Out Of Whack

In life, we have this picture of what our life is supposed to look like. We have these ideas of what we should own, what we should do for a living, and the order it should all take place. We're supposed to set up priorities to keep us in check, and in my life, that was the one thing I over looked. I over looked the placement of these priorities.

From age 19-25 my priorities were very much out of whack. My ambitions were in my socioeconomic status and not based in my faith. I've been a Christian since the age of 7. I knew where I should place my priorities, but due to a lack of positive Christian influences and my own discipline, I placed my priorities else where. So during the years I mentioned above, I accumulated money, stuff, and friends that fueled these worldly desires. In my mind I had everything, I had the money, I had the truck, I had the lifestyle, but really I had nothing other than stuff that didn't matter.

After a long 2005, I decided to examine my life and where I stood. It wasn't until late 2009 that I realized my faith was not as strong as it needed to be and I had let worldly ambitions trump my faith. Even though I was going to church, volunteering, and in Bible study, I was still just going through the motions. This journey that I have been on over the past few years continues as I write this. I now know what is of most important to me, and where my priorities should be placed.

Looking back, those years where I was chasing worldly desires were some of the most empty times of my life. And now I might not have all the things that this world seems to judge us by, but I know where my desires are fueled from and very happy that my priorities are in place.

Just in case your wondering my priorities:
1. God(church)
2. Family and Friends
3. School
4. Work

Beautiful Disaster

Well over the next 12 or so hours, tropical depression Bonnie is suppose to roll over the Florida Keys. Why do I care that it's rolling over the keys? Well mainly because, that's where I am right now. Is it a big deal, no. I've been through storms much worse than what I'll see the next few hours. However, it's sad to watch mother nature tear something a part. Something someone took time to make, or build is destroyed in a matter of minutes. But at the same time, it's beautiful to watch something fight to stay together. At times it may look like it won't make it, but it does. It comes out of the storm beaten up, but it made it. It can be made new again because it weathered the storm...

Blood, Sweat,....

Well Sunday I ended up being tempted to hit the water, by myself. I've done it many times and never really had any thought about getting hurt or anything of the sort. Well five minutes into my run down the lake on the sea-doo, I took a huge wave throwing me into the steering controls upon the so called landing. Luckily I didn't slam my face in to the controls, instead I hit around my collar bone area. After riding the sea-doo sideways for a few seconds, I righted the XP and kept going. Then a few minutes later after rubbing upper chest and neck area, my hand felt like it was covered with a warm substance...yep, blood! Looking in my mirrors, I could see the cut and blood running down my chest. So I stopped and jumped in the water to wash it off. Well after about 20 minutes the bleeding stopped and I continued on for the rest of the day, however being a little timid for a good little while.

Any ways, being alone on Sunday and empty house this week, has led me to do a lot of thinking. For me that's usually not a good thing. So have you ever wanted something and then when that moment came, the excitement wasn't there? That's something I'm going through right now and I don't know why? You would think something that has been in the making for over two years would excite you. But right now I'm not.

Catching my breath....I think.

No post in a while due to finishing up the semester. So now it's summer time, or close to it at least and it's my favorite time of year no doubt. So now that school is out of the way until fall what's on tap? First off, work but that's a given. So what's the fun stuff? Well Friday heading to a concert with some friends, which should be fun. Of course many trips to the lake which is a summer staple for me. Also I've planned trip to Jacksonville, in which we will also hit up Orlando and hopefully be able to get over to St. Pete to catch a Rays game. A friend and myself are tying to get a trip planned to St. Louis to visit some friends and yes, catch a Cards game, but we have a little inside connection there and would be the reason to go. And lastly, a trip to Chicago for a trade show in July for a week. Really looking forward to getting up to Chicago and seeing what it has to offer. Oh yeah, catching a Cubs/Phils game while in town. So that's really what's on tap for the summer so not looking like I'm catching my breath, but that's okay.

Beat...

After a weekend, I think you're supposed to feel refreshed and ready for the week. But I'll tell you, right now I wish I had a few more days before beginning this week. This is the last week before dead week at school which means a few test and working on my final paper for IBA which I've been doing all afternoon. To be honest, I'm ready to get this week out of the way and heading in to it feeling beat is not the way I wanted to start it. Hopefully it ends up being better than expected.

Decisions

Many of you may not know but I'm finishing up school at Alabama. I must say, I've enjoyed my time on campus thus far. I had some thoughts about maybe leaving to cut out the driving between Birmingham and Tuscaloosa. However, I've felt at home being on campus at Alabama. It might be because I've spent the first few years of my life here and it's always kinda been home in a sense. I've got a little more time here and then it will be time for a new chapter. The funny part is, the people I'm surrounded by right now could not be more perfect. And it's a little scary knowing I what will be next and where it takes me. Sure, I've got some places only target list but nothing is 100%. All I can say is, what a ride it's been and damn, I can't wait to see what the future holds.

Trying...

Over the past few days I've been trying to write a new post but every time I read it back to myself it sounds.... well depressing. The people in my last two blogs were extremely important to me but at the same time the writing's can come off depressing, but I'm not depressed. I guess it just has to do with everything that's been going on the past few weeks. Although it's been rough, there have been some very good parts lately as well. I'll get a good one out...