Whirlwind

Today is saturday. I'm sure you are all aware of this. I know I am. I am so very aware of this because, per my usual routine, I should be asleep right now; not up, wide awake and done with breakfast. It is my weekend to bring Eli to Manhattan for his Excel classes on the K-State campus. It usually makes for a long day. However, this morning I am sitting in Panera, enjoying their Wi-Fi and enjoying myself.

It's a dreary grey morning full of clouds and sprinkles. I was finding it hard to stay alert and in a good mood. It's a bed day is what this day is. I needed something to pick me up and keep my mind occupied, something worthwhile. I tried reading Sex God by Rob Bell but it just wasn't hitting the spot today. So instead I decided to watch the some of the videos in the Nooma series. My favorite is Whirlwind, which we watched in one of my very first 24 Feet whorships. This is the idea behind the Whirwind video:

A lot of us have gone through times in our lives that are difficult. Some have been small and hard to understand and some have been big and overwhelming. During these times we want answers don't we? We want to know why. Why do we have to suffer? Why do bad things happen to good people? We just want someone to make sense of it all. But we don't always get the answers, do we? Sometimes we are left wondering. And those can be some of the most difficult times. maybe there are times we need to be released from having to have all the answers. And maybe it's when we're released that we are able to see there may be more going on here than we realize.

It's a great video. It's so plain and simple yet I find myself unable to take my eyes off of Rob as he walks and speaks. It's powerful. If you haven't seen Everything Is Spiritual by Rob Bell I highly suggest you go watch it. Brock has it and I'm sure he would love to watch it with you. I find myself forgetting sometimes that we don't always need the answers in life. Sometimes we just need to have faith that we aren't in control and can't be in control. Give in to that feeling.

Wise Words from Mumford and Sons

It's been a weekend of thinking for me. Just about life. About school, life, relationships, money, etc. Life for me is good. I shouldn't complain or make it seem as bad as I do sometimes. It's all about the perspective I put it in. I have friends, free time, a computer, iPod, music, etc. Sure, there are always things that I would like to have in my life that I think would make it better but I need to remember that maybe they wouldn't. Would a new Mac Pro actually make my life easier or simpler? No. But man, that would be awesome to have, right?

I guess to put relationships in perspective I will use this line from "Timshel" by Mumford and Sons. "But I can't move the mountains for you." As much as I want to date person A or B I should realize that, while they would make my life better, more interesting and probably make me happier in general, they can't do everything. They can't put money in my bank account, give me good grades or get me closer to my friends on the weekends. I have too many expectations for people in my life sometimes. I think that a certain person can make me happier all the time when I should know better. I DO know better but I get blinded by the fact that people are always looking for companionship.

Having those lofty expectations will sink a relationship in the end. Thinking that someone can do too much for you puts them in a position they can't win. If I told you that you are the only thing that makes me happy, what happens if you are having a bad day and just can't make others happy? When you need someone to make YOU happy. We all have those days, right? I've done this many times and I've come to understand that it's the most unhealthy thing in a relationship. It's so hard just to enjoy the fact that a person is there, and you can enjoy their company and friendship. Because isn't that the point of being in a relationship? At one point you realized that you were such good friends that you wanted there to be more.

I guess the point of this entry is to just remember that your significant other can't move mountains for you, asking them to do that is unfair to both of you. It's selfish. It's hard to enjoy something that has become a common occurrence and something you take for granted. How easy is it to forget that feeling of getting a text and hoping it's her/him? How easy is it to forget knowing that someone is always there for you, no matter what? When you get that feeling, don't let it go. Because one day, you'll sit here like I am, wishing for that feeling, but also knowing that it can't move your mountains, but it can always help you move them.

From the Mouth of John Mayer

"It's been a long night in New York City, it's been a long time since 22."
-John Mayer

The last two weeks of my life have been pretty wonderful. It has been filled with times spent with great friends and on the road a lot. The highlight was definitely seeing John Mayer in concert. It was just a fabulous experience seeing him in person. I love his music and have heard how his shows are much better than any other and I must say, I wasn't disappointed. It wasn't far and away the best show I've seen but as far as the musicianship in concerned, he blew everyone else away. He could use a better stage and lights designer. Maybe he could use the same one as Coldplay.

One of the reasons John Mayer is so good is because he seems so gracious on stage. He may be an asshole, I've never met him, but on stage he seems genuine and thankful for his fans. He also rambles quite a bit about love and life and finding happiness. It really allows the crowd to see what he is like and hear what's on his mind, which isn't something a lot of artists will do in front of thousands of people. It really makes you engage as his audience I think.

Edge of Desire is my favorite JM song, at least since it came out. I was lucky enough to hear it as the encore of his set which thrilled me to no end. As he picked the intro to the song a few times over he talked about Love. He had rambled a little about Love earlier in the set and so I wasn't sure where it was going. It was the friday of Labor Day weekend so everyone was lucky enough to have a 3-day weekend ahead of them, so John decided that this would be a good idea: He implored the audience to call or text someone. We've all Loved someone, been Loved, wanted to Love or are in Love with someone. He told the audience to let someone know that you were thinking about them and that you wanted to go away for the weekend, that for just 72 hours you should spend your time together.

I wish this were possible. I wish life were this easy. I wish people could just send a text that says hey, I like you, let's go somewhere and hang out, get to know each other. I wish that's the way Love worked. It rarely does though. Love is something that is unique and complicated. Love isn't easy. Finding Love isn't easy. Keeping Love is even harder.