Inspirational quotes ftw

I've always found solace in the quotes of others...their insight, their take on things...makes you view things differently from what you're used to.

I think we all should strive to see things beyond ourselves, to open our minds to other ways of percieving things...that doesn't mean we have to change how we view things or follow through with things completely...but from what I have learned from the short time I have been alive on this earth...there's nothing wrong with yearning to evolve into a better person, and it can be quite difficult to come to terms with the fact that you may need to embrace change and follow a different path of understanding than what you're accustomed to. No one ever wants to admit that they were in the wrong about something or that they could have handled things in a different way...but I find that to be the biggest show of courage...to acknowledge that there are indeed better ways of viewing things.

Not easy to do, but far from impossible. I still have so much to learn...wish I could absorb life lessons easier than finding out the true message of said life lessons after having gone through it.

And so...a few quotes that I'd like to share. Enjoy!

~Humor brings insight and tolerance. Irony brings a deeper and less friendly understanding.

~Humor is the affectionate communication of insight.

~It is insight into human nature that is the key to the communicator's skill. For whereas the writer is concerned with what he puts into his writings, the communicator is concerned with what the reader gets out of it. He therefore becomes a student of how people read or listen.

~It is not because the truth is too difficult to see that we make mistakes... we make mistakes because the easiest and most comfortable course for us is to seek insight where it accords with our emotions - especially selfish ones.

~No one wants to know how clever you are. They don't want an insight into your mind, thrilling as it might be. They want an insight into their own.

~The man with insight enough to admit his limitations comes nearest to perfection.

~May you have the hindsight to know where you've been, The foresight to know where you are going, And the insight to know when you have gone too far.

~A point of view can be a dangerous luxury when substituted for insight and understanding.

Cellphone dependancy!

I never thought there would come a time where I actually would miss having a cell phone.

I had one EONS ago with Rogers but due to their asshatery I had my cell service cut. After that I was determined that I would NEVER have a cell phone again. I went out with this one guy who was a cell phone FANATIC...he was always updating his phone for the newest addition and he thought I was CRAZY not to have a cell...hell, he even tried pushing one on me, saying he'd buy me one. I politely declined, calling cellphones the devil and what have you...in hindsight I maaaay have been a tad overdramatic, hehe.

Well, when I became pregnant, my bf insisted I get a phone, and he proceeded to purchase one for me, one of those pay as you go deals, GREAT coverage, unlimited txting and what not....and soon I was txting my buddies left right and center.

It was great! Even if I was doing laundry or alone at home, I could chat with any one of my lovely friends or my doting bf.

But with the expenses that come with a baby, I found that money was needed elsewhere so I had to put off paying my phone...and now I am dealing with cell phone deprevation. Part of me finds it silly...to be dependant to a certain extent on a piece of technology that I once vehemently announced would never rule me...but I miss being able to keep in touch with people I hold dear...and I can't always be on facebook or msn to chat with them all the time, my girls keep me busy as well as the preparations for the wee one.

*sighs* Here's hoping I get my phone paid in full this month...I feel sorry for my friends, for they will have to deal with my annoying chatty self lol

Cliche's and how to make them profound again

cli·ché
noun
1. a trite, stereotyped expression; a sentence or phrase, usually expressing a popular or common thought or idea, that has lost originality, ingenuity, and impact by long overuse, as sadder but wiser, or strong as an ox.

We have enough cliche's in this world to last us a lifetime...but not ALL cliche's are groan worthy *I'm sure you've all heard of some that make you give yourself a facepalm and sigh at it's cheesy factor*.

I disagree with ALL cliche's being 'trite'. It all depends on how you use them in your daily lives and whether you can get over the fact that they've been heard before and INSTEAD focus on the meaning behind them. My faves by far are: Stop and smell the roses, hindsight is 50/50, don't sweat the small stuff and don't judge a book by it's cover. Granted, my examples have been used many a time by many a person, but what their message convey's still rings true.

For example...I've witnessed some unpleasantry recently in my inner circle of friends whose focus is towards things that are stressful...and it saddens me that it occurs without abandon it seems...but y'know what I did last night with my bf? *GET YER MINDS OUT OF THE GUTTER EH...That's MY job lol* We gazed at the moonlit sky...at the clouds as they passed by the moon...and we totally taken in by the beauty of it all...and how small we really are in the grand scheme of things. We stared at the heavens for a good amount of time, just taking it in and marveling at how lucky we are to even witness such serene beauty. Then we discussed how many people we thought were staring up at the same moonlit sky as we were...and how no matter how far away people may be, we can unite with them with such a simple action as looking upward and admiring the beauty many of us take for granted.

Y'know, the little things. Little things can bring us such pleasure if we allow them to...but sadly we get wrapped up in ourselves and forget about the simple pleasures and instead get all bent out of shape over inconsequential matters. We all deal with stressful situations and hardship...but it's ultimately up to us as to how it will affect us, if at all. Weighing yourself down with the injustices we face or the unfairness we've been dealt with is counter productive in the long run...but it's hard not to allow such things to affect us....hard, but not impossible.

In order to achieve anything in our lifetimes we must put the effort into making it into reality...and we won't learn a damn thing if we don't suffer at some point down the line...for when we suffer, we grow...we evolve into better people who can adapt to the circumstances thrown our way...and sometimes we just need a little reminder to stop and appreciate what we already have instead of being miserable from yearning for things we have yet to attain.

So...stop...and smell the roses..caress their velvet petals between your fingertips...take in the aroma...marvel at how such a beautiful flower can also cause pain if not handled properly...at the variety of colours that they come in...and be thankful that we have the ability to appreciate such beauty in a world where beauty is fleeting.

DRAMA...HUH...UH HUH YEAH...WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR...ABSOLUTELY NOTHIN'!

Drama.

It happens.

Sadly, it happens to some more than others. Some will it upon themselves intentionally, while others wind up being drawn into it against their will. Some enjoy it as a means to be entertained, while others will go out of their way to avoid people who seem to have an aura of drama surrounding them.

For me...drama irritates me. I don't look lowly upon anyone involved in drama...if anything I feel sorry for the people involved, even if they could care less HOW I feel about them and their dramatic situation/scenario. I don't even have to be a part of it and it irks me...because I know that drama can be avoided with a change of perspective/how you handle scenario's that displease you to the point of anger.

I guess I just can't see the sense in it...to make things so absurdly sensational over nothing of real long term significance.

But it's unfair of me to expect others to deal with hurt or stress the way I do...I'm still bloody well learning how to adapt to my own situations without allowing it to cause me unnecesary grief/stress/drama...my "don't sweat the small stuff" attitude may not be so easily adapted by everyone else.

I just wish it WAS easy...like that damn 'easy button' from the Staples commercial...one press and voila, instant calm and harmony...no more verbal pissing contests to see who will be the ultimate victor...no more defensive/aggressive jabs where nothing gets through to one another...just...rational calm talks...civil debates...understanding...compassion...and forgiveness.

If only life were so convienent eh? I guess I'm just frustrated by my inability to convince others that we have the power to chose a peaceful resolution instead of resorting to an all out hate fest. But I realize it's not my position to stop people from doing things the way they want to do them...all I can do is sigh and hope that future arguments cause less stress upon everyone involved...for their sakes.

It's at times like these...where I really appreciate the song "Imagine" by John Lennon.

"IMAGINE"



Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

hehe...this meme/quiz/whatever is...well amusing, to me anyway :P

I got this from a facebook buddy...and normally I find most of these types of quizes...well...redundant...BUT...this one I don't mind sharing and embellishing on, you poor unfortunate souls lol.

Apparently...if I manage to get more then 30, I am in need of some indepth counseling O___O;. If my score is more then 20, I'm the paranoid freak your 'rents warned you about :O. If I get 11-20, I am what constitutes as 'normal' (AHAHAHAHAHAHA *gigglesnorts*...yeahhh). If I somehow manage to get 10 or less, I'm fearless and should adorn a spandex head to toe outfit with matching cape and fight crime. And if for some reason I don't click on ANYTHING...then well, from what the rules state, I'm bloodywell full of crap. Hmm.

*rubs hands together* LET'S DO THIS. ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLRIGHT!

I fear ...



[] Black people <--- O___O; I've never expressed fear at one's skin pigment but to each their own I suppose..? o.o

[] the dark

[] staying single forever

[] being a parent

[] being in front of others

[] open spaces

[] closed places

[] heights

[] dogs *large ones*

[] birds

[] fish

[] spiders <--- ONLY if they're huge!

[] flowers or other plants

[x] Fire

[] deep water

[x] Snakes <--- ESPECIALLY if they're in a plane...if you can't catch the reference, may I ask you to watch Snakes on a plane, 'nuff said. :P

[] silk <--- this made me laugh. I shouldn't though...but I did. I'm going to hell. lol

[] the ocean

[x] failure

[] success

[x] thunder/lightning <--- yes, I admit it, I AM a big baby, I don't deny it. Ever since my close encounters with lightning I tend to get a tad ansy when I see it

[] frogs/toads

[] my boyfriends/girlfriends dad

[] my boyfriends/girlfriends mom

[] rats

[] jumping from high places <--- now why in HELL would I WANT to jump from a high place to begin with..? O 3o

[] bugs

[] rain

[] wind

[x] crossing hanging bridges <---I hope this day never comes...seen WAYYY too many movies with this sort of scenario, eep!

[x] death <--- this one is tricky...I don't fear it persay, but I fear how my loved ones will deal without me.

[] heaven

[] being robbed/mugged/raped <--- since I have been victim to a couple of these, I can UNDERSTAND the fear...but I choose not to live by that said fear.

[] falling <--- I'm accident prone so this no longer scares me, I'm embraced my inner klutz lol

[] clowns

[] dolls

[x] large crowds of people <--- claustrophobia ftw! Small spaces do not incite fear, but large groups of people SO do :C

[] men (the old pedo ones.)<--- they creep me the hell out but I don't fear them.

[] women <--- hehe sometimes! But it's not a constant fear, so no 'x' for you!

[] having great responsibilities

[] doctors

[] dentists

[] tornadoes

[] hurricanes

[x] incurable diseases

[] sharks

[] Friday the 13th

[] ghosts

[] poverty

[] Halloween

[] school

[] trains

[] odd numbers

[] even numbers

[x] being alone

[x] becoming blind

[x] becoming deaf

[] growing up

[] creepy noises in the night

[] not accomplishing my dreams/goals

[] needles

[] blood



Now to tally this bad boy...let's see...my total is: 12!

Sooo...I am 'normal'. That IS to laugh, it really is...I could go on about the term normal and abnormal but eh, why bother :P

The list that was given is apparently a list of "COMMON" fears...uh silk? "Oh this luxurious fabric gives me the heeby geebies, give me burlap and I find instant comfort!" lol *smacks self* I need to stop being judgemental...I'm SURE there is a perfectly logical reason to fear silk...I just...haven't...found it...yet O__O

This quiz reminds me of that show...that is called...aww hell TJ, give yer head a smack, make those brain cells bend to your will! Uh...well I'm at a loss as to what the hell the name of the show is, but it is about unusual fears/odd habits & cravings & dependancies....watch, I'll remember the name of that blasted show in a couple of days from now lol.

ANYway...the program showcases people's obsessions or how they find comfort in things they really shouldn't....and some of them I find really bizarre...guess that 'silk' option in the quiz has me thinking...is that a COMMON fear? Am I missing out on some level for NOT fearing this? Who knows. I just know that after watching the show a few times and seeing how people, who were affected by early childhood trauma, now have a fear that confuses many and how they choose to deal with said fear boggles their minds even more.

When I was younger I probably would have laughed at ALL of them for fearing things I think shouldn't be feared...but...now that I'm older I guess I have more of a sympathetic heart...and although I MAY not understand why they fear what they fear or deal with it the way they do...I feel badly that they are paralyzed by their fear and hold onto their vice of coping as strongly as they do. I hope I NEVER have such a debilitating fear *shudders the thought* D: DX


I also commend these people for speaking out about something that can cause them ridicule...most people would rather appear fearless so they don't have to deal with the constant teasing that can occur when they're honest...but how can someone overcome obstacles without some sort of guidance/support system? I think feeling alone in any difficult situation is what pushes people over the edge...but when you have people that care and will not laugh at you for what they consider your shortcomings...you definitely feel more at ease and feel you can overcome anything that comes your way.

But I still argue that I'm the farthest thing from being 'normal'. Normal is overrated...can't I be exceptional instead? :P

Coffee and an idea for release

Wow that bit about 'release' sounded much naughtier than anticipated *ahem* my apologies hehe :P I suppose not everyone has that naughty/tongue and cheek virtue to them and thought nothing about my word usage, but I tend to find words more amusing than they should be, and I will probably find hilarity in this blog where others may not...which suits me just fine considering this is my blog and no one elses...I guess I'm just giving fair warning to my ability to find amusement at myself/read into things that others may pass by nonchalantly lol.

I'm TJ, a lass hailing from Ontario, got a awesome fella and two lil girls and a wee one on the way...and I'm a blogger from way back. I don't know why I should feel any pride from this, but I do get a bit smug knowing that back in my heyday I could say I was part of something a tad bigger than myself...not overly IMPORTANT or grand...but nonetheless it was something I enjoyed doing.

I used to own a domain, then a sub domain, and finally relented to having a livejournal, which I hardly find a reason to write in...possibly due to the fact that my reader audience via my friends list *for the MOST part, not all, not all..* are people I can no longer relate to. It comes with the territory...people come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime...some I've stuck close to, others I can no longer find interest reading their drivel...nothing wrong with that, but I need a fresh audience, or someone who actually ENJOYS reading my banter AND *le gasp!* commenting on my posts. But just to establish right here and now, I am by NO means trying to win the "OMGOSH I AM TEH UBER POPULAR, PPL EVERWHERES LURRRRVES MEEE" award...meh, too much energy to waste. I've SEEN journal owners with minions who attack anyone who DARE not agree with the webmaster, and to me...that's pretty silly...we all have opinions and what not, if someone posts something idiotic or rude, I'd rather point and laugh at their display of idiocy by myself, not have someone else come to my rescue. Perhaps I'm too stubborn to give in to their possible taunts or low blows...but I find amusement at letting THEM showcase their own stupidity for everyone to see instead of getting into that situation where I have to defend myself to people who don't know me or just like being judgemental asshats. Don't get me wrong though, ALWAYS up for a well thought out civil/respectful debate, but for those who know about 'trolls' *people who go out of their way to antagonize you to the point of madness...yer welcome* you should never feed into them.

I just realized my kettle isn't turned on...oh for the love of *gives myself a facepalm in hopes that it manages to make my brain function better than it does and goes to put it on* and there we go, only a moment or two now. I'm surprised I even managed to arise to THIS occasion WITHOUT first gulping down a few mouthfuls of coffee...guess deep down I've been wanting to start my writing sessions again and today was the day my lazy arse decided to embark on this verbal adventure, whether I was fully awake or not! lol

Part of me wonders why I feel the need to be...well, read! All I know is that these days I've been so unbearably hormonal/emotional due to being preggers, and with my cell phone not being up due to the ever increasing financial demands I have, I NEED an outlet severely, otherwise I will mostly likely explode from all the thoughts I have stored away and no where to let them loose. Although this entry may seem like useless rambling...it's quite theraputic...feels good to be able to talk about whatever the fuck I'd like to without feeling that no one gives a damn or interruption *I'd like to mention here that not everyone has made me feel they could care less about my feelings/opinions...don't want anyone assuming that I lumpsum everyone into one big group of selfishness, that's SO not the case*.

I really couldn't tell you what this whole blog will be about...I just hope that with the creation of this blog, I'll have a chance for inner calm/peace in the dark recesses that is my brain matter, and that perhaps...I can reach out to people that I couldn't before...too soon to figure that out now, but hey, nothing wrong with being optimistic! ;D

Alright, time to embrace the pure awesomeness...that is...coffee made by me *so blessed picky! lol* Enjoy the day my loverlies, hope it treats you well! <3