Exploration

The idea of exploration can mean many things.  Sometimes we attempt to explore something new.  I tend to think of famous explorers such as Marco Polo or Christopher Columbus.  They were interested in exploring new lands and learning new things, while educating themselves.  When we travel, we explore as well.  Have you ever come across a cave or a dark basement that you're scared to go into, but yet feel compelled to explore it further?  We all have that inner curiosity that makes us yearn to explore and discover something new.

Besides exploring land, we can further explore ourselves.  In order to achieve and attempt to accomplish goals,we need to explore our inner soul.  When we know what our strengths and weaknesses are, we can then accomplish what we need to do in order to follow the correct path to our future dreams.  "Discovery is the road to exploration and exploration is the road to discovery." When we journey on a road on our own quest to explore, we never know what we will discover.  Ask yourself, is the unknown a worthy cause for our own discovery and exploration of life?

Does Forgiveness Cleanse Our Soul?

Recently, a friend of mine asked me to write a blog on forgiveness.  At first, I thought how am I going to accomplish this when I could not really think of what to write exactly based on this topic.  I thought about this topic for a few days until I finally understood what the idea of "forgiveness" meant.

 If you were to look up in a dictionary the word forgive you would see,

"stop feeling angry or resentful toward (someone) for an offense, flaw, or mistake."  It is an easy word to define.  However, is it an easy task to do?  A child as young as three years old may say, "I'm sorry."  A parent or a friend may say, "I forgive you."  However some crimes may be unforgivable.  Should a murderer be forgiven?  If someone took advantage of you and stole your money, should they be forgiven?  How much  do we allow ourselves to accept forgiveness?  "I forgive you," are three words that are not always so easy to say.  Sometimes, a friend might do something offensive to you, but time heals all wounds.  If you choose to live in a world of hatred and contempt, are you living the jovial life that you deserve?  If we don't forgive our friends, we may not have anyone to turn to and might live our life isolated from the outside world.  When you forgive someone, does it help you to relieve some tension and feel blithely again.  As a dear man once said,"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

Martin Luther King, Jr.

If you decide to hold a grudge for the rest of your life will you truly feel at peace and be happy with your decision to hold on to your hate?   Mahatma Gandhi once said," The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong."

Personally, I believe forgiveness is a difficult task to accomplish.  It all depends on the person's misdemeanor.  If a person did something that is horrific and indefensible, then forgiveness may be unfeasible.  If you choose to, you can try to rise above it and attempt to forgive.  However, never forget what was done so that you can never feel staggered by that person's actions again.  A wise man once said, "Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names."  John F. Kennedy

 

What is Fear?

If  you were to look up the word fear it would be defined as,"an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat."  So I ask you, what is fear?  Fear may mean to you failing a test.  Fear may symbolize an animal that always gets you to panic when you think of it.  For example, the fear of spiders is known as arachnophobia.  Some people are afraid of planes and go into a hysteria filled with trepidation whenever they are on a plane.  People worry about their family and fear for them when they are not well. 
However, sometimes, people welcome fear with open arms.  How many of you love to open up a good Stephen King novel and read it at night?  Sometimes we choose to watch a scary movie in order to get a good thrill.  I, personally think it is exciting to watch it at night. 

 

If the idea of fear is associated with an unpleasant emotion, then why do we welcome it in our home; on our television and our novels.   I guess as long as we use fear as a fictitious fun escape with the sole purpose of entertaining ourselves, then we can see fear as a unearthly fantasy.  As FDR said, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

ANGER!!!

Anger is an enthralling emotion.  People express their anger in various ways.  Some people tend to be silent while others isolate themselves from the rest of the world.  Some people express their anger by venting with family members or friends about the situation.  There are some people that show anger by screaming while slamming their fist through a wall.

Anger is an emotion that everyone exhibits.  If you take a step back and observe someone, you may get to learn much about their personality.  I remember my mom's friend once became very upset once.  He wasn't feeling well and became really agitated that he took his umbrella and threw it.  Some people resort to acts of violence when their inner soul encompasses angry thoughts.  Others do not know how to release their anger and may slip into a deep dark depression that they cannot escape.. Unfortunately, some people turn to alcohol or drugs in order to bypass their angry thoughts.

Anger is a unique emotion that all people display. Do you seclude yourself from the rest of the world?  Are you the type of person to call who ever you know in order to express what is bothering you?  Lastly, do you have rage black-outs as your temper escalates toward a point of no return?  The next time you're angry, stop and analyze yourself.  Observe your very own manifestation of this particular emotion.

Reinventing Yourself

Is it a challenge to reinvent yourself?

If you read my blog, you know that I am in the process of reinventing myself.   This is definitely not an easy task to do.  During the day, I teach.  However, in my spare time, I write.  The problem I face is that I write.  The problem I face is that I write about topics that could be considered controversial dealing with education.  Friends of mine that read my book, Ignition: An Educator's Journey said that I should keep my mouth shut as to whom I am.  I write under my pseudo name, Michelle Arrose.  Thus, I keep my writing private in the dark.  Therefore, reinventing myself and expanding my dreams to the media is a harsh task for me to accomplish.  I do love writing and aspirate to eventually expose myself and become a successful writer.

Welcoming Spring Sunshine!

As I anxiously awaited for the sun to come out and join me and waited for the cold to pass, I planned some ideas I can do in the warmer weather.  Yesterday, the sun did join me and I was able to go with my family to a museum.  It was a very nice museum, educational and fun for all ages.  When we arrived there, I had to wait for family as they were running late.  I sat on the bench basking in the sun.  That was something I was unable to do for quite some time.  As she warmed my face, I took a breath of that fabulous spring air that left me relaxed and calm.  My heart felt warm and fuzzy as I embraced my first real spring outing.

Thumbs down AMC LOEWS

Recently, I had one of the worst experiences of my life at a Loews movie theater.  I hardly ever go to the movies as I don't have the time.  However, recently I was finally able to get out a bit and went to go see American Sniper.  When we purchased our tickets, the cashier informed us to choose our seats.  Choose our seats? I was confused.  She showed me the lay out of the theater and showed me which seats were still available.  I felt as though I was inTimes Square, Manhattan purchasing tickets to a Broadway Show.  Unfortunately, the only seats that were available was the first row.  Reluctantly, we purchased the tickets.  When we sat down, I started to regret our decision.  Before the movie started, a woman got up next to me and told me that she has to relinquish her seat as she could not take it anymore.  As we watched the movie, I felt a little too close and I felt I was part of the movie.  Since the main character was mostly fighting in Iraq, I didn't want to be that close and become part of that scene.  I was a trooper and made it through that exhilarating movie, but came out very stiff.  I don't see why they had to create assigned seats.  Thumbs down, Loews. I will not go back to that particular movie theater anytime soon.https://rfclipart.com/image/big/ed-46-b6/movie-theater-blue-hall-Download-Royalty-free-Vector-File-EPS-3699.jpg