Your Journey

"It's not about the Destination,
It's about the Journey"

Often in life, we are concerned with where we are going. We are so concerned that we make plans, do everything possible to get there. Often in life, we don't get there and we are left feeling disappointed,  as if we have failed. Often in life, we do get there and we become so consumed in our success that we forget where we started.

At the end of the day, where ever we ended up being along our path, we need to reflect on our journey for the journey is the most important part. Sometimes telling a girl how you feel and that courage it took is more important than the outcome. All those ended relationships sometimes feel like a waste of time but they are not because in every single one, you took something away from it. You learned something valuable, be it about life or be it about yourself. At the end of the day, the journey was more important that the destination.

Having goals and steps to get there is so important in life. It gives you direction. Some people get to achieve their goals, some people are still trying. Whether you reach your goal or not, what you learn along the way enriches your soul as you learn all the different facets of yourself. A lot of the time, coming straight out of school, people are unsure of their career path. They may choose one and change along the way because while they chose a destination, they realised along their journey that this is not the path best suited for them and so they chose another. The journey is where you learn what you really want and what you really need. On this journey, you are constantly learning.

I have a song I'd like to share with you about life's journey:

It's hard.
It's difficult.
Seems impossible.
Seems dark and cold.

You walk along this road
You meet people as life unfolds
You overcome your deepest fears
and learn to fight away the tears

Now you feel that the end has come
And everything was for nothing
But it's not about the destination
It's about the journey

The journey teaches you tricks
You do things you never thought you could do
And along the way your heart fixes
And life seems clearer now

Now you feel that the end has come
And everything was for something
because it's not about the destination
It's about the journey

And as the journey continues
So do your hopes and dreams
Because even when things fall apart
It falls into place for better things

I hope that reading this helps you to see that yes at some point, you don't reach certain destinations but that is not the point. It is the experiences along that path that count. Reflect on those rather than the outcome because at the end of the day, the outcome doesn't matter.

xxx

Believe In Your Dreams

"Take a look at yourself in a mirror,
who do you see looking back?
Is it the person you want to be?
Or is there someone else you were meant to be,
the person you should have been but fell short of?
Is someone telling you 'can't' or 'won't'?
Because you can.
Believe that love is out there.
Believe that dreams come true everyday.
Because they do.
Sometimes happiness doesn't come from money, fame or power.
Sometimes happiness comes from good friends and family
And from the quiet nobility of leading a good life.
Believe that dreams come true everyday,
Because they do.
So take a look at the mirror and remind yourself to be happy
Because you deserve to be.
Believe that.
And believe that dreams come true everyday, because they do"
- Quote from "One Tree Hill"

This is one of my favourite quotes to read when I'm feeling down or close to giving up on something because I don't believe in myself. This quote shows me that I should believe in myself because dreams do become reality.

I have been thinking about what to write for a while now. Suddenly I realised "wait a moment, my dreams came true". Like most people reading this pose, I am very into my music, specifically those songs that tell a story. You know, the songs that have depth and soul within the lyrics. So like most people, I have a favourite band and it's the type of thing where you know all the songs and all the lyrics. It is not a very well known band, but it just so happens that they had a tour in my country and i was fortunate enough to see them. Not only that, but I was fortunate enough to meet them as well as speak and have a photo with them. To most people, this may seem like quite a weird situation to equate as a dream. But to be able to see this band play live and feel the soul in their music reminded me just how much I miss music. Just how much I miss playing the piano and guitar and writing songs. It reminded me how wrapped up I was in my goal to advance in my career that I had forgotten the very essence of what I truly love. Not only did I realise how much I missed music, I realised how lucky I was to be someone who managed to meet their favourite band. This doesn't happen very often. It felt as if the universe had aligned everything to occur for it happen.

The point of this post is not to tell you about my experience. The point is to show you that maybe your band is something else and that the universe is getting ready to align everything in order for you to confront your dream. It is about realising what your dream is and to pursue it. It is important to shed all those around you that underestimate your ability to succeed at whatever you wish to succeed at. Sometimes being alone means that you need to work on yourself before you cross paths with 'the one'. Don't stop believing that someone is out there for you because they are. Don't stop believing in your dreams because you can do whatever you put your mind to. Dont stop believing in yourself, because you deserve to be happy and you deserve for your dreams to come true. I hope that after reading this, you feel inspired and ready to conquer whatever challenge may face you. The world will stand aside for a person who knows where they are going.

The Script
The band I was fortunate enough to see live and meet.

Be INSPIRED

Here are some quotes that hopefully can pick you up when you feeling down. Enjoy <3

This quote above is such a special one to me, as I truly believe that if you are able to inspire the people around you then you have done something miraculous

It is amazing to think just how much we have withing ourselves to accomplish whatever we choose

Having the ability to just get up and face your day is the pure illustration of courage

Making the best out of what you got and growing that into something meaningful and successful is a true visionary

Risking it sometimes ends badly but you learn from it and it teaches you all the right things to do next time. For next time it won't end badly, it will only result in a positive outcome

It is like relationships, sometimes you feel like you lose a part of yourself but in losing that part of yourself, you gain so much more. You gain strength and wisdom to love and to love another.

xxx

Everything Happens For A Reason

Ever wonder about soul mates? Ever wonder about destiny? That everything happens for a reason?
I truly believe that everything does happen for a reason and that everything is meant to be. We may not be aware of these reasons but down the line we stand amazed at how insanely these puzzle pieces come to fit together.
For example, you might accidentally get stung by a bee which makes you late for work and because you were late for work, you missed a car accident that would have affected your life drastically. Maybe you might even equate this to meeting ‘the one’ as you will be at the right place at the right time in order for your paths to cross. An interesting thought that crossed my mind is what if you looked at these scenarios as if you were the one used in order for someone else to meet their soul mate. For example, you meet someone who you feel is rather special and gets you almost to the point where you believe this is your soul mate but you can’t be with that person. There are reasons outside of your control, say age, your ex’s best friend, religion, you start dating someone else or what not. These reason’s make you stay away so that this person can meet their soul mate which just might not be you. It might not be you or just might not be the right time. In the bigger scheme of things, everything works out; everything will make sense at some point. They say when you experience heart break that ‘time heals all wounds’ and maybe this is true because you are able to look at it from a particular perspective and realise that this person was not for you and this relationship ended because there is one that is just about to start that may never end. Being able to look back and reflect on your experiences provides you with lessons and these lessons prepare you for something bigger and better. Having the patience to wait to see how everything fits together is important and achieving this patience is a lesson in itself. 

Life is short…Are YOU living it to the fullest?

“You never know the biggest day of your life is the biggest day.
Not until it’s happening.
You don’t recognise the biggest day of your life.
Not until you are right in the middle of it.
The day you commit to something/someone.
The day you get your heart broken.
The day you meet your soul mate.
The day you realise there’s not enough time because you want to live forever.
Those are the biggest days, the perfect days”- Greys Anatomy

I chose this quote as it is one of my favourites. The truth is, life is short. Years are gone before you know it. Months fly. We always say ‘wow I can’t believe it is the end of the year already’.  The one thing in life that is unknown is the future. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring. Unfortunately death is inevitable. Most of us live to see our parents die. Some of us even experience the loss of a sibling or partner. I have another Greys quote that is on just this:

“Did you say it?
‘I love you’,
‘I don’t want to live without you’,
‘you changed my life’.
Did you say it?
Make a plan, set a goal and work toward it.
But every now and then look around, drink it in because this is it.
It might all be gone tomorrow” – Greys Anatomy

The quote speaks for itself. So many times in life, out loved ones walk out the door never to return and we never got the chance to tell them what they mean to us. We never got the chance to say goodbye. Life is unexpected and I truly believe that at the end of the day you need to be grateful that you made it and you need to express gratitude to everyone around you because you never know when it will be too late. You need to go to sleep knowing that you are on good terms with everyone. Can you imagine if you had a huge fight with someone you love and never got the chance to apologise? Even if it is an ego issue, say sorry and move on. Life is too short to hold grudges and too seek revenge. We need to enjoy every moment we have and to be grateful for everything good in our lives.

Here is a beautiful poem about death.

“I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
from the beginning… to the end.
He noted that first came her date of birth
and spoke the following dates with tears, 1964-1994
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time
that’s she spent alive on earth…
and now only those who loved her
know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own;
the cars.. the house..the cash,
what matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash

So think about this long and hard.
are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
that can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
to consider what’s true and real.
and always try to  understand
the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,
and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives
like we’ve never loved before.
Remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.

So when you eulogy’s being read
with your life’s actions to rehash
would you be proud of the things they say
and how you spend your dash?” – Linda Ellis

The thing to remember is from reading this post, is remember that time is limited, remember to tell those you love that you love them. Hug people, kiss people. Live your life to the fullest because like the poem said, you want to know you have out in all that you can in that dash and that your life is one worth remembering. <3 

Listen or thy tongue will keep thee deaf

Being part of a counselling unit, I have been taught the art of listening. I often feel because if the knowledge I have gained from this experience, I often identify or am more aware now of people who don't listen. To illustrate this specific point, we did an experiment where half the counsellors were told to exit the room and the other half remained inside. The counsellors that left the room were told to tell a specific story as if they were the client. The counsellors in the room were told not to speak but to listen with nodding and eye contact. As the other counsellors entered the silent room, they all sat down at their designated counsellor and began to act out their story but as time went on, the general atmosphere in the room changed from being calm to frustration. The counsellors telling the story got frustrated that the counsellor was not responding back with words. The point of this exercise was to show us that when people talk or have a problem that they are telling you about, they expect a verbal response. Just responding to someone in such a way that all you are saying is the emotions that you are noticing in them like 'I can see this is really upsetting you' is showing that person that you are really listening. A lot of the time, I have personally experienced having a dilemma and telling it to someone close and they don't have anything to say back. It can be so frustrating. But what I find more frustrating is when you are asking for advice and that person you are asking advice from tells you their own experience. Well I acknowledge that this person is probably trying to help you by telling you what they did when they were in a similar circumstance it is not helpful as they are not you! If you are in a situation and you are asking advice, it is about YOU and YOUR situation, but when someone comes along and is telling you about THEIR experience then it no longer becomes about you and thus the advice doesn't really help. It is like a shoe, your shoes don't necessarily fit someone else's foot and vice versa. If someone you seek advice from is telling you all about the way they dealt with this problem then are they really listening to you and your issue? The lesson that is meant to be learned here is that just listening and responding where you are reflecting someone's feelings instead of talking about yourself.

Just remember:

"Most of the successful people I've known are the ones who do more listening that talking"

Forever and Always

"Forever And Always"- Parachute

[Verse 1:]
She's sitting at the table, the hours get later
He was supposed to be here
She's sure he would have called
She waits a little longer, there's no one in the driveway
No one's said they seen him
Why, is something wrong?
She looks back to the window
Suddenly the phone rings
A voice says somethings happened
That she should come right now
Her mind goes to December
She thinks of when he asked her
He bent down on his knees first
And he said

[Chorus:]
I, I want you forever, forever and always
Through the good and the bad and the ugly
We'll grow old together
Forever and always

[Verse 2:]
She pulls up to the entrance
She walks right to the front desk
They lead her down a million halls a maze that's never ending
They talk about what happened but she can barely hear them
She tries to keep a straight face as she walks into the room
She sits by his bedside, holds his hand too tight
They talk about the kids they're gonna have and the good life
The house on the hillside, where they would stay

[Chorus:]
Stay, there forever, forever and always
Through the good and the bad and the ugly
We'll grow old together, and always remember
Whether rich or for poor or for better
We'll still love each other, forever and always

[Bridge:]
Then she gets and idea and calls in the nurses
Brings up the chaplain and he says a couple versus
She borrows some rings from the couple next door
Everybody's laughing as the tears fall on the floor
She looks into his eyes, and she says

[Chorus:]
I, I want you forever, forever and always
Through the good and the bad and the ugly
We'll grow old together, and always remember
Whether happy or sad or whatever
We'll still love each other, forever and always
Forever and always, forever and always

She finishes the vows but his beeps are getting so low
His voice is almost too low
As he says, I love you forever, forever and always
Please just remember even if I'm not there
I'll always love you, forever and always 

 

This is the most beautiful song i have ever heard. It is about a woman who loses the one she loves because there was a terrible accident. Through these lyrics you are able to see the true genuine love each of these characters have for one another. The song, is so moving and special.

The reason why I chose to blog about this song is because I have always been sensitive to those who lose their soulmates due to an unfortunate circumstance such as cancer, accidents and what not. There have been so many movies made on this topic. Few to name: ps i love you, a walk to remember etc


It sometimes makes no sense how one can meet their soulmate and then suddenly, that person is just taken away. It makes you question the world and question what was the point. I honestly believe, in those situations, it is better to love and lose than not love at all. Imagine not having met that person at all, imagine not feeling complete. Yes it may be for a short while only but what matters is that you DID. What matters is that person (your soulmate) came into your life for a reason, not just to teach you to love but to teach you lessons of loss, lessons of life, lessons that life goes on.
When in those terrible times of grief and pain, one often forgets to look at life in perspective. They forget to remember that once this painful period is over, only good things will come their way. This is because, whatever happened made you stronger and made you more prepared to tackle whatever the world may throw at you. Perhaps even finding space in your heart to love again.

I think, if you are able to find that one person that you can sing forever and always to, that is something so special and lucky. Not many people will have the same opportunity. And if you haven't yet then keep searching! never give up. Remember that the world only gives you what you need and that certain circumstances will arise in order to to teach you specific lessons to life and to help you prepare for the many more opportunities that will come way.

xxx

 

Better Days

"I wish everyone was loved tonight
and somehow stop this endless fight
just a chance that maybe we'll find better days"
-Goo Goo Dolls- Better Days

This is such a beautiful song and hopefully when you are done reading this post, "tonight's the night the world begins again".


I was thinking, the world is full of so much negativity. Everyone is always complaining. I find myself often looking at the negative side of things and I wonder why...
I came across the most beautiful idea: Everyone always compares themselves to everyone else by looking at the difference. but, What if we look at the similarities?.
If we were to look at why we are so similar to everyone, we would feel better about ourselves, the world and our outlook on life. If we were to look at the differences, then we are judging people for being different to us and comparing ourselves in aspects where we don't feel good enough which is negative and mean.
For example, lets look at someone who is our hero. Instead of thinking "I wish i could be like him/her because she has so much strength and courage and confidence', think "I would of actually handled that situation the same way he/she did". The first way of thinking is so negative and promotes low self worth. But if you pick up on the similarities, you are subconsciously picking up on your strengths! 

I found that people tend to evaluate themselves based on other people. So you are in fashion if majority have the same fashion as you. You are a jock because of the lingo you speak. You are fat because everyone loves that thin girl in your class. you are ugly because your nose isn't as petite as that person sitting next to you. Why do we constantly tear ourselves down instead of pick ourselves up. You are in fashion because you believe in what you wearing. You are a jock because you are a bubbly and outgoing person. You are not fat, you are beautiful. Your nose isn't ugly, it makes you, you.

So go out tonight, stop this endless fight of being different. Look at the similarities and you will amaze yourself at the strengths you never knew you had.