Christmas Request

 After reading a post by a good friend and an beautiful soul the other day I decided I have a request for each and every one of you, my friends. Being one of the people She referred to with and "empty Seat" at my table I started thinking about what it is that is most important to give someone as a gift. What stands out in memory as the best gift. I was asked what was my favorite gift I have ever received on Christmas and I had no answer. That is what got me thinking about this. What was the answer? Had I never received  something I truly wanted for Christmas? OMG do my parents owe me big time?! Why could I not pick something. Then it occurred to me that I was looking for something monetary. Something physical, solid, that I could hold and show. The truth is, have received something that is the best gift ever. That I would not trade, give back, or sell. Something I had shared time and time again and gave as a gift to others never really thinking it was that much of a gift.
 So this Christmas I ask you, all my friends to find someone, at least one person a day and give them a hug. I don't mean a quick grab and release. Wrap your arms around them, hold them for a few seconds.  Tell them something - Merry Christmas, I love, you smell good, I'm stealing your cookies..... I don't care what you say. Because the message is not in the words but in the few seconds you took out of your life to wrap your arms around them and hold on. Give them a hug that sinks in and hold on to their heart and soul.
Remember - You may never get the chance to do this again.

I hope This Christmas brings you Peace and Happiness.
Merry Christmas.

Truth

Chasing shadows and shining light.
We breathe each breath for the sole existence of what drives us.
We feed it, nurture it. Allow it to grow, consume, control.
Blinded by our own visions, Immune to lies, deception and truth.
What once was not is now so.
What once flickered now burns monumental.
It comforts us. Pleases us,  protects us from ourselves.
All the shadows are gone.
We have decided right and wrong.
Imposed our balance and show all our might.
and yet all this power, wiped away, in one final breath.


Jason Sandlin
11/16/11

Thoughts

A night to ponder. I find my thoughts scattered and without direction. When the inside takes the outside down we are left with but one purpose. That purpose, that need, that moment of clarity we have searched for all our lives is revealed to us often times in a moment of despair or fear and yet we find it to be the simplistic, basic need we have. Hidden away in plain sight we have been taught to over look it.
 Stepping forward is easy, trusting in our own steps becomes the hard part. Overcoming our fears takes us to a whole new level of being. A level of understanding that cannot be explained or understood by others. We master what others can't, then we return to the beginning. Making the circle complete and bringing us back to the most basic of needs. Find your basic need, fill it with the soul of all that is around us, then pass it on.
 Learning from the knowledge of the wise ones is the best step. Sadly the true wise ones are few and far between. Pushed away and scorned by the ignorant with power.

Naked and Fearless

 I always thought I would remember and yet the memory is clouded. I search for clarity in the mist of the best excuses offered to me and yet they are no comfort. So I sit digging for scraps of the life I had, knowing that letting it go is the only path forward.  It is hard to let go when I keep picking at the scabs of the past hoping for a glimpse into known happiness.
 Of all the fears we have, being alone is the hardest to overcome. Am I afraid of losing your memory or navigating life without you.
 Sometimes our best show of true strength is baring our weaknesses. Showing the world who we are is not about showing great power but about standing naked in the crowd. Showing the world that compassion and love does hurt. It does leave scars and breaks you down.  For us to experience the greatest joys, we have to risk the greatest sorrows.

~J

VACATION!!!!

Yes, it is that time of the year. Time to gather the family and head out on vacation. It seems like a lifetime ago since our last one. A lot of things have happened and the world I knew 1 year ago is no longer. I love going to the ocean. It has to be one of the most spiritual places on the planet. It's a reminder of who we are and a perfect guide for your life. It's simple, complex, raw, powerful, soft, constant, and changing. Some of my best writing comes to me while sitting on a beach letting life do what life does.
 So your wondering why I say the ocean is a good guide? Because, it gets what it wants, takes what it needs and pushes out what it doesn't have use for. You should live your life like the ocean lives it's. Never give up. no matter what obstacles should fall in it's path the waves keep coming. If you built a long wall down the beach to stop it... it would over time. Beat the wall down. That is how we should live. If someone puts something in the way of our goals, don't whine about it. Just keep your waves pushing toward your goal. You can over come.
 So I am looking forward to seeing my old friend and guide. Standing in the waves and feeling the true life force of the world. Listen to the kids play and sit back and enjoy. I may post some of the things I write but I am not sure. A lot of times the writing turn out to be thoughts on how i perceive myself or life and I am sure you don't want any of that boring mess.
 When I return from the trip I will start training again. i need to work on my cardio and breathing. Plus, losing a few pounds would not hurt either. :)
So I hope everyone has a fantastic week and I will see you around Facebook some... when I am not playing in the sand! Peace!

Rite of Passage

Prelude to story.

 This story came about out of anger originally. I was sick of hearing a guy complain about having no power after the tornados. He had a house, a car, a job, no damages, and still that wasn't enough. He thought not having power for a couple of days was not fair. But since I generally do not right when mad or attach someone I waited with my thoughts, pondering them, listening to them, and eventually got to what I consider the root of the problem. So here it is.

Rite of passage. You have heard the phrase and understand the concept of it but do you see the problems from lack of it? The other day I heard a young man complaining about not having power. No power..... seems to be an issue these days that bring us to our knees. A complete standstill. Oh my God, what will we do, we have no power! This is what got me thinking of the Rite of Passage. A tradition I think needs to come back in a bad way.
 All cultures tend to have some kind of rite. Whether is hunting, fighting, or some other physical activity to prove you are worthy of being considered a man and carrying on your family name. Trial and error, Blood, pain, sweat, and a driving need to succeed.
 Boys used to have to prove their worth even when I was a child. When I was young I would go work with my Dad carrying stuff, as I got older, I learned how to cut grass, wash cars, change tires, fix cars, swim, use a hammer, saw, use hand tools, handle weapons, and build stuff. Each one a small accomplishment and in it's own way a Rite of passage to the next task. What did it accomplish? It produced a MAN. I man capable of raising, taking care of, and defending family, friends, and a community if need be.
 It seems to me that this type of raising is disappearing. We get out cars washed and repaired by others. Our lawns tended to by others. We buy all or food already processed. We watch life from the comfort of our couches and recliners and this is the actions our kids see. So the next generation will be even softer, weaker, and a bigger dependent than the last.
 In our desperate attempt to find ourselves, get in touch with our softer side, or get in touch with our emotions, we have successfully neglected the man. The MAN, you know the one that stands proud, strong, and able. Women want Men. Strong able bodied men. Not pansies. Not someone scared of bugs, snakes, animals, or strangers. We are protectors and suppliers. Isn't it time we acted like it so our Sons know how to act and our Daughters know what kind of man to look for?

Writings

Sometimes I find it nice to write down thoughts. No particular order or reason, just write them down. Most times I end up getting something interesting out of them. I have a song lyric I started writing after my brother passed away and every time I sit and try to finish I end up with something completely different. I end up looking at the lyric and thinking "that doesn't work at all" then taking what I write and putting it away only to read it later and think wow why did I write that? Where was my mind when I wrote that.
 I have a pretty decent collection of writing since I started 20 years ago. Some I have shared out on the web and some will probably never see the eyes of another person. But all in all they have kept me in tune with my thoughts and feelings.
 Looking back and reading them has given me insight and inspiration for my life. I hope maybe one day the writings will inspire someone or ease their sorrow in a time of need or depression. We go through so many feelings in life and think that we are the only ones to feel that way when it is absolutely not true at all. I have no problem with sharing what I have written if they feel others would benefit.
 Below is one of the latest things that came from me trying to finish the old Lyrics.

Unconditional

The Sun came up today in it vain attempt to burn away the shadows.

I feel it’s warmth on my face, slowly chipping away at the cold inside.

Scars from the past too deep to heal serve as a reminder of the hard times we pass through.

Souvenirs for a place we didn’t want to go.

One smile, small, honest, and true, shines innocence on the guilty.

Offering unconditional forgiveness and love.

Making the sun’s light seem cool and the scars so hard to see.

Jason Sandlin