To Be

The philosopher Aristotle believed there are three kinds of relationships, and only one brings true happiness.

There's a relationship of pleasure quickly summed up as sex-mates not fulfilling in the long run.

Then, the relationship of utility where partners use one another for beauty, money or status, which are also not fulfilling for the long haul.

The final type is the relationship of shared virtue. You understood each other and you want to help each other grow into your best possible selves.

Aristotle deemed these partners soul mates or "soul-nurturing mates." He believed being with someone who helped you grow into your best possible self was not only what long-term happily-ever-after love was all about, but also what a long-term happily-ever-after life was all about.

For this reason, you must recognize that it's appropriate for a love relationship to have some challenge within it to help you to grow.

Like Jack Nicholson's character in As Good As It Gets said: "You make me want to be a better man."

Are you and your partner in a relationship of shared virtue where the challenges can be wonderful growth opportunities?

Keep in mind a favorite quote from Leo Buscaglia, who said: "A great deterrent to love is found in anyone who fears change, for...growing, learning, experiencing is change. Change is inevitable."

-By Karen Salmansohn

Come Clean

At some point we all have to forgive the regrets.
When it comes, let it pass.
Let the first rain of the season wash away our past.
I know, I know that we can...

Come clean when lines get blurry.
Come clean when the down gets dirty.
Holding your breath...when you just wanna scream...
At some point we all have to... come clean.
------

You were a match and I was gasoline.
And I was sure you'd be the end of me.
....
This much I know is true...
Cuz from the deepest ocean blue,
to the fullest golden moon,
What am I to do with all this love for you?
From the stars up in the sky,
to the hummin railroad lines...
Will open all the time, my love for you.
-----

Ain't no need to define a reason or rhyme, I'm just gonna love you, like you love me: unconditionally.

I'm gonna love you, like you love me: unconditionally.
Like family, like coming home.
Like forever no matter where you go.
I just wanna love you.
So I'm gonna love you, like you love me: unconditionally.
-----

So....

Gotta be careful just what you give, you never know what you'll get.
Who knows, maybe the best hasn't happened yet.

Some days I still feel the same and my love it still remains.
Wish I could start a fire in the pouring rain.
-----

And the thing I feel
Is just a comic thing
But I've never loved the way I loved you
And I don't think my heart has ever been so true
'Cause I just can't seem to shake wake break it or quit you.
------

You should listen to your heart.
It's going to tell you what you need.
Take care of yourself.
Don't you worry about me.

Clueless and concerned like Meg Ryan

Ok. So we all know who Meg Ryan is. America's sweetheart... Adorable "Shopgirl" Kathleen who is pen pals with anonymous "NY512" aka Tom Hanks. Or in another Tom & Meg movie, Sleepless in Seattle. Or my favorite - when Harry Met Sally.

Now... The better movie to relate my cluelessness to would be When Harry Met Sally. Which brings up the main theme of the movie of, "Can men and women just be friends?" Why? Well it's because just recently a close friend of mine has told me a good friend of mine whom I've always considered to be just a friend, may very well like me, thus bringing up another question, "Why does this seem to happen with my guy friend's and I?"

I've fallen into quite some nasty traps where great guy friend turns into want-to-be-boyfriend and things get awkward from there in.

I'm told my friendliness comes off more like flirting. I've been told I'm quite clueless to these happenings and occurrences.

I'm in an anxious state of mind because those few words from my friend has thrown me in a loop - I want to get as far away from this situation as possible.

I used to think I'm a good judge of character but now that I think of it, maybe I'm not.

How can I keep a friendship with a guy as platonic and non-romantic as possible?

I've heard in every girl-guy friendship you eventually have to come to this awkward point and decide between the both of you whether it will ever be more. This revelation is quite odd because I never saw the signs or ever thought there'd be a possibility. I'm not his type!!! All this time I've been trying to set him up with my one cute friend and thought our last hangout went swimmingly. They sat quite close and were bantering back and forth. It was very cute. The matchmaker in me was excited and full of glee.

Honestly, I am in a committed and loving relationship. I am most happy and secure with my lovely boyfriend of two years to ever even think of or have eyes for another man as a romantic interest.

Which makes me wonder am I seriously this dense or I need to draw up some more boundaries ASAP.

Sigh.

Summer here I come!

Summer officially begins today!!! My last final was on Thursday and today.. Will be full of things I haven't had a chance to do since school started. Yesterday I came home from work super tired. I had a bad day. Laid down on my bed, wrapped my blanket around me and slept for 8 hours. It was 1am when I woke up. Stomach was blaring sounds of hunger and I was thirsty. I noticed my phone had a few missed calls - bf bf coworker coworker best friend bf. wow. I guess I missed out on a great dinner last night. >_> I'm refreshed and no longer so bone achingly tired. As I write this I've been wke since 6am because I'm so refreshed. Did a little yoga this morning. Cleaned up the room finally and throwing stuff in boxes that I haven't use in ages. I need to learn how to downsize and sell some of my stuff.... With the start of summer I would like to go to the beach, see concerts, museums, and just enjoy the weather. Need to get back into shape since all my clothes are getting kinda tight. Also. Let's start deleting non-friends on FB. It's time to really clean out the closet.

Tough Luck

There are days when you feel like the world is crashing in all around you.
Everywhere you look, someone is staring back at you with an angry face.
Voices are shouting in your head that you'll never be good enough, smart enough, or strong enough to accomplish anything in life.

Well, what are we supposed to do?

Sit back, huddled with arms clasped tightly around knees, all disheartened and wallowing in sadness forever?

We have to listen to the inner strength within our souls that dare to say back, "No."

Feel the pulse of defiance, break out of being pigeon-holed,

Or labelled the Outsider with no real friends.

Some how you gotta fight back, defeat the monsters hiding in the closet by simply saying,

"You know? I know you're never going to go away, insecurities.
You're never going to believe in my dreams...
At least though... I believe in them. Especially, I believe in me."

"It may take me some time to get me where I want to be,
Some mistakes may be made here and there...

But that is how we learn. The hard way.

Out of the darkness, we leave with wisened eyes.

Out of the chaos,

Get back up, brush off, and resume the fight for life.

Win or lose there are lessons to be learned.

With blood, sweat, and tough luck, we'll get there.

Success, happiness, and love.

One Love

So when you gonna "realize?"
Given any chance,
Go now and tell the one you love what's in your heart!
Think: Only one love, one life.
Don't take this moment for granted;
Do what's right!

Happy Valentine's Day ...

Is what I'd like to say.

Simply.

That I love you,

And that my heart:

Is yours forever, babe.


Love, love, love,

Your vanilla Sea-Shell :)

Tales of Em Elisse.

Here it was again. That nagging feeling. That tug at my heart.

Em sat at her window seat, staring out the dewy pane of the AmTrak, thinking about the past 24 hours.

Laughter. Being held so close in those arms, but what was it that kept her back? What kept making her feel this way other than her own defenses and walls, that no matter how many times she lets them down for a crack, they come shooting back up by the slightest mishap.

She could tell she'd been quiet way too long after their talk.

He was sitting right beside her, still gripping her right hand as if he was her only anchor. The feeling of his warm fingers on hers, the faint throb of his increased heart rate, all signs pointed to the inevitable.

Not wanting to hear it, she decides to stay mute. Defiant is her face, and her stomach is grumbling in protest, but there was no way she would give up her stance now.