Great Things Aren't Free

I remember seeing a post that was circulating saying "the greatest things in life are free". I'd say the opposite. The greatest things in life are costly. They require time and effort. This stands true for friends, family, and romantic relationships. It also stands true for careers and any skills you can develop. So work hard for the people and things you care about. Pursue relationships and interests wholeheartedly. It may be taxing, but if it has meaning to you, it's worth every effort.
Even after you attain what you've pursued, it still takes commitment to maintain. This holds true for relationships, careers, or any skill based interest. Don't let these things slip through your fingertips. Continue to pursue what you love and care about, even when you already have it right in front of you.

Now and What Lies Ahead

We try too hard to live up to expectations that we haven't placed ourselves, to strive toward what's put over our heads. There is no gold standard. We're all different. Life isn't cookie cutter. We worry too much about timing and what others have deemed "practical". This life is anything but predictable. When some circumstance puts a twist in your plans, take it in stride. In these moments, we think too much about what "should be" or what's expected of us. But YOU set these expectations. Not someone else. Let's not be afraid to take risks that others wouldn't. Let's not be afraid to live passionately. Let's not be afraid to put our expectations for our lives above other people's expectations for our lives. After all, this is your life. There is no use in being miserable, thinking of "could-have-beens". This life is too short to live with regret. To live in the "now", doesn't mean to forget the future. Living in the "now" means to modify your future, to improve it. You had some idea of what your future may look like, but now the present has altered what that may look like. That's exciting, not a burden. Cease opportunities. Enjoy the unexpected. Cherish today.

Risk and reward

We're all just looking for clarity.  One day we think we have it all figured out, when suddenly all of our plans are swept out in one fell swoop.  The winds shift and now everything is foggy. Do you wait it out, hoping it will eventually clear? Or do you make headway with action and risk? Either way, nothing is certain.

Where are you headed?

There is a motive behind every person's actions. If the two are discordant, the person is being disingenuous. Either they aren't being honest with someone else or they aren't being honest with themselves.
Good intentions don't determine where they'll end up. Only direction can decide one's destination. This is why "I didn't mean to" is never a satisfying excuse. But someone without direction is to be pitied above the rest. Even a disingenuous, ill intentioned person will end up somewhere. But a person without direction will wander with no end in sight, no closure.
If your motives are lucid and well intended, and your actions resonate with them, your direction is already determined. You can bet that you're headed for what you've had your eyes on the whole time.

What keeps you up at night?

What keeps you up at night?

What are we looking for anyway?

What are we looking for anyway?

Just know...

I'm not sure if it's because I'm a little naive or simply full of hope, but I forget that people's intentions aren't always as pure and honest as I think they are. I forget that people don't care as much as I do. But you know, I need to learn that that's okay. Can I care too much? Can I love too deeply? No. I will do so even more in spite of these things. I'll care for you even when you don't care about me. I'll care for you even when you don't care for yourself. I'll love you even though you don't love me. I'll love you even when you don't love yourself.
I'm not afraid to be vulnerable. I'm not afraid to expose what's underneath because it's all the same. There is no facade. Because of this, any care and love for me, if ever reciprocated, is genuine. If it's never reciprocated, at least I'll still be me and not someone else. And at least you'll know I cared for and loved you anyway. Don't you forget that: you are cared for and loved.