Dear Dad..

     Dear Dad (aka my name for God),
Thank You for everything You've done for me. It still amazes me that You've done this much, yet I don't deserve any of it. You're too good for me and yet You still love and adore me.

Thank You for filling the hole. The hole that was left by past fathers who left me in heartbreak.. and You stayed with me...even when I didn't know it. Your embraces that I feel are more nurturing than any father can give me. You've made sure to give me more hugs than the others did.. which isn't saying a lot but it's so awesome and generous of you.

Thank You for Your answers at all the right times. They've led to the best testimonies because of Your creative way of doing things that only You would do. Waiting for the responses have been hard sometimes but they become so overwhelmingly joyful and worth the wait when I receive them.

Thank You for showing me that I'm not alone. I focused on the wrong target.. relationships (boyfriend/ girlfriend that is). I made it harder on myself to withstand the "single life" but You made it easier.. I'm more patient for that perfect one that You have already made and know. By not being with an earthly boy.. I've only strengthened my relationship with You.

Every day is my Father's day. So this letter can be for any day..

Oh and Dad.. thanks for being the best Daddy anyone could ask for! I'm so lucky to say that I am Your daughter. I just wish I would have known your greatness when I was a child.. cause everyone would have definitely been paying attention to us at the Daddy Daughter Dances ;)

                                                                                               Your Daughter,
                                                                                                        Karlye

What I Could Have Been...

     Back home for the holidays! I've been missing the good ol' Douglasville for a while. Missing my friends and family and especially the lack of cop sirens and ambulances in the streets like in the city. But last night wasn't too enjoyable even though I was with some old friends.... I was able to truly be the "outside looking in" on a lifestyle that I was part of.. and it was embarrassing to watch.
     As I arrived at the establishment, the first thing I hear is live country music, even though it was good, it's hard to get into something that I can't really stand hearing ever! The mixture of hunter camouflage Bass Pro Shop hats was enough for me to forget my longing to go home. Then,  more people started arriving. More familiar faces. More bad memories. As they showed up, I could easily tell that none of them were at a normal state with their glassy, blood-shot eyes and their beer at hand.
     If this were a few years ago, I would have been okay with this scene... would have laughed at their stupidity and joined along to get a dose of that "liquid courage." But now, being that I have moved on.. it was rather embarrassing knowing that I looked up to them because they were "cool" to me. Yeah... I used to be dumb.
     As I sat there, no smile on my face, or laughter in my eyes, I thought about all those times I shared with them....and also knowing that majority of them didn't know who I was because every time I encountered their drunken presence, they were too intoxicated to meet me properly and remember me the next morning.
     With all this being typed, it gives me a chance to reflect more on the situation.. in a more positive way.
      I am just so glad that God took control. I don't have to look up to any being.. just The Almighty One.. and that's pretty ballin. I get to feel productive each day. I get to cry tears of love and joy while I worship instead of hate and pity that I can't fit in with everyone else. I get to feel comfortable and sure that my God is going to be there for me no matter what instead of unsure and worried that my "friends" will forget to take me home... or they aren't physically or mentally capable of doing so. I get to have God's love wrapped around me instead of a stranger who's dark thoughts become actions when alcohol is involved.

     I love who I am.

     It's just so great to know that I took the right path when I did. I'm just so thankful and undeserving of God's love, yet He gives it to me anyway... I've never been happier than I am right now. Looking for human satisfaction will never suffice. It doesn't matter. Humans partake in sin just as much as I do if not more, in some cases. Don't look for acceptance because God has already found you and accepted you for who you are, the clothes you wear, the color of your hair, and even the weird make up you wear. We are loved. And I'm so glad I chose to love Him back instead of choosing what I could have been...  

The End is Near

     Well... the fall semester is coming to an end. I have just about survived my first half of my first year of the college chapter in my life. It's been fun, hard, stressful, hysterical, momentous, moving, powerful, scary, disastrous, awesome, spiritual, earthly, etc. It's so crazy to look back and just know that not even an entire year ago, I was safe in high school, only worrying about the gas in my car so I can go to all of the places I need to go for my own leisure. I miss that. 

     This end also marks a beginning of a new time, a new semester. Things will be changing....

My roommate is moving out and commuting, so I either A: will be a loner or B: will have to meet someone new while also living with them. It can be fun but also irritating. Also, my schedule is going to be totally different next semester with more days off than on, which leaves more space for tons of activities!.... or just for more hours at work. 

     I feel that I am ready for this new step in college. More friends to meet, more surroundings I get to accommodate to, and more money to do things that I feel like doing..( not really gas worries since I'm part of the "no car" club on campus ). I'm just waiting for the guy to shoot the little gun and say "GO!"

     Or am I? I have a whole month of chilling! A whole month of no homework, no checking class sites for announcements, no writing extra credit essays, NOTHING! Just enjoying the sparkling lights of Christmas and the crazy strobe lights of the New Year. Oh yes... 

                                                                                    The new chapter will be great. 

Start Something That Matters

     So for the past couple of weeks I have been reading "Start Something That Matters" by TOMS Chief Shoe Giver, Blake Mycoskie. To say the least, it was an awesome read!! I was able to learn the great yet struggling beginning of TOMS and how they prosper now. What we, as the buyers, see are just awesome shoes that seem pretty easy to make, and we don't ever think of the hard work that goes behind the scenes... kind of like we see Santa but don't really think of all the hard work those poor little elves go through to put those smiles on our faces Christmas morning. 

     Even though learning about TOMS history was rather interesting, my favorite part was the rest of the book... how Blake talked about so many other small and large businesses and how they were able to succeed. It was great seeing that he wasn't just wanting to show his own earnings and lessons, but so many others. Also, it wasn't at all about us helping by joining TOMS or just by giving to charities but BEING those charities. The main goal was, as the title says, to start something that matters. I loved it! 

     By reading this pretty ballin step-by-step to making a difference, you can get all the information and thoughts that you need to start your very own business whether it be non or for-profit. Anyone can make a difference, Blake is just trying to pry that want out of us. 

     We can all help.. individually or even as a group!

     

     " A leader can create a company, but a community makes a movement." - Blake Mycoskie. 

     I encourage all who are reading this post to go and get this book now!! Even those who aren't reading this should read my mind from miles away and know that they should get this! I mean come on.. if you're wanting to start up a small movement, why not read the thoughts of a leader who has produced one of the biggest movements of all! 

Carpe Diem!