You can take the girl out of the country...

I got a wild hair last week and decided to get out of Tulsa and head for the hills so to speak, for some R&R. I never realized how beautiful & serenely quiet southeastern Oklahoma is until this trip. I rented an awesome cabin in the woods, borrowed some fishing gear, packed some steaks and my ridiculous John Deere cowboy boots, and took off for a random weekend. It was the most relaxing, fun, "old people" weekend I have had in a long time. I came back completely rejuvenated as nerdy as that may sound. For me, the simplicity of just being out in the woods, by the lake, standing on the banks of the river & fishing, rocking on the porch of a cabin, hanging out fireside, playing cards, watching Lonesome Dove (cause what perfect country weekend would be complete without L.D. I ask you?) and just not being in any hurry whatsoever - no agenda, no stress, no drama - just enjoying God's creation & the peaceful quiet, was a wonderful idea.  I already have my next fishing trip planned and I can't wait!

To me a lush carpet of pine needles or spongy grass is more welcome than the most luxurious Persian rug.

- Helen Keller

Much love,
Brooklyn

Circles for Amber :)

Today I was lovingly reminded how everything we do comes full circle right back to us, in His perfect time. I love this song and yes, I do believe in circles...and so will you in time. This is one of my favorite songs by one of my favorite bands. They are right - life is one big circle - a circle of life, love, lessons, heartbreak, successes, failures, mistakes, pain, blessings, trials, tribulations, etc...we can't make the circles go away, but that is where our faith comes in. Always remember there is One whose love doesn't come in circles - His love never falters, is ever constant and the absolute definition of unconditional. By the way, this is a great song to turn up really loud in the car...windows down helps too. :) Love you girl!

Circles by No Justice

Somewhere far away where the sunlight shines in circles

Don’t you wanna be so deep in love

And be loved in return I think it comes around in circles

Magic is the minute of your day

When you look at me and smile

You know it happens every time

Sadness is the face that you put on

When I’m not around

Why can’t you think of me in circles

It goes around it comes around

It’s where you want it to be

Sometimes you’re lost sometimes you’re found

It’s an eternity why can’t we make the circles go away

We can’t make the circles go away

Now it’s time to say what you will say

For better or for worse you got to know it all by heart

And as you’re making up your mind

Remember what I said because I still believe in circles

Don’t you wanna fly along with me

somewhere far away where the sunlight shines in circles

It goes around it comes around

It’s where you want it to be

Sometimes you’re lost sometimes you’re found

It’s an eternity. We can’t make the circles, no we can’t make the circles

Why can’t we make the circles go away

Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.

I have always said that when I do something...I tend to do it all the way. Now I would NOT say I am a perfectionist, but rather, I am usually incapable of half-assing a task, a conversation, a relationship...whatever it may be. If I am passionate about something, it is hard for me not to give 110%. If I am reading a book I like, I can't wait to get home at the end of the day to read it and I usually will try to finish it as quickly as possible. I love planning dinner parties - from planning the menu, to preparing the food, to getting dressed for the party, to welcoming my friends into my home - I love every second of it and find so much joy in each of those steps, which to some may seem far too "Martha Stewart-ish" - but I soo enjoy it! When it comes to meeting new friends, I tend to play 20 questions almost immediately because I want to learn about someone - I want to know what makes them tick & start building a legitimate friendship rather than the all too common "acquaintance". My "question mode" is always in full force on vacations too - so much so, that some of my closest friends joke with me that they'll pay me $20 if I just stop asking questions for a few minutes. If I choose to start dating someone and my gut says "this could be a good fit", I will give all of myself pretty quickly because I figure, well whats the point of dating if you're not going to give your all? Don't you want someone to know the real you and appreciate you just as you are - with no false pretenses to have to weed through further on down the road? Well, the answer is yes - but that is MY answer. And all the previous examples I just cited - those are also just MY examples.

Take a minute and think about what makes you, well you. How would you describe yourself? Are you a talker or pretty quiet unless you really know someone? Are you a procrastinator or do you have a to-do list everyday that you have to complete before you can hit the pillow at night? Are you an introvert or extrovert? Are you a hot head or pretty slow to anger? Are you a musician or just really awesome at downloading mp3s? What are your priorities? What excites you? What makes you mad? Is it hard for you to admit when you are wrong? Are you selfish or maybe the opposite and altruistic to a fault?

I'm going somewhere with this - just stay with me for a bit. I think the narcissist in all of us makes us think our way is the best way, the normal and acceptable way to do something, way to think, teach, learn, drive, love, whatever it may be... and we tend to subconsciously project this onto others creating an unrealistic level of expectations with which we hold our imperfect and very human loved ones to. This is where conflict, fights, divorce, disrespect, mistrust, etc. stem from.

So my point is simple - to assume and/or expect others in your life and in this world to think, behave, react, love, work, worship, prioritize, dress, and give the same effort you give is wrong. That kind of expectation will only set you up for disappointment, frustration, anxiety and probably a few burned and irreparable bridges. No two people are exactly alike - you are the only you in this world just as I am the only me. Yes, we naturally tend to gravitate towards those who are similar to us in many areas, but even in your close groups of friends think of all the differences that lie between each of you. And what a beautiful gift God has given us in that respect - how boring would our world be if we all thought and behaved exactly alike? What lessons would we learn without conflict and resolution? How narrow minded would we remain without being exposed to different ways of behavior and thought? It is only through respect and appreciation of what makes each of us unique and different from each other, that we can let go of the negativity that comes with the "my way or the highway" type of mentality. Leave the judgment part up to the man upstairs.

"Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned, forgive, and ye shall be forgiven."  Luke 6:37

In Him,
Brooklyn

5 Rules For A Happy Life

1. It's important to have a woman who helps at home, who cooks from time to time, cleans up and has a good job.

2. It's important to have a woman who can make you laugh.

3. It's important to have a woman who you can trust and who doesn't lie to you.

4. It's important to have a woman who is good in bed and who likes to be with you.

5. It's very, very important that these four women do not know each other.


Sincerely,
Tiger Woods

Ha! I had to share - my good friend Chuck sent me that today and I got a good laugh. Happy New Year friends!! I wonder...could it be possible that good ol' Tiger might be next in line for an "uncalled for" nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize? You never know what this year could hold. I don't intend for the purpose of my blog to ever be too political...but I wonder how many people actually are aware - in light of President Obama's Nobel Peace Prize nomination and victory last year - that Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, and Benito Mussolini were all nominated for that very same award. Just something to consider...