Storm

Continued from: Oceans from the rain

In the Seven Habits of Highly effective people written by the late Steven R. Covey, he starts with dependence and then independence and ends with interdependence. Here's how God does it: he starts with dependence because you depending on him, liberates you from the colonialism of the world. As you still depend on God, you gain independence from the world. Independence from its beliefs and order, way of life, thought process and so on. Because when you become independent of the world, you cease to put God in a box, and you move into new idioms of worship because you appreciate him for who he is. You have dreams that you push for, you hit at it time and time again because you want to see it happen. You work hard to keep the ship afloat and enjoy the life you set out to live. Out at sea you witness the radiant sunrise and early sunsets. Life at this point is beautiful and you live like a man satisfied on his way to "the good life." And you keep asking yourself why people say life is hard. Sooner or later, here comes the beautiful chaos you were not expecting. The chaos that sends you to question whether or not life is all that. It's the storms and vicissitudes of life that call into question our dreams, our hopes and our beliefs. People don't question what they do, what they eat, what they drink, or what they believe till there is a problem. None of that happens until a storm shakes everything lose and they begin to wonder, "is that all there is? Even with our dependence on God, storms tend to call in to question everything; they come and they take what they will but if you are not careful, they'll take who you are and leave who you used to be. Know that God created the storm not to just destroy but to serve a purpose. Bishop T. D. Jakes puts it like this, "God has a plan that surpasses any plots that the enemy would plot against you, And God considered all these plots when he made the plan and he made the plots serve the plan" Storms serve the plan of God, it can be chaos, it can be a hindrance but know that the storms of life serve God's plan for your life. The take from that is, "Storms don't change God's plan, and they don't change where God is taking you. "It's okay not to have life figured out. And it's okay to feel lost sometimes, because you didn't come to this world on your own accord. You are not here because you wanted to. No. You are here because of him. That's why we are always exhausted and restless because our minds are busily trying to figure out life when it's not even our burden. Let it go because you'll deceive yourself into thinking that you've figured it out. And that has it's own consequences. I love films and I'm not ashamed to admit it but I'm more careful about what I watch. I mean I do get lots of thrills from action flicks and thrillers and don't get me started on the romantic comedies. The suspense is such a good treat from me. And how the plot thickens and the unexpected twists are such a delight. But what amazes me is the writer behind each scene and how the actors become the writer's thought on screen. If life was the big screen we are the actors showing or in this case, living the writer's thoughts.

Someone said, "When you don't know what to do, do something."but understand that you are made of some good stuff and it's okay to be still and wait for instructions. In real life, we use GPS to find our way to a particular destination. but that's just one of the few reasons why. We love knowing that we have someone who knows where we are going. It makes us feel safe and boost our confidence. It is how we know that we'll get there. Sometimes, we use it to find short and easy routes to our destination. Don't fail to realize that God is life's GPS. He has it: every corner, avenue, street, traffic jam, stop. He's the grand architect. God makes oceans from the rain. He did after all cover the earth with rain. So in all the pressure packed times don't forget, he calms the storm too. The ocean supports life. It's home to all sea creatures. It's the showers of rain, everywhere that lead to this might ocean. In that same way, he takes you through everything, little storms, big ones, troubling ones, relaxing ones, and all these add and take from you. He takes you through the storm to reveal who He is to you and also to teach you. Even in the silence and in the night times of your life, he is there.

Oceans from the rain

The cycle of life demands different things from everyone; not only because we are different people with different dreams, but because we are different people with different purposes. Life is different for everyone. It appears easy for some and hard and confusing for others. But that comes as a result of why you are in this life. If you wander the earth without purpose then by all means how you see life will differ from others. It's how God created things. When you are little, you have dreams like castles and you are moved to want that dream see the light of day because it was inspired by a film, a story or even God Himself. As you grow, life happens and your dreams change. You are moved by the riches of this world to change and settle for something different or you keep what you've always know to be true in your heart. The other day a girl told me that having six pack abs is a requirement most girls put on their must have for suitable "help me". A few hours after she said that, I saw a post which asked: "Would you prefer a rich autocratic partner or a poor understanding partner?" And I thought, should they have six pack abs? Our world today dictates the order for the people who live in it. "You must have this, you mush have that." The interesting thing, however, is they all want happiness. Our need for control dictates everything in our lives and our mental pictures always limit God. Yesterday, in a talk with a friend, the statement, " Do not put God in a box." came up and I realized that putting God in a box doesn't only limit his working in your life, it also belittles your faith. Life is more meaningful with God in it. Truth be told, the meaning of life comes when you are hooked to God. There is a lot more to life than just keeping a job. Or focusing on your career. In C. S. Lewis's Screwtape Letters, uncle Screwtape warns Wormwood to never allow the patient to question, "is that all there is to life?" After a job, good living and family, is that all there is to life? Are you suppose to grow old and die? Certainly not. Jesus is where plans meets purpose. ( more on that) Understand that if that was all there is to life, then God wouldn't want us not to conform to the pattern of this world. After all, the world is living in that same order. Everyone is after the money and the "good life" What at all is the good life? What does it mean to have a good life? Think on these things

We always put God in a box, one way or the other. I used to do that a lot. Telling God what I want down to specifics and jumping at first light when I saw something close to it. Bad decisions come with two things; regret and remorse. Where do bad decisions come from? We are always forced to think that our experience in some previous situations always gives us a birds eye view on similar future instances. And we think we can come out of particular situation the way we came out the old one. Oh how we forget that He gives fresh anointing for everyday. Most people at the age of 17 or 18 think they have life figured out. You know the kind of girl you want to marry, the kind of job you want and the kind of house, where you want to live and the like. At that stage we deceive ourselves in to thinking that life is all that and we set sail leaving the port with sheer glee and hopeful expectation, filled pride because we know that our lives will be a model for others. Here's the thing: No one has life figured out. No one! Only God has life figured out because, He put you into life and without Him you are lost, literally. I mean lost; swaying to the pattern of this world. God has life figured out. Not only did He know the pattern, he designed it before your mother was born and way before they decided to have you. I mean, you won the fight to come to this earth. That must mean something, right, and it's more than just chance. Think Purpose. Think God. You don't want to be living life without purpose.  God wants you to be transformed in your mind because, your thought process has to change to live out his purpose. You can't fight new battles with old anointing. People always want to do something that gives them a sense of purpose. You see it in today's world: the riots, the demonstrations, the attacks, the killings, the chaos, the good will, charity events, and the like all are inspired by purpose, good and bad ones, godly and ungodly. In our everyday life, we are moved to act because of purpose, little reasons and little causes. Think about this, why do people do what they do? Because someone inspired them to. Someone talked them in to it. Someone made it sound right in their ears. and more importantly they are doing it because it gives them a reason to live. But God is a just God, forever faithful and true and he loves us more than we can think or even perceive to understand. He is that good to give us a purpose to go through everyday with a calm mind because, we depend on Him to take us through the marked out plan for life. He is that awesome to mark out everyone's plan differently and that plan takes you to your friends, your Mrs. and your kids, and it takes you everywhere God would have you go. Isn't it amazing to know that You don't have to worry about getting lost because you are dependent on him?

...

You have to Love. You have to feel

The early, bright blooms of love are always a tantalizing appetizer; it gives hope for treasured memories in the not so distant future. The beginning of love is always a sweet roller-coaster ride especially, if it's a first. First times are always to be treasured because, not only can you not run away from the raw, loose emotions you never knew were buried inside of you, but you also, beyond all reasonable doubt, can't forget it. There was once a time when the dating code was, "Boys ask and girls answer." Those were the times when girls would hush their excitement and feign indifference towards someone they completely adored because no one wanted to mess with the worldly order of things. Moreover, they were inundated with myths and social canons about how unappreciative most men are when a lady makes her move.

First of all, let me just say that love is not a game of chess and there is no checkmate. It could be a game of cards because judging by the way things have become in our world today, if you play your cards right you just might fall in 'love.' But for how long? I think we've been sold on the idea that love is this magical feeling comprised of hushed giggles, irregular heart rates and breathtaking moments. Yeah, so maybe love could be all that but irregular heart rate could mean heart disease and not a green light to profess your love. In a documentary I watched a few days ago, I learned that love is not only about emotions but it's also about chemistry. That is something I honestly do agree with and find laudable. Who wants to be with someone and have little or no chemistry with? Certainly not me. If I didn't know any better, I'd say, "that's like being forced into an arranged marriage. "Breakups are hard and even harder to notice when it's sitting at your doorstep. You might say it's not true but it happens. If you've heard the saying, "follow your heart but take your brain with you," then on behalf of that saying, "please take your brain with you." We take people for granted all the time: what they do for us, how they treat us, and even the time we spend with them. We take everything for granted. It is only when they are gone that we long for another moment with them. Fact: People always leave. In the natural order of things, people die. In the worldly order of things, they'll disappoint you. In the social order, they'll break your heart when you are not what they expect, and sometimes when you do too much right by them.

What is it that we want? What are we hopelessly looking for? How do we know when we've found it? The saying "like poles repel and unlike poles attract" only works in science. When you are dealing with the heart, come back to reality and know that like poles don't always repel and unlike poles don't always attract. We all want different kinds of people to fall in love with but there is one thing we all have in common when it comes to love. We want someone who will treat us right, or do right by us. Of course that wouldn't be so difficult if we stopped refusing the love we don't think we deserve. Some people tend to mess up good things but it's not because they are afraid of happiness. No, not at all. In my opinion, I think it's because they hate that feeling of loss when the happiness has left by disappointing them. Our fear of loss, feeling empty and all those lonely nights wishing we could stop the pain and erase the scars plunge us into not accepting love when it walks in to our lives. Whatever you think love is or supposed to be, may differ from the reality.

Being in love with someone goes beyond accepting them for who they are. It's more than just hangouts and long hours talking and walking and sweet moments that leave you with lingering thoughts of how fast you are falling in love. Yes true, It's all that but it also forgiveness. It also means to be wholeheartedly kind. It's a discovery of the other person in their flaws and in their moments of bliss. It also means to be patient with someone when they are having a hard time opening up to you about their life and other issues. It also means sharing who you are as a person and what it takes to be you with this other person. It doesn't always mean rose petals and tulips over candle-light dinner or red day gifts beyond wildest dreams. No, it's not always that. 

In our world today, we  fall in love very fast and before long, we are breaking up. We have little idea of the person we are saying I love you to and when the going gets tough, we pack up and sometimes, we don't even say goodbye. 

That is why I'm on this porch.....

She's always on my mind, A. I think about her and miss her. D d, I think I'm falling and she's not even around anymore. My mind constantly persuades me with beautiful thoughts and I'm always at the mercy of silent whispers in the early hours before dawn. Yesterday, I wrote stories about a life I dream of and I don't even know what she thinks of me. She's wrapped me with something I can't quite lay a finger on, and if this is love, I'm sure to be waiting for a while. I love her smile and the way it welcomes me. And oh the sound of her voice like a gentle ripple ebbing away at shore. Her laughter is flawless like the clear summer sky just before sunrise. I love the way her eyes melt in to mine; no wonder I dream of her in colors that don't exist. I felt the warmth that lingered within the walls of my heart when she held my hand that late night.
Sitting next to her all those nights and talking about anything that came to mind, was like laying beneath the night sky and counting the myriad of stars adorning it with such enthralling beauty. She's amazing and I love her. I love her like the day is long. I love her like the sun, and moon and stars together. Sometimes, when the sun hits my dark, chocolate skin, my eyes open with imaginations and whispers of how much I miss her. I'm holding on to her last smile and glance. If I could save her voice in my head, I'd replay it time and time again and wait with red eyes till I see her again. I'm smitten and I feel my anchored heart drowning in this merciless, yet beautiful thing called love. I can't help it. I can't help myself. I'm just blue; filled with this ocean's tears as it slowly swallows me to sleep.
I'm still blue; losing ground, longing and wishing I was worth her love. But I'm not. And here, I am still sinking no matter how many times I fight my way to shore. I miss her and I'm heavy with the weight of missing her more than I'm allowed to. I miss how the sun lights up her face. I miss all the little things I never thought would mean the world to me.

1001 Reasons: Let your light shine.

I've never poured out my heart to anyone; most of the time I'm alone with my thoughts, surrounded with nothing but silence, thinking aloud in my not so spacious room. Thoughts sprout from nowhere and they open my eyes to the reality of the world I live in. Some people say, "Life is a hallucination and if you live long enough, you can actually prove it." Others say, "Life is a beautiful reality which results from our dreams." I say, we worry too much about what life is and what it's not. This is how I see life. It may seem crazy to you but it's the reality I want to be living every single day for the rest of my life. If you allow it, and think about it, it could underscore what you've always thought life to be. Or, if I'm not exaggerating, add to it. Truth is, the reality is always different from what we dream; and even though our dreams give us the opportunity to create new things that could pose a threat or help mankind, they also sometimes, reflect our reason for existence. Personally, I've always thought that we live for one and one reason only, purpose. And in that purpose, we do all that God wills us to do. Purpose is what defines life as we know it. Life is not defined by your personal accomplishments, but by why you are on earth. We grow up with plans; solid, failure proof plans especially if you are rich, and we embark on a long journey to see each plan reach its mark. Yes! We came, we planned, we conquered. That is our life growing up and we die filled with so much potential for a purposeful life. We die with our lights hidden inside of us. There is no living thing on this earth without purpose. When I was in junior high school, I learned something called the food chain. And the teacher drew this diagram of how the predator is also a prey for another predator that is also a prey.... I think you get the picture now. But in that diagram, humans were at the top of the food chain. We eat everything! God knew this before He put man on earth but He still did anyway. The grasses of the field, the birds of the air, the fresh herd of cattle, and all these other herbivores that get eaten by carnivores are eaten by the humans. All these animals serve their purpose. Think about the chicken you ate, the fried fish you just had and the milk you drank from the cattle the butcher just killed and sold as prime beef. All these animals serve why they were created; To sustain life on earth, to support plant and animal and human life. You might cry, or scream when the zebra or antelope or gazelle gets eaten by the lion but the truth is, it doesn't mind. It's just living out its purpose. Everything God created serves a purpose, there is a reason behind, each leaf, each drop of rain, each star. 

So if God gave the evergreen pastures and African rain-forest and the like, a reason to exist, then certainly He didn't make humans without a cause, or a reason. In darkness, all men are blind and in that darkness, we see chaos and we see no order and no calm. In the light, only the blind still remain in darkness.

Try this: Cover your windows with blinds, and make sure there is no light penetrating through the cracks. Let your room be absolutely dark and then turn on your phone. What do you notice? Now let it sit in your thoughts for a bit. In darkness even the tiniest ray of light illuminates everywhere. It reduces the darkness and makes things visible. To live without purpose is to live in darkness of who you are and what God created you to be. He created you to be a light of this world. A light that is not hidden in the corners of your heart but a light that shines so bright for the world to see...

Oh how He loves us...

Continued from: But Seriously...

Oh how He love us... to give us dreams and visions. Dreams that line up with our purpose in this world and visions which change how we see Him as we embark on this journey to greatness. I've always wanted to be a pilot. That much I knew before I stepped foot on a foreign soil. I hated it so much but I thought, if I hated it so much, why did I choose it? When I settled for economics, I knew I'd be out of the country in no time to pursue my childhood dream. I chased violently after it. It became an obsession. The fact that you are obsessed with your dream and you are working day and night to see its fruition doesn't mean it's right. Having a vision is different from an obsession. In psychiatry, obsession is the uncontrollable persistence of an idea or emotion. You know your dream is wrong when you are willing to compromise your moral values to realize it.

I read Jeremiah 29, Where God says, "I know the plans I have for you....." I've come to realize that as humans we love control, and are obsessed with a rigorous rejection of anything less than perfect. I think we all suffer from a disorder or some sort. Maybe too harsh but true. We want the perfect house, the perfect car, the perfect medicine, the perfect wedding, the perfect man. Advertisers are baiting us with the perfect holiday and the perfect love life. Magazines are realizing stupendous profits because they are selling 5 ways to a perfect love life, 10 ways to perfect sex, 101 ways to a happy married life, and the like. All these corporate insects have discovered that we LOVE perfection and they have us eating out of their hands. We strive for perfection and as admirable as that is, it's pointless. Why suffer through all that for nothing when you fail to realize where perfection comes from. Let me paint this portrait for you. Sit back relax, call your friends, pop some corn, scoop some ice cream and read on. Here's a glimpse of how God's plan looks like. When was the last time you saw the sun being recharged, or the ocean dried up, or the earth became so infertile that our crops wouldn't grow. When was the last time you heard that all the fishes in the sea have gone in to hiding or that the bees will not do what they do best. When was the last time the rains stopped. and said I'll not rain anymore or the ocean said, I'll not sway today, I'm tired. Or when was the last time you saw the lions not chase after their prey and said, "today we'll eat vegetables" Nature is a perfect example of God's plan. He created nature and made it self-sustainable. Everything you see and feel sources from Him. In Him all things have LIFE. Separation from God means death. The sun welcomes us everyday, and sometimes in winter. Seasons come and go and they all stitch up the pieces left behind by the previous season. God's plan is perfect so if He had a dream for you, in the beginning, I pretty much think you'd prefer that to any other selfish ambition you think it's worth pursuing. God's plan sustains itself; in such a way that He is the source of the plan. The plan comes from him, the provisions and all that you need in this life to live a fulfilled one, is in him.

When I was a teen, I loved listening to pastors and motivational speakers preach about success. It was good and it inspired me to dream but what all these people failed to point out was that what we paint in our mind as success may not be what God sees as success. But calm down, God has your utmost best at heart which is more than all the good plans raised to the power of infinity. As humans we come to God with different pictures of success and deliverance painted in our minds. When God doesn't answer us the way we expected him to, we shout, yell, snap at him because what he gave us isn't quite like what we saw in our minds. When you don't know God's dream for you, you don't know when he gives it to you and when you don't know when you have it, you are absolutely pointless when you lose it. Look at how God sees greatness, and stop seeing greatness in your own eyes. Bishop T. D. Jakes puts it like this, "When you put God in a box and say, you must always work this way, you loose the liquidity of thought and the nimbleness of mind to move in to new idioms that God has for you if he could get to you see that he is the God that did it and not how he did it."

When the man who created the world and everything in it gave me a dream, and said to follow it, I don't know about you but I'd follow it. Because I want to live a happy and worry free, fulfilled life. I want to die fulfilled.

But Seriously...

The greatest dream in the heart of every human being is of a perfect world. The greatest desire and pursuit of all humankind is the power to achieve this dream. We want power, which is the ability and capacity to control circumstances and destiny. But sometimes, our experiences and our future, doesn't meet our dreams. and desires. The underlying truth, however, is that most of our dreams are fueled by selfish ambitions and ideals that have no vision of a perfect world. It's natural for people to be obsessed with power. If something you had all along was stolen from you, you'd want it back. Humans love power and we love control and that is why some of us dream the biggest dream we could possibly fathom.

Here is the light bulb! I'm not saying big dreams are forbidden fruits that you shouldn't eat but when your dreams are big because of your selfish pursuits, then it's a forbidden fruit that'll wreck mankind and destroy the human race. What fuels your dream? Why are you diligently chasing it? Every good dreamer knows how to: listen, adheres to instruction and runs the dream with a vision; a vision to improve, to help and build this lost and broken world. My dream as child was to become a pilot but that has changed by quite a great margin ever since I became conscious of the fact that it was fueled with the search for money. Dreams come from God. and they can also come as a result of the absence of certain things we so much long for. They say dreams come true and they also say, be careful what you wish for because you just might get it. When a dream is fueled by greed for money, it becomes dangerous.

Most people search their whole life for one thing. Fulfillment! We long for it. We can't sleep at night because we long to be filled with unending joy and happiness and we want to feel complete. Everyone wants it because when you have fulfillment, you have peace. When we can't find it in our terrible life choices, we pursue wrong dreams and get lost in our search for something we long for. Truth is, there is nothing wrong to search and thirst for fulfillment, but there could be something wrong with how and where you find it. We are depressed, experiencing mood swings, and blowing out because we seek purpose, we seek meaning to the life we have and somehow we hate, and despise, and fail to recognize the one person who can give it. Continuing in the wrong steps lead to frustration and an endless chain of disappointment, because in your search for fulfillment, you think it's your car, or your toys (temptations of youth), or in that girl you are overly trying to woo or your job. But boy are you wrong...

A lot of people in this urban jungle want to be millionaires but it's not because they are obsessed with money, it's because they want the power that it comes with. The power to buy what they want, to control what they eat, and the power to be able to control their own lives. Money gives us control but it doesn't fill us. Money may buy happiness but It can't buy joy and there is a difference. And there is so much your money can do if you are busily lavishing it on the vanities of this world. Write the vision, make it plain and let him that read it run thereby. Before you actually write the vision and proceed to running thereby, I think it'll be wise to affirm whose vision is it that you are writing and why are you choosing that vision.

to be continued.....

Eudessa: Chasing clouds

Continued from Eudessa: Silent night with the Reaper

Be sure to read that first to understand the story.

"You are beautiful but you are empty, Iridessa... empty, and without life ." the master whispered. Eudessa turned her gaze to her sister puzzled and anxious. She appeared disoriented with little or no idea of what was happening and she carried a hint of fear in her eyes. "You said you knew the voice and now look where we are standing!" Iridessa was furious. The master watched in excitement. "I have you to blame for this, Eudessa. You did this to us!" She continued. A sad Eudessa turned her head in shame and regret. "Stop it!" A voice yelled out to them. It was the masters' and he wasn't pleased.

For the first few years of her marriage to Paul, Martha had sore luck with child birth. She had miscarried three times and had seen her baby girl die few minutes after birth. Her terrible luck had plunged her in so much fear that when she had the twins, she thought it a dream. Her new reality remained surreal until she heard Eudessa utter the words, "Mama". It was so overwhelming, she passed out for an hour. This was the story of Martha Young and it was a happy one until the phone rang loudly. Dr. Selrach stood patiently as he held the handset firmly to his ear waiting for Martha to answer. She answered and before the minute passed, "Oh my God.... No!" She wailed. "No... my babies. No... my babies." At first there was shock and then her eyes were filled with tears and she sobbed uncontrollably. Death had paid her a cold visit and stripped her of her joy and pride as a mother. She could feel her heart pulsate hardly and her stomach churn. She tried to hold on to the wall as her legs failed her but her hands, like her legs, betrayed her. She went to the floor, which was cold and hard. The horrible news weakened her; it filled her mouth with sorrow and struck her heart with pain. Martha Young had watched her husband, Paul slowly slip away in pain and misery as he yielded to cancer but this... this was unbearable. "You stole my babies...You took them from me" She screamed at a painting hanging on the wall. "Why God? Why?" She sobbed, as her hands clenched the cushions. She cried her heart out, screaming and bellowing out every word and every emotion out of her lungs. She wanted her daughters back in her arms. "You-you didn't even let me say goodbye..." She yowled

"Come... walk with me." a voice whispered cunningly to the twins, "come... come." It was a hooded figure robed in a white cloak which shone like the sun and enshrouded his whole being. The tall figure carried a white staff and his voice sounded like rolling thunder. The girls followed in silence, awe-struck and dumb-founded more than a seasoned mystery reader. "So who are you, Mr. tall person dressed like a priest?" Iridessa asked with a hint of laughter in a her voice. "Shh...Iri" Eudessa commanded. She was afraid for where they were headed and what was happening to them. "Okay, you know what? Forget I said anything." Iridessa laughed insanely and then stopped. "I hope you are not going be like the first one... Master, your servant awaits." She teased. "Iridessa?!" Eudessa yelled. They had walked for what seemed to a day's journey and they were not tired. Not even breathless. Eudessa walked in silence as did Iridessa till they reached the great divide. Ahead of them stood beauty beyond words. It was nothing the two had ever witnessed and there was nothing ever like it on earth or the universe. It possessed such flawless beauty and utmost perfection. It was teeming with evergreen life and it was surrounded by seven suns; each with it's particular function. It shone beyond their eyes and they watched in sheer admiration. Even by just gazing, they felt warmth bursting out from inside them. They were eager to see what was inside and even more, bask in such radiance.

Martha's way of dealing with her terrible loss was avoidance and that meant she chose to keep herself as far from sight as possible. Her heart still hurt from her loss and she mourned in solitude and with hope that her daughters will return to her. "Please, bring them back! Please! Don't take them away from me..." She cried her heart out and sudden something eerie happened: the painting fell to the ground as did she and there was a bright light, so bright it blinded her eyes. And then, she was gone...

One man's opinion

One of my friends puts it like this: "Fall in love with the person who treats you as a priority and not as a last resort." 

Here comes society, with this urban dogma which keeps drowning the world and even us who are birthed anew to be different. This urban dogma promotes independence in everything. We see it, we listen, we hear its voice and we allow it to fester its corruption in us. Sooner or later, we follow the doctrine and revere its power. In that reverence, we forget what love really is and we surround it with externals. And so we start looking on the outside and we become obsessed with it; so much to the point of oblivion when it comes to internals. In our minds, we paint a picture of who we hope will sweep us off our feet. A selfish portrait to begin with. All this is because we have no idea who we are. so my first point, Know Thyself. 

We are a different people with different ideas and objectives. Our perceptions of the world differ and our ideals about life sources from different places; some of which include places of great hurt and pain, and the like. Fact is we are the sum of our choices and our experiences. Our decisions and experiences throw us in the spotlight. It shows the kind of people we are and our flawed perception of the situations we face. You are not perfect. True! You don't have it all figured out. true again. This may be noise to you, but have you seen how they come and go and never want to stay even with all that 'little Ms./Mr. perfect' you have going on. 

A perfect man/woman does not exist but there is someone you can spend the rest of life with out there somewhere. When I wrote my first love letter, I was 7 years old. It was to a very pretty girl in my class and even though I never had the opportunity to deliver the letter, I thought it was a bold thing to do. I think it was one of the things, I did fearlessly. I was ready to open up my little heart and let her in, if she'd be so kind. Unfortunately for me, my mother found the letter and beat all that crazy, stupid love out of me. Love has a way of twisting and turning our minds, and that's why you have to get it right. Don't follow what the world thinks love should be. Follow what you know in your heart is right. Don't swing in favor of looks and forget who this person really is. Because at the end of the day, you have to live with them. You have to spend every night with them. And I4ll be damned if I have to do that with someone who only looks right. 

If you are looking for someone you can be happy with, it's not all about appearances. Because they can look beautiful on the outside and look like an orangutan on the inside. Now, trust me when I say this, "You do not want that. Life's too short.