Saturday, December 31, 2016

Love The Ones We're Blessed With

FIRST VERSE
She caught your eye freshman year chemistry class
Jordache jeans & shirt of her favorite hair metal band
She smiled at you and then you smiled right back
You never knew a smile could rock you like that
High school sweetheart survived the college years
College graduation she said yes and you were both in tears
Watching her walk the aisle in her dress and saying "I do"
You both teared up again knowing this love was true
Who knew that one smile could lead to her being your wife
And fill your heart with love throughout your lives

CHORUS
Life is sometimes filled with laughter and heart break
Some decisions work out and some end up as mistakes
And over time, some people will come and go in our lives
Some will become our inspiration and help us to thrive
It doesn't matter race or religion, named Gonzales or Smith
We should remember to love the one's we're blessed with

SECOND VERSE
You watched her born from her mother's womb
And Suddenly tears of joy filled the room
She'll grow up to be her daddy's little girl
And the center of your whole world 
One day it'll be time to give that baby away
But until then, she'll be the cause of your joy today
Every decision you make will impact her life
And you pray to God every day you'll raise her right
You'll experience milestones together that make you melt
And realize how good a true blessing in life felt

REPEAT CHORUS
Life is sometimes filled with laughter and heart break
Some decisions work out and some end up as mistakes
And over time, some people will come and go in our lives
Some will become our inspiration and help us to thrive
It doesn't matter race or religion, named Gonzales or Smith
We should remember to love the one's we're blessed with

FINAL VERSE
Mom was your source of morals and love
She even was the one who bought your first baseball glove
Now you're both older and experienced so much life
She helped out with the kids when you lost your wife
But now it seems as though mom is the one needing you
The Alzheimer's prognosis has been proven to be true
She's going to need your round the clock 24/7 care
And she'll be so blessed to have someone like you there
Even those moments she can't seem to recall your name
You'll see her smile and know she loves you just the same

REPEAT CHORUS
Life is sometimes filled with laughter and heart break
Some decisions work out and some end up as mistakes
And over time, some people will come and go in our lives
Some will become our inspiration and help us to thrive
It doesn't matter race or religion, named Gonzales or Smith
We should remember to love the one's we're blessed with

Life passes quickly before our very eyes
And we should love the one's we're blessed with

Thursday, December 29, 2016

There's Love In Her Smile

There's Love In Her Smile
By Chuck E

She's got a heart so big
Filled with kindness and love
She's the kind of woman
You spend all day thinking of
Some may see that kindness
As a weakness but I'd disagree
And I love the way she smiles
Every time she looks at me

There's a soul paved with gold
And a sweetness for miles
I love how she makes me feel
There's love in her smile

She gives me a warmth inside
And I miss her when we're apart
I want to spend my life with her
And always feel this in my heart
When my day is long and rough
I look at her and feel better
I love when we spend time together
And smelling her on my sweater

There's a soul paved with gold
And a sweetness for miles
I love how she makes me feel
There's love in her smile

I want to wake up beside her
And ask her all about her day
Be there for her when she's sick
Whether the sky is sunny or grey
That smile of hers is prettier
Than any famous work of art
And I hope I never am without it
It's forever in my heart

There's a soul paved with gold
A sweetness for miles
I love how she makes me feel
There's love in her smile

Saturday, November 19, 2016

Why Social Media Civility Means So Much To Me

People who follow me on social media may think I am simple...naive...ignorant...or... well I am sure many have differing opinions on me. The truth is, I am simply being me and the way I want to view life.

For years, I have coped with depression where I hoped to die but could never go through with it and anxiety that got so bad I had a bad instance with it while stationed in Germany. I have used multiple drugs and been to at least 4 different therapists/psychiatrists over the years. One day while using Xanax (and sometimes probably over using it too), my daughter asked me if I needed it and I wondered myself.

I started to slowly work on finding things that would help replace my need to medicate. I explored writing as at least two therapists encouraged me to do and it was a huge help. I tried massage therapy because my back issues after the Army could use it too and it helped.

You know what also helped: making friends on social media who were awesome and generous. I found Twitter especially to be a place where I could have fun with like-minded people and have pleasant and fun conversations with. I found people I could discuss wrestling with...discuss sports with (especially Syracuse)...and other topics that I could learn from or at least just enjoy the conversations. I also used social media to learn about blogging and I loved the idea of sharing my ideas and thoughts with people I liked and valued their opinions.

That was 2009-2010.

Fast forward to 2016 and I am still blessed to have some of the greatest friends I could ever meet that I likely never would have met if not for social media. I have been given opportunities and been able to help share stories and experiences of mine and others in the hopes we could help others. It's been my escape at times from reality & my chance to be a part of the lives of my friends.

However it seems more so now than ever, there is a growing amount of hostility and hatred permeating throughout social media. People are constantly attacking others over their differences and turning them into personal attacks instead of ideological differences. What was once my safe haven for sanity is not a breeding ground for bullying, trolling and all around rude treatment of others who may live or think differently than they do.

I will admit that when I joined, my tweets may not have been politically correct and I may have rubbed people the wrong way (and likely sometimes still do) but I try not to do so intentionally. I'd rather have a discussion over our differences in a respectful manner than offending someone. I am a believer in you live your life and I will live mine so long as nobody hurts anyone else.

I know life is not all rainbows and cute puppy dog gifs but why can't there be a middle ground of respect? Why must some incite fear and anger to get their point across when most times respect will progress your opinions in a manner some may find more acceptable? I used to love checking my Twitter feed to see what news was breaking or what kind of fun idea was being enjoyed. These days I log in and I find my patience thin with all the negativity and constant bickering and personal attacks over every possible thing.

I don't pretend to have the answer to the worlds problems and I don't know how to help make things more cordial but I sit it writing this wishing I did. Life is difficult enough and yet often times we choose to make it harder by spreading hatred into others lives instead of love, respect and tolerance.

WHY????

Why can't we just say, "I know you live differently than I do and that is not the life I choose but I respect your right to live that life." and simply go about living our lives the way we want? Why can't we get on Twitter and Facebook and realize that we are different and try to learn from each other and grow as people? Why must we label others with political or religious labels and deem someone who thinks differently a lesser person? Why does it seems so difficult to live in a free and civil society when we love touting our freedoms meanwhile shouting to take away the freedoms of those we disagree with? And why does every thing have to be a battle of political correctness, class warfare and entitlements?

It's odd as I write this to think back to the joy I once felt knowing how grateful I was for social media knowing these days sometimes I truly wonder if it is even worth it despite the great friends I have made. What was once my source of happiness and escape is becoming more and more a reason for me to contemplate whether I should continue to use it before my past issues completely take me over. I miss those days.

I hope one day we start making better personal choices and respect each other the way I truly believe God created us to do. He created us differently to learn from each other and experience life as much as we could and instead of embracing that we seem to be more content to live lives filled with rage over every small difference or issue that comes about. I feel sad for our society and fear where we are headed. I fear for our future and I'd give anything to show the power of love and respect when we can work together to understand our differences and respect each others lifestyles. I hope one day soon our true leaders in society will stand up and preach about love and acceptance instead of spreading hatred and negativity. There is room in our society for all of us to lice as we choose and respectfully allow others to live their lives as they choose.
I pray we find something soon. I will continue to try and share joy and spread love but I fear so many seem content with the lack of civility and want to continue this way. As a result, social media will continue to be a playground for those who wish to look to pick fights and instead of embracing each other, push more boundaries and push people to limits that are unnecessary and unproductive.
"If you judge people, you have no time to love them." Mother Theresa



Saturday, May 14, 2016

For The Love Of God


For the love of God
I love you as He wishes
For the love of God
I love you despite our differences

We only get this one chance 
One chance at this thing called life
I don't want to waste it
Surrounded by hatred, negativity and strife

I want to feel your love
And how good it feels to love you too
I want to go to Heaven one day
Knowing I experienced love honest and true

And when my time on Earth is through
As I face God at Heaven's gate
I can hug him with a smile
Believing I spread love as it was my fate

For the love of God
I love you no matter your sexuality, faith or race
For the love of God
Let us all set aside our differences and embrace