For The Sleepless

  Abide with Me - Libera "Help of the helpless, oh abide with me." So often I try going through this life being confident of things when most of the time it's a mask I'm wearing. At the same time though, being confident shows how level headed, or sure you are in life. It makes you desirable among people looking to hire for their specific company. It makes you wanted for marriage material. It's something everyone wants. Confidence is key to staying grounded in what you believe. It asks for being sure of what you believe, of being so confident that your roots hold steadfast so you cannot be uprooted. You stand firm against the torrent of waves that pound you, trying to knock you off of your confident position. After taking a beating for so long sometimes you do crumble a little bit. Sometimes we think, it's okay to show our weakness. To give in a little bit. You see, when roots move a little bit in the ground, it creates space to be uprooted. When waves ge...

Today is a day of rejoicing. Why? Today I have thrice over become an uncle. My sister-in-law has given birth to Kasen Jae Watson. The pretty awesome thing about this birth is that his birthday will forever be 11/1/11. I’m kinda jealous. On such an occasion, I Figure I can give him and my other two nephews some words of advice as they continue to grow up in this world. First off, Ayden. You, Ayden, being the oldest of the three, has the awesome duty of being an example to your younger brothers. You see, a lot of people find pressure or even a lack of motivation for taking such an important role. You, on the other hand, I know can handle such a challenge. You see, all you have to do is take God’s sound word and apply it in your life. Once you figure out that’s all you have to do, setting an example for others should come naturally. I like to compare it to an involuntary muscle. You know it’s there but it performs on its own. At the same time, you are the oldest and so who are you suppo...

Have you ever had an experience in life that left you wondering what ever happened to the other person involved? Maybe it's a relationship, a friendship, a family member, or maybe even someone you had just met for a brief amount of time. Sometimes we remember them through the feelings we held for them, but were never outwardly expressed. Maybe there was something left unsaid that you wish you could go back and say it, or maybe you wish you could tell them right here, right now the thoughts you've held on to this whole time. Whatever it may be, I think a majority of us wish we could go back. There are times I wish I could go back and save a friendship from going down the tubes, or maybe try out certain friendships instead of putting that person aside. (I know we aren't supposed to dwell on the past because there is nothing we can do about it, but in reality there is. We can learn from it. These regrets we may carry around can help us shape the person who we are today.) No ...

I feel as though I've been away too long. I apologize for my absence, a lot has happened since my last post. I traveled to California to help out my grandma and be with my family during the adjustment of my grandfather's passing. It was amazing being able to be with family again. I can't remember the last time we all were gathered together like that. Coming from a man that doesn't get this often, it truly was one of those experiences that I will never let go of any time soon. I realized while I was out there, how much I miss them and being able to see them day to day. After my trip, the time change (and lack of sleep catching the red eye back) left me exhausted during the week, for once, I was sleepy instead of sleepless. I also would like to thank everyone for their kind words and condolences. Now we move forward, with a twinkle in my eye, a pep in my step, and carpel tunnel forming in my fingers, I continue to write on. My dog has a sweet mustache even though she...

Tonight I write with two people in mind. One is a friend who has been recently plagued with a less than glamorous experience despite her hard work, and the other is my grandmother whose husband just passed away. I know, these two people have different situations but my message to them is the same. Luckily, in this life, we are given the capability to love more than one person at a time. In fact, I encourage everyone to show love to each other because of the fact that we hold such capabilities to do so. I believe these lyrics to hold truth for both women. In fact, there is no part that I will leave out, but I may switch a pronoun. Here is the first verse: When you try your best, but you don't succeed When you get what you want, but not what you need When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep Stuck in reverse I know for a fact that these two women are hard workers, trying their hardest to please everyone and sometimes getting dealt some hard hands. I know my grandma lov...

Ludovico Einaudi - Nuvole Bianche The fact that we knew the end was coming shouldn't have surprised me. I was warned that he didn't have much time, I mean, I listened but didn't act on it. Unfortunately the day came. I was told he didn't have much time left, I guess no one knew that a couple hours later, that truth would become a reality. My grandpa died. From what I knew of my grandfather, he was a man who was respected and loved by many. I especially loved his sense of humor, his giving heart, and his craftsmanship. When I saw him a year ago, he didn't look sick. In fact, the last time I had seen him really sick was around my senior year of high school. I didn't know the cancer would come back so hard this time around. Usually, when I went to my grandparents, we would do the same old song and dance that I loved. We would discuss whatever was going on in life, Nebraska was usually next since he lived there and I, too, resided there. He'd show me his l...

Today I watched a movie called "Awakenings". This movie was based on a true story of a doctor who tried to bring back catatonic patients. A miracle drug proved effective bringing back people who were "lost" for 20 years. There is one part where Robert Deniro's character talks about life with Robin William's character. Awakenings - the joy of life Later in the movie Robert Deniro's character goes on to say how much people forget about how precious life is. He knew what it was like to have the simplest pleasure slowly taken away from him. He explained how he wanted to simply go for a walk, something people take for granted. To be able to choose to walk to the left, right, or straight ahead. As he would go for his walk, he would stop and talk to people, window shop, do all those things that we forget to find joy in. I sat there watching this thinking, how right he is. Here, I go through this life acting like a catatonic person. I forget about the little jo...