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There are quite a few scary things in this world, and it's very obvious that we aren't completely organized. We will always be learning new things, and sometimes we'll be learning them the hard way. This isn't just for you and me, but for everyone. For the entire United States. For the entire World.

Yes - life can be frustrating if it's not organized the way you want it to be, or if someone disagrees with you about something... but, when I find this frustration, I always have somewhere to put it when I think about how boring life would be if everything was organized perfectly and if everyone felt the same and looked the same and acted the same.

Admit it - life would be... dull. There would be nothing to organize, nothing to fight for or toward, and we would just be following the only life outline that we knew.

So, when someone wants to have a debate about something; when someone seems to have a frustrating opinion about something; or when you don't understand why things are the way that they are, just remember how different everyone is... and please be thankful for it... because I couldn't live in a world where there's nothing to fight for, and I'm pretty sure you couldn't either.

A.E.C.

_One thing I believe each of us have come to know all too well is how tough it can be to communicate with other drivers on the road.

Just yesterday, I found myself flashing my lights at a driver about four blocks away. The lights were so bright that I was sure he had his brights on. Instead of notifying me that his brights hadn't originally been on with a quick flash of the brights, he turned them all the way on for the next three blocks between us, as if to teach me a lesson for 'being so rude'.

It's unbelievably difficult to understand what's going on in the minds of others, especially while driving, so how do we keep ourselves from getting completely stressed out every time we hop in the car?

While driving on a good day, one person tailgating us for no reason or cutting us off can ruin the whole day - if we let it. This can cause a chain effect if we let it, and soon we find ourselves doing the exact thing to others. Hypocritical... I know. Either way, the important thing to focus on is that good deeds have the same effect. Letting someone in in traffic, getting over for someone who wants to pass you on the correct side (which is the left), or stopping to help someone who's trying to change their tire in the rain - these are all good things that can not only make ourselves like the world better - but others too!

Lets stop letting other people turn us into driving monsters for the day, and instead let it push us to help people out. (Because obviously that person must not be having the best day.)

A.E.C.

Yesterday I found myself putting together yet another list - this time of all of the goals I'd like to accomplish before 2012. I've made it a big goal to accomplish more than I did last year. What I didn't take note of is how much rushing yourself can make your accomplished goals somewhat void.

For example, cramming 19+ goals into 18 days is a little ridiculous if you ask me. Accomplishing goals shouldn't just be about proving to yourself (or others) that you can do something, it should be mainly about the experience; something to truly enjoy and to take in.

We've been competing with ourselves for sometime; always trying to break our own records, always pushing ourselves further and constantly asking ourselves why we aren't pushing harder. However, one of the many things I just recently learned in life is that, sometimes, you've got to give yourself a little break; push yourself, but allow yourself a little room so that you don't get completely burnt out, and so that you're able to enjoy what you're experiencing. Take in some of your greatest moments and accomplishments before pushing onto the next, and you'll see just how much more incredible life can really be.

Continue to push yourself, but remember to take a look up from whatever it is you're working on every once in a while. Our accomplishments and hard work should not go unnoticed, especially by ourselves. - You never know what you might miss.

We may be the most critical of our work, but we may also receive the most joy from it, and we should.

A.E.C.

All of us have experienced the feeling we get when someone has something we really want. When we want something bad enough, it can even seem as though nearly everyone has it. And when it comes to something that you don't have complete control over, it's nearly impossible to not be frustrated, or even heartbroken.

In all honesty, and after personal experience, I must state that focusing on other goals & previous accomplishments is what gets me through the moments of frustration. When we don't have complete control over a particular goal, focusing on other goals can not only distract from that frustration, but often cause that goal to come even closer, get you thinking about a different route... or possibly even change our mind about that goal completely.

So when you want something, but you're unable to go after it alone, or for any other particular reason, set that goal aside & think about all of the other things you'd like to accomplish. As silly as it sounds, some goals can be as complicated as homework assignments. Every now & then we need a breather.

A.E.C.

Last year was the year of change, but this year I've dubbed the year of patience. I'm learning to be patient with myself & those around me... and it's definitely not been the easiest experience.
In the past eight months, I've learned to be patient with myself & my thoughts on what I'm going to do with my life. In the past three months, I've learned to be patient with my closest love ones as they make transitions in their lives. And, this month, I've learned to be patient with the commute to Spokane, WA every morning for training at my new job.
Above all, I've begun to understand just how important patience is & how much of a toll it can take on your life if you're not careful. It can affect relationships, your health, your career, & so much more. We don't always need to be hasty; sometimes we just need to lay back & relax.
I suppose the moral to all this is that when we're very impatient, maybe we should think to ourselves, What am I in a hurry for? Is it worth all of this stress? And, if, on the off chance, it is worth all of the stress, perhaps we should ask ourselves if the stress is getting us anywhere.

A.E.C.

Quote of the week: "Patience is waiting. Not passively waiting. That is laziness. But to keep going when the going is hard and slow - that is patience." - Unknown

Someone once said, "Never expect love to be at it's best because if you do, you'll never learn to appreciate it's existence."
They were right. There will be moments when your relationship is easy & amazing, & there will be moments when things will take a little more effort. In the tough times, it's important to remember the amazing moments. It's also important to remember that things will be amazing once again if you both make that extra effort.
Start a new chapter. Start a new adventure, make goals together, travel somewhere, or learn something new together. Don't be bitter & try to not be frustrated or worried. Things can & they will get better. But the best thing of all? The more you work through together now, the closer you get... & sometimes you'll fall a little further.

A.E.C.
Blog Theme Song/Video: Remind Me, Brad Paisley & Carrie Underwood 
"Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies." - Aristotle

We've all burned bridges, lied, & hurt feelings, whether we've meant to or not. Some have asked for forgiveness, some have simply moved on, & others have made things worse...

Every now & then we'll catch ourselves in a memory, a great one, before everything in that friendship turned sour. Moments of laughter, clarity; moments where everything in the world seemed right... & we smile.

Whether we still dwell on those memories or wish we could have changed things, that all depends on the person, but every single one of us looks back on those moments... knowing that the good memories are what keep us going.

Betrayed or not, we've come to see that the great memories, not just the bad ones, have brought us to where we are today. And one day we realize that the people in those memories have also, in some shape or form, brought us to where we are today.

Today I want to thank every person who's ever helped shape my life, in good ways & in bad, because I've learned so much. Looking back, without each & every one of you, I'm not sure I would be in this moment. I'm truly the happiest I've ever been, & I owe it all to you.

Thank You,
A.E.C.

Today I found myself wondering about the opinions of others, & how people choose to express their personal thoughts on very serious issues.

Religion, race, sex, politics, & sexuality are just a few of the GIANT cans, full of worms, that people often bring up in conversation on a day to day basis. These topics are everywhere, & you will find that there are quite a few people who will voice their opinion, regardless of how it may make you feel.

Now, don't get me wrong, I am all for freedom of speech. I'm thankful for each blog that I'm allowed to post, & every single one of my readers. :) (You guys rock.) But, sometimes I wish that people would be more considerate of others when it comes to expressing that empowering freedom of speech.

With these issues bring death & hatred every day... wars, arguments, people being separated forever. - Why do we do this to each other? Why do people feel that we need to all share the same belief, the same look, or the same interest in partners? Why should we be treated differently when we're human too?

Let's face it, we're all different. Every one of us grew up under a different roof, with different parents & different beliefs. We were taught different things & different ways of life. We're all unique... & we're all trying to get through life together. So why stir the pot?

If we do our best to make life a little easier for those around us, it just might make life a little bit easier for everyone.

A.E.C.

We all see those posts on sites: "Find someone who..." A list of all of the things you should look for in your significant other. Whether this list is important to you or not, the question is always, ...How do I find this someone?

I wish I had the answer for you, but all I can say is that I found the man of my dreams by following my dreams, being myself, & facing my greatest fears.

When I least expected it, this wonderful guy swept me off of my feet. He likes me for me, & makes me feel like the most beautiful girl in the world. There's no pretending with him, no holding anything back because he knows exactly who I am. I've let him in, given him my whole heart... even at the risk of it being broken.

But the thing about risks is that they, more often than not, lead to amazing things. A goal book can lead to a website, a website can lead to more challenges & goals, & those goals can lead you to the best part of your life so far. - Aka: The Person of Your Dreams.

The moral to this story is to work on you first... find something that you've always wanted to do & do it. Start taking small risks & work your way up to bigger ones. Soon everything else will come with.

A.E.C.

Last night, I had a dream that brought me clear back to high school. In this dream, I was spending time with friends who didn't bother with drama. We were kids who just wanted to have fun. When we were mad at each other, we talked about it, got over it, and moved on - as friends.

I caught myself wishing that things were that simple today. Wishing we still had the movie nights, that no one held grudges, that our groups were still together. Although I love my life now, to no end, and although I do not wish to go back to high school, I was dreaming about that feeling. Dreaming about what it would be like if drama hadn't interrupted the world we had back then.

Waking from this dream, I remembered that there are those who, once they discover drama, thrive on it. And from there, there's no turning back... they're changed. Then, for another quick second I pictured the awkwardness of the inevitable 10 year reunion... And I laughed at myself.

Who will we be then? And, if the grudge still holds after 3 years, will it still be there after 10?

A.E.C.