Love the Way You Lie

I am from the camp that believes that love does not hurt. Love is many things but it never leaves you crying huddled in some corner as someone berates you. As you may know at first they are so sorry, but eventually even the apologies dwindle down. An abuser will break you down until you are apologizing to him for making him so angry that he has to hurt you.

If you are being abused, you are not being loved. There is no such thing as a battered woman who is cherished and uplifted. You deserve the best that life can offer. You deserve understanding and a chance to build a life for yourself that does not include people who know nothing but how to manipulate or gain control forcefully.

Remember:

-Love does not hurt.

-Love doesn't take away your self-esteem.

-Love isn't good sex.

-Love isn't "I'm sorry, I'll never do it again".

-Love isn't living in fear.

... most importantly.

You can begin again. You are not alone. Even though it feels like not another single soul understands your pain or your position, I do. The hardest step you'll have ever to take is that first step, after that, you will find yourself running with the excitement of possibility to a new life. There will be bumps and you will have to work hard on believeing in you, but you will find a happier life.

Take the step.

Wisdom on a Cup

One's Way to Life: Be a role model - let your actions reflect what you profess. Honesty is imperative. Money, accomplishments and status - all such things do not measure up to being belived and respected by those close to you. Behaving contrary to your beliefs in the service of others who have different fundamental values doesn't serve either you or them very well. Smiling is the best medicine for mankind day in and day out. Everybody wins. Dr. Ellis. Coffee.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel

July 16th marks the Feast Day for My/Our Lady of Mount Carmel. In my younger days, I remember walking alongside her as she was paraded up and down Melrose Park, Illinois. Everytime I go visit my family, I must stop at my home Church and have a talk with My Lady. What better entity can there be outside of my parents who knows me any better? She has witnessed my baptism, first communion and confirmation under her Church - now the Shrine of Our Lady Mount Carmel. (Of course, I fantasized about bringing my one and only before her and ask for her blessing and continuing the cycle with our children and so on. Things just have a way of changing and it's best to just keep on truckin'.) I wear her scapular with great reverence.

The Scapular is a constant reminder of Mary's presence in our lives. Through the symbol of the Scapular we strive to live and die as friends of God. This is the substance of the Scapular Promise.

Even though I have missed the bulk of the festivities (i.e. coronation, Italian Mass, and Novena), I plan on being there for the Feast Day Mass. Below is a clip of the festivities of last year. Lei è così bella! Divertiti!

Random Movie Quote

Folks, I am here to tell you today that the world is filled with many, many faces. Some of those faces are good. They are right with God, right? And some of those faces are going to lie to you. You gotta' watch out for them. 'Cause that pretty face just may indeed be the prince of lies. 'Cause I can tell you right now, his lies are everywhere.

-The Last Exorcism

There's a heavy rotation of exorcism flicks on my computer as of recently. I've always found the subject interesting. If we believe in God, do we have to be believe in evil - well, the evil outside of what people do to each other on a daily basis? Perhaps all of that is inspired by demons? I leave that for you to decide. Anyway, during the viewing of "The Last Exorcism", the lines above nearly knocked me out of my chair. Here's a snippet of the movie.

To Love!

Wherever you may find yourself.

For the better (or worse) part of the year, I was a hot mess! That's not to say that I'm not anymore but at least I've identified why. It was mainly due to one person, a man (for lack of a better word). A man who strung me along at will, mainly because I let him. Even through crocodile tears, I was faced with the truth. It's sad just how much we can fool ourselves without having anything to work with, on. The only person we are hurting is ourselves. We lose our legitimate hopes, dreams - a part of us that no one should have dominion over but ourselves.

I learned a lot about myself though. It would hurt even more if I hadn't. I promise not to compromise myself to someone who does things that contradict everything I believe in - knowingly. For someone to say and do things that contradict themselves and then turn around and critique the lives of others is inexcusable. Yet, there is someone who is watching everything. I am not going to be held accountable for his actions. What I did was enough.

Someone once told me, "si te revuelcas con los puercos, te vas a enlodar." It doesn't translate all that well from Spanish to English but it's a more colorful version of "if you lie with dogs, you'll get fleas." I love you for being supportive of me but there's no point in damning someone when they are doing such a fine job of that all by themselves. Instead you should pray for them. I know from personal experience the power of prayer. Can you imagine being the type of person that takes the most sacred of words and uses them to manipulate others? Everything is a game to them. This person is screaming for help.

I want to have peace and that is what I shall have again.