my little corner of the universe

Dear world/and or self,

Man, so much has changed. A year ago, standing in the same place as I am now, I feel and know I’m a different person with an altered mindset, a new lifestyle, and a newfound understanding.

I’ve come to some conclusions, but don’t get me wrong, my opinions are subject to change because I’m crazy and my perspectives fluctuate. But, I’ve come to realize that life is about giving and taking. Actually, scratch taking, wrong word, more like receiving. The effort you put into something influences the final product. In other words, if you’re going to love, love unconditionally, love without holding back, love the big picture and the ity, bity pieces that come together to form the big picture, love with an unrestricted heart, an open mind, and a yearning body. If you’re going to hate, hate with compassion and reason. And creativity. Channel hate into something worth your time. If you’re going to live… well dive into those once-inna-lifetime chances headfirst, eyes open, adrenaline pumping, and a determined smile set firmly on your face, ready to tackle whatever and the consequences that come with it. I used to preach, do it if you can handle the repercussions but life’s too short to constantly avoid the blatant bright red “warning” and cautionary yellow flashes in life. If you even consider doing something, a little piece of you really wants to do it. Satisfy that urge. Only on one condition—as long as one doesn’t hurt another, it is ALL GOOD. In addition to giving life your all comes with acceptance to receiving what it throws at you. Everything happens for a reason, even events that hide behind the facade of “coincidental.” Take what life bestows on you, and adapt to it. Embrace it if you can, and fight it if you want better, want change, want familiarity. And in all this giving and receiving, keep God, your family, and your true friends closest to your heart because in the end, through all the achievements, blunders, misgivings, and misguided receptions they’ll be there to guide/hold/accept/love/hate/scold/strengthen you. Pay close attention to family keeping family ties because even if branches on the family tree grow in polar directions, the roots remain forever entwined underground. Pay even closer attention to friendships… I’ve just realized, people will always come and go. Friendships will always form, fade, and become fragments… But, everything happens for a reason. In a “done” friendship, he/she/you must have been in your/his/her life for a reason… maybe to teach a lesson, to leave an imprint, to change your perspective, or to just be there. In a “lasting” friendship, you’ll meet people who just get you. Who vibe with you, and it seems as though your souls are similar, your brain waves oscillate in the same rhythm, and for some odd reason you laugh at the same shit… and regardless of the situation, you’ll always be friends, even if you say you aren’t. And in an “insignificant” relationship/friendship, hell they’re part of your life for some reason… if they were really a minute detail, why would you be there? Allow for those friendships to germinate, they just need a little time and a little TLC. And as for the “best friends,” cherish it, and as I see it, they aren’t the best people in the world. They aren’t the best type of friends, they aren’t the ones that know you best, and they aren’t the best of whatever… but rather the friends who love you for your “best” and your “worst” aspects/the ones who confirm they’re your friends even when you’re at your “worst”/”best.” The friends who make the “best” of life. The friends who make you feel like you’re the “best”… even when you feel otherwise.

I’m not sure where I was going with that… but it’s almost Spring. Time for growth. Time to awaken from winter dormancy, and race the wind in discovering adventures.

Love always,
Floraine.