ninibink's blog: "Reflections on Life"

Far too often we look to others for needs that we should be filling ourselves. Searching within we can usually find all that we need to survive and be happy. Why then do we look for so much from others? Perhaps it is that we feel too insecure with ourselves to truly believe what our convictions, thoughts and dreams provide for us. Many successful people will tell you if you can dream it, believe it, and work toward it… you can attain it. I believe that is true as well. We all hold an inner force that drives us to our aspirations… that forces us to go beyond where we may normally not go. It is in those times that we are truly able to move forward with our lives and reach our objectives. Quite often those forces are driven by emotions, when we are at our lowest or even our highest levels, however, balance is the key to satisfaction and accomplishments. Searching outside ourselves for strength, hope, happiness, peace, harmony, discovery, exploration, answers, and even love will not provide us with what we ourselves really need. We will be drawing on someone else's balance and not something that necessarily fits us. Sometimes we take chances, risks that we determine are worth the cost…and every risk has its price. When we take those risks based on a combination of reason and emotion, and weigh the consequences of those risks… and yes there are always consequences… it is then we might be able to find harmony within ourselves. Our objective in life should not be to seek someone who will complete us, because that is not possible. Only we can do that for ourselves. Others can only enhance that which we already are. There are truths within us that we each have to look at, examine and learn from. Those are the things that make up our lives, help us to become who and what we are, how we think, and what roads we take in times of struggle and discomfort. They are the roads, the paths, the way we become all that we end up to be. Our journey is limited, but our ability to reach beyond what is directly in front of us is something only we can do, when we are ready. When we are able to grasp the knowledge that we have accumulated in our lives, experience it, learn from it, and use it…we will find contentment and peace within ourselves. Anything more is bounty. prb Love is Rare. Life is Strange. Nothing Lasts. And People Change.

"Portrait of a Friend" I can't give solutions to all of life's problems, doubts, Or fears. But I can listen to you, and together we will Search for answers. I can't change your past with all it's heartache and pain, Nor the future with its untold stories. But I can be there now when you need me to care. I can't keep your feet from stumbling. I can only offer my hand that you may grasp it and not fall. Your joys, triumphs, successes, and happiness are not mine; Yet I can share in your laughter. Your decisions in life are not mine to make, nor to judge; I can only support you, encourage you, And help you when you ask. I can't prevent you from falling away from friendship, From your values, from me. I can only pray for you, talk to you and wait for you. I can't give you boundaries which I have determined for you, But I can give you the room to change, room to grow, Room to be yourself. I can't keep your heart from breaking and hurting, But I can cry with you and help you pick up the pieces And put them back in place. I can't tell you who you are. I can only love you and be your friend. --Unknown

Wondering... The day begins with lingering thoughts of you, My mind still tastes the memories of last night. You run through the paths of my heart And it leads you to a place that is special for you. Each day brings you a little closer to me And it makes me feel renewed. I wonder how long these emotions have been hidden And why they chose to surface now…with you… PRB

You Touched My Soul You came into my life at a time when I least expected you. You were kind to me. Gentle. Caring. You extended yourself to me. You reached out and held me in with your words. You brought something to my life that I lacked, that I needed. You gave me strength. You made me think. You made me feel. You touched my soul. You captured my heart. You brought me to new heights. You ravaged my mind. You made love to my body. You captivated me. You held me still… and let me linger in the softness of your embrace. You wanted me. You needed me. Was I wrong? PRB

I Extend My Hand To You... Today I cried. The tears just flowed. I'm not sure why. Maybe they were just a cleansing of my heart. Maybe it was the reality of what is, and what won't be. I feel things that I haven't felt in many years…it was better, easier that way. When you turn off your emotions, no one can hurt you… but…by doing so…no one can love you either. Nor can you feel the love that is offered to you. Without love…there is no living. God wants us to love…our lives crossed for a reason. We share our thoughts, our laughs, our heartaches and pain. The beauty of love is the ability to share all…good and bad…and still come out loving. I extend my hand to you…will you take it? prb

BURY YESTERDAY I do believe and always will… That we should put away… The fears and tears that came to pass… When it was yesterday. I am convinced beyond a doubt… That once a grief is done… We’re better off forgetting it… To view a brighter sun. Of course at times we do regret… What happened in the past… But memory just serves to make… The pain and torment last. The only thing for us to do… Is profit from mistakes… By doing this we live and learn… To detour mental breaks. For those who dwell on things gone by… Are on a bumpy track… If only they would realize… The past cannot come back. The present looms before us… We face its grueling test… So we should bury yesterdays… Because it’s for the best. By Ben Burroughs

We are all here on this earth for a purpose…most of us are unaware of what it is. I have been very reflective lately…thinking about life in general. Not a bad thing to do…opens your eyes a bit about yourself…and sometimes about others. We are all basically the same, we all bleed red blood…but some of us feel the pain too. If you go through life just bleeding, you lose out on so much of what life has to offer. The pain lets you open your heart, offer compassion, love, hope, provide strength, help. At times it sets the tone of things. Dwelling on pain or hurt can be destructive, so don’t linger there…just learn. Open up your heart and let it be a source of good things too. I have met so many different people in my life…and each one has affected my life in a different way. The combination of my environment, my values, morals, contacts, jobs, relatives, friends, genetics, and attitude have all contributed to who I am today…and I like who I am. I am not perfect, but I am who I am. I like to think that I learn from my mistakes. I hope that in life I haven’t hurt too many people with my choices…but I have hurt some. We all have…not intentionally, but it happens. We don’t always think before we speak or act…and then later regret it because we can’t take it back. Life moves forward, never backwards except in our minds when we choose to replay it. Use that gift wisely. Sometimes we hang our heart on our sleeve…be careful. There is always someone out there who would like to pierce it with hurtful things…don’t allow them to. If you encounter people that do that, let go and move on…and don’t regret it. You deserve better than that. We are all stronger than we realize. We can survive on very little if necessary…but if you are fortunate enough to be blessed with ‘things’…appreciate them. Many don’t have what you do. If you have love in your life, more importantly in your heart…you are wealthier than most. Savor it. Spend your life discovering who you are, what you want, where you want to be, who you want to associate with, what you want to become…then do it. Explore life like there is no tomorrow. Try to learn something new each day…it is good for the mind. Don’t let disappointments or failures at something deter you from moving on and trying again…and again…and again. Remember, successful people never give up…they just keep trying until they get it. Don’t let anyone hold you back…especially you. If you want something bad enough, go after it. Make an attitude adjustment when necessary…just don’t give up or you may one day regret it. Be careful with your choices, everything has a consequence…be sure you can live with the results of your decisions. You are responsible for you and your decisions, make good ones. When someone comes into your life and makes a difference…accept and appreciate it…thank them. If they no longer fit in your life or move on…be grateful that they were a part of it for a while. They served a purpose and have helped you to develop into who you are. Associate with those that you admire, for it is who you associate with that people will judge you and who and what you are. We all are vulnerable at times. Try not to make decisions in that state…they may not work out for you. You may be hurt. Don’t take advantage of others vulnerabilities either, it will come back to you one day. Being hurtful serves no purpose, it just hurts. If you want to cause someone else pain, seek help for it is because you are feeling pain and want to lash out. Two wrongs never make a right. If you love someone, tell them…but make sure that the intention of that love is clear. Don’t break someone else’s heart to satisfy your needs. A broken heart takes a long time to heal. It can destroy someone. Be honest. Lies can be found out and they can ruin a relationship. If you are not happy with who you are, or who you are with…let it/them go…and move on. No one benefits from dishonesty. Be proud of what you do, no matter what it is. If you have a job, be grateful. Many don’t have one. Do the best you can. Remember, the job does not define who you are…you do. It is just a means to survive…so don’t be ashamed to make an honest living. If you don’t like what you do…work on finding something that you do…even if you have to go back to school to do it. It will be worth it in the end. Nothing is forever…nothing. Sometimes we have temporary setbacks, but that is all they are…stepping stones to something else. Live your life to the fullest…you only get one chance…don’t blow it. Once a moment is gone, it is gone. Make the most of each one. Think positive thoughts, negative ones don’t serve any purpose. They just destroy. Be happy, be true to yourself, love, share, do the right things…and in the end…you will close your eyes to a peaceful journey. That’s life. Do it your way. PRB ~ December 2006