hills and valleys

Life isn't one easy straight road. It's got curves, hills, valleys, obstacles that challenge us and make us work harder. We can't always see those hills; sometimes we hit curves we're not expecting, but we have to take it all in stride. Those obstacles are there to teach us, to help us- even if we don't quite understand how or why. These hard times teach us to appreciate the better times, help us to not take things for granted.

I wouldn't know just how sweet this tastes now
No, if at first I did not go
The bitter times, the bitter places
I'll stay and learn the new battles
But, for now, we're here

We know that it won't be easy, but luckily we're not alone. We never have to face this life alone. When we take those around us and use their help we can make it through anything, we can be there for others as they are there for us. We just have to hold on together, stay as one and use each other and things will work out.

Say you're with me
There's gold ahead
There's golden dreams
And life's hills and valleys
Yeah, will you hold on with me?

good life

This could really be a good life, good life
Say, oh, got this feeling that you can't fight
Like this city is on fire tonight
This could really be a good life.

This life is amazing. Maybe it's not always easy, but it is good. So many good things happen that we often forget about, that we take for granted. If we just took like 5 seconds to take a step back and look at how great we really have it, I think we'd all be a little amazed. I know I do it a lot, it's easy to get caught up in the stresses of school, work and whatever else we do, but there are so many amazing things out there. So many things that we need to learn how to appreciate more, so many amazing things around us.

the end where I begin

one thing ends, one thing begins. This life is a constant chain of successes and mistakes, joy and pain, beginnings and endings. Things have to end before something new and better can begin. We have to change and grow or we'll never learn all we can be. Sometimes it hurts, sometimes we don't want to forget the past, but looking back blinds us to possibilities. Remembering and looking back are different. We can remember all we learned or how an experience helped us, but looking back carries heavier consequences. We can't live in the past; we can't look back longingly wishing to be back at that time. Everyday is a new beginning, a new chance to learn.

"Now I'm alive
and my ghosts are gone
I've shed all the pain
I've been holding on
The cure for a heart
Is to move along, is to move along
So move along"

We all have the ability to liberate ourselves from the past, from what holds us back. All we have to do is move along and begin again. All we have to do is look forward. Look forward and find joy in the new adventures waiting for us.

just in time

timing is everything. We may not understand the timing of everything, but we have to make decisions regardless. We can't just think time will make the decision for us, it may not turn out as we planned, but at least we can say the decision was ours. Take control of your own life, take the reins and live the life you want to live. Who knows the opportunities you could miss if you wait too long. Make your decisions and own them, don't hesitate because things might not work out. Whatever happens, happens.

testing the strong ones

The hardest part was letting go

It's hard to think about the things you've put so much time into and realize it's the end. It's time to let go. Letting go means that you're done, you've begun to understand the futility of trying to catch whatever it is you're chasing. No one likes giving up, no one likes to admit they've been in the wrong, it's human nature to want to be right. Letting go undercuts all of that because you're acknowledging your mistakes and admitting defeat. That's why letting go takes courage, strength, and determination. It's easy to say you just won't think about something, but it doesn't become reality until you consciously decide to set yourself free. You don't need to think this means life is ending. When you've lived with something for so long it's hard to think that it may not be there any more, that there's a part of your life you won't have anymore. It's at times like this when you learn who you are, what you're made of. We're all capable of doing amazing things, you just have to believe in yourself. It's the good ones who come under fire, the strong ones who get tested. We didn't come here to waltz through life with no challenges. It may be hard, but take life as it comes, show the world that you know who you are.

Its testing the strong ones
Scarring the beautiful ones
It's holding the loved ones
One last time

what do i know of holy

it's easy to get into autopilot when our lives are going well, but it's at those times when we need to remember the most why it's going well. It's not out of our own good luck or skill, it's because we're not alone. Because we've been blessed with a network of friends and family ultimately backed up by the Lord Jesus Christ. We don't always know or understand how He affects our lives, but He is always there.

What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of wounds that will heal my shame,
And a God who gave life its name?
What do I know of Holy,
Of the One who the angels praise?
All creation knows your name
On earth and heaven above.
What do I know of this love?

It's amazing how much our lives depend on those around us, and it's ok if we don't always understand it. The only thing we need to understand is that there is a God above who loves us and is always there when we need help.

all i wanted

When you look at it, we really only want simple things. We want someone to hold, someone to turn to, someone who understands us. Too often we complicate life and make mountains out of molehills. We could learn a lot of we just sat and watched a child for a few hours. They know what they want and they don't complicate it with over-analysis or second guesses.

I could follow you to the beginning
Just to relive the start
Maybe then we'd remember to slow down
At all of our favorite parts.

If we look back at all that we've experienced in life, there are always good things. We learn from everything and in the end, we get what we want. It might not be exactly how we envisioned, but we get what we put in. Take some time to sit back, remember those times, and simplify. Remember the simple things. Remember how it feels to just smile for no apparent reason, or to go frolic in the rain. Remember what it feels like to let your heart be open and not guarded. Remember your favorite parts.