I Just HAD to do this... My Version of "Royals"

When we were teenagers living in the midst of nowhere, my friends and I used to write our own songs. We were the "Weird Al's" of the South, for sure!
This song was far too tempting to ignore.
This is my rendition of
ROYALS:


I've seen so many diamonds in the flesh
I cut my teeth on men who swore they meant it...

And I'm not sure of my address
Goin' town to town...What post code is this?

But every day's like Write this, sing that, pack another suitcase
tweet it, edit, don't forget the train case.
We don't care. We're flying private planes in the sky.

But everybody's like sound check , backup, watch over the soundboard

Find the right shade, dont forget to contour.
We don't care...Not everybody can take a dare.

And we'll never be sorry
We've come too far with this
Not giving up on finding bliss

And making sure we never miss

You can call me crazy

You can call me home free
And baby I'll live (I'll live...I'll live...I'll live)

You can never hinder me.

My friends and I, we keep it real

We don't pretend to live a life

of mediocrity.

And everyone who knows us knows that we roll with it

we live our lives and mean it.

But every day's like Write this, sing that, pack another suitcase
tweet it, edit, don't forget the train case.
We don't care. We're flying private planes in the sky.

But everybody's like sound check , backup, watch over the soundboard

Find the right shade, dont forget to contour.
We don't care...Not everybody can take a dare.

And we'll never be sorry
We've come too far with this
Not giving up on finding bliss

And making sure we never miss

You can call me crazy

You can call me home free
And baby I'll live (I'll live...I'll live...I'll live)

You can never hinder me.

That Which She Craves.

Once again, words circulate throughout my entire being. They flood my mind and situate themselves into the appropriate corners, nestling deep within a world that is without limitations. 

Forever and a day ago, I felt them befriend my world. Ideas began becoming a reality in my own life and dreams began coming true. Watching a life so surreal unfold, until the bar was raised, once more. 

Now, my mind is craving this life, once again. More adventures. More stories to tell. More details without limitation. More fuel for creativity and new environments in which to create, within.

The life of a writer is such a sweet thing.

We get to live life twice. 

This Is My Atmosphere

This is my atmosphere.

Lack of integrity, class, and character, is not welcome here.

Integrity – 1. adherence to principles;honesty

2.The quality of being unimpaired; soundness

3. Unity; Wholeness

Class – 1. Principled uprightness of character; personal integrity.

2. To hold in respect; esteem.

3. To show respect for.

Character - The mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual.

As a general rule, love does conquer all. It takes a big person to truly love and be kind to other human beings, whether they be “up to par” or not. When I look at another human being, I search for light. For goodness. For compassion. In other words, I search for integrity and class. Honor and graciousness. An individual who knows exactly who they are, without feeling the need to use others' misfortunes as a way to earn value, respect, or gain laughs.

I once had the misfortune of being exposed to a very condescending, negative, judgmental, individual. This person found humor in the unfortunate things in life. They relished in the idea that whatever happened, they could always trump another person's status or personality, with a negative comment regarding said person.

In retrospect, I realized that this individual had no real identity of his/her own. This is why the only things of interest to speak about seemed to always be at the expense and degradation of others. Had they truly been acquainted with character and class, conversations would have never even touched upon the negative. But rather, things of good report, funny stories about the ins and outs of everyday life, and other topics of interest that had nothing to do with climbing up to the tallest branch in order to toss criticisms or crass jokes upon the heads of other people.

When I hear a conversation revolving around such things, I instantly detect that lack of depth. I detect fear. Fear of exposing the truth. Fear of being who they truly are...because they do not wish to be spoken of as they speak of others. Why not beat another to the punch?

You see, I find this sad.

Sad for such individuals who lack life. Who feel so small. Who never learned what it feels like to have honor, love, and respect for human life. Including their own. When one must resort to casting negative attention away from themselves, this is an indication that this individual has no clue who they truly are. They are not grounded, nor rooted in any particular way. Not established. They will fall for anything, because they stand for nothing.

I refer to these individuals as “social chameleons”

They will bend to fit whomever they are around. They will say what they think you wish to hear. They are not consistent. Whenever you find inconsistencies within anthers' personality, chances are, they are not yet stable.

I am now happy to say that I am free from the individual I had spent some time with in my past. The person who plagued my atmosphere with dark clouds, with animosity and negativity.

I do still occasionally run into this personality type. I find myself searching the person over, wondering what caused them to stop developing their own truths, love, and paths. But instead, use the truths' of others' as conversation topics...as jokes. Mock consideration and graciousness. Watch them fumble down a path that was not paved by them, but rather, paved in fear of being rejected. This path is subject to change at any given moment, depending upon present company.

These are the people who will only hinder personal growth and cause great amounts of discomfort to those around them. Their friends consist of people much like them. People who do not have their own sense of who they are. Or people who are afraid to be who they are in the presence of such a person, for fear of being mocked or made fun of.

Sadly, these personality types go through life having very few “true friends”. How can one have “true friends” when they themselves, are not “true”?

I encourage anyone reading this to embrace the humanity within. To love, to laugh, and to be who you are. The person you feel like, inside.

That little voice that is truthful to you?
Honor that voice.

The freedom that dwells inside of your soul?
Surrender to it.

That fear you feel to be who you ARE?

Destroy it.

We are given this one life. A beautiful and precious life that can be filled with excietment, laughter, love, and real happiness.

Embrace that chance. Live the life you have been given and never worry about being liked by everyone. If everyone likes you, you are doing something VERY WRONG.

***LOVE TO ALL***

Because It Always Is, And Always Has Been.

I awakened this morning at 5:47A.M. I delight in mornings. Especially before the world begins to stir and become aware of the things I observe from my balcony. This morning, the air was crisp, with a bit of nip within. And for the first time in a very long time, I welcomed it. I believe this is the first year I have ever been happy to say goodbye to summer, regardless of the many sundresses I acquired this year. You see, when I began to transfer my winter clothing to my summer clothing (better known as "Closet Swap Showdown!"), I realized just how much my tastes have changed. I disliked most of the pieces I attempted to hang. So over the summer, I revamped the wardrobe. Gave away bags and bags of clothing and repurchased things I would be comfortable wearing. Classic pieces.

I have always said, "Dress for the life you want...", and that is exactly what I have decided to do.

The life I want is quite detailed. And would likely be somewhat surprising to most, if told. As I look back at my former self, I understand. I can detect most events that prepared me for this lifestyle. The things that strengthened me. Taught me to fight while on the ground until I grew muscles I never thought were possible to have. Each event led me to the next phase in my journey. Prepared me for what was to come. 

I understand that this is all very cryptic, but learned a very long time ago to never show my hand, prematurely. I can only say that another big move is on the horizon, and this time, I'm a bit nervous, which is odd, because I was never nervous about New York. New York has never been a city that intimidated me. By day 3, I was riding the subway by myself to meet up with my friend Nick. I honestly cannot think of another city more diverse, magical, and so full of diversions. (And let us not forget REALLY good food)

This move is different. But more about that later. I still have some loose ends to tie up. 

That, and I have not finished my first cup of Nantucket Blend, yet. The brain is still a bit hazy. :-)

I can only imagine what will transpire when I unpack my winter clothing. Hopefully, I will not have to replace that seasons wardrobe. Regardless, I am going to dress for the life I will have. 

I just reread this blog, and honestly cannot find much of a point to it. :-D

Maybe I am just a little excited about the life to come. Maybe I just wanted to share. 

Or maybe, I need a nap. 

I love you, you amazingly beautiful and crazy world.

Unwritten

From the very moment I awaken from slumber, my mind races. It is filled with words. They dance around and construct puzzles in my soul. Wisdom is gained, along with perspective. I think of others, and what makes them tick. I love. I wonder. I pray. There are times when the words surprise me. They reveal things I did not even realize existed in my mind. My thoughts exist in word form. There are always enough words.  

Lately, there have been questions that encircle my mind. My heart. My spirit. I ask God what the answers to these questions might be.

The unknown. 

There is a haunting beauty in the unknown. A thrill that maybe, just maybe, life will surprise you. We may never know all of the answers, but questions are easily obtained. Relish in those questions, for in those questions, you may find great hope and endless possibilities. Limitations vanish if you allow, and questions suddenly become irrelevant. The sky is the limit, my loves.
Never limit God.

The Surface Of Things

She awakened everyone, screaming out into the darkness. No one around her could extinguish such a sound. She screamed for what seemed like an eternity, but was really about five minutes, Her throat was raw and sore. Things seemed so unreal. She was looking at the apartment on Jekyll Island, but it appeared unlike any place she had ever been. She would later learn that it was the exact moment, only two states away, that her "poetic other half" was being taken back to the hospital. Taken back to be made "comfortable". And the next month, he was gone. 

I did not just write the above passage to depress. If I wanted to depress my readers, I would simply suggest they turn on their television sets and tune in to the news for about five minutes. Or perhaps instruct you to google divorce rates or mortgage foreclosures.

No. This was to serve another purpose. Instead of death, the passage is about life. Life and how one chooses to view it and live it.

I speak about breaking patterns. About changing games. About love. And this is why. After losing such a large part of myself: the person who encouraged me the be the individual I was. Who accepted me for "the all", and "the nothing", I brought to our table. Well, after that the world began to look drastically different. 

Why do we fight with one another more than "for" one another?
What is the deal with road rage?
You mean your soup is cold?! Perish the thought!
How dare that person say "this or that" about me!
That cannot be his/her new car?! How could they possibly afford it?
Did you see what she was wearing?
Let's go get drunk and forget this moment in time, altogether. 

We rush time. We look "forward" to things, without looking at our feet as we tread on the path beneath. 

Suddenly, arguments seemed petty and pointless. It makes more sense to stay calm and love the ones around you, despite what they may say or do to temporarily offend. After all, love knows no offense. 

Granted, I still have to wrestle with this one pattern on occasion. If someone pushes my heart a bit too hard, I may say something I immediately wish to take back and swallow hard. Thus, the point. How can one stay angry or hold grudges when so many tragedies plague this world. We should take the offender by the hand and love them more. We should forgive before they even ask for it. 

I am not suggesting door mat status, here...but have some grace. Be the bigger person. Take the highest road.

I say it is a pattern I wish to break, and I am. Each day, I learn to refrain, more and more. I see people for who they are and the weaknesses within them. We all have weaknesses. Some merely allow those weaknesses to overtake their life. Drive them into places stagnate and painful. If you can, try to pull them out, but if they begin to pull you in, let go. 

It sounds harsh, I know....But how could you ever save another, if you were pulled in, too?

Kind of like on an airplane when they instruct you to take the oxygen before you give it to your child. It sounds horrible, but you are unable to care for your child if you do not first care for yourself. 

My mission in life is to spread peace, joy, and love. I sound like the biggest hippie ever, but this is the truth. I could not live a life full of animosity or bitterness, spreading toxins and taking up God's earth with negativity. How sad must he be when I falter? He knows how important it is to me, to not. 

Fortunately, and unfortunately, I cannot stay angry. Not for very long. Whenever I look at someone, I catch glimpses of their inner child. The little boy or girl within, trying their hardest to be accepted or to live life happily. Sometimes, I see this inner child struggle. Sometimes laugh. Sometimes dance. 

So riddle me this....

How can one stay angry or bitter at such fragile and precious hearts?

We are all in this together. It makes no sense NOT to break the pattern of animosity, and just forgive.

Excelsior...Ever Upward.

Today.

I watched as patterns changed. I felt my heart grow stronger and larger than life. 

I have realized something. Something beautiful. Something obvious. Something that can be both a blessing, and a curse. 

I am a game changer.  a newly introduced element or factor that changes an existing situation or activity in a significant way. I have unknowingly been this person for the duration of my life. Sometimes, I shift a situation so that nobody gets hurt. I take things down a few notches. Distract from negativity while pointing to the positive...or my favorite, say whatever I feel, and not pretend to be someone I am not. I change atmospheres and laugh with my entire being. I am authentic. I am not pretending to be anyone but who I am....

And it scares people, sometimes. My close friend Jonathan once said, "Nothing scares a man more than a woman who knows who she is, and what she wants. Then goes after it. Most men are too intimidated or afraid of such a powerful woman". 

Game changers are funny little creatures. 

We know we are destined to be heard. We have an entitlement to love, and speak the truth within that love. The ending never seems to matter. It is the journey, that does. The nectar that is drawn from each experience. Watching as worlds collide and words dance into new ways of life and love. As lives change. As hearts grow. As the truth begins to dance within the light, and the darkness fades into nothing....A nothing so bright that it cannot exist.

LIFE:

Each day is a new chance to change everything...for the better. You see, your entire life can change in just one day...one minute.

So you'd better seize it, cut losses, burn bridges, hug friends tight, love with all your might, and never let bitterness inside of your heart. Bitterness can corrupt even the most beautiful of atmospheres. 

I am not perfect. I have never claimed to be anything but who I am. But ya know, just knowing that there are quirky, eccentric, and messy pieces making up who I am, brings a smile to my face. I am Adrienne. I love those pieces of me, even those that are a mystery, even to myself. Because when I am living life, I truly live with my entire being. I hold nothing back and take nothing for granted.

My words are my truth. 

My existence is proof. 

Some, will never understand this crazy little dance, but I would wager my entire worth, that there is at least a small part of you who would, if you simply opened up your mouth and let "you" flow through. Embrace your beauty and your flaws, and love them. Love yourself for every messy mistake and screw up you have ever made, because that is what has made you a miracle. 

There is no such thing as perfection, but perfection can be found in many imperfect things. The beauty of truth surpasses all...and our brokenness is what brings us to our knees, and to who we are. 

Embrace every little tiny fragment of that "you". 

Never throw away something so valuable. 

Be a game changer...

Excelsior. :-)