"Here Today, Aragon Tomorrow"

I paint my nails every night, 1 base coat, 2 coats of opaque color, 1 top coat. I don't miss days, I don't skimp on base, and top coat quality. I like stability, rinse and repeat helps me relax, habits form, I take deep breaths. It's not about speed, fast drying, peel off, I will wait. I love to line the jars of varnish. I live for small quilted squares of cotton, and pink extra strength remover. I inhale for the slight smell of chemical solution. Turn the squares in 4 circles on each nail bed. I paint in slow streaks. I concentrate on each tiny flat surface, each line matching to the next, each cuticle bed a light pink, each tip painted smooth. In that space nothing else matters. I don't think about work, or money, or what might happen next. I breathe in and breathe out. In total it's 20 minutes of painting until I sit silently, very still, a clean slate. I'm a perfectionist, perfect circle, perfect lines, perfect smooth shiny surfaces. For the next hour it's a delicate balance, a conscious decision not to dent the surface. Keep the peace, meditation, silent still forced moments, all for the cause, 24 hours of slick half moons. It's all about the repeat, the promise of a new color tomorrow, another pause in time.  

Lesson #54: Form peace in still moments.

Change of Plans

"The world makes way for the man who knows where he is going."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

This may sound completely ridiculous, but I've never been a big time goal setter. I've never had to make big plans to achieve my dreams. It's not that everything has been handed to me, but I can't say I've been reaching for something outlandish. Of course I've had struggles to overcome, I've wanted and worked hard for what I have, but my goals have always been in line with what was already on its way to me. There is nothing wrong with this theory until you start looking for more. So here I am in a rut. This deep abyss that seems to some days swallow me whole, and still keep eating. Where once obstacles existed, I am no longer crippled. Today there is no reason not to set a goal for what I want. There is literally, nothing in my way. I have no excuse to sit here wanting. I am aware that the first step is monumental, that moving backward is not an option. First steps can be daunting, but this is a Zig Ziggler kind of plan. Goals don't go unrewarded.

Lesson #53: Take the first step 

Freedom of Speech

People with blogs aren't mute. The thing is I'm not here to make a political statement. I'm not interested in the opinion of the naysayer. I am not the caged bird. This was easier at blog 3. I'm pretty sure I won't become the next social prophet with nothing to say. What if my life isn't so profound. Everyday turns like the last. My change comes from mindful revolution. The task of fighting the resistance, my greatest feat. I am in the evolution to a better person. Evolution to have open, equal discussion. The evolution of listening more, holding till I've thought about the option of change. Evolution of spirit to move in the right direction. Be like the salmon in the stream. I didn't start a blog and make it this far because I thought sharing my inner most thoughts would be a piece of cake. I didn't get here on reckless abandon, late nights and worry aren't fools gold. We all choose to invest in something, make a conscious decision to buck the system, even if that means following the flow of a new current. This is a new day, this is the start of something good.

Lesson #52: Start over

Renew

"Right now we are standing at a massive point of rebirth"

-Lars Ulrich

Nothing like going out of town to muster your inner strength. Time away, is all I need to busy my mind on something else. It seems like answers unearth themselves when you're not paying attention. Being busy makes everything less complicated. Sometimes I dream about moving to a whole new town, making a new start, beginning again. This may sound crazy, but I love to throw myself into work. I believe we were made to push ourselves past the limit. We were designed to to go the distance. Comfort Zones make us boring people. If you can't dive into new project, if you can't create, you become complacent. The death of love at the hands of comfort.

Lesson #51: You can always do something

The Tale of 2 Tynani

I wouldn't change a thing. Our story is totally unconventional. In total there were 10. We all came together from six degrees of separation. If you'd peeked in the window you'd have envied our imagination. Our laughter filled the room, our jokes were better than ever. We came together strangers at best, and left that room friends at least. A new year, high on a fresh start. The moral of the story is ten fold. Every once in a while you take a look at the moments in life, and you decide to make a decision. So when in doubt, do what we did. Attend your audition. Take big, calculated risks. Realize sometimes, sleep and practice is all you need. Think outside of the box. Embrace the idea that high fives never go out of style. Don't underestimate the weight of a gesture. When in doubt consult Marcel Marceau. Always have a theme song. Make food and dogs are the common denominator. Open the door.

Lesson #50: You never know what can happen.