Once...

A common misconception currently resides in American society. Through musical lyrics or common speech, it is repeated numerous times. Before a toast or a regretable act, it is uttered. Following a large unsuccessful gamble, it is relied upon once again. It is the motivation for some actions, and it is the justification for other actions. For some unknown reason, the phrase has become a staple for American actions. "You only live once." The irony of the situation is that you do not only live once. Instead, you only die once. This statement will occassionally present the person will the opportunity to achieve this certainty. The phrase that is most correct is "The only certain thing in life is death." Life is never guaranteed and never certain. Defining life in the biological meaning of the word would allow you to only live once, but moments are when we truly live. The moments in which we are impacting society, developing intellectually, feeling love, and understanding the meaning or purpose of life. Life is only lived once for the one dimensional individual, but to the rest of us who thrive on living to the fullest degree, we only die once. We live a million times in unique situations that define us.
Dream, think, love, and LIVE.

Chances

People are granted many chances in life. Some of the risks are rewarding, while others are devastating. Life is about taking the risk to dive into the abyss. It is about taking the chance to seek greater opportunity. Many people are given the chance to make a difference on the life of an individual. Some people relish this opportunity, but others let the opportunity fade away. When life gives you a chance, it is not about being afraid of the risk. It is plunging into the unknown seeking the reward.

The Band-Aid

Pain is a biological response, but many of the deepest pains are within the soul. A cut on the finger does not cut as deep as a cut on the heart. Physical pain is simple to fix. The inventor of the Band-Aid may have constructed the most popular bandage in the world. Emotional pain causes much deeper wounds. It is never as simple as finding the Band-Aid to put over the open wound, or is it? The best way to cure an emotional wound is with a "Band-Aid." Each wound, whether emotional or physical, is fixed with the same method. Unfortunately, the emotional wound requires a more extensive search than the medicine cabinet. An emotional wound heals with alternative methods. Occasionally, this method consists of consulting with a friend. Expressing inner emotion and pain to other people can provide extremely beneficial. Sometimes, people cannot make it alone. People require a "Band-Aid" to fix their emotional wound. It takes time, patience, and the use of this "Band-Aid" to heal.

Death (hopefully not soon for anyone reading this)

At some point, we all die. It is never a pessimistic realization that we all encounter death. It is an actual realization. What is the purpose of life? Each life has a special individual purpose. I wish and pray that before I die, one person can say that I truly changed their life.

Why my background is a zebra?

The ideal of a zebra is often associated with the combination of awful clothing with cladily dressed women. My background is a zorse. The zorse is a fascinating animal to me. The zebra is a symbol of diversity. The horse is a majestic symbol. A zorse does not differentiate between black and white. A zorse is a beautiful combination.

Integrity

What really differentiates between the "right thing" and the "wrong thing." The perception of right and wrong is often the topic of most debate. It is difficult for someone to properly tell someone else what to do. For us as the followers of Christ, the Bible is the moral guideline that directs us in the right path. Every person has fault in their life, and following the moral guidelines laid out in the Bible are often difficult to follow. Typical human temptation and curiosity causes many people to slide away. It is difficult to be able to to do the right thing when everything seems like more "fun." Fun is a perception that is seen through the eyes of others. You can find "fun" in everyday activities that do not cause rifts in integrity.

Forgiveness

People contemplate the most difficult act in the world. Some may say jumping the Grand Canyon, some may say running a mile under 4 minutes, some may say swimming the English Channel, but one of the most difficult acts in life is forgiveness. Forgiveness is always sought, but not always granted. Delving into your inner heart, sometimes yields no forgiveness. It is easy to love someone, it is easier to hate someone, but it is never easy to forgive someone. The most difficult part of forgiveness is the inability to weigh out the benefits of forgiveness with the consequences of no forgiveness. There is no act that can be committed that should be unforgivable. Forgiveness is one of the greatest gifts to give or receive from anyone. The hardest concept to grasp is that everyone is human. Everyone has feelings that can be broken. Everyone needs forgiveness.