Words hold limitless power

Words hold limitless power. They convey feelings and emotions that are otherwise difficult to communicate. The choice of a word or words can create or destroy dialogues, begin or end debates, hide or reveal truths, and begin or end relationships. Writing is either therapeutic or torturous and the strength of words both lighten and darken the depths of my soul. Strong words can make you strong. 

Completely Conceivable and Perfectly Possible

It is completely conceivable and perfectly possible that I am overpoweringly obsessed with quotes.
Good quotes.
Deep, thoughtful quotes. 
Quotes that make me think.
And feel.
And inspire. 
Quotes that simplify and edify truths I holds dear. 
Quotes that touch a nerve and even compel me to act. 

Aristotle would be proud to know that all three of his appeals embrace these magical messages. 
Quotes are proof that there is great power in words. Call me crazy, but maybe, just maybe, reading and writing should not be optional or voluntary; they are vital to our very existence. 

Raw and Prickly

I'm not sure I fully understand what it means to be an adult; in fact, I'm uncomfortably close to knocking on the door to my 40's and I am still discovering the responsibilities that come along with adulthood.
If I were to rewind back 20 years, I'm not sure I'd recognize my own self. I had my life planned out by the time I graduated from high school. My compass was pointed in the right direction: college, mission, marriage, kids. They were stages in my life that I sincerely believed would simply fall into place.

Obviously, my life has not gone as planned. However, I would not change the way things have turned out. I'd love to take back some of the dumb things I've done, but I also know that my stupidity has taught me lessons I may not have cultivated any other way. I now recognize that I am only looking at a small part of the big picture. I've learned there is a greater purpose behind adversity. I also know I'm human. Tragedy and trials are difficult. Life can be disheartening and devastating. I have met the raw and prickly parts of my soul and am okay with the fact that I am still sifting through the wreckage.
The truth is that my time in life's kiln is not quite complete. I'm not sure I'll come out of the refiner's fire without any flaws, and I won't rise from the ashes as a perfect adult. However,  I do believe that that process will make me a better human. And right now, that is more than enough for me. 

Transcendentalize that!

The first time I read Thoreau's Walden Pond, I was a junior in high school. (I do believe a big shout out to the great Mr. Crooks is necessary.) My teenage brain could not understand why Henry David chose to live in a one room home in the middle of the woods. I was far too naive to fully understand the purpose. Fast forward a billion years and my adult brain thinks the man was a genius. I wouldn't want to be alone, but I'd love to get away from the chaotic, technology dependent world we live in. 

Thoreau moved to Walden Pond to live simply in nature and to discover what it could teach him. (Yes, transcendentalism is a legitimate argument.) Reading his masterpiece 20 years later has shed new light on the need to take the time to enjoy the little things, the simple things. And, despite the fact that cheese and horror will drip from this pun, I'm going to say it anyway - I'd like too 'Thoreau' myself into simplicity and peace. Transcendentalize that!