A Living Long Lost Letter

                                       

A series of events have led to the release of this letter.

To those of you that follow my scribing, you'll be fully aware that you can expect anything and predict nothing with every new post.

To those of you whom are new, hello. 

I have described myself as a poet.

Sometimes, a philosopher.

Begrudgingly, a preacher.

and...unwittingly, an analytical writer with a filthy sense of humor.

The Blue Bird, as you know me - is always full of advice and rhythmic power phrasing. 

Often, it's quite obvious that my subject matters play on personal experience. 

This doesn't differ to any other art. Most great works are created by means of innocence, experience, hardship, successes and failures. 

And those that don't - are unapologetically forgettable.

For this reason- it is understandable that you, my dear reader, may think that you know me.

To an extent, this is true. But, much like any other human being,what you think you know is quite superficial.

I have all the answers, I'm good at everything, I have a firm grasp on life and perspective, I work hard and I care about people.

These are all wonderful, fulfilling things to be associated with.

But realistically -  It flows a little more like this:

I have all the answers; because I never stop thinking. I'm good at everything, because I'd rather master everything then focus and commit to just one thing. I have a firm grasp on life and perspective but despite my efforts it rarely goes in the direction I would like it to. I work hard but often with no reward in the foreseeable future. I care about people -but sometimes, too much, and more than they ever will for me. 

I'm not a genius. I get it wrong, a lot.

Apparently, this is what being an "artist" is all about.

To have a beautiful mind, hear beautiful things, write beautiful words, create beautiful masterpieces and speak beautiful tones.

But all with a dash of pain.

Without the pain, there is no art.

Only empty creation.

Here is my letter.

To those of you who take the time to read,

When you feel your hidden heart begin to bleed,

Remember that this is the pain that you need,

To make something beautiful, and plant the seed. 

We have our skeleton secrets,

Buried in a grave that we consider the deepest,

They only devour us when we are at our weakest,

And blossom a masterpiece, wiping our souls to their cleanest.

I wish I could have written it better,

These are the words of a long lost living letter. 

The Twisted Truth about Honesty

Oh,  I know what you're thinking. 

"What a contradictory title, she must think she's really clever."

Fear not - readers, stalkers, ex boyfriends, ex boyfriends new girlfriends, friends, family, random followers, perverts, internet trollers; all of your assumptions and questions are here to be answered and elaborated. 

To begin, the title of this blog is not a contradiction, but rather a subject. 

The twisted truth about honesty. "You can't handle the truth", yet "honesty is the best policy". Through time we have been thrown opposing sentiments on how to best address such a temperamental action and reaction. Every religious chapter and verse preaches the importance of honesty and morality. Without getting too controversial, I think we can all safely agree that followers of all religions tend to slip up on that fundamental value more often than not. It's not just religion, it's culture, it's manners.

Or is it?

By definition, the truth symbolizes actuality. The state of a subject as is; without distortion or further outward interpretation of any kind. In other words, a fact. 

Honesty, differs. Honesty is often used as a verb to describe the action of being honest with ones self or a receiver of said honesty. 

Simple. 

So, why is it so hard for us to be entirely truthful and honest with each other?

A common misconception is "what they don't know will not hurt them." I can speak for most people when I say, what we don't know will hurt us. It is exactly that insecurity that surrounds the mystery of secrets and apparent dishonesty that diminishes most relationships, friendships, businesses and even ones relationship with themselves. 

Our excuse, to which most of us are guilty to at least once in our lives - is that we don't want to hurt anybody. And the truth can be hurtful. Yet we still demand honesty from those around us. 

Double edged sword. But, had we been truthful and honest from the get go - we could have avoided hurt all together. Alternatively, the truth might be frightening to tell - even if it has positive connotations. So basically, we are cowards.

Fear of reaction and consequence is the catalyst that can lead to twisting, embellishing, hiding and sugar coating truths - separating them from the now hidden fact they once started as. Unfortunately, this same action will almost always deliver an identical result with the only differential point being that it draws out the process longer. Ultimately, we end up hurting each other more by not being honest. With some truths - even positive ones, we may fall into a lingo of "never knowing", unknowing of which direction the reaction may go. Instead we choose  to live a lie in order protect our own feelings. 

 That makes us selfish. 

Before we all start brutally throwing home truths at each other, it's important to note that being truthful is not the same thing as being blunt, or for lack of a better word, mean. Painfully blunt individuals use truth based on their own opinion as a method of self promotion and as an otherwise diluted bullying tactic. Being honest is not about having an inherent superiority complex with the purpose of being belittling, patronizing or over all insensitive. 

That is why we have to pick our truths carefully. Not every situation is owed honesty or action. This is why honesty, when used correctly; is so valuable. 

Honesty is used when you are ready to be truthful with yourself and any other party involved. If it is not crucial to the wellbeing of the recipient that they know the truth, then leave it be. The truth you tell is not based on opinion, remember, it is actuality. It is exactly as is - without any twisting. Being upfront for whatever reason is a somewhat horrifying, nerve wracking difficult task. You do not know what you may lose or gain as a result. What you will almost always gain, is respect. A recipient will respect your courage to be honest with them as an indicator that you do care about them and their future. However negative or positive the news might be, it will inevitably be beneficial. You may not feel great after, or  alternatively you may feel wonderful, relieved even - but try to understand it's the best thing for you as well.

Always be honest. We aren't mind readers and people only like good surprises. Do not be afraid. You could make someones day or you could break someones day - but either way; you will make someones life happier, maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but one day. 

my last sentiment

"If you don't lie, you never have to remember anything."

and remember, if you love them, tell them.

Happier, Healthier, Heartier : The Truth About Getting Older

They always say you grow wiser with age - most of the time to lighten the blow of yet another passing year and maybe a few fresh wrinkles.

If you had asked me 10 years ago - at the tender age of 18, where I would be and what I would be doing on my 28th birthday it probably wouldn't nearly resemble the reality of what has just passed.

That isn't a negative sentiment. Things do not always go to plan and most of the time - with growth, our opinions of what we want out of life change. It's what we learn from experience, and if we don't learn; well - we haven't really lived.

So on the back of that thought - aging is not something to be afraid of rather than something to look forward to. It means we are, hopefully moving forward with ourselves and collecting stories that make up the chapters of our lives. We evolve and deal with problems in a more positive light, because without positivity we don't have anything. 

I can aptly say that I am the happiest and healthiest I have ever been - not without obstacles, hurt and tragedy to get me to this point. So maybe I have become more wise with age, learning to apply negativity to creating something positive and proactive. To no longer obsesses over things that cannot be, and to be fair and logical to those around me. To be mindful of my health. To know myself and be okay with it. A more interesting person than the girl from 10 years ago. 

That's my birthday message to you. Bring on the years and all the life, surprises and lessons they have to offer. They will make you a better person. 

Rose Tinted Glasses: How to live Romantically - Realistically.

Rose Tinted Glasses: How to live Romantically - Realistically. 

Romanticism and realism in one sentence - it sounds like one ridiculous contradiction. 

Romanticism isn't just something for  the people lucky enough to fall madly, deeply in love with each other- it is a concept of how to love life even with it's great obstacles, negativities and cynicism's. 

Ever listened to a Jack Johnson song? Suggest if you haven't got at least one on your itunes; take a trip over to youtube and find yourself one to listen to right after you read this. If that doesn't suit you; The Beatles - "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds", "Norwegian Wood", The La's "There she goes" or; if those still doesn't tickle your fancy - last but not least, early Frank Sinatra and Tommy Dorsey Orchestras "I'll be seeing you". But honestly, keep it simple. Jack Johnson has the answers.

Rose Tinted Glasses; a phrase pinned on the back of 1960s revolutionary hippie "lovalution". Mostly because people did in fact, literally wear rose tinted sunglasses. At the time, a cloud of drugs and free-love. Understandably, we can't exactly call a life of living in a complete "ignorance is bliss, make love man" state of mind - realistic. So, lets take the rose tint to a more practical, reasonable way of day-to-day functioning. Not to mention; attempting to recreate a bygone era - no matter how hard you try, is contrived. 

There are many reasons to look at this world with a cold, heavy exterior. And whether most people know it or not - most people do. We live in a time where relationships (love and otherwise) are considered commodities, breakable and replaceable. An entire generation of people who, add, approve, like other people based on an online appearance and presence - whether it be hand held, laptop or desk top. For every one person - there are twenty others to turn to in their absence. Loyalty is hard to find as there is a fine line between what is ethical and and what isn't. Work hours get longer, true - love becomes rare and being honest, open and kind is considered a weakness.

So really, what is there to be romantic about?

Well, you don't, we don't, have to be that way. Ever just think; "no"? "I refuse". "I will not lose the fundamental qualities that make me human - I will not devolve." 

When we wake up in the morning. Wake up, for one - remember how lucky we are just to be breathing. Then, instead of turning to your phone to check any one of your various social media feeds; call the first person you thought about when you woke up. Say good morning, tell them you were thinking of them. How will it hurt you? It won't. If you have someone in bed next to you - hold them, kiss them, make them breakfast. When you get to work everyday. Say hello to everyone. Smile, even on a bad day; life isn't that bad. When you walk down the street; look up, look around you. Notice things; take photographs with your mind. 

On the weekend; it's ok to miss a day at the gym. Spend that time with someone you care about. The gym is always going to be there. The people may not. Tell them everything you're thinking. Let your guard down, why do you need a shield? What are you protecting yourself from? Do not push good people away. 

Spend time outdoors; whenever you can. Connect with nature. As sexy and moody as it can be to be in a club. It's smoke and mirrors. You want to feel the clear light of day and what we were put on this earth to experience. Develop a relationship with the earth and you will respect it and appreciate it for everything is has to offer. Don't be pretentious about it. Take care of the earth and the earth will take care of you. 

Learn to live a lifestyle totally non reliant on anything. Realistically, money is required to live in this day and age. But do not let money dictate your worth, behavior or the people you attract. It could all be gone tomorrow. Do not spend time with people because of their clothes, looks or belongings. Spend time with people based on how they make you feel. Learn to feel again. It is hard to feel when we live in a culture that is hell-bent on creating technological distances between us. Take risks. They may not work; but you tried. It's better than playing it safe and never knowing. And hey, it's 50/50. It may work out perfectly. Nothing is impossible. You want your dream job? You want to make a difference to the world? You want to invent something? Why can't you do it...throughout history and present time people are doing those things; as I type. So do it. BE SPONTANEOUS. You want Love? Start living Love. 

There is no cookie-cut rule book, "how to" live life romantically. But it is quite simple. Simplify yourself. Find happiness, joy and warmth from attainable actions, emotions and people. Once you start doing that..you'll notice a rose tinted glaze over a world that yes, in many ways has been tainted - environmentally, politically and within humanity. But for all the negatives, there are small pockets of romance; and they are all within you.

"Peace and Love" starting with you. 

Bluebird is Back

The Bluebird is Back

It has been well over a year since my last entry - I offer you no explanation; but I will give you this.

I was a hatchling of twenty-six, sidetracking life and my own advice.

Now a bird, nearly twenty-eight, I have taken flight, not once - but twice.

Building a nest - it took some time,

Even when I knew it would never truly be mine.

My heart got broken and my mind a little bruised,

But in that process I learned more about love, and I was amused.

So I shed all of my feathers,

And here I am, ready to share with you through the good and the bad weather.