Stages vs. Ages

???BUT ARE YOU ACTUALLY WORTH ANYTHING???

Some people can’t believe dating for so long and still no wedding ring?
No College degree?!
Unable to go on a random shopping spree?
No Luxury sedan!?
YOU clean your house? Why don’t you get someone else who can?…
Wait a second, you’re actually affected by gas prices?!
You can’t even afford your own personal vices…

???SO WHAT DO YOU DO AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE???

What have I done?
I’ve realized a man mans up and doesn’t run…
What do I do?
I test my patience while trying to hold a 10 minute conversation with people like you…

I’ve fallen down…
I’ve felt unwelcome in my own hometown.
I’ve been forced to swallow my pride.
I’ve shown every member in my family my face while I cried….
I’ve hit my all time low…
I’ve thought about where my life was going and I honestly didn’t know…

You see…

I used to walk around saying my favorite rhyme
"Wrong place, wrong time"…
Sometimes it is hard to accept blame…
It’s hard to realize innocence is simply a false claim.

But when you understand this….

It helps you understand you are where you are and you are who you are…
Realizing that Point A to Point B in Life isn’t always easy and may sometimes seem far…

To get from Point A to Point B….

You have to control your foolish pride and don’t throw a fit.
You have to appreciate anything you receive or you’re able to get…
And if you find yourself lucky enough to get a chance,
Then pull Life close and prepare for a slow dance…

STRUGGLING has become LIVING has become LEARNING has become FUN….

So what do I do and what have I done?
I’ve learned that life isn’t as certain as the midnight moon or the midday sun…

While reflecting I ask myself these questions…
Do you respect them, but want to get over your fears?
Have you been paying attention to life and learning to be wise beyond your years?
Do you ever judge the people around you?
Or receive advice that you already knew?
Do you feel content and confident in what you do and what you know?
Content and confident enough to take whatever life throws at you and still continue to grow?

You’ve heard "Life is what you make." Yet rarely hear "Life is what makes you."
In my mind, both are true.

There are a lot of measures to life

Here are some things I do to test if I’m actually growing up while getting older…
Don’t hold back emotions such as pain…Never be afraid to cry or to proud to look around for a shoulder…

Stop and ask yourself "Am I looking towards my future, eyes straight ahead?"
Or are you concerning yourself with the past wondering "What could I have done, did or said?"

*MOST IMPORTANTLY*
Question: Does your happiness calm down the majority of your inner madness?
Question: Does your happiness eventually overcome other feelings in your times of sadness?…

Remember… As Life moves forward,
Keep your eyes on what you’re moving toward…
But don’t forget to stop and look around…
Always make your voice more then a sound…
Know that nothing can brake you if to yourself you stay true.
Take every situation, good or bad, and learn as you find your way through…
Life is a forever long journey that might seem tiresome and far…
Chances are you will enjoy the once in a lifetime trip if you know where and who you are…