Emotional Mountains

Being on top of a mountain is a good reminder of how small we really are. It's so easy to feel lost and small and insignificant when faced with large obstacles whether you take it literally or figuratively. In the literal sense, I climbed Sharp Top Mountain in Virginia last weekend and as we approached the base of the mountain I looked up and it just seemed so big. I was feeling tired and already unmotivated to put forth the effort to do the hike, but out of a sense of obligation I decided to just go for it. Now while the hike was strenuous at some times and i didn't feel very accomplished in the process, it was all worth it as we reached the summit. As i stood on top of that mountain and looked off into the distance at the city of Lynchburg and the surrounding mountains I felt so good.

In the same sense, it is easy to look at the looming stresses and challenges in life and want to give up. Recently I have been looking at my emotional mountains and just wishing I could take a bus up to the top and skip all the hard stuff. The emotional battles are hardest. I may choose to climb a mountain, or overcome a fear, but i don't wake up and decide I want to feel discouraged or lonely. When you're at the bottom of your mountain, whatever it may be, it can be so hard to start the journey. The two things that keep me going are simple, but encouraging: 1. There is always a reward, a sense of accomplishment, after conquering a struggle. When I arrive at the summit, i can look back and say that the struggle was worth it. When I arrive at a place where I can enjoy the beauty and the blessings in life, i know i have overcome something of this world. 2. God is always with us. And that, my friends, is the most encouraging truth of all.

To conclude, I guess I must say as a reminder to myself and anyone who needs to hear it: do not lose hope, and trust the Lord always. That is all.

p.s. been over a year since I started this thing and since I last posted... whoops! Maybe I'll actually commit this time around.

Melodic Reflections

Music reaches to a part of my soul which cannot be reached by anything else, it takes hold of that piece and makes my soul take off in flight; flitting, flapping and flying around my heart, tearing it into pieces and putting it back together, all while making me smile uncontrollably. Music is...well, music is everything. I find myself inexplicably entranced by music, and it often takes over my heart and mind. I am not only drawn to music, but also to the people behind the music: the writers, the artists, the musicians, the dreamers, the risk-takers. It's the creators who truly intrigue me. I guess it's because i consider myself an artist of sorts, or as a friend once said "An artist of life." My greatest desire in life, apart from being a servant to all, is to create. I draw, paint and photograph to satisfy my visual creativity. I dress in my own fashion and dance around my room with the door closed. But, the thing that satisfies me the most, the think that feels right, is music. I'm but a dreamer; not yet a musician.  I practice every day. My greatest motivator is other musicians. Why? Cause they're fan-freakin-tastic! yep i said it. I have so much to say that it simply cannot be done in one post, it's gonna take some time, some reflection, and lots listening. So, in conclusion, here are some artists who inspire me.

yeah yeah yeah, i know that's a lot...and i could go on forever. seriously. 

Here I go...

So here I am, a freshman in college, a lover of music and art and writing and people and God and passion and good humor. Here I am and i've decided to start a blog. I'm not sure what will end up on this blog, and where life's journey will take me. I'm not sure about much of anything at this point in my life, but i know that what i do know should be shared. So here goes...well here goes something.