DroptheMask

“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” –Pericles Each and every day we encounter new people in our lives. While some may be engrained in our thoughts as we ponder on the day’s past activities; others may possibly never cross our minds ever again.   But what is interesting to think about are those people—whether they are complete strangers or close loved ones—who just happen to stick in our minds and stay in our hearts for one particular reason or another.        The great Greek statesman, general, and orator, Pericles (495-429 BC), once stated, “What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.”   Often referred to as “the first citizen of Athens ”, Pericles promoted the arts and literature and ruled Athenian society during the city’s Golden Age.   He was also primarily responsible for fostering Athenian democracy and building the foundations of the Acr

May 31, 2011 “Good morning, baby…I love you so much”—Just like every other glorious morning spent with the love of my life—today’s sweet words whispered in my ear were no different than any other.   Every morning for the last two months I have been experiencing an absolute dream come true.   Each day I have had the blessed opportunity to both fall asleep   and wake up next to my soul mate and best friend—and it has been complete perfection.   However, early this morning, complete perfection was surpassed when I lived what every girl dreams of and wishes her entire life for—today, I was asked to spend the rest of my life with the man of my dreams.   I experienced the perfect marriage proposal from my one true love. This entire weekend leading up to this morning was an absolutely perfect one spent with several family and friends.   We all had a complete blast with one another and the time that my love and I spent together was a dream, like always.   Every moment spent with those we lo

A great Greek philosopher named Epictetus (AD 55-AD 135) was once recorded as saying, "There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will."   His philosophy was rooted in his belief that although life is ultimately controlled by fate; individuals still have the ability and freedom to choose how they react to every fateful life situation they encounter. Being raised and traded as a slave in his early life and then crippled in his later years; Epictetus thus decided early on that he, alone, was the only one who could determine his life’s level of happiness and worry.   In comparison to Epictetus’ life and times, happiness seems so elusive to many people in this world of ours.   For some reason or another, the human race has always seemed to have issues (both minor and major) when it comes to the simple enjoyment and sheer pleasure of everyday life and living.   Regrettably, the act of worrying about matters be

In today’s world, gratitude and appreciation are often concepts that fall by the wayside during the chaos of everyday life and routines.   We all, for the most part, realize that life is a special gift and that the relationships that we foster within our daily living are something to be valued.   However, many of us also find ourselves far too busy to take the time to sit down, think, and truly assess and appreciate the countless aspects of all of the precious gifts we have in each of our lives. Unfortunately, we are not awaken to many of our lives’ blessings until something tragic or uncomfortable takes place—until we are faced with the possibility that we may lose the very blessings which we never truly realized we had in the first place.   Many times, it is only then—when life seems that it is at its toughest—that relationships, situations, and life, itself, actually seem to recapture their true meanings and really make sense again.   Sadly, it is in those times of confusion and p

It’s been nearly one month since the last time I blogged and, like always, so much has happened.   Once again, life always has a funny way of teaching us lessons which we never thought we would ever learn or even understand—and sometimes in the most peculiar ways.   Within the last 30 days or so, I have surprisingly found my soul mate and fallen in love in ways I never knew existed; and during the process, I have also discovered more about myself than I had ever dreamed possible. Through fate (and complex life situations), I have been blessed in the rare occasion of falling in love with my best friend and complete soul mate.   Without any manipulation of situations, others, or myself, I have been unknowingly and perfectly paired with the love of my life—all while neither of us even saw it coming.   Although we have “known of” one another for the last four years and have been relatively close acquaintances/friends over the last year or so; it has only been the last few months since we

May 9, 2011 It’s been nearly one month since the last time I blogged and, like always, so much has happened.   Once again, life always has a funny way of teaching us lessons which we never thought we would ever learn or even understand—and sometimes in the most peculiar ways.   Within the last 30 days or so, I have surprisingly found my soul mate and fallen in love in ways I never knew existed; and during the process, I have also discovered more about myself than I had ever dreamed possible. Through fate (and complex life situations), I have been blessed in the rare occasion of falling in love with my best friend and complete soul mate.   Without any manipulation of situations, others, or myself, I have been unknowingly and perfectly paired with the love of my life—all while neither of us even saw it coming.   Although we have “known of” one another for the last four years and have been relatively close acquaintances/friends over the last year or so; it has only been the last few month

April 14, 2011 “Life’s truest happiness is found in friendships we make along the way.” ~ Unknown It has always been amazing to me how much of a difference only one person can make in someone else’s life—both for the better and for the worse.   Just a simple smile, an open ear, or a willing heart at times has the ability to change one’s life forever.   As human beings, we were emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually designed for companionship and connection with other people.   We were surely not designed to stay quiet, closed up, or shut out and away from those who are so much like ourselves—that would be absolute hell on earth for anybody to endure.   Yes, I admit that it is vital for people to also have a certain amount of “alone time” in order to gather their thoughts and figure their own selves out in due time; however, once that self-awareness (and etc.) are found in one’s life, then it is time again to be reunited with other individuals.   In my own life, I am very