Picture of the Day

Thirty dollars can get you this huge Ice Cream Sunday. Sigh, It looks so delicious and to think I didn't go to Girhadelli Chocolate factory while I was out in San Francisco this weekend.

Sweet Tooth,

P. Manolos

Validation

Whoa, what the hell?

That's all I could think of last night as I drove home from the night that was essentially from hell. In between my heart racing and my blood pressure pounding, I couldn't help but think that I had finally had enough of being invalidated.

Yes. Kind of like when you go the the store and your coupon expires. According to the store clerk, your coupon has expired due to some justifiable reason, whether it be the fact that it's past the redeem by date, or if it's just a competitor coupon you had no business bringing to them in the first place. The only problem with that analogy is feelings are something intangible and have no value to know one except its possessor.

Well, last night, someone told me all of my life experiences were invalid. I should have seen it coming, I've had skirmishes with theml before, but to have it culminate into a scream fest wasn't something I had on the radar. The whole conversation consisted of the words "judge" and "minor" and "better or worse".

We all have painful life experiences. They can range from a myriad of things - whether it be the mundane falling of a bicycle, or something serious like violence or other forms of physical pain. What we must realize is that no matter what those events may be- they are still painful, life changing events and the pain that someone feels from those events should not be belittled. Yes, we can say we faced worse- but why would you tell another human being that their pain isn't worthy of recognition? Why do we constantly sit and decide who should feel bad and who should feel less bad about something. Here's an even more damning question I suppose, why do we feel qualified to do so?

I drove off in a screaming, crying huff. I screamed because the pain that I felt inside was coming out from every part of my body. This pain was real and no matter what someone else says, I deserve to have it validated and felt. Hot tears streamed down my face because I had allowed someone to get close enough to me to hurt me again. I don't believe in judging the life experiences of others. I know how painful it is to have someone analyze your life and tell you that what you think and feel is worthless. God tells us in the Bible that if we so choose to judge others, we ourselves will be judged more harshly. Yes, there are times where I will slip and think what the hell is wrong with this person? When I find myself in that position, I stop myself and think "what the hell is wrong with me that I think I am qualified to decide if there is anything wrong?"

Don't be the Judge,

P. Manolos

Say A Little Prayer for You

A friend sent this to me. I don't think I will get married, so imagine my surprise when I teared up a bit reading this. I think God has chosen a different path for me in my life. A solitary one.

A Prayer for my Future Husband

Lord God, your Word declares that if I delight myself in you—if I
enjoy and seek your pleasure above mine—you'll give me the desires of
my heart (Psalm 37:4). Desiring a husband is neither evil nor selfish
because marriage is honorable (Hebrews 13:4). At the beginning of
creation, you proclaimed, "It is not good that man should be alone"
and then you created Eve to be a suitable partner for Adam (Genesis
2:18). In the name of Jesus, I ask that you would protect the
husband—a suitable partner—you have chosen for me. Because the
covenant of marriage is sacred (Mark 10:9), I ask for a man of God.
Please give me a husband whose love for me is only outmatched by his
love for you; a man who will cherish me and build me up (Proverbs
31:28); a man who will honor me (I Peter 3:7) and our marriage vows; a
man who will be a good father and provider; a man whom I will be
attracted to physically, emotionally, and spiritually; a man who will
love me as Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5:25). Keep me from
attaching myself to another man out of desperation. I will not settle
for a relationship that's second best, convenient, or one that feeds
my insecurities. Guard my purity and give me the patience to wait. And
when I meet him, confirm to me that he is the one. Release from me the
baggage of past relationships, and prepare m e for the man You have
chosen to be my husband. Free me from any hindrances to a healthy and
godly marriage: insecurities, habitual sins, selfishness, and
emotional hurts. Dispel my unrealistic expectations that set me up for
disappointment. I place my trust in you rather than my partner. In
this period of waiting, I will look to you alone to be my companion
and best friend. You are the one who redeems my life from the pit, who
crowns me with love and compassion, who satisfies my desires with good
things (Psalm 103:4-5). I will not be anxious, but as I present my
requests to you, flood me with the peace that surpasses all
understanding so my heart and my mind are guarded in Christ Jesus
(Philippians 4:6,7). In this request, I commit myself to trust you and
do good, to dwell in the land and feed on your faithfulness. I commit
my way to you and trust that you will bring it to pass (Psalm 37:35).
Amen
(author unknown)

Today's Obsession

NO. no. NO. NO.

I feel sorry for the poor girl who thought this would be a good investment piece for the fall season. Ladies, just stay away from anything that makes you look like you killed a small, furry animal.

P. Manolos

Picture of the Day

Life is almost as blurry as this photograph I took last weekend. I'm in my second week of school and I feel like this year was even worse than last year. Instead of being overwhelmed by new ideas, I'm sunk by all the work I have to do. I have no clue how this year will turn out.

Exhausted,

P. Manolos

Quote of the Day

"Guts are important. Your guts are what digest things. But it is your brains that tell you which things to swallow and which not to swallow" Austin Dacey.

I'm in the midst of a huge paper due in Appellate Advocacy. I'm also working on my journal acc check. Not to mention all the other classes I have work for. Oh boy, my puppy isn't going to be too happy with me the next few days. He was crying hysterically when I left for school this morning. Wednesday will be the worst for him, I have four classes and won't be able to come home in between them.

Picture of the Day

Law school has begun. Frankly, I'm not prepared for this year at all. I still have books yet to obtain and assignments to read. As I type, Zimba is cheerfully chewing his bone in his bed. He knows that he has to play alone when I sit in the war room. I am pulling articles for my accuracy check right now.