’s not like there’s dumb authors out there adding more to our lists, all of which we most learn to cram into only 24 hour days. 7 day weeks. 52 week years. (The story of my life.)

Anyways, I digress. If you’re a nerd like me, you have a bookcase. Maybe one, or two, or a dozen, but a bookcase. And that bookcase, it does more than just keep your books from collecting dust, doesn’t it? I mean, doesn’t it reveal just a little of what type person you are? If you enjoy reading about dragons and aliens rather than hot football players or cowboys? If you’re the type who enjoys a good mystery or would rather dive into self-help revelations to better your life?

If there was a bookcase which displayed your life, what would it look like?

Like a Balloon

Believe it or not, life is like a balloon. A bizarre metaphor I know, but please hear me out before you disregard this strange idea. Life is like a balloon.

First off, we each fill our lives with stuff, whether that be oxygen, helium, or school, work, family, friends, hobbies, sports–we constantly fill ourselves up, which it is good to fill up some, otherwise we’d be flat. However, if we fill up with too much air, POP! We need a balance, making sure we have balls to juggle, but not too many balls; otherwise, life gets chaotic and we’ll end up dropping some or them all.