Music Monday #20

Better late than never for a Music Monday post! I just wanted to briefly share with you all a song that really helped me get through a kinda rough and long day at work. It's called "The One Thing" by Paul Coleman. And, I really just appreciate the honest tone of the song. I often wonder if I'm doing this whole thing right - my blog, my career path, my entire life. Sometimes, most times, I question it. Throughout the verses of this song, the artist hits the nail on the head with some of these insecurities: "I question my reason...I question my ability to judge wrong from right...I question my friendships...does the work I'm doing really matter at all?" - at one time or another, these questions have pervaded my psyche. But, if I allow myself to, I can find solace in the fact that "only one thing doesn't change" - God's love for me.

I honestly believe, in this life, you need a constant. Something you can hold on to when it seems like everything else is slipping out of your control. (Sidenote: In LOST, Season 4, Episode 5 entitled "The Constant", *spoiler alert!* having Penny as his constant person that bridges across his time traveling years literally saves Desmond's life. Yes, I loved that show, too. In its prime. But back to my point.) When people fail you - as they often will because they are only human like you; when processes fail you - like applying to schools with the best laid plans and getting flat out rejected; even when you feel like you're failing yourself: the one thing you can be sure will not fail you is that incomprehensible, unconditional love.

Now, the artists does note that this type of unconditional love can also be attributed to a significant other, as he also considers his wife to be the theme of this song. But, as for me, for now, it refers to God's love. I'm not saying that now I feel like I have all the answers to every single issue I will ever face, and I'll never ever doubt anything ever again. I'm not sure I could ever really make such claims! But, I'm just saying it's comforting that there is something constant I can rely on when I experience rough patches in life. I hope you have a constant, too. =)

"All I know at the end of the day is Your love remains"

Also, I just really like this picture of sunset...

Fridays with Friends! (#5)

As I'm slowly but surely getting back into the swing of things with the blog, I'd be remiss if I didn't share this video. I had a great weekend with a couple of old friends and a new one. And, after a night of great food and our randomness at its best, we produced something beautiful. Enjoy!

My Take Home Message: Got big dreams and aspirations? Do the things you desire to do at a time when your lifestyle can accommodate it. And, don't stress about it until then! 

Music Monday is back! (aka Music Monday #19)

You guys. It's been over a month since I've updated my blog. How cray-cray is that?!

But, I'm back! And, yes, yes, you guessed the reason why -- having an internship, working part time, studying for the MCAT, doing activities for church and common life obligations took quite the interesting toll on me this summer. But, y'know what I've just realized? When I take a step back, and think about it (/look at all the pictures): I've had the most wonderful summer.

I think - okay, I know - a lot of times this summer I got overly frustrated with time. I felt that I kept running out of time to fully commit to all the things I had to do. (And, let me just say, I did learn a thing or two about be a wee bit over-committed this summer, but that's not purpose of this post.) I want to emphasize how relative time is.

Here's what I mean.

Time is something that is ambiguous; it's finite yet fluid. Fleeting and slow. I find that I sometimes I worry about both ends of the spectrum: "I wish this boring thing would just be over already!" or "I wish I had more time to finish this!" -- talk about discontentment! Thinking about time in either extreme is no way to live!

It's truly all a matter of perspective. And, from now on, I want to choose to see time as the ambiguous entity that it is. It's not something that I can control, so why try? What I'm saying is this: As I mentioned in previous posts, I am a planner, and I don't apologize for it. I don't! However, I think that things happen to us at the correct time that they're supposed to. So, why even give a second thought to what could have happened or what needs to happen soon? It's done or it's coming. Time is moving as we speak, so we might as well move along with it at its pace.

With all that being said, I'd like to share another Alabama Shakes song: "Hang Loose"

"Hang loose, hang loose; let the ocean worry 'bout being blue"

Aside from the ocean reference, I love the message behind this song. In a nutshell: don't worry yourself with that which you simply cannot control. 

Granted, this is not the ocean. It's a lake in Dallas. But, it's still blue, so you get my point.