What I have learned about love is that if you let it, it can outlast all of the misery that this world throws at you. Even under circumstances where I have felt utterly alone and hopeless, the mere thought of what I once had and will have again is all that's been needed to lift me back up. It is an everlasting life force.

I think my purpose is to offer support and help to those in need... to get them where they need to be... so that they too can help others in need... Maybe to let people know that we are all capable of doing good just for the sake of doing it. The last hint I received? I went to a local store to buy crayons and color pencils for my daughter for school. In line behind me was a young couple and their child, buying a loaf of bread and half a gallon of milk. I glanced over as they pulled out three dollar bills and some loose change. I asked if I could purchase their items, and was overwhelmed with happiness as I watched tears well up in the womans eyes. As I left the store, I looked back.... and saw the same man give a dollar to another man outside. Simple stuff like that. I also cry everytime I watch the news... I am probably one of the most empathetic people in America. It's pretty pathetic, really. Ha ha.

Most definitely self-control. I have very little patience and need to learn how to control my thoughts, actions and words... I have a tendency to put my foot in my mouth. It would be nice to have enough self-control to stop and think before I speak.

I would like to have met the living Jesus... and actually hear the word of God spoken aloud.

I have a hard time truly loving myself. I am sooooo far from what I long to be and my standards are otherworldy.

Not sure if I would call them Psychic experiences, but I've had many dreams in which some parts have later come true. I also feel as though I am being guided and protected, as many of the things I've experienced could have gone terribly wrong... should have gone terribly wrong... but I usually end up okay. I've dreamed many times about being consoled by friends and strangers because of my mothers death... and now she is battling cancer... Stuff like that.

I have a hard time with past, present and future. I want to ignore the past, but also take comfort in what I've overcome, knowing that it somehow made me me. I want to live in the present but I'm continuously trying to ready myself for what is yet to be based on what has already been. I also want to focus on my future goals but find that the present is holding me back and the past keeps repeating itself.

It would be unfair to credit one genre, artist or song to making the biggest impact in my life. It seems that every so often in my life my music interests change in accordance to my perception of who I am and of the world around me. The music I listened to as a pre-teen was vital to my emotional stability during my own hormonal imbalance. (Pearl Jam, Nirvanna, TLC, Salt N Peppa...) Then, wham! Teen-hood came, as did the emotional meltdowns. I simply could not have survived without Sublime, Tool, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Blink 182, Marilyn Manson and Rage Against the Machine. (Crazy combo!!!) During military life I preferred Nickleback, 3 Doors Down, Eminem, Alice Deejay and numerous others. Now I have completely done a 180. I currently listen to spiritually uplifting and Christian-based faith music. My favorites now are Casting Crowns, Brandon Heath, Toby Mac, and Sanctus Real. I'm sure in a few years my preference will change yet again as my life continues to grow in spiritual depth, but regardless, every song I have ever treasured has played a huge role in who I am today. So, I suppose that the music that has been especially important in my life has been everything that stirred up an emotional connection with me at any given time.

I'm already planning on it. In God's eternal kingdom!

If I take the meaning of the word looking and change it... or "create" a new meaning then I can "create" beauty every time I look. If I look at those around me, those closest to me, and those who are far away, those who are average every-day people, maybe I'll be able to see them for who they are. Every new person I meet is a new opportunity to see compassion, love, mercy, jealousy, rage, hurt and all that which is in our nature.... life! Look around and see it, it is everywhere and it is in everything and it sits patiently. waiting for someone to see.