i just had a conversation with a friend who has become much closer in the past couple of months.  we talked about all of the ups and downs of our lives, how we handle them, and what we can do to promote balance in our lives. 

it's funny how when you're in the midst of a conversation, you don't realize that you might reflect on it for the rest of the day or even pray about it afterward.  we are usually in such a rush to get the conversation over so that we can move on to the next thing that we don't take in all of those precious words or thoughts into much consideration. 

remember yesterday how i was searching for some kind of "slow down" to promote peace and balance in my life?  this morning, i got it.  we sat on my bed and drank coffee, chatting and catching up. 

friends promote balance.  good conversations promote balance.  vacations promote balance.  reflecting promotes balance.  shoveling produces balance. 

why can i not find balance in my life?  well, if i don't slow down and actually enjoy my life, i'm not going to find it.  the enjoyment of a quick dinner at a chinese joint, a conversation over coffee, the love of a new found girlfriend.  the laughter of my dad on the phone.  all of this makes my life pendulum more equal.  

the fear that i have about the life choices i'm making falls to the wayside during all of these events.  the stressors, the little things that i forget about when i'm in a foul mood make my life more rich. 

i view these writings as prayers--some of which i'm in a sour mood and am scowling up as i cry out to a God that i pray hears me...in others, i rejoice in the blessings that so richly placed in my life.  today, i look up and remember how blessed i am to feel the sunshine on my face, to have new friends scattered about my life, to have a clean home, a family, a puppy dog, a good man, and a loving God.

it's those little things that promote peace in our lives.  these little things are the very things that establish hope and faith in our lives. 

"Tell them to look up. Tell them to remember the stars. The stars are always there, but we miss them in the dirt and clouds. We miss them in the storms. Tell them to remember hope. We have hope."

fight the good fight,
+kaia