The big day

The Price We Pay for the Good Stuff

I look forward to finishing this particular conversation with a friend of mine soon. Let me tell you where the whole thing started. "City of Angels" is on the TV and I decided I would torture myself and watch it. I haven't seen that movie since the first and only time I watched it when it was released. I was so pissed at the ending, that I swore I'd never watch it again. Why couldn't it have ended with them being together? Really, why not? Perfect feel good ending, fairy tale, everyone walks out of the theater feeling hopeful & encouraged. A truck? Seriously? I think that ending was just a mean plot by the writers to make sure that emotional fall was as far and as hard as it could be. I think they are laughing like giggly little vicious schoolgirls who do stuff just for the sake of causing others anguish.

Now, my friend insists that it had to end that way. I'm really looking forward to the explanation, and will be sure to update you after he gives me his take on it. Was his fall from grace too high of a price to pay for love? Does that price represent the price we pay, and the personal sacrifices we all must make for love? If we pay these huge tolls, then don't we earn the happiness? Why couldn't they have the happiness, they paid the price, they did what was right, she didn't marry the man she didn't love... no I do not understand why she had to get hit by a truck. I do not understand why there is the added little kick while we're down that he can never go back, and that he gave up his eternity, so they remain separate. Yep, even after all these years, it still chaps my ass.

I believe in the happy ever after. I think we all deserve it. I think we can all choose to have it, if we find a partner who wants to take the same road to the same goals. Maybe that's naive, maybe I'm just an unrealistic dreamer, but I really do believe it. I want the happily ever after, and I absolutely expect that I will have it. It won't be easy, or without bumps, detours & falling boulders, but I do believe that we must keep movin' on down the road.

What do you think? Do you think that the positives in our lives must come with an equal negative? Is that absolute balance really needed? I don't know, but I'd like to think not. Points to ponder, and I'll write more after my conversation.

Now... onto other things. I'm on a girls vacation in Myrtle Beach, having a blast (letting my liver get a bit of a break at the moment while my partners in crime are out for the afternoon). Anyway, I've been compelled to do some writing, and also have been reading some poetry. I have written about other people and often wonder if they KNOW its about them. I don't really know what it would be like to have someone write their poems and songs about me. Would anyone even bother? I'm not all that interesting, and would I recognize it even if they did. Probably not, because I don't see myself as a worthy topic. I wouldn't be looking for it, and would automatically assume it was about someone else, no matter how obvious. That and wouldn't I feel like a moron if I thought it was about me and it wasn't :) So I wonder, do my subjects even know? Do they wonder then dismiss, should I fess up and tell them? I don't know. Would I want to know if someone wrote a painful song about me... or just the good stuff? How would one handle knowing that they caused enough emotion in someone else that they would put it on paper in poetry or song. How would I handle it? How would you handle it?

People in our lives have the power to knock us off our feet, break our hearts, make our hearts soar, and I think it would be amazing to be the subject of such beautiful words, even if they are somewhat sad or painful. It's what we are supposed to do, we are emotional beings, we are supposed to bring out these strong feelings in one another. It's a power to be wielded carefully, or is it? Maybe we should ride the ride full throttle, let the light burn as bright as possible, let those emotions take us over even IF there's a price to pay. I'm not sure, I guess I'll just have to think more on it.

Tools - Use them; People - Recognize them

"May the feeling of hope and inspiration that comes with the dawning of a new year greet you at the dawn of each new day." - Shannon Lee

I believe that people come in and out of our lives precisely when they are supposed to. I believe that we must keep our eyes, ears and hearts open to the opportunities presented by the people who spend even the most fleeting moments in our lives. The strangest places, the weirdest sequences of events often bring us to the exact moment in time when we are meant to meet exactly the person that has what we are seeking right then. The trick is to recognize it, trust it, and to be strong and wise enough to explore it.

It was through one of these experiences that I was lead to the following two books, a vlog, and a man that has been an inspiration to me since meeting him in early November.

Why Real Women Drink Straight Tequila - The Tao of Intimacy

Sarina Stone & R. Mordant Mahon.

I have read this book twice, and am 1/4 of the way through a 3rd time. It's a relatively short book, but packed full of insight and information that we all need in our intimate relationships. I've learned a lot, and you will too. Buy it, read it, tell em Shannon sent ya =)

Crush It - Gary Vaynerchuck

I was advised by R. Mordant Mahon to get the audio book as it has additional insights. I've listened to it one time through, and am working my way through a 2nd. No matter what you are trying to accomplish in your life, a job, a hobby you are passionate about, maybe a charitable organization, you will find this book has something for you. It teaches you about the power of the internet and social media and how to use it. I have completely changed the plan of approach for the coming undertaking of my music career. I have yet to implement, but that is the plan for 2011. Get it, listen to it, stop dreaming about it, and DO IT!

And finally - R. Mordant Mahon himself. www.mordantworld.com

Go read his blog, watch his vlog posts. They are insightful, inspirational and relevant to the world we are living in right now. "Like" him on Facebook, his daily affirmations alone give you something to think about. I've read/listened to others before, but often times they are so far out of touch with the day to day reality of life that I end up rolling my eyes and moving on. Mordant is out there in the trenches with the rest of us. I especially like how he talks like a real person, in terms that all us regular Joe Shmoes of the world can understand and relate to. Lastly, I like his sense of humor, and a good laugh does a body good.

We all could learn something about sharing our experiences with others openly and honestly, and in the spirit of truly wanting to make a positive difference. If we would all talk to each other without shame or fear, maybe we wouldn't feel so alone in our struggles. We all have our hang ups. We all have made mistakes. None of us are perfect, but we can help each other through if we just open up our hearts and minds. If we walk through the world with the spirit of forgiveness, understanding and love.

How are YOU going to make a difference this year? How are you going to learn more about yourself and the world you are living in? How are you going to use this knowledge to make your dreams come true? How are you going to pay it forward and help someone else? What tools have you been presented with to help you reach your goals? What people have been put in your path? Most importantly, are you going to USE these tools, and let those people into your heart so they can do what they were put there to do? I think you should =)

I don't know all the answers to these questions for myself yet, but I do know that I am going to find out.

The Obligatory New Year's Day Post

I read a quote on Facebook about the different ways people think of New Year's Eve... Some people are celebrating an end to a bad year, and some people are celebrating a start to a new year. How did you celebrate?

The first is concentrating on the past, and focusing on the unchangeable. The second is looking to the future and concentrating on what is yet to come. I suppose is possible to celebrate both ways at once, but one will always be more prominent than the other.

Personally 2010 was a banner year for me, I'd say a pretty big turning point. I took the time to take care of myself and get some things in order, and I believe everyone around me will be happier to be around the new and improved attitude.

In 2011, I want to focus on how I interact with the world around me. Sometimes I'm quick to get angry, I dwell on things that I see as unjust, and I'm perfectly willing to admit that it can't be fun to be around me when I'm in one of my moods.

So here's the list:

1 - Be less quick to get angry

2 - Listen more

3 - Talk less (this one may be difficult)

4 - Be a positive influence on my environment

5 - Help others

6 - Be a positive role model to our young people

Personal cliche stuff:

1 - lose that last pesky 15 pounds

2 - get back into the work out routine

3 - less Fast Food!! (this one might be hard, but it must be done)

and finally, saving the biggest for last:

Record my originals. I'll be 40 in two weeks and it's time to stop the talking and planning and get to the doing! So look for my debut CD, Chaos, by the end of 2011.

What are your resolutions? What are you going to do to stick with them? How are you going to be a positive force in your life and the lives of those around you? Time is fleeting, and it just goes faster and faster the older you get. Don't waste a second of it standing idly by and watching life go on around you. Get out there, jump in with both feet, take it by the horns, it's yours, there for the taking....LIFE, LIVE IT!

Happy New Year to you all, may 2011 be the best yet.