Reawakening

Believe In Your Own Strength

2014-05-21T22:56:00.001-04:00

There are some days when you just want to say, "fuck it". Days where you want to throw your hands up in the air and say, "I give up". Some days you just need to cry. This doesn't make you weak, it makes you human. Feelings can be overwhelming sometimes and can get the better of you. It can be hard to see the light on those days. I feel like it is okay to sometimes just shut your eyes and find solace in the darkness for a little while.To allow yourself to fully feel your emotions, to give yourself permission to grieve, to cry, to work out whatever it is that is troubling you. However, eventually you must once again open your eyes and come back into the light. Know that your bad days will pass and believe in your own inner strength. Believe in your ability to work through the hard times. These are the moments that build your character... that define you. ~OnElOvE~

Dare to Dream

2014-05-19T18:33:00.001-04:00

The greatest discoveries in life were made by the biggest thinkers. If we believe in the limitations others place on us then we are defeated before we begin. It was once thought that the world was flat...imagine if no one had challenged that theory. If no one had that drive...that stubbornness to go against the crowd...then we would've never known that the earth is round. When you take the word "can't" away...anything becomes possible. If you can dream it and it is important than you find a way to do it, to make that dream your reality. To choose happiness over complacency, to have the courage to take a leap of faith, into the unknown. To trust your instincts and follow your heart to where it feels happy, feels safe, feels home. To say I can't will only bring a life of regret. A life of wondering what could have been...and maybe what should have been. So think bold, think big and when your ideas are met with skepticism and doubt just smile...because you know that you are one of the big thinkers. One of those who is not afraid to not only dream...but turn their dreams into reality. I choose to dream, be happy and not believe that any star is out of reach...what do you choose? ~OnElOvE~

Staying Positive

2014-04-16T12:21:00.000-04:00

It's perfectly okay to say "I'm done" with negativity in your life. In reality, it is YOUR life. I see too many people get sucked into and succumb to the negativity that surrounds them. Although some peoples problems might affect you in some way, that doesn't mean that you have to let it to consume you. If your own circumstances are not ideal that doesn't mean that you have to give up. Where you are in life at the current moment is not where you are forced to stay. The future is in your hands and it is up to you to make things happen. Change does not happen overnight in most instances, so patience is necessary. When you are faced with difficult situations handle them with grace and a positive attitude. Hardships turn into tools that can help you tackle problems that arise in the future. It is important to remember that you are not weak, you are strong and can handle more than you probably give yourself credit for.. Some people will go through life and never experience any hardships; others will be faced with hardships at every bend. No one is saying that it's fair. It doesn't seem very fair at all. However, the ones who have had their wills tested are the ones with the greater understanding of the world. Those who overcome those hardships by persevering and staying positive...they are the true champions. ~OnElOvE~

Be Extraordinary

2013-10-30T20:55:00.000-04:00

You have to take chances in life. Nothing great was ever accomplished in this world, without someone stepping outside of their comfort zone. Someone taking a chance, and each and every one of us has the ability to do that. I’m not saying that everyone has to do something extraordinary to show the whole world. Just be extraordinary within your own world. If you have been wanting to do something for a long time, think about what is holding you back. Then think about what is NOT holding you back. Fear of the unknown is natural and it is fear that holds many people back. Fear of the what ifs can keep people from stepping outside of their comfort zone and never moving forward in the way they would like. The thing is, the future is never guaranteed. So why waste energy worrying about what might go wrong? By doing that, you might as well worry about the what ifs in your current situation. I’m not necessarily talking about doing something major like up and moving to a foreign land or selling all of your belongings to go follow Phish...but maybe I am. You want to be able to look back at your life, not just from the end but look back from any moment and be able to smile at times when your life was extraordinary. Because those are the crucial moments that mold you, teach you and validate the wonderfully unique and awesome person that you are.

The Beauty All Around You

2013-10-18T12:44:00.003-04:00

Living in New England I have to say that Fall is my favorite time of year by far. I feel blessed to live in a part of the country that becomes so beautiful when Autumn rolls around. The brilliance of the landscape reminds me that I'm alive. Too many people seem to be forgetting to take a moment to breath in the beauty that is around them. There is a dirt road in my town that I always drive down. I could take the main paved route. It is faster and puts less stress on the car, but I always take the dirt road. I don't see too many cars on it, usually I'm the only one. Why do I choose the dirt road? Because the view is unbelievable. Rolling meadows sweeping the countryside with a lonely mountain seemingly painted into the background. Why wouldn't I go this way? This time of year the road is lined with giant trees with leaves of amber, orange and yellow. The fallen leaves create a colorful path that bring back sweet childhood memories of jumping in giant piles of leaves. Fall is when nature is at her finest. Take a moment out of your day to find something so ordinary, that it is extraordinary. Find the beauty around you, breath it in and be thankful that you are indeed alive. ~OnElOvE~

Just Let Kids Be Kids

2013-10-16T19:56:00.000-04:00

A few stories have caught my attention in the news lately, and have left me feeling a little confused. No, it's not the government shutdown circus. It's this "safety" movement to overprotect our children. The first story that caught my attention was a school in Nashua, NH that banned "tag" on the playground. Tag? Seriously? The US postal service also had to destroy a ton of books of stamps that were promoting children's health. Why? Because in one stamp a child (drawn not real mind you) was skateboarding without kneepads. Ok...in another stamp a child was doing a headstand without wearing a helmet. Seriously? When did helmets become necessary in order to do a headstand? And the last stamp was a child doing a cannonball into a pool. Because...that is so dangerous. The most recent stomach turning incident? A school banned balls of any kind on the playground. As the mother of two young children I find this very sad and discouraging. Of course I want my children to be safe, but I also want them to be prepared. By not letting them get hurt once in a while or allowing them to deal with failure of bad grades or a lost game, I am doing them no justice. Playing tag, riding bikes and doing dumb shit is what being a kid is all about. It is our job as parents to raise strong kids who think for themselves and will be able to handle the hard realities that come with adult life. Who are these parents who are pushing these "safety" agendas and even more important, where are the parents who are ok with their kids just being kids to say, "wtf? this isn't right!" If we fight our children's fights and are constantly swooping in to save the day, we are not teaching our children anything. The world around us can be cruel and harsh at times. We don't need to throw our children into the fire, but rather teach them how to walk by without becoming burnt. By having a child avoid the fire altogether, they won't know what to do when the fire does eventually come.

Forgiveness

2012-08-14T13:54:00.000-04:00

Forgiveness is not always something that is easy give, whether it is to forgive yourself or someone else. Although, forgiveness is an important step in letting go of the past and moving forward. When we have hurt someone or someone has hurt us the pain can linger and ultimately end up consuming us in guilt, fear, stress, anxiety or any number of negative feelings. Do not be naive to assume that when you are consumed by these negative feelings that it does not effect other aspects of your life, including those around you. You can not change the past, because it is forever frozen in time. As hard as this can be to accept it is a fact, what happened in the past will remain there for all eternity, until it is ultimately forgotten. Carrying all of your baggage from the past can make it difficult to carve out a healthy future. Even though the past is forever frozen, the present is ever changing and the future is still yet to be written. Forgiving what can never be changed can be difficult, yet a certain inner freedom will become unleashed once you do. Your past helps to build the person that you are, but it does not have to dictate who you will become. You can not change the past, but you can change the present to create a better future. ~OnElOvE~

My Dog Buddy...Lost But Never Forgotten

2012-07-31T17:51:00.001-04:00

It is amazing how our little four legged friends can bring us such love and comfort. They are our protectors, secret keepers, comforters and best friends. They help us to be brave when we are scared, smile when we think there is nothing left to smile about, and help to bring out the very best in us. Sometimes dogs briefly touch our lives, leaving much too soon, while others become a long chapter in the story of our lives. I was lucky enough to have my life touched for 12 great years by my Brittany Spaniel Buddy. While most dogs spend the majority of their lives in one place with trips to the dog park and occasional car rides, Buddy was an adventurer. He loved to travel, and was rarely ever left behind. He frolicked in the lakes and rivers in New Hampshire, ran in the open desert canyons of Arizona, chased birds in the fields and played in the creeks in Ohio, ran and swam at the beaches of New England and rolled in the grass of Boston Common. For almost 12 years he was faithfully by my side, sharing in all of my adventures, sorrows and triumphs. He was always happy and forever curious...like a cat, he had 9 lives! On June 7th 2011 while I was flying home from Aruba, Buddy ran into the woods and was never seen again. Despite my best efforts, he was never found. Losing a pet is hard, especially when they have been your faithful companion for so long. I guess I was spared the agony of having to put him to sleep, or to find him passed away on my living room floor. I don't know his reasons for leaving, maybe he was sick and I didn't know, maybe he thought I wasn't coming back, maybe he went to find me and got lost....whatever the case he is no longer by my side and I miss him terribly. As sad as it is, it is almost fitting that he is out there somewhere...whether it is here on earth or running in the fields of heaven. My only prayer is that wherever he is, that he is happy and knows that he will always be a part of me. He was my first dog and taught me so much about myself and the world in general. Buddy...wherever you are...you are in my heart and I love and miss you everyday. XOXO ~OnElOvE~

Healing After Tragedy

2012-07-27T19:41:00.002-04:00

In the wake of the Aurora Colorado movie theater shooting I wanted to dedicate this post on my blog to not only these victims...but those who have lost their lives to violence all throughout the world. As horrific as this tragedy is we need to keep in mind that this is happening not only in our own back yards but in countries all over the globe. Let's not think in terms of our nationalities but in as humans of this earth that we all must share. Too many people lose their lives everyday for no fault of their own and we should take a moment to remember them. It is frightening to think that there are those who believe that taking another persons life will in someway help their cause. Life is so fragile and it is important that we remember that, and encourage others to do the same. Our humanity is what makes us human, makes us different...our compassion and empathy for others is strong, which is such a positive thing. When something like a murder happens, whether it be a homicide, massacre, genocide, etc., it makes us pause and remember how fragile we really are. But something else that makes us human is our ability to gain strength from those moments that bring us to our knees. Yes, we could go on through life scared of becoming the victim of a senseless crime, but to live in fear is just not an option. We need to keep in mind that we are no more vulnerable today than we were yesterday or will be tomorrow. As long as there are those out there who do not value human life, we are all at risk of being caught at the wrong place at the wrong time. Grieve for those who have lost their lives too soon, and carry their memory and light on by facing the world with a new found appreciation for all the little things that make life memorable. Let moments like these bring into light what is important in your life...hug your loved ones a little tighter, reach out to those who you have wanted to reconnect with, mend broken fences and take time to notice the rainbows after the rain storm.

Ending Marijuana Prohibition Once And For All

2012-07-22T16:33:00.001-04:00

I strongly believe in ending marijuana prohibition. I'll ask you to take the stereotypical image of a lazy teenager, smoking pot and eating cookies out of your head for this piece. There are many professionals out there who enjoy smoking marijuana, who can not be as outspoken on the subject as they would like to be for fear of persecution. I like to think that I represent these individuals, who may not be able to take a public stance but can certainly privately vote in elections without the fear of disapproving eyes. There is a movement taking place to end marijuana prohibition, and I firmly believe that my generation will see this happen. The move to decriminalize marijuana is one that crosses all races, genders, religions, socioeconomic status and cultures. For those who cast a disapproving eye, you should keep in mind that a similar movement happened in the early 1900's that allows you to have a glass of wine with your dinner. Alcohol prohibition not only occurred in the US but also in other parts of the world such as Finland, Russia, Norway, Hungary, Australia, Mexico, Europe, the UK and parts of Canada and Denmark all throughout the late 1800's and early 1900's. What most of these places experienced during this time of prohibition was a sharp increase in crime, thus eventually leading the the end of alcohol prohibition. As I see it now, history is merely repeating itself but in a different form. As there are supporters of ending marijuana prohibition there are also those who are against it. I personally feel as if most of these individuals are not only fearful and skeptical of the unknown, but have also been misinformed and misguided as to the benefits of marijuana. Legalization would not only bring change to individuals but to society as a whole. Individuals would no longer be arrested, and have their criminal record permanently scarred all over being caught with a joint or two. This can really do severe damage to someone's career, family and life as a whole. Alcohol causes many problems in society including traffic accidents, violence, domestic problems among other crimes, yet it is legal. Marijuana does not have such extreme effects on those who use it, and it rarely leads to any problems other than legal issues for possession and/or use. The medical benefits of THC have really come into the spotlight in the past few years, which has allowed some states to approve medicinal marijuana use and open dispensaries for patients to pick up their prescriptions. It has been scientifically proven that marijuana helps patients of a variety of ailments and illnesses. It can help ease the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis, arthritis, asthma, glaucoma, among countless other illnesses, and has also been found to destroy cancer cells in the body. Many patients find marijuana a welcome relief from traditional narcotic pain medication which can become extremely addictive and can cause damage to your body with long term use. It seems quite asinine that a plant that can do so much to benefit people is illegal, and this mindset is quickly catching on. We would be naive to believe that the "war on drugs" has been effective in preventing drug use and abuse in society. The government is wasting time and money arresting everyday people and treating them as criminals because they choose to smoke marijuana either recreationally or medicinally. Ending marijuana prohibition would not only give our jails and judicial system some relief, but would cause a decrease in crime, and add to the countries revenue. So I am still puzzled as to why there are those out there who believe that decriminalizing and legalizing marijuana is a bad idea. The government could earn more in legalizing, controlling and taxing the marijuana industry, then they are paying out to stop it. Taking it even one step further....I also wonder why industrial hemp has not been legalized to farm in the US? Hemp has so many uses and can make products like soap, makeup, lotion, plastic, paper, paints, clothing, concrete, and even food, among countless other uses. The hemp plant can be regrown much quicker than a tree and not only helps to save our planets resources, but also cuts down on the amount of pollution on land, air and sea. The marijuana plant has so many uses it is amazing that it is still illegal. The ending marijuana prohibition movement is gaining momentum and many states will have bills on the ballot this upcoming election year pertaining to the current marijuana laws and changing them. I encourage all those who vote to pay special attention at the ballots this year, and keep in mind that your vote is private and for your eyes only. If everyone comes together we can help end this ridiculous ban on marijuana. Wake up world...open your eyes...embrace change...and remember that it is up to YOU to make things happen. ~OnElOvE~

Believe In Yourself

2012-07-08T21:43:00.001-04:00

Sometimes in the course of our life we have to make decisions that are hard. Life is not black and white and there are no right and wrong decisions. Each mistake that we make is knowledge that we gain, each misplaced step is wisdom that can only come through failure. Others will not always agree with your decisions, or give you the kind of support you desire but as long as you are following your heart, you will prevail. When others see you empowered and making good choices it can be easy for them to discourage you, but not because you will fail, but because they do not want to see you succeed. Run from these people and don't listen to their words...you know what you are capable of, and the strength that is inside you. Block out negativity and keep focused on what feels right in your heart. Even if the road looks rocky ahead, hold your head high, secure your footing and keep pushing forward. You efforts will be rewarded as long as you stay true to yourself. Self doubt will creep into your mind at times but don't allow it to take over. Remind yourself that you are powerful, because you have the power of choice and the power to carve your own path. Believe in the power of yourself and your possibilities will be infinite. ~OnElOvE~

Keep The Faith

2012-07-06T14:32:00.002-04:00

Sometimes it is okay to pray for an angel come down and help lift you back up. We sometimes find ourselves in a dark hour...where what we long for and how to get there are so far apart that it seems that bringing them together would be impossible. When shadows have cast over us and the light is barely visible...reach out your hands and ask for help. It does not matter what your religion...just put your cry for help out there into the universe, for there is a possibility that an angel will hear your call. Sometimes the way off of the dark and stormy path is harder than navigating the path itself, but it is important to keep the faith, keep believing that eventually someone will help you onto the brighter path...where your feet can feel more secure and your mind more stable. Where there is light...there is hope...the sun always rises...so therefore there is always hope.

Which Path To Choose

2012-07-06T13:07:00.001-04:00

Sometimes in life we make bad decisions, and for some of us our lives are almost entirely made up of a series of bad decisions. One bad decision leads into another one, and what we think is the right thing to do is actually the wrong thing. It can be confusing. Now you may find yourself at your next crossroads in life...each path completely foreign that lies before you. Life doesn’t come with a road map and we carve our own paths. There are times that we happen to look up and realize that we are lost. We are no longer on that comfortable path that we once treaded so effortlessly, for it has turned into thick brush and loose gravel...much harder to navigate. Now you look around you, and you are free to flow in any direction you’d like. Look to the sky for your hopes, dreams and aspirations, but there is no golden staircase leading the way. To get there one must choose the right path, and thus the question remains...which way to go?

The Light Within You Child

2012-07-03T14:17:00.002-04:00

I cry out to those children everywhere,
Don’t let go of hope and get lost in despair,
Look inside your soul for there is a light that makes you unique,
Reach down deep...and allow it to shine free.
I know life can be hard and dark some days,
Quietly watching your youth slip away,
Facing realities that you shouldn’t be child,
Let go of the burden and just be young for a while.
A loss of innocence by no choice of your own,
You never asked to be born into a broken down home,
But it is what it is and you step up to survive,
Doing whatever you can just to stay alive.
Some don’t understand for they’ll never be in your shoes,
Keep fighting child and refuse to lose,
Life has many paths and it is yours to decide,
Whether to follow in suit or step out from the stride.
Use the light within you to lead your way,
To help you to seek refuge in your darkest day,
Your experiences although painful will help you to grow wise,
Don’t let life beat you up and keep your dreams alive.
~OnElOvE~
~Lesley Ouellette

A Thank You to All the Veterans

2012-06-27T23:24:00.001-04:00

Veteran,

There is so much power behind that word,

Because it's more than just a holiday observed.

It's a chance to say thank you,

To all who have fought,

Regardless if they signed up for war or not.

From mere boys,

Soldiers were made,

To protect, serve, and always stay brave.

And non of us could even imagine,

The horrors of war we can't even fathom.

It is important to remember,

That every vet has directly touched our life,

They are the reason we have peace,

And freedom of choice in our lives.

So take the time to say thank you,

When you come across a vet,

We take so much for granted,

It can be easy to forget.

Veterans day for me,

Hits especially close to home,

Special thanks to my dad,

A Vietnam vet, my friend, and my hero.

~Lesley Ouellette

Veterans Day 2011

Keep Dreaming

2012-06-25T20:17:00.002-04:00

It is important for us to have dreams...things that we aspire to do or be. Even if a dream is not exactly practical it is ok to still have it none the less. I have a dream and it might be a little far fetched but I will not give up on it. If I had $10,000 I would make my dreams come true by buying an older but running boat, ship it to Aruba, pay up a cheap apartment for 6 months and take tourists out on the boat snorkeling, tubing or just pleasure riding. In 6 months time I am pretty sure I could start a successful business and live humbly on the island that I love so much. With sunny weather, a constant cool breeze, turquoise waters and white sandy beaches what’s not to love? Of course this is only a dream of mine, but it is my dream and I like to imagine that one day it will come true. “Some may say that I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.” If people laugh at your dreams don’t get discouraged, just remember that there are plenty of people who took the chance and are living their dream right now.

The Day That I Died

2012-06-20T19:37:00.002-04:00

People often ponder the meaning of life and what our purpose here really is. We are fascinated by the unknown and what can not be explained. The majority of people go through life wondering if there is something else...and if so...what it is. Afraid of death because death is the unknown...it is final. Most of the time. There are some of us who do not fear death because we know...we have been there and for whatever reason have come back. January 21st 2011 I died while giving birth to my son and was in a coma for 4 days from a condition known as an Amniotic Fluid Embolism. I have not looked at life the same way since. I am not sure if it was while I died or was in the coma but I am blessed enough to remember a little about my experience. There was not a bright white light like others have explained and my dead relatives were not there waiting for me. I was alone, yet unafraid and completely unconcerned where anyone else was, and instead of a bright white light I was surrounded by a soft yellow light. Like the soft yellow glow that the sun casts on the ocean as it is falling out of the sky...the carpet of heaven. Others appeared as I wandered around but I didn’t know them. While I was in this “other place” I could see myself in all different angles, through my own eyes or sometimes like I was a stranger watching myself. There were different times when I would say out loud, “I am going to pass out now, but it’s ok” and I would slowly fall to the floor and pass out. Then I would be there again. I went in and out of this “other world” many different times while my life literally teetered on the balance of life and death for most of the night that night. Since the chance of me surviving was about 1% at best the Chaplain was called to read me my last rights...but he never showed up! I have never been a religious person, but a miracle happened that night. I was shown that there is something else out there, and because of this I do not fear death, but I respect it. Maybe everyone’s “heaven” is different, I don’t know and will never pretend to know the answer. What I do know is that there is a light in each and every one of us and it has nothing to do with going to church every Sunday, or confessing your sins. It is a light that makes us unique, a light that forgives mistakes without asking for forgiveness. Practice love, patience and kindness in your heart and you will be rewarded. ~OnElOvE~

The Night

2012-06-19T13:47:00.000-04:00

The sun slides down into the night
Away to rest her weary eyes
Shadows creep forward
Like ghosts dancing on the moon
Embers from the fire crackle and pop
Floating up towards the stars
As if they are trying to go home
A cool breeze flirts by
Whispering the secrets of the night
To anyone who will listen
The sun peeks over the horizon
And winks at the moon
Stardust falls to the earth
Echoing like laughter on canyon walls
All is right
Good morning sun
Good night moon
Sleep well
~Lesley Ouellette

Things Happen For A Reason

2012-06-19T13:19:00.001-04:00

Everything in life happens for a reason...
Sometimes the reason is not clear...
Sometimes it seems it will never be clear...
But we must learn to accept it and move on...
Trusting that time will eventually heal our wounds...
And teach us to embrace change with open arms...
Instead of resistance.
To constantly question why things happen...
Will only make us weak...
It is knowing and trusting in life itself...
That will keep us resiliant and forever changing...
To keep us forever strong.
~Lesley Ouellette

Refusing To Lose

2012-06-18T16:59:00.000-04:00

Ask me to choose and I'll refuse to choose,
Refuse to lose,
Refuse to let my feelings be abused.
You ask me to stay but for what?
It's only raining.
And this emotional storm rollin' through my soul?
It's only paining.
I refuse to let you damage my heart,
So I think I'll end this before you start.
See I don't stick around...only to be put down,
So if i'm not feelin' it...
Peace out...imma bounce.
And your face?
Erased.
Your lovin'?
Replaced.
I'm speakin' from my heart,
Got no time to waste.

Forever Friends

2012-06-17T14:03:00.001-04:00

Most people would agree that friends come in and go out of our lives freely as we grow older. Someone we might have once referred to as our "best friend" may be nothing but a distant memory from a past now almost forgotten. But that is not to say that the friendship did not serve its purpose in that wrinkle of time. Friends sometimes grow with you as you age, remaining steadfast by your side. There is something special that connects these friends to you for life, like a tattoo on your heart...they are forever with you. Whatever trials and tribulations life throws your way, your forever friends will always be there to help carry you when you are weak and feel like giving up. They are your shoulder to cry on, will fight by your side, will make you laugh when you are sad, will lend a sympathetic ear, give you honest advice and will point you towards the light when your path has become too dark. They do not have to be physically in your life for you to feel their love and years can go by without speaking...only to have a conversation as if only minutes have passed. Feel blessed that these friends are in your life and take the time to show them how much you appreciate and love them. It is easy to get caught up in life and take the little things that we do for each other in kindness for granted. True friendship is a gift that should always be treasured and held close to your heart. Friends are the light that brighten our day, some lights may fade out but some will always remain.

Ghetto Cowboys

2012-06-16T10:13:00.001-04:00

I wrote this piece for all the young thug niggas...out there dying for no reason...keep this with you... ~OneBlOoD~OnElOvE~

I sit and contemplate life as it seems,

All these muthafuckas doin' all these evil deeds,

I try to ignore...pretend it don't exist,

Watchin' young G's takin' unnecessary risks.

Runnin' they mouths to who?

They don't know.

Takin' a bullet for some chump change dough,

Packin' a pistol...walkin' down the street,

In their eyes a fire you see.

Don't give a fuck cuz they ain't got nuthin' left,

They thinkin' they above death.

Ghetto cowboys runnin' these streets,

Gonna live, eat, breath...die like a G,

They play by the code,

What else? They don't know,

Robbin, thievin, stealin', packin' heat, and selling blow.

One foots in the cradle,

The others in the grave,

Listen up young G...ya life you need to save.

Don't waste ya time...hustlin' a violent beat,

And keep ya eyes open...to the company you keep.

It's alright to do ya own thang,

So chill on ya grind to be the ghetto king,

Cuz you need to keep breathing...to live ya life son,

You still a lil' G...Life's only just begun.

~Lesley Ouellette

Chasing Lost Dreams

2012-06-16T07:27:00.000-04:00

I've been shattered and displaced,
A life lived...but in haste,
I always choose the hard road, hard-nosed,
Gotta see for myself, that's the way I roll.
I chase dreams that end up nightmares,
And they take me from here to there,
Never leaving me in a place I feel safe,
Time slips by...I look back...it's erased.
Dreams are lost, through my fingers like water,
Sprinkled on roots that won't grow any farther,
And here I stare, at a new sun rising,
Terrified of whats on the horizon,
And the wind whispers, "Take time to smell the roses."
But my mowers gone mad and I'm just running shit over.
Life is a force...that goes forward...never back,
But I can't seem to walk it without debris in my path.
I used to be strong...but I've been ripped down over time.
Now it's time to get up girl...
There's no fucking rewind.
~Lesley Ouellette
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Enjoying The View

2012-06-14T19:59:00.001-04:00

An asteroid the size of a city block is going to pass by earth this Thursday. Although there is not really a risk of it crashing into earth it made me start thinking about how relatively small we all really are. In our own minds I think we sometimes feel that we are larger than life, but in all reality we are but dust in the universe. Appreciate the time you have here and take time to slow down and take in the view. There is beauty everywhere, but if you are too busy you will miss it entirely. It is easy to take this life for granted, yet the very next moment is not guaranteed. The last thing you want to do is look back and think to yourself that you wish you had taken more time to enjoy the simple things in life. The smell of fresh cut grass, the beauty of a full moon on a clear night, a vibrant sunset, the simple and wonderful sounds of nature. Hug your loved ones a little bit harder next time you say goodbye, and give yourself permission to slow down and enjoy the view.

Shout Out To All The Cool People

2012-06-13T20:40:00.001-04:00

I just want to give a shout out to all the cool people out there. The people who walk through life without judging others and always keeping an open mind. Who aren't afraid to meet the world with open arms and open hearts. Here is a shout out to the people who hold the door for strangers, give up their seats to their elders, are kind to all they meet regardless of social status, who take the time to understand others struggles and are not afraid to stand up for what they believe in. You are the salt of the earth, the ones who make the world a better place. The people who value and understand the impact that their ways have on others are those who are truly gifted and rich in life. Shout out to you...keep positive and keep on touching the world. There are people who really do appreciate all your silent efforts.